Securing structure for fuel container

Abstract

Provided is a securing structure for a fuel container, the securing structure comprising: a bracket which is provided under the fuel container and supports the fuel container; a securing member which secures the fuel container to the bracket and which is in contact with and covers some of the outer circumferential surface of the fuel container along the circumferential direction of the fuel container; and connecting parts which connect the securing member to the bracket and cause the securing member to produce a pressure for pressing some of the outer circumferential surface.

Description

Fuel container holding structure

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a holding structure for a fuel container.

[0002] In recent years, a retention structure has been proposed for mounting a tank (fuel container) used to store high-pressure gas such as hydrogen on a vehicle, in which a mounting fixture is attached to a band wrapped around the tank and the mounting fixture is fastened to a frame member of the vehicle.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tank mounting structure that includes a tank band that is wrapped around the outer periphery of the tank to support the tank, fastening hardware attached to the tank band, fastening means for tightening the pair of fastening hardware, and a member that connects the fastening hardware to a vehicle frame member and extends from the fastening hardware toward a connection point of the vehicle frame member. In this tank mounting structure, a rubber sheet is interposed between the tank and the tank band.

[0004] JP 2012-081807 A

[0005] However, in the tank mounting structure described in Patent Document 1, unevenness on the tank surface may result in some areas where the surface makes contact with the rubber sheet and other areas where it does not. In this case, even if the contact area between the tank and the tank band is small, it may be necessary to increase the contact area between the tank band and the tank or to have the tank band press the tank with a large load so that the tank band has enough holding force to stably hold the tank.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a fuel container holding structure that reduces variation in the contact area between the holding member and the fuel container, is lighter and less expensive than conventional structures, and can stably hold the fuel container.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fuel container holding structure comprising: a bracket disposed below a fuel container and supporting the fuel container; a holding member that holds the fuel container against the bracket, the holding member covering a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the fuel container along the circumferential direction of the fuel container and abutting against said portion; and a connecting portion that connects the holding member to the bracket and generates pressure that causes the holding member to press against said portion of the outer peripheral surface.

[0008] In this disclosure and this specification, the term "connected" refers to a state in which element a and element b are connected via another element, and does not refer to a state in which element a and element b are directly connected.

[0009] As described above, the present disclosure makes it possible to provide a fuel container holding structure that reduces variation in the contact area between the holding member and the fuel container, is lighter and less expensive than conventional structures, and can stably hold the fuel container.

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a holding structure for a fuel container according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a holding structure for a fuel container according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a cross section of a holding member together with the surface shape of a hydrogen tank; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing, in a simplified form, only the holding member, the connecting portion, and the upper bracket of the holding structure according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a holding structure for a conventional fuel container; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a holding structure for a conventional fuel container; FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for explaining the state of contact between a holding structure for a conventional fuel container and a fuel container; FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining the state of contact between a holding structure for a conventional fuel container and a fuel container; FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a portion of the surface of a conventional fuel container in contact with a tank belt; FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a portion of the surface of a conventional fuel container in contact with a tank belt; FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a portion of the surface of a hydrogen tank in contact with the holding member; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a holding structure for a fuel container according to a second embodiment; FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing, in a simplified form, only the holding member, the connecting portion, and the upper bracket of the holding structure according to the second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a connecting portion and holding member according to a modified example of the present disclosure. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a connecting portion and a holding member according to a modified example of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a connecting portion and a holding member according to a modified example of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a connecting portion and a holding member according to a modified example of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a holding member according to a modified example of the present disclosure.

[0011] 1. Embodiments A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the dimensions and scale of each part in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions. The drawings may be shown schematically to facilitate understanding. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following exemplary embodiments unless otherwise specified to limit the present disclosure.

[0012] In the following description, mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are common to all figures (FIGS. 1 to 19) exemplified in the following description. As exemplified in FIG. 1, one direction along the X-axis as viewed from an arbitrary point is denoted as the X1 direction, and the direction opposite to the X1 direction is denoted as the X2 direction. Similarly, mutually opposite directions along the Y-axis from an arbitrary point are denoted as the Y1 direction and the Y2 direction, and mutually opposite directions along the Z-axis from an arbitrary point are denoted as the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction. The X-Y plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis corresponds to a horizontal plane. The Z-axis is an axis along the vertical direction. The Z1 direction corresponds to the upward vertical direction (vertically upward), and the Z2 direction corresponds to the downward vertical direction (vertically downward).

