Work vehicle
Outer pipes and a ventilation system with a hydrogen sensor in work vehicles contain and detect hydrogen leaks, addressing the uncontrolled diffusion issue and improving safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023219125
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-08
AI Technical Summary
In work vehicles, hydrogen leaks from pipes connected to fuel tanks are not effectively contained, leading to uncontrolled diffusion into the environment.
The implementation of outer pipes covering parts of the pipes connected to the fuel tank, combined with a ventilation system that collects and exhausts leaked hydrogen into a housing case, equipped with a hydrogen sensor for detection.
Effectively suppresses the diffusion of hydrogen from pipes to the outside and ensures reliable detection of leaks, enhancing safety and environmental containment.
Smart Images

Figure 2025101989000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a work vehicle.
Background Art
[0002] From the viewpoint of environmental protection, work vehicles equipped with fuel cells and driven by motors rotated by the electric power generated by the fuel cells have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the work vehicle, hydrogen is used as the fuel of the fuel cell. Therefore, the work vehicle includes a tank for storing hydrogen and a hydrogen pipe connected to the tank. The work vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a tractor.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the work vehicle, the tank is housed in a case. Therefore, the work vehicle can suppress the diffusion of hydrogen leaked from the tank due to the case. On the other hand, in the work vehicle, when hydrogen leaks from the hydrogen pipe, the leaked hydrogen diffuses outside without limitation.
[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to suppress the diffusion of gaseous fuel leaked from a pipe to the outside in a work vehicle including a pipe connected to a tank.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The work vehicle of the present disclosure includes a vehicle body, a fuel cell, a tank, a pipe connected to the tank and through which gaseous fuel can pass, and an outer pipe covering at least a part of the outside of the pipe.
Effects of the Invention
[0007] According to the present disclosure, in a work vehicle including a pipe connected to a tank, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of gaseous fuel leaking from the pipe to the outside.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0009] <Summary of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> Hereinafter, a summary of embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) The work vehicle of the present disclosure includes a vehicle body, a fuel cell, a tank, a pipe connected to the tank and through which gaseous fuel can pass, and an outer pipe covering at least a part of the outside of the pipe.
[0010] According to the above configuration, in a work vehicle including a pipe connected to a tank, the outer pipe can suppress the diffusion of gaseous fuel leaking from the pipe to the outside.
[0011] (2) In the work vehicle of the form (1) above, it is preferable that the pipe includes a first pipe connecting the tank and the fuel cell, and the outer pipe includes a first outer pipe covering at least a part of the outside of the first pipe. According to the above configuration, the first outer pipe can suppress the diffusion of the gaseous fuel leaked from the first pipe to the outside.
[0012] (3) The work vehicle of the form (1) or (2) above preferably further includes a case for housing the tank, and the first outer pipe is connected to the case. According to the above configuration, the first outer pipe can collect the gaseous fuel leaked from the first pipe into the case. Thereby, the diffusion of the gaseous fuel leaked from the first pipe to the outside can be suppressed.
[0013] (4) In the work vehicle of any of the forms (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the first outer pipe is provided with a first opening portion communicating with the outside. According to the above configuration, air can flow from the first opening portion to the case through the first outer pipe. By this air flow, the gaseous fuel leaked from the first pipe can be surely collected into the case.
[0014] (5) In the work vehicle of any of the forms (1) to (4) above, it is preferable that the pipe includes a second pipe connecting the tank and a filling port for filling the tank with hydrogen as the fuel, and the outer pipe includes a second outer pipe covering at least a part of the outside of the second pipe. According to the above configuration, the second outer pipe can suppress the diffusion of the hydrogen leaked from the second pipe to the outside.
[0015] (6) The work vehicle of the form (5) above preferably further includes a case for housing the tank, and the second outer pipe is connected to the case. According to the above configuration, the second outer pipe can collect the hydrogen leaked from the second pipe into the case. Thereby, the diffusion of the gaseous fuel leaked from the second pipe to the outside can be suppressed.
