Vehicle Bracket

Abstract

To provide a vehicular bracket which achieves space saving of a fuel cell system.SOLUTION: A vehicular bracket 4 mounts a fuel cell unit 10 including a fuel cell, an anode passage for supplying anode gas to the fuel cell, and a cathode passage for supplying cathode gas to the fuel cell in a vehicle. The vehicular bracket 4 includes: a fuel cell side fixing section 41 which abuts on the fuel cell unit 10; and an extension section 42 which is extended from the fuel cell side fixing section 41. In the fuel cell side fixing section 41, through holes 43, 44, and 45 which are connected to the cathode passage and through which cathode gas supplied to the cathode passage passes and a fuel cell mounting section 46 for fixing the vehicular bracket 4 to the fuel cell unit 10 are formed. The fuel cell mounting section 46 is formed to surround the through holes 43, 44, and 45.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bracket for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In a fuel cell for mounting on a vehicle, the fuel cell is attached to the vehicle by a fixing member such as a bracket. Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel cell for mounting on a vehicle, which includes a manifold (gas supply member) that supplies fuel gas and oxidant gas to a fuel cell stack, and a fixing member that mounts the fuel cell stack to the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-40752 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the vehicle-mounted fuel cell described in Patent Document 1, the gas supply member and the fixing member are separately attached to the fuel cell stack or the case that houses the fuel cell stack. This requires installation space for the fixing member, installation space for the gas supply member, and space to accommodate the piping that connects the gas supply source to the gas supply member, but there is room for improvement from the perspective of space saving.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a bracket for a vehicle that realizes space saving for a fuel cell system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle bracket for mounting a fuel cell unit including a fuel cell, an anode flow path for supplying an anode gas to the fuel cell, and a cathode flow path for supplying a cathode gas to the fuel cell to a vehicle. The vehicle bracket has a fuel cell side fixing part that abuts against the fuel cell unit, and an extension part that extends from the fuel cell side fixing part. The fuel cell side fixing part is formed with a through hole that is connected to the cathode flow path and through which the cathode gas supplied to the cathode flow path passes, and a fuel cell mounting part that fixes the vehicle bracket to the fuel cell unit, and the fuel cell mounting part is formed to surround the through hole. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the vehicle bracket of the present invention, the vehicle bracket has a fuel cell side fixing portion that abuts against the fuel cell unit and an extension portion that extends from the fuel cell side fixing portion, and a through hole that connects to the cathode flow path is formed in the fuel cell side fixing portion. This makes it possible to accommodate a gas supply member and piping that connects from a cathode gas supply source to the through hole of the vehicle bracket in the space below the extension portion. In other words, the installation space of the vehicle bracket can be used both as an installation space for the gas supply member and as a space for accommodating piping that connects from the cathode gas supply source to the gas supply member. This allows for space saving of the fuel cell system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system equipped with a bracket according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell unit with the bracket and valve unit removed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bracket. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the bracket to which the valve unit is attached is attached to the fuel cell unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the mounting portion of the valve unit and bracket. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the compressor attached to the bracket. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the installation of the compressor. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the fuel cell system fixed to a vehicle. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the fuel cell system fixed to a vehicle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the fuel cell system fixed to a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (First embodiment) 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system 100 equipped with a bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 of this embodiment. The fuel cell system 100 is a system mounted on, for example, a vehicle, and supplies a fuel gas (anode gas) and an oxidant gas (cathode gas) required for power generation to a fuel cell stack 1, causing the fuel cell stack 1 to generate power in response to an electric load such as an electric motor for driving the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 100 is composed of a fuel cell unit 10 consisting of two fuel cell stacks 1, an auxiliary structure 2, and a housing 3 that houses them, a bracket 4 attached to the fuel cell unit 10, a valve unit 5 attached to the bracket 4, and a compressor 6, etc.

[0012] The fuel cell stack (fuel cell) 1 is disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the auxiliary structure 2. The fuel cell stack 1 is configured by stacking a plurality of fuel cells or fuel cell unit cells, and generates electricity by receiving anode gas and cathode gas. Each fuel cell, which is the power generation source of the fuel cell stack 1, is, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).

[0013] The auxiliary structure 2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped structure made of a mass of metal or the like, and is interposed between the two fuel cell stacks 1. The auxiliary structure 2 incorporates a gas flow path including an anode flow path that supplies an anode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 and a cathode flow path that supplies a cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1, and a heat exchanger that heats the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1. The gas flow path incorporated in the auxiliary structure 2 is connected to a gas supply path outside the auxiliary structure 2 via a side surface of the auxiliary structure 2, and is connected to the fuel cell stack 1 via an upper surface or a lower surface of the auxiliary structure 2. As a result, the anode gas and cathode gas from the outside of the auxiliary structure 2 pass through the gas flow path inside the auxiliary structure 2 and are supplied to the fuel cell stack 1. The auxiliary structure 2 may further incorporate an exhaust flow path, a combustor, etc., and the heat exchanger incorporated in the auxiliary structure 2 may be a heat exchanger integrated with the combustor.

[0014] The cathode flow path built into the auxiliary structure 2 has a main flow path 21 that passes through the heat exchanger, a bypass flow path 22 that bypasses the heat exchanger and connects to the main flow path 21, and a POX flow path (partial reforming flow path) 23 that connects to the anode flow path (see FIG. 2). The main flow path 21 is a flow path that supplies the cathode gas heated by the heat exchanger to the fuel cell stack 1. The bypass flow path 22 is a flow path for adjusting the temperature of the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 by supplying unheated air (hereinafter referred to as temperature adjustment gas) that has bypassed the heat exchanger to the main flow path 21. In addition, the POX flow path 23 is a flow path that supplies a gas for partial reforming (hereinafter referred to as reformed gas) to the anode flow path. One end of the main flow path 21, the bypass flow path 22, and the POX flow path 23 extends from the inside of the auxiliary structure 2 to the inner circumferential surface of the housing 3 that houses the fuel cell unit 10.

[0015] The housing 3 is a substantially rectangular case that houses the fuel cell stack 1 and the auxiliary structure 2, and is made of metal or the like. For example, when the fuel cell is a SOFC, the SOFC operates at a high temperature, so the fuel cell stack needs to be kept at a high temperature. However, by housing the fuel cell stack 1 in the housing 3, the temperature drop of the fuel cell stack 1 is suppressed. A plurality of gas supply ports connected to the gas flow paths of the auxiliary structure 2 are formed on the side of the housing 3, and each gas supply port is connected to a gas flow path such as a main flow path 21, a bypass flow path 22, and a POX flow path 23 built in the auxiliary structure 2. In addition, a bracket 4 is fixed on the gas supply ports connected to the main flow path 21, the bypass flow path 22, and the POX flow path 23 in the housing 3. The fuel cell stack 1, the auxiliary structure 2, and the housing 3 constitute a fuel cell unit 10.

