Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

To provide a hybrid vehicle which can protect a fuel tank and a battery from heat damage of an exhaust pipe and an impact caused during a collision of the vehicle while meeting constraints on installation positions of the fuel tank and the battery.SOLUTION: A hybrid vehicle includes: a fuel tank 17A; an engine which is supplied with a gas fuel from the fuel tank 17A; an exhaust pipe 15; an electric motor; and a battery 16 which provides or receives electric power between itself and the electric motor. The hybrid vehicle includes: two seats 22A, 22B which are disposed on a skeleton 21 of a vehicle body and arranged in a lateral direction of the vehicle; and a center tunnel 24 disposed between the two seats. The exhaust pipe 15 is disposed below the first seat 22A and below the skeleton 21. The fuel tank 17A is disposed in the center tunnel 24. The battery 16 is disposed below the second seat 22B and in the skeleton 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hybrid vehicle including an engine fueled with a gaseous fuel such as hydrogen and an electric motor.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of this type of hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a fuel tank for storing a gaseous fuel and a battery that exchanges electric power with an electric motor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above hybrid vehicle, while there are restrictions on the installation positions of the fuel tank and the battery, it is necessary to protect the fuel tank and the battery from the heat damage of the exhaust pipe of the engine and the impact during a vehicle collision.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A hybrid vehicle for solving the above problems comprises a fuel tank for storing gaseous fuel, an engine supplied with gaseous fuel from the fuel tank, an exhaust pipe extending from the engine to the rear of the vehicle, an electric motor, and a battery for exchanging power with the electric motor, and two seats are arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the vehicle on the frame of the vehicle body, with a center tunnel positioned between the two seats. In this hybrid vehicle, the exhaust pipe is positioned on the first seat side of the two seats relative to the center tunnel in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and extends downward from the frame in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The fuel tank is positioned inside the center tunnel, and the battery is positioned on the second seat side of the two seats relative to the center tunnel in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and is positioned inside the frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The above hybrid vehicle satisfies the constraints on the placement of the fuel tank and battery while also providing the benefit of protecting the fuel tank and battery from heat damage from the exhaust pipe and impact during vehicle collisions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a hybrid vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] In Figure 2, (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows the schematic configuration of a hybrid vehicle according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] In Figure 4, (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in Figure 3, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in Figure 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment of the hybrid vehicle will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Hereafter, the hybrid vehicle 10 will be referred to as "vehicle 10".

[0009] <Vehicle Configuration> As shown in Figure 1, the engine 11, clutch 12, electric motor 13, and transmission 14 are installed in the engine compartment of the vehicle 10. The engine 11 is an engine that uses a gaseous fuel such as hydrogen or natural gas as fuel. The vehicle 10 is driven by at least one of the engine 11 and the electric motor 13. The exhaust pipe 15 through which the exhaust gas discharged from the engine 11 flows extends from the engine compartment to the rear Xr of the vehicle.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a fuel tank for storing gaseous fuel and a battery 16 for exchanging power with the electric motor 13 are located Xr behind the engine compartment of the vehicle. The vehicle 10 is equipped with three fuel tanks 17A, 17B, and 17C. Fuel tank 17A is located Xf in front of the vehicle, ahead of fuel tanks 17B and 17C. Note that if the vehicle 10 is equipped with fuel tank 17A, it does not need to be equipped with fuel tanks 17B and 17C.

[0011] As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the vehicle 10 has two seats 22A and 22B positioned on the vehicle body frame 21. The two seats 22A and 22B are aligned in the vehicle lateral direction Y, which is the left-right direction of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the two seats 22A and 22B are positioned such that the center tunnel 24 of the vehicle 10 is located between the two seats 22A and 22B.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2(A), the fuel tank 17A is located inside the center tunnel 24. The exhaust pipe 15 is located on the side of the first seat 22A relative to the center tunnel 24 in the vehicle's left-right direction Y, and below the frame 21. On the other hand, the battery 16 is located on the opposite side of the exhaust pipe 15, with the fuel tank 17A in between. Specifically, the battery 16 is located on the side of the second seat 22B relative to the center tunnel 24 in the vehicle's left-right direction Y, and inside the frame 21.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2(B), the two fuel tanks 17B and 17C are arranged side by side in the vehicle's left-right direction Y. A heat shield 26 is positioned between the two fuel tanks 17B and 17C and the exhaust pipe 15.

