Work vehicles

Abstract

To provide a work vehicle which houses a heavy object, such as a tank, without losing its weight balance.SOLUTION: A work vehicle 1 according to the present invention comprises: a vehicle body 2 to which a working device 49 can be coupled; a cabin 3 accommodating a driver's seat 10 provided on the vehicle body 2; a travel device 4 for supporting the vehicle body 2 and causing the vehicle body 2 to travel; a drive device 5 for driving the travel device 4; and a tank 7 for accommodating a gas for driving the drive device 5. The tank 7 is disposed below the cabin 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a work vehicle driven using gas stored in a tank.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a tractor has a hood at a front portion of a vehicle body. An engine, a radiator, a fuel tank, a battery, and the like are housed inside the hood.

[0003] On the other hand, with the aim of realizing decarbonization, development of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) using hydrogen as fuel is progressing. The work vehicle is provided with a tank (hydrogen tank) that stores (reserves) hydrogen gas.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Even work vehicles other than fuel cell vehicles may be provided with a tank that stores (reserves) fuel. For example, a work vehicle using gas such as methane as fuel is provided with a tank that stores (reserves) fuel gas.

[0006] Among members constituting a drive device, the tank is a member having a relatively large volume and weight. Depending on the arrangement position of a heavy object such as the tank, it is desirable to consider the weight balance of the work vehicle.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a work vehicle that can house a heavy object such as a tank without disrupting the weight balance.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The technical means employed by the present invention to solve the above problems are characterized by the following points.

[0009] The work vehicle of the present invention comprises a vehicle body to which work equipment can be attached, a cabin housing a driver's seat provided in the vehicle body, a running gear that supports and moves the vehicle body, a drive gear that drives the running gear, and a tank that contains gas for driving the drive gear. The transmission case and Equipped with, The drive unit comprises a fuel cell that generates electricity from the gas in the tank, a battery that stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell, and a drive motor that is driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell. The transmission case transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor to the travel unit. The tank is located below the cabin. and is located between the cabin and the transmission case. .

[0010] The work vehicle of the present invention comprises a body to which a work device can be attached, a cabin housing a driver's seat provided in the body, a running gear that supports and moves the body, a drive unit that drives the running gear, a tank that stores gas for driving the drive unit, and a transmission case. The drive unit comprises a fuel cell that generates electricity from the gas in the tank, a battery that stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell, and a drive motor that is driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell. The transmission case transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor to the running gear. The tank is located below the cabin, and the battery is located between the cabin and the transmission case.

[0011] The work vehicle of the present invention comprises a body to which a work device can be attached, a cabin housing a driver's seat provided in the body, a running gear that supports and moves the body, a drive unit that drives the running gear, a tank that stores gas for driving the drive unit, and a transmission case. The drive unit comprises a fuel cell that generates electricity from the gas in the tank, a battery that stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell, and a drive motor that is driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell. The transmission case transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor to the running gear. The tank is located below the cabin, and the fuel cell is located between the cabin and the transmission case.

[0012] The battery may be located below the cabin together with the tank. The fuel cell may be located below the cabin together with the tank.

[0013] Multiple tanks are arranged in a line along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the multiple tanks may be formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction of the vehicle body.

[0014] Multiple tanks are arranged in a line along the width direction of the vehicle body, and the multiple tanks may be formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

[0015] The drive unit includes a valve unit that adjusts the flow rate of the gas supplied from the plurality of tanks to the fuel cell, and the valve unit may be located to the side of the plurality of tanks and below the cabin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the work vehicle of the present invention, heavy objects such as tanks can be accommodated without disrupting the weight balance. [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the work vehicle according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a front view of the work vehicle according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 is a left side view of the work vehicle according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a plan view of the work vehicle according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 5 is a block diagram of a driving device provided in the work vehicle according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a view showing a tank unit in which tanks are arranged in the width direction. [Figure 7] 7 is an exploded view of the tank unit in Fig. 6. [Figure 8] 8 is an exploded view of a tank unit in which tanks are arranged in the front-rear direction [Figure 9] 9 is a view showing a tank unit fixed to a transmission case, wherein (a) shows a tank unit including a plurality of tanks in the vehicle body width direction, (b) shows a tank unit including a tank and a fuel cell stack, and (c) shows a tank unit including a tank, a fuel cell stack, and a battery. [MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION]

[0021] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the work vehicle 1 according to the present invention will be described.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor, which is an example of the work vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment. The work vehicle 1 of the present embodiment is a vehicle in which a tank 7 for storing gas for driving a driving device 5 is disposed in a hood 9. Examples of a vehicle including such a tank 7 include a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) that stores hydrogen gas, which is a fuel for electrode reaction, in the tank 7. The work vehicle 1 of the present embodiment is also such a fuel cell vehicle.

