Connection detection device for fuel cell module

Abstract

To provide a connection detection device for a fuel cell module, capable of easily assembling a nozzle contact member to a bracket.SOLUTION: A detection device 45 for a forklift includes: a plurality of guide holes 60 provided in a bracket 51 and provided at equal intervals in a circumferential direction surrounding a filling plug 36; and a plurality of guide pins 71 which are integrated with a nozzle contact member, and extend from the nozzle contact member toward the bracket 51 in an insertion direction, the guide pins being inserted into the guide holes 60, respectively. Each of the guide holes 60 is a long hole extending in a radial direction of the filling plug 36, and the radial length N of each guide hole 60 is longer than the circumferential length M of each guide hole 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection detection device for a fuel cell module. [Background technology]

[0002] Fuel cell industrial vehicles are equipped with a fuel cell module. The fuel cell module includes a fuel tank that stores hydrogen, which serves as fuel gas, and a filler plug used to fill the fuel tank with hydrogen. When filling the fuel tank with hydrogen, the filler plug is connected to a filler nozzle that is connected to a hydrogen dispenser.

[0003] Furthermore, fuel cell industrial vehicles must be stopped while the fuel tank is being filled with hydrogen. For this reason, fuel cell modules are equipped with a fuel cell module connection detection device that detects whether a filler nozzle is connected to the filler plug. The fuel cell module connection detection device includes a nozzle contact member that moves as the filler nozzle is inserted. The nozzle contact member is movably supported by a support member such as a bracket. Whether the filler nozzle is connected to the filler plug is detected by moving the nozzle contact member with the filler nozzle as the filler nozzle is inserted into the filler plug, and by operating a sensor as the nozzle contact member moves (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-43056 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a connection detection device for a fuel cell module, the nozzle contact member is supported by a support member, but there are cases where the nozzle contact member cannot be assembled to the support member due to the tolerances of the parts used to support the nozzle contact member on the support member and the tolerances of the support member itself. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fuel cell module connection detection device for solving the above problems is provided in a fuel cell module including a fuel cell stack, a fuel tank for storing fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack, a filler plug for filling the fuel tank with the fuel gas, the filler plug being connectable to a filler nozzle for supplying fuel gas, and a housing for accommodating the fuel cell stack and the fuel tank, and detects the connection state of the filler plug and the filler nozzle, the fuel cell module connection detection device comprising: a sensor whose output signal changes in response to completion of connection of the filler nozzle to the filler plug; a bracket that is installed in the housing and attached to the filler plug; The device comprises a nozzle contact member supported by the bracket so as to be movable in the insertion direction of the filling nozzle, a sensor operating member that operates the sensor as the nozzle contact member moves in the insertion direction, a plurality of guide holes provided in the bracket and arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction surrounding the filling plug, and a plurality of guide pins that are integral with the nozzle contact member, extend from the nozzle contact member toward the bracket in the insertion direction, and are inserted into each guide hole, wherein the plurality of guide holes are arranged radially around the central axis of the filling plug, and each of the plurality of guide holes is an elongated hole extending radially of the filling plug, and the radial length of the guide hole is longer than the circumferential length of the filling plug at the guide hole.

[0007] With this, the nozzle contact member moves in the insertion direction together with the filling nozzle due to support by the guide pin and the bracket. Then, the sensor operating member operates in accordance with the movement of the nozzle contact member in the insertion direction, thereby operating the sensor.

[0008] In a fuel cell module connection detection device in which the guide pins are supported by a bracket and the nozzle contact member is movable in the insertion direction, even if one of the guide pins is misaligned circumferentially with respect to the nozzle contact member, the elongated shape of the guide holes can be used to insert the other guide pins into the guide holes. Therefore, even if the guide pins are misaligned, the guide pins can be inserted into the guide holes and the nozzle contact member can be easily assembled to the bracket.

[0009] In a connection detection device for a fuel cell module, the nozzle contact member may have an annular portion that defines a circular through hole through which the filling plug passes, and the multiple guide pins may be arranged on the nozzle contact member at intervals circumferentially of the through hole.

[0010] This makes it easier to suppress flexural deformation of the nozzle contact member compared to when the portion of the nozzle contact member that is located radially outward of the filler plug is non-annular, such as semicircular or C-shaped when viewed in the axial direction of the guide pin. As a result, it is possible to suppress circumferential displacement of the guide pin that is located around the annular portion due to flexural deformation of the nozzle contact member.

[0011] In a connection detection device for a fuel cell module, in the guide hole, on the filling plug side in the radial direction of the guide pin, there is a first gap defined between the defining surface of the guide hole and the circumferential surface of the guide pin, and in the guide hole, on the opposite side of the first gap across the guide pin, there is a second gap defined between the defining surface of the guide hole and the circumferential surface of the guide pin.

[0012] According to this, foreign matter and the like is likely to remain on the surface that will become the bottom surface of the guide hole. Even if the guide pin moves radially within the guide hole due to misalignment of the guide pin, a first gap or a second gap exists between the circumferential surface of the guide pin and the surface that will become the bottom surface. Therefore, the circumferential surface of the guide pin and the surface that will become the bottom surface of the guide hole can be separated, thereby preventing foreign matter from becoming caught between the two surfaces.

