Hydrogen engine vehicles

Abstract

This increases the capacity of hydrogen tanks that can be installed under the floor of the vehicle's interior. [Solution] The hydrogen engine vehicle 10, in which the hydrogen engine is mounted in the engine compartment 13 located in front of the passenger compartment 12, is equipped with a center tunnel 34 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is located in the center of the vehicle width direction under the floor of the passenger compartment 12. A cylindrical large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 is installed inside the center tunnel 34 of the hydrogen engine vehicle 10, and a small-capacity hydrogen tank 25, which is cylindrical with a smaller diameter than the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24, is installed so as to overlap with the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 in both the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen engine vehicle equipped with a hydrogen engine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a hydrogen engine vehicle equipped with a hydrogen tank at the rear of the vehicle.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003] [[ID=2*]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to secure the cabin space, etc., it is conceivable to install the hydrogen tank under the floor of the cabin. Under the floor of the vehicle, a wheel suspension device, an exhaust pipe of the hydrogen engine, etc. are also installed. In addition, when mounting the hydrogen tank under the floor, it is also necessary to consider the minimum ground clearance of the vehicle. Therefore, it has been difficult to increase the capacity of the hydrogen tank installed under the floor of the cabin.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The hydrogen engine vehicle for solving the above problems is a hydrogen engine vehicle in which a hydrogen engine is mounted in a portion in front of the vehicle rather than in the cabin, and a center tunnel extending in the vehicle front-rear direction provided at the center in the vehicle width direction under the floor of the cabin, a cylindrical large-capacity hydrogen tank, and a small-capacity hydrogen tank having a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the large-capacity hydrogen tank, and at least a part of the large-capacity hydrogen tank is installed so as to be located inside the center tunnel, and the small-capacity hydrogen tank is configured to be arranged so as to overlap the large-capacity hydrogen tank in both the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The above-mentioned hydrogen engine vehicle has the effect of increasing the capacity of the hydrogen tank that can be installed under the floor of the passenger compartment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of various components as viewed from below in one embodiment of a hydrogen engine vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each component as viewed from above in one embodiment of a hydrogen engine vehicle. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of large-capacity and small-capacity hydrogen tanks. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of a large-capacity hydrogen tank and a small-capacity hydrogen tank in another embodiment of a hydrogen engine vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a hydrogen engine vehicle will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of this embodiment is configured as a series hybrid vehicle employing a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle layout. In each figure, the arrows indicate the following: "FR" indicates the front of the vehicle, "RR" indicates the rear of the vehicle, "LF" indicates the left side of the vehicle, "RF" indicates the right side of the vehicle, "UP" indicates the top of the vehicle, and "DW" indicates the bottom of the vehicle.

[0009] <Drivetrain of hydrogen engine vehicle 10> First, with reference to Figure 1, the configuration of the drive system of the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of this embodiment will be described. Inside the hydrogen engine vehicle 10, there is a passenger compartment 12. The passenger compartment 12 of the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 is configured so that the passenger compartment where the occupants sit and the luggage compartment where luggage is loaded are in a single continuous section, but the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment may be configured as separate sections. In the part of the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 in front of the passenger compartment 12, there is an engine compartment 13 in which the hydrogen engine 11 is installed. Between the passenger compartment 12 and the engine compartment 13, there is a dash panel 14 that separates them.

[0010] The engine compartment 13 houses a generator 15 that generates electricity using power from the hydrogen engine 11. An electric drive unit 21 that drives the rear wheels 20 using electricity supplied to the rear of the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 is installed. The electric drive unit 21 includes a motor, a reduction mechanism, a differential mechanism, and the like. The hydrogen engine vehicle 10 is equipped with a battery 22 that stores the electricity generated by the generator 15. The battery 22 is installed under the floor of the passenger compartment 12, behind the electric drive unit 21. The generator 15, the battery 22, and the electric drive unit 21 are electrically connected to each other via a power control unit 23 installed in the engine compartment 13.

