Work machinery and tank modules

Abstract

To prevent the accumulation of flammable fluids. [Solution] The hydrogen tank 21 stores a flammable fluid. The outer cover 80 covers the top of the hydrogen tank 21. The outer cover 80 has fixing holes 88 that penetrate through the outer cover 80 in the thickness direction. The wall portion 93 and bottom portion 95 of the fixing member 90 are interposed between the fixing holes 88 and the hydrogen tank 21.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a working machine and a tank module.

Background Art

[0002] International Publication No. 2022 / 137688 (Patent Document 1) discloses a construction machine including a hydrogen tank that stores hydrogen, and a fuel cell to which hydrogen from the hydrogen tank is supplied.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a working machine equipped with a tank that stores a flammable fluid, if the flammable fluid leaks, it is required to adopt a structure that prevents the leaked flammable fluid from staying in the working machine.

[0005] The present disclosure proposes a working machine capable of preventing accumulation of flammable fluid.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a working machine is proposed, which includes a vehicle body, a tank mounted on the vehicle body for storing a flammable fluid, and a cover member covering an upper portion of the tank. The cover member has a hole penetrating the cover member in a thickness direction. The working machine further includes an interposing member interposed between the hole and the tank.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the working machine of the present disclosure, accumulation of flammable fluid can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view illustrating the general structure of the shovel. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the assembly configuration of the hydrogen tank and the outer cover. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the assembly with the outer cover removed. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the assembly with the fixing members further removed. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the assembly with the mounting plate further removed. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of the assembly of the hydrogen tank and its outer cover. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the fixing member. [Figure 8] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly along the line VIII-VIII. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the exterior cover viewed from below. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the exterior cover along line XX. [Figure 11] Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the outer cover along the line XI-XI. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated. In the drawings, some configurations may be omitted or simplified for the sake of explanation. It is also intended from the outset that any configuration may be extracted from the embodiments and combined in any way.

[0010] In the following description, the directions "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", and "right" are defined based on an operator seated on the driver's seat (seat) in the cab. Therefore, in the following description, the longitudinal direction is the direction in which the boom 16 extends between a base end and a distal end in a top view. The lateral direction is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction in a top view. The vertical direction is a direction orthogonal to a plane including the mutually orthogonal longitudinal direction and lateral direction.

[0011] The direction from the base end to the distal end of the boom 16 is the front direction, and the direction from the distal end to the base end of the boom 16 is the rear direction. In a rear view, the right side and the left side are the right direction and the left direction, respectively. In the vertical direction, the side on which the ground is located is the downward direction, and the side on which the sky is located is the upward direction. The top view means a viewpoint of looking at the shovel 1 from top to bottom. A side view means a viewpoint of looking at the revolving structure 13 from the lateral direction. A front view means a viewpoint of looking at the revolving structure 13 from front to rear. A rear view means a viewpoint of looking at the revolving structure 13 from rear to front.

[0012] In the drawings, the upward direction is indicated by an arrow Up, the downward direction is indicated by an arrow Dn, the front direction is indicated by an arrow Fr, and the rear direction is indicated by an arrow Rr in the drawings.

[0013] <Overall Structure of Shovel> FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a shovel 1 as an example of a working machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The working machine of the present embodiment is, for example, a shovel 1 including a fuel cell.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the shovel 1 includes a main body 11 and a hydraulically actuated working implement 12. The main body 11 corresponds to an example of a vehicle body of the shovel 1. The main body 11 includes the revolving structure 13 and a traveling body 15.

[0015] The traveling body 15 includes a pair of left and right crawler belts 15Cr and a traveling motor 15M. The shovel 1 can travel by rotation of the crawler belts 15Cr. The traveling motor 15M is provided as a drive source for the traveling body 15.

[0016] The revolving superstructure 13 is arranged above and supported by the traveling body 15. The revolving superstructure 13 is pivotable about the pivot axis RX relative to the traveling body 15 by a pivot motor (not shown). The pivot axis RX is an imaginary straight line serving as the pivot center of the revolving superstructure 13.

[0017] The revolving superstructure 13 includes a cab 14. A driver's seat 14S on which an operator sits is provided inside the cab 14. The operator can sit on the driver's seat 14S to operate the work implement 12, perform a pivoting operation of the revolving superstructure 13 relative to the traveling body 15, and perform a traveling operation of the excavator 1 by the traveling body 15.

