Work vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a work vehicle. A work vehicle according to the present disclosure comprises: a vehicle body; a fuel cell that generates power using hydrogen as fuel; a tank that stores hydrogen; a case that houses the tank; and a ventilation device that includes a fan which allows air in the case to flow outside. Furthermore, a work vehicle according to the present disclosure comprises: a vehicle body; a fuel cell that generates power using, as fuel, hydrogen which is gaseous fuel; a tank that stores hydrogen; piping which is connected to the tank and through which hydrogen can pass; and a first outer tube and a second outer tube that cover at least a portion of the outer side of the piping.

Description

Work vehicles

[0001] The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2023-219201, filed December 26, 2023, and 2023-219125, filed December 26, 2023, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of the aforementioned Japanese applications.

[0002] From the viewpoint of environmental protection, a work vehicle has been proposed that is equipped with a fuel cell and driven by a motor that rotates using electricity generated by the fuel cell (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The work vehicle uses hydrogen as fuel for the fuel cell. Therefore, the work vehicle is equipped with a tank for storing hydrogen and a case for housing the tank. The work vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a tractor.

[0003] JP 2023-13186 A

[0004] A work vehicle according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a vehicle body, a fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen as fuel, a tank that stores hydrogen, a case that houses the tank, and a ventilation device that includes a fan that circulates air inside the case to the outside.

[0005] The present disclosure makes it possible to reliably discharge hydrogen leaking into a case in a work vehicle equipped with a case that houses a tank to the outside of the case.

[0006] In addition, a work vehicle according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a vehicle body, a fuel cell, a tank, a pipe connected to the tank and through which gaseous fuel can pass, and an outer pipe covering at least a portion of the outside of the pipe.

[0007] The present disclosure can suppress the diffusion of gaseous fuel leaking from piping to the outside in a work vehicle equipped with piping connected to a tank.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a right side view showing a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of piping in a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a ventilation device and piping in a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a ventilation device and piping in a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of a ventilation device and piping in a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] <Outline of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> The following is a list and description of outlines of embodiments of the present disclosure: (1) A work vehicle of the present disclosure includes a vehicle body, a fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen as fuel, a tank that stores hydrogen, a case that houses the tank, and a ventilation device that includes a fan that circulates air inside the case to the outside.

[0010] According to the above configuration, in a work vehicle equipped with a case that houses a tank, hydrogen that leaks into the case can be reliably discharged to the outside of the case by the fan.

[0011] (2) In the work vehicle of the above aspect (1), it is preferable that the case has an exhaust port communicating with the interior of the case, and the fan is provided near the exhaust port. With this configuration, the fan can be easily provided.

[0012] (3) In the work vehicle according to the above (1) or (2), it is preferable that the fan is provided outside the case. According to this configuration, the fan can be easily provided.

[0013] (4) In the work vehicle of any of (1) to (3), the case preferably includes an air intake port that communicates with the interior of the case. This configuration ensures that a flow of air for exhausting hydrogen can be reliably generated. This allows hydrogen that leaks into the case to be reliably exhausted to the outside of the case by the fan.

[0014] (5) It is preferable that the work vehicle according to any one of (1) to (4) above further comprises a first pipe connecting the tank and the fuel cell, and a first outer pipe covering at least a part of the outside of the first pipe. According to this configuration, the first outer pipe can suppress the diffusion of hydrogen that leaks from the first pipe.

[0015] (6) It is preferable that the work vehicle of any of (1) to (5) above further comprises a second pipe connecting the tank to a fill port for filling the tank with hydrogen, and a second outer pipe covering at least a part of the outside of the second pipe. According to this configuration, the second outer pipe can suppress the diffusion of hydrogen that leaks from the second pipe.

[0016] (7) The work vehicle of any of (1) to (6) above preferably further includes a first radiator that cools the fuel cell and a first radiator fan that sends cooling air to the first radiator, and the fan is the first radiator fan. According to this configuration, a ventilation device can be easily configured using the first radiator fan that is originally provided in the work vehicle. According to this configuration, in a work vehicle equipped with a case that houses a tank, hydrogen that leaks into the case can be reliably discharged outside the case by the first radiator fan.

