Fuel cell module

Abstract

To improve workability relating to a fixing mechanism.SOLUTION: A fuel cell module 10 comprises: a fuel cell; a fuel tank 15 in which a fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell is stored; a frame 20 on which the fuel cell and the fuel tank 15 are loaded; and a fixing mechanism 54 which is provided in the frame 20 and fixes the fuel tank 15 by pressing the fuel tank 15. The fixing mechanism 54 includes: a first fixing mechanism 54a which is positioned higher than a tank main body part 15a and fixes the fuel tank 15 in a vertical direction Z by adjusting a pressing force to the tank main body part 15a; and a second fixing mechanism 54b which is positioned higher than a tank end part 15b and fixes the fuel tank 15 in an axial direction X of the tank main body part 15a by adjusting a pressing force to the tank end part 15b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell module. [Background technology]

[0002] The fuel cell module described in Patent Document 1 includes a fuel cell, a fuel tank that stores fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell, and a frame on which the fuel cell and the fuel tank are mounted. Some fuel cell modules are known that include a fixing mechanism for fixing the fuel tank. The fixing mechanism is provided on the frame, for example, and fixes the fuel tank by pressing against it. In such a fuel cell module, after the fuel tank is mounted on the frame, an adjustment operation is performed to adjust the pressing force from the fixing mechanism to the fuel tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-116750 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the location of the fixing mechanism, the space around the fixing mechanism may be small, which may reduce visibility for performing adjustment work related to the fixing mechanism, thereby reducing workability related to the fixing mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A fuel cell module that solves the above problem is a fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell, a fuel tank that stores fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell, a frame on which the fuel cell and the fuel tank are mounted, and a fixing mechanism that is provided on the frame and fixes the fuel tank by pressing the fuel tank, wherein the fuel tank has a cylindrical tank main body and tank ends located at both ends of the fuel tank in the axial direction of the tank main body, and the tank ends have an outer diameter that becomes smaller the further away from the tank main body in the axial direction of the tank main body, and the fixing mechanism has a first fixing mechanism located above the tank main body and fixes the fuel tank in the vertical direction by adjusting the pressing force on the tank main body, and a second fixing mechanism located above the tank end and fixes the fuel tank in the axial direction of the tank main body by adjusting the pressing force on the tank end.

[0006] According to the above-mentioned configuration, after the fuel tank is mounted on the frame, the fixing mechanism can be adjusted with space above the fuel tank. Compared to a case where the fixing mechanism fixes the lower part of the fuel tank, visibility is improved when adjusting the fixing mechanism, which improves workability related to the fixing mechanism.

[0007] In the fuel cell module, the frame may have a first frame on which the fuel cell and the fuel tank are mounted, and a second frame attached to the first frame, positioned above the fuel tank, and extending in the axial direction of the tank main body along the fuel tank, and the first fixing mechanism and the second fixing mechanism may be attached to the second frame.

[0008] According to the above-described configuration, by attaching the second frame to the first frame, the first fixing mechanism and the second fixing mechanism can be disposed at a position above the fuel tank, thereby further improving the ease of operation of the fixing mechanisms.

[0009] In a fuel cell module, when viewed from above, the second frame has a frame main body portion extending along the axis of the tank main body portion and a frame end portion extending along the axis of the tank end portion, the first fixing mechanism is attached to the frame main body portion and the second fixing mechanism is attached to the frame end portion, when the first fixing mechanism is viewed from above, the first fixing mechanism presses a portion of the tank main body portion that overlaps with the axis of the tank main body portion, and when the second fixing mechanism is viewed from above, the second fixing mechanism presses a portion of the tank end portion that overlaps with the axis of the tank end.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the fuel tank can be more appropriately fixed by the fixing mechanism than when the first fixing mechanism presses a portion of the tank main body that is offset from the axis of the tank main body, or when the second fixing mechanism presses a portion of the tank end that is offset from the axis of the tank end.

[0011] In a fuel cell module, the second fixing mechanism may have a pressing portion that presses the tank end, a displacement portion that displaces the pressing portion in a pressing direction approaching the tank end from the second frame, and a guide portion in which a long hole extending in the pressing direction is formed, and the second frame may have a support portion that supports the displacement portion so that it can be displaced relative to the second frame, and a fixing portion to which the support portion is fixed and to which a fastening member inserted into the long hole is fixed, and the guide portion may be displaceable together with the pressing portion while an insertion position of the fastening member in the long hole is displaced.

[0012] According to the above-mentioned configuration, by displacing the pressing portion in the pressing direction using the displacement portion, the pressing force acting on the tank end portion from the second fixing mechanism can be adjusted, thereby further improving the workability of the fixing mechanism.

[0013] In a fuel cell module, if a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank main body and the vertical direction is defined as an orthogonal direction, the fuel cell module may have a support mechanism that is attached to the first frame, is located lower than the tank main body, and supports the tank main body from outside the tank main body in the orthogonal direction.