[0018] The work implement 12 is supported by the revolving superstructure 13. The work implement 12 includes a boom 16, an arm 17, and a bucket 18. The work implement 12 further includes a boom cylinder 19a, an arm cylinder 19b, and a bucket cylinder 19c.

[0019] The base end portion of the boom 16 is rotatably connected to the revolving superstructure 13 with a boom foot pin BF as a fulcrum. The base end portion of the arm 17 is rotatably connected to the tip end portion of the boom 16 with a boom top pin BT as a fulcrum. The base end portion of the bucket 18 is rotatably connected to the tip end portion of the arm 17 with an arm top pin AT as a fulcrum.

[0020] The revolving superstructure 13 further includes an exterior panel OP surrounding a machine room 20, a hydrogen tank 21, and a fuel cell module 30. The hydrogen tank 21 and the fuel cell module 30 are mounted on the revolving superstructure 13 and arranged inside the machine room 20 of the revolving superstructure 13. The periphery of the hydrogen tank 21, the fuel cell module 30 and the like is covered by the exterior panel OP. The machine room 20 is defined and formed inside the exterior panel OP. The exterior panel OP partitions the internal space of the machine room 20 from the outside of the machine room 20.

[0021] The fuel cell module 30 includes a fuel cell stack 31 and an auxiliary device 32 for the fuel cell stack 31.

[0022] The hydrogen tank 21 stores hydrogen. The hydrogen tank 21 stores hydrogen gas, which is a flammable fluid with a specific gravity lower than that of air. The hydrogen tank 21 is connected to the fuel cell stack 31. The hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 21 is depressurized by a pressure reducer and supplied to the fuel cell stack 31. The excavator 1 has, for example, two hydrogen tanks 21, but the number of hydrogen tanks 21 mounted on the excavator 1 is not limited to two. Each hydrogen tank 21 has a cylindrical outer shape and is arranged so that the cylindrical axial direction extends in the left-right direction.

[0023] The fuel cell stack 31 is constructed by stacking multiple fuel cell cells connected in series. The fuel cell stack 31 generates electricity (electrical energy) by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The generated electrical energy drives a hydraulic pump (not shown) via an electric motor. The hydraulic fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump, driven by the hydraulic pump, operates each hydraulic actuator (swing motor, travel motor, and each hydraulic cylinder).

[0024] If electric motors are used instead of hydraulic actuators, the generated electrical energy is supplied directly to each electric motor. In this example, the excavator 1 has one fuel cell stack 31, but the number of fuel cell stacks 31 mounted on the excavator 1 is not limited to one, and may be multiple.

[0025] The auxiliary equipment 32 operates the fuel cell stack 31 as the main unit. The auxiliary equipment 32 includes a compressor, piping, a controller, a DC-DC converter, etc. (not shown). The compressor supplies air to the fuel cell stack 31. The controller controls the compressor and communicates with external equipment of the fuel cell module 30.

[0026] The exterior cover 80 constitutes part of the exterior of the excavator 1. The exterior cover 80 is positioned above the fuel cell module 30. The exterior cover 80 has an upper surface 81 that covers the top of the hydrogen tank 21, a rear side surface 82 that covers the rear of the hydrogen tank 21, and a front side surface 83 that covers the front of the hydrogen tank 21. The upper surface 81 of the exterior cover 80 corresponds to an example of a cover member that covers the top of the hydrogen tank 21.

[0027] <Assembly configuration of hydrogen tank 21 and outer cover 80> Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the assembly of the hydrogen tank 21 and the outer cover 80. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembly of the hydrogen tank 21 and the outer cover 80 shown in Figure 2 with the outer cover 80 removed. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in Figure 3 with the fixing member 90 further removed. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in Figure 4 with the mounting plate 60 further removed, viewed from a different angle. Figure 6 is a plan view of the assembly of the hydrogen tank 21 and the outer cover 80. Figure 6 shows the assembly of the hydrogen tank 21 and the outer cover 80 viewed from above along the direction of arrow VI shown in Figure 2.

