Method for assembling a gas filling device

Abstract

To provide a method for assembling a gas filling device capable of improving production efficiency by unitizing a housing body to simplify the assembly and reduce total assembling man-hours.SOLUTION: The method for assembling the gas filling device (100) includes a step of installing a base frame (1), a step of placing a lower unit (10) storing a heat exchanger (13) on the installed base frame (1), a step of locating an intermediate unit (20) including an indicator above the lower unit (10), a step of arranging a lateral unit (40) storing a filling hose having a filling nozzle (42) at the front end on both sides of the lower unit (10) and the intermediate unit (20), and a step of arranging a top unit (30) storing a flowmeter (33) above the intermediate unit (20).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas filling device that fills a gas fuel, such as hydrogen gas, into a vehicle (FCV) or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Japan is poor in fossil fuels and relies on imports from overseas, making it vulnerable to international situations. In recent years, hydrogen, which can be produced from a variety of resources, has been attracting attention as an environmentally friendly option and useful for energy security. As a response to this environmental problem, the applicant has developed a fuel cell vehicle that runs on hydrogen gas fuel, and a gas filling and supply device that stably and efficiently fills the gas fuel into the on-board tank of the hydrogen vehicle. Fuel cell vehicles that use hydrogen gas as fuel have been proposed as a solution to this environmental problem. The applicant of the present invention has also proposed a device for stably and efficiently filling fuel into the on-board tank of a fuel cell vehicle (see Patent Document 1). Although such a conventional technique (Patent Document 1) is effective, when assembling a filling device, the entire frame is assembled, and then devices such as a flow meter, valves, piping, and a gas pipe cooling section are installed and joined to the frame.

[0003] However, the positions and sizes of the bolt fastening holes in the frame are loose, so there is a risk that assembly errors will cause distortion of the frame structure. In other words, when the devices that require filling are assembled one after another, the assembly errors will accumulate, and there is a risk that errors that greatly exceed the tolerances will occur in the devices assembled later. Such large errors will cause inconveniences such as distortion of the frame structure. Furthermore, when the fuel to be supplied is gas, the gas pipe cooling unit of the gas filling device is the smallest size that can be installed within the frame of the main housing, and since it is a large device weighing approximately 200 kg, it was necessary for several people to move it and install it in the frame and connect the piping. The piping also has a primary piping and a secondary piping, and it is a task that requires skill to accurately connect each of them without damaging (scratching) the metal seal between the gas pipe cooling unit. Furthermore, if the metal seal of the gas filling device is damaged, hydrogen gas may leak from the damaged part, which may cause a disaster such as an explosion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-109350 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a method for assembling a gas filling device that can simplify the assembly work and improve production efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The method for assembling the gas-filling device (100) of the present invention includes the steps of: A step of installing a base frame (1); a step of placing a lower unit (10) housing a heat exchanger (13) on the installed base frame (1); Positioning an intermediate unit (20) equipped with a display above the lower unit (10); a step of disposing a side unit (40) housing a filling hose having a filling nozzle at its tip on both sides of the lower unit (10) and the intermediate unit (20); placing a top unit (30) containing a flow meter (33) above the intermediate unit (20). fruit, The steps of placing the lower unit (10), positioning the intermediate unit (20) above the lower unit (10), placing the side units (40) on both sides of the lower unit (10) and the intermediate unit (20), and placing the top unit (30) above the intermediate unit (20) include a step of inserting locating pins (LP) into positioning holes (LH) formed at the overlapping portions of the units. It is characterized by the fact that Here, the lower unit (10), the middle unit (20), the side unit (40) and the top unit (30) have devices required for gas filling assembled therein.