[0017] (8) The work vehicle of any of (1) to (7) above further includes a prime mover, a second radiator that cools the prime mover, and a second radiator fan that sends cooling air to the second radiator, and it is preferable that the fan is the second radiator fan. According to this configuration, a ventilation device can be easily configured using the second radiator fan that is originally provided in the work vehicle. According to this configuration, in a work vehicle equipped with a case that houses a tank, hydrogen that leaks into the case can be reliably discharged outside the case by the second radiator fan.

[0018] (9) The work vehicle according to any one of (1) to (8) above preferably further comprises a hydrogen sensor for detecting hydrogen, the hydrogen sensor being disposed within the case. According to this configuration, the hydrogen sensor can reliably detect hydrogen present within the case. This makes it possible to reliably detect hydrogen leaks occurring in the tank.

[0019] (10) The work vehicle of the present disclosure includes a vehicle body, a fuel cell, a tank, a pipe connected to the tank and through which gaseous fuel can pass, and an outer pipe covering at least a portion of the outside of the pipe.

[0020] According to the above configuration, in a work vehicle equipped with piping connected to a tank, the outer pipe can suppress the diffusion of gaseous fuel leaking from the piping to the outside.

[0021] (11) In the work vehicle of the above aspect (10), it is preferable that the piping includes a first piping that connects the tank and the fuel cell, and the outer pipe includes a first outer pipe that covers at least a part of the outside of the first piping. According to this configuration, the first outer pipe can suppress the diffusion of gaseous fuel leaking from the first piping to the outside.

[0022] (12) Preferably, the work vehicle according to the above (10) or (11) further includes a case for accommodating the tank, and the first outer pipe is connected to the case. According to this configuration, the first outer pipe allows gaseous fuel leaking from the first pipe to be collected in the case. This makes it possible to suppress the diffusion of gaseous fuel leaking from the first pipe to the outside.

[0023] (13) In the work vehicle according to any one of (10) to (12), the first outer pipe preferably has a first opening communicating with the outside. According to this configuration, the first outer pipe allows air to flow from the first opening to the case. This air flow ensures that gaseous fuel leaking from the first piping is collected in the case.

[0024] (14) In the work vehicle according to any one of (10) to (13), the piping preferably includes a second piping that connects the tank to a filler port for filling the tank with hydrogen as the fuel, and the outer pipe preferably includes a second outer pipe that covers at least a part of the outside of the second piping. According to this configuration, the second outer pipe can suppress diffusion of hydrogen leaking from the second piping to the outside.

[0025] (15) Preferably, the work vehicle of the above aspect (14) further includes a case for accommodating the tank, and the second outer pipe is connected to the case. According to this configuration, the second outer pipe can collect hydrogen leaked from the second pipe in the case. This makes it possible to suppress diffusion of gaseous fuel leaked from the second pipe to the outside.

[0026] (16) In the work vehicle according to the above (14) or (15), the second outer pipe preferably has a second opening communicating with the outside. According to this configuration, the second outer pipe allows air to flow from the second opening to the case. This air flow ensures that hydrogen leaking from the second piping is collected in the case.

[0027] (17) In the work vehicle according to any one of (10) to (16), the case preferably includes an exhaust port communicating with the outside. According to this configuration, the outer pipe allows air to flow reliably from the outside to the case. This air flow reliably collects gaseous fuel leaking from the piping in the case. This reliably prevents gaseous fuel leaking from the piping from diffusing to the outside.

[0028] (18) The work vehicle according to any one of (10) to (17) above preferably further comprises a hydrogen sensor for detecting hydrogen, the hydrogen sensor being disposed within the case. According to this configuration, the hydrogen sensor can reliably detect the hydrogen fuel present in the case. This makes it possible to reliably detect hydrogen leaks occurring in the tank.

[0029] <Problem to be Solved by the Invention> In a work vehicle equipped with a case that houses a tank, if hydrogen leaks from the tank, the leaked hydrogen will remain inside the case. The work vehicle is required to reliably discharge hydrogen that has leaked inside the case to the outside of the case.

[0030] The present disclosure, which relates to the work vehicles of the above embodiments (1) to (9), aims to reliably discharge hydrogen leaking into a case that houses a tank to the outside of the case in a work vehicle equipped with the case.