[0028] The hydrogen tank 21 is supported by a support frame 40. The support frame 40 has a rectangular upper frame 41 and a rectangular lower frame 42. The upper frame 41 and the lower frame 42 are positioned apart in the vertical direction. The lower frame 42 is positioned directly below the upper frame 41. The upper frame 41 and the lower frame 42 are positioned so as to overlap when viewed from above. The support frame 40 has four columnar sections 43. The columnar sections 43 extend in the vertical direction. The columnar sections 43 have upper ends connected to the vertices of the rectangle formed by the upper frame 41 and lower ends connected to the vertices of the rectangle formed by the lower frame 42. The upper frame 41, the lower frame 42, and the columnar sections 43 form a support frame 40 with a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0029] The support frame 40 corresponds to an example of a tank support mechanism that supports the hydrogen tank 21. The hydrogen tank 21 is enclosed by an upper frame 41, a lower frame 42, and column 43. The hydrogen tank 21 is housed inside the support frame 40.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the hydrogen tank 21 is mounted on a pair of support plates 51. The support plates 51 are positioned to connect the two long sides of the rectangle formed by the lower frame 42, and in a top view, they extend parallel to the short sides of the rectangle formed by the lower frame 42. The hydrogen tank 21 is placed on the pair of support plates 51, and fasteners 52 are attached to each support plate 51, thereby supporting the hydrogen tank 21 by the support frame 40 via the support plates 51. The fasteners 52 may be, for example, U-bolts. By fastening both ends of the U-bolts to the support plates 51, the hydrogen tank 21 is attached to the support plates 51 and positioned relative to the support frame 40.

[0031] A base plate 46 is fixed to the upper frame 41 at the four vertices of the rectangle formed by the upper frame 41. A suspension part 45 is fixed to the base plate 46 so as to protrude upward from the base plate 46. The suspension part 45 is, for example, an eye bolt and has an annular shape above the base plate 46. The suspension part 45 is used to lift the support frame 40 and the hydrogen tank 21 supported by the support frame 40 as a single unit.

[0032] The hydrogen tank 21 and support frame 40 are surrounded by an outer cover 80. A hollow tank housing space is formed, partitioned by the top surface 81, rear side surface 82, and front side surface 83 of the outer cover 80, and the hydrogen tank 21 and support frame 40 are housed in the tank housing space. As shown in Figure 2.6, a recessed portion 84 is formed in the top surface 81 that covers the top of the hydrogen tank 21, where a portion of the top surface 81 is recessed. The recessed portion 84 is defined by an inclined surface 85. The inclined surface 85 has the shape of a frustoconical side, with its diameter decreasing as it goes downward from the top surface 81. A through hole 86 is formed at the bottom of the recessed portion 84, penetrating the outer cover 80 in the thickness direction. The suspension portion 45 is exposed upward through the through hole 86.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, four mounting seats 48 are fixed to each of the long sides of the rectangle formed by the upper frame 41. The mounting seats 48 are fixed to the upper surface of the upper frame 41. Mounting holes 49 are formed in the mounting seats 48 by recessing a portion of the upper surface of the mounting seat 48. The mounting holes 49 open upwards. The mounting holes 49 are, for example, threaded.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the fixing member 90 is fixed to the mounting seat 48 by fixing the fastener 98 to the mounting hole 49 of each mounting seat 48. The fastener 98 is, for example, a bolt, and the fastener 98 is fastened to the mounting hole 49, which is a female threaded hole, thereby fixing the fixing member 90 to the support frame 40. As will be described later, the fixing member 90 is molded integrally with the exterior cover 80. By fixing the fixing member 90 to the mounting seat 48, the exterior cover 80 is fixed to the support frame 40, and the support frame 40 and the exterior cover 80 become an integrated structure. The hydrogen tank 21 supported by the support frame 40 and the exterior cover 80 become an integrated structure. The hydrogen tank 21, the exterior cover 80 and the support frame 40 together constitute a module that can be attached to and detached from the body of the excavator 1.