[0007] Books In the present invention, it is preferable that the base frame (1) is formed with a notch (1A). The method for assembling the gas-filling device (100) of the present invention includes the steps of: A step of installing a base frame (1); a step of placing a lower unit (10) housing a heat exchanger (13) on the installed base frame (1); Positioning an intermediate unit (20) equipped with a display above the lower unit (10); a step of disposing a side unit (40) housing a filling hose having a filling nozzle at its tip on both sides of the lower unit (10) and the intermediate unit (20); placing a top unit (30) housing a flow meter (33) above the intermediate unit (20); The steps of placing the lower unit (10), positioning the middle unit (20) above the lower unit (10), placing the side units (40) on both sides of the lower unit (10) and the middle unit (20), and placing the top unit (30) above the middle unit (20) are characterized by including a step of inserting cable ties into positioning holes (LH) formed at the overlapping points of the units. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, each device is pre-installed in each unit and then assembled, so that the total number of assembly steps can be reduced. Furthermore, compared to the task of fixing equipment within the frame of the gas filling device (100) constructed by assembling units together, the task of fixing equipment to individual units is easy, and the labor required for the task is significantly reduced.

[0009] In the present invention, each unit is provided with a positioning hole, and if the positioning holes (LH) formed at the overlapping parts of each unit have a function that allows pins to be inserted, the work of installing a heavy device such as the heat exchanger (2) on the frame within the unit becomes easy, and the position of other devices to be connected to the heat exchanger (2) via piping can be accurately specified by the positioning holes, so that even an unskilled person can accurately connect, for example, the primary side piping and the secondary side piping to the heat exchanger (13) without damaging (scratching) the metal seal part. Therefore, leakage of hydrogen gas due to damage to the metal seal part can be prevented, and disasters such as explosions can be suppressed. In addition, each unit is provided with a positioning hole (LH), and if a pin can be inserted into the positioning hole (LH), the pin can be inserted into the positioning hole (LH) to temporarily fasten (temporarily assemble) the units before they are firmly fastened together with bolts, and then the units are fastened with bolts, etc., thereby reducing assembly errors when the units are assembled and reducing distortion of the frame structure. After the units are joined together or the units are joined to the device (for example, by bolting), the inserted pins can be removed. Furthermore, since a cable tie can be inserted into the positioning hole (LH) as required, for example, wiring can be bundled with the cable tie.

[0010] In the present invention, a base frame (1) is provided at the bottom (foundation), and if a notch (1A) is formed in the base frame (1), when tightening the anchor bolts (AB) during installation of the base frame, the worker can insert his / her hand or a tool (e.g., a wrench) into the notch (1A) so as to be close to the base frame (1), thereby facilitating the work of tightening the anchor bolts (AB). Compared to conventional filling devices in which no notch is provided in the base frame, an operator can insert his / her hand through the notch (1A) formed in the base frame (1), or the tool used by the operator (e.g., a wrench) can approach or reach the location where the operator is to work through the notch (1A), making it easier to tighten the anchor bolt and improving workability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing each unit constituting the filling device. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the unit shown in FIG. 1 is assembled. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing various devices housed or attached in each unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the embodiment shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an enlarged explanatory perspective view showing a mode of joining the base frame and the side unit. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are process diagrams showing a process of an assembly method according to the illustrated embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a process diagram showing a process subsequent to the process shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10 is a process diagram showing a process subsequent to the process shown in FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a process diagram showing a process subsequent to the process shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a rear view of the display panel attached to the front surface of the intermediate unit. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In Figure 1, a filling device 100 manufactured by a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is composed of a lower unit 10, a middle unit 20, a top unit 30 (top unit), and side units 40 (side units) on both sides, and each unit contains the equipment necessary for filling with hydrogen, etc. The middle unit 20 is located above the lower unit 10, and the top unit 30 is located above the middle unit 20. Side units 40 are located on both sides of the lower unit 10 and the middle unit 20, and the base frame 1 is located below the lower unit 10.

