Vehicle hydrogen tank support system

Abstract

To provide an automotive hydrogen storage tank support system which can improve the collision performance of a vehicle and safely protect a hydrogen storage tank in the time of vehicle collision.SOLUTION: An automotive hydrogen storage tank support system includes: a floor; a pair of side sills mounted on lateral edges of the floor, respectively; and a support frame mounted on the floor and supporting a hydrogen storage tank. The support frame includes a pair of longitudinal members, and a plurality of transverse members connecting the pair of longitudinal members to each other. At least one transverse member among the plurality of transverse members has a pair of extension portions respectively extending from opposite ends thereof toward the pair of side sills, and each extension portion is joined to a corresponding side sill of the pair of side sills.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen tank support system for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a hydrogen tank support system for a vehicle that can improve the collision performance of the vehicle and safely protect the hydrogen tank.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as the awareness of the crisis regarding the environment and the depletion of oil resources has increased, research and development of electric vehicles (EVs), which are environmentally friendly automobiles, have emerged. Examples of electric vehicles include PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles), BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles), and FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles).

[0003] A fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) includes a fuel cell stack that generates electricity using hydrogen, a hydrogen tank that stores hydrogen, and a battery pack that stores electrical energy generated by a regenerative brake.

[0004] In order to increase the driving range (AER), a large-capacity hydrogen tank is essential for a fuel cell electric vehicle. In order to ensure a long driving range (AER) of the fuel cell electric vehicle, the hydrogen tank has a cylindrical shape extending along the width direction of the vehicle. However, when the length of the hydrogen tank becomes relatively long in order to secure the capacity of the hydrogen tank, the side collision space between each end of the hydrogen tank and the corresponding side structure of the vehicle body can become relatively narrow. Therefore, the possibility of damage to the hydrogen tank during a side collision of the vehicle can increase.

[0005] On the other hand, fuel cell electric vehicles are being applied to a variety of vehicle types, including not only sedans and SUVs, but also MPVs (multipurpose vehicles). However, vehicles like MPVs have relatively high overall height and floor height, and steps are provided at each edge of the floor to facilitate entry and exit for passengers and cargo. The steps are recessed downwards from the floor, and the side sills are connected to the lower ends of the steps. In this way, the side sills are separated from the floor along the vehicle's height direction due to the height difference between the floor and the steps. Therefore, in the event of a vehicle collision, the side sills do not deform on their own due to the collision energy, but can rotate towards the floor. Consequently, the absorption of the collision energy at the side of the vehicle is impossible, and the vehicle's collision performance cannot be adequately ensured. Therefore, in order to protect the hydrogen tank, the length of the hydrogen tank may have to be relatively short, which has the disadvantage of making it difficult to ensure sufficient hydrogen tank capacity.

[0006] The information contained in this background section is intended to enhance understanding of the background of the invention and may include information that is not prior art known to a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention was derived considering the above, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle hydrogen tank support system that can enhance the rigidity and strength of the vehicle by directly connecting the support frame that supports the hydrogen tank to the side sill of the vehicle, thereby improving the vehicle's collision performance and safely protecting the hydrogen tank in the event of a vehicle collision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-described objectives may include a floor, a pair of side sills attached to both edges of the floor, and a support frame attached to the floor and configured to support a hydrogen tank. The support frame may include a pair of longitudinal members and a plurality of transverse members connecting the pair of longitudinal members. At least one of the plurality of transverse members may have a pair of extensions that extend individually from both ends toward the pair of side sills. Each extension may be individually coupled to the corresponding side sill.

[0009] In this way, by connecting each extension of at least one transverse member of the support frame to the corresponding side sill, the support frame can be firmly connected to a pair of side sills, thereby allowing the hydrogen tank to be firmly supported against the vehicle body. In particular, by having at least one transverse member firmly support a pair of side sills along the width direction of the vehicle, deformation of the side sills and the vehicle body can be suppressed, and since the side sills do not strike the hydrogen tank, damage to the hydrogen tank and the valves, piping, etc. connected to it can be prevented.

[0010] Each side sill may include an inner side sill facing the interior of the vehicle and an outer side sill facing the exterior of the vehicle. Each extension may be coupled to the inner side sill.

[0011] Each extension can be connected to the inner side sill by fixing the first pipe nut to the inner side sill and screw-connecting the first mounting bolt to the first pipe nut.