[0035] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, a fixing hole 88 is formed in the upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80, penetrating the upper surface 81 in the thickness direction. The fixing hole 88 opens upward. In an assembly in which the hydrogen tank 21 and the outer cover 80 are integrated into a single structure, the fixing hole 88 is located directly above the fastener 98. The fastener 98 is exposed upward through the fixing hole 88, and as shown in Figure 6, the fastener 98 is positioned so that it is visible from above. The configuration allows for the fastener 98 to be fixed to the mounting base 48 through the fixing hole 88. An operator can insert a tool through the fixing hole 88 and tighten the fastener 98, which is located below the upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80, into the mounting hole 49 of the mounting base 48.

[0036] A mounting plate 60 is positioned below the support frame 40. A connecting member 62 connects the lower frame 42 of the support frame 40 to the mounting plate 60. The connecting member 62 is fixed to the vertex of the rectangle formed by the lower frame 42 by connecting bolts 63, and the connecting member 62 is fixed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 60 by connecting bolts 64. As a result, the hydrogen tank 21 is supported above the mounting plate 60, away from the mounting plate 60, and no external force acts on the hydrogen tank 21 when the mounting plate 60 is placed inside the machine room 20.

[0037] The pressure reducing valve unit 70 includes piping through which hydrogen gas flows from the hydrogen tank 21 and is supplied to the fuel cell module 30, and a pressure reducing valve for reducing the pressure of the hydrogen gas. The piping and the pressure reducing valve are mounted on the support frame 40 as a single unit. The pressure reducing valve unit 70 is mounted on the side of the support frame 40. The pressure reducing valve unit 70 is positioned between the hydrogen tank 21 and the front side 83 of the exterior cover 80. The pressure reducing valve unit 70 is attached to the assembly of the hydrogen tank 21 and the exterior cover 80 and is configured to be detachably attached to the vehicle body as an integral part of the hydrogen tank 21.

[0038] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the fixing member 90. The fixing member 90 has a pair of fin portions 91 and 92, a pair of wall portions 93 and 94, and a bottom portion 95. The pair of fin portions 91 and 92 are arranged on substantially the same plane. Each fin portion 91 and 92 has multiple through holes that penetrate the member in the thickness direction.

[0039] The wall portion 93 extends from the outer edge of the fin portion 91 facing the fin portion 92, in a direction perpendicular to the fin portion 91. The wall portion 94 extends from the outer edge of the fin portion 92 facing the fin portion 91, in a direction perpendicular to the fin portion 92. The wall portions 93 and 94 are arranged parallel to each other and face each other.

[0040] The bottom portion 95 connects the lower edge of the wall portion 93 and the lower edge of the wall portion 94. The bottom portion 95 is arranged parallel to the pair of fin portions 91 and 92. The wall portions 93 and 94 are interposed between the bottom portion 95 and the fin portions 91 and 92, and the bottom portion 95 is positioned away from the fin portions 91 and 92. A hollow ventilation space 96 is formed, enclosed by the wall portions 93 and 94 and the bottom portion 95. Referring also to Figure 3, the ventilation space 96 is open at both ends.

[0041] The fastener 98 penetrates the bottom portion 95 of the fixing member 90 and fixes the bottom portion 95 to the mounting seat 48 shown in Figure 4. The bottom portion 95 has a through hole formed therein for attaching the fastener 98.

[0042] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of the hydrogen tank 21 and the outer cover 80 along the line VIII-VIII shown in Figure 6. The outer cover 80 is made of resin. The fixing member 90 is made of metal and is insert-molded into the outer cover 80. Of the fixing member 90, a pair of fin portions 91 and 92 are embedded in the outer cover 80. As shown in Figure 7, multiple through holes are formed in each fin portion 91 and 92, and resin material is filled into these through holes during insert molding, thereby more firmly integrating the fixing member 90 and the outer cover 80.

[0043] The hydrogen tank 21 is housed in the tank containment space 89. The upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80 has an opposing surface 81S that faces the hydrogen tank 21. The opposing surface 81S is the outer surface of the upper surface 81 that faces downward.

[0044] The wall portions 93 and 94 of the fixing member 90 extend downward from the upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80. The wall portions 93 and 94 extend downward from the edges of the fixing holes 88 formed in the upper surface 81. In a top view, the wall portion 93 is positioned between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21. In a top view, the hydrogen tank 21 is positioned offset from the fixing hole 88.