[0013] 1, the intermediate unit 20 is omitted from the illustration, and is provided in the space between the lower unit 10 and the top unit 30. In FIG. 1, the intermediate unit 20 is indicated by a dashed leading line and the reference numeral 20. 1 shows the lower unit 10, the middle unit 20, the top unit 30, and the side units 40 on both sides in a state before they are assembled (or fastened to each other). FIG. 2 shows the lower unit 10, the middle unit 20, the top unit 30, and the side units 40 on both sides in an assembled state. 2, the display panel 21 is attached to the front surface of the intermediate unit 20. The panels attached to the front surface of each unit will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0014] In order to simplify the illustration, Figs. 1 and 2 only show the frames constituting each unit, and various filling devices housed in or attached to each unit are omitted. Various filling equipment housed or attached in each unit is shown in Fig. 3. Top unit 30 is provided with, for example, a support arm 32 for suspending and supporting a filling hose (not shown), a support arm rotation mechanism 32A, a flow meter 33 constituting a hydrogen gas flow path, a shutoff valve 34, an outlet side depressurization valve 35, piping, etc. The side unit 40 accommodates, for example, a filling nozzle and a filling hose connected thereto. The lower unit 10 is provided with, for example, a flow control valve 12, a gas pipeline cooling section (including a heat exchanger 13, piping, etc.), an inlet side depressurization valve 14, etc., and these devices form a hydrogen gas flow path. Below the lower unit 10, a base frame 1 is disposed. 3 shows only the display panel 21 attached to the front surface of the intermediate unit 20. Although not shown in FIG. 3, a filling amount indicator 14A (see FIG. 12: counter) and electronic devices required therefor are provided in the intermediate unit 20.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the units (lower unit 10, middle unit 20, top unit 30, side unit 40) shown in Figures 1 and 2 is configured as a so-called "sub-assembly." In the illustrated embodiment, various filling devices are arranged and attached at predetermined positions in each unit, and then the units are joined (assembled) to manufacture the gas filling device 100. Therefore, before the units (lower unit 10, middle unit 20, top unit 30, side unit 40) are assembled together, various devices necessary for hydrogen filling are disposed (or attached) in each unit. Therefore, the work of fixing the various devices for hydrogen filling to each individual unit is easier than the work of arranging and fixing the various devices in the frame of the assembled gas filling device 100, and the work efficiency is improved accordingly. Also, the labor required for the assembly work is reduced.

[0016] 4, which shows the state in which the various panels provided in each unit of the gas filling device 100 are open, each unit is provided with a panel. That is, the intermediate unit 20 is provided with a display panel 21 (front panel), The top unit 30 is provided with a front upper panel 31, A front side lower panel 41 is provided at the bottom of the side unit 40, and a front side upper panel 42 is provided at the top of the side unit 40. A front lower panel is provided on the lower unit 10. To avoid complicating the drawings, the front lower panel is not shown. In this specification and the accompanying drawings, for example as shown in FIG. 10, the lower part of the side unit 40 where the front side lower panel 41 is provided may be described as the side unit lower part 40A, and the upper part of the side unit 40 where the front side upper panel 42 is provided may be indicated as the side unit upper part 40B. In FIG. 4, the display panel 21, the front side lower panel 41, and the front side upper panel 42 are open in the lateral direction, and the front upper panel 31 is open upward. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 32 denotes a support arm for supporting the operation of the filling nozzle and the filling hose, and reference numeral 36 denotes an explosion door as a safety device. In the illustrated embodiment, the front side is the side on which the filling amount indicator 14A (display unit, counter: see FIG. 12) is attached. For example, in a filling device that can fill a vehicle from both sides, the filling amount indicator 14A is attached to both sides, and both sides are the front.

[0017] Although not clearly shown in the drawings, in the illustrated embodiment, there are no welded parts between the units in the gas filling device 100. Panels that have conventionally been fixed by welding are now attached with an adhesive. If the panel is fixed to the unit by welding, the weld marks will be noticeable even after the panel is attached, making it look bad. Also, if the panel is ground with a sander to remove the weld marks, the plated coating will also be removed, reducing corrosion resistance. In the illustrated embodiment, there are no welds, and since the panel is glued to the unit, there are no weld marks, which gives a good appearance. In addition to the design effect, the work of grinding off the weld marks with a sander is also eliminated. Furthermore, the plating film is not removed by grinding away the weld marks, so corrosion resistance is not reduced. In addition, the absence of welds eliminates unevenness, and the sides on which the corresponding panels of each unit (front lower panel, display panel 21, front upper panel 31, front side lower panel 41, front side upper panel 42) are provided are flush, improving the appearance of the panels.