[0016] The bracket 4 is a member for fixing the fuel cell unit 10 to the vehicle on which the fuel cell system 100 is mounted. The bracket 4 has a fuel cell side fixing part 41 having an abutment surface that abuts against the housing 3 of the fuel cell unit 10, and an extension part 42 that extends from the fuel cell side fixing part 41, and is fixed to the housing 3 at the fuel cell side fixing part 41. As described later, the bracket 4 is fixed at the upper surface of the extension part 42 to a stay 8 that is attached to a side member 7 of the vehicle on which the fuel cell system 100 is mounted (see FIG. 8). In this way, the fuel cell unit 10 is fixed to the vehicle via the bracket 4. In addition, a through hole that connects to the cathode flow path of the auxiliary structure 2 via the gas supply port of the housing 3 is formed in the fuel cell side fixing part 41 of the bracket 4, and a valve unit 5 described later is attached to the surface of the fuel cell side fixing part 41 opposite to the surface that abuts against the housing 3. A compressor 6 is attached to the lower surface of the extension part 42 of the bracket 4. The bracket 4 will be described in detail later.

[0017] The valve unit 5 is a gas supply member that distributes and supplies cathode gas to the cathode flow path in the auxiliary structure 2, and is attached to the housing 3 of the fuel cell unit 10 via a bracket 4. The valve unit 5 has three flow paths 51, 52, and 53 that distribute and supply cathode gas to the cathode flow path, and the flow paths 51, 52, and 53 are connected to the main flow path 21, the bypass flow path 22, and the POX flow path 23 of the cathode flow path in the auxiliary structure 2, respectively, via through holes in the bracket 4. The inlet of the valve unit 5 is connected to a compressor 6, which is a cathode gas supply source. The valve unit 5 is provided with a control valve that adjusts the flow rate of the cathode gas supplied to the bypass flow path 22 and the POX flow path 23.

[0018] The compressor (air supply device) 6 is a supply source of the cathode gas, and is attached to the lower surface of the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4 and connected to the valve unit 5.

[0019] Next, the mounting structure of the bracket 4 and the valve unit 5 will be described.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell unit 10 (housing 3) with the bracket 4 and valve unit 5 removed. As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 3 has gas supply ports, a cathode gas supply port 31, a temperature adjustment gas supply port 32, and a reformed gas supply port 33, on one side. The main flow path 21, the bypass flow path 22, and the POX flow path 23, which extend from the inside of the auxiliary structure 2 to the inner circumferential surface of the housing 3, are fixed to the housing 3 so as to be connected to the cathode gas supply port 31, the temperature adjustment gas supply port 32, and the reformed gas supply port 33, respectively.

[0021] The bracket 4 has a first through hole 43, a second through hole 44, and a third through hole 45 in the fuel cell side fixing portion 41, and a fuel cell mounting portion 46 formed to surround the first through hole 43, the second through hole 44, and the third through hole 45. As shown in FIG. 1, the bracket 4 is fixed to the housing 3 at the fuel cell mounting portion 46 by a bolt or the like. The bracket 4 is also attached to the housing 3 so that the first through hole 43, the second through hole 44, and the third through hole 45 overlap with the cathode gas supply port 31, the temperature adjustment gas supply port 32, and the reformed gas supply port 33 of the housing 3, respectively. As a result, the first through hole 43 and the cathode gas supply port 31, the second through hole 44 and the temperature adjustment gas supply port 32, and the third through hole 45 and the reformed gas supply port 33 form holes through which the cathode gas, the temperature adjustment gas, and the reformed gas pass, respectively.

[0022] A plate-like reinforcing member 34 is provided on the inner wall of the side surface of the housing 3 to which the bracket 4 is attached, covering the periphery of the cathode gas supply port 31, the temperature adjustment gas supply port 32, and the reformed gas supply port 33, and a position of the housing 3 corresponding to the fuel cell mounting portion 46 of the bracket 4. The reinforcing member 34 increases the plate thickness of the periphery of the gas supply ports 31, 32, and 33 in the housing 3 and the portion that fixes the bracket 4 to the housing 3, thereby ensuring the strength of the housing 3.

[0023] The valve unit 5 includes a first flow path 51, a second flow path 52, and a third flow path 53 in this order from the upstream side (closer to the inlet 54). One end of the first flow path 51 is connected to the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5, and the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52, and the second flow path 52 and the third flow path 53 are connected to each other by a connecting path 55. The valve unit 5 includes a flange 56 formed to surround the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53, and a valve unit mounting portion 57 is formed on the periphery of the flange 56 to surround the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53. As shown in FIG. 1, the valve unit 5 is fixed to the bracket 4 at the valve unit mounting portion 57 by a bolt or the like. The valve unit 5 is fixed to the bracket 4 so that the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53 are connected to the first through hole 43, the second through hole 44, and the third through hole 45 of the bracket 4, respectively. As a result, the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53 are connected to the main flow path 21, the bypass flow path 22, and the POX flow path 23 of the cathode flow path via the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4 and the gas supply ports 31, 32, and 33 of the housing 3, respectively. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 is connected to the compressor 6 via a pipe (hose pipe) 61. A first control valve is provided in the second flow path 52 of the valve unit 5 to adjust the flow rate of the cathode gas distributed to the bypass flow path 22, and a second control valve is provided in the third flow path 53 to adjust the flow rate of the cathode gas distributed to the POX flow path 23 (neither are shown).

[0024] In the fuel cell system 100 configured as above, air (cathode gas) taken in by the compressor 6, which is an air supply device, is supplied to the cathode flow path (main flow path 21, bypass flow path 22, POX flow path 23) via the valve unit 5 and the bracket 4.

[0025] However, in an on-board fuel cell system, if a gas supply member that supplies cathode gas to the fuel cell unit and a fixing member that attaches the fuel cell unit to the vehicle are provided separately on the fuel cell unit, installation space for the fixing member, installation space for the gas supply member, and space to accommodate the piping connecting the gas supply source to the gas supply member are required.