[0013] The fuel container holding structure of the present disclosure is applied to, for example, a fuel cell vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the fuel container holding structure of the present disclosure holds a high-pressure hydrogen tank (hereinafter referred to as a hydrogen tank) filled with hydrogen fuel will be described.

[0014] 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the configuration of a holding structure 1 (hereinafter referred to as holding structure 1) for a hydrogen tank F (fuel container). Fig. 1 is a front view of the holding structure 1 as viewed in the Y2 direction, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the holding structure 1 as viewed in the X2 direction. The holding structure 1 has a bracket 10, a holding member 20, and a connecting portion 30 (see Fig. 4), and holds the hydrogen tank F relative to the bracket 10.

[0015] The hydrogen tank F is a fuel tank that has, for example, an oval external shape when viewed in the X2 direction. The hydrogen tank F has a housing with a three-layer structure consisting of a liner layer, a CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) layer, and a GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics) layer. The liner layer is the inner layer of the three-layer structure. The liner layer is made of a resin material such as polyethylene resin or polypropylene resin. The CFRP layer is the middle layer of the three-layer structure and is wound around the liner layer. The CFRP layer is made of a resin material such as epoxy resin or unsaturated polyester resin. The GFRP layer is the outer layer of the three-layer structure and is wound around the CFRP layer. Because the outer layer of the hydrogen tank F is a GFRP layer, the hydrogen tank F has fine irregularities on its surface.

[0016] The bracket 10 has a lower bracket 11 and a pair of upper brackets 12. The lower bracket 11 has a metal plate 110 and a plurality of elastic members 111, and supports the hydrogen tank F. As shown in FIG. 1 , the metal plate 110 is a metal member whose longitudinal direction is in the X-axis direction and which is recessed in the Z2 direction. The portion of the metal plate 110 that is recessed in the Z2 direction faces the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank F. The metal plate 110 is attached to a frame member (e.g., a cross member) of the fuel cell vehicle.

[0017] A plurality of elastic members 111 are provided on the metal plate 110 at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction and are interposed between the metal plate 110 and the hydrogen tank F. There are no particular restrictions on the elastic members 111, but they may be rubber members, for example. By interposing a plurality of elastic members 111 between the metal plate 110 and the hydrogen tank F, the hydrogen tank F is prevented from sliding relative to the metal plate 110 and is positioned.

[0018] The pair of upper brackets 12 are metal sheets that have an L-shaped appearance when viewed in the Y-axis direction. The pair of upper brackets 12 are provided opposite the lower bracket 11. One bracket 121 of the pair of upper brackets 12 faces the other bracket 122 in the X-axis direction, with the hydrogen tank F sandwiched between them, as shown in Figure 1. One bracket 121 is provided on a portion of the metal sheet 110 that extends in the X2 direction, and is fastened to that portion by the fastening mechanism 40.

[0019] The fastening mechanism 40 includes a spring, a bolt 41, and a nut 42. The bolt 41 passes through the spring and penetrates the bracket 121 and the metal plate 110. The nut 42 is threaded onto the portion of the bolt 41 that protrudes from the metal plate 110 in the Z2 direction. That is, the bracket 121 and the metal plate 110 are fastened together by the bolt 41 and the nut 42 via the spring. This configuration allows the bracket 121 to displace in the Z1 direction when the hydrogen tank F expands, preventing the holding member 20 (described later) from applying excessive load to the hydrogen tank F. Furthermore, when the hydrogen tank F expands and then contracts, the bracket 121 displaces in the Z2 direction due to the restoring force of the spring, preventing an insufficient load from being applied to the hydrogen tank F and reducing the stability of the hydrogen tank F being held by the bracket 10. In other words, the fastening mechanism 40 prevents excessive load from being applied to the hydrogen tank F and maintains the stability of the hydrogen tank F being held by the bracket 10, even when the hydrogen tank F expands and contracts. The spring in the fastening mechanism 40 may be omitted as necessary. That is, the bracket 121 may be fastened to the metal plate 110 by the bolt 41 and the nut 42 without using a spring.

