Fuel cell vehicle

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell vehicle which can reduce impact on a fuel tank and prevent breakage of the fuel tank even when collision with a vehicle side surface occurs.SOLUTION: A fuel cell vehicle 1 comprises, at a lower part of a vehicle body 2, a vehicle body frame 3 having a pair of side members 3A, a plurality of fuel tanks 31 for supplying a fuel gas to a fuel cell stack 10, and a radiator 43B as a cooling system. The fuel tank 31 is attached to the vehicle body 2 so that a cylindrical part 31a is along a cross direction on an outer side of a vehicle width direction W of the vehicle body 2 with respect to the side member 3A. The radiator 43B is attached to the vehicle body 2 so as to line up with the fuel tank 31 on further outer side of the vehicle width direction W with respect to the fuel tank 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel tank that supplies fuel gas to a fuel cell stack.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of fuel cell vehicle, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel cell vehicle that supports a fuel tank having a cylindrical portion extending in the front-rear direction. The fuel cell tank is disposed outside the vehicle frame in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, with respect to the fuel cell vehicle described in Patent Document 1, when an impact such as a collision acts on the side surface of the vehicle, the external force due to the impact directly acts on the fuel tank.

[0005] In view of this point, the present invention provides a fuel cell vehicle capable of reducing the impact applied to the fuel tank when an impact acts on the side surface of the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention is a fuel cell vehicle including a vehicle body, a driving device that drives the vehicle body, a fuel cell system that supplies power to the driving device, and a cooling system that cools at least one of the driving device and the constituent devices of the fuel cell system.

[0007] The vehicle body includes a body frame at the lower part of the vehicle body, and the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a plurality of fuel tanks that supply fuel gas to the fuel cell stack. The fuel tank has a cylindrical portion and a pair of dome portions formed at both ends of the cylindrical portion, and the body frame has a pair of side members extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. The cooling system includes a radiator.

[0008] The fuel tank is attached to the vehicle body such that the axis of the cylindrical portion extends along the front-rear direction on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body with respect to the side member, and the radiator is attached to the vehicle body so as to be aligned with the fuel tank on the further outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the fuel tank.

[0009] According to the present invention, when an external force due to an impact acts on the side surface of the fuel cell vehicle, the radiator attached on the outer side in the vehicle width direction rather than the fuel tank serves as a shock absorber for the fuel tank. As a result, the impact on the fuel tank can be reduced. Further, in the vehicle width direction, an elongated space extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is formed outside the fuel tank, and such a space is a space that is difficult to utilize. However, according to the present invention, since the radiator can be arranged as a device suitable for the arrangement of such a space shape, the arrangement space of the devices of the vehicle body can be effectively utilized.

[0010] In a more preferable aspect, the radiator includes a radiator body through which a coolant flows and a fan that blows air toward the radiator body, and the fan may be arranged such that the rotation axis of the fan is offset in the vertical direction with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion of the fuel tank.

[0011] In this aspect, since the radiator fan blows air toward the radiator body, the rotation axis of the fan is arranged along the vehicle width direction. Here, when the fan together with the radiator is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction due to an impact on the side surface of the vehicle body, a portion along the rotation axis of the fan (for example, a rotating shaft or the like) may hit the outer peripheral surface of the fuel tank. Since the rigidity of the portion along the rotation axis is high, the fuel tank is likely to be damaged. However, according to this aspect, even in such a case, since the axis of the cylindrical portion of the fuel tank and the rotation axis of the fan are offset, the portion along the rotation axis slides on the tank surface and displaces, and the external force acting on the fuel tank via this portion can be released.

[0012] As a more preferable aspect, in a side view of the vehicle body, the radiator body may be arranged so as to cover the boundary between the cylindrical portion and each dome portion.

[0013] According to this aspect, a fuel tank for storing hydrogen gas as fuel in a fuel cell vehicle has, for example, a cylindrical portion and a pair of dome portions formed at both ends of the cylindrical portion. In a fuel tank having such a shape, the boundary between each dome portion and the cylindrical portion is weaker in strength than other portions of the fuel tank. Therefore, according to this aspect, since the boundary between the pair of dome portions and the cylindrical portion, which is weak in strength, is covered with the radiator body, deformation and breakage of the fuel tank can be prevented even when an external force is applied due to an impact.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention, when an impact acts on the side surface of the vehicle, the impact applied to the fuel tank can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the fuel cell vehicle according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of the fuel cell vehicle according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear side view of FIG. 1. In the drawings, some configurations are schematically shown, and some configurations are omitted for easy understanding.