[0018] 1 and 2 again, many positioning holes LH are drilled (formed) in the frame of each unit. The positioning holes LH can be formed to correspond to the joining points (overlapping points) between units and the joining points of each unit with equipment. In order to avoid complexity, in Fig. 1, only some of the positioning holes LH are shown with leading lines. By processing the positioning holes LH, when installing various filling devices in each unit or when assembling units with various devices installed, it is possible to easily determine the equipment installation locations and the joint locations of units. Then, bolts, which are fastening members, are inserted into the positioning holes LH at the equipment installation locations and the joint locations of units. In other words, since the joining work is performed by inserting the bolts into the positioning holes LH, the equipment installation work and the assembly work of units are easy and the workability is good. In addition, the equipment installation locations and the joints between units can be easily and reliably determined, and the relative positions of the equipment can be accurately determined, so the relative positions of heavy equipment such as the gas pipeline cooling section (including heat exchanger 13, piping, etc.) and equipment connected via piping can be accurately specified by the positioning holes LH. Therefore, even an unskilled person can accurately connect the primary and secondary piping without damaging (scratching) the metal seal between the gas pipeline cooling section. This makes it possible to prevent hydrogen gas leakage due to damage to the metal seal. An example of a specific embodiment in which the positioning holes LH in the frame of each unit are used to couple the units together and connect each unit to a device will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0019] FIG. 5 shows a mode in which the base frame 1 arranged below the lower unit 10 (FIGS. 1 to 3) and the side unit 40 are joined near their lower ends. A positioning hole LH1 is formed on the side of the side unit 40 in the base frame 1 (upper right side in FIG. 5), and a positioning hole LH40 is formed in the side unit 40, and the positioning hole LH40 is formed at a position corresponding to the positioning hole LH1 of the base frame 1. Although shown offset in FIG. 5, the positioning holes LH1 and LH40 are formed at positions that align (overlap) when the base frame 1 and the side unit 40 are joined, and a single locating pin LP can be inserted into the positioning holes LH1 and LH40. The positioning holes LH1 and LH40 are used as positioning holes into which the locating pins LP are inserted for temporary fastening. Then, after temporary fastening with the locating pins LP, the fastening hole LH2 and the fastening hole LH41 on the side unit 40 side are used as holes into which a fastening bolt is inserted for fastening. In other words, the base frame 1 and the side unit 40 are each formed with the positioning holes LH1 and LH40 into which the locating pins LP are inserted for positioning (temporarily fastening), and the fastening holes LH2 and LH41 into which a fastening bolt is inserted for fastening after positioning.

[0020] In Fig. 5, a notch 1A is formed near the right end of the base frame 1, and the notch 1A is formed in a front surface 1F of the base frame 1. Although not shown in Fig. 5, the notch 1A is formed near both the left and right ends of the base frame 1. When connecting (assembling) the base frame 1 and the side unit 40, the locating pin LP is inserted into the positioning hole LH1 on the base frame 1 side via the notch 1A, and then passed through the positioning hole LH40 on the frame side of the side unit 40 to temporarily fasten the base frame 1 and the side unit 40 together. Then, with the locating pins LP temporarily fastening the units, bolts (not shown) for fastening the units together are inserted into the fastening holes LH2 on the base frame 1 side and LH41 on the side unit 40 side, and the base frame 1 and the side unit 40 (their frames) are joined (fastened) together using nuts (not shown). After the base frame 1 and the side unit 40 are fastened together with the bolts and nuts, the locating pins LP inserted into the positioning holes LH1 and LH40 are removed. If the units are connected (assembled) with bolts and nuts from the beginning, assembly errors will accumulate, and the accumulated errors (deviations) will become large in later stages of the assembly process, making it impossible to connect the bolts and nuts. In contrast, as in the illustrated embodiment, if the locating pins LP (for example, the base frame 1 and the side unit 40) are temporarily fastened (temporarily assembled) at a stage before the units are connected (for example, the base frame 1 and the side unit 40 are bolted together), the accumulated errors will not become large even in later stages of the assembly work, and the connection (fastening or assembly) with bolts and nuts can be easily and smoothly performed. This also reduces distortion of the frame structure.