[0013] The fuel cell module connection detection device may be provided with three guide holes and three guide pins. With this, the nozzle contact member can be stably supported on the bracket by the three guide pins. The number of contact points between the guide pins and the bracket is three. For example, compared to a case where four or more guide pins are used, the nozzle contact member can be stably moved in the insertion direction while reducing the number of contact points with the bracket. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The present invention allows the nozzle contact member to be easily assembled to the bracket. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a forklift. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell module and a filling nozzle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the fuel cell module connection detection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell module connection detection device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the fuel cell module connection detection device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a fuel cell module connection detection device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view schematically showing the guide holes and the guide pins. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view when the guide pin is displaced in the circumferential direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view when the guide pin is misaligned in the circumferential direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection state between the filling plug and the filling nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of a fuel cell module connection detection device will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. The fuel cell module connection detection device is mounted on, for example, a fuel cell powered forklift. The fuel cell module connection detection device will be referred to simply as a "detection device," and the fuel cell powered forklift will be referred to simply as a "forklift."

[0017] <Forklift> As shown in FIG. 1, the forklift 10 includes a vehicle body 11, a vehicle load 12, and a fuel cell module 30. In the following description, an example of the vehicle load 12 is a travel motor 13 and a load handling motor 14. The travel motor 13 drives drive wheels 15 of the vehicle body 11. The load handling motor 14 drives a load handling device 16. The fuel cell module 30 is a power source for the vehicle load 12. The vehicle body 11 has a housing section 11a for the fuel cell module 30. The fuel cell module 30 is mounted on the vehicle body 11 by being housed in the housing section 11a.

[0018] The accommodation section 11a, which opens to the side of the vehicle body 11, is covered by a cover 17. Therefore, the fuel cell module 30 accommodated in the accommodation section 11a is covered by the cover 17. The cover 17 is attached to the side of the vehicle body 11. A door 18 is attached to the cover 17. The door 18 opens and closes an opening 17a formed in the cover 17. When the door 18 is opened, a portion of the fuel cell module 30 accommodated in the accommodation section 11a is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body 11 through the opening 17a. When the door 18 is closed, a portion of the fuel cell module 30 accommodated in the accommodation section 11a is covered by the door 18.

[0019] <Fuel cell module> 2, the fuel cell module 30 includes a fuel tank 21, a fuel cell stack 33, a fill plug 36, and a detection device 45. The fuel cell stack 33 is connected to the fuel tank 21. The fuel tank 21 stores fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack 33.

[0020] The fuel cell module 30 includes a housing 31. The housing 31 is generally rectangular parallelepiped in shape. The housing 31 houses a fuel cell stack 33 and a fuel tank 21. One side of the housing 31 is covered with a plate 32. The plate 32 faces the back surface of the cover 17. The plate 32 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. A window 34 for filling with fuel gas is formed in one corner of the plate 32. The window 34 is formed by cutting out a portion of the plate 32.

[0021] The fill plug 36 is located at the back of the window portion 34. The fill plug 36 is a plug for filling the fuel tank 21 with fuel gas. The door 18 is positioned to match the position of the fill plug 36 of the fuel cell module 30. Therefore, when the door 18 is opened, the fill plug 36 of the fuel cell module 30 is exposed to the outside.

[0022] 3 and 6, the filler plug 36 includes a cylindrical insertion portion 361, a cylindrical stop ring 362 having a larger diameter than the insertion portion 361, and a male thread portion 37 extending from the stop ring 362 toward the opposite side of the insertion portion 361. A cap (not shown) is attached to the insertion portion 361. This cap is attached to the tip of the filler plug 36 so as to close the socket 38 of the insertion portion 361 in the filler plug 36 when not filling fuel gas.

[0023] Of both axial end surfaces of the stop ring 362, a thread 362b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end opposite the end surface on the insertion portion 361 side. The male thread portion 37 extends from one of both axial end surfaces of the stop ring 362 opposite the end surface on the insertion portion 361 side. The male thread portion 37 has a smaller diameter than the thread 362b of the stop ring 362. The filling plug 36 is assembled integrally with a bracket 51 of the detection device 45, which will be described later. The assembly of the filling plug 36 to the detection device 45 will be described later.

[0024] The filling nozzle 41 connected to the filling plug 36 is a nozzle for supplying fuel gas. The filling nozzle 41 can be connected to the filling plug 36. The filling plug 36 is also formed so that the filling nozzle 41 can be inserted and removed. The filling nozzle 41 is cylindrical.

[0025] The outer diameter of the filling nozzle 41 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the filling plug 36. As shown in Fig. 2, the filling nozzle 41 is provided at the tip of a hose 42 for supplying fuel gas. The hose 42 is connected to a dispenser at a fuel gas station (not shown). The fuel gas is sent from the dispenser through the hose 42 to the filling nozzle 41.

[0026] When connecting the filling nozzle 41 to the filling plug 36, the cap is removed from the filling plug 36 to expose the receptacle 38. When the insertion portion 361 is inserted into the filling nozzle 41, a socket (not shown) engages with the filling plug 36, and the filling nozzle 41 and the filling plug 36 are locked together by a locking mechanism (not shown). The distance by which the filling nozzle 41 is moved to insert the filling nozzle 41 into the filling plug 36 until the filling nozzle 41 and the filling plug 36 are locked together is defined as the "insertion distance."

[0027] The insertion distance is the distance that the filling nozzle 41 can move from the end face of the filling plug 36 to lock the connection between the filling nozzle 41 and the filling plug 36. The insertion distance is also the depth of the insertion hole formed in the filling nozzle 41. To remove the filling nozzle 41 from the filling plug 36, the lock is released and the filling nozzle 41 is pulled out from the filling plug 36. There is a preset specified value for the depth of the filling nozzle 41.

[0028] <Detection device> The detection device 45 detects the connection state between the filling plug 36 and the filling nozzle 41. The connection state between the filling plug 36 and the filling nozzle 41 is a state in which the connection of the filling plug 36 to the filling nozzle 41 is complete. In other words, the filling plug 36 is inserted into the filling nozzle 41 by a predetermined insertion distance.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the detection device 45 includes a bracket 51, a nozzle contact member 61, a sensor operating member 66, three guide pins 71, three biasing members 81, and a limit switch 91 as a sensor.