[0016] (7) In the work vehicle according to the form of (5) or (6) above, it is preferable that the second outer pipe includes a second opening portion communicating with the outside. According to the above configuration, air can be made to flow from the second opening portion to the case by the second outer pipe. By this flow of air, the hydrogen leaked from the second pipe can be surely collected into the case.
[0017] (8) In the work vehicle according to any one of the forms of (1) to (7) above, it is preferable that the case includes an exhaust port communicating with the outside. According to the above configuration, air can be surely made to flow from the outside to the case by the outer pipe. By this flow of air, the gaseous fuel leaked from the pipe can be surely collected into the case. Thereby, the diffusion of the gaseous fuel leaked from the pipe to the outside can be surely suppressed.
[0018] (9) The work vehicle according to any one of the forms of (1) to (8) above further includes a hydrogen sensor for detecting hydrogen, and it is preferable that the hydrogen sensor is disposed inside the case. According to the above configuration, the hydrogen sensor can surely detect the hydrogen which is the fuel of the aircraft existing inside the case. Thereby, the leakage of hydrogen generated in the tank can be surely detected.
[0019] <Details of Embodiments of the Invention of the Present Disclosure> Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, details of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Note that at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.
[0020] [Overall Structure of Work Vehicle] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a work vehicle according to the present disclosure, and shows an example of the overall structure of the work vehicle 1. FIG. 2 is a right side view showing an embodiment of the work vehicle according to the present disclosure, and shows the work vehicle 1 with some exterior parts (such as the bonnet 34 and the cover 111) removed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the work vehicle 1 is a vehicle used for agricultural work, specifically a tractor. However, the work vehicle 1 is not limited to a tractor, and may be a moving body such as an agricultural machine, a construction machine, and a utility vehicle.
[0021] The directions of the work vehicle 1 according to the present disclosure are defined. The direction in which the work vehicle 1 moves forward is defined as the front, the direction in which the work vehicle 1 moves backward is defined as the rear, the left side facing the front is defined as the left, and the right side facing the front is defined as the right. The left-right direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is defined as the vehicle width direction. The direction orthogonal to both the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) is defined as the up-down direction. The up-down direction is also called the height direction.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the work vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 11, a traveling device 12 that supports the vehicle body 11, a driver's seat 15, a cabin 16, and the like. The vehicle body 11 includes a chassis 41, a bonnet 34, a cover 111, a cabin 16, and a fender for the rear wheel 12B. Specifically, on the chassis 41 of the vehicle body 11, the bonnet 34 and the cover 111 are mounted in order from the front to the rear, and the cabin 16 is disposed behind the cover 111.
[0023] The work vehicle 1 further includes a tank unit 21 having a plurality of tanks 13 for storing fuel, and a drive device 14 driven by the stored fuel. The fuel is a liquid or a gas, such as hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide (CO). In this embodiment, the tank 13 stores hydrogen gas. Therefore, the work vehicle 1 is a fuel cell vehicle (FCV: Fuel Cell Vehicle), and travels using the electric power generated by the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell 24 as an energy source. The fuel cell 24 may generate electric power by methane or carbon monoxide (CO).
[0024] The drive device 14 includes a fuel cell 24, a battery unit 30, and an electric motor 31 (see FIG. 3; hereinafter also referred to as the "motor 31"). The work vehicle 1 has a pipe through which gaseous fuel (such as hydrogen gas, methane gas, CO gas, etc.) exiting from the tank 13 can pass. In this embodiment, the pipe 22 allows hydrogen gas to pass through. The work vehicle 1 has a filling section 25 provided with a hydrogen gas filling port 26. The hydrogen gas is supplied from the filling port 26 connected to the end of the pipe 22 and fills each tank 13. The hydrogen gas in the tank 13 is supplied to the fuel cell 24 through the pipe 22.