[0021] 5 shows an example of the connection (assembly) of the base frame 1 and the side unit 40, that is, the connection of units, but the same method as described above can be applied to the assembly of other units and the connection (assembly) of a unit and equipment to be installed in the unit. For example, as described above, when connecting and fixing a heavy gas pipe cooling section (including the heat exchanger 13, piping, etc., see FIG. 3) to the lower unit 10, if the heavy gas pipe cooling section is temporarily fixed or temporarily assembled with locating pins and then fastened with bolts and nuts, the error in the installation of the equipment will not be large, and the equipment can be easily and accurately installed. Although not shown in the figure, by inserting a cable tie into the positioning hole after assembly, it is possible to bundle and arrange the wires, for example.

[0022] Next, a method of assembling the gas filling device according to the illustrated embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the installation work of the base frame 1 will be described with reference to Figs. In Fig. 6, a notch 1A is formed in the base frame 1 at the bottom (foundation) of the gas filling apparatus 100. The notch 1A in Fig. 6 was described above with reference to Fig. 5, and Fig. 6 clearly shows the position of the notch 1A in the gas filling apparatus 100. When the gas filling device 100 is installed at a predetermined position (installation position) in a hydrogen station, the base frame 1 is fixed (installed) at the installation position in the station by the anchor bolts AB. When fixing the base frame 1 at the installation position by the anchor bolts AB, the anchor bolts AB need to be tightened by a wrench WR (tool), but tightening the anchor bolts AB has traditionally been difficult. In the conventional base frame 1, the front portion 1F extending in the vertical direction on the front side of the base frame 1 was made of a flat member (the front portion 1F in the conventional gas filling device had no notch 1A), so that the bolt heads of the anchor bolts AB may be difficult to see from the front portion 1A by the worker, and it is difficult to tighten the bolt heads of the anchor bolts AB beyond the front portion 1F with the wrench WR.

[0023] In contrast, in the gas filling device 100 to which the illustrated embodiment is applied, as described above, a notch 1A is formed in the front portion 1F on the front side (viewer side in Figure 6) of the base frame 1, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. 7, which is an enlarged explanatory view of area A6 in Fig. 6, when tightening the anchor bolts AB to fix (install) the base frame 1 at a predetermined position in the station, a worker can bring his / her hand, a wrench WR, or another tool close to the bolt head of the anchor bolt AB and engage with the bolt head of the anchor bolt AB via the notch 1A. Therefore, the anchor bolt AB can be easily and reliably tightened with a tool (for example, a wrench), and the workability of tightening the anchor bolt AB is significantly improved. FIG. 7 shows, in addition to the above-mentioned tightening operation of the anchor bolts AB, also an aspect of the operation of temporarily fastening the base frame 1 and the side unit 40 by the locating pins LP described mainly with reference to FIG. 6 and 7, the notches 1A are formed near both ends of the base frame 1 in the left-right direction in Fig. 6. That is, in the illustrated embodiment, the work of assembling (fastening) the base frame 1 and the side unit 40, and the work of fixing (installing) the base frame 1 at a predetermined position in the station with the anchor bolts AB can be performed near both the left and right ends of the base frame 1.

[0024] As described above, the devices necessary for filling are already installed in the lower unit 10, the intermediate unit 20, the top unit 30, and the side unit 40. In the step shown in FIG. 8, the lower unit 10 is attached to the base frame 1 in the manner described with reference to FIGS. 9, the middle unit 20 having the display panel 21 attached to the front surface thereof is assembled so as to be layered above the lower unit 10. In the process shown in FIG.