[0023] Furthermore, since fuel cell vehicles may use methane or other substances as fuel in addition to hydrogen, fuel cell vehicles that store methane or other substances in a tank 7 are also included in the work vehicle 1 of the present invention. In addition, vehicles that store hydrogen, methane, or natural gas, petroleum gas, biomass gas, etc., mainly composed of methane in a tank 7 and drive an internal combustion engine (such as a diesel engine) using the gas stored in the tank 7 as fuel are also included in the work vehicle 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a tractor is given as an example of the work vehicle 1. However, the work vehicle 1 according to the present invention is not limited to a tractor, and may be, for example, agricultural machinery other than a tractor (such as a combine harvester or rice transplanter), construction machinery, utility vehicle, etc.

[0025] In the following explanation, the direction indicated by arrow A1 in Figure 3 (the forward direction of work vehicle 1) will be referred to as the front, the direction indicated by arrow A2 (the reverse direction of work vehicle 1) will be referred to as the rear, and the direction indicated by arrow A3 will be referred to as the front-rear direction. Directions A1 to A3 are also shown in drawings other than Figure 3 as appropriate.

[0026] Furthermore, the horizontal direction (left-right direction), which is perpendicular to the front-rear direction A3, will be described as the vehicle width direction K1 or width direction (see Figures 2 and 4). The vehicle width direction K1 is the width direction of the work vehicle 1. The direction from the center of the width direction of the work vehicle 1 to the right, or from the center to the left, will be described as the outward direction of the vehicle width direction K1 (outward in the width direction). In other words, the outward direction is the direction away from the center of the width direction of the work vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction K1. The direction opposite to the outward direction in the width direction will be described as the inward direction of the width direction K1 (inward in the width direction). In other words, the inward direction is the direction approaching the center of the width direction of the work vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction K1.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the work vehicle 1 comprises a body 2, a cabin 3 housing a driver's seat 10 provided in the body 2, a running gear 4 that supports and moves the body 2, and a drive unit 5 that drives the running gear 4. Figure 5 is a block diagram of the drive unit 5 provided in the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment. Note that the drive unit 5 provided in the work vehicle 1 of the present invention is not limited to the example shown in Figure 2. The number of drive motors 6 and the like built into the drive unit 5 can be changed as appropriate.

[0028] The fuel cell (fuel cell stack 8) used in the drive unit 5 of this embodiment is fuel Electricity is generated by an electrode reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen supplied as fuel to the fuel cell is absorbed or stored in tank 7. The drive unit 5 is equipped with a fuel cell stack 8 in which electrodes are stacked in multiple layers. Hydrogen gas from tank 7 is supplied to the fuel cell stack 8, and the electrode reaction takes place within the fuel cell stack 8. The drive unit 5 of the present invention is structured to drive the drive motor 6 using the electricity extracted by the electrode reaction in the fuel cell stack 8. The electrode reaction in the fuel cell stack 8 does not emit carbon dioxide, which is inevitably emitted in combustion reactions of internal combustion engines. Therefore, the work vehicle 1 of the present invention, which is driven using electricity generated by a fuel cell, is promising for achieving decarbonization.

[0029] Next, we will first describe the configuration of the work vehicle 1 other than the drive unit 5.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, running gear 4 is provided at both ends of the vehicle body 2 in the width direction. A drive unit 5 is provided on the upper part of the vehicle body 2. A cabin 3 is mounted on the upper rear of the vehicle body 2, and a bonnet 9 is provided on the upper front of the vehicle body 2. In other words, the vehicle body 2 in this embodiment is a member that supports the running gear 4, the drive unit 5, and the cabin 3, etc. Specifically, a transmission case 29 that transmits power from the drive unit 5 to the running gear 4 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The front part of the vehicle body 2 is formed to exhibit high rigidity by combining metal frame materials and the like.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the cabin 3 is a box-shaped structure mounted on the upper rear of the vehicle body 2, and a driver's seat 10 is located inside. The cabin 3 has front, rear, left, and right panels, and pillars positioned between adjacent panels. Specifically, the cabin 3 includes a front panel 11 positioned in front of the driver's seat 10, door panels 12L and 12R positioned to the left and right of the driver's seat 10, respectively, and a rear panel 13 positioned behind the driver's seat 10.

[0032] Furthermore, cabin 3 includes a left front pillar 14, a right front pillar 15, a left rear pillar 16, and a right rear pillar. The left front pillar 14 is located between the front panel 11 and the left door panel 12L. The right front pillar 15 is located between the front panel 11 and the right door panel 12R. The left rear pillar 16 is located between the rear panel 13 and the left door panel 12L. The right rear pillar is located between the rear panel 13 and the right door panel.

[0033] The running gear 4 supports the vehicle body 2 against the road surface (ground) and allows it to move. In other words, the running gear 4 provides propulsion to the vehicle body 2. In this embodiment, the running gear 4 consists of front wheels 18L, 18R and rear wheels 19L, 19R made of rubber or the like. The rear wheels 19L, 19R are made of larger diameter rubber than the front wheels 18L, 18R, and are capable of supporting a large load applied to the rear of the vehicle body 2. In the running gear 4 of this embodiment, power is transmitted from the drive unit 5 to either the front wheels 18L, 18R or the rear wheels 19L, 19R, or to both the front wheels 18L, 18R and the rear wheels 19L, 19R. Note that crawlers or the like may be used instead of rubber tires in the running gear 4.

