Tank mounting structure of moving body

Abstract

According to the present invention, a tank mounting structure for mounting a tank (10) for storing a fluid, on a moving body (1), comprises a substantially box-shaped mounting member (30) for accommodating the tank (10). At least a portion of the mounting member (30) is situated vertically upward from a frame (2) of the moving body (1), and a lower portion of the mounting member (30) is attached to the frame (2). The mounting member (30) includes, at a lower portion thereof, a pair of supported portions (44, 44) separated in a horizontal direction and each supported by the frame (2) of the moving body (1), and includes a plate-like reinforcing member (70) that has end portions respectively connected to the pair of supported portions (44, 44), that extends in a width direction and a vertical direction of the moving body (1), and that suppresses deformation of the mounting member (30). An intermediate portion (71) of the plate-like reinforcing member (70) is situated downward from the pair of supported portions (44, 44).

Description

Tank Mounting Structure of a Moving Body

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank mounting structure of a moving body, such as a vehicle, for mounting a tank such as a fuel tank on the moving body.

[0002] For example, in a moving body such as a truck, there is a type that has a tank between the cab and the cargo bed. Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a plurality of hydrogen tanks are mounted between the cab and the cargo compartment.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-85561

[0004] By the way, a tank mounted on a moving body such as a truck and its mounting members may receive vibrations during travel, for example. In this case, depending on the natural frequency of the tank or the mounting members, it is conceivable that resonance vibrations may be induced during the movement of the moving body, causing the tank to sway beyond the allowable range. In particular, in order to mount the tanks in a space-efficient manner, if the tanks are arranged one above the other, for example, the weight increases, and if the rigidity of the tank mounting structure is low, it becomes easier to induce low-frequency resonance vibrations, and the sway is likely to increase.

[0005] The present invention was conceived by focusing on such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a tank mounting structure of a moving body that can suppress the vibration of the tank mounted on the moving body and improve the mounting reliability.

[0006] This case was made to solve at least part of the above problems and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples. (1) The tank mounting structure of a moving body according to this application example is a tank mounting structure for mounting a tank for storing a fluid on the moving body, and includes a substantially box-shaped mounting member that houses the tank. At least a part of the mounting member is located vertically above the frame of the moving body, and its lower part is attached to the frame. The mounting member has a pair of supported portions that are horizontally separated and supported by the frame of the moving body at its lower part. Each end is coupled to the pair of supported portions, and a plate-shaped auxiliary member that extends in the width direction and the vertical direction of the moving body and suppresses deformation of the mounting member is provided. The middle part of the plate-shaped auxiliary member is located below the pair of supported portions.

[0007] In this application example, the roughly box-shaped mounting member that houses the tank is positioned at least partially vertically above the frame of the mobile body, with its lower part attached to the frame. Therefore, the mounting member is subjected to vibrations as the mobile body moves. A mounting member that houses a heavy tank may induce relatively low-frequency resonant vibrations in the longitudinal or lateral direction due to this vibration input. However, this mounting member has a pair of supported parts at its lower part that are horizontally separated and supported by the frame of the mobile body, and is equipped with a plate-shaped auxiliary member that has its ends connected to the pair of supported parts, extends in the width direction and vertical direction, and suppresses deformation of the mounting member. As a result, the rigidity of the mounting member is increased, and the natural frequency increases. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of resonant vibrations while suppressing the increase in rigidity related to torsion of the frame, etc., and the reliability of tank mounting can be improved. In addition, the fact that the middle part of the plate-shaped auxiliary member is positioned below the pair of supported parts also contributes to suppressing the occurrence of resonant vibrations while suppressing the increase in rigidity related to torsion of the frame, etc. By suppressing the increase in rigidity related to frame torsion, etc., a good rigidity balance of the entire mobile body can be maintained.

[0008] (2) It is preferable that multiple plate-shaped auxiliary members are arranged in parallel to each other. By arranging multiple plate-shaped auxiliary members in parallel to each other in this way, it becomes easier to suppress the occurrence of resonant vibrations while suppressing an increase in rigidity related to torsion of the frame.

[0009] (3) The pair of supported parts are spaced apart from each other at the lower left and right sides of the mounted member and have a skeletal member that extends in the left-right direction of the moving body, and the plate-shaped auxiliary member is preferably attached so as to sandwich the skeletal member. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of resonant vibrations while suppressing an increase in rigidity related to torsion and front-rear deformation of the frame, thereby improving the reliability of tank mounting.

