Tank arrangement structure

Abstract

To provide a tank arrangement structure capable of contributing to efficiency of energy while achieving both space saving and improvement in storage efficiency of fluid.SOLUTION: A tank arrangement structure 1 is configured such that: two or more first tanks 10 and one or more second tanks 20 are arranged so as to have tank shafts parallel to each other in a state that base parts 12, 22 are aligned at the same side; the first tanks 10 are aligned in a first direction crossing a tank axis direction; the second tanks 20 are arranged to be offset from the tank axis direction and a second direction crossing the first direction relative to the first tanks 10 aligned in the first direction; a diameter D1 of the first tank 10 and a diameter D2 of the second tank are different; the first tanks 10 and the second tanks 20 are arranged in a zigzag form; and the first tanks 10 and the second tanks 20 are overlapped on each other when viewed from the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for arranging a tank capable of storing a fluid. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, research and development has been conducted on electric vehicles that contribute to energy efficiency in order to ensure that more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy.Patent Document 1 describes a structure in which tanks of the same shape that store pressurized fluid are arranged in multiple levels (three levels). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-149156 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, such a structure requires a large space in the direction of the stacked tanks, and there are large gaps between the tanks, which reduces the efficiency of storing fluid.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and its objective is to provide a tank arrangement structure that can achieve both space saving and improved fluid storage efficiency, and ultimately contribute to energy efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the tank arrangement structure of the present invention comprises three or more tanks each having a nozzle at one end and capable of storing a fluid, and a manifold connected to the nozzles of the three or more tanks so as to allow fluid flow therethrough, wherein the three or more tanks are arranged so that the tank axes are parallel to each other with the nozzles aligned on the same side, two or more tanks are two or more first tanks arranged in a first direction intersecting the tank axis direction, and one or more tanks are one or more second tanks arranged offset in the tank axis direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction with respect to the two or more tanks arranged in the first direction, wherein the diameters of the first tanks and the second tank are different, the two or more first tanks and the one or more second tanks are arranged in a staggered pattern, and the first tank and the second tank overlap each other as viewed from the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in a two-stage tank arrangement structure, it is possible to achieve both space saving and improved fluid storage efficiency, and in turn, it is possible to contribute to energy efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 3 is a schematic diagram (plan view) of the tank arrangement structure according to the basic embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a second direction. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram (side view) of a tank arrangement structure according to a basic embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a first direction. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram (front view) of a first tank and a second tank of a tank arrangement structure according to a basic embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the tank axial direction. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram (front view) of a first tank, a second tank, and a manifold of a tank arrangement structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the tank axial direction. [Figure 5]10 is a schematic diagram (front view) of a first tank, a second tank, and a manifold of a tank arrangement structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the tank axial direction. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic diagram (front view) of a first tank, a second tank, and a manifold of a tank arrangement structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the tank axial direction. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic view (front view) of a first tank, a second tank, and a manifold of a tank arrangement structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the tank axial direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where the tank arrangement structure of the present invention is applied to the arrangement of a hydrogen tank in an electric vehicle as an electric vehicle. In the following description, expressions indicating directions such as front-rear, left-right, and up-down are based on the electric vehicle as a vehicle. Furthermore, in each of the following embodiments, the tank axial direction coincides with the front-rear direction, the first direction coincides with the left-right (vehicle width) direction, and the second direction coincides with the up-down direction, but the directions of the tank arrangement structure do not have to coincide with the front-rear, left-right, or up-down directions of the vehicle.

[0010] <Basic embodiment> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a tank arrangement structure 1 according to a basic embodiment of the present invention comprises two or more first tanks 10, one or more (in this embodiment, two or more) second tanks 20, a pair of brackets 30, 30, a manifold 40, and a valve 50.

[0011] <First Tank> The first tank 10 includes a tank main body 11 capable of storing a fluid (e.g., compressed high-pressure hydrogen), and a nozzle 12 provided at one end of the tank main body 11 in the tank axial direction and through which the fluid can flow. The tank main body 11 and the nozzle 12 may be integrally formed in advance, or may be separate components. The materials of the tank main body 11 and the nozzle 12 are not particularly limited as long as they can withstand the pressure of the fluid to be stored. The tank main body 11 has an elongated, approximately cylindrical shape with a diameter D1. The first tanks 10 are arranged in a row in a first direction (in the present embodiment, the left-right (vehicle width) direction) with the tank axial direction aligned with the front-rear direction of the vehicle and the nozzle 12 facing forward, and constitute the first lower stage of the tank arrangement structure 1.