[0017] 1. Regarding the overall configuration of the fuel cell vehicle (vehicle) 1 As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fuel cell vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle body 2 and a drive device 5 that is a power source for driving the vehicle body 2. Further, the fuel cell vehicle 1 includes a fuel cell system 100 that supplies power to the drive device 5, and a cooling system 40 that cools at least one of the constituent devices of the drive device 5 and the fuel cell system 100. The fuel cell vehicle (vehicle) 1 of the present embodiment is basically a vehicle such as a truck, and is a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system described later.

[0018] 2. Regarding the vehicle body 2 and the drive device 5 The vehicle body 2 includes a cabin 6 in which a driver rides, a container 8 disposed behind the cabin 6, and a vehicle body frame 3 disposed below the vehicle body 2 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In FIG. 1, the container 8 is drawn with a two-dot chain line, and the container 8 is omitted in the subsequent figures.

[0019] In this embodiment, the vehicle body frame 3 is a ladder frame composed of a pair of parallel side members 3A, 3A facing each other with a space therebetween and a plurality of cross members 3B, 3B in the vehicle width direction connecting them. A rear bumper 3C is fixed to the rear end of the vehicle body frame 3. A container 8 such as a loading platform or a cargo compartment is installed on the upper part of the vehicle body frame 3.

[0020] A front wheel 4A is fixed to the lower front of the vehicle body frame 3 via a suspension and a steering mechanism (not shown), and two-axis rear wheels 4B are similarly fixed to the lower rear of the vehicle body frame 3 via a suspension. The two-axis rear wheels 4B are composed of double tires, and a drive device 5 is installed at the center in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] In this embodiment, the drive device 5 is an axle motor unit. The axle motor unit basically consists of a drive motor (not shown) and a differential device (not shown). The drive device 5 is installed between a pair of side members 3A, 3A constituting the vehicle body frame 3 and drives the rear wheels 4B. Therefore, the fuel cell vehicle 1 is a rear-wheel two-axis drive vehicle.

[0022] A fuel cell module 1A is installed in front of the vehicle body frame 3, and a cabin 6 constituting a driver's seat is installed on its upper part. Further, a rack 7 having a plurality of stages is fixed behind the cabin 6. A battery 52 for driving the fuel cell stack 10 and a fuel tank 31 are installed on the rack 7.

[0023] 3. Regarding the fuel cell system 100 Here, the fuel cell system 100 that supplies power to the drive device 5 that drives the vehicle body 2 of the fuel cell vehicle 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the fuel cell system 100.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell system 100 includes a fuel cell module 1A that includes a fuel cell stack 10 and a plurality of auxiliary machines that drive the fuel cell stack 10, and in addition to devices such as maintenance parts, it is composed of other devices such as a fuel tank 31 that stores hydrogen gas. As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the fuel cell module 1A is fixed to the front part of the vehicle body frame 3 of the vehicle body 2.

[0025] Also, a part of the auxiliary machines that make up the fuel cell module 1A is fixed to other parts of the vehicle body frame 3. For example, in the vehicle body frame 3, a rack 7 erected at the rear of the fuel cell module 1A has a fuel tank 31 and a battery 52, which will be described later, fixed thereto, and other devices are also fixed thereto.

[0026] Although not shown, the fuel cell of the fuel cell stack 10 includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) composed of an ion-permeable electrolyte membrane, an anode-side catalyst layer (anode electrode) and a cathode-side catalyst layer (cathode electrode) that sandwich the electrolyte membrane. Gas diffusion layers (GDLs) are formed on both sides of the MEA to supply hydrogen gas, which is a fuel gas, and air, which is an oxidant gas, and to collect the electricity generated by the electrochemical reaction. The membrane electrode assembly with GDLs arranged on both sides is called MEGA, and MEGA is sandwiched between a pair of separators. Here, MEGA is the power generation part of the fuel cell, and when there is no gas diffusion layer, MEA becomes the power generation part of the fuel cell.