[0012] Thus, by connecting the extension of at least one transverse member to the inner side sill of the side sill via mounting bolts and pipe nuts, the inner side sill can have its own strength and rigidity enhanced, and therefore the inner side sill may be in a high-strength region. On the other hand, since the outer side sill of the side sill is not directly connected to the extension of at least one transverse member, the outer side sill may be in a low-strength region. In other words, the side sill can be divided into a high-strength region and a low-strength region with respect to the first pipe nut. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the outer side sill, which is in the low-strength region of the side sill, can easily deform due to the collision energy and absorb that energy, while the inner side sill, which is in the high-strength region of the side sill, can have its deformation suppressed to the maximum extent by being connected to the extension of the front transverse member, thereby preventing damage to the hydrogen tank.

[0013] The side sill further includes a side sill reinforcement attached to its inner cavity, and at least a portion of the first pipe nut can be embedded in the side sill reinforcement.

[0014] Thus, by embedding at least a portion of the first pipe nut into the side sill reinforcement, the support rigidity of the first pipe nut can be significantly enhanced, allowing each extension of at least one lateral member to be more firmly connected to the side sill.

[0015] The floor may include a pair of floor longitudinal members attached to the bottom surface of the floor, and a plurality of floor transverse members connecting the pair of floor longitudinal members. Each floor longitudinal member may extend along the length of the vehicle, the pair of longitudinal members may be located between the pair of floor longitudinal members, and the pair of floor longitudinal members may be located between the pair of side sills.

[0016] Each of the aforementioned longitudinal members may further include a mounting bracket extending toward a corresponding floor longitudinal member, the mounting bracket of which can be coupled to the floor longitudinal member.

[0017] The mounting bracket can be connected to the floor longitudinal member by attaching the second pipe nut to the inner cavity of the floor longitudinal member and screwing the second mounting bolt to the second pipe nut.

[0018] In this way, the longitudinal members of the support frame are firmly connected to the floor longitudinal members via mounting brackets, allowing the support frame to be firmly connected to the vehicle body. This enhances the support rigidity of the hydrogen tank, as well as the rigidity and strength of the vehicle body.

[0019] The system further includes a plurality of seat slide rails mounted on the upper surface of the floor, and each of the longitudinal members can be aligned perpendicular to the seat slide rails.

[0020] The pair of vertical members can be coupled to at least one of the plurality of horizontal floor members.

[0021] The present invention further includes a third pipe nut attached to the inner cavity of at least one floor transverse member, wherein an upper bolt may pass through the seat slide rail and the threaded portion of the upper bolt may be screw-connected to the upper female thread of the third pipe nut, and a lower bolt may pass through the longitudinal member and at least one floor transverse member and the threaded portion of the lower bolt may be screw-connected to the lower female thread of the third pipe nut.

[0022] In this way, by attaching the longitudinal members to the floor together with the seat slide rails via the floor transverse members, third pipe nuts, and bolts, the support frame can be attached very firmly to the vehicle body, thereby significantly increasing the rigidity of the vehicle body.

[0023] Further include a pair of center pillars attached to both edges of the floor, and at least one of the plurality of horizontal members can be configured to align with the pair of center pillars.

[0024] The plurality of horizontal members can be configured to align individually with some of the plurality of floor horizontal members.

[0025] The hydrogen tank has a pair of mounting necks provided at both ends thereof, each vertical member has a support block for supporting each end of the hydrogen tank, and the support block can have a cavity for accommodating each mounting neck of the hydrogen tank.

[0026] The plurality of horizontal members can be connected to the pair of vertical members via a plurality of vertical members. Each vertical member can extend along the height direction of the vehicle.

[0027] Here, the plurality of horizontal members can be located under the pair of vertical members corresponding to the length of each vertical member.

[0028] The plurality of horizontal members can include a first front-side horizontal member closest to the front end of the vehicle, a second front-side horizontal member spaced rearward from the first front-side horizontal member, a first rear-side horizontal member spaced rearward from the second front-side horizontal member, and a second rear-side horizontal member spaced rearward from the first rear-side horizontal member.