[0025] The cabin 16 is a compartmentalized driver's cab having front pillars, rear pillars, and a roof. The front pillars are arranged on the left and right sides in front of the driver's seat 15, and the rear pillars are arranged on the left and right sides behind the driver's seat 15. Instead of the cabin 16, the work vehicle 1 may have a canopy or a rollover protective structure (ROPS). When the work vehicle 1 does not mount the cabin 16, the tank unit 21 is arranged above the driver's seat 15 by the mounting frame 17.
[0026] The traveling device 12 is composed of front wheels 12A and rear wheels 12B. Both of these are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vehicle body 11. One or both of the front wheels 12A and the rear wheels 12B rotate by the power of the motor 31. One or both of the front wheels 12A and the rear wheels 12B (drive wheels) that rotate by the power of the motor 31 may be crawlers (endless tracks).
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, in the portion of the chassis 41 corresponding to the front wheels 12A, a first cooling device 48, a fuel cell 24, and a second cooling device 49 are mounted in order from the front side to the rear side. The first cooling device 48 and the fuel cell 24 are covered by the bonnet 34, and the second cooling device 49 is covered by the cover 111. The first cooling device 48 is a device for cooling the fuel cell 24. The first cooling device 48 includes a first radiator 48a and a first radiator fan 48b. The second cooling device 49 is a device for cooling the motor 31 and the like. The second cooling device 49 includes a second radiator 49a and a second radiator fan 49b. Note that the arrangement of the first cooling device 48 and the second cooling device 49 in the work vehicle 1 is an example and is not limited to the configuration mounted on the front portion of the vehicle body 11.
[0028] 〔Internal Structure of Work Vehicle〕 FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and shows an example of the internal structure of the work vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the chassis 41 constituting the vehicle body 11 is made of a steel frame having a long shape in the front-rear direction and has a front frame 32 and a transmission case 33. The transmission case 33 is connected to the rear portion of the front frame 32, and the skeleton of the vehicle body 11 is formed by the transmission case 33 and the front frame 32.
[0029] A mounting frame 17 for arranging the tank unit 21 above the cabin 16 is connected to the chassis 41. The mounting frame 17 includes a substantially rectangular ceiling frame 17A whose front-rear direction is longer than the left-right direction, a plurality of pillars 17B that support the ceiling frame 17A from below, and a pair of left and right reinforcing frames 17C connected to the front end portion of the ceiling frame 17A.
[0030] A support frame 37 for supporting the battery unit 30 on the vehicle body 11 is connected to the chassis 41 of the work vehicle 1. Specifically, a motor 31 is mounted on the front frame 32 of the chassis 41, and the support frame 37 is attached to a portion of the front frame 32 corresponding to the motor 31. The support frame 37 is made of, for example, a metal frame member and is attached in a cantilever state so as to protrude to the right from the front frame 32.
[0031] The transmission case 33 located behind the motor 31 has a power transmission mechanism inside. The power transmission mechanism includes a transmission, a clutch, and a differential gear, and decelerates or accelerates the rotation of the output shaft of the motor 31 and transmits it to the traveling device 12.
[0032] [Overall Configuration of Piping] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the piping in the work vehicle of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of the ventilation device and piping in the work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the piping 22 in the work vehicle 1 includes a front piping 22f extending from the tank 13 to the fuel cell 24 via the valve unit 212, and a rear piping 22r extending from the tank 13 to the filling portion 25 via the valve unit 212. The tank 13 is housed in the case 211. The case 211 prevents direct sunlight on the tank 13 and collisions with objects, and suppresses the diffusion of leaked hydrogen around the tank 13 to the outside.
[0033] FIG. 5 schematically shows the configuration of the piping 22 in the work vehicle 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the front piping 22f includes a first inner pipe 221 and a first outer pipe 231. The rear piping 22r includes a second inner pipe 222 and a second outer pipe 232.
[0034] In the front pipe 22f, one end of the first inner pipe 221 is connected to a connection port 28 provided at the rear part 24a of the fuel cell 24, and the other end of the first inner pipe 221 is connected to the valve unit 212. A part of the first inner pipe 221 is located inside the case 211, and the other part of the first inner pipe 221 is located outside the case 211.