[0014] According to the above configuration, since the tank main body is supported by the support mechanism when the fuel tank is mounted on the first frame, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the fuel tank in the orthogonal direction. In addition, since the weight of the fuel tank acts on the support mechanism, the tank main body is supported by the support mechanism, so there is no need to adjust the support mechanism after the fuel tank is mounted on the first frame. Therefore, the support mechanism can be installed in a place with a small surrounding space, which improves design freedom. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to this invention, the workability of the fixing mechanism can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a forklift equipped with a fuel cell module. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell module. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the frame. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of the first frame and the fuel tank. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the frame and the fixing mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top view showing the second frame and the fuel tank. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the second frame and the fixing mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing the second frame and the fixing mechanism. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a top view showing the second frame and the fixing mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the second frame and the fixing mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment in which the fuel cell module is mounted on a forklift will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up" and "down" refer to the state in which the operator operating the forklift faces the front of the vehicle (forward travel direction).

[0018] <Forklift equipped with a fuel cell module> As shown in FIG. 1, the forklift F includes a fuel cell module 10, a vehicle body 11, and a loading device 12. The forklift F is a counterbalanced forklift. The vehicle body 11 has a driver's seat 11a. The vehicle body 11 has an accommodation space 11b. The accommodation space 11b is located below the driver's seat 11a. The fuel cell module 10 is accommodated in the accommodation space 11b. The vehicle body 11 has a counterweight 11c. The counterweight 11c is located at the rear of the vehicle body 11. The loading device 12 is provided at the front of the vehicle body 11. The loading device 12 performs loading and unloading operations.

[0019] <Fuel cell module> As shown in Fig. 2, the fuel cell module 10 includes a fuel cell 14, a fuel tank 15, and a frame 20 on which the fuel cell 14 and the fuel tank 15 are mounted. The fuel cell 14 is a stack of multiple fuel cell units. The fuel cell units are, for example, solid molecular fuel cells. The fuel cell 14 generates electricity using hydrogen and oxygen in the air. That is, hydrogen in this embodiment corresponds to the fuel gas.

[0020] The fuel tank 15 stores hydrogen as a fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell 14. The fuel tank 15 has a cylindrical tank main body 15a and a tank end 15b. The direction in which the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a extends is referred to as the axial direction X of the tank main body 15a. Hereinafter, the axial direction X of the tank main body 15a may also be simply referred to as the axial direction X. The fuel tank 15 is mounted on the fuel cell module 10 so that the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a extends in the left-right direction. That is, the axial direction X is the same as the left-right direction. Hereinafter, the up-down direction is also referred to as the vertical direction Z. The direction perpendicular to the axial direction X and the vertical direction Z of the tank main body 15a is referred to as the orthogonal direction Y. The orthogonal direction Y is the same as the front-rear direction.

[0021] The tank ends 15b are located at both ends of the fuel tank 15 in the axial direction X of the tank main body 15a. The tank ends 15b are located on one side and the other side of the tank main body 15a in the axial direction X of the tank main body 15a. The tank ends 15b correspond to the ends of the fuel tank 15. The outer diameter of the tank ends 15b decreases as they move away from the tank main body 15a in the axial direction X of the tank main body 15a. The axis L2 of the tank ends 15b is on an extension of the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a. Therefore, the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a and the axis L2 of the tank ends 15b correspond to the axis L of the fuel tank 15. The axial direction X is the direction in which the axis L2 of the tank ends 15b extends and the axis L of the fuel tank 15 extends.

[0022] The fuel tank 15 has a nozzle 15c located at a tank end 15b serving as an end of the fuel tank 15. The nozzle 15c is cylindrical and extends in the axial direction X. The outer diameter of the nozzle 15c is smaller than the outer diameter of the tank main body 15a. The nozzle 15c extends in the axial direction X from the tank end 15b located on one side of the tank main body 15a in the axial direction X. A valve (not shown) and a hydrogen supply path (not shown) are connected to the nozzle 15c. Hydrogen is supplied from the fuel tank 15 to the fuel cell 14 through the hydrogen supply path. The amount of hydrogen supplied from the fuel tank 15 to the fuel cell 14 is adjusted by the valve.

[0023] The fuel cell module 10 includes a DC / DC converter 16 and a capacitor 17. The DC / DC converter 16, for example, transforms the output voltage of the fuel cell 14 and outputs it to the capacitor 17. The output voltage from the DC / DC converter 16 is supplied to an electric motor (not shown) that drives the forklift F. The capacitor 17 stores power for driving various auxiliary devices mounted on the fuel cell module 10.

[0024] The fuel cell module 10 includes a heat exchanger 18 and a compressor 19. The heat exchanger 18 exchanges heat between a heat exchange medium that has exchanged heat with the fuel cell 14 and the outside air. Cooling water is used as the heat exchange medium, but other media may be used. The heat exchanger 18 is supplied with cooling water from, for example, a reservoir tank (not shown). The compressor 19 compresses air. The air compressed by the compressor 19 is supplied to the fuel cell 14 through an air supply path (not shown).

[0025] <frame> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 20 has a first frame 21, a second frame 22, and a third frame 23.

