Method for manufacturing hydrogen storage tank for hydrogen electric vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle, and more specifically, the method for manufacturing a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle comprises the steps of: producing a pair of T-direction frames formed by aluminum extrusion having internal reinforcing partitions and a pair of L-direction frames formed by aluminum extrusion having reinforcing partitions; fixing the position of the pair of T-direction frames and the pair of L-direction frames on a welding jig and then manufacturing the frames by MIG welding the corner portions; mounting the frames on an assembly jig and sequentially assembling and combining a lower tray and a lower cover; mounting functional components inside the frames and securing the hydrogen container; and mounting an upper cover.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, automobiles obtain the power required for driving using internal combustion engines; however, with the recent research and development of electric vehicles using storage batteries (referred to as 'secondary batteries'; hereinafter the same) and fuel cell vehicles using fuel cells, storage batteries and fuel cells are emerging as power sources to replace internal combustion engines.

[0003] Automobiles are mechanical devices that operate regardless of region or weather conditions, serving as a core means of transportation, transport, and leisure in modern industrial society. However, internal combustion engines, which serve as the primary power source for automobiles, not only have low energy efficiency but also cause pollution such as exhaust gases and noise. In contrast, while batteries are free from pollution and noise, they offer a short driving range on a single charge (40-60 km) and require a long time (about 6-8 hours) to recharge after driving. Furthermore, their lifespan is shortened by the repeated charging and discharging cycles, requiring replacement with a new battery after about two years of use, which incurs high costs.

[0004] Recently, active research and development of vehicles equipped with fuel cells has been conducted to overcome the shortcomings of internal combustion engine vehicles, which use internal combustion engines as their primary power source, and electric vehicles, which use batteries as their primary power source. A fuel cell is a generator that directly converts the chemical energy contained in fuel into electricity through an electrochemical reaction. Although there are some differences depending on the type and fuel used, fuel cells are environmentally friendly power generation systems that have high thermal efficiency and do not cause pollution.

[0005] In order for a fuel cell to become the primary power source for a vehicle, the fuel supply device that supplies fuel to the fuel cell must be safe, easy to handle, inexpensive, and readily available anywhere and anytime, even when the fuel is charged, and must be equipped with a system capable of driving a long distance (more than 300 km) on a single fuel supply.

[0006] In addition, one of the essential requirements for the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles is achieving a driving range per charge equivalent to that of internal combustion engine vehicles. For example, to achieve a driving range of 500 km, technology capable of carrying approximately 5 kg or more of hydrogen in the vehicle is required.

[0007] Currently, high-pressure hydrogen storage systems of 350 bar or 700 bar are applied to fuel cell vehicles, but there are limitations in increasing the hydrogen storage capacity.

[0008] The 350 bar hydrogen storage system has limitations in achieving the driving range per charge, which is essential for the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles, due to the low volumetric storage density of hydrogen gas, and also has disadvantages in terms of packaging.

[0009] The 700 bar hydrogen storage system has increased pressure and is advantageous in terms of packaging compared to the 350 bar hydrogen storage system, but it has many disadvantages in terms of price, weight, stability, and efficiency of building hydrogen refueling station infrastructure.

[0010] Furthermore, regarding current hydrogen storage systems, technological development in hydrogen container cases, in which hydrogen is stored internally, remains sluggish. In the case of hydrogen vehicles, the internal hydrogen containers must be protected by sufficient strength in the event of a collision. Therefore, there was a need to develop hydrogen storage containers for hydrogen electric vehicles that possess a rigid structure capable of supporting system loads. Prior art literature

[0011] Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 1052599 Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 2011-0002913 Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 2015-0019236 The problem to be solved

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned conventional problems, and according to an embodiment of the present invention, the purpose is to provide a method for manufacturing a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle that ensures hydrogen resistance and heat resistance, enables shock and collision absorption, has high package space efficiency, possesses flame stability, and has a rigid structure for supporting system loads.

[0013] Meanwhile, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0014] The objective of the present invention can be achieved by a method for manufacturing a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle, comprising the steps of: producing a pair of T-direction frames formed by aluminum extrusion having internal reinforcing partitions and a pair of L-direction frames formed by aluminum extrusion having internal reinforcing partitions; fixing the position of the pair of T-direction frames and the pair of L-direction frames on a welding jig and then manufacturing the frames by MIG welding the corner portions; mounting the frames on an assembly jig and sequentially assembling and combining a lower tray and a lower cover; mounting functional components inside the frames and securing the hydrogen container; and mounting an upper cover.