[0012] <Second Tank> The second tank 20 includes a tank main body 21 capable of storing a fluid, and a nozzle 22 provided at one end of the tank main body 21 in the tank axial direction and through which the fluid can flow. The tank main body 21 and the nozzle 22 may be integrally formed in advance, or may be separate components. The materials of the tank main body 21 and the nozzle 22 are not particularly limited as long as they can withstand the pressure of the fluid to be stored. The tank main body 21 has an elongated, approximately cylindrical shape with a diameter D2. The second tanks 20 are arranged in a row in a first direction (in the present embodiment, the left-right (vehicle width) direction) with the tank axial direction aligned with the front-rear direction of the vehicle and the nozzle 22 facing forward, and constitute the second upper stage of the tank arrangement structure 1.

[0013] <Relationship between the diameters of the first and second tanks> The diameter D1 of the first tank 10 and the diameter D2 of the second tank 20 are different (D1≠D2). In this embodiment, the diameter D1 of the first tank 10 is larger than the diameter D2 of the second tank 20 (D1>D2).

[0014] <bracket> One bracket 30 is a member that holds one end portion (in this embodiment, the front end portion on the nozzle portion 12, 22 side) of two or more first tanks 10 and one or more second tanks 20 in the tank axial direction and fixes them to the vehicle body. The other bracket 30 is a member that holds the other end portion (in this embodiment, the rear end portion) of two or more first tanks 10 and one or more second tanks 20 in the tank axial direction and fixes them to the vehicle body. The bracket 30 has a shape that extends in a first direction, and both end portions of the bracket 30 in the first direction are fixed to the vehicle body by bolting or the like. The material of the bracket 30 is not particularly limited as long as it can withstand the load of the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 in which fluid is stored.

[0015] <Manifold> Manifold 40 has a shape that extends in a first direction, and is connected to the nozzles 12 of two or more first tanks 10 and the nozzles 22 of one or more second tanks 20 so as to be able to communicate fluidly. Manifold 40 has flow paths 41 inside manifold 40 that allow fluid to flow between nozzles 12, 22 and the outside of manifold 40. There are no particular limitations on the material of manifold 40, as long as it can withstand the pressure of the fluid flowing through flow paths 41.

[0016] <Valve> The valve 50 is attached to the external end of the flow path 41 of the manifold 40 (an opening formed on the surface of the manifold 40) and is configured to be switchable between an open state that allows the flow of fluid and a closed state that blocks the flow of fluid.

[0017] <Layout of the first and second tanks> Two or more first tanks 10 and one or more second tanks 20 are arranged with their nozzles 12, 22 aligned on the same side (the manifold 40 side, the front side in this embodiment) and their tank axes parallel to each other (parallel in this embodiment). The two or more first tanks 10 are arranged in a first direction (left-right direction in this embodiment) that intersects with the tank axial direction of the first tanks 10 (perpendicular in this embodiment). The one or more second tanks 20 are arranged offset from the row of first tanks 10 in a second direction (upward in this embodiment) that intersects with the tank axial direction of the first tanks 10 and the first direction (perpendicular in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the two or more second tanks 20 are arranged in the first direction (left-right direction in this embodiment) that intersects with the tank axial direction of the second tanks 20 (perpendicular in this embodiment). When viewed from the tank axial direction, these first tanks 10 and second tanks 20 are arranged in a staggered pattern, with the first tanks 10 and the second tanks 20 alternating along the first direction. That is, when N is a natural number equal to or greater than 1, the tank arrangement structure 1 includes N+1 first tanks 10 and N, N+1, or N+2 second tanks 20. Except at both ends in the first direction, the first tank 1 is arranged offset in the second direction (downward in this embodiment) between two adjacent second tanks 20, 20, and the second tank 20 is arranged offset in the second direction (upward in this embodiment) between two adjacent first tanks 10, 10.