[0010] (4) The plate-shaped auxiliary member is preferably convex downwards. This configuration makes it easier to suppress the occurrence of resonant vibrations while suppressing an increase in rigidity related to torsion, etc.

[0011] (5) The moving body is preferably a truck. Even if vibrations generated when the truck is running are applied to the frame members, the occurrence of resonant vibrations associated with this can be suppressed.

[0012] (6) Preferably, the truck is equipped with a driver's cab and a cargo compartment, and the tank is positioned between the driver's cab and the cargo compartment. Since the space between the driver's cab and the cargo compartment of the truck is limited, if the mounted member vibrates significantly when the tank is positioned there, there is a risk that the mounted member may interfere with the driver's cab or the cargo compartment. However, even if vibrations generated when the truck is running are applied to the mounted member, the occurrence of resonant vibrations associated with this can be suppressed, thus reducing such a risk.

[0013] According to this invention, it is possible to suppress vibrations of tanks mounted on mobile vehicles, thereby improving the reliability of tank mounting.

[0014] This is a perspective view of the main parts of a mobile body equipped with a tank mounting structure according to an embodiment, focusing on the frame portion. This is a front view of the tank mounting structure of the mobile body according to an embodiment. This is a rear view of the tank mounting structure of the mobile body according to an embodiment. This is a side view of the tank mounting structure of the mobile body according to an embodiment. This is a top view of one side (left side) of the tank mounting structure of the mobile body according to an embodiment. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show plate-shaped auxiliary members of the tank mounting structure of the mobile body according to an embodiment, where Figure 6(a) is a perspective view and Figure 6(b) is a front view. This is a side view of the main parts of a vehicle (truck) as a mobile body according to an embodiment.

[0015] The embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely illustrative examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly shown in these embodiments. Each configuration of the embodiments described below can be modified in various ways without departing from their spirit. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed.

[0016] The mobile body described below in this embodiment is a vehicle, specifically a truck, and more specifically, a fuel cell electric truck equipped with a fuel cell. However, the mobile body in this case is not limited to a vehicle; it can be applied to any mobile body equipped with a tank. Furthermore, even among vehicles, it is not limited to electric trucks, but can be broadly applied to electric vehicles and non-electric vehicles.

[0017] The tank according to this embodiment is a hydrogen tank (H2 tank) for storing hydrogen gas, which is the fuel for a fuel cell. In this case, the fuel cell corresponds to the fuel-using equipment for generating a mobile vehicle. However, the tank relating to this invention is not limited to a hydrogen tank for storing hydrogen gas, but can be broadly applied to any tank that is mounted on a mobile vehicle and stores or fills fluids, such as a tank that stores fuel fluids (gaseous fuels such as natural gas, or liquid fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel, or liquid hydrogen) in fuel-using equipment such as an engine for generating a mobile vehicle. Furthermore, the hydrogen in the H2 tank may be used not only as fuel gas for a fuel cell, but also as fuel gas for a driving engine (internal combustion engine) that operates on hydrogen as fuel.

[0018] Furthermore, in Figures 1 to 7, which are referenced, the vehicle is assumed to be on a horizontal plane, and the front of the vehicle is labeled "FR", the rear of the vehicle "RR", the right side in the vehicle width direction "RH", the left side in the vehicle width direction "LH", the vertically upward direction "UP", and the vertically downward direction "DW", and these are indicated by arrows. The front-to-back direction of the vehicle is also called the "vehicle length direction", the vehicle width direction is called the "left-to-right direction", and the vertical up-and-down direction is called the "up-and-down direction".

[0019] [1. Overall Configuration] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main part of the truck according to this embodiment, focusing on the frame portion, and Figure 7 is a side view of the main part of this truck. As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the truck 1 according to this embodiment comprises a frame 2 having a pair of left and right side rails 3L, 3R, and a plurality of cross members 4 provided between these side rails 3L, 3R. The side rails 3L, 3R of the frame 2 are formed in a U-shape in cross-section, having a web portion 3a and flanges 3b, 3c that protrude in one direction (inward in the vehicle width direction) from the upper and lower edges of the web portion 3a.