[0026] <First frame> The first frame 21 has a front frame portion 21a and a rear frame portion 21b. The front frame portion 21a and the rear frame portion 21b are separate from each other and connected to each other. When the fuel cell module 10 is mounted on a forklift F, the rear frame portion 21b is located further rearward of the forklift F than the front frame portion 21a. For example, the rear frame portion 21b is heavier than the front frame portion 21a. The front frame portion 21a weighs, for example, 80 kg. The rear frame portion 21b weighs, for example, 300 kg.

[0027] The front frame portion 21a has a first bottom portion 31, a standing portion 32 extending upward from the first bottom portion 31, a plate portion 33 located above the first bottom portion 31, and a side wall portion 34 provided around the plate portion 33. The first bottom portion 31 constitutes the lower portion of the front frame portion 21a. The first bottom portion 31 is substantially flat and extends perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. The standing portion 32 extends upward from the upper surface of the first bottom portion 31. The plate portion 33 is connected to the upper end of the standing portion 32. The plate portion 33 is flat and extends perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. On the first bottom portion 31, a heat exchanger 18 is mounted to the right of the standing portion 32. On the first bottom portion 31, an auxiliary device (not shown) is mounted to the left of the standing portion 32. The fuel cell 14 and the compressor 19 are placed in the space on the plate portion 33 and inside the side wall portion 34. That is, the fuel cell 14 is mounted on the front frame portion 21a. Therefore, the fuel cell 14 is mounted on the first frame 21.

[0028] The rear frame portion 21b has a second bottom portion 35. The second bottom portion 35 constitutes the lower portion of the rear frame portion 21b. The first bottom portion 31 and the second bottom portion 35 constitute the bottom portion 24 of the frame 20. The lower surface of the first bottom portion 31 and the lower surface of the second bottom portion 35 constitute the bottom surface 20a of the frame 20. Therefore, the first frame 21 has a bottom portion 24 having the bottom surface 20a of the frame 20. The bottom surface 20a is a plane extending perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. The perpendicular direction Y is a direction along the bottom surface 20a and perpendicular to the axis L1 of the tank main body portion 15a.

[0029] An accommodation portion 35b surrounded by a curved surface 35a is formed on the upper surface of the second bottom portion 35. The curved surfaces 35a are located at the front, rear, left and right of the accommodation portion 35b. The accommodation portion 35b is a space that opens upward. With the fuel tank 15 accommodated in the accommodation portion 35b, the fuel tank 15 is mounted on the rear frame portion 21b. That is, the fuel tank 15 is mounted on the rear frame portion 21b. Therefore, the fuel tank 15 is mounted on the first frame 21. A lower portion of the fuel tank 15 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 35b. The curved surface 35a extends along the outer surface of the fuel tank 15.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell module 10 has a support mechanism 36 that supports the tank body 15a from outside the tank body 15a in the orthogonal direction Y. The support mechanism 36 is attached to the first frame 21. The support mechanism 36 is located below the tank body 15a. In detail, the support mechanism 36 is attached to a portion of the curved surface 35a of the rear frame portion 21b that is located forward of the storage portion 35b and a portion that is located rearward of the storage portion 35b. The support mechanism 36 is made of, for example, rubber. When the fuel tank 15 is stored in the storage portion 35b, the support mechanism 36 contacts the outer surface of the tank body 15a. In this way, the support mechanism 36 suppresses the displacement of the fuel tank 15 in the orthogonal direction Y.

[0031] 3, the first frame 21 has a first extension portion 37 and a second extension portion 38. The first extension portion 37 extends upward from the left end portion of the rear frame portion 21b. The second extension portion 38 extends upward from the right end portion of the rear frame portion 21b. The accommodation portion 35b is located between the first extension portion 37 and the second extension portion 38 in the axial direction X.

[0032] The first extension portion 37 has a first upper surface 37a and a second upper surface 37b. Each of the first upper surface 37a and the second upper surface 37b is a plane that is located at the upper end of the first extension portion 37 and extends perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. The first upper surface 37a is located forward of the second upper surface 37b.

[0033] A plurality of bolt holes H are formed in the first extension portion 37. The plurality of bolt holes H formed in the first extension portion 37 are separated from each other in the orthogonal direction Y. For example, four bolt holes H are formed in the first extension portion 37 in this embodiment. In FIG. 3, two bolt holes H out of the four bolt holes H in the first extension portion 37 are illustrated, and the illustration of the other bolt holes H is omitted. The bolt holes H open to the first upper surface 37a and the second upper surface 37b. Two bolt holes H open to the first upper surface 37a. Two bolt holes H open to the second upper surface 37b.

[0034] The second extension portion 38 has a pair of extension portions 41 and a third extension portion 42. The pair of extension portions 41 are spaced apart from each other in the perpendicular direction Y. The third extension portion 42 is located rearward of the pair of extension portions 41. The base 15c is located between the pair of extension portions 41.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 5, each of the pair of extension portions 41 has a third upper surface 41a. The third upper surface 41a is a plane that is located at the upper end of each of the pair of extension portions 41 and extends perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. A bolt hole H is formed in each of the pair of extension portions 41. In this embodiment, one bolt hole H is formed in each of the pair of extension portions 41. In each of the pair of extension portions 41, the bolt hole H opens to the third upper surface 41a.