[0031] In addition, in a work vehicle equipped with piping connected to a tank housed in a case, the case can prevent hydrogen leaking from the tank from diffusing. On the other hand, if hydrogen leaks from the hydrogen piping in the work vehicle, the leaked hydrogen will diffuse to the outside without any restriction.

[0032] The present disclosure relating to the work vehicles of the above forms (10) to (18) aims to suppress the diffusion of gaseous fuel leaking from piping to the outside in a work vehicle equipped with piping connected to a tank.

[0033] <Effects of the Invention> According to the work vehicle of the above embodiments (1) to (9) of the present disclosure, in a work vehicle equipped with a case that houses a tank, hydrogen that leaks into the case can be reliably discharged outside the case.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the work vehicle of the above-mentioned forms (10) to (18) of the present disclosure, in a work vehicle equipped with piping connected to a tank, the diffusion of gaseous fuel leaking from the piping to the outside can be suppressed.

[0035] <Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure> Hereinafter, the details of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner.

[0036] [Overall Structure of Work Vehicle] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a work vehicle according to the present disclosure, showing an example of the overall structure of the work vehicle 1. Fig. 2 is a right side view showing one embodiment of a work vehicle according to the present disclosure, showing the work vehicle 1 with some of the exterior parts (such as the hood 34 and cover 111) removed. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the work vehicle 1 is a vehicle used for agricultural work, specifically a tractor. However, the work vehicle 1 is not limited to a tractor, and may be a mobile body such as an agricultural machine, a construction machine, or a utility vehicle.

[0037] The directions of the work vehicle 1 of the present disclosure are defined below. The direction in which the work vehicle 1 moves forward is defined as the front, the direction in which the work vehicle 1 moves backward is defined as the rear, the left side when facing forward is defined as the left, and the right side when facing forward is defined as the right. The left-right direction perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction is defined as the vehicle width direction. The direction perpendicular to both the fore-and-aft direction and the vehicle width direction (left-and-right direction) is defined as the up-and-down direction. The up-and-down direction is also called the height direction.

[0038] 1 and 2, the work vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 11, a running device 12 that supports the vehicle body 11, a driver's seat 15, and a cabin 16. The vehicle body 11 includes a chassis 41, a hood 34, a cover 111, the cabin 16, and fenders for the rear wheels 12B. Specifically, the hood 34 and the cover 111 are mounted on the chassis 41 of the vehicle body 11 in this order from the front to the rear, and the cabin 16 is disposed behind the cover 111.

[0039] The work vehicle 1 further includes a tank unit 21 having multiple tanks 13 therein for storing fuel, and a drive unit 14 that is powered by the stored fuel. The fuel is liquid or gas, and may be hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide (CO), or the like. In this embodiment, the tank 13 stores hydrogen gas. Therefore, the work vehicle 1 is a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), and runs on electricity generated by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell 24 as its energy source. The fuel cell 24 may also generate electricity using methane or carbon monoxide (CO).

[0040] The drive device 14 includes a fuel cell 24, a battery unit 30, and an electric motor 31 (see FIG. 3 ; hereinafter, also referred to as the "motor 31"). The work vehicle 1 has piping through which gaseous fuel (hydrogen gas, methane gas, CO gas, etc.) discharged from the tanks 13 can pass. In this embodiment, the piping 22 is capable of passing hydrogen gas. The work vehicle 1 has a filling section 25 equipped with a hydrogen gas fill port 26. Hydrogen gas is supplied from the fill port 26 connected to the end of the piping 22 and filled into each tank 13. The hydrogen gas in the tanks 13 is supplied to the fuel cell 24 through the piping 22.

[0041] The cabin 16 is a partitioned driver's cab having front pillars, rear pillars, and a roof. The front pillars are located on the left and right sides in front of the driver's seat 15, and the rear pillars are located on the left and right sides behind the driver's seat 15. The work vehicle 1 may have a canopy or roof pegs instead of the cabin 16. When the work vehicle 1 does not have the cabin 16, the tank unit 21 is located above the driver's seat 15 by the mounting frame 17.