[0030] <bracket> The bracket 51 is attached to the mounting portion 35 which is part of the housing 31 of the fuel cell module 30 .

[0031] The bracket 51 comprises a rectangular plate-shaped main body 52 , a U-shaped side wall 53 protruding from the side edge of the main body 52 , and a support member 54 integral with the main body 52 . The main body 52 has a first surface 52a and a second surface 52b that are opposite surfaces in the thickness direction. The first surface 52a and the second surface 52b are parallel planes. A through hole 52c is formed in the main body 52. ​​The through hole 52c penetrates the main body 52 in the thickness direction. The filling plug 36, three guide pins 71, and three biasing members 81 pass through the through hole 52c.

[0032] The sidewalls 53 are provided along three side edges of the main body 52 and extend toward the first surface 52a. The sidewalls 53 include a first wall portion 53a protruding in a rectangular plate shape from one side edge of the main body 52 that is aligned with the mounting portion 35, a second wall portion 53b protruding in a rectangular plate shape from a first longitudinal end of the first wall portion 53a, and a third wall portion 53c protruding in a rectangular plate shape from a second longitudinal end of the first wall portion 53a. The second wall portion 53b and the third wall portion 53c face each other in the longitudinal direction of the first wall portion 53a and extend toward the first surface 52a from the opposing side edges of the main body 52. ​​Note that as long as the bracket 51 can be attached to the mounting portion 35, the sidewalls 53 may be omitted, and the shape of the sidewalls 53 may be changed as appropriate.

[0033] <Supporting components> The support member 54 comprises a support body 56 facing the second surface 52b of the main body 52, a connecting portion 55 joined to the support body 56 and the main body 52, and a switch mounting portion 57 extending from the support body 56 toward the main body 52.

[0034] The support body 56 has a first surface 56a and a second surface 56b that are opposite to each other in the thickness direction. The first surface 56a and the second surface 56b are flat surfaces that are parallel to each other. The connecting portion 55 is cylindrical. A first axial end of the connecting portion 55 is joined to the second surface 52b of the main body 52, and a second axial end of the connecting portion 55 is joined to the first surface 56a of the support body 56. Therefore, the connecting portion 55 integrates the main body 52 and the support body 56 together.

[0035] Now, the installation of the aforementioned filler plug 36 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6 , the filler plug 36 is connected to the support body 56 by threading the threads 362b of the stop ring 362 into the support body 56. In this connected state, the male threaded portion 37 of the filler plug 36 protrudes from the second surface 56b of the support body 56, and a nut 39 is threadedly engaged with the male threaded portion 37. The filler plug 36 is attached to the bracket 51 by threading the nut 39 onto the male threaded portion 37 and the thread 362b into the support body 56. Therefore, the filler plug 36 is attached to the bracket 51. The stop ring 362 and the insertion portion 361 of the filler plug 36 protrude outward from the first surface 56a of the support body 56 and pass through the through hole 52c of the body 52, protruding outward from the first surface 52a of the body 52.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, three guide holes 60 are formed in the support body 56. The three guide holes 60 are arranged radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the filling plug 36. In the following description, "radial direction" means "radial direction of the filling plug 36." Each guide hole 60 penetrates the support body 56 in the plate thickness direction. The three guide holes 60 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the central axis L1 of the filling plug 36. Therefore, the three guide holes 60 are provided in the bracket 51 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction surrounding the filling plug 36.

[0037] A straight line L2 passing through the midpoint C of each guide hole 60 is parallel to the central axis L1 of the filling plug 36. The midpoints C of the three guide holes 60 are located on concentric circles centered on the central axis L1 of the filling plug 36.

[0038] Since the three guide holes 60 have the same shape, only one guide hole 60 will be described. As shown in Fig. 7, each of the guide holes 60 is a long hole extending in the radial direction. In Fig. 7, the filler plug 36 is indicated by a dashed line. The three guide holes 60 are formed to extend radially from the central axis L1 of the filler plug 36.

[0039] The guide hole 60 is defined by a pair of guide surfaces 60a and a pair of arcuate surfaces 60b. Each guide surface 60a and each arcuate surface 60b is a surface that connects the first surface 56a and the second surface 56b in the thickness direction of the support body 56. Therefore, each guide surface 60a and each arcuate surface 60b has a dimension in the thickness direction of the support body 56. In each pair of guide surfaces 60a, a first end in the radial direction is continuous with an end of one of the arcuate surfaces 60b, and in each pair of guide surfaces 60a, a second end in the radial direction is continuous with an end of the other arcuate surface 60b.

[0040] A front view refers to viewing the bearing body 56 from the plate thickness direction, in other words, viewing the bearing body 56 from the axial direction of the guide pin 71. In a front view of the bearing body 56, each guide surface 60a extends linearly parallel to the radial direction. In addition, in a front view of the bearing body 56, each arcuate surface 60b extends in an arc shape.

[0041] The pair of guide surfaces 60a are parallel to each other. The shortest distance between the pair of guide surfaces 60a is the circumferential length M of the guide hole 60. The circumferential length M is greater than the diameter of the guide pin 71. Specifically, the minimum tolerance value of the circumferential length M is greater than the maximum tolerance value of the diameter of the guide pin 71. Therefore, when the guide pin 71 comes into contact with one of the pair of guide surfaces 60a, a gap is formed between the other guide surface 60a and the guide pin 71.

[0042] The pair of arcuate surfaces 60b are formed with their arcuate bulges facing each other and spaced apart in the radial direction. The maximum length of the guide hole 60 in the radial direction is defined as the radial length N. The radial length N is the length of a straight line connecting the apexes of the opposing arcuate surfaces 60b.