[0020] A cab (driver's compartment) 5 is installed above the front of frame 2, and a cargo compartment 6 is installed above frame 2 behind cab 5. Below cab 5 (below the front of frame 2), the left and right front wheels 7 are supported by frame 2. Below the rear of frame 2, the left and right rear wheels 8 are supported by frame 2.

[0021] As described above, truck (vehicle) 1 is a fuel cell electric vehicle that runs on hydrogen gas as fuel, and specifically, it is a fuel cell electric truck. Therefore, vehicle 1 comprises a fuel cell system that generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, a drive motor that operates using the electricity generated by the fuel cell system to rotate the drive wheels (for example, the rear wheels 8), and a hydrogen tank (H2 tank, also simply called "tank") 10 for storing the hydrogen used in the fuel cell system. Note that in Figure 7, the description of components other than the hydrogen tank 10 is omitted.

[0022] In this embodiment, multiple hydrogen tanks 10 (four in this example) are arranged vertically between the cab 5 and the cargo compartment 6. These hydrogen tanks 10 are mounted on mounting members 30 of the tank mounting structure 20. The tank mounting structure 20 will be described later. The hydrogen tank 10 is made of an aluminum alloy body, and the tank body is reinforced with CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic).

[0023] The hydrogen tank 10 has a cylindrical intermediate section (cylindrical section) 10a connected to convex curved ends 10b, such as a disc or a roughly hemispherical shape, and is formed to be elongated along the central axis direction of the cylindrical section 10a. The hydrogen tank 10 is positioned in the tank mounting structure 20 so that its central axis direction is aligned with the vehicle width direction and is supported by the side rails 3L and 3R via the tank mounting structure.

[0024] [2. Tank Mounting Structure] The tank mounting structure 20 includes a mounting member 30 for mounting the hydrogen tank 10. As shown in Figures 1 to 6 [Figure 6(a), Figure 6(b)], the mounting member 30 includes a roughly box-shaped frame 40 for housing the tank, brackets 47 and 48 for fixing the frame 40 to the frame 2, auxiliary stays (auxiliary members) 50 for supporting the frame 40, diagonal bracing members (deformation suppressing members) 60 for suppressing deformation of the frame 40, and plate-shaped auxiliary members 70 for suppressing deformation of the mounting member 30 (especially the frame 40). Here, the brackets 47 and 48 are made of cast iron, but the brackets 47 and 48 may be made of other materials such as sheet metal. The main parts of these mounting members 30 will be described below.

[0025] [2.1. Skeleton] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the skeleton 40 is formed as a whole in the shape of a thin rectangular parallelepiped in the front-rear direction, and almost the entire (at least a part of it) is located vertically above the frame 2, with its lower part attached to the frame 2. Note that in Figures 2 and 3, the hydrogen tank 10 is shown in gray for ease of identification. The skeleton 40 comprises first skeleton members (corner skeleton members) 41 extending vertically from the four corners, second skeleton members 42 connecting the left and right first skeleton members 41, 41 to each other, third skeleton members 43 connecting the front and rear first skeleton members 41, 41 to each other, and fourth skeleton members 44 positioned on the left and right sides at the very bottom and connecting the lower ends of the front and rear first skeleton members 41, 41 to each other.

[0026] The first structural member 41 is made of hollow or solid columnar steel, the second structural member 42 is made of angle steel, the third structural member 43 is made of hollow or solid columnar steel, and the fourth structural member 44 is made of casting. However, these may be configured in any way as long as they have the function of a frame.

[0027] Multiple second and third skeletal members 42 and 43 (four of each in this case) are arranged parallel to each other vertically. The tanks 10 are stored in the space between the fourth skeletal member 44 and the lowest second and third skeletal members 42 and 43, and in the spaces above that between the upper and lower second and third skeletal members 42 and 43. In this embodiment, four tanks 10 are stored vertically, and four second and four third skeletal members 42 and 43 are also arranged vertically.

[0028] The tank 10 has bosses (not shown) protruding from both ends, and these bosses are fixed to the frame 40 by support brackets (not shown). However, the tank 10 may also be mounted on brackets that extend in the left-right direction attached to the front and rear first frame members 41, and the bosses at both ends may be fixed after these brackets are mounted.