[0045] The bottom portion 95, which connects the lower edge of the wall portion 93 and the lower edge of the wall portion 94, is positioned below the upper surface 81 of the exterior cover 80 and away from the upper surface 81. The bottom portion 95 is positioned directly below the fixing hole 88 formed in the upper surface 81 of the exterior cover 80. The fixing hole 88 is positioned directly above the through hole formed in the bottom portion 95. The configuration allows the fastener 98 to be screwed into the mounting hole 49 of the mounting base 48 through the fixing hole 88. The configuration allows the fixing member 90 to be fixed to the mounting base 48 from above the exterior cover 80, and therefore the exterior cover 80 to be fixed to the support frame 40.

[0046] The ventilation space 96, enclosed by the wall sections 93, 94 and the bottom section 95, communicates with the fixing holes 88 and, through the fixing holes 88, communicates with the external space above the outer cover 80. The ventilation space 96 is open at both ends of the rotating body 13 in the left-right direction (perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 8; also refer to Figure 3). The tank housing space 89, in which the hydrogen tank 21 is housed, communicates with the ventilation space 96. The tank housing space 89 communicates with the external space above the outer cover 80 through the ventilation space 96 and the fixing holes 88.

[0047] A portion of the fixing member 90, specifically the wall portion 93 and the bottom portion 95, constitutes an intervening member that is positioned between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21. In a top view, the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21 are positioned so as not to overlap with each other, and because the intervening member is positioned between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21, the hydrogen tank 21 cannot be seen from outside the outer cover 80.

[0048] Figure 9 shows the exterior cover 80 viewed from below. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the exterior cover 80 along line XX shown in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the exterior cover 80 along line XI-XI shown in Figure 9.

[0049] The downward-facing opposing surface 81S of the upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80 has a rib that protrudes downward from the opposing surface 81S. The rigidity of the outer cover 80 is increased by the provision of the rib. The rib has a first rib portion 81R1 that extends in the front-rear direction of the slewing body 13 and a second rib portion 81R2 that extends in the left-right direction of the slewing body 13. The first rib portion 81R1 and the second rib portion 81R2 extend intersectingly with each other.

[0050] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the opposing surface 81S of the outer cover 80 has a portion in front of the second rib portion 81R2 and a portion behind the second rib portion 81R2. The portion in front of the second rib portion 81R2 and the portion behind the second rib portion 81R2 are separated by the second rib portion 81R2. Fixing holes 88 are formed in the portion in front of the second rib portion 81R2. Fixing holes 88 are formed in the portion behind the second rib portion 81R2. Fixing holes 88 are formed in both the portion in front of the second rib portion 81R2 and the portion behind the second rib portion 81R2.

[0051] As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the opposing surface 81S of the outer cover 80 has multiple sections separated by the first rib portion 81R1. Fixing holes 88 are formed in each of these multiple sections. Fixing holes 88 are formed in each of the multiple sections separated by the first rib portion 81R1 and the second rib portion 81R2, which extend in a manner that intersects with each other.

[0052] <Mechanism of Action and Effects> The characteristic configuration and effects of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0053] As shown in Figures 2, 6, 8-11, the upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80 has fixing holes 88 that penetrate the upper surface 81 in the thickness direction. If the flammable fluid stored in the hydrogen tank 21 leaks from the hydrogen tank 21 or the piping connecting the hydrogen tank 21 and the fuel cell module 30, the leaked flammable fluid can be allowed to flow out into the outside space by passing through the fixing holes 88. Therefore, the accumulation of flammable fluid can be prevented.

[0054] As shown in Figure 8, the wall portion 93 and bottom portion 95 of the fixing member 90 are interposed between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21. When sunlight shines through the fixing hole 88, which is open upwards, the wall portion 93 and bottom portion 95 of the fixing member 90 block the sunlight, preventing direct sunlight from hitting the hydrogen tank 21. Therefore, heating of the hydrogen tank 21 can be suppressed.

[0055] As shown in Figure 8, the bottom portion 95 of the fixing member 90, which is positioned directly below the fixing hole 88, may be interposed between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21. The bottom portion 95 positioned directly below the fixing hole 88 can block sunlight that shines through the fixing hole 88, preventing direct sunlight from hitting the hydrogen tank 21.