[0029] The first front side horizontal member is connected to the pair of vertical members via a pair of first front side vertical members, the second front side horizontal member is connected to the pair of vertical members via a pair of second front side vertical members, the first rear side horizontal member is connected to the pair of vertical members via a pair of first rear side vertical members, and the second rear side horizontal member can be configured to be connected to the pair of vertical members via a pair of second rear side vertical members.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, by directly connecting the support frame that supports the hydrogen tank to the side sill of the vehicle, the rigidity, strength, etc. of the vehicle can be enhanced, the collision performance of the vehicle can be improved, and the hydrogen tank can be safely protected during a vehicle collision.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] It is a bottom view showing that the hydrogen tank support system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the bottom surface of the vehicle floor. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing that a hydrogen tank is attached to a support frame in the hydrogen tank support system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a view showing that the hydrogen tank in FIG. 2 is separated from the support frame. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a view shown along the line C-C in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a view shown along the line D-D in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] It is a view showing a modified embodiment of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a view according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a view according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing the underside of the vehicle body shown in Figure 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to illustrative drawings. When assigning reference numerals to the components in each drawing, it should be noted that, as far as possible, the same reference numerals will be used for the same components when they are shown in other drawings. Furthermore, in describing embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function would hinder the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such a detailed description will be omitted.

[0033] In describing the components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. Such terms are merely for distinguishing a component from other components, and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the component. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as those generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and not as an ideal or overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0034] Referring to Figure 1, a vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a floor 1 located at the bottom of the vehicle body and a support frame 10 attached to the floor 1.

[0035] Referring to Figure 1, the floor 1 may be a flat floor that is flat across the entire bottom of the vehicle. A pair of floor longitudinal members 2 can be attached to the bottom surface of the floor 1 by fasteners, welding, etc., and the pair of floor longitudinal members 2 can be spaced apart along the width direction of the vehicle, and each floor longitudinal member 2 can extend along the length direction of the vehicle. Multiple floor transverse members 4 can be attached to the bottom surface of the floor 1 by fasteners, welding, etc., and the multiple floor transverse members 4 can be spaced apart along the length direction of the vehicle, and each floor transverse member 4 can extend along the width direction of the vehicle. The ends of each floor transverse member 4 can be individually connected to a pair of floor longitudinal members 2 by fasteners, welding, etc., so that the pair of floor longitudinal members 2 and the multiple floor transverse members 4 can form a ladder frame.

[0036] Referring to Figure 1, a pair of side sills 6 can be attached to both edges of the floor 1, and each side sill 6 can extend along the length of the vehicle. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor 1, a pair of floor longitudinal members 2 can be located between the pair of side sills 6, and each floor longitudinal member 2 can be closer to the vehicle's central longitudinal axis than the corresponding side sill 6.

[0037] Referring to Figure 7, step 3 can be attached to each edge of each floor 1, and step 3 can be recessed downward from each edge of floor 1. Step 3 may have a vertical wall 3a, and the vertical wall 3a of step 3 may be fixed to each edge of floor 1 by fasteners, welding, etc. Each side sill 6 may be located below step 3, and each side sill 6 may be connected to step 3 via a connecting member 7. That is, by the side sill 6 being located below step 3, the side sill 6 may be located below floor 1. The connecting member 7 may extend vertically, and the interior wall 61a of the inner side sill 61 of each side sill 6 may be fixed to the bottom of the connecting member 7 by fasteners, welding, etc. A reinforcing member 8 may be configured to connect the connecting member 7 and the side sill 6, and the reinforcing member 8 may have a first flange 8a attached to the connecting member 7 and a second flange 8b attached to the side sill 6. The first flange 8a can extend vertically to match the connecting member 7, and the first flange 8a can be fixed to the connecting member 7 by fasteners, welding, etc. The second flange 8b can extend horizontally to match the upper wall 61b of the inner side sill 61 of the side sill 6, and the second flange 8b can be fixed to the upper wall 61b of the inner side sill 61 of the side sill 6 by fasteners, welding, etc.

[0038] The support frame 10 can be positioned beneath the floor 1, and the support frame 10 can be configured to support one or more hydrogen tanks 5. Specifically, referring to Figures 2 to 4, the support frame 10 may include a pair of longitudinal members 11 and a number of transverse members 21, 22, 23, 24 connecting the pair of longitudinal members 11. Referring to Figure 3, the hydrogen tank 5 may be cylindrical in shape extending along the width direction of the vehicle, and the hydrogen tank 5 may have a pair of mounting necks 5a provided at both ends thereof. Each mounting neck 5a may be cylindrical in shape, and the diameter of each mounting neck 5a may be smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the hydrogen tank 5.