[0018] When viewed from the first direction, the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 overlap in the second direction. In other words, the lower end of the second tank 20 is located lower than the upper end of the first tank 10. That is, the second direction dimension H of the tank arrangement structure 1 satisfies the following relationship (see FIG. 3). H <D1+D2

[0019] When viewed from the second direction, the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 overlap in the first direction. In other words, the left end of the second tank 20 is located to the left of the right end of the first tank 10 diagonally below and to the left, and the right end of the second tank 20 is located to the right of the left end of the first tank 10 diagonally below and to the right. Similarly, the left end of the first tank 10 is located to the left of the right end of the second tank 20 diagonally above and to the left, and the right end of the first tank 10 is located to the right of the left end of the second tank 20 diagonally above and to the right. In other words, the first-direction dimension L1 between two adjacent first tanks 10 and one second tank 20 between them in the tank arrangement structure 1 satisfies the following relationship (see FIG. 3). L1<2D1+D2

[0020] Furthermore, the first direction dimension L2 between two adjacent second tanks 20 and one first tank 10 therebetween in the tank arrangement structure 1 satisfies the following relationship (see FIG. 3). L2 <D1+2D2

[0021] Here, adjacent first tanks 10 are spaced apart, adjacent second tanks 20 are spaced apart, and adjacent first tanks 10 and second tanks 20 are spaced apart. In the tank arrangement structure 1, the diameter D1 of the first tank 10 and the diameter D2 of the second tank 20 are different (D1>D2), and therefore, compared to when these diameters are the same, the distance between the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 is narrowed, realizing space savings in the first direction and the second direction and improving fluid storage efficiency.

[0022] A tank arrangement structure 1 according to a basic embodiment of the present invention comprises three or more tanks each having a nozzle at one end and capable of storing a fluid, and a manifold 40 fluidically connected to the nozzles of the three or more tanks, wherein the three or more tanks are arranged so that the tank axes are parallel to one another with the nozzles aligned on the same side, two or more of the tanks are two or more first tanks 10 arranged in a first direction intersecting the tank axis direction, and one or more of the tanks are one or more second tanks 20 arranged offset in the tank axis direction and in a second direction intersecting the first direction with respect to the two or more tanks arranged in the first direction, wherein a diameter D1 of the first tank 10 and a diameter D2 of the second tank are different, the two or more first tanks 10 and the one or more second tanks 20 are arranged in a staggered pattern, and the first tanks 10 and the one or more second tanks 20 overlap each other when viewed from the first direction. Therefore, the tank arrangement structure 1 can achieve both space saving in the second direction and improved fluid storage efficiency. Also, the tank arrangement structure 1 can achieve a reduction in the size of the manifold 40 in the second direction.

[0023] In the tank arrangement structure 1, the adjacent first tank 10 and the adjacent second tank 20 overlap each other when viewed from the second direction. Therefore, the tank arrangement structure 1 can achieve both space saving in the first direction and the second direction and improved fluid storage efficiency. Also, the tank arrangement structure 1 can achieve a reduction in the size of the manifold 40 in the first direction.

[0024] First Embodiment Next, the manifold of the tank arrangement structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the manifold 40A at the position where the flow path 42 exists is illustrated.

[0025] 4, the manifold 40A of the tank arrangement structure 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a bent shape when viewed from the tank axial direction, where the manifold 40A is alternately connected to the nozzle 12 of the first tank 10 and the nozzle 22 of the second tank 20. The manifold 40A includes flow paths 42 that, as viewed from the tank axial direction, are bent (broken line) with alternating peaks and valleys by alternately connecting the nozzles 12, 22, as a flow path through which a fluid can flow.

[0026] In the tank arrangement structure 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the manifold 40A has a curved shape that is alternately connected to the nozzle portion 12 of the first tank 10 and the nozzle portion 22 of the second tank 20 when viewed from the tank axial direction. Therefore, the tank arrangement structure 1A can realize a reduction in the size of the manifold 40A.

[0027] Second Embodiment Next, a manifold of a tank arrangement structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the cross-sectional shape of a manifold 40B at a position where a flow path 43 exists is illustrated.

[0028] 5, a manifold 40B of a tank arrangement structure 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a shape that extends in a first direction with a width that covers the nozzle 12 of the first tank 10 and the nozzle 22 of the second tank 20 when viewed from the tank axial direction. The manifold 40B includes a flow path 43 that serves as a flow path through which a fluid can flow, the flow path 43 having a shape that extends in the first direction with a width that covers the nozzle 12 of the first tank 10 and the nozzle 22 of the second tank 20 when viewed from the tank axial direction.

[0029] In the tank arrangement structure 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the manifold 40B has a shape that extends in the first direction with a width that covers the nozzle portion 12 of the first tank 10 and the nozzle portion 22 of the second tank 20 when viewed from the tank axial direction. Therefore, the tank arrangement structure 1B can improve the manufacturability of the manifold 40B.

