Pickup truck-type vehicle with a gas storage module

Abstract

A pickup truck has a cargo bed (1) delimited by at least two side and longitudinal rails (2) and by a cab (4) at the front of the bed (1). The vehicle includes a storage module (6) for a pressurized gas intended to power a powertrain, the storage module (6) having a frame (61) extending from one side rail (2) to the other above the bed (1) along the cab (4) and fixed to an upper edge of each of the rails (2), the frame (61) supporting at least one tank for holding gas. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Pick-up type vehicle comprising a gas storage module Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle of the pick-up type comprising a loading platform delimited by at least two lateral and longitudinal sides and by a cabin at the front of the platform. It relates more particularly to the installation on the vehicle of a gas storage module to supply a powertrain of the vehicle. Prior art

[0002] A pick-up type vehicle is known comprising a loading platform delimited by at least two lateral and longitudinal sides and by a cabin at the front of the platform. The platform allows materials or goods to be transported with access from above or from the rear of the vehicle. These vehicles are generally equipped with thermal engines powered by liquid fuel.

[0003] The objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant gases suggest exploring alternatives, and in particular the supply of dihydrogen obtained from renewable energy sources. A major constraint of this technique lies in the storage of dihydrogen in the vehicle. In the solution of storage in gaseous form under pressure, it is necessary to provide a large storage volume, even at high pressures of 350 bars, or even 700 bars.

[0004] Document US 8,534,403 B2 shows a pickup-type vehicle equipped with tanks for compressed natural gas. The vehicle comprises a storage module comprising a frame and one or two tanks extending horizontally. The storage module is placed between the rear of the cab and the front of the bed, with the tanks extending in a transverse direction. In the case of two tanks, these are placed superimposed, i.e. one above the other.

[0005] This arrangement significantly reduces the loading space on the platform, in particular by reducing the maximum size of the objects which can be placed on the platform. Statement of the invention

[0006] It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide a vehicle of the pick-up type comprising a loading platform so that it is supplied with pressurized gas but while preserving the loading capacities as much as possible.

[0007] With these objectives in view, the invention relates to a vehicle of the pick-up type comprising a loading platform delimited by at least two side walls and longitudinal and by a cabin at the front of the platform, the vehicle comprising a storage module for a pressurized gas intended to supply a powertrain, characterized in that the storage module comprises a frame extending from one side wall to the other above the platform along the cabin, the frame supporting at least one tank for containing gas.

[0008] Thanks to this arrangement, the loading platform remains free over its entire surface. A vehicle initially equipped with a liquid fuel supply can be easily transformed by adding the storage module.

[0009] According to a preferred arrangement, the storage module is intended and equipped to contain dihydrogen. The storage of this gas requires large volumes. It is hardly possible to use “lost” spaces to place tanks there.

[0010] According to one constructive arrangement, the frame is fixed on the upper edge of the sides. In some cases, the vehicle is already designed to receive a roll bar at the rear of the cabin. The same fixing means can be used to fix the storage module.

[0011] According to another constructive arrangement, the frame is fixed on the platform. In certain cases, the vehicle has anchoring points on the platform. These can be used to fix the frame. These anchoring points can also be added specifically. Preferably, these are along the side walls.

[0012] According to a constructive arrangement, the storage module comprises at least two tanks having a cylindrical body, the tanks being arranged at the same level. The use of more than one tank makes it possible to limit the height occupied by them by distributing the volume over several tanks of smaller size than if there were only one for the same capacity.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the tanks are arranged parallel to each other and with the axes of the cylindrical bodies oriented in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the tanks are arranged parallel to each other and with the axes of the cylindrical bodies oriented in a transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0015] According to an improvement, a curtain extends horizontally above the platform and below the storage module, being attached to the upper edges of the side panels. This curtain makes it possible to protect the goods contained on the platform from the weather or from prying eyes. This type of curtain is already frequently supplied with this type of vehicle and the addition of the storage module does not prevent its use.

[0016] According to another improvement, a removable rigid roof covers the tray, including the storage module. The removable rigid roof is a frequently used solution fake supplied with pickup type vehicles. In such a version, the storage module can be housed under this removable hardtop.