[0039] Each longitudinal member 11 can extend along the length of the vehicle, and a pair of longitudinal members 11 can be spaced apart along the width of the vehicle. Referring to Figure 3, each longitudinal member 11 can have support blocks 16 that support each end of each hydrogen tank 5, and a plurality of support blocks 16 can be provided to each longitudinal member 11, and the plurality of support blocks 16 can be spaced apart along the length of each longitudinal member 11. Each support block 16 can project downward from the longitudinal member 11, and each support block 16 can have a cavity 16a. The mounting neck 5a of each hydrogen tank 5 can be housed in the cavity 16a of each support block 16, and in particular the cavity 16a can have a shape corresponding to the mounting neck 5a. In one example, the cavity 16a can have the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the mounting neck 5a. For example, if the support frame 10 supports three hydrogen tanks 5, each longitudinal member 11 can have three support blocks 16 to support each hydrogen tank 5.

[0040] The number of transverse members 21, 22, 23, and 24 can be one more than the number of hydrogen tanks 5. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, if the support frame 10 supports three hydrogen tanks 5, the support frame 10 can have four transverse members 21, 22, 23, and 24. Thus, each hydrogen tank 5 can be positioned between two adjacent transverse members 21, 22, 23, and 24.

[0041] Multiple transverse members 21, 22, 23, 24 can be configured to be connected to a pair of longitudinal members 11 via multiple vertical members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, each of which can extend along the height direction of the vehicle. The pair of vertical members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d can individually connect each transverse member 21, 22, 23, 24 to the pair of longitudinal members 11. Multiple transverse members 21, 22, 23, 24 can be positioned below the pair of longitudinal members 11 by a distance corresponding to the length of each vertical member 12.

[0042] At least one of the multiple transverse members 21, 22, 23, 24 may have a pair of extensions that extend symmetrically toward a pair of side sills 6.

[0043] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the multiple lateral members 21, 22, 23, 24 may include a first front lateral member 21, a second front lateral member 22, a first rear lateral member 23, and a second rear lateral member 24. The first front lateral member 21 can be closest to the front end of the vehicle, and the second front lateral member 22 can be spaced further away from the first front lateral member 21 toward the rear of the vehicle. The first rear lateral member 23 can be spaced further away from the second front lateral member 22 toward the rear of the vehicle, and the second rear lateral member 24 can be spaced further away from the first rear lateral member 23 toward the rear of the vehicle. The second rear lateral member 24 can be closest to the rear end of the vehicle.

[0044] The multiple vertical members 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d may include a pair of first front vertical members 12a connecting a first front transverse member 21 and a pair of longitudinal members 11, a pair of second front vertical members 12b connecting a second front transverse member 22 and a pair of longitudinal members 11, a pair of first rear vertical members 12c connecting a first rear transverse member 23 and a pair of longitudinal members 11, and a pair of second rear vertical members 12d connecting a second rear transverse member 24 and a pair of longitudinal members 11.

[0045] A pair of first front vertical members 12a can be spaced apart along the width direction of the vehicle by a distance corresponding to the distance between a pair of longitudinal members 11, a pair of second front vertical members 12b can be spaced apart along the width direction of the vehicle by a distance corresponding to the distance between a pair of longitudinal members 11, a pair of first rear vertical members 12c can be spaced apart along the width direction of the vehicle by a distance corresponding to the distance between a pair of longitudinal members 11, and a pair of second rear vertical members 12d can be spaced apart along the width direction of the vehicle in a manner corresponding to the distance between a pair of longitudinal members 11.

[0046] The upper end of each first front vertical member 12a can be directly fixed to the bottom surface of the corresponding longitudinal member 11 by fasteners, welding, etc., and the lower end of each first front vertical member 12a can be fixed to the upper surface of the corresponding first front transverse member 21 by fasteners, welding, etc. The first front transverse member 21 can be connected to a pair of longitudinal members 11 via a pair of first front vertical members 12a.

[0047] The upper end of each second front vertical member 12b can be directly fixed to the bottom surface of the corresponding vertical member 11 by fasteners, welding, etc., and the lower end of each second front vertical member 12b can be fixed to the upper surface of the corresponding second front transverse member 22 by fasteners, welding, etc. The second front transverse member 22 can be connected to a pair of vertical members 11 via a pair of second front vertical members 12b.

