Fuel cell vehicle

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell vehicle which discharges hydrogen gas appropriately, in emergency.SOLUTION: A fuel cell vehicle 1 in which a rear body 40 is arranged at the rear side from a cab 30 on a chassis frame 20, includes a hydrogen tank 2 which stores hydrogen gas, a lower side pipe 3 through which hydrogen gas flows from the hydrogen tank 2 in emergency, an upper side pipe 4 which discharges hydrogen gas flowing through the lower side pipe 3 to outside from an upper end part 4b and a permission part 5 which connects the lower side pipe 3 and the upper side pipe 4. The hydrogen tank 2 is supported by the chassis frame 20. The lower side pipe 3 is extended from the hydrogen tank 2. The upper side pipe 4 is extended in a vertical direction D3 along a front surface 41 of the rear body 40 and is fixed to the front surface 41. The permission part 5 permits relative movements of the lower side pipe 3 and the upper side pipe 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This case relates to a fuel cell vehicle that releases hydrogen gas in a hydrogen tank to the outside in an emergency.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, fuel cell vehicles equipped with fuel cells that generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen (air) are known. As a safety measure for such fuel cell vehicles in the event of a collision, when it is determined that a collision has occurred, the supply of reaction gas to the fuel cell stack is stopped, the unreacted gas remaining in the fuel cell stack is exhausted to the outside, and the power supply system of the fuel cell stack is shut off (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, a fuel cell vehicle is equipped with a hydrogen tank that stores hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cell. In an emergency such as a collision or a fire in a fuel cell vehicle, in order to prevent an unintentional leakage of hydrogen gas from this hydrogen tank, it is desirable to appropriately release (purge) the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle. The conventional technology has room for improvement in appropriately releasing hydrogen gas in such an emergency.

[0005] This case was devised in view of the above problems, and one of its purposes is to appropriately release hydrogen gas in an emergency in a fuel cell vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This invention is made to solve at least a part of the above problems and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples.

[0007] (1) The fuel cell vehicle according to this aspect is a fuel cell vehicle in which a rear body is arranged behind a cab on a chassis frame, and includes a hydrogen tank supported by the chassis frame for storing hydrogen gas, a lower pipe extending from the hydrogen tank through which hydrogen gas flows from the hydrogen tank in an emergency, an upper pipe extending vertically along one side surface of the rear body and fixed to the one side surface for discharging the hydrogen gas flowing through the lower pipe to the outside from an upper end portion, and an accommodating portion connecting the lower pipe and the upper pipe and allowing relative movement between the lower pipe and the upper pipe. According to this aspect, since the accommodating portion connecting the lower pipe and the upper pipe allows relative movement between the upper pipe and the lower pipe, even if the above relative movement occurs during the manufacture or running of the fuel cell vehicle, stress concentration in the upper pipe and the lower pipe can be alleviated. Thereby, breakage and deformation of the lower pipe and the upper pipe are suppressed, so that hydrogen gas can be appropriately discharged to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle through the lower pipe and the upper pipe in an emergency. Therefore, reliable safety measures can be taken.

[0008] (2) In the fuel cell vehicle according to this aspect, the accommodating portion may include a flexible tube. According to such a configuration, the tube can deform flexibly in response to the relative movement between the upper pipe and the lower pipe, thereby absorbing the above relative movement well. Thereby, breakage and deformation of the lower pipe and the upper pipe are more surely suppressed, so that hydrogen gas can be more appropriately discharged to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle in an emergency. Therefore, even more reliable safety measures can be taken.

[0009] (3) In the fuel cell vehicle according to this aspect, the accommodating portion may include a rigid S-shaped or crank-shaped bent pipe. According to such a configuration, a general-purpose pipe can be applied to the accommodating portion, and the bent portion of the bent pipe can absorb the relative movement by elastically deforming according to the relative movement between the upper pipe and the lower pipe. As a result, while suppressing the product cost, hydrogen gas can be appropriately discharged to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle in an emergency. Therefore, reliable safety measures can be taken while suppressing an increase in cost.