[0030] Third Embodiment Next, a manifold of a tank arrangement structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on differences from the manifold 40B of the second embodiment, with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 illustrates the cross-sectional shape of manifold 40C at the position where first flow path 44 and second flow path 45 are present.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, a manifold 40C according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes, instead of flow path 43, a first flow path 44 extending in a first direction and communicating with the nozzle portions 12 of two or more first tanks 10, and a second flow path 45 extending in the first direction and communicating with the nozzle portions 22 of one or more second tanks 20, as flow paths through which a fluid can flow.

[0032] In this embodiment, first flow path 44 is connected to an opening formed in the surface of manifold 40C, and a valve 50 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is disposed at this opening. Second flow path 45 is connected to an opening formed in the surface of manifold 40C, and another valve 50 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is disposed at this opening. These two valves 50, 50 may be connected by a flow path outside manifold 40C.

[0033] In the tank arrangement structure 1C of the third embodiment of the present invention, the manifold has, as flow paths through which the fluid can flow, a first flow path 44 that communicates with the nozzle portions 12 of two or more of the first tanks 10, and a second flow path 45 that communicates with the nozzle portions 22 of one or more of the second tanks 20. Therefore, the tank arrangement structure 1C improves the manufacturability of the manifold 40C and, when each of the first flow path 44 and the second flow path 45 is connected to the outside of the manifold 40C, enables the fluid of each stage to be stored and discharged independently.

[0034] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a manifold of a tank arrangement structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on differences from the manifold 40C of the third embodiment, with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 illustrates the cross-sectional shape of manifold 40D at the position where first flow path 44, second flow path 45, and third flow path 46 are present.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, a manifold 40D of a tank arrangement structure 1D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention has, in addition to a first flow path 44 and a second flow path 45, a third flow path 46 connecting the first flow path 44 and the second flow path 45 as flow paths through which a fluid can flow.

[0036] In this embodiment, the third flow path 46 is connected to an opening formed in the surface of the manifold 40D, and a valve 50 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is disposed in this opening.

[0037] In a tank arrangement structure 1D according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the manifold 40D includes a third flow path 46 connecting the first flow path 44 and the second flow path 45 as a flow path through which the fluid can flow. Thus, the tank arrangement 1D improves manufacturability of the manifold 40D and allows the fluids of each row to be stored and drained together.

[0038] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the bracket 30 may be configured to have a shape that conforms to the manifolds 40A and 40B. Furthermore, the diameter D2 of the second tank 20 may be larger than the diameter D1 of the first tank 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Tank arrangement structure 10 First Tank (Tank) 11 Tank body 12. Cap part 20 Second Tank (Tank) 21 Tank body 22 Cap part 30 Bracket 40, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D manifold 41, 42, 43 Flow path 44 First Channel (Channel) 45 Second Channel (Channel) 46 Third Channel (Channel) 50 valves

Claims

1. Three or more tanks each having a nozzle at one end and capable of storing a fluid; a manifold fluidly connected to the nozzles of three or more of the tanks, The three or more tanks are arranged such that the tank axes are parallel to one another with the nozzles aligned on the same side, the two or more tanks are two or more first tanks arranged in a first direction intersecting the tank axial direction, the one or more tanks are one or more second tanks arranged offset in the tank axis direction and in a second direction intersecting the first direction with respect to the two or more tanks arranged in the first direction, The diameter of the first tank and the diameter of the second tank are different, the two or more first tanks and the one or more second tanks are arranged in a staggered pattern; When viewed from the first direction, the first tank and the second tank overlap each other. A tank arrangement structure characterized by the above.

2. When viewed from the second direction, the adjacent first tank and the adjacent second tank overlap each other.

2. The tank arrangement structure according to claim 1.

3. The manifold has a bent shape when viewed in the tank axial direction so as to be alternately connected to the nozzle portion of the first tank and the nozzle portion of the second tank.

3. The tank arrangement structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The manifold has a shape that extends in the first direction with a width that covers the nozzle portion of the first tank and the nozzle portion of the second tank when viewed in the tank axial direction.

3. The tank arrangement structure according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The manifold has a flow path through which the fluid can flow, a first flow path communicating with the nozzle portions of two or more of the first tanks; a second flow path communicating with the nozzle portion of one or more of the second tanks; The tank arrangement structure according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. The manifold has a flow path through which the fluid can flow, a third flow path connecting the first flow path and the second flow path; 6. The tank arrangement structure according to claim 5.

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