[0036] 3, the third extension portion 42 has a fourth upper surface 42a. The fourth upper surface 42a is a flat surface that is located at the upper end of the third extension portion 42 and extends perpendicular to the vertical direction Z.

[0037] A plurality of bolt holes H are formed in the third extension portion 42. The plurality of bolt holes H formed in the third extension portion 42 are separated from each other in the orthogonal direction Y. Two bolt holes H are formed in the third extension portion 42 in this embodiment. The two bolt holes H open in the fourth upper surface 42a. Note that in FIG. 3, of the two bolt holes H in the third extension portion 42, one bolt hole H is illustrated, and the other bolt hole H is not illustrated.

[0038] <2nd frame> 2 and 3, the second frame 22 is positioned above the second bottom portion 35. In other words, the second frame 22 is positioned above the bottom portion 24 of the frame 20. The second frame 22 weighs, for example, 10 kg or less.

[0039] The second frame 22 is attached to the first frame 21. The second frame 22 is located above the fuel tank 15. The second frame 22 extends along the fuel tank 15 in the axial direction X of the tank main body 15a.

[0040] The second frame 22 has a frame main body 51 and a frame end portion 52. The frame main body 51 has a pair of first plate portions 51a spaced apart from each other in the orthogonal direction Y. The pair of first plate portions 51a are generally flat plates extending perpendicular to the orthogonal direction Y. The long sides of the pair of first plate portions 51a extend in the axial direction X. The short sides of the pair of first plate portions 51a extend in the vertical direction Z.

[0041] The frame end 52 is located on the right and left sides of the frame main body 51. The frame end 52 extends along the tank end 15b. In detail, the frame end 52 has a pair of second plate portions 52a that are separated from each other in the orthogonal direction Y. The pair of second plate portions 52a are substantially flat plates that extend perpendicular to the orthogonal direction Y. The pair of second plate portions 52a are connected to the pair of first plate portions 51a. In the frame end 52 located on the right side of the frame main body 51, the pair of second plate portions 52a are curved so as to be positioned lower as they move away from the pair of first plate portions 51a to the right. In the frame end 52 located on the left side of the frame main body 51, the pair of second plate portions 52a are curved so as to be positioned lower as they move away from the pair of first plate portions 51a to the left.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 6, when the second frame 22 is viewed from above, the frame main body 51 extends along the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a. When the second frame 22 is viewed from above, the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a is located between the pair of first plate portions 51a. When the second frame 22 is viewed from above, the frame end portion 52 extends along the axis L2 of the tank end portion 15b. When the second frame 22 is viewed from above, the axis L2 of the tank end portion 15b is located between the pair of second plate portions 52a.

[0043] 2, the second frame 22 has a support plate portion 53. The support plate portion 53 is located above the frame main body portion 51. The support plate portion 53 is fixed to the upper ends of the pair of first plate portions 51a, for example. The support plate portion 53 has a DC / DC converter 16 mounted thereon. Thus, the second frame 22 has the DC / DC converter 16 mounted thereon.

[0044] 3 and 6, the second frame 22 includes a plurality of first fixing plate portions 55. In this embodiment, the second frame 22 includes two first fixing plate portions 55. One of the two first fixing plate portions 55 is located at one end of the second frame 22 in the axial direction X, and the other is located at the other end of the second frame 22 in the axial direction X. The frame end portion 52 is located between the frame main body portion 51 and the first fixing plate portions 55. The first fixing plate portions 55 are connected to the frame end portion 52.

[0045] The first fixing plate portion 55 has a flat plate shape extending perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. A bolt hole H is formed in the first fixing plate portion 55. The bolt hole H opens on the lower surface of the first fixing plate portion 55. In this embodiment, two bolt holes H are formed in the first fixing plate portion 55. The two bolt holes H are spaced apart from each other in the perpendicular direction Y on the first fixing plate portion 55.

[0046] 3, the two first fixing plate portions 55 are placed on the first upper surface 37a of the first extension portion 37 and the third upper surfaces 41a of the pair of extension portions 41. A fastening member B is inserted into the bolt hole H in the first extension portion 37 and the bolt hole H in the first fixing plate portion 55 placed on the first extension portion 37. A fastening member B is inserted into the bolt hole H in the pair of extension portions 41 and the bolt hole H in the first fixing plate portion 55 placed on the pair of extension portions 41. In this way, the second frame 22 is attached to the first frame 21 by the fastening member B.

[0047] 5, the second frame 22 has an attachment portion 70. The attachment portions 70 are located at both ends of the second frame 22 in the axial direction X. The attachment portions 70 have a support portion 71 and a fixing portion 72. In other words, the second frame 22 has the support portion 71 and the fixing portion 72.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, the fixing portion 72 is flat. The fixing portion 72 is located between the pair of second plate portions 52a at the frame end portion 52. The fixing portion 72 extends perpendicular to the pair of second plate portions 52a. The support portion 71 is fixed to the fixing portion 72. The support portion 71 extends from the fixing portion 72 perpendicular to the fixing portion 72. The support portion 71 extends in a direction away from the fixing portion 72 to the first fixing plate portion 55. When the end of the support portion 71 connected to the fixing portion 72 is taken as the base end, a through hole 71h is formed at the tip of the support portion 71. The through hole 71h is a round hole that penetrates the support portion 71. A screw groove (not shown) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the support portion 71 that forms the through hole 71h.