[0035] In the rear pipe 22r, one end of the second inner pipe 222 is connected to a filling port 26 provided at the filling part 25, and the other end of the second inner pipe 222 is connected to the valve unit 212. A part of the second inner pipe 222 is located inside the case 211, and the other part of the second inner pipe 222 is located outside the case 211.
[0036] In the front pipe 22f, one end of the first outer pipe 231 extends to the vicinity of the rear part 24a of the fuel cell 24 and is open. The open part at one end of the first outer pipe 231 constitutes the first air supply port 53a. The first air supply port 53a is an open part that communicates the inside of the first outer pipe 231 with the outside. The other end of the first outer pipe 231 is connected to the case 211 and communicates with the inside of the case 211. The first outer pipe 231 communicates the vicinity of the rear part 24a of the fuel cell 24 with the inside of the case 211. The first outer pipe 231 covers the outside of the part of the first inner pipe 221 that is located outside the case 211.
[0037] In the front pipe 22f, the first outer pipe 231 suppresses the diffusion of hydrogen leaked from the first inner pipe 221 to the outside. Further, the first outer pipe 231 suppresses the diffusion of hydrogen leaked in the vicinity of the rear part 24a of the fuel cell 24 by sucking air in the vicinity of the rear part 24a of the fuel cell 24 from the first air supply port 53a.
[0038] In the rear pipe 22r, one end of the second outer pipe 232 extends to the vicinity of the filling port 26 and is open. The open portion at one end of the second outer pipe 232 constitutes the second air supply port 53b. The second air supply port 53b is an open portion that communicates the inside of the second outer pipe 232 to the outside. The other end of the second outer pipe 232 is connected to the case 211 and communicates with the inside of the case 211. The second outer pipe 232 communicates the vicinity of the filling portion 25 with the inside of the case 211. The second outer pipe 232 covers the outside of the portion of the second inner pipe 222 that is located outside the case 211.
[0039] In the rear pipe 22r, the second outer pipe 232 suppresses the diffusion of hydrogen leaked from the second inner pipe 222 to the outside. By including the second outer pipe 232, the work vehicle 1 can suppress the diffusion of hydrogen leaked from the second inner pipe 222 to the outside. Further, the second outer pipe 232 suppresses the diffusion of hydrogen leaked, for example, in the vicinity of the filling port 26 by sucking in the air in the vicinity of the filling portion 25 from the second air supply port 53b.
[0040] Note that the work vehicle 1 of the present disclosure includes both the first outer pipe 231 in the front pipe 22f and the second outer pipe 232 in the rear pipe 22r, but the work vehicle 1 of the present disclosure may be configured to include either one of the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232.
[0041] [Regarding the ventilation device] As shown in FIG. 5, the work vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1) of the present disclosure includes a ventilation device 50. The ventilation device 50 is a device that flows the air (hydrogen gas, methane gas, CO gas, etc.) in the case 211 to the outside. In this embodiment, the ventilation device 50 flows the air containing hydrogen gas in the case 211 to the outside. The ventilation device 50 includes a fan 51, an exhaust port 52, and an air supply port 53 (the first air supply port 53a and the second air supply port 53b). The ventilation device 50 ventilates the inside of the case 211 by flowing air from the air supply port 53 to the exhaust port 52 by the fan 51.
[0042] When there is a hydrogen leak from the tank 13 inside the case 211, the leaked hydrogen stays in the upper part of the case 211 due to its property of being lighter than air. For this reason, it is preferable to provide the exhaust port 52 at the upper part in the vertical direction of the case 211. In the ventilation device 50, the exhaust port 52 is arranged above the air supply port 53. With such a configuration, the ventilation device 50 can cause a natural flow of air (upward airflow) due to the chimney effect in the internal space of the case 211 and the internal spaces of the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232. Specifically, in the ventilation device 50, air enters the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232 from the air supply port 53, flows into the case 211, and further flows out to the outside from the exhaust port 52.