[0034] Next, the drive unit 5 will be described. The drive unit 5 generates the power to drive the traction unit 4. In the present invention, the drive unit 5 uses electricity generated by a fuel cell. Specifically, the drive unit 5 includes a drive motor 6 that generates the power to drive the traction unit 4, a fuel cell stack 8 that supplies power to the drive motor 6, and a battery 20 that stores the electricity supplied from the fuel cell stack 8. The work vehicle 1 is also provided with a tank 7 that supplies hydrogen gas as fuel to the fuel cell stack 8.

[0035] The drive motor 6, battery 20, and tank 7, which constitute the drive unit 5, will be described below.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the fuel cell stack 8 has multiple single cells, each equipped with two types of electrodes, a positive electrode and a negative electrode, stacked inside a box-shaped battery casing 21.

[0037] Specifically, the positive electrode and negative electrode are formed in sheet or film form using positive electrode material and negative electrode material, respectively. Each single cell contains one positive electrode and one negative electrode, and adjacent single cells are separated by separators. Hydrogen gas from tank 7 is supplied to the positive electrode, and the negative electrode Compressed oxygen gas (oxidizing gas) from a compressor or similar device is supplied to the cells, and a battery reaction (power generation) takes place in each individual cell. The fuel cell stack 8 aggregates the power generated in each individual cell to generate power with a voltage and current sufficient to drive the drive unit 5.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the fuel cell stack 8 is supplied with a coolant for adjusting the electrode temperature, allowing the temperature of the electrodes inside to be adjusted to a temperature that maximizes power generation efficiency (approximately 70°C in the case of a hydrogen fuel cell). The coolant circulates between the inside of the fuel cell stack 8 and a radiator (first radiator 22) located at the front of the vehicle body 2, and the temperature inside the fuel cell stack 8 can be adjusted by controlling the flow rate using pumps and valves (not shown).

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in this embodiment, the fuel cell stack 8 is housed inside a bonnet 9 located on the upper front of the vehicle body 2. Hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 8 from a tank 7 through a gas pipe 23. Behind the fuel cell stack 8 inside the bonnet 9, a first radiator 22 is provided to cool the coolant used for electrode temperature adjustment.

[0040] In this embodiment, the work vehicle 1 also has a radiator located in front of the fuel cell stack 8 inside the bonnet 9. This radiator, located in front of the fuel cell stack 8, is separate from the first radiator 22 located at the rear and is called the second radiator 24. In this embodiment, the second radiator 24 is not used for electrode temperature adjustment, but rather for cooling other components besides the fuel cell stack 8 (for example, the air conditioning system 28 that cools the interior of the cabin 3).

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, a boost circuit 25 is provided downstream of the drive motor 6 (downstream in the power transmission path) to boost the power generated by the fuel cell stack 8. This allows the boost circuit 25 to boost the power generated by the fuel cell stack 8, thereby securing the voltage necessary to start the drive motor 6.

[0042] The boost circuit 25 is equipped with a circuit that boosts the power generated by the fuel cell stack 8, and the boosted power is sent to the drive motor 6 to drive the drive motor 6. Some electrical components used in the work vehicle 1 operate at even lower voltages than the drive motor 6. For such low-voltage electrical components (low-voltage electrical components), power is supplied that has been stepped down by a step-down circuit including the first DC-DC converter 26 and the second DC-DC converter 27. In this embodiment, examples of low-voltage electrical components include the radiators (first radiator 22 and / or second radiator 24), the battery 20, and the air conditioning system 28.

[0043] Battery 20 stores electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 8. Power stepped down by the first DC-DC converter 26 is supplied to battery 20 and the air conditioning unit 28, and power stepped down by the second DC-DC converter 27 is supplied to the radiator.

[0044] In the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the battery 20 is housed in a case and positioned between the right front tire 18R and the right rear tire 19R (to the right of the center of the vehicle body 2 in the longitudinal direction), together with the first DC-DC converter 26 and the second DC-DC converter 27. The air conditioning unit 28 is positioned below the driver's seat 10 in the cabin 3. The installation locations of the battery 20 and the air conditioning unit 28 are not limited to the example of this embodiment.

[0045] The drive motor 6 is, for example, a permanent magnet embedded DC or AC synchronous motor or a wound-field synchronous motor. One drive motor 6 is located at the rear of the fuel cell stack 8. The drive motor 6 has an output shaft 6a that extends towards the rear, and it rotates the output shaft 6a. The rear end of the output shaft 6a is connected to the transmission case 29.