[0049] <Third frame> 2 and 3, the third frame 23 is positioned higher than the second bottom portion 35. In other words, the third frame 23 is positioned higher than the bottom portion 24 of the frame 20. The third frame 23 weighs, for example, 10 kg or less.

[0050] The third frame 23 has a pair of pillars 61 extending in the vertical direction Z, and a connecting portion 62 connecting the pair of pillars 61 to each other. The pair of pillars 61 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction X. The connecting portion 62 is located between the pair of pillars 61 in the axial direction X. The connecting portion 62 is, for example, in the shape of a rectangular flat plate with a longitudinal direction extending in the axial direction X. One end of the connecting portion 62 in the axial direction X is connected to one of the pair of pillars 61, and the other end is connected to the other of the pair of pillars 61.

[0051] Capacitor 17 is placed between the pair of pillars 61 in the axial direction X. Capacitor 17 is connected to the pair of pillars 61 by a connecting member (not shown). Thus, capacitor 17 is mounted on the pair of pillars 61. Capacitor 17 is mounted on third frame 23.

[0052] 3, the third frame 23 includes a plurality of second fixing plate portions 63. In this embodiment, the third frame 23 includes two second fixing plate portions 63. The second fixing plate portions 63 are provided at the lower ends of the pillar portions 61. One of the two second fixing plate portions 63 is provided on one of the pair of pillar portions 61, and the other is provided on the other of the pair of pillar portions 61.

[0053] The second fixing plate portion 63 has a flat plate shape extending perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. A bolt hole H is formed in the second fixing plate portion 63. The bolt hole H opens on the lower surface of the second fixing plate portion 63. In this embodiment, two bolt holes H are formed in the second fixing plate portion 63. The two bolt holes H are spaced apart from each other in the perpendicular direction Y in the second fixing plate portion 63. Note that in the drawings, of the two bolt holes H in the second fixing plate portion 63, one bolt hole H is shown, and the other bolt hole H is not shown.

[0054] The two second fixing plate portions 63 are placed on the second upper surface 37b of the first extension portion 37 and the fourth upper surface 42a of the third extension portion 42. Fastening members B are inserted into the bolt holes H in the first extension portion 37 and the bolt holes H in the second fixing plate portion 63 placed on the first extension portion 37. Fastening members B are inserted into the bolt holes H in the third extension portion 42 and the bolt holes H in the second fixing plate portion 63 placed on the third extension portion 42. In this way, the third frame 23 is attached to the first frame 21 by the fastening members B.

[0055] <Fixing mechanism> As shown in Fig. 5, the fuel cell module 10 includes a fixing mechanism 54. The fixing mechanism 54 has a first fixing mechanism 54a and a second fixing mechanism 54b. The first fixing mechanism 54a and the second fixing mechanism 54b are attached to the second frame 22. The first fixing mechanism 54a is attached to the frame main body portion 51. The second fixing mechanism 54b is attached to the frame end portion 52. Thus, the fixing mechanism 54 is provided on the frame 20. The fixing mechanism 54 fixes the fuel tank 15 by pressing against the fuel tank 15.

[0056] The first fixing mechanism 54a is located above the tank main body 15a. The first fixing mechanism 54a fixes the fuel tank 15 in the vertical direction Z by adjusting the pressing force applied to the tank main body 15a. The first fixing mechanism 54a is provided, for example, between the pair of first plate portions 51a.

[0057] The second fixing mechanism 54b is located above the tank end 15b. The second fixing mechanism 54b fixes the fuel tank 15 in the axial direction X of the tank main body 15a by adjusting the pressing force applied to the tank end 15b. The second fixing mechanism 54b is provided, for example, between the pair of second plate portions 52a.

[0058] 6, when the first fixing mechanism 54a is viewed from above, the first fixing mechanism 54a presses against a portion of the tank main body 15a that overlaps with the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a. When the second fixing mechanism 54b is viewed from above, the second fixing mechanism 54b presses against a portion of the tank end 15b that overlaps with the axis L2 of the tank end 15b.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, the second fixing mechanism 54b has a pressing portion 73, a displacement portion 74, and a guide portion 75. The displacement portion 74 is a bolt. The displacement portion 74 has a screw head 74b and a shaft portion 74a extending from the screw head 74b and having a thread groove formed on the outer circumferential surface. The shaft portion 74a is inserted into a through hole 71h of the support portion 71. As a result, the support portion 71 supports the displacement portion 74 so as to be displaceable relative to the second frame 22. The thread groove of the portion of the shaft portion 74a inserted into the through hole 71h meshes with the thread groove of the support portion 71. With the shaft portion 74a inserted into the through hole 71h, the thread groove of the shaft portion 74a meshes with the thread groove of the support portion 71, and the displacement portion 74 is displaceable in the direction in which the shaft portion 74a extends by rotating about the axis of the shaft portion 74a. The direction in which the shaft portion 74a extends is also referred to below as a pressing direction D. The pressing direction D is a direction from the second frame 22 toward the tank end portion 15b.