[0042] The traveling device 12 is composed of front wheels 12A and rear wheels 12B, both of which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vehicle body 11. One or both of the front wheels 12A and the rear wheels 12B rotate by the power of a motor 31. One or both of the front wheels 12A and the rear wheels 12B (drive wheels) that rotate by the power of the motor 31 may be crawlers (crawlers).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2 , a first cooling device 48, a fuel cell 24, and a second cooling device 49 are mounted in this order from front to rear on a portion of the chassis 41 corresponding to the front wheels 12A. The first cooling device 48 and the fuel cell 24 are covered by the hood 34, and the second cooling device 49 is covered by a cover 111. The first cooling device 48 is a device that cools the fuel cell 24. The first cooling device 48 includes a first radiator 48a and a first radiator fan 48b. The second cooling device 49 is a device that cools the motor 31 and the like. The second cooling device 49 includes a second radiator 49a and a second radiator fan 49b. Note that the locations of the first cooling device 48 and the second cooling device 49 on the work vehicle 1 are merely examples, and the work vehicle 1 is not limited to being mounted in the front portion of the vehicle body 11.

[0044] [Internal Structure of Work Vehicle] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a work vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and shows an example of the internal structure of the work vehicle 1. As shown in Figure 3, the chassis 41 that constitutes the vehicle body 11 is made of a steel frame that is long in the front-to-rear direction, and has a front frame 32 and a transmission case 33. The transmission case 33 is connected to the rear of the front frame 32, and the skeleton of the vehicle body 11 is formed by the transmission case 33 and the front frame 32.

[0045] A mounting frame 17 for disposing the tank unit 21 above the cabin 16 is connected to the chassis 41. The mounting frame 17 includes a substantially rectangular ceiling frame 17A that is longer in the front-to-rear direction than in the left-to-right direction, a plurality of pillars 17B that support the ceiling frame 17A from below, and a pair of left and right reinforcing frames 17C that are connected to the front end of the ceiling frame 17A.

[0046] A support frame 37 for supporting the battery unit 30 on the vehicle body 11 is connected to the chassis 41 of the work vehicle 1. Specifically, the motor 31 is mounted on the front frame 32 of the chassis 41, and the support frame 37 is attached to a portion of the front frame 32 corresponding to the motor 31. The support frame 37 is made of, for example, a metal frame member, and is attached in a cantilevered state so as to protrude to the right from the front frame 32.

[0047] A transmission case 33 located behind the motor 31 has a power transmission mechanism therein. The power transmission mechanism includes a transmission, a clutch, and a differential gear, and transmits the rotation of the output shaft of the motor 31 to the traveling device 12 while slowing down or speeding up the rotation.

[0048] [Regarding the Overall Piping Configuration] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the piping in a work vehicle according to the present disclosure. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a ventilation device and piping in a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the piping 22 in the work vehicle 1 includes a front piping 22f extending from the tank 13 to the fuel cell 24 via a valve unit 212, and a rear piping 22r extending from the tank 13 to the filling section 25 via the valve unit 212. The tank 13 is housed in a case 211. The case 211 protects the tank 13 from direct sunlight and collisions with objects, and also suppresses the external diffusion of hydrogen that leaks around the tank 13.

[0049] 5 schematically shows the configuration of the piping 22 in the work vehicle 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the front piping 22f includes a first inner pipe 221 and a first outer pipe 231. The rear piping 22r includes a second inner pipe 222 and a second outer pipe 232.

[0050] In the front piping 22f, one end of the first inner pipe 221 is connected to a connection port 28 provided in the rear part 24a of the fuel cell 24, and the other end of the first inner pipe 221 is connected to the valve unit 212. A part of the first inner pipe 221 is located inside the case 211, and the other part of the first inner pipe 221 is located outside the case 211.

[0051] In the rear piping 22r, one end of the second inner pipe 222 is connected to the filling port 26 provided in the filling section 25, and the other end of the second inner pipe 222 is connected to the valve unit 212. A part of the second inner pipe 222 is located inside the case 211, and the other part of the second inner pipe 222 is located outside the case 211.

[0052] In the front piping 22f, one end of the first outer pipe 231 extends to the vicinity of the rear part 24a of the fuel cell 24 and opens. The open portion at one end of the first outer pipe 231 forms a first air inlet 53a. The first air inlet 53a is an open portion that connects the inside of the first outer pipe 231 to the outside. The other end of the first outer pipe 231 is connected to the case 211 and connects to the inside of the case 211. The first outer pipe 231 connects the vicinity of the rear part 24a of the fuel cell 24 to the inside of the case 211. The first outer pipe 231 covers the outside of the portion of the first inner pipe 221 that is located outside the case 211.