[0046] The transmission case 29 is equipped with a transmission, clutch, differential gear, etc., which changes the speed of the power transmitted to the output shaft 6a. The transmission case 29 reduces or increases the speed of the power input from the output shaft 6a and outputs the reduced or increased speed to the front wheels 18L, 18R and / or rear wheels 19L, 19R of the running gear 4. For example, the power output to the running gear 4 is the rear wheels if the work vehicle 1 is rear-wheel drive. The power is transmitted only to the 19L and 19R tires, and in the case of four-wheel drive, it is transmitted to both the front 18L and 18R tires and the rear 19L and 19R tires.

[0047] In this embodiment, the drive motor 6 is located in only one place on the upper part of the vehicle body 2, and the power generated by this single drive motor 6 is distributed to the front wheels 18L, 18R and / or the rear wheels 19L, 19R. However, the number of drive motors 6 installed in the drive device 5 of the present invention may be changed as appropriate.

[0048] In the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the transmission case 29 not only transmits the decelerated or accelerated power to the running gear 4, but also transmits a portion of the power to the work device 49. Specifically, a PTO shaft 30 (power take-off shaft) is provided at the rear of the work vehicle 1 (the rear end of the transmission case 29), and the power transmitted (input) to the transmission case 29 is output not only to the running gear 4 but also to the PTO shaft 30. In this way, it becomes possible to operate the work device 49 (implement) using electricity generated by the fuel cell.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear of the work vehicle 1 (the rear end of the transmission case 29) is provided not only with the PTO shaft 30 but also with a coupling device (three-point linkage mechanism). By providing such a three-point linkage mechanism, it becomes possible to attach various implements (working devices 49) to the rear of the work vehicle 1, change its posture, and drive them, allowing the work vehicle 1 to perform a variety of tasks. The working devices 49 are implements such as tillers, rotary tillers, mulchers, hammer knife mowers, ridge makers, transporters, seeders, harrows, or ridging machines.

[0050] It should be noted that the PTO shaft 30 and the three-point linkage mechanism mentioned above are not always installed. In agricultural machinery such as combine harvesters and rice transplanters, or in construction machinery such as work vehicles 1, they may not be installed. In addition, a hydraulic pump driven by the power output of the drive motor 6, or a separate electric motor, may be provided in addition to the drive motor 6, and the work device 49 (implement) may be operated hydraulically or electrically.

[0051] The tank 7 is positioned below the cabin 3 as a tank unit 31 containing the tank 7. The tank unit 31 is located between the transmission case 29 and the cabin 3. The tank unit 31 includes a tank casing 32 capable of housing multiple tanks 7. In this embodiment, the tank casing 32 houses four tanks 7. The upper part of the tank unit 31 is provided with brackets 42 that elastically support the lower ends of the left front pillar 14, right front pillar 15, left rear pillar 16, and right rear pillar, which are located on the cabin 3. The tank unit 31 also has a gas pipe 23 for guiding the hydrogen gas from the tanks 7, provided for each tank 7. At the end of the gas pipe 23 is a valve unit 33 that mixes the hydrogen gas introduced through the gas pipe 23, adjusts it to a predetermined flow rate, and then sends it to the fuel cell stack 8.

[0052] Next, the tank 7, tank casing 32, bracket 42, gas piping 23, and valve unit 33 of the tank unit 31 will be described.

[0053] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the tank 7 is a long, cylindrical cylinder made of a rigid synthetic resin reinforced with carbon fiber or glass fiber. In this embodiment, all four tanks 7 (cylinders) are arranged so that their axes face forward and backward, and are housed in the tank casing 32 in a row in the width direction.

[0054] A neck 7a is formed at the front end of the tank 7. A gas pipe 23 is connected to the neck 7a of the tank 7 via a safety valve (solenoid valve) (not shown).

[0055] The tank casing 32 can accommodate multiple tanks 7 and is fixed to the transmission case 29 by fastening members such as bolts or by welding. As shown in Figure 9, the tank casing 32 is fixed to the upper part of the transmission case 29. In this embodiment, the tank casing 32 is fixed in contact with the upper surface of the transmission case 29. However, the tank casing 32 may be fixed with a space formed between it and the upper surface of the transmission case 29.

[0056] The tank casing 32 is formed to be larger than the tank 7 described above and accommodates multiple tanks 7. The tank casing 32 of this embodiment is designed to keep the tank 7 thermally cool from the outside. Furthermore, it is formed in a box shape with an upward opening, using thick steel materials that can be physically protected.

[0057] Specifically, the tank casing 32 of this embodiment has a bottom portion 34 formed in the shape of a rectangular plate that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the width direction of the vehicle body, a front wall portion 35 formed upright along the vertical direction on the front edge of the bottom portion 34, a left wall portion 36 formed upright along the vertical direction on the left edge of the bottom portion 34, a rear wall portion 37 formed upright along the vertical direction on the rear edge of the bottom portion 34, and a right wall portion 38 formed upright along the vertical direction on the right edge of the bottom portion 34. The bottom portion 34 of the tank casing 32 is fixed to the upper part of the transmission case 29 by fastening with bolts or by welding or other means. In the embodiment described above, the lower part of the tank casing 32 was fixed to the upper part of the transmission case 29 (see Figure 9), but it may also be fixed directly to a structure other than the transmission case 29, for example, to the vehicle body 2.