[0020] The other bracket 122 of the pair of upper brackets 12 is provided on a portion of the metal plate 110 extending in the X1 direction. This portion is fastened to the other bracket 122 by a bolt 51 and a nut 52.

[0021] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing both the cross section of the holding member 20 and the surface shape of the hydrogen tank F, and is a diagram showing the state in which the holding member 20 abuts against the surface of the hydrogen tank F. As shown in FIG. 1, the holding member 20 covers a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank F along the circumferential direction of the hydrogen tank F and abuts against this portion. The holding member 20 is configured in a wire-like shape and is flexible. As shown in FIG. 3, the holding member 20 is a rod-shaped member having, for example, a circular cross section. Note that the above-mentioned "circumferential direction" refers to the circumferential direction of the hydrogen tank F centered on the central axis P when the hydrogen tank F is viewed along the Y-axis direction, and this also applies to the following explanation.

[0022] The width H of the holding member 20 is set to a width that will not break the holding member 20 even if the hydrogen tank F expands and the internal pressure of the hydrogen tank F becomes high, and that will provide a surface pressure (the pressure with which the holding member 20 presses against the surface of the hydrogen tank F) that will hold the hydrogen tank F without moving it even if an external impact is applied to the holding structure 1. The holding member 20 is made of iron, for example, but the material that makes up the holding member 20 is not particularly limited. In addition, the surface of the holding member 20 may be subjected to any coating treatment.

[0023] One end of the holding member 20 is connected to the other bracket 122 of the pair of upper brackets 12. There are no particular limitations on the means for connecting the one end to the bracket 122, and the means may be, for example, fastening with a bolt and nut, or welding. A connecting portion 30 is provided at the other end of the holding member 20.

[0024] 4 is a schematic diagram simply illustrating only the retaining member 20, connecting portion 30, and upper bracket 12 of the retaining structure 1, and is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the connecting portion 30 and retaining member 20. The connecting portion 30 is configured integrally with the retaining member 20, and is connected to one bracket 121 of the pair of upper brackets 12. There are no particular limitations on the means for connecting the connecting portion 30 and the bracket 121, and they may be fastened together with a bolt and nut, or may be connected by welding, for example.

[0025] 2 and 4, multiple integrated components of connecting portion 30 and holding member 20 are provided in the Y-axis direction (depth direction of hydrogen tank F). This allows the hydrogen tank F to be held more stably on bracket 10 compared to when there is only one integrated component. As shown in FIG. 4, the integrated component of connecting portion 30 and holding member 20 bridges the pair of upper brackets 12 by connecting holding member 20 to bracket 122 and connecting portion 30 to bracket 121.

[0026] The connecting portion 30 is an elastic member configured to be able to expand and contract in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen tank F. The elastic member is typically a spring member, but is not particularly limited as long as it is able to expand and contract in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen tank F. The connecting portion 30 is typically configured integrally with the holding member 20, but may also be separate from the holding member 20. When the connecting portion 30 and the holding member 20 are separate, the connecting portion 30 and the holding member 20 may be configured from the same type of material, or may be configured from different materials.

[0027] 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the configuration of a conventional holding structure 200 for a fuel container f (hereinafter referred to as the holding structure 200). FIG. 5 is a front view of the holding structure 200, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the holding structure 200. FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams illustrating the state of contact between the holding structure 200 and the fuel container f. Furthermore, FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing an example of a portion of the surface of the fuel container f that is in contact with the elastic member 90. FIG. 9 shows a case where the contact area between the fuel container f and the elastic member 90 is large, and FIG. 10 shows a case where the contact area is small. Additionally, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a portion of the surface of a hydrogen tank F that is in contact with the holding member 20. Note that in FIGS. 9 and 10, the portion of the surface of the fuel container f that is in contact with the elastic member 90 is shown in black. Similarly, in FIG. 11, the portion of the surface of the hydrogen tank F that is in contact with the holding member 20 is shown in black.