[0011] A catalytic converter 17 is installed in the exhaust pipe 16 of the hydrogen engine 11 to perform selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides using urea water as a reducing agent. The hydrogen engine vehicle 10 is equipped with a urea water tank 18 for storing urea water to be added to the exhaust gas flowing into the catalytic converter 17. The urea water tank 18 is located in the front part of the vehicle, under the floor of the passenger compartment 12, and is installed towards the left side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, a resin tank is used for the urea water tank 18. A urea water inlet 19, which is an inlet for injecting urea water into the urea water tank 18 from outside the vehicle, is installed on the left side of the hydrogen engine vehicle 10. The exhaust pipe 16 of the hydrogen engine 11 is installed to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, passing under the floor of the passenger compartment 12. In this embodiment, the exhaust pipe 16 is located under the floor of the passenger compartment 12 and is installed towards the right side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] <Arrangement of hydrogen tanks in hydrogen engine vehicle 10> The hydrogen engine vehicle 10 is equipped with five cylindrical hydrogen tanks (24-27) for storing hydrogen burned in the hydrogen engine 11. Two of these hydrogen tanks, 26 and 27, are located at the rear of the vehicle. Hydrogen tank 26 is located in front of the electric drive unit 21, and hydrogen tank 27 is located behind the battery 22.

[0013] Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the remaining three hydrogen tanks (24, 25) as viewed from above the vehicle. In the front part of the passenger compartment 12, the driver's seat 31 and the passenger seat 32 are installed spaced apart in the width direction of the vehicle, and the rear seats 33 are installed behind them. The floor panel 30 that makes up the floor surface of the passenger compartment 12 has a floor tunnel 30A formed in the center in the width direction of the vehicle, which protrudes upward from the parts on either side of it. Below the floor of the passenger compartment 12, in the lower part of the floor tunnel 30A, a center tunnel 34 is formed that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, passing through the space between the driver's seat 31 and the passenger seat 32.

[0014] Inside the center tunnel 34, a large-capacity cylindrical hydrogen tank 24 is installed, extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, two smaller cylindrical hydrogen tanks 25, smaller in diameter than the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24, are installed in the vicinity of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24. The length of the smaller hydrogen tanks 25, i.e., the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is also smaller than that of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24. The front end of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 is positioned further forward than the front end of the smaller hydrogen tanks 25. The urea water tank 18 is installed in the area under the floor of the passenger compartment 12, further forward than the smaller hydrogen tanks 25.

[0015] Figure 3 shows the arrangement of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 in a cross-section along line 3-3 in Figure 2. The dotted line L shown in Figure 3 indicates the lower limit of the installation space for hydrogen tanks, etc., under the floor of the passenger compartment 12. The lower limit is determined by requirements such as ensuring the minimum ground clearance of the hydrogen engine vehicle 10.

[0016] Both the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the two small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 are installed such that the lower end of the vehicle in the vertical direction is at the lower limit of the installation space. Furthermore, the two small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 are positioned such that their inner ends in the vehicle width direction are located further inward in the vehicle width direction than the positions on either side of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 in the vehicle width direction. In this way, the small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 are installed so as to overlap with the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 in both the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction.

[0017] <Effect of the Embodiment> In the case of a conventional engine vehicle adopting a front-engine, rear-wheel drive vehicle layout, a propeller shaft for transmitting the power of the engine installed at the front of the vehicle to the rear wheels is installed in the center tunnel. In the case of the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, a hydrogen engine 11 for power generation is installed at the front of the vehicle, and an electric drive unit 21 that receives power supply and drives the rear wheels 20 is installed at the rear of the vehicle, thereby realizing a front-engine, rear-wheel drive vehicle layout. In such a hydrogen engine vehicle 10, since a propeller shaft is unnecessary, a hydrogen tank can also be installed inside the center tunnel 34.