[0058] The upper edges of the front wall 35 and rear wall 37 of the tank casing 32 have notches 39 that are recessed in an arc shape downwards. Four notches 39 are formed in each of the front wall 35 and rear wall 37, corresponding to the number of tanks 7 that can be accommodated. One tank 7 is accommodated in each notch 39 by fitting the neck 7a into the recessed portion of the notch 39. By fitting the neck 7a into the recessed portion of the notch 39, the tank casing 32 accommodates the tank 7 in a way that prevents lateral swaying of the tank 7.

[0059] A front beam member 40 and a rear beam member 41 are positioned on the upper part of the tank casing 32. Both the front beam member 40 and the rear beam member 41 are elongated rod-shaped members and are positioned to extend in the vehicle width direction. The front beam member 40 connects the front upper end of the left wall section 36 and the front upper end of the right wall section 38 in the vehicle width direction. The front beam member 40 is also positioned above the front of the tank 7 housed in the tank casing 32, and together with the front wall section 35, it supports the front of the tank 7 to prevent it from swaying vertically.

[0060] The rear beam member 41 connects the rear upper end of the left wall section 36 and the rear upper end of the right wall section 38 in the vehicle width direction. The rear beam member 41 is also located above the rear of the tank 7 housed in the tank casing 32, and together with the rear wall section 37, it supports the rear of the tank 7 to prevent it from swaying vertically.

[0061] The rear beam member 41 is formed to be approximately the same width as the tank casing 32 along the vehicle body width direction, but the front beam member 40 is formed to be longer than the tank casing 32 along the vehicle body width direction, and the left and right ends of the front beam member 40 are formed to protrude outward in the width direction from the tank casing 32. Brackets 42 are provided on the upper parts of the left and right ends of the front beam member 40 that protrude outward in the width direction from the tank casing 32.

[0062] In this embodiment, the tank casing 32 is formed in a box shape, but the tank casing 32 of the present invention may also use shelves or racks capable of accommodating the tank 7. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example was given in which notches 39 are formed in both the front wall portion 35 and the rear wall portion 37 of the tank casing 32, but the notches 39 may be formed in only one of the front wall portion 35 or the rear wall portion 37 (the side on which the neck 7a of the tank 7 is provided).

[0063] The bracket 42 is a member that supports the lower end of the cabin 3 to the vehicle body 2. Specifically, the bracket 42 supports the lower ends of the front pillars 14, 15 and the rear pillars 16, 17, which are located on the left and right sides of the cabin 3. The bracket 42 has a bracket body 43 that fits with the lower ends of the front pillars 14, 15 and the rear pillars 16, 17, and a mounting member 44 that elastically supports the lower ends of the front pillars 14, 15 and the rear pillars 16, 17 with respect to the bracket body 43.

[0064] The bracket body 43 is formed by bending a metal plate or the like so that it is roughly U-shaped when viewed from the front or rear. Specifically, the bracket body 43 has a left projection 45 and a right projection 46 that protrude upward and are spaced apart in the left-right direction, and a connecting piece 47 that connects the lower ends of the left projection 45 and the right projection 46 in the vehicle width direction (see Figures 6 and 7). By forming the left projection 45 and the right projection 46 to protrude upward, the lower ends of the front pillars 14, 15 and the rear pillars 16, 17 are positioned to the left Movement to the right is suppressed, and the cabin 3 can be firmly fixed with the bracket 42.

[0065] The mounting member 44 is a plate-shaped member made of an elastic material such as rubber, and is positioned on the connecting piece 47 of the bracket body 43. The mounting member 44 elastically supports the lower ends of the front pillars 14, 15 and the rear pillars 16, 17 by contacting them.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the gas piping 23 is installed at each of the multiple tanks 7, and guides the hydrogen gas from each tank 7 to the valve unit 33. The gas piping 23 uses composite material hoses that combine a synthetic resin capable of preventing hydrogen gas permeation with flexible metal wires.

[0067] The valve unit 33 collects hydrogen gas sent from each tank 7 through the gas piping 23 and mixes it as needed. The valve unit 33 is equipped with solenoid valves that can adjust the pressure and flow rate of the hydrogen gas, and adjusts the pressure and flow rate of the hydrogen gas to a level suitable for generating electricity in the fuel cell stack 8 before sending the hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack 8.

[0068] The valve unit 33 is preferably positioned to the side of the multiple tanks 7 and below the cabin 3. By installing the valve unit 33 to the side of the multiple tanks 7, the height of the tanks 7 and the valve unit 33 become approximately equal, and the valve unit 33 can be installed at a closer distance from the tanks 7 because there is no difference in vertical height between them. As a result, the length of the gas piping 23 can be shortened.

[0069] Furthermore, by setting the installation position of the valve unit 33 below the cabin 3, the gas piping 23 can be routed using the space formed between the cabin 3 and the vehicle body 2. This allows the gas piping 23 to be routed without physical interference with other components, increasing the design flexibility of the equipment layout. The valve unit 33 may also be installed in the tank unit 31 (tank casing 32).