[0028] The holding structure 200 has a bracket 61 (a metal plate 610 and a plurality of elastic members 611), a fastening mechanism 70, a tank belt 80, and an elastic member 90. The holding structure 200 has the same configuration as the holding structure 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the tank belt 80 and the elastic member 90. The tank belt 80 is a metal plate that curves along the outer circumferential surface of the fuel container f. The tank belt 80 is fastened to the metal plate 610 by bolts 510, nuts 520, and the fastening mechanism 70, and is configured in a belt shape as shown in FIG. 6 . The elastic member 90 is a rubber sheet that is interposed between the tank belt 80 and the fuel container f, and is configured in a belt shape.

[0029] Like the hydrogen tank F, the fuel container f has a three-layer structure, and because the outer layer is a GFRP layer, there are fine irregularities on the surface as shown in Figures 7 and 8. In the conventional holding structure 200, the tank belt 80 and the elastic member 90 are belt-shaped, so that the belt-shaped elastic member 90 and the surface of the fuel container f are in surface contact, which can result in uneven contact between the elastic member 90 and the surface of the fuel container f (variation in the degree of contact between the surface of the fuel container f and the elastic member 90), as shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this case, even if the contact area between the fuel container f and the elastic member 90 is relatively small as shown in Figure 9, in order to stably hold the fuel container f on the bracket 61, it is necessary to increase the contact area between the elastic member 90 and the fuel container f or to have the tank belt 80 press the fuel container f with a large load.

[0030] On the other hand, in the holding structure 1 according to this embodiment, the integral body of the holding member 20 and the connecting portion 30 abuts along the outer circumferential surface of the hydrogen tank F while bridging the pair of upper brackets 12, causing the connecting portion 30 to extend in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen tank F (the direction indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 1 ). At this time, the restoring force of the connecting portion 30, which attempts to return from the extended state to its original state, pulls the holding member 20 in the opposite direction to the circumferential direction (the direction indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 1 ). This generates pressure that presses the holding member 20 against the hydrogen tank F in the Z2 direction, so that the holding member 20 not only abuts against the surface of the hydrogen tank F but also presses against the surface. This reduces contact unevenness between the holding member 20 and the surface of the hydrogen tank F (variation in the degree of contact between the surface of the hydrogen tank F and the holding member 20), ensuring contact between the hydrogen tank F and the holding member 20. Therefore, unlike the conventional configuration described above (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ), the retention structure 1 of this embodiment does not require increasing the contact area between the retention member 20 and the hydrogen tank F or for the retention member 20 to press the hydrogen tank F with a large load. This allows the hydrogen tank F to be stably retained on the bracket 10 without increasing the weight or manufacturing cost of the retention structure 1. In particular, in this embodiment, the retention member 20 is a plurality of wires that are each independently routed along the outer periphery of the hydrogen tank F. Therefore, unlike the conventional surface contact where the elastic member 90 makes partial contact with the surface of the fuel container f, resulting in large variations in the contact area between the fuel container f and the elastic member 90, the contact between the retention member 20 and the hydrogen tank F is regarded as multiple line contact as shown in FIG. 11 . This ensures reliable contact between the hydrogen tank F and the retention member 20, further reducing the uneven contact.

[0031] 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a holding structure 2 for a hydrogen tank F according to a second embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the holding structure 2). In the following description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0032] The holding structure 2 has a bracket 10, a holding member 220, and a connecting portion 230, and holds the hydrogen tank F to the bracket 10. The holding structure 2 has the same configuration as the holding structure 1 of the first embodiment, except for the holding member 220 and the connecting portion 230.

[0033] 12, the holding member 220 covers a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank F along the circumferential direction of the hydrogen tank F and abuts against this portion. The holding member 220 is a flexible annular wire. The cross-sectional shape of the holding member 220 is, for example, circular.

[0034] The width H2 of the holding member 220 is set to a width that will not break the holding member 220 even if the hydrogen tank F expands and the internal pressure of the hydrogen tank F becomes high, and that will provide a surface pressure (the pressure with which the holding member 220 presses against the surface of the hydrogen tank F) that will hold the hydrogen tank F without moving it even if an external impact is applied to the holding structure 2. The holding member 220 is made of stainless steel, for example, but the material that makes up the holding member 220 is not particularly limited.

[0035] The holding members 220 are inserted through the connecting portions 230. The holding members 220 are connected to the upper brackets 12 via the connecting portions 230 as shown in FIG.