[0048] The upper end of each first rear vertical member 12c can be directly fixed to the bottom surface of the corresponding longitudinal member 11 by fasteners, welding, etc., and the lower end of each first rear vertical member 12c can be fixed to the upper surface of the corresponding first rear transverse member 23 by fasteners, welding, etc. The first rear transverse member 23 can be connected to a pair of longitudinal members 11 via a pair of first rear vertical members 12c.

[0049] The upper end of each second rear vertical member 12d can be directly fixed to the bottom surface of the corresponding longitudinal member 11 by fasteners, welding, etc., and the lower end of each second rear vertical member 12d can be fixed to the upper surface of the corresponding second rear transverse member 24 by fasteners, welding, etc. The second rear transverse member 24 can be connected to a pair of longitudinal members 11 via a pair of second rear vertical members 12d.

[0050] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the first front transverse member 21 may have a pair of first extensions 21a extending from a pair of first front vertical members 12a toward a pair of side sills 6. Referring to Figure 4, the end of each first extension 21a may be fixed to the corresponding side sill 6 by fasteners, welding, or the like.

[0051] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the second front transverse member 22 may have a pair of second extensions 22a extending from a pair of second front vertical members 12b toward a pair of side sills 6. Referring to Figure 4, the end of each second extension 22a may be fixed to the corresponding side sill 6 by fasteners, welding, or the like.

[0052] In this way, by connecting the respective extensions 21a and 22a of at least one lateral member 21 or 22 to the corresponding side sill 6, the support frame 10 can be firmly connected to the pair of side sills 6, thereby allowing the hydrogen tank 5 to be firmly supported against the vehicle body. In particular, by having at least one lateral member 21 or 22 firmly support the pair of side sills 6 along the width direction of the vehicle, deformation of the side sills 6 and the vehicle body can be suppressed, and since the side sills 6 do not strike the hydrogen tank 5, damage to the hydrogen tank 5 and the valves, piping, etc. connected to it can be prevented.

[0053] The first front lateral member 21 and the second front lateral member 22 are positioned close to the front of the vehicle, allowing them to be located directly beneath the driver's seat in the vehicle's passenger compartment. As a result, the first extension 21a of the first front lateral member 21 and the second extension 22a of the second front lateral member 22 are connected to a pair of side sills 6, significantly improving the safety of the driver's seat.

[0054] Referring to Figure 6, the multiple lateral members 21, 22, 23, and 24 can be configured to individually align with some of the multiple floor lateral members 4 along a vertical axis X. Specifically, the first front lateral member 21 can be aligned along a vertical axis X with a floor lateral member 4 located on the first front lateral member 21, the second front lateral member 22 can be aligned along a vertical axis X with a floor lateral member 4 located on the second front lateral member 22, the first rear lateral member 23 can be aligned along a vertical axis X with a floor lateral member 4 located on the first rear lateral member 23, and the second rear lateral member 24 can be aligned along a vertical axis X with a floor lateral member 4 located on the second rear lateral member 24.

[0055] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, when a fuel cell vehicle is applied to an MPV (multipurpose vehicle), the height of each side sill 6 is relatively lower than the height of the floor 1. Therefore, when a collision load is applied to the side sill 6 during a side collision of the vehicle, the side sill 6 may rotate relative to each edge of the floor 1 due to the moment. In contrast, the extensions 21a and 22a of some of the lateral members 21 and 22 of the support frame 10 are directly connected to the corresponding side sill 6, thereby stably supporting the side sill 6 along the width direction of the vehicle. This ensures that damage to the hydrogen tank 5 and the valves, piping, etc. connected to it is prevented.

[0056] Referring to Figure 3, a pair of first rear vertical members 12c can be fixed to both ends of the first rear transverse member 23, and a pair of second rear vertical members 12d can be fixed to both ends of the second rear transverse member 24.

[0057] Referring to Figure 4, the spacing between a pair of longitudinal members 11 may be relatively narrower than the spacing between a pair of floor longitudinal members 2. Thus, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the floor 1, a pair of longitudinal members 11 can be positioned between a pair of floor longitudinal members 2, and each longitudinal member 11 can be closer to the vehicle's central axis than the corresponding floor longitudinal member 2.