[0053] In the front pipe 22f, the first outer pipe 231 prevents hydrogen leaking from the first inner pipe 221 from diffusing to the outside. The first outer pipe 231 also prevents hydrogen leaking near the rear part 24a of the fuel cell 24 from diffusing by sucking in air near the rear part 24a of the fuel cell 24 through the first air inlet 53a.

[0054] In the rear piping 22r, one end of the second outer pipe 232 extends to the vicinity of the filling port 26 and opens. The open portion at one end of the second outer pipe 232 constitutes the second air supply port 53b. The second air supply port 53b is an open portion that connects the inside of the second outer pipe 232 to the outside. The other end of the second outer pipe 232 is connected to the case 211 and connects to the inside of the case 211. The second outer pipe 232 connects the vicinity of the filling section 25 with the inside of the case 211. The second outer pipe 232 covers the outside of the portion of the second inner pipe 222 that is located outside the case 211.

[0055] In the rear piping 22r, the second outer pipe 232 prevents hydrogen leaking from the second inner pipe 222 from diffusing to the outside. By providing the second outer pipe 232, the work vehicle 1 can prevent hydrogen leaking from the second inner pipe 222 from diffusing to the outside. Furthermore, the second outer pipe 232 sucks air near the charging section 25 through the second air supply port 53b, thereby preventing the diffusion of hydrogen leaking near the charging port 26, for example.

[0056] The work vehicle 1 of the present disclosure is equipped with both the first outer pipe 231 in the front piping 22f and the second outer pipe 232 in the rear piping 22r, but the work vehicle 1 of the present disclosure may also be configured to be equipped with either the first outer pipe 231 or the second outer pipe 232.

[0057] [Regarding the Ventilation Device] As shown in Fig. 5, the work vehicle 1 (see Fig. 1) of the present disclosure is equipped with a ventilation device 50. The ventilation device 50 is a device that causes air (hydrogen gas, methane gas, CO gas, etc.) inside the case 211 to flow to the outside. In this embodiment, the ventilation device 50 causes air containing hydrogen gas inside the case 211 to flow to the outside. The ventilation device 50 is configured to include a fan 51, an exhaust port 52, and an air intake port 53 (a first air intake port 53a and a second air intake port 53b). The ventilation device 50 ventilates the inside of the case 211 by causing the fan 51 to flow air from the air intake port 53 to the exhaust port 52.

[0058] In the event of a hydrogen leak from the tank 13 inside the case 211, the leaked hydrogen will accumulate in the upper part of the case 211 due to its lower specific gravity than air. For this reason, it is preferable to provide the exhaust port 52 in the upper part of the case 211 in the vertical direction. In the ventilation device 50, the exhaust port 52 is disposed above the air inlet 53. With this configuration, the ventilation device 50 can generate a natural flow of air (upward air current) due to the chimney effect in the internal space of the case 211 and the internal spaces of the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232. Specifically, in the ventilation device 50, air enters the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232 from the air inlet 53, flows into the case 211, and then flows out to the outside from the exhaust port 52.

[0059] The ventilation device 50 further includes a hydrogen sensor 27. The hydrogen sensor 27 is provided inside the case 211. The hydrogen sensor 27 is preferably provided near the exhaust port 52, and more preferably disposed in the flow of air exhausted from the exhaust port 52. In the ventilation device 50, the hydrogen sensor 27 may be provided between the first inner pipe 221 and the first outer pipe 231, and / or between the second inner pipe 222 and the second outer pipe 232. In this case, it becomes possible to more specifically identify the location of the hydrogen leak.

[0060] In the event of a hydrogen leak from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222, the leaked hydrogen will flow upward within the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232 due to its lower specific gravity than air, and will then flow into the case 211. In the ventilation device 50, the hydrogen sensor 27 detects the hydrogen collected within the case 211, thereby being able to detect not only hydrogen leaks occurring within the case 211, but also hydrogen leaks occurring from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222.