[0056] As shown in Figure 8, the bottom portion 95 may be positioned below the top surface 81 of the outer cover 80, away from the top surface 81. A hollow ventilation space 96 is formed between the top surface 81 of the outer cover 80 and the bottom portion 95, allowing leaked flammable fluid to flow out to the outside space through the fixing hole 88 via the ventilation space 96.

[0057] As shown in Figure 8, the wall portion 93 of the fixing member 90 extending downward from the edge of the fixing hole 88 may be interposed between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21. The wall portion 93 extending downward from the edge of the fixing hole 88 can block sunlight entering through the fixing hole 88, preventing direct sunlight from hitting the hydrogen tank 21.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, the wall portion 93 may be positioned between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21 in a top view. By positioning the wall portion 93 in this way, the wall portion 93 can be reliably interposed between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21.

[0059] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, a fixing hole 88 may be formed directly above the fixing device 98 that integrally fixes the outer cover 80 and the support frame 40 that supports the hydrogen tank 21. The work of integrally fixing the outer cover 80 and the support frame 40 using the fixing device 98 can be performed from above the outer cover 80 through the fixing hole 88, thus improving work efficiency. The flammable fluid can be allowed to flow out into the outside space by passing through the fixing hole 88, and it is not necessary to form any other holes in the outer cover 80 besides the fixing hole 88, thus reducing the number of holes and lowering the manufacturing cost of the outer cover 80.

[0060] As shown in Figure 8, the fixing member 90 is insert-molded into the resin outer cover 80, and the fastener 98 may be used to fix the fixing member 90 to the support frame 40. The outer cover 80 and the fixing member 90 are integrally structured, and by fixing the fixing member 90 to the support frame 40 using the fastener 98, the outer cover 80, the support frame 40, and the hydrogen tank 21 supported by the support frame 40 can be integrated.

[0061] As shown in Figure 8, the bottom portion 95 and the wall portion 93, which are part of the fixing member 90, may be interposed between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21. The fixing member 90, used to fix the outer cover 80, the hydrogen tank 21 and the support frame 40, has the function of preventing direct sunlight from hitting the hydrogen tank 21. Since it is not necessary to provide a separate member for interposing between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21 from the fixing member 90, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0062] As shown in Figures 8-11, the upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80 has a facing surface 81S that faces the hydrogen tank 21 and ribs that protrude downward from the facing surface 81S. Fixing holes 88 may be formed in both the portion of the facing surface 81S separated by the ribs. When a flammable fluid reaches the space separated by the ribs that protrude downward from the downward-facing facing surface 81S, the flammable fluid can be allowed to flow out to the outside space by passing through the fixing holes 88, thereby preventing the flammable fluid from accumulating.

[0063] As shown in Figures 9-11, the ribs protruding downward from the opposing surface 81S may have a first rib portion 81R1 and a second rib portion 81R2 that intersect each other. Fixing holes 88 are formed in each of the portions partitioned vertically and horizontally by the first rib portion 81R1 and the second rib portion 81R2, allowing the flammable fluid to pass through the fixing holes 88 and flow out into the external space, thereby preventing the flammable fluid from accumulating.

[0064] The flammable fluid stored in the hydrogen tank 21 may have a specific gravity lower than that of air. If the flammable fluid with a specific gravity lower than that of air leaks out, it will flow toward the upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80 that covers the top of the hydrogen tank 21. Since fixing holes 88 are formed in the upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80, the leaked flammable fluid can be allowed to flow out into the outside space by passing through the fixing holes 88, thereby preventing the flammable fluid from accumulating.

[0065] The flammable fluid stored in the hydrogen tank 21 may be hydrogen. If hydrogen leaks out, it is possible to prevent hydrogen from accumulating inside the outer cover 80, thereby suppressing the hydrogen concentration in the air from falling into the combustion range of 4 volume percent to 75 volume percent.

[0066] In the description of the embodiment, an example was described in which the wall portion 93 and bottom portion 95 of the fixing member 90 are interposed between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21, but the invention is not limited to this example. For example, if the bottom portion 95 that covers the fixing hole 88 from below is large enough to be interposed between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21, the interposing member does not need to include the wall portion 93. An interposing member may be provided as a separate member from the fixing member 90, interposed between the fixing hole 88 and the hydrogen tank 21. In this case, the interposing member may be composed of a wall portion that extends downward from the upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80 and along the edge of the fixing hole 88, and the interposing member does not need to include the bottom portion. The hole that penetrates the upper surface 81 of the outer cover 80 may be a hole formed separately from the fixing hole 88.