[0043] The radial direction is the direction in which an imaginary line Q extends, passing through the center between the pair of guide surfaces 60a and the central axis L1 of the filler plug 36. The radial direction is set at any position in the circumferential direction of the filler plug 36. The radial length N is the length of the imaginary line Q between the intersection R of the imaginary line Q and the arcuate surface 60b. The midpoint between the intersection R of the imaginary line Q and the arcuate surface 60b is the midpoint C of the guide hole 60.

[0044] The radial length N is sufficiently larger than the maximum tolerance value of the diameter of the guide pin 71. Gaps are formed in the guide hole 60 on both radial sides of the guide pin 71. Of the gaps that sandwich the guide pin 71 in the radial direction, the gap closest to the through hole 63a is referred to as the first gap S1, and the gap on the opposite side of the guide pin 71 from the first gap S1 is referred to as the second gap S2. Therefore, in the guide hole 60, the first gap S1 defined between the guide pin 71 and the boundary surface of the guide hole 60 is present on the radial side of the filler plug 36 relative to the guide pin 71. Furthermore, in the guide hole 60, the second gap S2 defined between the guide pin 71 and the boundary surface of the guide hole 60 is present on the opposite side of the first gap S1 across the guide pin 71. The guide pin 71 is movable in the radial direction within the guide hole 60 due to the presence of the first gap S1 or the second gap S2.

[0045] <Nozzle contact member> Nozzle contact member 61 is a member with which stuffing nozzle 41 comes into contact as stuffing nozzle 41 is inserted into stuffing plug 36, and is supported by bracket 51 so as to be movable in the insertion direction of stuffing nozzle 41.

[0046] 3 and 4, the nozzle contact member 61 includes an annular portion 63 and three fixing projections 64 extending from the annular portion 63. The annular portion 63 defines a circular through hole 63a through which the filler plug 36 passes. The three fixing projections 64 are arranged at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the through hole 63a. The annular portion 63, and therefore the nozzle contact member 61, surrounds the filler plug 36 from the radially outer periphery.

[0047] The nozzle contact member 61 has a nozzle contact surface 61a and a back surface 61b that are opposite surfaces in the plate thickness direction. The tip of the filling nozzle 41 contacts the nozzle contact surface 61a. The nozzle contact surface 61a and the back surface 61b are flat surfaces that are parallel to each other. A part of the outer edge of the back surface 61b can contact a portion of the first surface 52a of the main body 52 that is aligned with the passage hole 52c.

[0048] <Guide pin> For each of the three guide pins 71, a first axial end of the guide pin 71 is inserted into and fixed to the fixing protrusion 64 of the nozzle contact member 61. Therefore, the multiple guide pins 71 are integral with the nozzle contact member 61. The fixing protrusions 64 to which the three guide pins 71 are fixed are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the through hole 63a of the nozzle contact member 61. Therefore, the three guide pins 71 are arranged on the nozzle contact member 61 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the through hole 63a. Ideally, the three guide pins 71 are arranged at 120° intervals in the circumferential direction of the through hole 63a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the central axes L3 of the guide pins 71 are arranged at 120° intervals in the circumferential direction of the through hole 63a.

[0049] A second axial end of each guide pin 71 is inserted into the guide hole 60. Therefore, the multiple guide pins 71 extend from the nozzle contact member 61 toward the bracket 51 in the insertion direction of the filling nozzle 41. Furthermore, of the axial ends of each guide pin 71, the second end, which is the end opposite the arrangement side of the nozzle contact member 61 across the bracket 51, protrudes from the bracket 51.

[0050] The three guide pins 71 pass through the through holes 52c and are inserted one by one into the guide holes 60. Each guide pin 71 is supported by the support body 56 so as to be reciprocatable in the thickness direction of the support body 56. Therefore, the guide pin 71 is inserted into the bracket 51 that includes the support body 56, and the bracket 51 movably supports the guide pin 71. The guide holes 60 pass through the support body 56 in the thickness direction. The thickness of the support body 56 is thicker than the thickness of the main body 52. ​​Therefore, the guide pin 71 is supported by the support body 56 in a state where tilting is suppressed.

[0051] <Sensor operating component> 3 and 6, a sensor operating member 66, which functions as a stopper, is fixed to the second end of the guide pin 71 protruding from the support body 56 of the bracket 51. The second end of the guide pin 71 is formed with a female screw 71c that is recessed in the axial direction of the guide pin 71.

[0052] The sensor operating member 66 has a long plate shape. The sensor operating member 66 has a first contact surface 66b and a second contact surface 66c that are opposite to each other in the plate thickness direction. The first contact surface 66b and the second contact surface 66c are flat surfaces that are parallel to each other.

[0053] The sensor operating member 66 is formed with a plug through hole 66a through which the male thread portion 37 of the filling plug 36 passes. The diameter of the plug through hole 66a is larger than the outer diameter of the nut 39 screwed onto the male thread portion 37.

[0054] The sensor operating member 66 includes a surrounding portion 67 surrounding the plug through hole 66a, two extension portions 68 extending from the surrounding portion 67, and one sensor contact piece 69 extending from the surrounding portion 67. The plug through hole 66a is a hole surrounded by the surrounding portion 67. The direction in which the sensor contact piece 69 extends from the surrounding portion 67 is different from the direction in which each extension portion 68 extends from the surrounding portion 67.

[0055] A bolt through hole 65 is formed in each of the two extension portions 68 and the sensor contact piece 69. The diameter of the bolt through holes 65 is smaller than the diameter of the guide pin 71. The bolt through holes 65 are arranged at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the plug through hole 66a. The bolt through holes 65 surround the filler plug 36. The three bolt through holes 65 are located on concentric circles centered on the central axis L1 of the filler plug 36.