[0070] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the tank 7 (tank unit 31) is located below the cabin 3. The tank 7 (tank unit 31) is a relatively heavy component among the components that make up the drive unit 5 of the work vehicle 1 described above. Therefore, by placing such a heavy component below the cabin 3, i.e., at the bottom of the work vehicle 1, the center of gravity of the entire work vehicle 1 can be lowered. It is preferable to place it at the bottom of the work vehicle 1.

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the tank 7 (tank unit 31) is located on top of the transmission case 29. In other words, the space above the transmission case 29, specifically the vertical space between the transmission case 29 and the cabin 3, forms the housing 48 that accommodates the tank unit 31.

[0072] In other words, in the work vehicle 1 of the present invention, the tank unit 31 is positioned on top of the transmission case 29, and the cabin 3 is positioned on top of this tank unit 31. The transmission case 29 is also relatively heavy, similar to the tank unit 31. In other words, by concentrating the relatively heavy components (tank unit 31) and the transmission case 29 below the cabin 3, the center of gravity of the work vehicle 1 can be lowered more effectively.

[0073] As shown by the dashed lines in Figures 2 and 3, the storage compartment 48 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction. The storage compartment 48 is located in the center of the vehicle body in the width direction.

[0074] The left rear tire 19L is located on one side (left side) of the storage compartment 48 in the vehicle width direction, and the right rear tire 19R is located on the other side (right side). As a result, at least a portion of both sides of the tank unit 31 is shielded (blocked) from the outside in the vehicle width direction by the rear tires 19L and 19R. In other words, the rear tires 19L and 19R form a wall that protects the tank unit 31. This prevents damage to both sides of the tank unit 31 from contact with the outside.

[0075] The length L1 of the storage section 48 in the vehicle width direction is less than or equal to the length L2 from the left rear tire 19L to the right rear tire 19R. In other words, the tank unit 31 is positioned between the left rear tire 19L and the right rear tire 19R in a front view. In this embodiment, the left rear tire Because the right edge of the left front tire 18L is located further to the left than the right edge of the 19L, and the left edge of the right front tire 18R is located further to the right than the right edge of the right rear tire 19R, the tank unit 31 is positioned between the left front tire 18L and the right front tire 18R in a front view. As a result, the tank unit 31 is located within the range connecting the contact surfaces of the front tires 18L and 18R and the rear tires 19L and 19R, thereby improving weight balance.

[0076] Furthermore, the length L1 of the storage compartment 48 in the vehicle width direction is less than or equal to the length L3 of the cabin 3 in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the tank unit 31 is positioned between one end (left end) and the other end (right end) of the cabin 3 in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front.

[0077] Furthermore, the front end of the storage compartment 48 is located at the rear of the bonnet 9, between the axles of the front tires 18L and 18R and the axles of the rear tires 19L and 19R. The rear end of the storage compartment 48 is located behind the axles of the rear tires 19L and 19R. In other words, in a side view, the tank unit 31 has its front end located between the axles of the front tires 18L and 18R and the axles of the rear tires 19L and 19R, and its rear end located behind the axles of the rear tires 19L and 19R. This allows for a more effective lowering of the center of gravity of the work vehicle 1 and an increase in the traction of the rear tires 19L and 19R.

[0078] Furthermore, the upper end of the storage section 48 is located below the upper ends of the rear tires 19L and 19R, and the tank unit 31 is positioned below the upper ends of the rear tires 19L and 19R.

[0079] Next, the following arrangement examples can be considered for deploying the tank unit 31 to the aforementioned storage section 48.

[0080] The first example of the arrangement is shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0081] In the arrangement examples shown in Figures 6 and 7, multiple tanks 7 are arranged in a line along the width direction of the vehicle body 2. In the illustrated example, four tanks 7 are arranged along the width direction of the vehicle body 2. These four (or more) tanks 7 are formed in a cylindrical shape (cylindrical in the illustrated example) that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 2. With this arrangement, multiple tanks 7 can be concentrated in the storage area 48 between the vehicle body 2 and the cabin 3, arranged in a line along the width direction. As a result, heavy objects, including at least the tanks 7, can be placed in the limited space above the transmission case 29 (below the cabin 3), thus suppressing a decrease in the weight balance of the work vehicle 1.

[0082] The second example of the arrangement is shown in Figure 8.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, multiple tanks 7 are arranged in a line along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 2. In the illustrated example, six tanks 7 are arranged along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 2. These six (or more) tanks 7 are formed in a cylindrical shape (cylindrical in the illustrated example) that extends in the width direction of the vehicle body 2. Even with this arrangement, multiple tanks 7 can be concentrated in the space between the vehicle body 2 and the cabin 3, arranged in a line along the front-rear direction. As a result, heavy objects, including at least the tanks 7, can be placed in the limited space above the transmission case 29 (below the cabin 3), thus suppressing a decrease in the weight balance of the work vehicle 1, as in the cases of Figures 6 and 7.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, when accommodating multiple tanks 7 in a line along the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body 2, instead of using two long beam members in the width direction at the front and rear, a front beam member 40 (comb-shaped) that extends rearward so that a portion of its rear end follows the left wall 36 and right wall 38 of the tank casing 32 may be used.