[0018] In the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, a large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 is installed inside the center tunnel 34. Even when only one large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 is installed, there is still space available inside the center tunnel 34 for installing a hydrogen tank with a smaller diameter. Therefore, in the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, in addition to the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24, two small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 having a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 are installed inside the center tunnel 34.

[0019] Here, referring to FIG. 4, an efficient arrangement method of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 inside the center tunnel 34 will be considered. In the following description, the dimension of the center tunnel 34 in the vehicle width direction is described as the width W of the center tunnel 34. Also, the dimension in the vehicle height direction from the lower limit position to the upper end of the center tunnel 34 is described as the height H of the center tunnel 34.

[0020] First, consider the case where a small hydrogen tank 25 is installed at the position indicated by the dashed line P1 in Fig. 4 with respect to the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24, that is, the case where the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 are installed side by side in the vehicle width direction. In this case, the condition for installation inside the center tunnel 34 is that the sum of the diameter D1 of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the diameter D2 of the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 is less than or equal to the width W of the center tunnel 34 (D1 + D2 < W). Note that in this case, the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 overlap in the vehicle height direction but do not overlap in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] Next, consider the case where a small hydrogen tank 25 is installed at the position indicated by the dashed line P2 in Fig. 4 with respect to the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24, that is, the case where the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 are installed one above the other in the vehicle height direction. In this case, the condition for installation inside the center tunnel 34 is that the sum of the diameter D1 of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the diameter D2 of the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 is less than or equal to the height H of the center tunnel 34 (D1 + D2 < H). In this case, the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 overlap in the vehicle width direction but do not overlap in the vehicle height direction.

[0022] Finally, for example, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 4, consider the case where a small hydrogen tank 25 is installed at a position that overlaps the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 in both the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction. That is, consider the case where the small hydrogen tank 25 is installed so that at least a part thereof is located within the range indicated by the hatching in Fig. 4. In this case, it is possible to install the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25, the sum of whose diameters (D1 + D2) exceeds the width W and height H of the center tunnel 34, inside the center tunnel 34. Therefore, even if the diameter D1 of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 is the same, it is possible to install a small hydrogen tank 25 with a larger diameter D2 and a larger capacity inside the center tunnel 34 than in the above two cases.

[0023] In this context, the interior of the center tunnel 34 refers to the space beneath the floor of the passenger compartment 12, located below the vehicle in the floor tunnel 30A. Furthermore, the installation of a hydrogen tank inside the center tunnel 34 means that the hydrogen tank is installed with at least a portion of it located inside the center tunnel 34.

[0024] <Effects of the Embodiment> The hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of this embodiment provides the following effects. (1) The hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of this embodiment has a hydrogen engine 11 mounted in the forward part of the vehicle beyond the passenger compartment 12. The hydrogen engine vehicle 10 also has a center tunnel 34 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is located in the center of the vehicle width direction under the floor of the passenger compartment 12. A cylindrical large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 is installed inside the center tunnel 34. A small-capacity hydrogen tank 25, which is cylindrical and has a smaller diameter than the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24, is installed near the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24. The small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 is positioned to overlap with the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 in both the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction. By reducing the space required in the width direction and vehicle height direction for the placement of each hydrogen tank (24, 25), the total capacity of hydrogen tanks that can be installed in a limited space can be increased. Therefore, the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of this embodiment has the effect of increasing the capacity of hydrogen tanks that can be installed under the floor of the passenger compartment 12.

[0025] (2) The hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of this embodiment includes a generator 15 installed in the part of the vehicle forward of the passenger compartment 12, and an electric drive unit 21 that receives power and drives the rear wheels 20. The hydrogen engine 11 mounted on the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of this embodiment is used as a generator-only engine that drives the generator 15. In such a hydrogen engine vehicle 10, a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle layout can be realized without installing a propeller shaft that transmits the power of the hydrogen engine 11 to the rear wheels 20 inside the center tunnel 34. Therefore, it becomes possible to install a large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and a small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 inside the center tunnel 34.