[0056] The second ends of two of the three guide pins 71 contact the first abutment surface 66b of the extension portion 68, and the second end of one of the guide pins 71 contacts the first abutment surface 66b of the sensor contact piece 69. A bolt 90 inserted into the bolt through-hole 65 is threadedly engaged with the female thread 71c of each guide pin 71. This integrates the three guide pins 71 with the sensor operating member 66. The three guide pins 71 are integrated with the nozzle contact member 61 and the sensor operating member 66 so as to be arranged at equal intervals on a concentric circle centered on the central axis L1 of the filler plug 36.

[0057] The sensor contact piece 69 extends from the surrounding portion 67 toward the third wall portion 53c and extends beyond the third wall portion 53c. <Using member> The biasing member 81 is made of a coil spring. The biasing member 81 is attached to the guide pin 71. The three guide pins 71 are arranged to surround the filler plug 36, and therefore the three biasing members 81 are installed to surround the filler plug 36. The three biasing members 81 are arranged on concentric circles centered on the central axis L1 of the filler plug 36.

[0058] A first end of the urging member 81 contacts the back surface 61b of the fixing protrusion 64 of the nozzle contact member 61. A second end of the urging member 81 contacts a portion of the first surface 56a of the support body 56 that surrounds the guide hole 60. The urging member 81 is interposed between the nozzle contact member 61 and the support body 56 of the bracket 51. The urging member 81 urges the nozzle contact member 61 in a direction away from the bracket 51. In other words, the urging member 81 urges the nozzle contact member 61 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the filling nozzle 41.

[0059] When the nozzle contact member 61 is biased by the biasing member 81, the first abutment surface 66b of the sensor operating member 66 is in surface contact with the second surface 56b of the support body 56. The surface contact of the sensor operating member 66 with the support body 56 restricts the movement and tilt of the nozzle contact member 61. When the movement of the nozzle contact member 61 is restricted by the sensor operating member 66, the nozzle contact surface 61a is located away from the first surface 52a of the body 52.

[0060] Furthermore, the surface contact of the sensor operating member 66 with the support portion main body 56 prevents each guide pin 71 from coming out of the bracket 51. Therefore, the sensor operating member 66 functions as a stopper that prevents the guide pins 71 from coming out of the bracket 51. Therefore, the sensor operating member 66 as a stopper is provided at a second end of the axial end of the guide pin 71 that protrudes from the bracket 51 on the side opposite to the side where the nozzle contact member 61 is arranged, with the bracket 51 in between.

[0061] <Limit switch> The limit switch 91 is attached to the outer surface of the switch mounting portion 57, on one of the two surfaces of the switch mounting portion 57 in the thickness direction opposite the surface facing the filler plug 36. The limit switch 91 is disposed opposite the sensor contact piece 69 of the sensor operating member 66. The mover 92 of the limit switch 91 is installed so as to be movable in the insertion direction and in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. Therefore, the mover 92 is disposed on the opposite side of the bracket 51 from the side where the nozzle contact member 61 is disposed, and is installed so as to be movable in the insertion direction and in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. In addition, the mover 92 is urged in a direction approaching the sensor contact piece 69 by a return spring (not shown) built into the limit switch 91.

[0062] <Initial position and push position> The nozzle contact member 61 is movable between an initial position P1 and a pushed-in position P2. 6, the initial position P1 is a state in which the movement of the nozzle contact member 61 is restricted by the sensor operating member 66 functioning as a stopper, and is the position where the nozzle contact member 61 is moved furthest from the filling plug 36 by the biasing force of the biasing member 81. As shown in FIG. 10, the pushed-in position P2 is a position where the nozzle contact member 61 is brought close to the main body 52 by the filling nozzle 41 that has come into contact with the nozzle contact member 61 and pressed into the nozzle contact member 61.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, when the nozzle contact member 61 is located at the initial position P1, the mover 92 is biased toward the sensor contact piece 69 and is in contact with the sensor contact piece 69.

[0064] When the nozzle contact member 61 moves from the initial position P1 toward the pushed-in position P2, the sensor operating member 66 also moves toward the pushed-in position P2 in conjunction with the nozzle contact member 61. As the sensor contact piece 69 moves toward the pushed-in position P2, it moves away from the movable element 92. Then, when the connection of the filling nozzle 41 to the filler plug 36 is completed and a connection-completed state is reached in which hydrogen can be filled, the sensor contact piece 69 moves away from the movable element 92, causing the output signal of the limit switch 91 to change from an OFF state to an ON state. Therefore, the limit switch 91 is a sensor whose output signal changes depending on the completion of the connection of the filling nozzle 41 to the filler plug 36.

[0065] 10, at the pushed-in position P2, the biasing member 81 is compressed more than at the initial position P1. Therefore, the biasing member 81 biases the nozzle contact member 61 toward the initial position P1 by a force that returns the biasing member 81 to its original shape.

[0066] <Detection work using detection devices> First, when the filling nozzle 41 is not connected to the filling plug 36, the nozzle contact member 61 is positioned at the initial position P1 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 81, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. When the nozzle contact member 61 is positioned at the initial position P1, the sensor operating member 66 is in contact with the movable element 92, and therefore the movable element 92 of the limit switch 91 is held in a protruding state by a predetermined amount due to the biasing force of a return spring (not shown). Therefore, the output signal of the limit switch 91 is in the OFF state.

[0067] When the insertion portion 361 of the filling plug 36 is inserted into the filling nozzle 41 to fill fuel gas into the fuel tank 21, the tip of the filling nozzle 41 comes into contact with the nozzle contact surface 61a of the nozzle contact member 61. When the filling nozzle 41 is further inserted, the nozzle contact member 61 is pushed in by the filling nozzle 41 that is in contact with the nozzle contact member 61.