[0058] Referring to Figure 7, the first pipe nuts 63 can be fixedly attached to the inner cavities of each side sill 6, and mounting holes 65 can be provided at the ends of each extension 21a, 22a, and the mounting holes 65 can be aligned with the threaded holes of the first pipe nuts 63. The first mounting bolts 66 pass through the mounting holes 65 of each extension 21a, 22a and the threaded holes of the first pipe nuts 63, and the external threads of the first mounting bolts 66 are screwed into the internal threads of the first pipe nuts 63, so that the extensions 21a, 22a of each front side transverse member 21, 22 can be firmly attached to the side sill 6 via the first mounting bolts 66 and the first pipe nuts 63.

[0059] Referring to Figure 7, each side sill 6 may include an inner side sill 61 facing the interior of the vehicle and an outer side sill 62 facing the exterior of the vehicle. The inner side sill 61 and the outer side sill 62 can define the interior cavity.

[0060] The inner side sill 61 may include an interior wall 61a facing the interior of the vehicle, an upper wall 61b facing upward, and a bottom wall 61e facing downward. The interior wall 61a may extend vertically, the upper wall 61b may extend horizontally from the upper end of the interior wall 61a toward the exterior of the vehicle, and the bottom wall 61e may extend horizontally from the lower end of the interior wall 61a toward the exterior of the vehicle. The upper flange 61c may extend vertically upward from the upper wall 61b, and the lower flange 61d may extend vertically downward from the bottom wall 61e.

[0061] The outer side sill 62 may include an outer wall 62a facing outwards from the vehicle and a bottom wall 62b facing downwards. The outer wall 62a may extend vertically, and the bottom wall 62b may extend horizontally from the lower end of the outer wall 62a toward the interior of the vehicle. The upper flange 62c may extend vertically upward from the upper end of the outer wall 62a, and the lower flange 62d may extend vertically downward from the bottom wall 62b.

[0062] The lower flange 61d of the inner side sill 61 is connected to the lower flange 62d of the outer side sill 62, allowing the bottom wall 61e of the inner side sill 61 to be horizontally aligned with the bottom wall 62b of the outer side sill 62. The upper flange 61c of the inner side sill 61 is connected to the upper flange 62c of the outer side sill 62, allowing the upper wall 61b of the inner side sill 61 to be positioned above the bottom wall 61e of the inner side sill 61 and the bottom wall 62b of the outer side sill 62.

[0063] Referring to Figure 7, the first pipe nut 63 can be fixedly attached to the inner side sill 61, and the first pipe nut 63 can be fixed to the bottom wall 61e of the inner side sill 61. In particular, the first pipe nut 63 can be positioned adjacent to the lower flange 61d of the inner side sill 61. By fixing the first pipe nut 63 to the inner side sill 61 of the side sill 6, the extensions 21a and 22a of the front transverse members 21 and 22 can be coupled to the corresponding inner side sill 61 of the side sill 6 by the first mounting bolt 66 and the first pipe nut 63. In this way, by coupling the extensions 21a and 22a of the front transverse members 21 and 22 to the inner side sill 61 of the side sill 6, the inner side sill 61 can have its own strength and rigidity enhanced, and thus the inner side sill 61 may be a high-strength region a1. Furthermore, since the outer side sill 62 of the side sill 6 is not directly connected to the extensions 21a and 22a of the front lateral members 21 and 22, the outer side sill 62 may be in a low-strength region a2. In other words, the side sill 6 can be divided into a high-strength region a1 and a low-strength region a2 based on the first pipe nut 63 or the lower flange 61d of the inner side sill 61. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the outer side sill 62, which is in the low-strength region a2 of the side sill 6, can easily deform due to the collision energy and absorb that collision energy, while the inner side sill 61, which is in the high-strength region a1 of the side sill 6, can have its deformation suppressed to the maximum extent by being connected to the extensions 21a and 22a of the front lateral members 21 and 22, thereby preventing damage to the hydrogen tank 5.

[0064] Referring to Figure 8, the side sill 6 may further include a side sill reinforcement 68 attached to its inner cavity. The side sill reinforcement 68 can be fixedly attached to the inner cavity of each side sill 6 via a bracket (not shown) or the like, and the side sill reinforcement 68 can extend along the longitudinal direction of the side sill 6. For example, the side sill reinforcement 68 may be an extruded material of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. At least a portion of the first pipe nut 63 can be embedded in the side sill reinforcement 68, thereby significantly increasing the support rigidity of the first pipe nut 63, so that some of the extensions 21a, 22a of the lateral members 21, 22 can be more firmly coupled to the side sill 6.