[0010] (4) In the fuel cell vehicle according to this aspect, the accommodating portion may include a plurality of the bent pipes and a floating connection portion that connects the plurality of the bent pipes to each other and is not fixed to either the rear body or the hydrogen tank. According to such a configuration, the bent portions of the respective bent pipes can absorb a larger relative movement by elastically deforming according to the relative movement between the upper pipe and the lower pipe. Further, since the floating connection portion is not fixed to either the rear body or the hydrogen tank, the bent pipes can be connected without inhibiting the elastic deformation of each bent pipe. As a result, while suppressing the product cost, hydrogen gas can be more appropriately discharged to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle in an emergency. Therefore, more reliable safety measures can be taken while suppressing an increase in cost.

[0011] (5) In the fuel cell vehicle according to this aspect, the hydrogen tank and the lower pipe may be arranged on the outer side in the left-right direction of a side member extending in the front-rear direction in the chassis frame. In such a configuration, arranging the hydrogen tank on the outer side in the left-right direction of the side member can contribute to an increase in the size of the hydrogen tank. On the other hand, the vibration of the hydrogen tank and the lower pipe is likely to increase when the fuel cell vehicle is running. However, since the accommodating portion allows the relative movement between the upper pipe and the lower pipe as described above, even if the hydrogen tank and the lower pipe vibrate greatly during running, the stress concentration in the lower pipe and the upper pipe can be alleviated. Therefore, as described above, hydrogen gas can be appropriately discharged to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle in an emergency, reliable safety measures can be taken, and the cruising range can be extended.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to this, in a fuel cell vehicle, hydrogen gas can be appropriately released in an emergency.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] With reference to the drawings, embodiments (aspects, application examples) of this will be described. The following embodiments are merely examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of technologies not explicitly shown in this embodiment. Each configuration of the following embodiments can be implemented with various modifications without departing from their gist. Also, they can be selected as necessary, or combined as appropriate.

[0015] [1. Configuration] [1-1. Basic Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell vehicle 1 according to this embodiment (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "vehicle 1") includes a chassis frame 20 that is a skeletal member, and a cab 30 and a rear body 40 disposed on the chassis frame 20. Here, vehicle 1 as a truck in which the rear body 40 is a cargo box is exemplified. Hereinafter, the front-rear direction D1 (vehicle length direction), the left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and the up-down direction D3 (vehicle height direction) of vehicle 1 are simply referred to as the front-rear direction D1, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction D3, respectively.

[0016] The chassis frame 20 is formed in a ladder shape (ladder frame) by, for example, a pair of side members 21 extending in the front-rear direction D1 and a plurality of cross members (not shown) extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1. The pair of side members 21 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The plurality of cross members are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction D1. Each cross member is disposed between the pair of side members 21, and both left and right end portions thereof are fixed to the side members 21. Note that in FIG. 1, only one of the pair of side members 21 disposed on the left side of the vehicle 1 is shown.

[0017] The cab 30 is disposed at the front portion of the vehicle 1 and is supported by the chassis frame 20. A driver's seat (not shown) is provided in the interior space of the cab 30. On the other hand, the rear body 40 is disposed rearward of the cab 30 on the chassis frame 20 and is supported by the chassis frame 20.

[0018] The rear body 40 of the present embodiment, which is a cargo box, has an outer shape that is substantially rectangular parallelepiped. That is, the rear body 40 has four side surfaces erected along the up-down direction D3. Specifically, these side surfaces are a front surface 41 facing forward, a left surface 42 facing left, a right surface (not shown) facing right, and a rear surface (not shown) facing rear. Both the front surface 41 and the rear surface extend in the up-down direction D3 and the left-right direction. Also, both the left surface 42 and the right surface extend in the up-down direction D3 and the front-rear direction D1.