[0068] The nozzle contact member 61 moves in the insertion direction of the stuffing nozzle 41 by means of three guide pins 71 and guide holes 60. The nozzle contact member 61 does not rotate, but slides in the insertion direction of the stuffing nozzle 41. In other words, when pushed by the stuffing nozzle 41, the nozzle contact member 61 moves so that the entire back surface 61b approaches the first surface 52a of the main body 52. ​​Therefore, regardless of the position of the back surface 61b, the nozzle contact member 61 moves toward the pushed-in position P2 while maintaining the same distance from the first surface 52a.

[0069] 10, when the nozzle contact member 61 moves from the initial position P1 toward the pushed-in position P2, the sensor operating member 66 also moves toward the pushed-in position P2 in conjunction with the nozzle contact member 61. The biasing member 81 is pressed by the nozzle contact member 61 and is compressed.

[0070] When the nozzle contact member 61 moves from the initial position P1 toward the pushed-in position P2, the sensor contact piece 69 moves away from the movable element 92. In other words, the movement of the nozzle contact member 61 operates the limit switch 91 via the sensor operating member 66. When the nozzle contact member 61 is positioned at the pushed-in position P2 and reaches the connection complete state, the output signal of the limit switch 91 changes from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0071] On the other hand, when the filling nozzle 41 is pulled out from the filling plug 36, the nozzle contact member 61 receives the biasing force of the biasing member 81 and moves from the pushed-in position P2 toward the initial position P1. At this time, the nozzle contact member 61 moves linearly in the direction in which the filling nozzle 41 is pulled out, due to the three guide pins 71 and the guide hole 60. As a result, the sensor contact piece 69 comes into contact with the movable element 92 of the limit switch 91 and pushes the movable element 92 in. As a result, the output signal of the limit switch 91 changes from an ON state to an OFF state.

[0072] By monitoring the output signal of the limit switch 91, it is possible to detect whether the filling nozzle 41 is connected to the filling plug 36. <Guide pin assembly> Next, the assembly of the guide pin 71 to the bracket 51 will be described.

[0073] The three guide pins 71 are integrated with the nozzle contact member 61 and are arranged at equal intervals around the through-hole 63a of the nozzle contact member 61. As shown in FIG. 7 , the three guide pins 71 are referred to as a first guide pin 711, a second guide pin 712, and a third guide pin 713. The first guide pin 711 is inserted into a guide hole 60 on the upper left side of the support body 56, and the second guide pin 712 is inserted into a guide hole 60 on the upper right side of the support body 56. The third guide pin 713 is inserted into a guide hole 60 on the lower side of the support body 56. The guide hole 60 through which the first guide pin 711 is inserted is referred to as a first guide hole 601, and the guide hole 60 through which the second guide pin 712 is inserted is referred to as a second guide hole 602. The guide hole 60 through which the third guide pin 713 is inserted is referred to as a third guide hole 603.

[0074] 7, the three guide pins 71 are arranged on the nozzle contact member 61 without any positional deviation in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the three guide pins 71 are arranged at equal intervals of 120° relative to the nozzle contact member 61. When the three guide pins 71 are arranged at equal intervals of 120° relative to the nozzle contact member 61, it is assumed that the three guide pins 71 are arranged in standard positions.

[0075] Of the three guide pins 71, the first guide pin 711 contacts the lower guide surface 60a of the first guide hole 601, and the second guide pin 712 contacts the lower guide surface 60a of the second guide hole 602. Therefore, the first guide pin 711 is spaced downward from the upper guide surface 60a of the first guide hole 601, and the second guide pin 712 is spaced downward from the upper guide surface 60a of the second guide hole 602.

[0076] Furthermore, the pair of arcuate surfaces 60b in the first guide hole 601 are spaced apart on either side of the first guide pin 711 in the radial direction. Therefore, a first gap S1 and a second gap S2 are formed in the first guide hole 601 so as to sandwich the first guide pin 711 in the radial direction. The first gap S1 is slightly narrower in the radial direction than the second gap S2.

[0077] Similarly, the pair of arcuate surfaces 60b in the second guide hole 602 are spaced apart on either side of the second guide pin 712 in the radial direction. Therefore, a first gap S1 and a second gap S2 are formed in the second guide hole 602 so as to sandwich the second guide pin 712 in the radial direction. The first gap S1 is slightly narrower in the radial direction than the second gap S2.

[0078] Furthermore, the pair of arcuate surfaces 60b in the third guide hole 603 are spaced apart on either side in the radial direction with respect to the third guide pin 713. Therefore, a first gap S1 and a second gap S2 are formed in the third guide hole 603 so as to sandwich the third guide pin 713 in the radial direction.

[0079] Furthermore, the distance between the central axis L3 of the first guide pin 711 and the second guide pin 712 is defined as a first distance K1. The distance between the central axis L3 of the second guide pin 712 and the third guide pin 713 is defined as a second distance K2. The distance between the central axis L3 of the third guide pin 713 and the first guide pin 711 is defined as a third distance K3. When the three guide pins 71 are arranged in the standard position, the first distance K1, the second distance K2, and the third distance K3 are equal.

[0080] Next, a case where one of the three guide pins 71 is displaced from its standard position will be described. 8, the second guide pin 712 is disposed circumferentially offset from the first guide pin 711 so as to be closer to the first guide pin 711. For example, the second guide pin 712 is positioned at an angle of 115° in the circumferential direction relative to the first guide pin 711, and is positioned at an angle of 125° in the circumferential direction relative to the third guide pin 713.

[0081] In this case, the nozzle contact member 61 is supported by the bracket 51 with the first guide pin 711 in contact with the guide surface 60a of the first guide hole 601 and the second guide pin 712 in contact with the guide surface 60a of the second guide hole 602.