[0017] According to a constructive arrangement, the storage module comprises a connection device for filling the storage module with gas. Given the positioning of the storage module, the connection device is directly accessible from the outside or, where appropriate, by passing through a wall of the removable rigid roof. Brief description of the figures

[0018] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will appear on reading the description which follows, the description making reference to the appended drawings among which: • [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a pick-up type vehicle according to a first embodiment of the invention and comprising a removable rigid roof; • [Fig.2] is a view similar to [Fig.l] of a vehicle according to the prior art; • [Fig.3] is a side view of a vehicle conforming to a second mode of realization of the invention; • [Fig.4] is a view of the rear of the vehicle of [Fig.3]; • [Fig.5] is a side view of a vehicle conforming to a third mode of realization of the invention; • [Fig.6] is a view of the rear of the vehicle of [Fig.5]; • [Fig.7] is a view similar to [Fig.6] according to a fourth mode of realization lization of the invention.. Detailed description

[0019] A vehicle of the pick-up type according to the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 to 7, and generally comprises a loading platform 1 delimited by two lateral and longitudinal sides 2, by a tilting rear side 3 and by a cabin 4 at the front of the platform 1. In the embodiment of [Fig.l], the vehicle comprises a removable rigid roof 5 covering the platform 1 while including a storage module 6. The storage module 6 comprises a connection device 60 for filling the storage module 6 with gas. The connection device 60 is accessible from the side of the vehicle above the side side 2.

[0020] The storage module 6 (not visible in [Fig.l], covered by the roof 5) is intended to store a pressurized gas, in this case dihydrogen, intended to supply a powertrain, not shown. As shown in [Fig.3] and 4, the storage module 6 comprises a frame 61 extending from one side wall 2 to the other above the platform 1 along the cabin 4 and fixed on an upper edge 20 of each 2 sideboards.

[0021] In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the storage module 6 comprises two tanks 62 having a cylindrical body, the tanks 62 being arranged at the same level parallel to each other and with the axes of the cylindrical bodies oriented in a transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0022] In the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, the storage module 6' comprises three tanks 62' having a cylindrical body, the tanks 62' being arranged on the frame 61' at the same level parallel to each other and with the axes of the cylindrical bodies oriented in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0023] The tanks 62, 62' rest for example on cradles of the frame 61, 61' and are fixed there by straps, not shown.

[0024] [Fig. 2] shows a vehicle comprising a curtain 7 extending horizontally above the platform 1, being attached to the upper edges of the side panels 2, and a hoop 8 extending transversely at the rear of the cabin 4. This vehicle can be transformed by removing the hoop 8 and replacing it with the storage module 6, the frame 61 being fixed to the upper edges of the side panels 2. The powertrain must also be adapted and connected to the storage module 6 by a pipe.

[0025] By way of example, the tanks 62 in the first embodiment have a length of approximately one meter and a diameter of between 0.4 and 0.5 meters. These dimensions may be increased depending on the dimensions of the vehicle. The tanks may be of any suitable type, in particular type I to IV, and in particular type II or III, i.e. with a metal inner tank (steel or aluminum) and a fiber composite casing. The tanks are typically designed for a filling pressure of 350 to 700 bars. The various tanks may be connected to a collection pipe comprising an outlet connector to be connected to a supply pipe of the powertrain, as well as the connection device 60 (e.g. a connector with a non-return valve capable of cooperating with a filling nozzle).

[0026] In a fourth embodiment, shown in [Fig.7], the frame 61” comprises feet 610 which extend along the side walls 2 to the platform 1. The feet 610 are fixed to the platform 1. This configuration is advantageous when the sides are not provided for fixing the frame 61” on the upper edges. Anchoring points 610 can be used for fixing the feet either already provided on the vehicle or specifically installed.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle of the pick-up type comprising a loading platform (1) delimited by at least two lateral and longitudinal sides (2) and by a cabin (4) at the front of the platform (1), the vehicle comprising a storage module (6) for a pressurized gas intended to supply a powertrain, characterized in that the storage module (6) comprises a frame (61) extending from one lateral side (2) to the other above the platform (1) along the cabin (4), the frame (61) supporting at least one tank for containing gas.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the storage module (6) is intended and equipped to contain dihydrogen.

3. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the frame (61, 61') is fixed on an upper edge of each of the side panels (2).

4. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the frame (61”) is fixed on the platform (1).

5. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the storage module (6) comprises at least two tanks (62) having a cylindrical body, the tanks (62) being arranged at the same level.

6. Vehicle according to claim 3, in which the tanks (62) are arranged parallel to each other and with the axes of the cylindrical bodies oriented in a longitudinal direction (F) of the vehicle.

7. Vehicle according to claim 3, in which the tanks (62) are arranged parallel to each other and with the axes of the cylindrical bodies oriented in a transverse direction (T) of the vehicle.

8. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which a curtain (7) extends horizontally above the platform (1) and below the storage module (6), being attached to the upper edges of the side panels (2).

9. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which a removable rigid roof (5) covers the platform (1) while including the storage module (6).

10. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the storage module (6) comprises a connection device (60) for filling the storage module (6) with gas.

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