[0019] [1-2. Main component configuration] The vehicle 1 includes a fuel cell (not shown) that generates electricity by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen (air), and travels by driving a motor (not shown) with the electric power of this fuel cell. The vehicle 1 includes a hydrogen tank 2 that stores hydrogen gas (fuel) supplied to the fuel cell, and a purge structure 10 for discharging (purging) the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank 2 to the outside. FIG. 1 exemplifies the hydrogen tank 2 provided on the left side of the vehicle 1. However, the number and arrangement of the hydrogen tanks 2 mounted on the vehicle 1 are not particularly limited. For example, instead of or in addition to the hydrogen tank 2 exemplified in FIG. 1, a similar hydrogen tank may be disposed on the right side of the vehicle 1.

[0020] The hydrogen tank 2 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape with both ends closed, and stores hydrogen gas in a high-pressure state. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen tank 2 disposed outside the side member 21 in the left-right direction is exemplified. Specifically, the hydrogen tank 2 provided on the left side of the vehicle 1 is disposed on the left side (i.e., the outside) of the left side member 21. On the other hand, the hydrogen tank disposed on the right side of the vehicle 1 is disposed on the right side (i.e., the outside) of the right side member 21. Note that the hydrogen tank 2 of the present embodiment is located behind the cab 30 and below the rear body 40.

[0021] The hydrogen tank 2 is fixed to the chassis frame 20 via an appropriate bracket (for example, the tank bracket 7 shown in FIG. 2). Therefore, the hydrogen tank 2 is supported by the chassis frame 20. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen tank 2 fixed to the side member 21 of the chassis frame 20 is exemplified. Although the hydrogen tank 2 is fixed to the chassis frame 20 in this way, it is not fixed to the rear body 40.

[0022] In the event of an emergency such as a collision or a fire in the vehicle 1, as a safety measure, it is required to appropriately release (purge) the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank 2 to the outside of the vehicle 1. The purge structure 10 includes, as a configuration for releasing hydrogen gas in such an emergency, a lower pipe 3 extending from the hydrogen tank 2, an upper pipe 4 fixed to one side surface (one of the front surface 41, the left surface 42, the right surface, and the rear surface) of the rear body 40, and an accommodating portion 5 that allows relative movement between the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4.

[0023] The lower pipe 3, the upper pipe 4, and the accommodating portion 5 that constitute the purge structure 10 are all formed in a hollow shape using a material having a strength capable of withstanding high-pressure hydrogen gas, and function as a passage for hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is released to the outside of the vehicle 1 through the lower pipe 3, the accommodating portion 5, and the upper pipe 4 in this order from the hydrogen tank 2 in the event of an emergency in the vehicle 1.

[0024] The lower pipe 3 is formed of a rigid body (e.g., metal). The hollow portion of the lower pipe 3 is configured to be communicable with the interior of the hydrogen tank 2 (the hydrogen gas storage space). For example, an illustrated vent valve (not shown) that opens in an emergency is disposed at the connection location between the lower pipe 3 and the hydrogen tank 2. As this vent valve, those that automatically open the valve in an emergency according to temperature, those that are controlled by a control device to open the valve in an emergency, etc. can be applied.

[0025] In an emergency of the vehicle 1, hydrogen gas flows from the hydrogen tank 2 into the lower pipe 3. In the present embodiment, the lower pipe 3 including a front pipe portion 3A extending from the front end portion 2a of the hydrogen tank 2 and a rear pipe portion 3B extending from the rear end portion 2b of the hydrogen tank 2 is illustrated. The front pipe portion 3A and the rear pipe portion 3B extend from the front end portion 2a and the rear end portion 2b of the hydrogen tank 2 respectively and then merge (integrate), and are both connected to the receiving portion 5. Thus, if the lower pipe 3 extends from a plurality of locations of the hydrogen tank 2, the rate (efficiency) of discharging hydrogen gas can be increased.

[0026] The upper pipe 4 is formed of a rigid body (e.g., metal) in the same manner as the lower pipe 3. The upper pipe 4 extends in the vertical direction D3 along one side surface of the rear body 40. In the present embodiment, the upper pipe 4 extending in the vertical direction D3 along the front surface 41 of the rear body 40 is illustrated. The upper pipe 4 fixed to the front surface 41 of the rear body 40 is located forward and upward of the lower pipe 3.