[0036] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram simply illustrating only the retaining member 220, connecting portion 230, and upper bracket 12 of the retaining structure 2, and is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the connecting portion 230 and the retaining member 220. As shown in Fig. 13, the connecting portion 230 is an annular body (ring) that is provided on the upper bracket 12 and inserted into the retaining member 220. There are no particular limitations on the means for connecting the connecting portion 230 and the upper bracket 12, and they may be fastened together using a bolt and nut, or may be connected by welding, for example.

[0037] In the retention structure 2 according to the second embodiment, the retention members 220 contact the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank F while bridging the connecting portions 230 provided on the upper brackets 12, thereby applying tension to the retention members 220 and pulling the connecting portions 230 in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen tank F (the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 12 ). At this time, the connecting portions 230 are pulled by the retention members 220, and as a reaction to this, they pull the retention members 220 in the opposite direction to the circumferential direction (the direction indicated by the black arrow in FIG. 12 ), thereby generating pressure that presses the hydrogen tank F in the Z2 direction. This reduces the variation in the contact length of the wires 221, 222 at different locations on the surface of the hydrogen tank F, which is caused by the unevenness of the surface of the hydrogen tank F described above. In other words, the connecting portions 230 pull the retention members 220 with a force equal to the force pulling them from the retention members 220, thereby causing the retention members 220 to press the hydrogen tank F. As a result, the holding member 220 not only contacts the surface of the hydrogen tank F but also presses against that surface. This reduces uneven contact between the holding member 220 and the surface of the hydrogen tank F, ensuring contact between the hydrogen tank F and the holding member 220. Therefore, unlike the conventional configuration (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ), the holding structure 2 does not require increasing the contact area of ​​the holding member 220 with the hydrogen tank F or having the holding member 220 press the hydrogen tank F with a large load. This allows the hydrogen tank F to be stably held to the bracket 10 without increasing the weight or manufacturing cost of the holding structure 2. In particular, the holding member 220 is a ring-shaped wire in which the wires 221 and 222 are independently routed along the outer periphery of the hydrogen tank F. Therefore, rather than the conventional surface contact in which the elastic member 90 makes one-sided contact with the surface of the fuel container f, resulting in large variations in the contact area between the fuel container f and the elastic member 90, the contact between the holding member 220 and the hydrogen tank F is considered to be multiple line contact, as shown in FIG. 11 . This ensures reliable contact between the hydrogen tank F and the holding member 220, further reducing the uneven contact.

[0038] 2. Modifications Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications may be made. Specific modifications that may be added to or modified from the aspects of the above-described embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be combined as appropriate to the extent that they are not mutually contradictory.

[0039] [Variation 1] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram simply illustrating only the holding member 20, connecting portion 30, and upper bracket 12 of the holding structure 1 according to a variation, and is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the connecting portion 30 and the holding member 20. In the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, two integrated members each consisting of the holding member 20 and the connecting portion 30 are provided in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) of the hydrogen tank F, but this is not limited to this. Three such integrated members may be provided as shown in Figure 14, or four or more may be provided. This allows the hydrogen tank F to be held more stably by the bracket 10 compared to when there are two integrated members each consisting of the holding member 20 and the connecting portion 30.

[0040] [Modification 2] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram simply illustrating only the holding member 220, connecting portion 230, and upper bracket 12 of the holding structure 2 according to a modification, and is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the connecting portion 230 and the holding member 220. In the second embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 13, one holding member 220 is provided, but this is not limited to this. As shown in Figure 15, multiple holding members 220 and connecting portions 230 connecting the holding member 220 and the upper bracket 12 may be provided along the depth direction of the hydrogen tank F. This allows the hydrogen tank F to be held more stably on the bracket 10 compared to when there is only one holding member 220.