[0060] Of both ends of the shaft portion 74a, the end opposite to the screw head 74b is referred to as the shaft end 74c. The shaft end 74c corresponds to the end of the displacement portion 74 in the pressing direction D. An insertion member 80 is inserted into the shaft portion 74a. The insertion member 80 is, for example, a nut. The insertion member 80 is inserted between the portion of the shaft portion 74a that is inserted into the through hole 71h of the support portion 71 and the screw head 74b. The insertion member 80 can be displaced along the shaft portion 74a by rotating along the screw groove of the shaft portion 74a. When the insertion member 80 is in contact with the support portion 71, the displacement of the shaft portion 74a is restricted.

[0061] The second fixing mechanism 54b has two guide parts 75. The two guide parts 75 are arranged to form a pair with the support part 71 in between. The guide part 75 is a flat plate extending in the pressing direction D. The guide part 75 has an elongated hole 75h extending in the pressing direction D. The elongated hole 75h penetrates the guide part 75. A fastening member B is inserted into the elongated hole 75h. The fastening member B inserted into the elongated hole 75h is fastened to a fastening hole (not shown) of the fixing part 72. As a result, the fastening member B inserted into the elongated hole 75h is fixed to the fixing part 72. The guide part 75 is attached to the fixing part 72. The guide part 75 is displaceable in the pressing direction D while the insertion position of the fastening member B in the elongated hole 75h is displaced.

[0062] The pressing portion 73 has a first connecting portion 73a, a second connecting portion 73b, and a pressing body portion 73c. ​​The first connecting portion 73a is a flat plate extending so as to bend from an end portion of the guide portion 75 in the pressing direction D. The first connecting portion 73a is integral with the guide portion 75. Therefore, the first connecting portion 73a can be displaced together with the guide portion 75. The second connecting portion 73b is attached to the first connecting portion 73a. The pressing body portion 73c is attached to the second connecting portion 73b. Therefore, the pressing body portion 73c is attached to the first connecting portion 73a via the second connecting portion 73b. The first connecting portion 73a, the second connecting portion 73b, and the pressing body portion 73c can be displaced together with the guide portion 75. Therefore, the guide portion 75 can be displaced together with the pressing portion 73 while the insertion position of the fastening member B in the long hole 75h is displaced.

[0063] The shaft end 74c of the guide portion 75 contacts the first connection portion 73a. As the guide portion 75 is displaced, the shaft end 74c of the shaft portion 74a presses the first connection portion 73a in the pressing direction D, displacing the guide portion 75 and the pressing portion 73 in the pressing direction D. In this way, the displacement portion 74 displaces the pressing portion 73 in the pressing direction D, away from the second frame 22, toward the tank end 15b. The pressing main body portion 73c contacts the outer surface of the tank end 15b. As a result, the pressing portion 73 presses the tank end 15b.

[0064] [Operation of this embodiment] The operation of this embodiment will be described together with an example of a method for assembling the fuel cell module 10.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when assembling the fuel cell module 10, various accessories including the fuel cell 14, the heat exchanger 18, and the compressor 19 are first mounted on the front frame portion 21a. The front frame portion 21a on which the accessories are mounted is attached to the rear frame portion 21b. The front frame portion 21a and the rear frame portion 21b are integrated in this manner to form the first frame 21. The subsequent assembly of the fuel cell module 10 is performed in a state in which the bottom surface 20a, which is the lower surface of the bottom portion 24 of the first frame 21, is placed on a work site. Then, the fuel tank 15 is mounted on the rear frame portion 21b. After the fuel tank 15 is mounted on the rear frame portion 21b, the second frame 22 and the third frame 23 are disposed above the bottom portion 24 of the first frame 21. At this time, the second frame 22 and the third frame 23 are sequentially disposed, for example, by the operator's hands.

[0066] 9, after the second frame 22 is mounted on the rear frame portion 21b, an adjustment work is performed to adjust the pressing force of the first fixing mechanism 54a and the second fixing mechanism 54b on the tank end portion 15b. This adjustment work is performed after the second frame 22 is mounted on the frame 20 and before accessories and the like are mounted around the second frame 22. Therefore, the above adjustment work can be performed in a state where space is secured around the first fixing mechanism 54a and the second fixing mechanism 54b.

[0067] As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, when performing the above-mentioned adjustment work on the second fixing mechanism 54b, the worker first displaces the displacement portion 74 in the pressing direction D. As a result, the first connecting portion 73a is pressed in the pressing direction D by the shaft end portion 74c, so that the guide portion 75 and the pressing portion 73 are displaced in the pressing direction D. At this time, the guide portion 75 is displaced in the pressing direction D with the fastening member B fastened to the fixing portion 72 inserted into the long hole 75h, so that the guide portion 75 and the pressing portion 73 are displaced in a state where they are unlikely to be displaced relative to the shaft end portion 74c. As the guide portion 75 and the pressing portion 73 are displaced in the pressing direction D, the pressing main body portion 73c approaches the outer surface of the tank end portion 15b. Note that Fig. 9 shows the second fixing mechanism 54b before the guide portion 75 and the pressing portion 73 are displaced in the pressing direction D. Fig. 10 shows the second fixing mechanism 54b after the guide portion 75 and the pressing portion 73 are displaced in the pressing direction D.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 10, when the pressing body portion 73c comes into contact with the outer surface of the tank end portion 15b, the worker stops the displacement operation of the displacement portion 74. The worker rotates the insertion member 80 until it comes into contact with the support portion 71. When the insertion member 80 comes into contact with the support portion 71, the displacement of the displacement portion 74 is restricted. This maintains a state in which a pressing force is applied from the second fixing mechanism 54b to the tank end portion 15b via the pressing body portion 73c. ​​As a result, the fuel tank 15 is fixed in the axial direction X of the tank main body portion 15a by the second fixing mechanism 54b.