[0027] The upper pipe 4 may be fixed to one side surface (front surface 41 in the present embodiment) of the rear body 40 via an appropriate upper support bracket 6. The upper support bracket 6 preferably fixes the upper pipe 4 to the rear body 40 elastically. For this reason, a rubber mount formed of an elastic body, for example, may be applied to the upper support bracket 6.

[0028] The hollow part of the upper pipe 4 communicates with the hollow part of the lower pipe 3 via the accommodating part 5. The lower end 4a of the upper pipe 4 is connected to the accommodating part 5, and the upper end 4b thereof is open toward the outside of the vehicle 1. The upper pipe 4 discharges the hydrogen gas flowing through the lower pipe 3 from the upper end 4b to the outside of the vehicle 1. Note that the purge structure 10 may include a plurality of upper pipes 4. If a plurality of upper pipes 4 are extended from a plurality of locations of the lower pipe 3 via the accommodating part 5 respectively, the rate (discharge efficiency) of discharging the hydrogen gas can be increased.

[0029] Hereinafter, the accommodating part 5 will be described in detail. The accommodating part 5 is a configuration for absorbing the relative arrangement error and vibration (relative movement, hereinafter also referred to as "displacement between the pipes 3 and 4") of the rigid lower pipe 3 and upper pipe 4 and smoothly discharging the hydrogen gas. The factors causing the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4 are as follows.

[0030] Since the rear body 40 can take various structures according to the use of the vehicle 1, usually, at the time of manufacturing (order receiving) the vehicle 1, after other structures such as the chassis frame 20 and the cab 30 are assembled, it is assembled on the chassis frame 20. Due to this, the arrangement error of the rear body 40 with respect to other structures such as the chassis frame 20 and the hydrogen tank 2 tends to be large, and a relatively large arrangement error is allowed. Therefore, when the arrangement error of the rear body 40 with respect to the chassis frame 20 and the hydrogen tank 2 is large, there is a problem that the relative arrangement error between the upper pipe 4 fixed to the rear body 40 and the lower pipe 3 on the hydrogen tank 2 side not fixed to the rear body 40 also becomes large.

[0031] Also, when the vehicle 1 is running, the hydrogen tank 2, which is a heavy object, is likely to vibrate greatly. In particular, since the hydrogen tank 2 is not directly fixed to the rear body 40, when the vehicle 1 is running, it vibrates independently of the rear body 40, and thus the relative vibration with respect to the rear body 40 tends to increase. Further, the lower pipe 3 extending from the hydrogen tank 2 tends to vibrate together with the hydrogen tank 2. Therefore, when the vibration of the hydrogen tank 2 with respect to the rear body 40 is large, there is a problem that the relative vibration between the upper pipe 4 fixed to the rear body 40 and the lower pipe 3 extending from the hydrogen tank 2 also increases.

[0032] If the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 are directly connected to each other (without passing through the accommodating portion 5) (see FIG. 4), stress concentration may occur at the fixing portions, connection portions, etc. of the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 due to the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4, leading to breakage or unintentional deformation of the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4. In this case, there is a risk that hydrogen gas cannot be appropriately released to the outside of the vehicle 1 in an emergency. On the other hand, the accommodating portion 5 connects the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4, and by deforming itself, the accommodating portion 5 absorbs the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the accommodating portion 5 may include, for example, a flexible tube 5A (flexible hose). The tube 5A is connected to each of the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4, and allows (absorbs) the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4 by deforming flexibly according to the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4. Here, a tube 5A that is bent in an L shape between the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 is exemplified. However, the tube 5A can be bent into an appropriate shape according to the positional relationship between the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4. As the tube 5A, a flexible hose with higher strength than a general rubber tube is applied. Such a flexible hose is configured to be reinforced while maintaining flexibility, for example, by having metal woven into its surface.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the rear pipe portion 3B of the lower pipe 3, omitting the front pipe portion 3A of the lower pipe 3, the chassis frame 20, the hydrogen tank 2, etc. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower pipe 3 may be fixed to the tank bracket 7 for fixing the hydrogen tank 2 to the chassis frame 20 via an appropriate lower support bracket 8. The tank bracket 7 is an element of a tank assembly 9 assembled integrally with the hydrogen tank 2. Various components included in the tank assembly 9, such as the tank bracket 7, vibrate integrally with the hydrogen tank 2, for example, when the vehicle 1 is running.