[0015] And in the step of manufacturing the above frame, the welding jig includes a plurality of cylinders for preventing thermal deformation, and the steps of sequentially assembling and joining; the step of fixing and securing; and the step of mounting the upper cover are performed on the frame on the assembly jig, and the step of fixing and securing the hydrogen container may be characterized by mounting the lower neck mount, placing the hydrogen container, and then placing the upper neck mount and joining them through a fastening member. Effects of the invention

[0016] According to the method for manufacturing a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, hydrogen resistance and heat resistance are secured, shock and collision absorption is possible, package space efficiency is high, flame stability is provided, and a rigid structure for supporting system load is effectively achieved.

[0017] Meanwhile, the effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings. FIG. 1a is a top perspective view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1b is a lower perspective view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lower cover of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view excluding the lower cover of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view of a T-direction frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6a is a T-direction frame photograph according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7a is a cross-sectional view of an L-direction frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7a is an L-direction frame photograph according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8a is an exploded perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8b is a perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a top cover plan view according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a plan view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a plan view of a lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a plan view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a welding jig equipped with a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an assembly jig according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15a is an exploded side view of a frame, a lower tray, and a lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15b is an exploded perspective view of a frame, a lower tray, and a lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view with a functional component mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 17a is an exploded side view of a frame, a lower neck mount, a hydrogen container, and an upper neck mount assembled with a lower tray and a lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17b is an exploded perspective view of a frame, a lower neck mount, a hydrogen container, and an upper neck mount assembled with a lower tray and a lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18a is a plan view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle equipped with an upper cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18a is a perspective view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle equipped with an upper cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] The above objects, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be easily understood through the following preferred embodiments associated with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided to ensure that the disclosed content is thorough and complete and to ensure that the spirit of the invention is sufficiently conveyed to a person skilled in the art.

[0020] In this specification, when a component is described as being on another component, it means that it may be formed directly on the other component or that a third component may be interposed between them. Also, in the drawings, the thicknesses of the components are exaggerated for the effective description of the technical content.

[0021] The embodiments described herein will be explained with reference to cross-sectional and / or plan views, which are exemplary illustrations of the invention. In the drawings, the thicknesses of films and regions are exaggerated for effective explanation of the technical content. Accordingly, the shapes of the exemplary drawings may be modified by manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, etc. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention are not limited to the specific shapes depicted but include variations in shape produced according to the manufacturing process. For example, a region depicted as a right angle may be rounded or have a certain curvature. Accordingly, the regions illustrated in the drawings have properties, and the shapes of the regions illustrated in the drawings are intended to illustrate specific shapes of the regions of the device and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Although terms such as first, second, etc., have been used to describe various components in the various embodiments of this specification, these components should not be limited by such terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another. The embodiments described and illustrated herein also include their complementary embodiments.

[0022] The terms used herein are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. As used herein, 'comprises' and / or 'comprising' do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components to the mentioned components.

[0023] In describing the specific embodiments below, various specific details have been included to explain the invention more specifically and to aid understanding. However, a reader with sufficient knowledge in the art to understand the invention will recognize that it can be used without these various specific details. In some cases, it is noted in advance that commonly known aspects that are not significantly related to the invention have been omitted to prevent unnecessary confusion in describing the invention.

[0025] Hereinafter, the configuration, function, and manufacturing method of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0026] First, FIG. 1a is an upper perspective view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1b is a lower perspective view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] And FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the lower cover of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle excluding the lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] A hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises, overall, a frame (10) having a specific height and forming a frame including a side frame, a front frame, and a rear frame; a hydrogen container (50) seated within the frame (10); an upper cover (20) assembled on the upper end of the frame (10); a lower tray (30) assembled on the lower end of the frame; and a lower cover (40) assembled on the lower end of the lower tray (30).

[0029] FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view of a T-direction frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6a is a photograph of a T-direction frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7a is a cross-sectional view of an L-direction frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7a is a photograph of an L-direction frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] And FIG. 8a shows an exploded perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. And FIG. 8b shows a perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the side frame of the frame (10) is composed of a T-direction frame (11) formed by aluminum extrusion having a reinforcing partition inside, and the front frame rear frame is composed of an L-direction frame (12) formed by aluminum extrusion having a reinforcing partition inside.

[0032] These frames are manufactured by aluminum (e.g., A6N01-T5) extrusion and have a thickness of 3.0t. The shape is optimized for drop / impact resistance. It forms an overall frame that satisfies drop / impact / vibration performance.

[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates a top cover plan view according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The upper cover (20) is manufactured by press forming a steel plate (e.g., SGARC340), has a thickness of 0.6t, and is configured with a shape optimized through deflection analysis due to self-weight.

[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lower tray (30) according to an embodiment of the present invention is for lower reinforcement and is manufactured by press forming a steel plate (e.g., A6061) and is configured to have a thickness of 0.6t.