[0014] <Operation and Effects of This Embodiment> (1-1) In the vehicle's left-right direction Y, the fuel tank 17A is positioned in the center, the battery 16 is positioned on the side of the second seat 22B, and the exhaust pipe 15 is positioned on the side of the first seat 22A. This allows for a certain distance to be provided between the exhaust pipe 15, the fuel tank 17A, and the battery 16. As a result, the fuel tank 17A and the battery 16 can be protected from heat damage from the high-temperature exhaust pipe 15.

[0015] Furthermore, a heat shield 26 is installed between the fuel tanks 17B and 17C and the exhaust pipe 15. This protects the fuel tanks 17B and 17C from heat damage from the exhaust pipe 15. (1-2) The fuel tanks 17A to 17C and the battery 16 are arranged at the rear Xr of the vehicle relative to the engine compartment. Thereby, it is difficult for the fuel tanks 17A, 17C and the battery 16 to receive the impact caused by a frontal collision of the vehicle 10. Also, when the vehicle 10 is side-collided, since the skeleton 21 absorbs the impact generated by the side collision, it is difficult for the fuel tanks 17A to 17C and the battery 16 to receive the impact caused by the side collision. Furthermore, a space for absorbing the impact caused by a rear collision of the vehicle 10 is provided between the fuel tanks 17B, 17C and the rear end of the vehicle 10. Thereby, it is difficult for the fuel tanks 17A to 17C and the battery 16 to receive the impact caused by a rear collision of the vehicle 10.

[0016] (1-3) The fuel tanks 17A to 17C and the battery 16 are arranged under the floor of the vehicle body. Therefore, a sufficient survival space for the occupants can be secured. (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the hybrid vehicle will be described according to FIGS. 3 and 4. In the following description, mainly the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the same members as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4(A) and 4(B), in the vehicle 10A, the battery 16 is arranged at the rear Xr of the vehicle relative to the two seats 22A, 22B. For example, the battery 16 is arranged in the luggage space behind the rear seat.

[0018] <Operations and Effects of this Embodiment> (2-1) Also in the vehicle 10A, a certain distance can be provided between the exhaust pipe 15, the fuel tank 17A and the battery 16. As a result, the fuel tank 17A and the battery 16 can be protected from the heat damage from the high-temperature exhaust pipe 15.

[0019] Also, a heat shield plate 26 is installed between the fuel tanks 17B, 17C and the exhaust pipe 15. Thereby, the fuel tanks 17B, 17C can be protected from the heat damage from the exhaust pipe 15. (2-2) The fuel tanks 17A to 17C and the battery 16 are arranged at the rear Xr of the vehicle with respect to the engine compartment. Thereby, it is difficult for the fuel tanks 17A to 17C and the battery 16 to receive the impact caused by a frontal collision of the vehicle 10. Also, when the vehicle 10 is side-collided, since the skeleton 21 absorbs the impact generated by the side collision, it is difficult for the fuel tanks 17A to 17C and the battery 16 to receive the impact caused by the side collision. Further, a space for absorbing the impact caused by a rear collision of the vehicle 10 is provided between the fuel tanks 17B, 17C and the rear end of the vehicle 10. Thereby, it is difficult for the fuel tanks 17A to 17C and the battery 16 to receive the impact caused by a rear collision of the vehicle 10.

[0020] (2-3) The fuel tanks 17A to 17C are arranged under the floor of the vehicle body. The battery 16 is arranged in the dead space at the rear Xr of the vehicle with respect to the rear seat. Therefore, a sufficient occupant survival space can be secured.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0021] 10, 10A... vehicle (hybrid vehicle), 11... engine, 13... electric motor, 15... exhaust pipe, 16... battery, 17A to 17C... fuel tank, 21... skeleton, 22A, 22B... seat, 24... center tunnel.

Claims

[Claim 1] In a hybrid vehicle comprising a fuel tank for storing gaseous fuel, an engine supplied with gaseous fuel from the fuel tank, an exhaust pipe extending from the engine to the rear of the vehicle, an electric motor, and a battery for exchanging power with the electric motor, and having two seats arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the frame of the vehicle body, with a center tunnel positioned between the two seats, The exhaust pipe is positioned so as to extend in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, below the frame, and on the side of the first of the two seats that is closer to the center tunnel in the vehicle's left-right direction. The fuel tank is located inside the center tunnel. The battery is located on the second seat side of the two seats, relative to the center tunnel in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and is positioned inside the frame. A hybrid vehicle characterized by the following features.

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