[0027] The fuel cell stack 10 is connected to a plurality of auxiliary machines that drive it. As shown in FIG. 4, these auxiliary machines constitute an air supply system 20, a hydrogen gas supply system 30, and a control system 50.

[0028] The air supply system 20 supplies air to the cathode electrodes of each cell constituting the fuel cell stack 10, and discharges the off-gas after being used in the electrochemical reaction in each fuel cell from the fuel cell stack 10. In the air supply system 20, an air cleaner 21, a compressor 22, an intercooler 23, etc. are provided from the upstream side of the fuel cell stack 10, and a muffler 28 etc. is provided on the downstream side of the fuel cell stack 10.

[0029] The air cleaner 21 removes contaminants such as dust in the air taken in from the atmosphere, and is disposed upstream of the compressor 22 that supplies air to the fuel cell stack 10. The compressor 22 compresses the air introduced through the air cleaner 21, and pumps the compressed air to the intercooler 23. When the intercooler 23 allows the air pumped from the compressor 22 and introduced to pass through, it cools the air by heat exchange with, for example, a coolant, and supplies it to the fuel cell stack 10 (the cathode electrode thereof). In the fuel cell module 1A of the present embodiment, the compressor 22 and the intercooler 23 are provided as auxiliary machines of the fuel cell stack 10.

[0030] The hydrogen gas supply system 30 supplies hydrogen gas to the anode electrodes of each cell constituting the fuel cell stack 10, and discharges the off-gas after being used in the electrochemical reaction in each fuel cell from the fuel cell stack 10. The hydrogen gas supply system 30 includes, from the upstream side of the fuel cell stack 10, a fuel tank 31 which is a hydrogen gas supply source, and a hydrogen gas supply device 33, and includes a gas-liquid separator 37 on the downstream side of the fuel cell stack 10. The hydrogen gas supply system 30 includes, as auxiliary machines of the fuel cell stack 10, a gas-liquid separator 37 and a hydrogen gas pump 38 that circulates the hydrogen gas that has passed through the gas-liquid separator 37 to the upstream side.

[0031] The hydrogen gas supply device 33 includes an injector or the like that supplies hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack 10. The gas-liquid separator 37 separates the generated water contained in the off-gas, and the hydrogen gas from which the generated water has been separated is sent to the hydrogen gas pump 38, and the generated water is sent to the muffler 28. The hydrogen gas pump 38 pumps the hydrogen gas separated by the gas-liquid separator 37 and circulates it to the hydrogen gas supply passage. The fuel cell module 1A of the present embodiment includes a hydrogen gas pump 38 or the like as auxiliary equipment of the fuel cell stack 10.

[0032] The control system 50 controls the driving of the fuel cell stack 10 and the like. The control system 50 is provided with a control device 51, a battery 52, a PCU 53, a converter 54, and a driving device 5 as a load. The control device 51 controls the above-described valve and a PCU (power control unit) 53 described later. The battery 52 stores the electric power generated by the fuel cell stack 10. The PCU 53 supplies electric power to the driving device 5 according to the control of the control device 51. The converter 54 is included in the high-voltage device 54A (see FIG. 1), and boosts the output voltage of the fuel cell stack 10 and supplies it to the PCU 53. These auxiliary equipments are electrically connected via a cable 92, but in FIG. 4, among the plurality of cables, a part of those cables 92 is shown.

[0033] 4. Regarding the cooling system 40 The cooling system 40 cools at least one of the driving device 5 and the constituent devices of the fuel cell system 100. In the present embodiment, the cooling system 40 includes a first cooling unit 40A that cools the fuel cell stack 10, and a second cooling unit 40B that cools a high-voltage device 54A (see FIG. 2) in which a converter 54 and the like described later are integrated, and the driving device 5 and the like. In the present embodiment, the cooling system 40 cools the fuel cell stack 10 and the high-voltage device 54A as the constituent devices of the fuel cell system 100, but in addition to this, it may also cool the compressor 22, the battery 52, and the like.