[0026] In contrast, in this embodiment, through holes 43, 44, and 45 connected to the cathode flow path are formed in the bracket 4, which is a fixing member for mounting the fuel cell unit 10 to the vehicle. Specifically, the bracket 4 has a fuel cell side fixing part 41 that abuts against the fuel cell unit 10 and an extension part 42 that extends from the fuel cell side fixing part 41, and the through holes 43, 44, and 45 connected to the cathode flow path are formed in the fuel cell side fixing part 41. As a result, the valve unit (gas supply member) 5 and the piping 61 connecting the compressor (cathode gas supply source) 6 to the valve unit (gas supply member) 5 can be accommodated in the space below the extension part 42. In other words, the installation space of the bracket 4 can be used as the installation space of the valve unit (gas supply member) 5 and the space for accommodating the piping 61 connecting the compressor (cathode gas supply source) 6 to the valve unit (gas supply member) 5. Therefore, the fuel cell system 100 can be made more compact. Furthermore, since through holes 43, 44, and 45 that connect to the cathode flow path are formed in bracket 4, bracket 4 can also be attached to fuel cell unit 10 with valve unit (gas supply member) 5 attached to bracket 4. In this case, mounting of bracket 4 to fuel cell unit 10 and mounting of valve unit (gas supply member) 5 to bracket 4 can be performed from the same direction. This improves workability when assembling fuel cell system 100.

[0027] Bracket 4 will be described in detail below.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bracket 4. As shown in FIG.

[0029] As described above, the bracket 4 has the fuel cell side fixing part 41 which is fixed to the fuel cell unit 10, and the extension part 42 which is fixed to the stay 8 which is attached to the side member 7 of the vehicle. The fuel cell side fixing part 41 has an abutment surface which abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the side surface of the housing 3, and the extension part 42 is bent from the fuel cell side fixing part 41 towards the opposite side to the housing 3, and extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the side surface of the housing 3.

[0030] The fuel cell side fixing portion 41 of the bracket 4 is formed with a first through hole 43, a second through hole 44 adjacent to the first through hole 43, and a third through hole 45 adjacent to the second through hole. As described above, the bracket 4 is attached to the housing 3 such that the first through hole 43, the second through hole 44, and the third through hole 45 overlap with the cathode gas supply port 31, the temperature control gas supply port 32, and the reformed gas supply port 33 of the housing 3, respectively. As a result, the first through hole 43, the second through hole 44, and the third through hole 45 are connected to the main flow path 21, the bypass flow path 22, and the POX flow path 23 of the cathode flow path via the gas supply ports 31, 32, and 33 of the housing 3. Furthermore, the valve unit 5 is attached to the surface of the fuel cell side fixing part 41 opposite to the surface that abuts against the housing 3 such that the first through hole 43, the second through hole 44, and the third through hole 45 are connected to the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53 of the valve unit 5, respectively. That is, the first through hole 43, the second through hole 44, and the third through hole 45 of the bracket 4 function as gas connection flow paths that connect the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53 of the valve unit 5 to the main flow path 21, the bypass flow path 22, and the POX flow path 23 of the cathode flow path, respectively.

[0031] Furthermore, a fuel cell mounting portion 46 is formed in the fuel cell side fixing portion 41 of the bracket 4 so as to surround the first through hole 43, the second through hole 44, and the third through hole 45. The bracket 4 is fixed to the housing 3 at the fuel cell mounting portion 46 with bolts or the like.

[0032] The extension portion 42 of the bracket 4 is provided with an air supply device mounting portion 47 on its underside for mounting the compressor 6. The air supply device mounting portion 47 is provided at a position on the bracket 4 that is closer to the rear of the vehicle when the fuel cell system 100 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0033] Further, the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4 is provided with a water drainage hole 48 penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface of the extension portion 42. This prevents puddles of water and mud from forming on the bracket 4 or on the components connected to the bracket 4, and reduces the weight of the bracket 4. Furthermore, a plurality of weight reduction holes 49 are formed on the lower surface of the extension portion 42 by removing the weight. This further reduces the weight of the bracket 4. The water drainage holes 48 and weight reduction holes 49 are formed to avoid the portion where the compressor 6 is attached (air supply device attachment portion 47). This prevents puddles of water and mud from forming between the water drainage holes 48 and weight reduction holes 49 and the compressor 6.

[0034] As described above, the bracket 4 has the fuel cell side fixing part 41 that abuts against the fuel cell unit 10, and the extension part 42 that extends from the fuel cell side fixing part 41, and through holes 43, 44, and 45 that connect to the cathode flow path are formed in the fuel cell side fixing part 41. Therefore, the valve unit (gas supply member) 5 and the piping 61 that connects from the compressor (cathode gas supply source) 6 to the valve unit (gas supply member) 5 can be accommodated in the space below the extension part 42, thereby realizing space saving.

[0035] As described above, the first through hole 43, the second through hole 44, and the third through hole 45 of the bracket 4 function as a gas connection flow path, and therefore airtightness is required at the connection portion between the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4 and the cathode flow path in the fuel cell unit 10. In this embodiment, the fuel cell mounting portion 46 is formed so as to surround the first through hole 43, the second through hole 44, and the third through hole 45, thereby improving the mounting rigidity and strength of the bracket 4 and making the mounting surface pressure uniform. Therefore, the sealing performance between the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4 and the cathode flow path in the fuel cell unit 10 is improved, and the airtightness required for the gas connection flow path is ensured.

[0036] In addition, since the cathode flow path in the fuel cell unit 10 is connected to the piping (valve unit 5) outside the housing 3 via the bracket 4, heat dissipation to the outside of the housing 3 is suppressed. That is, if the cathode flow path in the fuel cell unit 10 is directly connected to the metal piping outside the housing 3, the thermal conductivity from inside the housing 3 to the outside may increase, and the amount of heat dissipation may increase. In addition, if a gas supply member such as the valve unit 5 is attached to the housing 3 separately from the bracket 4, the bracket 4 and the gas supply member are attached to the housing 3, and the heat conduction path from inside the housing 3 increases, and the amount of heat dissipation increases. If the amount of heat dissipation increases, the temperature of the fuel cell stack 1, gas flow path, auxiliary equipment, etc. in the housing 3 decreases, and there is a risk that the power generation performance will decrease, especially in a fuel cell that operates at a high temperature such as SOFC. In contrast, in this embodiment, the bracket 4 is provided with through holes 43, 44, and 45, and the cathode flow path and the piping (valve unit 5) outside the housing 3 are connected via the through holes 43, 44, and 45, so that heat dissipation to the outside of the housing 3 is suppressed, and the heat insulation effect of the housing 3 is improved. Therefore, the power generation performance of the fuel cell system 100 is prevented from being deteriorated.