[0035] Specifically, the lower support bracket 8 may be an annular clamp that sandwiches a part of the lower pipe 3. The lower support bracket 8 preferably fixes the lower pipe 3 elastically, and for example, a rubber mount may be applied in the same manner as the upper support bracket 6. Also, as the upper support bracket 6, an L-shaped bracket as illustrated in FIG. 2 may be applied.

[0036] The accommodating portion 5 is not limited to the configuration including the above-described tube 5A, and may include, for example, a rigid S-shaped or crank-shaped bent pipe 5B as shown in FIG. 3. Here, an accommodating portion 5 including two (a plurality of) bent pipes 5B and a float connecting portion 5C that connects these bent pipes 5B to each other is illustrated.

[0037] Each bent pipe 5B is formed of a rigid body similar to the lower pipe 3 or the upper pipe 4, for example, and has at least two bent elbows 5d (bent portions). The two bent pipes 5B are respectively connected to the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4, and each elbow 5d elastically deforms so as to narrow or widen the bending angle according to the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4, thereby allowing (absorbing) the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4. Here, an example is given of one (upper) bent pipe 5B extending downward, forward, and downward in sequence from the lower end portion 4a of the upper pipe 4, and the other (lower) bent pipe 5B arranged in a posture in which the one bent pipe 5B is turned upside down. Each elbow 5d of the bent pipe 5B is bent at a substantially right angle, for example.

[0038] One of the bent pipes 5B is connected to the upper pipe 4 via the upper straight joint 11. The upper straight joint 11 is fixed to the rear body 40 via, for example, the upper support bracket 6. Also, the other bent pipe 5B is connected to the lower pipe 3 via the lower straight joint 12. The lower straight joint 12 is fixed to the tank assembly 9 (see FIG. 2) together with the lower pipe 3 via, for example, an appropriate lower support bracket. Note that FIG. 3 shows the front pipe portion 3A of the lower pipe 3, and the rear pipe portion 3B of the lower pipe 3, the chassis frame 20, the tank bracket 7, etc. are omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, the front pipe portion 3A of the lower pipe 3 may be formed in a crank shape.

[0039] The float connecting portion 5C may be, for example, a straight joint (e.g., a pipe joint) that connects two coaxially arranged pipes. The float connecting portion 5C is fixed to each bent pipe 5B but not to other components. That is, the float connecting portion 5C is not fixed to either the rear body 40 or the hydrogen tank 2 (tank assembly 9).

[0040] [2. Operation and Effect] As shown in FIG. 4, as a comparative example, assume a structure 1' in which the rear pipe portion 3B of the lower pipe 3 extending in the front-rear direction D1 and the upper pipe 4 extending in the vertical direction D3 are directly connected by a rigid L-shaped joint 13 (without passing through the tolerance portion 5). In the structure 1' of this comparative example, the L-shaped joint 13 is fixed to the tank assembly 9 via an appropriate lower support bracket (not shown). Note that in FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the elements that are the same as or corresponding to the elements of the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0041] In the structure 1' of the comparative example, when displacement occurs between the pipes 3 and 4, relative arrangement errors and vibrations also occur in the fixing part (upper support bracket 6) of the upper pipe 4 with respect to the rear body 40 and the fixing part (L-shaped joint 13) of the lower pipe 3 with respect to the tank assembly 9. At this time, since the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 that are directly connected to each other are fixed to the tank assembly 9 and the rear body 40 respectively, they cannot be deformed and displaced flexibly, and the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4 cannot be tolerated (absorbed). For example, when displacement occurs between the pipes 3 and 4 in the vertical direction D3, a compressive force or a tensile force acts on the upper pipe 4 extending in the vertical direction D3, so stress concentration is likely to occur at each fixing part of the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4.