[0061] 5 (hereinafter also referred to as first ventilation device 50A) according to a first embodiment, the fan 51 is a dedicated ventilation fan 51a provided for ventilating the inside of the case 211. In the first ventilation device 50A, the exhaust port 52 is an opening formed in the side surface of the case 211. In the first ventilation device 50A, the air intake port 53 includes a first air intake port 53a of the first outer pipe 231 and a second air intake port 53b of the second outer pipe 232.

[0062] In the first ventilation device 50A, the ventilation fan 51a is directly attached to the exhaust port 52. The ventilation fan 51a in this embodiment is arranged to block the opening at the outer end of the air passage that forms the exhaust port 52. The ventilation fan 51a may be arranged to block the opening at the inner end of the air passage that forms the exhaust port 52, or may be arranged within the air passage that forms the exhaust port 52 to block the air passage. In this case, a duct connecting the fan 51 and the exhaust port 52 is not required, which makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the ventilation device 50. Furthermore, in the first ventilation device 50A, the ventilation fan 51a is arranged outside the case 211. This configuration makes it easier to install electrical wiring and the like that is connected to the ventilation fan 51a.

[0063] In the first ventilation device 50A, when the ventilation fan 51a is activated, air drawn in from the first air intake port 53a and the second air intake port 53b flows into the case 211 through the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232, respectively, and then generates an air flow F1 that is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 52. In the event of hydrogen leakage from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222, the leaked hydrogen is collected inside the case 211 by the air flow F1. The air collected at the top of the case 211 is exhausted to the outside of the case 211 by the air flow F1.

[0064] [Second Embodiment of Ventilation Device] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a ventilation device and piping in a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The work vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1) according to the present disclosure may employ a ventilation device 50 according to a second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 (hereinafter also referred to as a second ventilation device 50B) as the ventilation device 50. The fan 51 in the second ventilation device 50B is the first radiator fan 48b constituting the first cooling device 48. The first radiator fan 48b is a fan that is originally provided in the work vehicle 1 for cooling the fuel cell 24. Therefore, the second ventilation device 50B does not require a separate fan 51 (ventilation fan 51a shown in FIG. 5), which is advantageous in terms of cost. Furthermore, the second ventilation device 50B can be easily configured by utilizing the first radiator fan 48b that is originally provided in the work vehicle 1. When the second ventilation device 50B is employed, it is preferable that the first cooling device 48 be appropriately positioned adjacent to the exhaust port 52 provided in the case 211, rather than being positioned as shown in FIG. 2 .

[0065] Due to the ascending air currents generated in the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232, air drawn in from the first air inlet 53a and the second air inlet 53b flows into the case 211 through the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232, respectively, and is then exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 52. This generates an air flow F2. As shown in FIG. 6 , the exhaust port 52 in the second ventilation device 50B is preferably provided on the top surface of the case 211. This allows hydrogen remaining in the upper part of the case 211 to be efficiently exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 52.

[0066] In the event of hydrogen leakage from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222, the second ventilation device 50B can use the air flow F2 to collect the leaked hydrogen inside the case 211. The second ventilation device 50B can use the air flow F2 to exhaust the hydrogen collected inside the case 211 to the outside of the case 211 and diffuse it into the atmosphere.

[0067] Furthermore, the second ventilation device 50B operates the first radiator fan 48b to reduce the air pressure near the suction side of the first radiator fan 48b, thereby promoting exhaust from the exhaust port 52. The second ventilation device 50B then further promotes the diffusion of the hydrogen exhausted from the exhaust port 52 by the airflow generated by the first radiator fan 48b.

[0068] [Third Embodiment of Ventilation Device] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of a ventilation device and piping in a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The work vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1) according to the present disclosure may employ a ventilation device 50 according to a third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 (hereinafter also referred to as a third ventilation device 50C) as the ventilation device 50. The fan 51 in the third ventilation device 50C is the second radiator fan 49b constituting the second cooling device 49. The second radiator fan 49b is a fan that is originally provided in the work vehicle 1 for cooling the prime mover, such as the motor 31. Therefore, the third ventilation device 50C does not require a separate fan 51 (ventilation fan 51a shown in FIG. 5), which is advantageous in terms of cost. Furthermore, the third ventilation device 50C can be easily configured as a ventilation device 50 by utilizing the second radiator fan 49b that is originally provided in the work vehicle 1. When the third ventilation device 50C is employed, it is preferable that the second cooling device 49 be appropriately positioned adjacent to the exhaust port 52 provided in the case 211, rather than being positioned as shown in FIG.