[0043] The ventilation device 50 further includes a hydrogen sensor 27. The hydrogen sensor 27 is provided inside the case 211. Preferably, the hydrogen sensor 27 is provided in the vicinity of the exhaust port 52, and more preferably, it is arranged in the air flow exhausted from the exhaust port 52. In addition, in the ventilation device 50, the hydrogen sensor 27 may be provided between the first inner pipe 221 and the first outer pipe 231 and / or between the second inner pipe 222 and the second outer pipe 232. In this case, it becomes possible to more specifically identify the location where the hydrogen leak has occurred.
[0044] When there is a hydrogen leak from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222, the leaked hydrogen rises and flows through the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232 due to its property of being lighter than air, and flows into the case 211. In the ventilation device 50, the hydrogen sensor 27 can detect not only the hydrogen leak that has occurred inside the case 211 but also the hydrogen leak that has occurred from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222 by detecting the hydrogen collected inside the case 211.
[0045] [First Embodiment of Ventilation Device] In the ventilation device 50 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 (hereinafter also referred to as the first ventilation device 50A), the fan 51 is a dedicated ventilation fan 51a provided for ventilating the inside of the case 211. In the first ventilation device 50A, the exhaust port 52 is an opening formed in the side surface of the case 211. In the first ventilation device 50A, the air supply port 53 includes a first air supply port 53a of the first outer pipe 231 and a second air supply port 53b of the second outer pipe 232.
[0046] In the first ventilation device 50A, the ventilation fan 51a is directly attached to the exhaust port 52. The ventilation fan 51a of the present embodiment is arranged to block the opening at the outer end of the air passage constituting the exhaust port 52. Note that the ventilation fan 51a may be arranged to block the opening at the inner end of the air passage constituting the exhaust port 52, or may be arranged to block the air passage in the air passage constituting the exhaust port 52. In this case, since a duct connecting the fan 51 and the exhaust port 52 is not required, the ventilation device 50 can be configured simply. Further, in the first ventilation device 50A, the ventilation fan 51a is arranged outside the case 211. With such a configuration, construction of electrical wiring and the like connected to the ventilation fan 51a becomes easy.
[0047] In the first ventilation device 50A, when the ventilation fan 51a operates, the air sucked from the first air supply port 53a and the second air supply port 53b flows into the case 211 through the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232 respectively, and then, an air flow F1 of the air exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 52 is generated. If there is a leakage of hydrogen from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222, the leaked hydrogen is collected in the case 211 by the air flow F1. The air collected at the upper part in the case 211 is exhausted to the outside of the case 211 by the air flow F1.
[0048] [Second Embodiment of the Ventilation Device] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a ventilation device and piping in a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The work vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1) of the present disclosure may employ a ventilation device 50 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 (hereinafter, also referred to as the second ventilation device 50B) as the ventilation device 50. The fan 51 in the second ventilation device 50B is the first radiator fan 48b that constitutes the first cooling device 48. The first radiator fan 48b is a fan originally provided in the work vehicle 1 for cooling the fuel cell 24. Therefore, the second ventilation device 50B does not need to separately provide a fan 51 (the ventilation fan 51a shown in FIG. 5), which is advantageous in terms of cost. In addition, the second ventilation device 50B can easily configure the ventilation device 50 by using the first radiator fan 48b originally provided in the work vehicle 1. When the second ventilation device 50B is adopted, the arrangement position of the first cooling device 48 is preferably appropriately arranged at a position adjacent to the exhaust port 52 provided in the case 211, rather than the arrangement shown in FIG. 2.
[0049] Due to the upward airflow generated in the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232, the air sucked in from the first air supply port 53a and the second air supply port 53b flows into the case 211 through the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232 respectively, and then is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 52. Thereby, an air flow F2 is generated. As shown in FIG. 6, the exhaust port 52 in the second ventilation device 50B is preferably provided on the upper surface of the case 211. Thereby, the hydrogen staying in the upper part of the case 211 can be efficiently exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 52.
[0050] When there is a hydrogen leak from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222, the second ventilation device 50B can collect the hydrogen leaked into the case 211 by the air flow F2. The second ventilation device 50B can exhaust the hydrogen collected in the case 211 to the outside of the case 211 and diffuse it into the atmosphere by the air flow F2.