[0069] In the above adjustment work, a confirmation work may be performed to confirm whether or not a pressing force is appropriately applied from the second fixing mechanism 54b to the tank end 15b. In this confirmation work, for example, an operator attempts to insert a tool between the pressing main body part 73c and the outer surface of the tank end 15b to confirm that no gap is generated between the pressing main body part 73c and the outer surface of the tank end 15b. If it is determined by this confirmation work that a gap is generated between the pressing main body part 73c and the outer surface of the tank end 15b, the above adjustment work of the pressing force of the second fixing mechanism 54b due to the displacement of the displacement part 74 may be performed again.

[0070] [Effects of this embodiment] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The fixing mechanism 54 has a first fixing mechanism 54a located above the tank main body 15a and a second fixing mechanism 54b located above the tank end 15b. The first fixing mechanism 54a fixes the fuel tank 15 in the vertical direction Z by adjusting the pressing force on the tank main body 15a. The second fixing mechanism 54b fixes the fuel tank 15 in the axial direction X of the tank main body 15a by adjusting the pressing force on the tank end 15b. Therefore, after the fuel tank 15 is mounted on the frame 20, the fixing mechanism 54 can be adjusted in a state where there is space above the fuel tank 15. Compared to a case where the fixing mechanism 54 fixes the lower part of the fuel tank 15, visibility during adjustment of the fixing mechanism 54 is improved, and therefore the workability related to the fixing mechanism 54 can be improved.

[0071] (2) The frame 20 has a first frame 21 on which the fuel cell 14 and the fuel tank 15 are mounted, and a second frame 22 attached to the first frame 21. The second frame 22 is located above the fuel tank 15 and extends along the fuel tank 15 in the axial direction X of the tank main body 15a. The first fixing mechanism 54a and the second fixing mechanism 54b are attached to the second frame 22. Therefore, by attaching the second frame 22 to the first frame 21, the first fixing mechanism 54a and the second fixing mechanism 54b can be disposed in a position above the fuel tank 15. This further improves the ease of operation related to the fixing mechanism 54.

[0072] (3) When viewed from above, the second frame 22 has a frame main body 51 extending along the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a and a frame end 52 extending along the axis L2 of the tank end 15b. The first fixing mechanism 54a is attached to the frame main body 51. The second fixing mechanism 54b is attached to the frame end 52. When viewed from above, the first fixing mechanism 54a presses a portion of the tank main body 15a that overlaps with the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a. When viewed from above, the second fixing mechanism 54b presses a portion of the tank end 15b that overlaps with the axis L2 of the tank end 15b. Therefore, the fixing mechanism 54 can fix the fuel tank 15 more appropriately than when the first fixing mechanism 54a presses a portion of the tank main body 15a that is offset from the axis L1, or when the second fixing mechanism 54b presses a portion of the tank end 15b that is offset from the axis L2.

[0073] (4) The second fixing mechanism 54b has a pressing portion 73, a displacement portion 74, and a guide portion 75. The pressing portion 73 presses the tank end portion 15b. The displacement portion 74 displaces the pressing portion 73 in a pressing direction D in which the pressing portion 73 approaches the tank end portion 15b from the second frame 22. The guide portion 75 has a long hole 75h extending in the pressing direction D. The second frame 22 has a support portion 71 that supports the displacement portion 74 displaceably relative to the second frame 22, and a fixing portion 72 to which the support portion 71 is fixed and to which the fastening member B inserted in the long hole 75h is fixed. The guide portion 75 can be displaced together with the pressing portion 73 while the insertion position of the fastening member B in the long hole 75h is displaced. Therefore, by performing an operation of displacing the pressing portion 73 in the pressing direction D by the displacement portion 74, the pressing force acting on the tank end portion 15b from the second fixing mechanism 54b can be adjusted. Therefore, the workability relating to the fixing mechanism 54 can be further improved.

[0074] (5) The fuel cell module 10 has a support mechanism 36 that supports the tank main body 15a from outside the tank main body 15a in the orthogonal direction Y. The support mechanism 36 is attached to the first frame 21 and is located below the tank main body 15a. Therefore, when the fuel tank 15 is mounted on the first frame 21, the tank main body 15a is supported by the support mechanism 36, so that the positional deviation of the fuel tank 15 in the orthogonal direction Y can be suppressed. In addition, the weight of the fuel tank 15 acts on the support mechanism 36, so that the tank main body 15a is supported by the support mechanism 36. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the support mechanism 36 after the fuel tank 15 is mounted on the first frame 21. Therefore, the support mechanism 36 can be mounted in a place with a small surrounding space, so that the degree of freedom in design can be improved.