[0034] The first cooling unit 40A is a circulation system, and the first cooling unit 40A includes a first pump 42A, a radiator 43A, a three-way valve (rotary valve) 45, an ion exchanger 47, and a first replenishment tank 48A. The first pump 42A pumps the first coolant (cooling liquid) cooled by the radiator 43A to the fuel cell stack 10. The radiator 43A cools the first coolant discharged from the fuel cell stack 10.

[0035] The ion exchanger 47 has a function of removing ions from the coolant that cools the fuel cell stack 10 and is provided in the bypass passage. The three-way valve 45 diverts the coolant discharged from the fuel cell stack 10 to the radiator 43A or the ion exchanger 47. The first replenishment tank 48A stores the replenishment coolant for the first cooling unit 40A, and when the coolant is insufficient, the replenishment coolant is supplied to the first cooling unit 40A. In the present embodiment, as auxiliary machines of the fuel cell stack 10, the first pump 42A, the three-way valve 45, etc. are provided.

[0036] The second cooling unit 40B is provided with a radiator 43B, a second pump 42B, and a second replenishment tank 48B. The second pump 42B pumps the second coolant (cooling liquid) cooled by the radiator 43B to the converter 54, the drive device 5, etc. The radiator 43B cools the coolant discharged from some auxiliary machines such as the converter 54 and the drive device 5. The second replenishment tank 48B stores the replenishment coolant for the second cooling unit 40B, and when the coolant is insufficient, the replenishment coolant is supplied to the second cooling unit 40B.

[0037] Here, the first and second replenishment tanks 48A and 48B of the cooling system 40 store the first and second coolants respectively, and when the first and second coolants are insufficient, they are replenished to these circulation paths. The first and second replenishment tanks 48A and 48B are installed on the rack 7 (see FIG. 1). In addition, a plurality of fuel tanks 31 and a plurality of batteries 52 are further installed on the rack 7.

[0038] In this embodiment, the cooling system 40 corresponds to the cooling system of the present invention. The cooling system 40 is composed of first and second cooling units 40A and 40B having different cooling routes through which the coolant flows. However, the number of cooling units may be one, or there may be additional cooling units.

[0039] In addition, each device of the fuel cell system 100 constituting the air supply system 20 and the hydrogen gas supply system 30, and each device (auxiliary equipment, etc.) of the cooling system 40 are connected by flexible pipes 91 or the like. In FIG. 4, among the plurality of pipes, a part of the pipes 91 is shown.

[0040] 5. Arrangement relationship between the fuel tank 31 and the radiator 43B Next, the configuration around the fuel tank 31 and the radiator 43B, which is a characteristic configuration of the fuel cell vehicle 1 of this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a main part of a support device 60 that attaches the fuel tank 31 and the radiator 43B to the vehicle body frame 3, and FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 5 and 6, some configurations are schematically shown for easy understanding.

[0041] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the fuel tank 31 and the radiator 43B of the hydrogen gas supply system 30 constituting the fuel cell system 100 are attached to the vehicle body 2. The radiator 43B constitutes the second cooling unit 40B of the cooling system 40. For example, it may be the radiator 43A of the first cooling unit 40A.

[0042] In this embodiment, the fuel tank 31 and the radiator 43B are fixed to the outer surfaces of the side members 3A, 3A of the vehicle body frame 3 of the vehicle body 2 via the support device 60. The radiator 43B includes a radiator body 43a through which the coolant flows and a fan 43b that blows air toward the radiator body 43a. The fan 43b rotates about the rotation axis RA. In this embodiment, the radiator 43B is provided with the fan 43b. However, if the cooling efficiency can be ensured, the radiator 43B may not be provided with the fan 43b.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the fuel tank 31 has a cylindrical portion 31a extending along the longitudinal direction (axis), and a pair of dome portions 31b, 31b formed at both ends of the cylindrical portion 31a. Further, the fuel tank 31 has a neck portion 31c fixed to the outside of each dome portion 31b. The cylindrical portion 31a and the pair of dome portions 31b, 31b form a storage space in the fuel tank 31 for storing fuel gas (hydrogen gas). Among the two neck portions 31c, 31c, a through hole (not shown) communicating with the storage space is formed in one neck portion 31c, and hydrogen gas can be stored in and released from the storage space through this through hole. The fuel tank 31 is formed by winding a fiber bundle impregnated with resin around a liner in which a storage space is formed, and the boundary 31d between the cylindrical portion 31a and the dome portion 31b is lower in strength than other portions.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the fuel tank 31 is attached to the vehicle body 2 via a support device 60 such that the axis CL of the cylindrical portion 31a is along the front-rear direction FB of the vehicle body 2. The radiator 43B is attached to the vehicle body 2 via a support device 60 so as to be aligned with the fuel tank 31 further outside in the vehicle width direction W with respect to the fuel tank 31.

