Tank mounting structure

Abstract

To provide a mounting structure of a tank that a plurality of high pressure tanks are adjacently arranged which can be efficiently mounted with a tank.SOLUTION: There is provided a mounting structure of a tank in which high pressure tanks are arranged so that a direction of discharge when gas in a high pressure tank is discharged by opening of a fusible plug does not overlap the position of the fusible plug of the other adjacent high pressure tank, or one end side of a band for fixing the high pressure tanks to a frame is used as a first connection part fixed to the frame through an elastic body, the adjacent high pressure tanks are arranged so that the first connection parts face each other, and the first connection parts arranged so as to face each other are arranged so as to be aligned in a direction parallel to the axis of the high pressure tanks.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mounting structure for a tank. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a tank mounting structure in which four high-pressure tanks are arranged adjacent to each other (claim 1, Figures 2 and 3). Patent Document 2 describes a fusible plug. Patent Document 3 discloses a structure in which multiple tanks are arranged side by side (FIGS. 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-024665 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-159817 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-007482 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When multiple high-pressure tanks are arranged adjacent to each other, it is desirable to mount the high-pressure tanks efficiently and save space.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a tank mounting structure that can efficiently mount high-pressure tanks in a structure in which multiple high-pressure tanks are arranged adjacent to each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present application discloses a mounting structure for high-pressure tanks in which a plurality of high-pressure tanks equipped with fusible plugs are arranged in an array, and the high-pressure tanks are arranged so that when a fusible plug is opened and gas is released from the high-pressure tank, the direction of release does not overlap with the position of the fusible plug of another adjacent high-pressure tank.

[0007] The present application also discloses a mounting structure for a high-pressure tank in which a plurality of high-pressure tanks are arranged, the plurality of high-pressure tanks being fixed to a frame by strip-shaped bands arranged on the outer periphery, one end of the band being a first connecting part fixed to the frame via an elastic body, and the other end being a second connecting part fixed to the frame without an elastic body, the first connecting parts of adjacent high-pressure tanks among the plurality of high-pressure tanks being arranged to face each other, and the first connecting parts arranged to face each other being arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the axis of the high-pressure tanks. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, in a structure in which a plurality of high-pressure tanks are arranged adjacent to each other, the high-pressure tanks can be mounted efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic external view of a high-pressure tank 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the high-pressure tank 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view of the high-pressure tank 10 as seen from the axial direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the high-pressure tank holding device 20. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the high-pressure tank holding device 20. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tank mounting structure 30. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the tank mounting structure 30. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the mounting structure 40 of the tank. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the tank mounting structure 40. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1. High-pressure tank structure Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the appearance of a high-pressure tank 10 according to one embodiment, and Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section of the high-pressure tank 10 along its axis (the axis of the cylindrical high-pressure tank 10). Fig. 3 shows the high-pressure tank 10 as seen from the fusible plug 15 side (the axis extending in the direction toward the front of the page). As can be seen from these figures, in this embodiment, the high-pressure tank 10 has a liner 11, a reinforcing layer 12, a protective layer 13, a mouthpiece 14, and a fusible plug 15. Each component is described below.

[0011] 1.1. Liner The liner 11 is a hollow member that defines the internal space of the high-pressure tank 10. The liner 11 may be made of any material that can hold the contents (e.g., hydrogen) contained in the internal space without leaking, and any known material can be used, such as nylon resin, polyethylene-based synthetic resin, or metal such as stainless steel or aluminum. The thickness of the liner 11 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.

[0012] 1.2.Reinforcing layer The reinforcing layer 12 is made up of multiple layers of fibers and contains a hardened resin that has been impregnated into the fibers. The fiber layer is formed by wrapping fiber bundles around the outer surface of the liner 11 in multiple layers to a predetermined thickness. The thickness of the reinforcing layer 12 is determined depending on the required strength and is not particularly limited, but is about 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0013] Carbon fibers are used for the fiber bundles of the reinforcing layer 12, and the fiber bundles are band-shaped bundles of carbon fibers having a predetermined cross-sectional shape (for example, a rectangular cross-section). Specific examples include, but are not limited to, a rectangular cross-sectional shape with a width of about 6 mm to 10 mm and a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 0.15 mm. The amount of carbon fibers contained in the fiber bundle is also not particularly limited, but may be, for example, about 36,000 carbon fibers.

[0014] The resin impregnated into the fibers in the reinforcing layer 12 and cured is not particularly limited as long as it can increase the strength of the fibers. Examples of such resins include thermosetting resins that are cured by heat, such as epoxy resins and unsaturated polyester resins that contain an amine- or anhydride-based curing accelerator and a rubber-based toughening agent. Other examples include resin compositions that use an epoxy resin as the base agent and are cured by mixing a curing agent into it. In this case, the resin composition, which is a mixture of the base agent and the curing agent, reaches and penetrates the fiber layer between the time of mixing and the time of curing, and then automatically hardens.