[0082] When the second guide pin 712 is used as a reference, the first guide pin 711 is inserted into the first guide hole 601 with the first gap S1 narrowed in the radial direction relative to the standard position, and the third guide pin 713 is inserted into the second guide hole 602 with the second gap S2 narrowed in the radial direction relative to the standard position.

[0083] In this case, the first distance K1 is shorter than in the standard position, the second distance K2 is longer than in the standard position, and the third distance K3 is the same as in the standard position.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 8 , when the central axis L3 of the second guide pin 712 is disposed at the radial center of the second guide hole 602, the first guide pin 711 is disposed radially inward toward the filler plug 36 so that the first distance K1 is short. Similarly, when the central axis L3 of the second guide pin 712 is disposed at the radial center of the second guide hole 602, the third guide pin 713 is disposed radially outward away from the filler plug 36 so that the second distance K2 is long. In other words, the first guide pin 711 is displaced radially within the first guide hole 601, and the third guide pin 713 is displaced radially within the third guide hole 603. As a result, each of the three guide pins 71 is inserted into a corresponding guide hole 60. In this case, the nozzle contact member 61 is disposed at a position rotated counterclockwise around the second guide pin 712. Therefore, the through hole 63a of the nozzle contact member 61 is disposed at a position where the first guide pin 711 side approaches the radially inner periphery side with respect to the filling plug .

[0085] 9, the second guide pin 712 is arranged circumferentially offset from the third guide pin 713 so as to be closer to the third guide pin 713. For example, the second guide pin 712 is positioned at an angle of 125° in the circumferential direction relative to the first guide pin 711, and at an angle of 115° in the circumferential direction relative to the third guide pin 713.

[0086] The nozzle contact member 61 is supported by the bracket 51 with the second guide pin 712 contacting the guide surface 60a of the second guide hole 602 and the third guide pin 713 contacting the guide surface 60a of the third guide hole 603.

[0087] When the second guide pin 712 is used as a reference, the first guide pin 711 is inserted into the first guide hole 601 with the second gap S2 narrowed radially relative to the standard position, and the third guide pin 713 is inserted into the third guide hole 603 with the first gap S1 narrowed radially relative to the standard position.

[0088] In this case, the first distance K1 is longer than in the standard position, the second distance K2 is shorter than in the standard position, and the third distance K3 is the same as in the standard position.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 9 , when the central axis L3 of the second guide pin 712 is disposed at the radial center of the second guide hole 602, the first guide pin 711 is disposed on the radially outer periphery away from the filler plug 36 so that the first distance K1 is long. Similarly, when the central axis L3 of the second guide pin 712 is disposed at the radial center of the second guide hole 602, the third guide pin 713 is disposed on the radially inner periphery toward the filler plug 36 so that the second distance K2 is short. In other words, the first guide pin 711 is displaced radially within the first guide hole 601, and the third guide pin 713 is displaced radially within the third guide hole 603. As a result, each of the three guide pins 71 is inserted into a corresponding guide hole 60. In this case, the nozzle contact member 61 is disposed at a position rotated clockwise around the second guide pin 712. Therefore, the through hole 63a of the nozzle contact member 61 is disposed at a position where the third guide pin 713 side approaches the radially inner periphery side with respect to the filling plug .

[0090] Therefore, even if the guide pins 71 are arranged deviated from their standard positions, the three guide pins 71 can be inserted into the guide holes 60, respectively, because the guide holes 60 are elongated holes extending in the radial direction.

[0091] <Effects of the embodiment> According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Each guide hole 60 is an elongated hole that extends radially and has a radial length N that is longer than a circumferential length M. The three guide holes 60 are arranged radially from the central axis L1 of the filler plug 36. Even if one of the three guide pins 71 is positioned circumferentially misaligned with respect to the nozzle contact member 61, the elongated hole shape of the guide hole 60 can be used to insert the other two guide pins 71 into the guide hole 60. Therefore, even if there is a component tolerance or misalignment in the mounting position of the guide pin 71, the guide pin 71 can be inserted into the guide hole 60, and the nozzle contact member 61 can be assembled to the bracket 51.

[0092] (2) The nozzle contact member 61 is guided to move in the insertion direction by the three guide pins 71 and the three guide holes 60. Therefore, the guide pins 71 and the guide holes 60 can stably support the nozzle contact member 61 while suppressing tilting of the nozzle contact member 61.

[0093] (3) The guide hole 60 is an elongated hole. The radial length N of the guide hole 60 is sufficiently longer than the diameter of the guide pin 71. Therefore, a first gap S1 is ensured radially inward of the guide pin 71, and a second gap S2 is ensured radially outward of the guide pin 71. Therefore, even if one of the three guide pins 71 is circumferentially misaligned with respect to the nozzle contact member 61, the other two guide pins 71 can be inserted into the guide hole 60 by using either the first gap S1 or the second gap S2.

[0094] (4) The guide hole 60 is an elongated hole. A first gap S1 is provided radially inward of the guide pin 71, and a second gap S2 is provided radially outward of the guide pin 71. In other words, the guide pin 71 is spaced apart from the arcuate surface 60b. For example, even if foreign matter such as dust enters the guide hole 60 and remains on the arcuate surface 60b, which is the bottom surface of the guide hole 60, due to its own weight, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from becoming caught between the boundary surface of the guide hole 60 and the circumferential surface of the guide pin 71.