[0037] In addition, the bracket 4 attached to the housing 3 also functions as a heat sink (heat sink) that releases heat transferred from the cathode flow path in the housing 3 to the outside of the housing 3. Therefore, a rubber hose pipe or the like having low heat resistance can be used in the piping upstream of the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4. Since a rubber hose pipe or the like can be used in the piping in this way, the piping is easier to handle than when a gas supply member is attached to the housing 3 separately from the bracket 4. In addition, when the valve unit 5 (gas supply member) outside the housing 3 is directly connected to the cathode flow path in the housing 3, the valve unit 5 needs to be cooled with cooling water or the like. In this embodiment, since the bracket 4 functions as a heat sink, it is not necessary to cool the valve unit 5 attached to the bracket 4. Therefore, compared to when a gas supply member is directly attached to the housing 3 separately from the bracket 4, the number of parts is reduced, and improved workability and reduced costs are realized.

[0038] In addition, since the bracket 4 attached to the housing 3 has through holes 43, 44, and 45 that connect to the cathode flow path via the gas supply ports 31, 32, and 33 of the housing 3, the reinforcing member 34 of the portion that fixes the bracket 4 to the housing 3 can also be used as a reinforcing member around the gas supply ports 31, 32, and 33. That is, when a gas supply member is attached to the housing 3 separately from the bracket 4, the housing 3 needs to be provided with reinforcing members at the portion that fixes the bracket 4 and around the gas supply port that connects to the gas supply member. In contrast, in this embodiment, the reinforcing member 34 of the portion that fixes the bracket 4 can also be used as a reinforcing member provided around the gas supply ports 31, 32, and 33. Therefore, compared to the case where a gas supply member is attached to the housing 3 separately from the bracket 4, the number of parts can be reduced, and weight, space, and cost can be reduced.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the bracket 4 to which the valve unit 5 is attached is attached to the fuel cell unit 10, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion where the valve unit 5 and the bracket 4 are attached.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve unit 5 integrally includes a first flow path 51, a second flow path 52 provided adjacent to the first flow path 51, and a third flow path 53 provided adjacent to the second flow path 52, in that order from the side closer to the inlet 54 (i.e., the upstream side). The first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52, and the second flow path 52 and the third flow path 53 are connected by a connecting path 55. The inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 is connected to the compressor 6 via a pipe (hose pipe) 61 (see FIG. 1). The first flow path 51 of the valve unit 5 is connected from the cathode gas supply port 31 of the housing 3 to the main flow path 21 of the cathode flow path via the first through hole 43 of the bracket 4. The second flow path 52 is connected from the temperature control gas supply port 32 of the housing 3 to the bypass flow path 22 of the cathode flow path via the second through hole 44 of the bracket 4. The third flow passage 53 is connected from the reformed gas supply port 33 to the POX flow passage 23 of the cathode flow passage via the third through hole 45 of the bracket 4 (see FIG. 2 for both). Here, since a relatively high degree of accuracy is required for control of the POX flow rate, it is necessary to supply a low flow rate of gas to the POX flow passage 23. Therefore, in this embodiment, the third flow passage 53 connected to the POX flow passage 23 is disposed at the most downstream position of the valve unit 5 as described above. This increases the pressure loss of the cathode gas supplied to the POX flow passage 23, making it relatively easy to design the pressure loss in the cathode flow passage.

[0041] A stepping motor valve (first control valve) is provided on the second flow passage 52 of the valve unit 5, and a solenoid valve (second control valve) is provided on the third flow passage 53. The amount of cathode gas distributed to the bypass flow passage 22 is adjusted by the stepping motor valve on the second flow passage 52, and the amount of cathode gas distributed to the POX flow passage 23 is adjusted by the solenoid valve on the third flow passage 53. In addition, the flow rate of the cathode gas supplied from the first flow passage 51 to the main flow passage 21 can be adjusted by compressor 6, which is a cathode gas supply source.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the valve unit 5 has a flange 56 fixed to the fuel cell side fixing portion 41 of the bracket 4. As described above, the valve unit mounting portion 57 is formed on the periphery of the flange 56 so as to surround the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53, and the valve unit 5 is fixed to the bracket 4 at the valve unit mounting portion 57 by bolts or the like. In this way, since the valve unit 5 is fixed to the bracket 4 which is attached to the fuel cell unit 10 including the cathode flow path, the distance between the valve unit 5 capable of adjusting the flow rate of the distributed cathode gas and the fuel cell stack 1 and the cathode flow path can be shortened. Therefore, the controllability and responsiveness of the flow rate of the cathode gas are improved. In addition, since piping between the valve unit 5 and the fuel cell unit 10 is not required, the fuel cell system 100 can be made smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

[0043] In addition, since the valve unit mounting portion 57 for fixing the valve unit 5 to the bracket 4 is formed so as to surround the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53, the mounting rigidity and mounting strength of the valve unit 5 are improved, and the mounting surface pressure is made uniform. This improves the sealing performance at the connection points between the flow paths 51, 52, and 53 of the valve unit 5 and the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4. If a gap or the like occurs at the connection part between the valve unit 5 and the bracket 4, noise due to vibration of the vehicle or the compressor 6 connected to the valve unit 5 or noise due to gas leakage is likely to be generated. In contrast, in this embodiment, the sealing performance between the flow paths 51, 52, and 53 of the valve unit 5 and the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4 is improved, and therefore the sound vibration performance is also improved.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the compressor 6 is attached to the bracket 4, and FIG.

[0045] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a compressor (air supply device) 6, which is a cathode gas supply source, is attached to an air supply device mounting portion 47 on the underside of the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4. Also, as shown in Figure 7, the compressor 6 is attached to the bracket 4 via a vibration-isolating collar 62 made of rubber or the like. By sandwiching the rubber collar 62 between the compressor 6 and the bracket 4, the transmission of vibrations of the compressor 6 to the bracket 4 is mitigated, improving the sound and vibration performance.

[0046] The compressor 6 is attached at a position that does not overlap with the drainage hole 48 and the weight reduction hole 49 formed in the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4.