[0075] [Example of change] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0076] The support mechanism 36 may support the tank end 15b from outside the tank end 15b in the orthogonal direction. The support mechanism 36 may be configured such that the pressing force applied to the fuel tank 15 is adjustable, like the second fixing mechanism 54b.

[0077] In cases where the fuel tank 15 is unlikely to shift in position in the perpendicular direction, the support mechanism 36 may be omitted from the fuel cell module 10. The second fixing mechanism 54b is not limited to having the pressing portion 73, the displacement portion 74, and the guide portion 75. In other words, the configuration of the second fixing mechanism 54b can be freely modified as long as the pressing force applied to the tank end portion 15b is adjusted to fix the fuel tank 15 in the axial direction X of the tank main body 15a. In this modification, the support portion 71 and the fixing portion 72 may be omitted from the second frame 22.

[0078] When the first fixing mechanism 54a is viewed from above, the first fixing mechanism 54a may press a portion of the tank main body 15a that is offset from the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a. When the second fixing mechanism 54b is viewed from above, the second fixing mechanism 54b may press a portion of the tank end 15b that is offset from the axis L2 of the tank end 15b. In this modification, when the second frame 22 is viewed from above, the frame main body 51 may extend at a position offset from the axis L1 of the tank main body 15a. When the second frame 22 is viewed from above, the frame end 52 may extend at a position offset from the axis L2 of the tank end 15b.

[0079] The member mounted on the third frame 23 may be a member other than the capacitor 17 . The member mounted on the second frame 22 may be a member other than the DC / DC converter 16 .

[0080] The third frame 23 may be omitted from the fuel cell module 10. At least one of the first fixing mechanism 54 a and the second fixing mechanism 54 b may be attached to a member other than the second frame 22 .

[0081] The front frame portion 21a and the rear frame portion 21b do not have to be separate members, but may be a single member. In this case, the first frame 21 may be a single member as a whole. The fuel cell module 10 may be installed in a passenger vehicle, a ship, a train, or the like.

[0082] The fuel cell module 10 may be used as a stationary power generation device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] B...fastening member, D...pressing direction, L1...axis (of tank main body), L2...axis (of tank end), X...axial direction, Y...orthogonal direction, Z...vertical direction, 10...fuel cell module, 14...fuel cell, 15...fuel tank, 15a...tank main body, 15b...tank end, 20...frame, 21...first frame, 22...second frame, 36...support mechanism, 51...frame main body, 52...frame end, 54...fixing mechanism, 54a...first fixing mechanism, 54b...second fixing mechanism, 71...support portion, 72...fixing portion, 73...pressing portion, 74...displacement portion, 75...guide portion, 75h...long hole.

Claims

1. A fuel cell; a fuel tank for storing a fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell; a frame on which the fuel cell and the fuel tank are mounted; a fixing mechanism that is provided on the frame and presses the fuel tank to fix the fuel tank, The fuel tank has a cylindrical tank main body and tank ends located at both ends of the fuel tank in an axial direction of the tank main body, The outer diameter of the tank end portion decreases as the tank end portion moves away from the tank main body portion in the axial direction of the tank main body portion, The fixing mechanism includes: a first fixing mechanism that is located above the tank main body and fixes the fuel tank in a vertical direction by adjusting a pressing force applied to the tank main body; a second fixing mechanism located above the tank end and fixing the fuel tank in the axial direction of the tank main body by adjusting the pressing force on the tank end.

2. The frame is a first frame on which the fuel cell and the fuel tank are mounted; a second frame attached to the first frame, positioned above the fuel tank, and extending along the fuel tank in the axial direction of the tank main body, The fuel cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the first fixing mechanism and the second fixing mechanism are attached to the second frame.

3. When viewed from above, the second frame has a frame main body portion extending along an axis of the tank main body portion and a frame end portion extending along an axis of the tank end portion, The first fixing mechanism is attached to the frame main body, The second fixing mechanism is attached to the frame end, When the first fixing mechanism is viewed from above, the first fixing mechanism presses a portion of the tank main body that overlaps with an axis of the tank main body, 3. The fuel cell module according to claim 2, wherein when the second fixing mechanism is viewed from above, the second fixing mechanism presses a portion of the tank end that overlaps with an axis of the tank end.

4. The second fixing mechanism includes: A pressing portion that presses the tank end portion; a displacement portion that displaces the pressing portion in a pressing direction from the second frame toward the tank end; A guide portion having a long hole extending in the pressing direction, the second frame has a support portion that supports the displacement portion so as to be displaceable relative to the second frame, and a fixing portion to which the support portion is fixed and to which a fastening member inserted into the elongated hole is fixed, 4. The fuel cell module according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion is displaceable together with the pressing portion while an insertion position of the fastening member in the elongated hole is displaced.

5. If a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank main body and the vertical direction is defined as an orthogonal direction, 4. The fuel cell module according to claim 2, further comprising a support mechanism attached to the first frame, positioned below the tank main body, and supporting the tank main body from outside the tank main body in the perpendicular direction.

Images