[0042] (1) On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, in the vehicle 1, since the allowable part 5 that connects the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 allows the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4, even if displacement occurs between the pipes 3 and 4 during the manufacture or running of the vehicle 1, stress concentration in the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 can be alleviated. As a result, breakage and deformation of the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 are suppressed, so that hydrogen gas can be appropriately released to the outside of the vehicle 1 through the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 in an emergency. Therefore, reliable safety measures can be taken.

[0043] (2) According to the allowable part 5 including the flexible tube 5A, the tube 5A can deform flexibly in response to the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4, so that the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4 can be absorbed well. As a result, breakage and deformation of the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 are more surely suppressed, so that hydrogen gas can be more appropriately released to the outside of the vehicle 1 in an emergency. Therefore, more reliable safety measures can be taken.

[0044] (3) According to the accommodating portion 5 including the rigid S-shaped or crank-shaped bent pipe 5B, a general-purpose pipe can be applied to the accommodating portion 5, and the bent portion (elbow 5d) of the bent pipe 5B elastically deforms according to the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4, thereby absorbing the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4. Thereby, while suppressing the product cost, hydrogen gas can be appropriately released to the outside of the vehicle 1 in an emergency. Therefore, reliable safety measures can be taken while suppressing an increase in cost.

[0045] (4) According to the accommodating portion 5 including a plurality of bent pipes 5B, the bent portions (elbows 5d) of the respective bent pipes 5B elastically deform according to the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4, thereby absorbing a larger displacement between the pipes 3 and 4. Further, since the floating connection portion 5C that connects the plurality of bent pipes 5B is not fixed to either the rear body 40 or the hydrogen tank 2, the bent pipes 5B can be connected without inhibiting the elastic deformation of the respective bent pipes 5B. Thereby, while suppressing the product cost, hydrogen gas can be more appropriately released to the outside of the vehicle 1 in an emergency. Therefore, more reliable safety measures can be taken while suppressing an increase in cost.

[0046] (5) In the vehicle 1 in which the hydrogen tank 2 and the lower pipe 3 are arranged outside the side member 21 in the left-right direction, while it is possible to contribute to an increase in the size of the hydrogen tank 2, the vibration of the hydrogen tank 2 and the lower pipe 3 is likely to increase during traveling. However, in the vehicle 1, since the accommodating portion 5 allows the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4 as described above, even if the hydrogen tank 2 and the lower pipe 3 vibrate greatly during traveling, the stress concentration in the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 can be alleviated. Therefore, as described above, hydrogen gas can be appropriately released to the outside of the vehicle 1 in an emergency, reliable safety measures can be taken, and the cruising range can be extended.

[0047] (6) When the lower pipe 3 is fixed to the tank assembly 9 that vibrates integrally with the hydrogen tank 2, in the structure 1' of the comparative example shown in FIG. 4, due to the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4, stress concentration is likely to occur at the fixing portion of the upper pipe 4 to the rear body 40 (upper support bracket 6) and the fixing portion of the lower pipe 3 to the tank assembly 9 (L-shaped joint 13). On the other hand, in the vehicle 1, since the allowable portion 5 that connects the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 allows the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4, even if the lower pipe 3 is fixed to the tank assembly 9, stress concentration can be alleviated. Therefore, as described above, hydrogen gas can be appropriately released to the outside of the vehicle 1 in an emergency, and reliable safety measures can be taken.

[0048] [3. Others] The allowable portion 5 that connects the lower pipe 3 and the upper pipe 4 is not limited to the above-described tube 5A or bent pipe 5B. The allowable portion 5 may include, for example, both the tube 5A and the bent pipe 5B, or may allow the displacement between the pipes 3 and 4 with a configuration other than the tube 5A and the bent pipe 5B.

[0049] The bent pipe 5B may be in an S shape or a crank shape that curves or bends at at least two locations. For example, it may have three or more elbows 5d, and the bending angle of the elbow 5d does not have to be substantially a right angle. Also, the bent pipe 5B may bend in the front-rear direction D1 or may bend in the left-right direction. When there is only one bent pipe 5B included in the allowable portion 5, the floating connection portion 5C can be omitted from the allowable portion 5.