[0067] The outer cover 80 does not necessarily have to have ribs protruding from the opposing surface 81S. The thickness of the outer cover 80 can be increased to provide sufficient rigidity, in which case it is not necessary to form ribs for reinforcement.

[0068] In the description of the embodiment, an example was given in which hydrogen gas is stored in the hydrogen tank 21, but the invention is not limited to this example. Liquid hydrogen may also be stored in the hydrogen tank 21.

[0069] The working machines to which this disclosure applies are not limited to excavators, but may also be other types of working machines such as bulldozers, wheel loaders, motor graders, dump trucks, and forklifts that have fuel cells. Furthermore, the working machines to which this disclosure applies are not limited to those having fuel cells, but may be any machine that has a hydrogen power source, which is a power source that utilizes hydrogen. The hydrogen power source may be, for example, a hydrogen co-firing engine that burns hydrogen mixed with fossil fuels, or a hydrogen-only engine that burns only hydrogen without using fossil fuels.

[0070] This disclosure may be applied to work machinery that uses tanks for storing a flammable fluid having a specific gravity less than that of air. The flammable fluid may be, for example, methane.

[0071] <Note> The above description includes the following features.

[0072] (Note 1) The car body and A tank mounted on the vehicle body for storing a flammable fluid, A cover member having a hole that penetrates in the thickness direction and covering the top of the tank, A working machine comprising an intervening member interposed between the hole and the tank.

[0073] (Note 2) The intervening member includes a bottom portion positioned directly below the hole, as described in Appendix 1 of the working machine.

[0074] (Note 3) The bottom portion is located below the cover member and separated from the cover member, as described in Appendix 2 of the working machine.

[0075] (Note 4) The intervening member includes a wall portion extending downward from the edge of the hole, as described in any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 3 of the working machine.

[0076] (Note 5) The aforementioned wall portion is the working machine described in Appendix 4, which is positioned between the hole and the tank in a top view.

[0077] (Note 6) A tank support mechanism that supports the aforementioned tank, The system further includes a fastener for integrally fixing the cover member and the tank support mechanism, The aforementioned hole is formed directly above the fixing device, in the working machine according to any one of the appendices 1 to 5.

[0078] (Note 7) The cover member is made of resin. The cover member further comprises a fixing member that is insert-molded into the cover member, The fixing device is the work machine described in Appendix 6, which fixes the fixing member to the tank support mechanism.

[0079] (Note 8) The work machine described in Appendix 7, wherein a part of the fixing member constitutes the intervening member.

[0080] (Note 9) The cover member has a facing surface that faces the tank and a rib that protrudes downward from the facing surface. The opposing surface has a first portion and a second portion separated by the rib, The work machine according to any one of the appendices 1 to 8, wherein the holes are formed in both the first part and the second part.

[0081] (Note 10) The working machine as described in Appendix 9, wherein the rib has a first rib portion and a second rib portion that intersect each other.

[0082] (Note 11) The aforementioned flammable fluid has a specific gravity lower than that of air, and is a working machine as described in any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 10.

[0083] (Note 12) The aforementioned flammable fluid is hydrogen, as described in Appendix 11 of the work machine.

[0084] (Note 13) The intervening member is positioned to block sunlight entering through the hole and prevent direct sunlight from hitting the tank, as described in any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 12.

[0085] (Note 14) A tank module mounted on the body of a work machine, A tank for storing flammable fluids, A cover member having a hole that penetrates in the thickness direction and covering the top of the tank, A tank module comprising an intervening member interposed between the hole and the tank.

[0086] (Note 15) The tank module as described in Appendix 14, wherein the intervening member includes a bottom portion positioned directly below the hole.

[0087] (Note 16) The bottom portion is located below the cover member and separated from the cover member, as described in Appendix 15, for the tank module.

[0088] (Note 17) The tank module according to any one of appendices 14 to 16, wherein the intervening member includes a wall portion extending downward from the edge of the hole.