[0015] 1.3.Protective layer The protective layer 13 is a layer that is arranged on the outer periphery of the reinforcing layer 12 as needed, and when provided, is made by wrapping, for example, glass fiber and impregnating it with resin. The impregnated resin can be considered the same as the reinforcing layer 12. This makes it possible to impart impact resistance to the high-pressure tank 10. The thickness of the protective layer 13 is not particularly limited, but can be about 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0016] 1.4.Socket The nozzles 14 are components attached to the two opening ends of the liner 11, one of which functions as an opening that connects the inside and outside of the high-pressure tank 10, and also functions as an attachment part for attaching piping and valves to the high-pressure tank 10.

[0017] 1.5. Fuse plug Fusible plug 15, sometimes called a fusible plug type safety valve, is a plug with a flow path (hole) blocked by a metal with a low melting point. Fusible plug 15 is attached to nozzle 14, and in the event of a fire or an abnormally high temperature atmosphere, the heat melts the metal blocking the flow path, forming a flow path that releases gas from within the high-pressure tank and prevents an explosion due to increased pressure within the high-pressure tank. In this embodiment, the high-pressure tank 10 is installed so that the gas released from the fusible plug 15 faces diagonally downward when the high-pressure tank 10 is positioned as shown by arrow G in FIG. The specific type of fusible plug used as the fusible plug 15 is not particularly limited, and any known type can be used.

[0018] 2.High-pressure tank holding device Figures 4 and 5 show a tank holding device 20, which is a device for holding the high-pressure tank 10 in a predetermined location. Figure 4 is a view from the same perspective as Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a view from the same perspective as Figure 3. The tank holding device 20 of this embodiment has a frame 21 and a band 22, and the frame 21 and band 22 sandwich the high-pressure tank 10 at their outer periphery, and are connected to the frame 21 at the end of the band 22 (connecting portion), thereby surrounding the outer periphery of the high-pressure tank 10. As can be seen from Figure 4, two tank holding devices 20 are used in this embodiment, and the tank holding devices 20 are arranged at two locations next to each other in the axial direction of the high-pressure tank 10.

[0019] Frames The frame 21 is a member formed by bending a metal plate, and is arranged along the outer periphery of the high-pressure tank 10, sandwiching the high-pressure tank 10 between the frame 21 and the band 22 when the high-pressure tank 10 is held by the tank holding device 20. More specifically, the frame 21 is provided with a recess 21a on the side where the high-pressure tank 10 is placed, and the frame 21 is arranged so that the outer periphery of the high-pressure tank 10, particularly the lower half side from the axis, fits inside this recess 21a.

[0020] The material for constructing the frame is not particularly limited, but is preferably a material that is advantageous in terms of strength and elastic deformation. From this perspective, metal is preferable, and stainless steel is an example. The thickness is not limited, but in the case of stainless steel, it can be about 2 mm to 10 mm.

[0021] 2.2.Band The band 22 is a belt-shaped member, and is arranged along the outer periphery of the high-pressure tank 10, sandwiching the high-pressure tank 10 between the frame 21 and the band 22, when the high-pressure tank 10 is held by the tank holding device 20. More specifically, the band 22 is arranged so that one surface formed by its length and width directions faces the outer periphery of the high-pressure tank 10, particularly the upper half side of the axis, and its thickness direction is the radial direction of the high-pressure tank 10.

[0022] The material for the band is not particularly limited, but is preferably a material that is advantageous in terms of strength and elastic deformation. From this perspective, metal is preferable, such as stainless steel. The thickness is not limited, but in the case of stainless steel, it can be approximately 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0023] 2.3.Connection part As described above, the frame 21 and the band 22 are connected by connecting portions at both ends of the band 22. One end of the band 22 is a first connecting portion 23, and the other end of the band 22 is a second connecting portion 24.

[0024] As can be seen in Figure 5, the first connecting portion 23 is configured such that the end of the band 22 is attached to the frame 21 via an elastic body 23a (e.g., a spring). This allows the end of the band 22 to move with a biasing force as shown by arrow A in Figure 5. This biasing force acts in a direction pressing the high-pressure tank 10 toward the frame 21, and the high-pressure tank 10 can be stably held even if the high-pressure tank 10 is of a different size or if the diameter of the high-pressure tank 10 becomes smaller due to use.

[0025] As can be seen from FIG. 5, the second connecting portion 24 is attached by a combination of bolts and nuts to the frame 21 at the end of the band 22 directly, without using an elastic body.

[0026] As described above, this embodiment is provided with two different connecting portions, and since the elastic body 23a is disposed in the first connecting portion 23, it is larger than the second connecting portion 24. Specifically, as shown by W1 and W2 in Fig. 5, in the radial direction of the high-pressure tank 10, the distance W1 from the axis O of the high-pressure tank 10 to the end of the first connecting portion 23 is larger than the distance W2 from the axis O of the high-pressure tank 10 to the end of the second connecting portion 24.

[0027] 3.Tank mounting structure The high-pressure tank 10 described above is mounted on a vehicle as a tank for storing hydrogen, which is the fuel for a fuel cell vehicle, for example, but normally multiple high-pressure tanks are mounted. Therefore, the following describes a structure (tank mounting structure) for mounting multiple high-pressure tanks on a vehicle, etc.