[0047] The cathode gas supply port of the compressor 6 and the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 are connected by a pipe 61 made of a rubber hose pipe. The air (cathode gas) taken into the compressor 6 is supplied from the pipe 61 to the cathode flow path in the fuel cell unit 10 via the flow paths 51, 52, and 53 of the valve unit 5 and the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4.

[0048] In this way, by mounting the compressor 6 on the bracket 4 fixed to the fuel cell unit 10 including the cathode flow path, the distance from the compressor 6 to the cathode flow path can be shortened compared to mounting the compressor 6 at another position, and the distance of the piping, etc. can be shortened. This makes it easier to design the pressure loss of the piping from the compressor 6 to the cathode flow path, and improves the controllability and responsiveness of the flow rate of the cathode gas. Furthermore, since the piping distance is shortened, the fuel cell system 100 as a whole can be made smaller, lighter, and less expensive, and the number of bends in the piping can be reduced, improving workability.

[0049] Figures 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams showing the state in which the fuel cell system 100 is fixed to a vehicle. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle as seen from the front, and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the mounting portion of the fuel cell system 100.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the stay 8 is attached to a side member 7 of a vehicle on which the fuel cell system 100 is mounted. The bracket 4 fixed to the fuel cell unit 10 has a vehicle mounting portion (not shown) on the upper surface side of the extension portion 42, and the bracket 4 is fixed to the stay 8 from the upper surface side of the stay 8 at the vehicle mounting portion by a bolt or the like. This allows the fuel cell unit 10 to be fixed to the vehicle via the bracket 4. In this way, since the vehicle mounting portion is provided on the upper surface side of the extension portion 42, the bracket 4 is fixed to the vehicle from the upper surface side of the stay 8. As a result, the fixing position of the bracket 4 in a vehicle on which the fuel cell system 100 of this embodiment is mounted is the same as the fixing position of the bracket for fixing an internal combustion engine in an ICE vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to share a factory production line with an ICE vehicle, and the number of parts in the factory equipment can be reduced, thereby realizing cost reduction and space saving in the factory.

[0051] 8, an air cleaner 9 is installed on the upper surface of the extension portion 42. An air cleaner mounting portion (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the extension portion 42, and the air cleaner 9 is attached to the air cleaner mounting portion by a grip or the like. Because the air cleaner 9 is installed on the upper surface of the extension portion 42 of the bracket (fixing member) 4 that fixes the fuel cell unit 10 to the vehicle in this manner, there is no need to provide a separate bracket for mounting the air cleaner 9. This allows the number of parts of the vehicle equipped with the fuel cell system 100 to be reduced, allowing the vehicle to be made more space-saving, lighter, and less expensive.

[0052] Meanwhile, the compressor 6 is attached to the underside of the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4, and the compressor 6 is connected to the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 via a pipe 61. Since the compressor 6 is attached to the underside of the bracket 4 (extension portion 42) in this manner, the center of gravity is lowered, improving the maneuverability of the vehicle.

[0053] 10 is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell system 100 fixed to a vehicle, and shows the mounting portion of the fuel cell system 100 as viewed from the bottom of the vehicle. The downward direction in FIG. 10 is the front of the vehicle.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, the fuel cell system 100 is mounted at a position closer to the front of the vehicle. As described above, the air supply device mounting portion 47 (see FIG. 3) that fixes the compressor 6 to the bracket 4 is provided at a position closer to the rear of the vehicle on the bracket 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the compressor 6 is installed at a position closer to the rear of the vehicle on the bracket 4, that is, closer to the center of the vehicle. In this way, the compressor 6, which is a heavy object, is disposed at a position closer to the center of the vehicle, improving the mobility of the vehicle. Also, because the compressor 6 is provided at a position closer to the rear of the vehicle on the bracket 4, the impact on the compressor 6 can be mitigated in the event of a head-on collision, etc., and damage to the compressor 6 can be reduced.

[0055] As described above, the compressor 6 is connected to the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 via the piping 61. As shown in Fig. 10, the compressor 6 is attached to the rear of the vehicle relative to the axis of the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5, which connects the piping 61 and the valve unit 5. In other words, the connection position of the piping 61 and the valve unit 5 (the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5) is offset rearward of the vehicle relative to the attachment position of the compressor 6. Since the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 is offset in this way, the insertion trajectory of the piping (hose pipe) 61 can be ensured.

[0056] Furthermore, if the pipe 61 were made straight, there is a risk that a sufficient installation space for the valve unit 5 having multiple flow paths may not be secured. In this embodiment, since the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 is offset, a large installation space for the valve unit 5 can be secured, and the distance between each flow path (connecting path 55) of the valve unit 5 can be increased. This allows, for example, the distance to the third flow path 53 connected to the POX flow path 23 requiring a small flow rate to be increased, thereby increasing the pressure loss, and improving the flow rate controllability of the cathode gas.

[0057] Furthermore, if the pipe 61, which is a rubber hose pipe, were straight, it would be difficult to insert (attach) or remove the pipe 61 because the forces acting in the stretching direction and radial direction of the pipe 61 could not be released. In contrast, in this embodiment, the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 is offset, so the pipe 61 has a bend, making it easier to insert and remove the pipe 61.

[0058] According to the bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0059] The bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 has a fuel cell side fixing part 41 that abuts against the fuel cell unit 10 and an extension part 42 that extends from the fuel cell side fixing part 41, and through holes 43, 44, and 45 that connect to the cathode flow path are formed in the fuel cell side fixing part 41. This allows the valve unit (gas supply member) 5 and the piping that connects from the compressor (cathode gas supply source) 6 to the valve unit (gas supply member) 5 to be accommodated in the space below the extension part 42. That is, the installation space of the bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 can be shared with the installation space of the valve unit (gas supply member) 5 and the space that accommodates the piping that connects from the compressor (cathode gas supply source) 6 to the valve unit (gas supply member) 5. This allows the fuel cell system 100 to be space-saving.

[0060] Furthermore, since through holes 43, 44, and 45 that connect to the cathode flow path are formed in bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4, bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 can be attached to fuel cell unit 10 with valve unit (gas supply member) 5 attached to bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4. Also, attachment of bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 to fuel cell unit 10 and attachment of valve unit (gas supply member) 5 to bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 can be performed from the same direction. Therefore, workability during assembly of fuel cell system 100 is improved.