[0025] 10, the side unit 40 is attached (assembled) to both sides (both left and right sides in FIG. 10) of the lower unit 10 and the middle unit 20. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the lower side unit part at the bottom of the side unit 40 is indicated by reference symbol 40A, and the upper side unit part at the top of the side unit 40 is indicated by reference symbol 40B. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the top 40T of the side unit 40 is positioned higher than the top 20T of the intermediate unit 20 stacked on the lower unit 10 by a dimension indicated by the symbol H.

[0026] Then, in the step shown in FIG. 11, the top unit 30 is disposed in the area above the intermediate unit 20 and separated by the space S, connected to the side unit 40. The space S between the middle unit 20 and the top unit 30 corresponds to the dimension H shown in FIG. 10 (the difference in the vertical dimension between the top portion 40T of the side unit 40 and the top portion 20T of the middle unit 20). The assembly of the gas filling device 100 is completed in the state shown in FIG. 11, but finishing work and other steps (not shown) are then carried out.

[0027] 6 to 11, various devices required for gas filling are disposed in advance in either the lower unit 10, the middle unit 20, the side unit 40, or the top unit 30, thereby reducing the total number of assembly steps. Here, the task of fixing devices to individual units is easy compared to the task of fixing devices within the frame of the gas filling device (100) constructed by assembling units together, and the labor required for the task is significantly reduced. Also, each of the units 10, 20, 30, 40 has a positioning hole LH, and for example, the positioning holes LH are also formed at the points where the units are connected to each other (overlapping points), and since the locating pins LP can be inserted, it becomes easy to install heavy equipment such as the heat exchanger 13 in the unit. For example, the position of other equipment to be connected to the heat exchanger 13 via piping can be accurately specified by the positioning holes, so that the gas pipe cooling section and the piping can be accurately connected without damaging (scratching) the metal seal section. And, before fastening the units 10, 20, 30, 40 together with bolts, if the locating pins LP are inserted into the positioning holes LH for temporary fastening (temporary assembly) and then fastened with bolts, etc., it is possible to reduce the assembly error between the units and the distortion of the frame structure. After the units are assembled together or after the equipment is installed in each unit, the locating pins LP can be removed.

[0028] In FIG. 12, the rear surface of the display panel 21 attached to the front surface of the intermediate unit 20 is shown. In FIG. 12, electronic device mounting sections 11 are provided at two locations, one on the left and one on the right above the display panel 10, and a filling amount display 14A (counter) and the electronic devices required for it are arranged in the electronic device mounting section 11. 12, a rain gutter 120 is provided above the electronic device mounting portion 11 and in a position near the upper edge of the display panel 21. The rain gutter 120 extends horizontally (widthwise, in the direction of arrow A2), and its dimension is set to be longer than the width of the filling amount indicator 14A (the total width of the two electronic device mounting portions 12A on the left and right in FIG. 12).

[0029] Since the rain gutter 120 is provided extending in the width direction above the electronic device mounting portion 12A, water splashing onto the back surface of the display panel 21 when the display panel 21 is opened is prevented from coming into contact with electronic devices such as the filling amount indicator 14A arranged in the electronic device mounting portion 12A. Although not clearly shown, a sealing mechanism (not shown) is provided in the intermediate unit 20 at a portion facing the upper edge portion 10A of the display panel 21 shown in Fig. 12. When the display panel 21 is in a closed state, the sealing mechanism abuts against the upper edge portion 10A of the display panel 21 at a position that covers at least the upper portion of the rain gutter 120. When the display panel 21 is closed, the sealing mechanism abuts against the upper edge 10A of the display panel 21, and water does not penetrate through the abutting point. Therefore, when the display panel 21 is closed, rainwater or the like is prevented from penetrating into the electronic device mounting portion 12A side of the display panel 21.