[0085] Furthermore, the shape, dimensions, capacity, and material of the tank 7 (hydrogen cylinder) are not limited to those shown in the illustration. They can be appropriately modified to suit the size and specifications of the storage section 48 and the work vehicle 1, in other words, to suit the space formed between the cabin 3 and the vehicle body 2.

[0086] The aforementioned heavy components may include, in addition to the tank 7, the battery 20 and / or the fuel cell stack 8. While the tank 7 is the heaviest component, the battery 20 and fuel cell stack 8 are the next heaviest. Furthermore, as fuel consumption progresses, the difference between the weight of the battery 20 and fuel cell stack 8 and the weight of the tank 7 decreases, so it is preferable to position the battery 20 and / or fuel cell stack 8 close to the tank 7.

[0087] For example, a tank unit in which a battery 20 or fuel cell stack 8 is placed near the tank 7 Examples of the drive unit 31 (drive unit 5) include those shown in Figures 9(a) to 9(c).

[0088] In the tank unit 31 (drive unit 5) shown in Figure 9(a), heavy components including only the tank 7 are arranged in the limited space below the cabin 3. This arrangement of heavy components allows multiple tanks 7 to be arranged horizontally and concentrated in the space between the vehicle body 2 and the cabin 3, thereby suppressing a decrease in the weight balance of the work vehicle 1.

[0089] In the tank unit 31 (drive unit 5) shown in Figure 9(b), a total of six tanks 7 are housed in the space below the cabin 3, with three tanks stacked in the front-to-back direction and two tanks stacked in the up-to-down direction. A fuel cell stack 8 is also provided behind the tanks 7. In other words, the heavy components of the work vehicle 1 shown in Figure 9(b) include the fuel cell stack 8 in addition to the tanks 7.

[0090] In the tank unit 31 (drive unit 5) shown in Figure 9(c), a total of six tanks 7 are housed in the space below the cabin 3, similar to the case in Figure 9(b). The difference between the tank unit 31 shown in Figure 9(c) and that in Figure 9(b) is that a fuel cell stack 8 and a battery 20 are located behind the tanks 7. In other words, the heavy components of the work vehicle 1 shown in Figure 9(c) include the fuel cell stack 8 and the battery 20 in addition to the tanks 7.

[0091] The arrangement of heavy objects shown in Figures 9(b) and 9(c) can be used when the work vehicle 1 itself is large and there is ample space between the body 2 and the cabin 3. Even with this arrangement of heavy objects, multiple tanks 7 can be concentrated and arranged horizontally in the space between the body 2 and the cabin 3, thereby suppressing a decrease in the weight balance of the work vehicle 1.

[0092] The work vehicle 1 of the present invention comprises a body 2 to which a work device 49 can be connected, a cabin 3 that houses a driver's seat 10 provided in the body 2, a running gear 4 that supports and moves the body 2, a drive unit 5 that drives the running gear 4, and a tank 7 that contains gas for driving the drive unit 5, with the tank 7 located below the cabin 3. The drive motor 6 and transmission case 29 are located below the cabin 3, and it is highly likely that the center of gravity of the work vehicle 1 is located there. Therefore, by locating the tank 7 below the cabin 3, it becomes possible to place the heavy tank 7 in a location close to the center of gravity of the work vehicle 1, and even when the tank 7 is located inside the vehicle, a decrease in the weight balance of the work vehicle 1 can be suppressed.

[0093] The drive unit 5 preferably includes a fuel cell (fuel cell stack) 8 that generates electricity from the gas in the tank 7, a battery 20 that stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell 8, and a drive motor 6 that is driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell 8.

[0094] The configuration, which places a heavy tank 7 below the cabin 3 to suppress a decrease in weight balance, can be suitably used in a fuel cell vehicle having a drive system 5 that includes a fuel cell 8 that generates electricity from the gas in the tank 7, a battery 20 that stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell 8, and a drive motor 6 that is driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell 8. Since a heavy hydrogen tank filled with hydrogen is used in a fuel cell vehicle, the configuration that suppresses a decrease in weight balance is effective in a fuel cell type work vehicle 1 (fuel cell vehicle).

[0095] In the work vehicle 1 of the present invention, the battery 20 is located below the cabin 3 together with the tank 7.

[0096] Furthermore, in the work vehicle 1 of the present invention, the fuel cell 8 is located below the cabin 3 together with the tank 7.

[0097] With such a work vehicle 1, in addition to the tank 7, it becomes possible to place the heavy battery 20 and fuel cell 8 closer to the center of gravity of the work vehicle 1, thereby more reliably suppressing the decrease in the weight balance of the work vehicle 1.