[0065] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, each vertical member 11 may further include a mounting bracket 17 extending from each vertical member 11 toward each adjacent floor vertical member 2, and the mounting bracket 17 may be coupled to the corresponding floor vertical member 2. In one example, the mounting bracket 17 and the vertical member 11 may form a single unit.

[0066] According to embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of mounting brackets 17 can extend from each longitudinal member 11 of the support frame 10 toward each adjacent floor longitudinal member 2.

[0067] Referring to Figure 7, the mounting bracket 17 may have a mounting hole 17a, and the second pipe nut 71 may be fixedly attached to the inner cavity of the floor longitudinal member 2, and the mounting hole 17a of the mounting bracket 17 may be aligned with the threaded hole of the second pipe nut 71. The mounting bracket 17 of the longitudinal member 11 can be firmly coupled to the corresponding floor longitudinal member 2 by passing the second mounting bolt 72 through the mounting hole 17a of the mounting bracket 17 and the second pipe nut 71, and screwing the male threaded portion of the second mounting bolt 72 to the female threaded portion of the second pipe nut 71.

[0068] In this way, the support frame 10 can be firmly connected to the vehicle body by the pair of vertical members 11 being securely coupled to the pair of floor vertical members 2 via multiple mounting brackets 17. This enhances the support rigidity of the support frame 10 supporting the hydrogen tank 5, as well as the rigidity and strength of the vehicle body.

[0069] Referring to Figure 9, multiple seat slide rails 81 can be mounted on the upper surface of the floor 1, and the multiple seat slide rails 81 can be configured to guide the movement of the vehicle seats, thereby adjusting the position of the vehicle seats. Each seat slide rail 81 can extend along the length of the vehicle. A pair of longitudinal members 11 can be individually aligned with two seat slide rails 81, and each longitudinal member 11 can be aligned perpendicular to the corresponding seat slide rail 81.

[0070] A pair of vertical members 11 can be connected to at least some of the multiple horizontal floor members 4 by fasteners, welding, etc. Some of the horizontal floor members 4 may have a third pipe nut 83 fixedly attached to its inner cavity. An upper bolt 82 can pass through each seat slide rail 81, and the threaded portion of the upper bolt 82 can be screw-connected to the upper female threaded portion of the third pipe nut 83. That is, each seat slide rail 81 can be connected to some of the horizontal floor members 4 via the upper bolt 82 and the third pipe nut 83. A lower bolt 84 can pass through the vertical members 11 and the horizontal floor members 4, and the threaded portion of the lower bolt 84 can be screw-connected to the lower female threaded portion of the third pipe nut 83. That is, each vertical member 11 can be connected to some of the horizontal floor members 4 via the lower bolt 84 and the third pipe nut 83. In particular, each vertical member 11 of the support frame 10 can be aligned and connected to the corresponding seat slide rail 81 along the longitudinal axis of the third pipe nut 83.

[0071] In this way, the vertical member 11 is attached to the floor 1 together with the seat slide rail 81 via the floor transverse member 4, the third pipe nut 83, and the bolts 82 and 84, so the support frame 10 can be attached very firmly to the vehicle body, thereby significantly increasing the rigidity of the vehicle body.

[0072] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, a pair of center pillars 9 can extend from both edges of the floor 1 along the height direction of the vehicle. At least one of the multiple transverse members 21, 22, 23, 24 can be aligned with the pair of center pillars 9. Specifically, the first front transverse member 21 can be configured to align with the pair of center pillars 9, and a pair of first extensions 21a can be individually coupled to a pair of side sills 6, so that the end of each first extension 21a can be aligned with the lower end of the corresponding center pillar 9. In this way, by aligning the first front transverse member 21 with the pair of center pillars 9, the floor transverse members 4 aligned on the first front transverse member 21 can also be aligned with the pair of center pillars 9. In this way, by aligning the first front transverse member 21 with the pair of center pillars 9, the support frame 10 can form a loop structure together with the center pillars 9 of the vehicle body, thereby strengthening the rigidity of the vehicle body.