[0045] In this embodiment, two radiators 43B, 43B are arranged outside the fuel tank 31 with respect to one fuel tank 31. The two radiators 43B, 43B are arranged along the front-rear direction FB of the vehicle body 2 so as to be aligned with the fuel tank 31.

[0046] Here, in the vehicle width direction W, an elongated space extending in the front-rear direction FB of the vehicle body 2 is formed outside the fuel tank 31, and such a space is a space that is difficult to utilize. However, since the overall shape of the radiator 43B (radiator main body 43a) is plate-shaped, the radiator 43B can be arranged in such an elongated space, so that the arrangement space of the devices of the vehicle body 2 can be effectively utilized.

[0047] As a more specific arrangement state of the radiator 43B, in a side view of the vehicle body 2, each radiator 43B is arranged such that the radiator body 43a covers a part of the boundary 31d between the cylindrical portion 31a of the fuel tank 31 and each dome portion 31b. As is also apparent from the side view of the fuel cell vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1, each boundary 31d of the fuel tank 31 is covered by the radiator 43B. In the present embodiment, two radiators 43B, 43B are provided for one fuel tank 31, but one radiator may cover a pair of boundaries 31d, 31d of the fuel tank 31.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the support device 60 has a pair of support arms 61, 61 that support one fuel tank 31 at the neck portions 31c, 31c at both ends along the axis CL. As shown in FIG. 5, each support arm 61 has a substantially L-shaped side surface shape and is fixed with bolts or the like with a spacer washer 62 interposed therebetween outside the side member 3A.

[0049] The fuel tank 31 is fixed by a fixture 63 fixed to the horizontal portion of the support arm 61 of the support device 60, sandwiching the neck portions 31c at both ends. A side bar 64 that is long in the front-rear direction is installed at the outer tips of the support arms 61, 61. Two end bars 65 are erected vertically from both ends of the side bar 64, and an upper bar 66 is installed so as to span the upper ends of the two end bars 65. The two radiators 43B are fixed in a rectangular space formed by the horizontal side bar 64, the two vertical end bars 65, and the upper bar 66. Further, in a side view of the vehicle body 2, the radiator 43B is arranged such that the radiator body 43a of the radiator 43B covers the boundary 31d between the cylindrical portion 31a and the pair of dome portions 31b, 31b.

[0050] Therefore, in this embodiment, in the fuel cell vehicle 1, a plurality of fuel tanks 31 are horizontally attached to the vehicle body frame 3 along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body frame 3, that is, the front-rear direction FB of the vehicle body 2. Further outside the plurality of fuel tanks 31, a plurality of radiators 43B are attached to the vehicle body frame 3 so as to be arranged horizontally.

[0051] The fan 43b fixed inside the radiator 43B in the vehicle width direction W is an electric fan and has blades rotated by a motor 43c. The motor 43c is located between the fuel tank 31 and the radiator main body 43a. In this embodiment, the rotation axis RA of the motor 43c is arranged at a position offset by an offset amount Of in the vertical direction with respect to the axis CL of the cylindrical portion 31a of the fuel tank 31. Specifically, the radiator 43B (specifically, the fan 43b) is arranged such that the axis of the rotation shaft (not shown) of the motor 43c and the axis CL of the cylindrical portion 31a of the fuel tank 31 are offset downward by the offset amount Of. Note that the offset position may be either in the upper or lower direction.