[0051] Furthermore, the second ventilation device 50B reduces the air pressure in the vicinity of the suction side of the first radiator fan 48b by the operation of the first radiator fan 48b, thereby promoting the exhaust from the exhaust port 52. Then, the second ventilation device 50B further promotes the diffusion of the hydrogen exhausted from the exhaust port 52 by the air flow generated by the first radiator fan 48b.
[0052] [Third Embodiment of Ventilation Device] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of a ventilation device and piping in a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The work vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1) of the present disclosure may employ a ventilation device 50 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 as the ventilation device 50 (hereinafter also referred to as the third ventilation device 50C). The fan 51 in the third ventilation device 50C is the second radiator fan 49b that constitutes the second cooling device 49. The second radiator fan 49b is a fan originally provided in the work vehicle 1 for cooling a prime mover such as the motor 31. Therefore, the third ventilation device 50C does not need to separately provide a fan 51 (the ventilation fan 51a shown in FIG. 5), which is advantageous in terms of cost. In addition, the third ventilation device 50C can be easily configured by using the second radiator fan 49b originally provided in the work vehicle 1. When the third ventilation device 50C is adopted, the arrangement position of the second cooling device 49 is preferably appropriately arranged at a position adjacent to the exhaust port 52 provided in the case 211, rather than the arrangement shown in FIG. 2.
[0053] Due to the upward air flow generated in the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232, the air sucked from the first air supply port 53a and the second air supply port 53b flows into the case 211 through the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232 respectively, and then is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 52. Thereby, an air flow F3 is generated. As shown in FIG. 7, the exhaust port 52 in the third ventilation device 50C is preferably provided on the upper surface of the case 211. Thereby, the hydrogen staying in the upper part of the case 211 can be efficiently exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 52.
[0054] When there is a hydrogen leak from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222, the third ventilation device 50C can collect the hydrogen leaked into the case 211 by the air flow F3. The third ventilation device 50C can exhaust the hydrogen collected in the case 211 to the outside of the case 211 by the air flow F3 and diffuse it into the atmosphere.
[0055] Furthermore, the third ventilation device 50C reduces the air pressure in the vicinity of the suction side of the second radiator fan 49b by the operation of the second radiator fan 49b, thereby promoting the exhaust from the exhaust port 52. Then, the third ventilation device 50C further promotes the diffusion of the hydrogen exhausted from the exhaust port 52 by the air flow generated by the second radiator fan 49b.
[0056] 〔Regarding the operation and effects of this embodiment〕 (1) The work vehicle 1 of the above embodiment includes a vehicle body 11, a fuel cell 24 that generates electric power using hydrogen, which is a gaseous fuel, as fuel, a tank 13 that stores hydrogen, a pipe 22 that is connected to the tank 13 and through which hydrogen, which is a gaseous fuel, can pass, and a first outer pipe 231 and a second outer pipe 232 that cover at least a part of the outside of the pipe 22.
[0057] According to the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232 can suppress the diffusion of hydrogen leaked from the pipe 22 to the outside.
[0058] (2) In the work vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, the front pipe 22f of the pipe 22 includes a first inner pipe 221 that connects the tank 13 and the fuel cell 24, and includes a first outer pipe 231 that covers at least a part of the outside of the first inner pipe 221. According to the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the first outer pipe 231 can suppress the diffusion of hydrogen leaked from the first inner pipe 221 to the outside.
[0059] (3) The work vehicle 1 of the above embodiment further includes a case 211 that houses the tank 13, and the first outer pipe 231 is connected to the case 211. According to the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the hydrogen leaked from the first inner pipe 221 can be collected in the case 211 by the first outer pipe 231. Thereby, the diffusion of the hydrogen leaked from the first inner pipe 221 to the outside can be suppressed.