[0069] Due to the rising air currents generated in the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232, air drawn in from the first air inlet 53a and the second air inlet 53b flows into the case 211 through the first outer pipe 231 and the second outer pipe 232, respectively, and is then exhausted to the outside through the exhaust port 52. This generates an air flow F3. As shown in FIG. 7 , the exhaust port 52 in the third ventilation device 50C is preferably provided on the top surface of the case 211. This allows hydrogen remaining in the upper part of the case 211 to be efficiently exhausted to the outside through the exhaust port 52.

[0070] In the event of hydrogen leakage from the first inner pipe 221 and the second inner pipe 222, the third ventilation device 50C can use the air flow F3 to collect the leaked hydrogen inside the case 211. The third ventilation device 50C can use the air flow F3 to exhaust the hydrogen collected inside the case 211 to the outside of the case 211 and diffuse it into the atmosphere.

[0071] Furthermore, the third ventilation device 50C operates the second radiator fan 49b to reduce the air pressure near the suction side of the second radiator fan 49b, thereby promoting exhaust from the exhaust port 52. The third ventilation device 50C then further promotes the diffusion of the hydrogen exhausted from the exhaust port 52 by the airflow generated by the second radiator fan 49b.

[0072] The above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the configurations described in the claims.

[0073] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Work vehicle 11 Vehicle body 13 Tank 22 Pipe 22f Front pipe (first pipe) 221 First pipe 231 First outer pipe 22r Rear pipe (second pipe) 222 Second inner pipe 232 Second outer pipe 24 Fuel cell 26 Filling port 27 Hydrogen sensor 31 Motor (prime mover) 48a First radiator 48b First radiator fan (fan) 49a Second radiator 49b Second radiator fan (fan) 50 Ventilation device 51 Fan 51a Ventilation fan (fan) 52 Exhaust port 53 Air intake port 53a First air intake port (first opening) 53b Second air intake port (second opening) 211 Case

Claims

1. A work vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen as fuel, a tank that stores hydrogen, a case that houses the tank, and a ventilation device including a fan that discharges the air inside the case to the outside.

2. The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the case is provided with an exhaust port that communicates with the inside of the case, and the fan is provided in the vicinity of the exhaust port.

3. The work vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fan is provided outside the case.

4. The work vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the case is provided with an air supply port that communicates with the inside of the case.

5. The work vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first pipe that connects the tank and the fuel cell, and a first outer pipe that covers at least a part of the outside of the first pipe.

6. The work vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second pipe that connects the tank and a filling port for filling the tank with hydrogen, and a second outer pipe that covers at least a part of the outside of the second pipe.

7. The work vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first radiator that cools the fuel cell, and a first radiator fan that sends cooling air to the first radiator, wherein the fan is the first radiator fan.

8. The work vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a prime mover, a second radiator that cools the prime mover, and a second radiator fan that sends cooling air to the second radiator, wherein the fan is the second radiator fan.

9. The work vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a hydrogen sensor that detects hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen sensor is disposed inside the case.

10. A work vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a fuel cell, a tank, a pipe that is connected to the tank and through which gaseous fuel can pass, and an outer pipe that covers at least a part of the outside of the pipe.

11. The work vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the pipe includes a first pipe that connects the tank and the fuel cell, and the outer pipe includes a first outer pipe that covers at least a part of the outside of the first pipe.

12. The work vehicle according to claim 11, further comprising a case that houses the tank, wherein the first outer pipe is connected to the case.

13. The work vehicle according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first outer pipe includes a first opening portion that communicates with the outside.

14. The work vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the pipe includes a second pipe that connects the tank and a filling port for filling the tank with hydrogen as the fuel, and the outer pipe includes a second outer pipe that covers at least a part of the outside of the second pipe.

15. The work vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising a case for housing the tank, wherein the second outer pipe is connected to the case.

16. The work vehicle according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the second outer pipe includes a second opening portion that communicates with the outside.

17. The work vehicle according to claim 12 or 15, wherein the case includes an exhaust port that communicates with the outside.

18. The work vehicle according to any one of claims 12, 15, and 17, further comprising a hydrogen sensor for detecting hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen sensor is disposed in the case.

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