[0026] (3) The hydrogen engine vehicle 10 is equipped with a hydrogen engine 11 that has a catalytic converter 17 that purifies exhaust gas by selective catalytic reduction using urea as a reducing agent. In such a hydrogen engine vehicle 10, piping for supplying urea water from the urea water tank 18 to the exhaust pipe 16 of the hydrogen engine 11 also needs to be installed under the floor of the passenger compartment 12. If long piping is installed under the floor of the passenger compartment 12, the space for installing the hydrogen tank will decrease. In contrast to this, in the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of this embodiment, a urea water tank 18 for storing urea water is installed in front of the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 under the floor of the passenger compartment 12. Since the urea water tank 18 is located near the hydrogen engine 11, the piping for supplying urea water is shortened. Therefore, the reduction in the capacity of the hydrogen tank due to the installation of the urea water tank 18 and its related parts can be suppressed.

[0027] (4) In this embodiment, the hydrogen engine 11 has an exhaust pipe 16 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, located under the floor of the passenger compartment 12. Also, a urea water inlet 19, which is an inlet for injecting urea water into the urea water tank 18 from outside the vehicle, is located on the left side of the hydrogen engine vehicle 10. Furthermore, the urea water tank 18 is located under the floor of the passenger compartment 12, to the left of the center tunnel 34. In this hydrogen engine vehicle 10, the urea water tank 18 and the urea water inlet 19 are located on the side of the center tunnel 34 opposite to the side where the exhaust pipe 16 is located, as viewed from the center tunnel 34. Because the urea water tank 18 is located away from the exhaust pipe 16, the urea water tank 18 can be protected from heat damage caused by the high-temperature exhaust flowing through the exhaust pipe 16.

[0028] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0029] The urea water tank 18 and the urea water inlet 19 may be installed in a location different from that shown in Figure 1. For example, if the urea water tank 18 is made of a heat-resistant material, the urea water tank 18 and the urea water inlet 19 may be installed on the side of the center tunnel 34 on the same side as the exhaust pipe 16, as viewed from the center tunnel 34.

[0030] If exhaust gas purification of the hydrogen engine 11 is not performed by selective catalytic reduction using urea, the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 may be configured without the catalytic converter 17 for selective catalytic reduction, the urea water tank 18, and the urea water inlet 19.

[0031] For example, as shown in Figure 5, the small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 may be placed in a different location than in Figure 4. In Figure 5, two small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 are installed above the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24. In this case as well, the two small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 are installed so as to overlap with the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 in both the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction. Therefore, even with the arrangement in Figure 5, the total capacity of hydrogen tanks that can be installed inside the center tunnel 34 can be increased. In addition to this, the position in which the small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 are installed may be changed as appropriate, as long as they are installed so as to overlap with the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 in both the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction.

[0032] The number of small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 installed inside the center tunnel 34 together with the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 is not limited to two. For example, one large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and one small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 may be installed inside the center tunnel 34. Alternatively, the center tunnel 34 may be equipped with a large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and three or more small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25.

[0033] • When multiple small-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 are provided, their diameters and lengths may differ. The front-to-back length of the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 may be the same as the front-to-back length of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24, or it may be longer than the front-to-back length of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24.

[0034] • The seating layout of hydrogen engine vehicle 10 can be changed as desired. The hydrogen engine vehicle 10 may be configured as a four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle in which the front wheels are driven by the power of the hydrogen engine 11. In this case, the generator 15 may also be configured to function as an electric motor that generates driving force. Furthermore, the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 may be configured as a front-wheel drive hybrid vehicle in which the electric drive unit 21 that drives the rear wheels 20 is omitted. Alternatively, the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 may be configured as a front-wheel drive engine vehicle that runs solely on the power of the hydrogen engine 11. In other words, the arrangement of the large-capacity hydrogen tank 24 and the small-capacity hydrogen tank 25 in the hydrogen engine vehicle 10 of the above embodiment and modified examples is applicable to any hydrogen engine vehicle in which the hydrogen engine 11 is installed at the front of the vehicle and which does not have a power transmission mechanism such as a propeller shaft that transmits the power of the hydrogen engine 11 to the rear wheels 20.

