Hydrogen tank module
The hydrogen tank module design with a guide groove in the lock receiver addresses unstable stacking by guiding the operating lever to a locked position, ensuring safe and stable stacking by preventing partial engagement.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
Conventional hydrogen tank modules stack in an unstable state due to partial fitting of twist locks, leading to a risk of tipping or falling when the lower module's twist lock is locked during stacking.
The design incorporates a guide groove in the lock receiver that guides the operating lever to a locked position, preventing partial engagement by interfering with the lever before the lock pin contacts the lock hole, ensuring stable stacking by preventing the twist lock from being locked during stacking.
This solution ensures safe and stable stacking of hydrogen tank modules by preventing partial fitting, thereby eliminating the risk of tipping or falling.
Smart Images
Figure 0007885751000001 
Figure 0007885751000002 
Figure 0007885751000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a hydrogen tank module.
Background Art
[0002] Interest in portable hydrogen tank modules is increasing. By stacking multiple hydrogen tank modules, more hydrogen can be supplied. When stacking, a locking structure for fixation is required. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for fixing the frame of a module by using a component for a container called a twist lock. By fitting the lock receiver of the upper hydrogen tank module into the twist lock of the lower hydrogen tank module, the two can be fixed.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] When the twist lock of the lower hydrogen tank module is in the unlocked state during stacking, the lock pin of the twist lock can be received in the lock hole of the lock receiver. Thus, the lock receiver can be fitted into the twist lock. However, when the twist lock of the lower hydrogen tank module is in the locked state during stacking, the lock pin interferes with the lock hole, so the lock receiver only partially fits into the twist lock. However, in the conventional structure, due to this partial fitting, the hydrogen tank modules can be stacked. As a result, they are stacked in an unstable state, and there is a risk of the hydrogen tank modules tipping over or falling.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] According to the structure described in claim 1, when the twist lock of the lower hydrogen tank module is locked during stacking, the operating lever interferes with the lock receiver before the lock pin contacts the lock hole. This prevents a partial engagement state from occurring. Therefore, if the twist lock of the lower hydrogen tank module is locked during stacking, the structure can be designed so that stacking is not possible. This prevents situations where hydrogen tank modules are stacked in an unstable state, making it possible to stack hydrogen tank modules safely. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic perspective view of hydrogen tank module 1. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged perspective view of the twist lock 20 and lock receiver 30. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged perspective view of the twist lock 20 and lock receiver 30. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0007] (Structure of hydrogen tank module 1) Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the hydrogen tank module 1 according to this embodiment. The hydrogen tank module 1 is a module for a fuel cell (not shown). The hydrogen tank module 1 is portable and can be transported and loaded using a crane, forklift, etc. The hydrogen tank module 1 mainly consists of a frame 10, a twist lock 20, a lock receiver 30, and a hydrogen tank 40. The frame 10 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape made of steel. The hydrogen tank 40 is mounted inside the frame 10. The hydrogen tank 40 may have various structures and types. In this embodiment, the hydrogen tank 40 is a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank of type IV (resin liner + CFRP).
[0008] The top corners of the frame 10 are equipped with top corner fittings 11. The bottom corners of the frame 10 are equipped with bottom corner fittings 12. Each of the top corner fittings 11 has a total of four twist locks 20. Each of the bottom corner fittings 12 has a total of four lock receivers 30. When multiple hydrogen tank modules 1 are stacked, the lock receivers 30 of the upper hydrogen tank modules are configured to receive the twist locks 20 of the lower hydrogen tank modules 1.
[0009] (Structure of the twist lock 20 and lock receiver 30) Figures 2 and 3 show enlarged perspective views of the twist lock 20 and the lock receiver 30. Figure 2 shows the twist lock 20 in the unlocked state. Figure 3 shows the twist lock 20 in the locked state.
[0010] The twist lock 20 is a component for containers. The twist lock 20 mainly consists of an operating lever 21, a rotating shaft 22, and a locking pin 23. The rotating shaft 22 extends in the vertical direction (z direction). The locking pin 23 is fixed to the upper end of the rotating shaft 22. The locking pin 23 has a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from above. The locking pin 23 is formed from a thick material that has a roughly triangular shape when viewed from the side, with one vertex rounded.
[0011] An operating lever 21 is fixed to the lower part of the rotating shaft 22. The operating lever 21 protrudes laterally from the rotating shaft 22. The lock pin 23 rotates around the rotating shaft 22 in conjunction with the operating lever 21. As shown in Figure 2, when the operating lever 21 is in the unlocked position P1, the longitudinal direction LD of the lock pin 23 is parallel to the longitudinal direction HD of the lock hole 33. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, when the operating lever 21 is in the locked position P2, the longitudinal direction LD of the lock pin 23 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction HD of the lock hole 33.
[0012] The lock receiver 30 is a box-shaped member with an open bottom. The lock receiver 30 may be made of, for example, a steel plate. The lock receiver 30 mainly comprises a bottom surface 31, side walls 32, a lock hole 33, and a guide groove 34. The lock hole 33 is formed in the bottom surface 31. The lock hole 33 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. The longitudinal direction HD of the lock hole 33 is parallel to the y-axis. The lock hole 33 has a size and shape that allows the lock pin 23 to pass through. Therefore, when the longitudinal direction LD of the lock pin 23 and the longitudinal direction HD of the lock hole 33 coincide, the lock pin 23 can be received.