[0029] Furthermore, the lowermost fourth skeletal member 44, 44 of the skeletal member 40 is fixed to the respective side rails 3L, 3R of the frame 2 via a front bracket 47 and a rear bracket 48. Specifically, the fourth skeletal member 44 consists of a longitudinal portion 44a located outward in the vehicle width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a vehicle width portion 44b extending inward in the vehicle width direction at the front and rear ends of the longitudinal portion 44a, forming a U-shape when viewed from above. The front end of the longitudinal portion 44a of the fourth skeletal member 44 is fixed to the respective side rails 3L, 3R of the frame 2 via a front bracket 47, and the rear end of the longitudinal portion 44a of the fourth skeletal member 44 is fixed to the respective side rails 3L, 3R of the frame 2 via a rear bracket 48. The base of the first skeletal member 41 is connected to the front and rear ends of the longitudinal portion 44a of the fourth skeletal member 44.

[0030] In this embodiment, the front portions of the side rails 3L and 3R have widened portions 3d that have a flat surface (planar area) where the distance between the left and right side rails 3L and 3R increases as they move forward, and the front bracket 47 is positioned on the flat surface of this widened portion 3d. Upper outer stiffeners 45 and lower outer stiffeners 46 are attached to the portions of the side rails 3L and 3R to which the front bracket 47 and rear bracket 48 are attached.

[0031] The upper outer stiffener 45 is attached and fixed to the outer surface of the web portion 3a of the side rails 3L and 3R and the upper flange 3b that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from its upper edge, and the lower outer stiffener 46 is attached and fixed to the outer surface of the web portion 3a of the side rails 3L and 3R and the lower flange 3c that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from its lower edge. The front bracket 47 and the rear bracket 48 are mainly attached to the web portion 3a of the side rails 3L and 3R via these outer stiffeners 45 and 46.

[0032] [2.2. Auxiliary Stays (Auxiliary Members)] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the auxiliary stays 50 have their lower ends 51 connected to the side rails 3L and 3R of the frame 2, and their upper ends 52 connected to the frame 40 at a position offset from the lower end 51 in the front-rear and left-right directions, thereby assisting in the support of the frame 40. Specifically, the auxiliary stays 50 located in front of the frame 40 are inclined towards the rear of the vehicle and to the side of the vehicle, and the auxiliary stays 50 located behind the frame 40 are inclined towards the front of the vehicle and to the side of the vehicle. The auxiliary stays 50 are arranged in a front-rear line on each of the side rails 3L and 3R, and are provided at each of the four corners in a plan view of the frame 40, for a total of four stays.

[0033] The lower end 51 of each auxiliary stay 50 is fixed to the front bracket 47 and rear bracket 48 of each side rail 3L and 3R via a ball joint 53. The upper end 52 of each auxiliary stay 50 is fixed to a bracket 54 attached to each first skeletal member 41 of the frame 40 via a ball joint 53. In this embodiment, an outer stiffener 49 is attached to the location where the bracket 54 of the first skeletal member 41 is attached.

[0034] However, these ball joints 53 are not mandatory, and may be interposed at only one of the lower end 51 and upper end 52 of each auxiliary stay 50. In this case, since the side rails 3L and 3R to which the parts are attached have higher rigidity than the frame 40 to which the parts are attached, it is preferable to interpose the ball joints 53 only at the lower end 51 of each auxiliary stay 50.

[0035] Furthermore, the upper end 52 of each auxiliary stay 50 is attached below the center in the height direction of the frame 40. In this embodiment, the upper end 52 of each auxiliary stay 50 is positioned at the lowest of the four upper and lower second frame members 42 and third frame members 43 (near the boundary between the lowest tank 10 and the tank 10 adjacent to it above it).

[0036] [2.3. Bracing Member (Deformation Suppressing Member)] As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the bracing member (deformation suppressing member) 60 is attached to the rear surface of the frame 40. The bracing member 60 suppresses the deformation of the frame 40 and performs a function almost identical to that of a building's "bracing".

[0037] The bracing member 60 includes a first member 61 that connects the left upper end portion 40a of the skeletal portion 40 to the right portion of the frame 2 (right side rail 3R) on the rear side of the skeletal portion 40, and a second member 62 that connects the right upper end portion 40b of the skeletal portion 40 to the left portion of the frame 2 (left side rail 3L).