[0061] Furthermore, the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 has a fuel cell mounting portion 46 that fixes the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 to the fuel cell unit 10, and the fuel cell mounting portion 46 is formed so as to surround the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4. Since the fuel cell mounting portion 46 is thus formed so as to surround the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4, the mounting rigidity and mounting strength of the bracket 4 are improved and the mounting surface pressure is made uniform. This improves the sealing performance between the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4 and the cathode flow path in the fuel cell unit 10. Therefore, it is possible to achieve space saving for the fuel cell system 100 while ensuring airtightness.

[0062] The bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 is fixed to the housing 3 at a fuel cell mounting portion 46, with the fuel cell side fixing portion 41 abutting against the housing 3 that houses the anode flow path and the cathode flow path. The bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 also has through holes 43, 44, 45 that connect to the cathode flow path. That is, the cathode flow path in the fuel cell unit 10 is connected to a pipe (valve unit 5 in this embodiment) outside the housing 3 via the bracket 4. This suppresses heat dissipation to the outside of the housing 3 compared to when the cathode flow path is directly connected to a metal pipe outside the housing 3 or when the bracket 4 and the gas supply member are separately attached to the housing 3. This improves the heat insulating effect of the housing 3, and prevents a decrease in the power generation performance of the fuel cell system 100.

[0063] In addition, the bracket 4 attached to the housing 3 also functions as a heat sink (heat dissipation plate) that dissipates heat transferred from the cathode flow path in the housing 3 to the outside of the housing 3. Therefore, a rubber hose pipe or the like with low heat resistance can be used for the piping upstream of the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4, and the piping is easier to handle than when a gas supply member is attached to the housing 3 separately from the bracket 4. In addition, since the bracket 4 functions as a heat sink, there is no need to cool the gas supply member (valve unit 5) attached to the bracket 4. Therefore, compared to when a gas supply member is directly attached to the housing 3 separately from the bracket 4, the number of parts is reduced, and improved workability and cost reduction are realized.

[0064] Furthermore, since the bracket 4 attached to the housing 3 has through holes 43, 44, and 45 that connect to the cathode flow path via the gas supply ports 31, 32, and 33 of the housing 3, the reinforcing member 34 that fixes the bracket 4 to the housing 3 can also be used as a reinforcing member around the gas supply ports 31, 32, and 33. Therefore, compared to the case where a gas supply member is attached to the housing 3 separately from the bracket 4, the number of parts can be reduced, and weight, space, and cost can be reduced.

[0065] The bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 has a first through hole 43, a second through hole 44, and a third through hole 45. The first through hole 43 is connected to a main flow passage 21 that passes through the heat exchanger and supplies a cathode gas to the fuel cell, the second through hole 44 is connected to a bypass flow passage 22 that bypasses the heat exchanger and connects to the main flow passage 21, and the third through hole 45 is connected to a POX flow passage 23 that supplies a gas for partial oxidation reforming to the anode flow passage. In this way, since the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 has a plurality of through holes for different purposes, the installation space of the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 can be shared with the space for accommodating the plurality of flow passages. Therefore, the fuel cell system 100 can be made more compact.

[0066] A valve unit 5 that distributes and supplies cathode gas to the cathode flow path of the fuel cell unit 10 is attached to the bracket (vehicle bracket) 4. The valve unit 5 includes a stepping motor valve (first control valve) that adjusts the amount of cathode gas distributed to the bypass flow path 22 and a solenoid valve (second control valve) that adjusts the amount of cathode gas distributed to the POX flow path (partial reforming flow path) 23. In this way, since the valve unit 5 is fixed to the bracket 4 that is attached to the fuel cell unit 10 including the cathode flow path, the distance between the valve unit 5 that can adjust the flow rate of the distributed cathode gas and the fuel cell stack 1 and the cathode flow path can be shortened. Therefore, the controllability and responsiveness of the flow rate of the cathode gas are improved. In addition, since piping between the valve unit 5 and the fuel cell unit 10 is not required, the fuel cell system 100 can be made smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

[0067] The valve unit 5 is attached to the bracket (vehicle bracket) 4, and the valve unit 5 includes a flange 56 formed to surround the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53. The valve unit 5 also has a valve unit attachment portion 57 formed on the flange 56 to surround the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53, and is attached to the bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 by the valve unit attachment portion 57. In this way, the valve unit attachment portion 57 that fixes the valve unit 5 to the bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 is formed to surround the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53, so that the attachment rigidity and attachment strength of the valve unit 5 are improved and the attachment surface pressure is made uniform. This improves the sealing properties at the connection points between the flow paths 51, 52, and 53 of the valve unit 5 and the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4. Furthermore, since the sealing performance between the flow paths 51, 52, and 53 of the valve unit 5 and the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4 is improved, the noise and vibration performance is also improved.

[0068] The bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 has an air supply device mounting portion 47 to which a compressor (air supply device) 6 as a cathode gas supply source is attached. In this way, the compressor (air supply device) 6 is attached to the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4. By mounting the compressor 6 to the bracket 4 fixed to the fuel cell unit 10 including the cathode flow path in this way, the distance from the compressor 6 to the cathode flow path can be shortened compared to when the compressor 6 is mounted at another position, and the distance of the piping, etc. can be shortened. Therefore, the design of the pressure loss of the piping from the compressor 6 to the cathode flow path, etc. is facilitated, and the controllability and responsiveness of the flow rate of the cathode gas are improved. In addition, since the piping distance is shortened, the fuel cell system 100 as a whole can be made smaller, lighter, and less expensive, and the number of bends in the piping can be reduced, improving workability.

[0069] In the bracket (vehicle bracket) 4, the air supply device mounting portion 47 is provided on the lower surface of the extension portion 42. As a result, the compressor (air supply device) 6 is attached to the lower surface of the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4, thereby improving the mobility of the vehicle by lowering the center of gravity.

[0070] The bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 is fixed to the fuel cell unit 10, and the fuel cell unit 10 is attached at a position toward the front of the vehicle. The air supply device mounting portion 47 is provided at a position toward the rear of the vehicle on the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4. As a result, the compressor (air supply device) 6 is installed at a position toward the rear of the vehicle on the bracket 4, i.e., toward the center of the vehicle. In this way, the compressor 6, which is a heavy object, is disposed at a position toward the center of the vehicle, improving the maneuverability of the vehicle. Also, because the compressor 6 is provided at a position toward the rear of the vehicle on the bracket 4, the impact on the compressor 6 can be mitigated in the event of a head-on collision, etc., and damage to the compressor 6 is reduced.