[0089] (Note 18) A tank support mechanism that supports the aforementioned tank, The system further includes a fastener for integrally fixing the cover member and the tank support mechanism, The hole is formed directly above the fastener in the tank module according to any one of the appendices 14 to 17.

[0090] (Note 19) The cover member has a facing surface that faces the tank and a rib that protrudes downward from the facing surface. The opposing surface has a first portion and a second portion separated by the rib, A tank module according to any one of appendices 14 to 18, wherein the holes are formed in both the first and second portions.

[0091] (Note 20) The tank module according to any one of the appendices 14 to 19, wherein the intervening member is positioned to block sunlight entering through the hole and prevent direct sunlight from hitting the tank.

[0092] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 1 Shovel, 11 Main body, 12 Working equipment, 13 Slewing body, 20 Machine room, 21 Hydrogen tank, 30 Fuel cell module, 31 Fuel cell stack, 32 Auxiliary equipment, 40 Support frame, 41 Upper frame, 42 Lower frame, 43 Column section, 45 Lifting section, 46 Base plate, 48 Mounting seat, 49 Mounting hole, 51 Support plate, 52 Fastener, 60 Mounting plate, 62 Connecting member, 63,64 Connecting bolt, 80 Exterior cover, 81 Top surface, 81R1 First rib section, 81R2 Second rib section, 81S Opposing surface, 82 Rear side, 83 Front side, 84 Recessed section, 85 Inclined surface, 86 Through hole, 88 Fixing hole, 89 Tank housing space, 90 Fixing member, 91,92 Fin section, 93,94 Wall section, 95 Bottom section, 96 Ventilation space, 98 Fixing fixtures, OP Exterior panel.

Claims

1. The car body and, A tank mounted on the vehicle body for storing a flammable fluid, A cover member having a hole that penetrates in the thickness direction and covering the top of the tank, A working machine comprising an intervening member interposed between the hole and the tank.

2. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the intervening member includes a bottom surface portion positioned directly below the hole.

3. The work machine according to claim 2, wherein the bottom portion is located below the cover member and separated from the cover member.

4. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the intervening member includes a wall portion extending downward from the edge of the hole.

5. The work machine according to claim 4, wherein the wall portion is positioned between the hole and the tank in a top view.

6. A tank support mechanism that supports the aforementioned tank, The system further includes a fastener for integrally fixing the cover member and the tank support mechanism, The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the hole is formed directly above the fixing device.

7. The cover member is made of resin. The cover member further comprises a fixing member that is insert-molded into the cover member, The fixing device is used to fix the fixing member to the tank support mechanism, as described in claim 6.

8. The work machine according to claim 7, wherein a part of the fixing member constitutes the intervening member.

9. The cover member has a facing surface that faces the tank and a rib that protrudes downward from the facing surface. The opposing surface has a first portion and a second portion separated by the rib, The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the holes are formed in both the first part and the second part.

10. The work machine according to claim 9, wherein the rib has a first rib portion and a second rib portion that intersect each other.

11. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the flammable fluid has a specific gravity lower than that of air.

12. The work machine according to claim 11, wherein the flammable fluid is hydrogen.

13. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the intervening member is positioned to block sunlight that shines through the hole and to prevent direct sunlight from hitting the tank.

14. A tank module mounted on the body of a work machine, A tank for storing flammable fluids, A cover member having a hole that penetrates in the thickness direction and covering the top of the tank, A tank module comprising an intervening member interposed between the hole and the tank.

15. The tank module according to claim 14, wherein the intervening member includes a bottom portion positioned directly below the hole.

16. The tank module according to claim 15, wherein the bottom portion is located below the cover member and separated from the cover member.

17. The tank module according to claim 14, wherein the intervening member includes a wall portion extending downward from the edge of the hole.

18. A tank support mechanism that supports the aforementioned tank, The system further includes a fastener for integrally fixing the cover member and the tank support mechanism, The tank module according to claim 14, wherein the hole is formed directly above the fixing device.

19. The cover member has a facing surface that faces the tank and a rib that protrudes downward from the facing surface. The opposing surface has a first portion and a second portion separated by the rib, The tank module according to claim 14, wherein the holes are formed in both the first portion and the second portion.

20. The tank module according to claim 14, wherein the intervening member is positioned to block sunlight entering through the hole and to prevent direct sunlight from hitting the tank.

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