[0030] However, when the display panel 21 is opened (for example, at the moment of opening), rainwater that has accumulated on the upper surface of the sealing mechanism (not shown) provided in the intermediate unit 20 may splash out and get on the back surface of the display panel 21. Even in such a case, as shown in Fig. 12, rain gutter 120 is disposed above electronic device mounting section 12A, so that all rainwater splashing onto display panel 21 flows into rain gutter 120 and does not reach electronic devices (fill amount indicator 14A, etc.) disposed on electronic device mounting section 12A1 below. Furthermore, water that flows into rain gutter 120 flows in the longitudinal direction of rain gutter 120 (the direction of arrow A2 in Fig. 12) and falls from both ends (both left and right ends in Fig. 2), preventing water droplets from coming into contact with electronic devices (fill amount indicator 14A, etc.). This makes it possible to eliminate the cause of breakdowns and malfunctions caused by rainwater coming into contact with electronic devices. Further, through holes 23 are formed on the lower surface 10B (lower end) of the display panel 21 at locations corresponding to positions where water falls from the rain gutter 120. Therefore, water that falls from both ends of the rain gutter 120 (when the display panel 10 is open) is discharged outside the filling device 100 through the through holes 23, preventing rainwater from accumulating within the filling device 100.

[0031] The rain gutter 120 is attached to the display panel 21, and the rain gutter 120 and the display panel 21 are fixed in a watertight manner, for example, by adhesive. Here, spot welding is not used to attach the rain gutter 120 to the display panel 21. If the rain gutter 120 is spot welded to the metal sheet of the display panel 21, water may leak from the areas between the spots, causing water droplets to come into contact with the electronic devices. In contrast, when fixed with an adhesive, the side of the rain gutter 120 contacts the rear surface of the display panel 21 over its entire area, so that the rain gutter 120 and the display panel 21 are fixed in a watertight manner, water does not move downward between the rain gutter 120 and the display panel 21, and water droplets are prevented from coming into contact with electronic devices. Here, as the adhesive used to adhere the rain gutter 120 to the display panel 21, a structural adhesive for metal adhesion (for example, "Metal Grip" product name sold by 3M Japan Ltd.) can be used.

[0032] Although not clearly shown in the figures, a bracket made of elastic L-shaped metal sheet is attached to the main body of the switch part of the depressurization valve 14 (inlet side depressurization valve: see FIG. 3) of the gas filling device 100 to which the illustrated embodiment is applied. The bracket is attached to the top of the depressurization valve main body and the main body of the switch part, and by elastically bending, even if the movable part of the switch part rises excessively, the bracket absorbs the displacement, thereby suppressing or preventing malfunction of the switch base and loosening of the screw part 17 for mounting the sensing part. In addition, a spacer (not shown) having a thickness of, for example, 5 mm is attached to the switch part of the pressure release valve 14 via a flexible member and a mounting bracket, which makes it easy to adjust the stroke of the movable part of the switch part and eliminates the need for the operator to carry around a spacer during various maintenance and inspections.

[0033] It should be noted that the illustrated embodiment is merely an example and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Base frame 1A...Notch 10 Lower unit 13...heat exchanger 20. Intermediate unit 30... Top unit 33...flow meter 40...Side unit 100 Gas filling device LH... Positioning hole LP··· pin (locate pin)

Claims

1. Installing a base frame; placing a lower unit housing a heat exchanger on the installed base frame; positioning a middle unit having a display above the lower unit; A step of disposing a side unit housing a filling hose having a filling nozzle at its tip on both sides of the lower unit and the intermediate unit; placing a top unit containing a flow meter above the middle unit; A method for assembling a gas filling device, characterized in that the steps of placing the lower unit, positioning the middle unit above the lower unit, placing the side units on both sides of the lower unit and the middle unit, and placing the top unit above the middle unit include a step of inserting a locating pin into a positioning hole formed at the overlapping point of each unit.

2. 2. The method for assembling a gas-filling device according to claim 1, wherein devices required for gas filling are assembled inside said lower unit, middle unit, side unit and top unit.

3. 2. The method for assembling a gas-filling device according to claim 1, wherein said base frame has a notch formed therein.

Images