[0038] Here, the upper end of the first member 61 is attached to the left upper end portion 40a of the frame portion 40 via a bracket 63 using fasteners such as bolts, and the lower end of the first member 61 is attached to a rear bracket 48 attached to the right side rail 3R using fasteners such as bolts (not shown). Also, the upper end of the second member 62 is attached to the right upper end portion 40b of the frame portion 40 via a bracket 64 using fasteners such as bolts, and the lower end of the second member 62 is attached to a rear bracket 48 attached to the left side rail 3L using fasteners such as bolts (not shown).

[0039] Furthermore, the first member 61 and the second member 62 intersect on the same plane. Here, the first member 61 is composed of a single piece, while the second member 62 is composed of two pieces, an upper member 62a and a lower member 62b, at the intersection 65 with the first member 61. The lower end of the upper member 62a and the upper end of the lower member 62b (shown as lines in Figure 3) are joined to the first member 61 at the intersection 65 by welding or the like. In addition, a plate-shaped reinforcing member 66, which connects and reinforces the lower end of the upper member 62a and the upper end of the lower member 62b, is attached to the first member 61 with fasteners such as bolts (not shown). The first member 61 and the second member 62 are hollow members, and both are formed in the shape of a hollow pipe with a long, narrow rectangular cross-section.

[0040] [2.4. Plate-shaped auxiliary member] As shown in Figures 1 and 6 [Figures 6(a) and 6(b)], the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 is a plate-shaped member that has each end connected to the fourth skeletal member 44 (a pair of supported parts), which is the part to which the skeletal part 40 of the mounted member 30 is attached to and supported by the left and right side rails 3L and 3R of the frame 2, and suppresses deformation of the skeletal part 40 of the mounted member 30.

[0041] This plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 extends in the width direction (left-right direction) and the vertical direction, and is formed to be longer in the width direction, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b). Furthermore, the intermediate portion 71 of the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 is located below the fourth skeletal member 44 (a pair of supported parts), and has a shape that is convex downward when viewed from the front. Two sets of plate-shaped auxiliary members 70, each consisting of two plates arranged parallel to each other, are attached to the front and rear of the skeletal part 40, respectively, in a front-to-back arrangement.

[0042] Of the two plate-shaped auxiliary members 70 that make up the set, the set located in front of the frame 40 has both ends 72 fastened and fixed to the front bracket 47 and the front vehicle width direction portion 44b of the fourth frame member 44. In addition, both ends 72 of the two plate-shaped auxiliary members 70 are attached so as to sandwich the vehicle width direction portion 44b between them.

[0043] Of the two plate-shaped auxiliary members 70 that form a set, the set located behind the skeleton portion 40 is similarly fastened and fixed at both its ends 72 to the rear bracket 48 and the vehicle-width direction portion 44b behind the fourth skeleton member 44. Also, both ends 72 of the two plate-shaped auxiliary members 70 are attached so as to sandwich the vehicle-width direction portion 44b therebetween.

[0044] Although not shown, the hydrogen tank 10 is equipped with a supply pipe for supplying the fuel in the hydrogen tank 10 to the equipment at the supply destination (here, the fuel cell), a filling port for filling (replenishing) the fuel into the hydrogen tank 10, a discharge pipe for discharging the fuel in the tank under specific conditions, and the like.

[0045] [3. Operations and Effects] Since the tank mounting structure material of the moving body according to this embodiment is configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained.

[0046] [3.1. Operations and Effects by the Auxiliary Stay (Auxiliary Member)] According to this tank mounting structure 20, the substantially box-shaped skeleton portion 40 is located substantially entirely vertically above the frame 2 (side rails 3L, 3R) of the truck 1, and its lower portion is attached to the side rails 3L, 3R of the frame 2. Therefore, the skeleton portion 40 receives vibration as the truck 1 travels. The skeleton portion 40 that houses the heavy hydrogen tank 10 may induce relatively low-frequency resonant vibrations in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction due to this vibration input.

[0047] In contrast, the auxiliary stay 50 that assists in supporting the skeleton portion 40 has its lower end portion 51 connected to the frame 2, and its upper end portion 52 is connected to the skeleton portion 40 at a position displaced in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction with respect to the lower end portion 51 to assist in supporting the skeleton portion 40. For this reason, the support rigidity of the skeleton portion 40 is increased in both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and the natural vibration frequency of the skeleton portion 40 is increased. Therefore, the occurrence of resonant vibrations can be suppressed, and the mounting reliability of the hydrogen tank 10 can be improved.