[0060] (4) In the work vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, the first outer pipe 231 is provided with a first air inlet 53a which is an open part communicating with the outside. According to the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment, air can be flowed from the first air inlet 53a to the case 211 by the first outer pipe 231. By this air flow, the hydrogen leaked from the first inner pipe 221 can be surely collected in the case 211.
[0061] (5) In the work vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, the rear pipe 22r of the pipe 22 includes a second inner pipe 222 connecting the tank 13 and a filling port 26 for filling the tank 13 with hydrogen, and includes a second outer pipe 232 covering at least a part of the outside of the second inner pipe 222. According to the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the diffusion of the hydrogen leaked from the second inner pipe 222 to the outside can be suppressed by the second outer pipe 232.
[0062] (6) The work vehicle 1 of the above embodiment further includes a case 211 for accommodating the tank 13, and the second outer pipe 232 is connected to the case 211. According to the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the hydrogen leaked from the second inner pipe 222 can be collected in the case 211 by the second outer pipe 232. Thereby, the diffusion of the hydrogen leaked from the second inner pipe 222 to the outside can be suppressed.
[0063] (7) In the work vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, the second outer pipe 232 is provided with a second air inlet 53b communicating with the outside. According to the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment, air can be flowed from the second air inlet 53b to the case 211 by the second outer pipe 232. By this air flow, the hydrogen leaked from the second inner pipe 222 can be surely collected in the case 211.
[0064] (8) In the work vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, the case 211 is provided with an exhaust port 52 that communicates with the outside. According to the work vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, air can be reliably flowed from the outside to the case 211 by the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232. Due to this air flow, the hydrogen leaked from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222 can be reliably collected in the case 211. Thereby, the diffusion of the hydrogen leaked from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222 to the outside can be reliably suppressed.
[0065] (9) The work vehicle 1 of the above embodiment further includes a hydrogen sensor 27 that detects hydrogen, and the hydrogen sensor 27 is disposed inside the case 211. According to the work vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the hydrogen sensor 27 can reliably detect the hydrogen present inside the case 211. Thereby, the hydrogen leakage generated in the tank 13 can be reliably detected.
[0066] The above embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the rights of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the scope of the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the configurations described in the scope of the claims.
Explanation of Signs
[0067] 1 Work vehicle 11 Vehicle body 13 Tank 22 Pipe 22f Front pipe (first pipe) 221 First inner pipe 231 First outer pipe 22r Rear pipe (second pipe) 222 Second inner pipe 232 Second outer pipe 24 Fuel cell 26 Filling port 27 Hydrogen sensor 52 Exhaust port 53a First air supply port (first open part) 53b Second air supply port (second opening part) 211 Case
Claims
1. A vehicle body, a fuel cell, a tank, a pipe connected to the tank and through which gaseous fuel can pass, an outer pipe covering at least a part of the outside of the pipe, and a work vehicle comprising the same.
2. The pipe includes a first pipe connecting the tank and the fuel cell, and the outer pipe includes a first outer pipe covering at least a part of the outside of the first pipe. The work vehicle according to Claim 1.
3. The work vehicle further includes a case for housing the tank, and the first outer pipe is connected to the case. The work vehicle according to Claim 2.
4. The first outer pipe is provided with a first opening communicating with the outside. The work vehicle according to Claim 2 or Claim 3.
5. The pipe includes a second pipe connecting the tank and a filling port for filling the tank with hydrogen as the fuel, and the outer pipe includes a second outer pipe covering at least a part of the outside of the second pipe. The work vehicle according to Claim 2.
6. The work vehicle further includes a case for housing the tank, and the second outer pipe is connected to the case. The work vehicle according to Claim 5.
7. The second outer pipe is provided with a second opening communicating with the outside. The work vehicle according to Claim 5 or Claim 6.
8. The case is provided with an exhaust port communicating with the outside. The work vehicle according to Claim 3 or Claim 6.
9. The work vehicle further includes a hydrogen sensor for detecting hydrogen, and the hydrogen sensor is disposed inside the case. The work vehicle according to any one of Claims 3, 6, and 8.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Work machine
JP2023013186A
Cited By
Work vehicle
WO2025142005A1