[0071] In the bracket (vehicle bracket) 4, the compressor (air supply device) 6 and the valve unit 5 are connected by a pipe 61, and the connection position between the pipe 61 and the valve unit 5 is offset toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to the mounting position of the compressor (air supply device) 6. In this way, since the connection position between the pipe 61 and the valve unit 5 (i.e., the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5) is offset with respect to the mounting position of the compressor (air supply device) 6, the insertion trajectory of the pipe 61 can be ensured.

[0072] Furthermore, because the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 is offset, a larger installation space for the valve unit 5 can be secured, and the distance between each flow path (connecting path 55) of the valve unit 5 can be increased. This allows, for example, the distance to the third flow path 53 connected to the POX flow path 23 requiring a small flow rate to be increased, thereby increasing the pressure loss, and improving the flow rate controllability of the cathode gas.

[0073] In addition, since the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 is offset, the pipe 61 has a bend, which makes it easier to insert and remove the pipe 61.

[0074] A compressor (air supply device) 6 is attached to the bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 via a vibration-isolating rubber collar 62. This reduces the transmission of vibration from the compressor 6 to the bracket 4, improving noise and vibration performance.

[0075] The bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 has a vehicle attachment portion on the upper surface side of the extension portion 42 for attaching the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 to the vehicle. Since the vehicle attachment portion is provided on the upper surface side of the extension portion 42 in this manner, the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 is fixed to the vehicle from the upper surface side of the extension portion 42. As a result, the fixing position of the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 in a vehicle equipped with the fuel cell system 100 is the same as the fixing position of a bracket for fixing an internal combustion engine in an ICE vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to share the factory production line with ICE vehicles, the number of parts in the factory equipment can be reduced, and cost reduction and space saving in the factory can be achieved.

[0076] Bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 has an air cleaner mounting portion to which air cleaner 9 is attached, on the upper surface side of extension portion 42. Because air cleaner 9 is mounted on the upper surface side of extension portion 42 of bracket 4 that fixes fuel cell unit 10 to the vehicle in this manner, there is no need to provide a separate bracket for mounting air cleaner 9. This allows for a reduction in the number of parts in a vehicle equipped with fuel cell system 100, enabling the vehicle to be made more space-saving, lighter, and less expensive.

[0077] The bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 is provided with a drainage hole 48 penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface of the extension portion 42. This prevents puddles of water and mud from forming on the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4 or on the components connected to the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4, and reduces the weight of the bracket (bracket for vehicle) 4.

[0078] The bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 has a plurality of weight-reducing holes 49 formed by hollowing out the lower surface of the extension portion 42. This makes the bracket 4 even lighter in weight.

[0079] The bracket (vehicle bracket) 4 has the compressor (air supply device) 6 attached to the underside of the extension portion 42 at a position that does not overlap with the water drainage holes 48 and the weight reduction holes 49. This prevents puddles of water or mud from forming between the water drainage holes 48 and the weight reduction holes 49 and the compressor 6, and thus prevents corrosion.

[0080] In this embodiment, the fuel cell unit 10 is configured to include a housing 3 that houses the fuel cell stack 1 and the auxiliary structure 2, but this is not necessarily limited to this, and the fuel cell unit 10 may not include a housing 3. In this case, the bracket 4 is attached directly to the auxiliary structure 2.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the cathode flow path includes the main flow path 21, the bypass flow path 22, and the POX flow path 23, and the through holes 43, 44, and 45 of the bracket 4 are connected to these, but this is not necessarily limited to this. The cathode flow path may include a main flow path and a sub-flow path according to the application, and the through hole of the bracket 4 may connect to the main flow path and the sub-flow path. For example, the cathode flow path may include a main flow path 21 and a purge gas flow path connected to a collector that collects the vaporized fuel vaporized in the fuel tank, and the through hole of the bracket 4 may connect to the main flow path 21 and the purge gas flow path. Furthermore, the bracket 4 may have only one through hole connected to the main flow path of the cathode flow path, and the main flow path may branch into flow paths for different applications within the fuel cell unit 10. That is, the bracket 4 may have at least one through hole connected to the cathode gas flow path.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the valve unit 5 is attached to the bracket 4, and the cathode gas is distributed by the valve unit 5, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the cathode gas may be supplied to the cathode flow path through a through hole in the bracket 4 by branching the pipe 61 using a branching member different from the valve unit 5. Also, for example, the cathode flow path may be configured so that the main flow path branches into flow paths for each purpose inside the fuel cell unit 10. In this case, the bracket 4 has one through hole, and the pipe 61 is connected to the cathode flow path through the through hole in the bracket 4.

[0083] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the valve unit 5 has a first flow path 51, a second flow path 52, and a third flow path 53, in that order from the upstream side, but this is not necessarily limited to this, and the gas supply member that distributes and supplies the cathode gas to the fuel cell unit 10 may have any known structure.

[0084] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the valve unit mounting portion 57 for fixing the valve unit 5 to the bracket 4 is preferably formed on the flange 56 so as to surround the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53, but is not necessarily limited to this. The mounting structure for the valve unit 5 to the bracket 4 may be any known type.

[0085] In addition, in this embodiment, the valve unit 5 is configured to have a stepping motor valve on the second flow path 52 and a solenoid valve on the third flow path 53, but this is not limited to this, and any known control device such as a valve for adjusting the amount of cathode gas may be used.

[0086] Also, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to provide the air supply device mounting portion 47 on the lower surface of the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4 and attach the compressor (air supply device) 6 to the lower surface of the extension portion 42, but this is not necessarily limited to this. That is, the compressor 6 may be provided in a location other than the lower surface of the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4, and the compressor 6 does not necessarily have to be attached to the bracket 4.

[0087] Also, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the fuel cell unit 10 is mounted at a position toward the front of the vehicle so that the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4 extends in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the bottom surface of the vehicle, but this is not necessarily limited to this. The mounting location and mounting direction of the fuel cell unit 10 may be set arbitrarily.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, the connection position between the pipe 61 and the valve unit 5 (the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5) is offset toward the front of the vehicle from the mounting position of the compressor (air supply device) 6, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 may be offset toward the rear of the vehicle from the mounting position of the compressor 6. In this case as well, a larger installation space can be secured for the valve unit 5, improving the flow rate controllability of the cathode gas. In addition, the pipe 61 can be easily inserted and removed.