[0073] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical concept of the present invention, and a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs can make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0074] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and not to limit the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention must be interpreted in accordance with the claims described below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1: Floor 2: Floor members 3: Step 4: Members on the side of the floor 5: Hydrogen tank 5a: Mounting neck 6: Side sill 7: Linking Members 8: Reinforcement 9: Center pillar 10: Support frame 11: Vertical Members 12a: First front vertical member 12b: Second forward vertical member 12c: First rear vertical member 12d: Second rear vertical member 16: Support Block 16a: Cavity 21: First front lateral member 21a: 1st extension 22: Second front lateral member 22a: 2nd extension 23: First rear lateral member 24: Second rear lateral member 61: Inner side sill 62: Outer side sill 63: First pipe nut 66: First mounting bolt 71: Second pipe nut 72: Second mounting bolt 81: Seat slide rail 83: Third pipe nut

Claims

1. The floor and A pair of side sills attached to both edges of the floor, A support frame attached to the floor and configured to support the hydrogen tank, Includes, The support frame includes a pair of vertical members and a plurality of horizontal members connecting the pair of vertical members. At least one of the plurality of transverse members has a pair of extensions that extend individually from both ends toward the pair of side sills, Each extension is individually connected to the corresponding side sill. The system further includes a pair of floor vertical members attached to the bottom surface of the floor, and a pair of floor horizontal members connecting the pair of floor vertical members, A vehicle hydrogen tank support system in which each floor longitudinal member extends along the length of the vehicle, each longitudinal member is closer to the vehicle's central axis than the corresponding floor longitudinal member, and each floor longitudinal member is closer to the vehicle's central axis than the corresponding side sill.

2. Each side sill includes an inner side sill that faces the interior of the vehicle and an outer side sill that faces the exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 1, wherein each of the extensions is coupled to the inner side sill.

3. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 2, wherein a first pipe nut is fixed to the inner side sill of the side sill, and a first mounting bolt is screw-connected to the first pipe nut, thereby connecting each extension to the inner side sill.

4. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 3, wherein the side sill further includes a side sill reinforcing member attached to its inner cavity, and at least a portion of the first pipe nut is embedded in the side sill reinforcing member.

5. Each vertical member further includes a mounting bracket extending toward the corresponding floor vertical member. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket is coupled to the floor longitudinal member.

6. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 5, wherein the mounting bracket is connected to the floor longitudinal member by a second pipe nut being attached to the inner cavity of the floor longitudinal member and a second mounting bolt being screw-connected to the second pipe nut.

7. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of seat slide rails mounted on the upper surface of the floor, wherein each longitudinal member is aligned perpendicularly to the seat slide rails.

8. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 7, wherein the pair of vertical members are coupled to at least one of the plurality of horizontal floor members.

9. Further including a third pipe nut attached to the inner cavity of at least one of the floor transverse members, The upper bolt passes through the seat slide rail, and the threaded portion of the upper bolt is screw-connected to the upper female threaded portion of the third pipe nut. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 8, wherein the lower bolt penetrates the vertical member and the at least one floor lateral member, and the threaded portion of the lower bolt is screw-connected to the lower female threaded portion of the third pipe nut.

10. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lateral members are individually aligned with respect to some of the floor lateral members among the plurality of floor lateral members.

11. The floor further includes a pair of center pillars attached to both edges of the floor, The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of transverse members is configured to be aligned with the pair of center pillars.

12. The hydrogen tank has a pair of mounting necks provided at both ends thereof. Each vertical member has a support block that supports each end of the hydrogen tank. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 1, wherein the support block has cavities for accommodating each mounting neck of the hydrogen tank.

13. The hydrogen tank support system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of transverse members are connected to the pair of longitudinal members via a plurality of vertical members, and each vertical member extends along the height direction of the vehicle.

14. The hydrogen tank support system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lateral members include a first front lateral member closest to the front end of the vehicle, a second front lateral member spaced apart from the first front lateral member toward the rear of the vehicle, a first rear lateral member spaced apart from the second front lateral member toward the rear of the vehicle, and a second rear lateral member spaced apart from the first rear lateral member toward the rear of the vehicle.

15. The first front transverse member is connected to the pair of longitudinal members via a pair of first front vertical members. The second front transverse member is connected to the pair of longitudinal members via a pair of second front vertical members. The first rear transverse member is connected to the pair of longitudinal members via a pair of first rear vertical members. The vehicle hydrogen tank support system according to claim 14, wherein the second rear transverse member is configured to be connected to the pair of longitudinal members via a pair of second rear vertical members.

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