[0048] Further, since the lower fourth skeletal member 44 of the skeletal part 40 and the lower ends of the auxiliary stays 50 are attached to the left and right side rails 3L and 3R via a common front bracket 47 or rear bracket 48, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

[0049] Since the auxiliary stays 50 are attached respectively between each of the first skeletal members (corner skeletal members) 41 and the side rails 3L and 3R of the frame 2, the support rigidity of the skeletal part 40 can be effectively increased, and the occurrence of resonant vibration can be suppressed.

[0050] The front auxiliary stay 50 has its lower end 51 attached to the widened portion 3d where the distance between the side rails 3L and 3R increases via the front bracket 47. Therefore, the distance between the lower ends 51 of the left and right auxiliary stays 50 also increases, making it easier to increase the support rigidity in the left - right direction and also making it easier to suppress the occurrence of resonant vibration.

[0051] The auxiliary stays 50 are mainly attached to the web portions 3a of the side rails 3L and 3R, and the web portions 3a have flanges 3b and 3c protruding from their upper and lower edges, which function as stiffeners. Therefore, the web portions 3a are more rigid than the flanges 3b and 3c. For this reason, it becomes easier to increase the support rigidity of the skeletal part 40, and the occurrence of resonant vibration can also be suppressed more easily.

[0052] Since the auxiliary stays 50 are attached below the center in the height direction of the skeletal part 40, the attachment area of the lower end 51 of the auxiliary stay 50 is narrow, and the amount of deviation in the front - rear and left - right directions from the upper end 52 of the auxiliary stay 50 cannot be large. However, the inclination angles (angles with respect to the vertical direction) of the auxiliary stays 50 in the front - rear and left - right directions can be made relatively large. While suppressing the length of the auxiliary stays 50, it is possible to suppress an increase in the weight of the tank mounting structure 20, effectively increase the support rigidity, and also suppress the occurrence of resonant vibration.

[0053] Since the auxiliary stay 50 is attached to the frame 2 or skeletal part 40 via ball joints 53 at its lower end 51 and upper end 52, the ball joints 53 prevent localized load concentration at the mounting points, thereby improving the durability of the tank mounting structure 20.

[0054] As in this embodiment, when the moving body is a truck 1, even if vibrations generated when the truck 1 is running are applied to the frame 40, the auxiliary stay 50 can suppress the occurrence of resonant vibrations associated with them.

[0055] When the frame 40 of the mounting member 30 is positioned between the driver's cab 5 and the cargo compartment 6 of the truck 1, the space between the driver's cab 5 and the cargo compartment 6 is limited. Therefore, if the vibration of the frame 40 becomes large, there is a risk that the frame 40 may interfere with the driver's cab 5 or the cargo compartment 6. However, even if vibrations generated when the truck 1 is running are applied to the frame 40, the resulting resonant vibrations can be suppressed by the auxiliary stay 50 as described above, thus reducing this risk.

[0056] [3.2. Function and Effects of the Bracing Member (Deformation Suppressing Member)] The bracing member (deformation suppressing member) 60 that suppresses deformation of the frame 40 comprises a first member 61 and a second member 62 arranged to intersect in a substantially X shape on one side of the frame 40, either at the rear or front (in this embodiment, at the rear). Therefore, the bracing member 60 performs the function of a so-called "bracing" used in buildings. As a result, the rigidity of the frame 40 is increased, and the natural frequency is raised. Consequently, the occurrence of resonant vibrations can be suppressed, and the mounting reliability of the hydrogen tank 10 can be improved.

[0057] When the first member 61 and the second member 62 intersect, the size (thickness) of the bracing member 60 tends to increase in the front-to-back direction at the intersection 65. However, since the first member 61 and the second member 62 intersect on the same plane, the size (thickness) in the front-to-back direction can be suppressed, and the bracing member 60 can be added without hindrance even when installed in a location where the front-to-back space of the track 1 is limited.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plate-shaped reinforcing member 66 is attached to the second member 62, sandwiching the first member 61, to connect and reinforce the lower end of the upper member 62a and the upper end of the lower member 62b of the second member 62. This improves the strength at the intersection portion 65 of the bracing member 60. However, the reinforcing member 66 may be attached only as needed.

[0059] The first member 61 and the second member 62 are attached to the frame 2 via brackets 48, which makes it easier to ensure the rigidity and strength of the mounting points and also improves the ease of installation.