[0089] Also, as described above, it is preferable that the inlet 54 of the valve unit 5 is offset to the front or rear of the vehicle relative to the mounting position of the compressor 6, but this is not necessarily limited to this and it does not have to be offset.

[0090] In addition, in this embodiment, the pipe 61 connecting the compressor 6 and the valve unit 5 is a rubber hose pipe, but this is not necessarily limited to this, and the pipe 61 may be any known pipe.

[0091] Further, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the compressor 6 is attached to the bracket 4 via a rubber collar 62 for vibration isolation, but this is not necessarily limited to this, and the rubber collar 62 is not an essential component.

[0092] In addition, as in this embodiment, the vehicle attachment portion for attaching the bracket 4 to the vehicle is preferably provided on the upper surface side of the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4, but is not necessarily limited to this. Any known structure may be used as the attachment structure between the bracket 4 and the vehicle.

[0093] In addition, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to provide an air cleaner mounting portion on the upper surface side of the extension portion 42 of the bracket 4 and attach the air cleaner 9, but this is not necessarily limited to this, and the air cleaner 9 does not have to be attached to the bracket 4.

[0094] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the bracket 4 has a water drain hole 48 and a weight reduction hole 49, but this is not necessarily limited to this, and it may be configured to have only one of the water drain hole 48 and the weight reduction hole 49, or may be configured to have neither the water drain hole 48 nor the weight reduction hole 49.

[0095] In addition, in this embodiment, the auxiliary structure 2 is interposed between the two fuel cell stacks 1, but the number of fuel cell stacks 1 and the positional relationship between the fuel cell stacks 1 and the auxiliary structure 2 are not necessarily limited to this and can be set arbitrarily.

[0096] Although each embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments merely illustrate some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1, fuel cell stack, 2, auxiliary structure, 3, housing, 4, bracket (vehicle bracket), 5, valve unit, 6, compressor (air supply device), 10, fuel cell unit, 41, fuel cell side fixing portion, 42, extension portion, 43, first through hole (through hole), 44, second through hole (through hole), 45, third through hole (through hole), 46, fuel cell mounting portion.

Claims

1. A bracket for a vehicle for mounting a fuel cell unit to a vehicle, the fuel cell unit including a fuel cell, an anode flow path for supplying an anode gas to the fuel cell, and a cathode flow path for supplying a cathode gas to the fuel cell, The vehicle bracket includes: a fuel cell side fixing portion that contacts the fuel cell unit; and an extension portion that extends from the fuel cell side fixing portion, the fuel cell side fixing portion is formed with a through hole that is connected to the cathode flow path and through which a cathode gas supplied to the cathode flow path passes, and a fuel cell attachment portion that fixes the vehicle bracket to the fuel cell unit, The fuel cell mounting portion is formed to surround the through hole. Vehicle bracket.

2. the fuel cell unit includes a housing that houses the fuel cell, the anode flow path, and the cathode flow path; The fuel cell side fixing portion of the vehicle bracket abuts against the housing. The vehicle bracket according to claim 1 .

3. The cathode flow path of the fuel cell unit includes a main flow path and at least one sub-flow path, The through hole of the bracket includes a through hole connected to the main flow path and a through hole connected to the sub flow path. The bracket for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the fuel cell unit includes a heat exchanger for heating a cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell; the main flow path is a flow path that passes through the heat exchanger and supplies a cathode gas to the fuel cell, the sub-flow passage includes a bypass flow passage that bypasses the heat exchanger and is connected to the main flow passage, and a partial reforming flow passage that supplies a gas for partial oxidation reforming to the anode flow passage, the through holes of the vehicle bracket include a first through hole connected to the main flow passage, a second through hole connected to the bypass flow passage, and a third through hole connected to the partial reforming flow passage. The vehicle bracket according to claim 3.

5. a valve unit that distributes and supplies a cathode gas to the cathode flow path of the fuel cell unit is attached to the vehicle bracket; the valve unit includes a first flow path that supplies a cathode gas to the main flow path, a second flow path that supplies a cathode gas to the bypass flow path, and a third flow path that supplies a cathode gas to the partial reforming flow path, and also includes a first control valve that is provided on the second flow path and adjusts the amount of cathode gas distributed to the bypass flow path, and a second control valve that is provided on the third flow path and adjusts the amount of cathode gas distributed to the partial reforming flow path, the first through hole of the vehicle bracket connects the first flow path and the main flow path, the second through hole of the vehicle bracket connects the second flow path and the bypass flow path, and the third through hole of the vehicle bracket connects the third flow path and the partially reformed flow path. The bracket for a vehicle according to claim 4.

6. The valve unit includes a flange formed to surround the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path, The valve unit has a valve unit mounting portion formed on the flange so as to surround the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path, and is fixed to the vehicle bracket by the valve unit mounting portion. The vehicle bracket according to claim 5.

7. An air supply device mounting portion to which an air supply device serving as a cathode gas supply source is attached, The bracket for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The air supply device mounting portion is provided on the lower surface of the extension portion. The vehicle bracket according to claim 7.

9. The fuel cell unit is mounted at a position toward the front of the vehicle, The air supply device mounting portion is provided at a position on the vehicle bracket toward the rear of the vehicle.

9. The bracket for a vehicle according to claim 7 or 8.

10. a valve unit that distributes and supplies a cathode gas to the cathode flow path of the fuel cell unit, and an air supply device that serves as a cathode gas supply source are attached to the vehicle bracket; The air supply device and the valve unit are connected by piping, A connection position between the piping and the valve unit is offset toward the front or rear of the vehicle with respect to a mounting position of the air supply device. The bracket for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. An air supply device serving as a cathode gas supply source is attached to the vehicle bracket via a vibration-proof rubber collar. The bracket for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A vehicle mounting portion for mounting the vehicle bracket to a vehicle is provided on an upper surface side of the extension portion. The bracket for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. An air cleaner mounting portion is provided on an upper surface side of the extension portion to which an air cleaner is attached.

13. A bracket for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A drain hole is provided through the extension portion from the upper surface to the lower surface.

14. A bracket for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The lower surface of the extension portion has a plurality of weight reduction holes formed by hollowing out the weight.

15. A bracket for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The vehicle bracket has at least one of a water drain hole penetrating from an upper surface to a lower surface of the extension portion and a plurality of weight reduction holes formed in the lower surface of the extension portion, An air supply device serving as a cathode gas supply source is attached to the lower surface side of the extension portion at a position not overlapping with the water drainage hole and the weight reduction hole.

14. A bracket for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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