[0013] The side wall 32 has a rectangular tubular shape that protrudes downward (towards the -z direction) from the bottom surface 31. The cross-section of the side wall 32 perpendicular to the z-axis is approximately square. A guide groove 34 is formed in the side wall 32. The guide groove 34 comprises a first groove T1 and a second groove T2. The first groove T1 has an opening AP located at the lower end of the side wall 32. The position of the opening AP corresponds to the unlock position P1 of the operating lever 21 when the twist lock 20 and the lock receiver 30 are engaged (see Figure 2, dashed line IL1). The first groove T1 extends vertically from the opening AP. This allows the guide groove 34 to receive the operating lever when the twist lock 20 and the lock receiver 30 are engaged.
[0014] The second groove T2 extends in the left-right direction. One end of the second groove T2 is connected to the upper end of the first groove T1. The other end of the second groove T2 corresponds to the locked position P2 of the operating lever 21 when the twist lock 20 and the lock receiver 30 are engaged (see Figure 3, dashed line IL2).
[0015] (operation) The operation of stacking hydrogen tank modules 1 is described below. For all four twist locks 20 on the lower hydrogen tank module 1, the position of the operating lever 21 is set to the unlock position P1 (see Figure 2).
[0016] Using a crane or similar equipment, the upper hydrogen tank module 1 is stacked on top of the lower hydrogen tank module 1. At this time, the position is adjusted so that each of the four lock receivers 30 on the upper hydrogen tank module 1 can receive the four twist locks 20 on the lower hydrogen tank module 1. Then the upper hydrogen tank module 1 is gradually lowered.
[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the longitudinal direction LD of the lock pin 23 coincides with the longitudinal direction HD of the lock hole 33, allowing the lock pin 23 to pass through the lock hole 33. Once stacking is complete, the lock pin 23 is positioned above the bottom surface 31. Also, when viewed from the z-axis direction, the unlock position P1 coincides with the opening AP of the first groove T1, allowing the operating lever 21 to be received inside the first groove T1. Once stacking is complete, the operating lever 21 is positioned at the entrance EP, which is the entrance to the second groove T2.
[0018] After the stacking is complete, the operating lever 21 is rotated 90° around the rotation axis 22 for all four twist locks 20 on the lower hydrogen tank module 1. At this time, the operating lever 21 moves from the unlocked position P1 to the locked position P2, guided by the second groove T2. As a result, the lock pin 23 passes through the lock hole 33, and the longitudinal direction LD of the lock pin 23 and the longitudinal direction HD of the lock hole 33 become perpendicular (see Figure 3). The lock pin 23 can no longer be pulled out of the lock hole 33, so the twist lock 20 and the lock receiver 30 can be fixed to each other. This allows the upper hydrogen tank module 1 and the lower hydrogen tank module 1 to be locked to each other.
[0019] (effect) First, the problems in the conventional structure will be described. In the lock receiver 30 of the conventional structure, as shown in FIG. 3, instead of the guide groove 34, a notch portion NP is provided (see the dashed line). In the region where the notch portion NP is formed, the lower end surface of the side wall 32 does not exist. Therefore, in the conventional structure, no matter what position the operation lever 21 is in, the operation lever 21 does not interfere with the side wall 32. Therefore, when stacking the hydrogen tank modules 1, if the twist lock of the lower hydrogen tank module 1 is in the locked state (see FIG. 3), the lock pin 23 cannot pass through the lock hole 33, and the upper surface of the lock pin 23 contacts the opening edge of the lock hole 33. As a result, the lock receiver 30 only partially fits into the twist lock 20. However, due to this partial fitting, the hydrogen tank modules 1 can be stacked in an unstable state, so there is a risk of the hydrogen tank modules 1 tipping over or falling.
[0020] On the other hand, in the technology of this specification, when the twist lock 20 of the lower hydrogen tank module 1 is in the locked state (see FIG. 3) during stacking, the operation lever 21 cannot be received in the guide groove 34. Therefore, the operation lever 21 interferes with the lower end of the side wall 32 of the lock receiver 30 at the interference point IP (see the imaginary line IL2). This interference between the operation lever 21 and the lower end of the side wall 32 occurs prior to the lock pin 23 contacting the lock hole 33. Thereby, a partial fitting state cannot be generated. Therefore, when the twist lock is in the locked state during stacking, the stacking can be made impossible. Since the situation where the hydrogen tank modules 1 are stacked in an unstable state can be prevented, it becomes possible to safely stack the hydrogen tank modules 1.
Explanation of Reference Numerals
[0021] 1: Hydrogen tank module 10: Frame 20: Twist lock 21: Operation lever 23: Lock pin 30: Lock receiver 32: Side wall 33: Lock hole 34: Guide groove
Claims
[Claim 1] It is a hydrogen tank module, A frame on which a hydrogen tank can be mounted, A twist lock located on the upper surface of the frame, A lock receiver located on the lower surface of the frame, It is equipped with, When multiple hydrogen tank modules are stacked, the lock receiver of the upper hydrogen tank module is configured to accept the twist lock of the lower hydrogen tank module. The aforementioned twist lock comprises an operating lever that is operated between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a locking pin that is linked to the operating lever. The lock receiver comprises a lock hole for receiving the lock pin and a guide groove for receiving the operating lever. When the operating lever is in the unlocked position, when multiple hydrogen tank modules are stacked, the lock hole and the guide groove are capable of receiving the lock pin and the operating lever, respectively. When the operating lever is in the locked position, when multiple hydrogen tank modules are stacked, the operating lever interferes with a portion of the lock receiver other than the guide groove before the lock pin contacts the lock hole. Hydrogen tank module.