[0050] The specific shape and arrangement of the lower pipe 3 may be appropriately set according to the layout of the peripheral members including the hydrogen tank 2. Also, the upper pipe 4 may extend along one side surface other than the front surface 41 in the rear body 40. Similarly, when a rear body 40 other than the cargo box is applied, the upper pipe 4 may extend in the vertical direction D3 along any one side surface of the rear body 40. The vehicle 1 equipped with the purge structure 10 is not limited to the above-described truck, and can be various types and uses of vehicles according to the type of the rear body 40 to be mounted.

[0051] [4. Supplementary Note] Regarding the above embodiments, the following supplementary notes are disclosed.

[0052] (Supplementary Note 1) A fuel cell vehicle in which a rear body is arranged behind a cab on a chassis frame, a hydrogen tank supported by the chassis frame for storing hydrogen gas, a lower pipe extending from the hydrogen tank through which hydrogen gas flows from the hydrogen tank in an emergency, an upper pipe extending vertically along one side surface of the rear body and fixed to the one side surface, and discharging the hydrogen gas flowing through the lower pipe to the outside from an upper end portion, and an accommodating portion that connects the lower pipe and the upper pipe and allows relative movement between the lower pipe and the upper pipe, characterized in that it is a fuel cell vehicle.

[0053] (Supplementary Note 2) The accommodating portion is formed of a flexible tube The fuel cell vehicle according to Supplementary Note 1, characterized in that.

[0054] (Supplementary Note 3) The accommodating portion side is formed of a rigid S-shaped or crank-shaped bent pipe The fuel cell vehicle according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, characterized in that.

[0055] (Supplementary Note 4) The accommodating portion has a plurality of the bent pipes and a floating connection portion that connects the plurality of the bent pipes and is not fixed to either the rear body or the hydrogen tank, The fuel cell vehicle according to Supplementary Note 3, characterized in that.

[0056] (Supplementary Note 5) The hydrogen tank and the lower pipe are arranged on the left and right outer sides of side members extending in the front-rear direction in the chassis frame. The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4, characterized by this.

Explanation of symbols

[0057] 1 Vehicle (fuel cell vehicle) 1' Structure of comparative example 2 Hydrogen tank 2a Front end 2b Rear end 3 Lower pipe 3A Front pipe part 3B Rear pipe part 4 Upper pipe 4a Lower end 4b Upper end 5 Allowance part 5A Tube 5B Bent pipe 5C Float connection part 5d Elbow (bent part) 6 Upper support bracket 7 Tank bracket 8 Lower support bracket 9 Tank assembly 10 Purge structure 11 Upper straight joint 12 Lower straight joint 13 L-shaped joint 20 Chassis frame 21 Side member 30 Cab 40 Rear body 41 Front surface (one side) 42 Left surface (one side) D1 Front-rear direction D3 Up-down direction

Claims

1. A fuel cell vehicle in which a rear body is disposed behind a cab on a chassis frame, a hydrogen tank supported by the chassis frame for storing hydrogen gas, a lower pipe extending from the hydrogen tank through which the hydrogen gas flows from the hydrogen tank in an emergency, an upper pipe extending vertically along one side surface of the rear body and fixed to the one side surface, for discharging the hydrogen gas flowing through the lower pipe to the outside from an upper end portion, and an accommodating portion connecting the lower pipe and the upper pipe and allowing relative movement between the lower pipe and the upper pipe. The fuel cell vehicle is characterized by the above.

2. The fuel cell vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the accommodating portion includes a flexible tube.

3. The fuel cell vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the accommodating portion includes a rigid S-shaped or crank-shaped bent pipe.

4. The fuel cell vehicle according to Claim 3, wherein the accommodating portion includes a plurality of the bent pipes and a floating connection portion connecting the plurality of the bent pipes and not fixed to either the rear body or the hydrogen tank.

5. The fuel cell vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the hydrogen tank and the lower pipe are disposed outside the left and right directions of side members extending in the front-rear direction in the chassis frame.

6. The fuel cell vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the hydrogen tank and the lower pipe are disposed outside the left and right directions of side members extending in the front-rear direction in the chassis frame. ​ ​

Images