[0052] 6. Operation of the fuel cell system 100 According to this embodiment, in the fuel cell module 1A, air is supplied as an oxidant gas from the air supply system 20 to the fuel cell stack 10, and hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen gas supply system 30. Due to these supplies, an electrochemical reaction occurs in the power generation part of MEGA or MEA in the fuel cell stack 10, and power is generated. The generated power is stored in the battery 52 of the control system 50. The power of the battery 52 is supplied by the control device 51 to the drive device 5 which is a load, and the fuel cell vehicle 1 can travel by driving the drive device 5.

[0053] On the other hand, the fuel cell stack 10 is cooled by the first cooling part 40A and controlled within a predetermined temperature range. Specifically, the high-temperature coolant circulated by the first pump 42A and passing through the fuel cell stack 10 is radiated by the radiator 43A installed at the front part of the vehicle body 2 to become low temperature and circulates. Ions are removed from the coolant by the ion exchanger 47 installed in the bypass passage on the way.

[0054] In the second cooling unit 40B, the coolant is circulated by the second pump 42B, and high-voltage devices 54A (see FIG. 1) such as converters 54 and drive units 5 are cooled. Specifically, the coolant that has become hot after passing through the high-voltage devices 54A where converters 54 and the like are aggregated and the drive units 5 is cooled by the radiator 43B to become low temperature and then circulates.

[0055] 7. Action due to impact on the side of the fuel cell vehicle 1 Incidentally, it is assumed that an external force due to impact acts on the side of the fuel cell vehicle 1 due to a collision or the like. Even in such a case, the radiator 43B attached outside the vehicle width direction W from the fuel tank 31 deforms and serves as a shock absorber for the fuel tank 31. As a result, the impact on the fuel tank 31 can be reduced.

[0056] Here, since a flow path through which the coolant flows is formed in the radiator main body 43a, it is easily deformed by an external force. However, among the fans 43b that blow air toward the radiator main body 43a, the portion along the rotation axis of the motor 43c (for example, the rotating shaft) is less likely to deform than the radiator main body 43a. Even in such a case, since the axis CL of the cylindrical portion 31a of the fuel tank 31 and the rotation axis RA of the fan 43b are offset, the portion along the rotation axis slides on the peripheral surface of the fuel tank 31, so that the impact on the fuel tank 31 can be reduced and deformation and damage can be suppressed.

[0057] Furthermore, the boundary 31d between the cylindrical portion 31a and each dome portion 31b of the fuel tank 31 becomes a portion that is weaker in strength than other portions of the fuel tank 31. However, since this portion is covered by the radiator main body 43a, deformation and damage of the fuel tank 31 can be prevented even if an external force is applied due to impact.

[0058] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention described in the claims.

[0059] For example, the protruding portion protruding toward the fuel tank side of the fan may not be the rotating shaft itself, but may be a protruding portion such as a case covering the rotating shaft.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1: Fuel cell vehicle, 1A: Fuel cell module, 2: Vehicle body, 3: Vehicle body frame, 3A: Side member, 5: Driving device, 31: Fuel tank, 31a: Cylindrical portion, 31b: Dome portion, 31d: Boundary, 40: Cooling system, 43A, 43B: Radiator, 43a: Radiator body, 43b: Fan, 43c: Motor

Claims

1. A fuel cell vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a drive device for driving the vehicle body, a fuel cell system for supplying power to the drive device, and a cooling system for cooling at least one of the components of the drive device and the fuel cell system, wherein: the vehicle body includes a body frame at a lower portion of the vehicle body; the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a plurality of fuel tanks for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell stack; each fuel tank has a cylindrical portion and a pair of dome portions formed at both ends of the cylindrical portion; the body frame has a pair of side members extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body; the cooling system includes a radiator; the fuel tank is attached to the vehicle body such that the axis of the cylindrical portion extends along the longitudinal direction on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the side member; the radiator is attached to the vehicle body such that it is arranged side by side with the fuel tank on the further outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the fuel tank; the radiator includes a radiator body through which a coolant flows and a fan for blowing air toward the radiator body; the fan is arranged such that the rotation axis of the fan is offset in the vertical direction with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion of the fuel tank. A fuel cell vehicle characterized by the above.

2. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the radiator body is arranged so as to cover the boundary between the cylindrical portion and each dome portion in a side view of the vehicle body. A fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

Images