[0035] (Additional notes) [Note 1] A hydrogen engine vehicle in which a hydrogen engine is mounted in the part of the vehicle forward of the passenger compartment, comprising: a center tunnel extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, provided in the center of the vehicle width direction under the floor of the passenger compartment; a cylindrical large-capacity hydrogen tank; and a cylindrical small-capacity hydrogen tank having a smaller diameter than the large-capacity hydrogen tank, wherein at least a portion of the large-capacity hydrogen tank is installed inside the center tunnel, and the small-capacity hydrogen tank is arranged to overlap with the large-capacity hydrogen tank in both the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction.

[0036] [Note 2] The hydrogen engine vehicle according to Note 1, comprising a generator installed in the part of the vehicle forward of the passenger compartment and an electric drive unit that receives power to drive the rear wheels, wherein the hydrogen engine is a generator-only engine that drives the generator.

[0037] [Note 3] A hydrogen engine vehicle according to Note 1 or Note 2, wherein a urea water tank for storing urea water is installed in front of the small-capacity hydrogen tank located under the floor of the passenger compartment. [Note 4] The hydrogen engine vehicle described in Note 3, wherein the exhaust pipe of the hydrogen engine extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is installed under the floor of the passenger compartment, and a urea water inlet, which is an inlet for injecting urea water into the urea water tank from outside the vehicle, is installed on the side of the hydrogen engine vehicle, and the urea water tank and the urea water inlet are located on the side of the center tunnel opposite to the side where the exhaust pipe is located, as viewed from the center tunnel. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 10 Hydrogen engine vehicles 11 Hydrogen engine 12 Cabin 13. Engine compartment 14. Dashboard 15 Generators 16 Exhaust pipe 17 Catalyst device 18 Urea water tank 19 Urea water inlet 20 Rear wheels 21 Electric drive unit 22 Batteries 23 Power control unit 24 Large-capacity hydrogen tanks 25 Small-capacity hydrogen tanks 26, 27 Hydrogen tanks 30 Floor Panels 30A Floor Tunnel 31 Driver's seat 32 Passenger seat 33 Rear seats 34 Center Tunnel

Claims

1. A hydrogen engine vehicle in which the hydrogen engine is mounted in the front part of the vehicle, rather than in the passenger compartment. The vehicle comprises a center tunnel extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, located in the center of the vehicle width direction beneath the floor of the passenger compartment, a cylindrical large-capacity hydrogen tank, and a small-capacity cylindrical hydrogen tank with a smaller diameter than the large-capacity hydrogen tank. The large-capacity hydrogen tank is installed so that at least a portion of it is located inside the center tunnel, and the small-capacity hydrogen tank is positioned to overlap with the large-capacity hydrogen tank in both the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction. A urea water tank for storing urea water is installed in front of the small-capacity hydrogen tank located under the floor of the passenger compartment. Hydrogen engine vehicle.

2. The hydrogen engine vehicle according to claim 1, comprising a generator installed in the part of the vehicle forward of the passenger compartment, and an electric drive unit that receives power and drives the rear wheels, wherein the hydrogen engine is an engine dedicated to power generation that drives the generator.

3. An exhaust pipe for the hydrogen engine, extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is installed beneath the floor of the aforementioned passenger compartment. A urea water inlet, which is an inlet for injecting urea water into the urea water tank from outside the vehicle, is installed on the side of the hydrogen engine vehicle. The urea water tank and the urea water inlet are located on the side of the center tunnel opposite to the side where the exhaust pipe is located, as viewed from the center tunnel. A hydrogen engine vehicle according to claim 1.

Images