[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view of a lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The lower cover (40) according to an embodiment of the present invention is vacuum-formed and is composed of a high-strength polymer material having flame-retardant properties.

[0038] This high-strength polymer material is glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and is configured to have a thickness of 3.0 to 3.5t. This bottom cover serves to block debris flying from below and is made of a material with guaranteed flame-retardant performance.

[0040] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0041] First, a pair of T-direction frames (11) formed by aluminum extrusion having internal reinforcing partitions and a pair of L-direction frames (12) formed by aluminum extrusion having reinforcing partitions are manufactured. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Then, a pair of T-direction frames (11) and a pair of L-direction frames (12) are fixed in position on a welding jig (1), and the corners are MIG welded to manufacture the frame.

[0043] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a welding jig equipped with a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. The welding jig includes a plurality of cylinders for preventing thermal deformation. After fixing the position of the frame, which is an extruded product, the corner portion is MIG welded. It is also fixed to the cylinders for preventing thermal deformation.

[0044] Then, the remaining parts are assembled using an assembly jig. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an assembly jig according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] First, the frame (10) is mounted on the assembly jig (2), and the lower tray (30) and lower cover (40) are sequentially assembled and combined. FIG. 15a shows an exploded side view of the frame, lower tray, and lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15b shows an exploded perspective view of the frame, lower tray, and lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Then, functional parts (4, integrated valve, manifold, piping, etc.) are installed inside the frame (10). FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view showing functional parts installed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Then, the hydrogen container (50) is secured and fixed inside the frame (10).

[0048] FIG. 17a illustrates an exploded side view of a frame, a lower neck mount, a hydrogen container, and an upper neck mount assembled with a lower tray and a lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17b illustrates an exploded perspective view of a frame, a lower neck mount, a hydrogen container, and an upper neck mount assembled with a lower tray and a lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 17a and 17b, the step of securing the hydrogen container (50) involves mounting the lower neck mount (51), securing the hydrogen container (50), and then securing the upper neck mount (52) and joining them through a fastening member.

[0050] Finally, the upper cover is installed to complete the process. FIG. 18a is a plan view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle equipped with an upper cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18a is a perspective view of a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle equipped with an upper cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] In addition, the device and method described above are not limited to the configurations and methods of the embodiments described above; rather, all or part of each embodiment may be selectively combined to allow for various modifications to be made. Explanation of the symbols

[0053] 1: Welding jig 2: Cylinder 3: Assembly jig 4: Functional parts 10: Frame 11: T-direction frame 12: L-direction frame 20: Upper cover 30: Bottom tray 40: Bottom cover 50: Hydrogen container 51: Lower neck mount 52: Upper neck mount 100: Hydrogen storage container for hydrogen electric vehicles

Claims

Claim 1 A method for manufacturing a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle, wherein the hydrogen storage container comprises: a frame having a specific height and including a side frame, a front frame, and a rear frame to form a frame; a hydrogen container seated within the frame; an upper cover assembled to the top of the frame; a lower tray assembled to the bottom of the frame; and a lower cover assembled to the bottom side of the lower tray; wherein the method for manufacturing a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle comprises the steps of: producing a pair of T-direction frames formed by aluminum extrusion having internal reinforcing partitions and a pair of L-direction frames formed by aluminum extrusion having reinforcing partitions; fixing the position of the pair of T-direction frames and the pair of L-direction frames on a welding jig and then manufacturing the frame by MIG welding the corner portions; mounting the frame on an assembly jig and sequentially assembling and combining the lower tray and the lower cover; mounting functional parts inside the frame and fixing the hydrogen container; and mounting the upper cover. Claim 2 In claim 1, in the step of manufacturing the frame, the welding jig includes a plurality of cylinders for preventing thermal deformation, and the step of sequentially assembling and joining; the step of seating and fixing; A method for manufacturing a hydrogen storage container for a hydrogen electric vehicle, characterized in that the step of mounting the upper cover is performed on an assembly jig of the frame, and the step of seating and fixing the hydrogen container is performed by mounting a lower neck mount, seating the hydrogen container, and then seating the upper neck mount and joining them through a fastening member, wherein the upper cover is manufactured by press forming a steel plate, has a thickness of 0.4 to 0.7t, and its shape is optimized through deflection analysis due to self-weight, the lower cover is vacuum formed and composed of a high-strength polymer material having flame-retardant performance, the high-strength polymer material is glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP), has a thickness of 2.5 to 3.5t, and the lower frame is manufactured by press forming a steel plate to reinforce the lower part and has a thickness of 0.4 to 0.7t.

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