[0041] [Variation 3] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing only the holding member 220, the connecting portion 230, and the upper bracket 12 of the holding structure 2 according to a variation, illustrating an example of the configuration of the connecting portion 230 and the holding member 220. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 , the holding member 220 is a ring-shaped wire, and the connecting portion 230 is a ring-shaped body through which the wire is inserted. However, this is not limited to this. The holding member 220 may be a wire whose both ends are connected to one of the pair of upper brackets 12. Furthermore, the connecting portion 230 may be a ring-shaped body through which the wire is inserted and provided on the bracket 121 or 122. Even when the holding member 220 and the connecting portion 230 are configured as shown in FIG. 16 , the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained for the same reasons. That is, it is not necessary to increase the contact area between the holding member 220 and the hydrogen tank F or to have the holding member 220 press the hydrogen tank F with a large load. Therefore, the hydrogen tank F can be stably held on the bracket 10 without increasing the weight and manufacturing costs of the holding structure 2.

[0042] [Modification 4] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating only the retaining member 220, the connecting portion 230, and the upper bracket 12 of the retaining structure 2 according to a modification, and illustrates an example configuration of the connecting portion 230 and the retaining member 220. In the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13 , the retaining member 220 is a ring-shaped wire, and the connecting portion 230 is a ring-shaped body through which the wire is inserted. However, this is not limited to this. As illustrated in FIG. 17 , the retaining member 220 may be a wire having one end connected to the bracket 121 and the other end connected to the bracket 122. The connecting portion 230 may be a ring-shaped body through which the wire is inserted and provided on the upper bracket 12. As illustrated in the same figure, the retaining member 220 according to Modification 4 is bent in an S-shape, with the portion between both ends connected to the brackets 121 and 122 via the connecting portion 230. With this configuration, a single wire can bridge the brackets 121 and 122 three times. This allows the holding member 220 to stably hold the hydrogen tank F to the bracket 10 while keeping manufacturing costs lower than when multiple separate wires are used.

[0043] [Variation 5] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram simply illustrating only the holding member 220, connecting portion 230, and upper bracket 12 of the holding structure 2 according to a variation, and is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the connecting portion 230 and the holding member 220. In the second embodiment described above, one holding member 220 is provided as shown in Figure 13, but this is not limited to this, and a holding member 220 of the aspect of Variation 3 described above may also be provided as shown in Figure 18. This allows the hydrogen tank F to be held more stably on the bracket 10 compared to when there is only one holding member 220.

[0044] [Variation 6] Figure 19 is an enlarged view showing a cross section of a holding member 20, 220 according to a variation, along with the surface of a hydrogen tank F. As shown in Figure 19, the holding member 20, 220 of the above embodiment may be covered with an anti-slip rubber tube T. This increases the coefficient of friction between the holding member 20, 220 and the hydrogen tank F, suppressing displacement of the hydrogen tank F in the Y-axis direction and improving the stability of holding the hydrogen tank F relative to the bracket 10. Furthermore, because the holding member 20, 220 does not come into direct contact with the surface of the hydrogen tank F, if the holding member 20, 220 is made of metal, the holding member 20, 220 is prevented from damaging the surface.

[0045] 3. Supplementary Note: The fuel container holding structure exemplified in the above embodiment is applied to a fuel cell vehicle, but the fuel container holding structure of the present disclosure may be applied to devices other than fuel cell vehicles, and the use of the present disclosure is not particularly limited.

[0046] Furthermore, the effects described herein are merely descriptive or exemplary and are not limiting, meaning that the present invention may exhibit other effects in addition to or in place of the above-described effects that would be apparent to a person skilled in the art from the description of this specification.

[0047] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. It is clear that a person skilled in the art of the technology to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0048] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 2... Fuel container holding structure 10... Bracket 20, 220... Holding member 30, 230... Connecting portion 40... Fastening mechanism F... Hydrogen tank (fuel container)

Claims

1. A fuel container holding structure comprising: a bracket provided below a fuel container and supporting the fuel container; a holding member that holds the fuel container against the bracket, the holding member covering a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the fuel container along the circumferential direction of the fuel container and abutting against said portion; and a connecting portion that connects the holding member and the bracket and generates pressure for the holding member to press against the portion of the outer circumferential surface.

2. A fuel container holding structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is an elastic member that is integrally formed with the holding member and is configured to be expandable and contractible in the circumferential direction of the fuel container.

3. The fuel container holding structure according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member is a spring member.

4. A fuel container holding structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the holding member is a wire, and the connecting portion is an annular body that is inserted through the wire and connects the wire and the bracket.

5. A fuel container holding structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of the holding members and the connecting portions are provided along the depth direction of the fuel container.

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