[0028] 3.1.Tank Mounting Structure (1) Figures 6 and 7 show a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a tank mounting structure 30. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the tank mounting structure 30, and Figure 7 is a plan view of the tank mounting structure 30. In the tank mounting structure 30, the multiple high-pressure tanks 10 are all fixed by the tank holding devices 20 described above, but these are not shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0029] In the tank mounting structure 30, multiple high-pressure tanks 10 are arranged, and in this embodiment, three high-pressure tanks 10 are arranged on the lower level and two on the upper level. When arranging the high-pressure tanks 10, it is preferable to arrange multiple high-pressure tanks 10 in as little space as possible, thereby allowing more space to be reserved for other parts. The same applies to the tank mounting structure 40, which will be described later. Therefore, in order to pack the multiple high-pressure tanks 10 as closely as possible, they are placed with their outer peripheral surfaces facing each other, and the nozzles 14 and fusible plugs 15 are arranged facing the same direction. However, if gas is released from the high-pressure tanks 10 through the fusible plugs 15 for some reason, the gas is released diagonally downward from each fusible plug 15 as described above, and so there is a risk that the gas released from the upper tank (which may in some cases ignite and cause a flame) will hit the fusible plugs 15 of the lower high-pressure tanks 10 and cause damage.

[0030] In contrast, in the tank mounting structure 30, as shown by B in Figure 7, the position of the fusible plug 15 of the high-pressure tank 10 arranged in the upper tier in plan view is arranged so that it is offset in the axial direction relative to the position of the fusible plug 15 of the high-pressure tank 10 arranged in the lower tier. In other words, in the tank mounting structure 30, the high-pressure tanks 10 are arranged so that when gas is released from the high-pressure tank 10 by opening the fusible plug 15, the direction of release does not overlap with the position of the fusible plug 15 of other adjacent high-pressure tanks 10, including the lower tier. This makes it less likely that the gas G released from the fusible plug 15 (and the resulting flame) will affect other high-pressure tanks 10 among multiple high-pressure tanks 10. Furthermore, with this configuration, there is no need to expand the space in the arrangement direction of the high-pressure tanks 10 (left and right on the paper in Figure 7), so it is possible to minimize the impact of the gas released from the fusible plug 15 on other high-pressure tanks 10 while suppressing the expansion of the space.

[0031] 3.2.Tank mounting structure (2) Figures 8 and 9 show schematic diagrams of a tank mounting structure 40 according to another embodiment. Both Figures 8 and 9 are plan views. Here, an example will be described in which three high-pressure tanks 10 are arranged horizontally with their outer peripheral surfaces facing each other, but this is not limiting, and two or four or more high-pressure tanks 10 may be arranged, or the high-pressure tanks 10 may be arranged in vertical tiers.

[0032] 7 and 8, in this embodiment, the first connecting portions 23 are arranged so as to face each other in at least some of the adjacent high-pressure tanks 10, and these facing first connecting portions 23 are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the axis O of the high-pressure tank 10. Fig. 7 shows an example in which the adjacent high-pressure tanks 10 have the same length (the size in the direction in which the axis O extends), and Fig. 8 shows an example in which the adjacent high-pressure tanks 10 have different lengths.

[0033] This reduces the space required in the arrangement direction of the high-pressure tanks 10 compared to simply lining up the high-pressure tanks 10. In particular, by using this configuration between the first connecting portions 23 (between W1 in FIG. 5) that are larger than the second connecting portions 24, rather than between the second connecting portions 24, it is possible to further reduce space.

[0034] 3.3.Other Although the tank mounting structure 30 and the tank mounting structure 40 have been described separately above, either one of them may be applied, or both may be applied simultaneously. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10. High-pressure tank 11 Liner 12 Reinforcement layer 13 Protective layer 14 nozzle 15 Fuse plug 20 High-pressure tank holding device 21 frames 22 bands 23 First connection part 24 Second connection part 30 Tank mounting structure 40 Tank mounting structure

Claims

[Claim 1] A mounting structure for a high-pressure tank in which a plurality of high-pressure tanks equipped with fusible plugs are arranged in horizontal and vertical directions, When the gas inside the high-pressure tank is released by opening the fusible plug, the direction of the release is downward from the horizontal direction, and the position of the fusible plug of the high-pressure tank arranged in the upper tier of vertically adjacent high-pressure tanks is displaced in the axial direction relative to the position of the fusible plug of the high-pressure tank arranged in the lower tier, so that the high-pressure tanks are arranged so that the positions of the fusible plugs of the high-pressure tanks arranged in the vertically adjacent direction do not overlap, The plurality of high-pressure tanks are fixed to the frame by bands arranged on the outer periphery, One end of the band is a first connecting part fixed to the frame via an elastic body, and the other end is a second connecting part fixed to the frame without an elastic body, the first connecting portions of adjacent high-pressure tanks among the plurality of high-pressure tanks are arranged to face each other, and the first connecting portions arranged to face each other are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the axis of the high-pressure tanks, High-pressure tank mounting structure.

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