[0098] In the work vehicle 1 of the present invention, multiple tanks 7 are arranged in a line along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 2, and the multiple tanks 7 are formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in the width direction of the vehicle body 2.

[0099] Furthermore, in the work vehicle 1 of the present invention, multiple tanks 7 are arranged in a line along the width direction of the vehicle body 2, and the multiple tanks 7 are formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 2.

[0100] With such a work vehicle 1, it becomes possible to efficiently deploy multiple tanks 7 in a location close to the center of gravity of the work vehicle 1, thereby improving the weight balance of the work vehicle 1.

[0101] The work vehicle 1 of the present invention includes a drive unit 5 equipped with a valve unit 33 that adjusts the flow rate of gas supplied from the plurality of tanks 7 to the fuel cell 8, and the valve unit 33 is located to the side of the plurality of tanks 7 and below the cabin 3.

[0102] With such a work vehicle 1, the height of the tank 7 and the valve unit 33 are almost equal, and because there is no difference in height in the vertical direction, it is possible to install the valve unit 33 at a closer distance from the tank 7, making it possible to shorten the length of the gas piping 23. In addition, if the installation position of the valve unit 33 is set below the cabin 3, the gas piping 23 can be arranged using the space formed between the cabin 3 and the vehicle body 2, so the gas piping 23 can be arranged without physical interference with other components, and the design flexibility of the equipment layout is greatly increased.

[0103] The work vehicle 1 of the present invention is equipped with a transmission case 29 that transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor 6 to the travel device 4, and the tank 7 is positioned between the cabin 3 and the transmission case 29.

[0104] Furthermore, the work vehicle 1 of the present invention is equipped with a transmission case 29 that transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor 6 to the travel device 4, and the battery 20 is located between the cabin 3 and the transmission case 29.

[0105] Furthermore, the work vehicle 1 of the present invention is equipped with a transmission case 29 that transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor 6 to the travel device 4, and the fuel cell 8 is positioned between the cabin 3 and the transmission case 29.

[0106] In a work vehicle 1 like this, the tank 7, battery 20, fuel cell 8, etc. are mounted on top of the transmission case 29, which is the heaviest part of the drive unit 5, thus allowing for a good weight balance of the work vehicle 1.

[0107] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1. Work vehicles 2 car bodies 3 Cabins 4. Traveling device 5. Drive unit 6. Drive motor 6a Output shaft of the drive motor 7 tanks 8. Fuel cell stack (fuel cell) 10. Driver's seat 20 batteries 29 Mission Case 33 Valve Unit 48 Storage Units 49 Working equipment

Claims

1. A vehicle body to which work equipment can be attached, A cabin housing a driver's seat is provided in the vehicle body, A running device that supports and moves the aforementioned vehicle body, A drive unit that drives the aforementioned traveling device, A tank for containing gas to drive the aforementioned drive device, The transmission case and Equipped with, The drive unit comprises a fuel cell that generates electricity using the gas in the tank, a battery that stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell, and a drive motor that is driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell. The aforementioned transmission case transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor to the travel device. The tank is a work vehicle positioned below the cabin and between the cabin and the transmission case.

2. A vehicle body to which work equipment can be attached, A cabin housing a driver's seat is provided in the vehicle body, A running device that supports and moves the aforementioned vehicle body, A drive unit that drives the aforementioned traveling device, A tank for containing gas to drive the aforementioned drive device, The transmission case and Equipped with, The drive unit comprises a fuel cell that generates electricity using the gas in the tank, a battery that stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell, and a drive motor that is driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell. The aforementioned transmission case transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor to the travel device. The aforementioned tank is located below the cabin, The aforementioned battery is a work vehicle positioned between the cabin and the transmission case.

3. A vehicle body to which work equipment can be attached, A cabin housing a driver's seat is provided in the vehicle body, A running device that supports and moves the aforementioned vehicle body, A drive unit that drives the aforementioned traveling device, A tank for containing gas to drive the aforementioned drive device, The transmission case and Equipped with, The drive unit comprises a fuel cell that generates electricity using the gas in the tank, a battery that stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell, and a drive motor that is driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell. The aforementioned transmission case transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor to the travel device. The aforementioned tank is located below the cabin, The fuel cell is a work vehicle positioned between the cabin and the mission case.

4. The work vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery is located below the cabin together with the tank.

5. The work vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fuel cell is disposed below the cabin together with the tank.

6. Multiple tanks are arranged in a line along the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body. The work vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of tanks are formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction of the vehicle body.

7. Multiple tanks are arranged in a line along the width direction of the vehicle body. The work vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of tanks are formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

8. The drive device includes a valve unit that adjusts the flow rate of the gas supplied from a plurality of tanks to the fuel cell. The work vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the valve unit is located to the side of the plurality of tanks and below the cabin.

9. The drive device includes a valve unit that adjusts the flow rate of the gas supplied from a plurality of tanks to the fuel cell. The work vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the valve unit is located to the side of the plurality of tanks and below the cabin.

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