[0095] (5) The nozzle contact member 61 has an annular portion 63 that surrounds the filler plug 36. For example, compared to when the portion of the nozzle contact member 61 that is positioned on the radial outer periphery of the filler plug 36 is non-annular, such as semicircular or C-shaped when viewed from the front, this makes it easier to suppress bending deformation of the nozzle contact member 61. This makes it possible to suppress circumferential displacement of the guide pin 71 fixed to the periphery of the annular portion 63 due to bending deformation of the nozzle contact member 61. This makes it easier to insert the guide pin 71 into the guide hole 60 and assemble the nozzle contact member 61 to the bracket 51.

[0096] (6) The detection device 45 includes three guide pins 71 and three guide holes 60 through which the guide pins 71 are inserted. The nozzle contact member 61 is supported on the bracket 51 by two guide pins 71, the first guide pin 711 and the second guide pin 712. The third guide pin 713 is inserted into the third guide hole 603. As a result, the nozzle contact member 61 is supported on the bracket 51 in a stable state by three-point support by the three guide pins 71 and the three guide holes 60. Therefore, compared to a case where there are four or more guide pins 71, for example, the nozzle contact member 61 can be moved in the insertion direction in a stable state while reducing the number of contact points with the bracket 51.

[0097] (7) To enable each of the three guide pins 71 to be inserted into the guide hole 60, it is conceivable to fix the three guide pins 71 to the nozzle contact member 61 with high precision, but this would increase manufacturing costs. In contrast, by simply machining the guide hole 60 into an elongated hole, each of the three guide pins 71 can be inserted into the guide hole 60 even if the guide pins 71 are misaligned in the circumferential direction, and this avoids an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0098] (8) The first end of each guide pin 71 is fixed to the nozzle contact member 61, and the second end of each guide pin 71 is fixed to the sensor operating member 66 by a bolt 90. The three guide pins 71 are arranged around the filling plug 36 and supported by the bracket 51. This prevents the sensor operating member 66 from tilting. Therefore, at the initial position P1, the sensor operating member 66 can accurately contact the movable element 92.

[0099] <Modifications of the embodiment> The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows: Each embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0100] The number of guide pins 71 may be two or four or more. In this case, the number of guide holes 60 is changed according to the number of guide pins 71. The radial length N of the guide hole 60 may be changed as appropriate as long as it is longer than the circumferential length M. In this case, it is preferable to set the radial length N so that there are gaps on both the radially inner and outer sides of the guide pin 71.

[0101] The nozzle contact member 61 does not have to have a shape that surrounds the through-hole 63a, and may have a semicircular shape or a C-shape with a portion of the annular shape cut out. The biasing member 81 may be omitted.

[0102] The movable element 92 of the limit switch 91 may not be directly operated by the sensor operating member 66, but may be operated via a link mechanism or a cam mechanism. The sensor may be a photoelectric sensor. For example, a sensor operating member 66 is disposed between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element at the initial position P1. As the nozzle contact member 61 moves to the pushed-in position P2, the sensor operating member 66 moves, causing the light emitted from the light-emitting element to be received by the light-receiving element. This may cause the output signal of the photoelectric sensor to change to an ON state.

[0103] The sensor may also be a distance sensor that measures the distance to the nozzle contact member 61. In short, the type of sensor can be changed as appropriate as long as the output signal changes in response to the completion of connection of the filling nozzle 41 to the filling plug 36.

[0104] The biasing member 81 may be a rubber member other than a coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like. The fuel cell powered industrial vehicle may be a towing vehicle used to transport cargo, an order picker used for picking work, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] M...circumferential length, N...radial length, S1...first gap, S2...second gap, 21...fuel tank, 30...fuel cell module, 31...housing, 33...fuel cell stack, 36...filling plug, 41...filling nozzle, 45...connection detection device for fuel cell module, 51...bracket, 60...guide hole, 61...nozzle contact member, 63...annular portion, 63a...through hole, 66...sensor operating member, 71...guide pin, 91...limit switch as sensor.

Claims

1. a fuel cell stack; a fuel tank that stores fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack; a filler plug for filling the fuel tank with the fuel gas, the filler plug being connectable to a filler nozzle for supplying the fuel gas; a housing that houses the fuel cell stack and the fuel tank, a fuel cell module connection detection device for detecting a connection state between the filling plug and the filling nozzle, a sensor whose output signal changes in response to completion of connection of the filling nozzle to the filling plug; a bracket mounted on the housing and attached to the filler plug; a nozzle contact member with which the filling nozzle comes into contact as the filling nozzle is inserted into the filling plug, and which is supported by the bracket so as to be movable in the insertion direction of the filling nozzle; a sensor operating member that operates the sensor in accordance with movement of the nozzle contact member in the insertion direction; a plurality of guide holes provided in the bracket and spaced at equal intervals in a circumferential direction surrounding the filler plug; a plurality of guide pins that are integral with the nozzle contact member, extend from the nozzle contact member toward the bracket in the insertion direction, and are inserted into the guide holes; Equipped with A connection detection device for a fuel cell module, characterized in that the multiple guide holes are arranged radially around the central axis of the filling plug, each of the multiple guide holes is a long hole extending radially of the filling plug, and the radial length of the guide hole is longer than the circumferential length of the filling plug at the guide hole.

2. 2. The fuel cell module connection detection device of claim 1, wherein the nozzle contact member has an annular portion that defines a circular through hole through which the filling plug passes, and the plurality of guide pins are arranged on the nozzle contact member at intervals circumferentially of the through hole.

3. A connection detection device for a fuel cell module as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in the guide hole, on the radial side of the filling plug relative to the guide pin, there is a first gap defined between the defining surface of the guide hole and the circumferential surface of the guide pin, and in the guide hole, on the opposite side of the first gap across the guide pin, there is a second gap defined between the defining surface of the guide hole and the circumferential surface of the guide pin.

4. 3. The fuel cell module connection detection device according to claim 1, wherein three guide holes and three guide pins are provided.

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