[0060] Furthermore, since the first member 61 and the second member 62 are made of hollow material, they contribute to reducing the weight of the tank mounting structure 20.

[0061] As in this embodiment, when the moving body is a truck 1, even if vibrations generated when the truck 1 is running are applied to the frame 40, the bracing member 60 can suppress the occurrence of resonant vibrations associated with them.

[0062] When the frame 40 of the mounting member 30 is positioned between the driver's cab 5 and the cargo compartment 6 of the truck 1, the space between the driver's cab 5 and the cargo compartment 6 is limited. Therefore, if the vibration of the frame 40 becomes large, there is a risk that the frame 40 may interfere with the driver's cab 5 or the cargo compartment 6. However, even if vibrations generated when the truck 1 is running are applied to the frame 40, the resulting resonant vibrations can be suppressed by the bracing member 60 as described above, thus reducing this risk.

[0063] [3.3. Function and Effects of Plate-Shaped Auxiliary Members] Since the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 is fastened and fixed at both ends 72 to the front bracket 47 or the rear bracket 48 and to the vehicle width direction portion 44b of the fourth skeletal member 44 (supported portion), the rigidity of the skeletal portion 40 is increased, and the natural frequency is increased. Therefore, the occurrence of resonant vibration can be suppressed, and the mounting reliability of the hydrogen tank 10 can be improved.

[0064] Furthermore, because the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 is elongated and its intermediate portion 71 is located below the fourth skeletal member 44 (a pair of supported parts), the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 itself can undergo a certain degree of twisting and curvature. For example, because the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 is elongated and its axis is along its longitudinal direction, as shown in Figure 6(a) (see the white arrow in Figure 6(a)), or it can curve in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70, as indicated by arrow A1. Moreover, because the intermediate portion 71 of the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 is located below the fourth skeletal member 44 (a pair of supported parts), it can curve within the plate surface of the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70, as indicated by arrow A2 in Figure 6(b). Therefore, this contributes to suppressing the occurrence of resonant vibrations while suppressing an increase in the rigidity related to torsion of the frame 2. By suppressing the increase in rigidity related to torsion of frame 2, a good rigidity balance for the entire track 1 can be maintained.

[0065] Furthermore, since multiple plate-shaped auxiliary members 70 are arranged parallel to each other, it becomes easier to suppress the occurrence of resonant vibrations while suppressing an increase in rigidity related to torsion of the frame 2.

[0066] Since the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 is attached by sandwiching a part of the fourth skeletal member 44, it can be securely attached, suppressing the increase in rigidity related to torsion and front-to-back deformation of the frame 2, while suppressing the occurrence of resonant vibrations, thereby improving the reliability of mounting the hydrogen tank 10.

[0067] Furthermore, since the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 has a shape that is convex downwards, it is easier to suppress the increase in rigidity related to torsion and front-to-back deformation of the frame 2, and it is easier to maintain a good rigidity balance for the entire track 1.

[0068] As in this embodiment, when the moving body is a truck 1, even if vibrations generated when the truck 1 is running are applied to the frame 40, the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 can suppress the occurrence of resonant vibrations associated with them.

[0069] When the frame 40 of the mounting member 30 is placed between the driver's cab 5 and the cargo compartment 6 of the truck 1, the space between the driver's cab 5 and the cargo compartment 6 is limited. Therefore, if the vibration of the frame 40 becomes large, there is a risk that the frame 40 may interfere with the driver's cab 5 or the cargo compartment 6. However, even if vibrations generated when the truck 1 is running are applied to the frame 40, the resulting resonant vibrations can be suppressed by the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 as described above, thus reducing this risk.

[0070] [4. Others] The configuration of the above embodiment is an example and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the tank mounting structure of the mobile body according to the above embodiment was described using a truck 1 as an example of the mobile body, and an example in which the auxiliary stay (auxiliary member) 50, the bracing member (deformation suppressing member) 60, and the plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 are all equipped was described. However, the mobile body is not limited to a vehicle such as a truck 1, and even if only a part of each member 50, 60, or 70 is equipped, a corresponding effect can be obtained. Of course, the type of tank and the arrangement of each member 50, 60, 70 and piping (not shown) can also be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, the height-direction assembly position of the auxiliary member 50 according to the above embodiment may be assembled in the center or at the top. Furthermore, the tank of the mobile body according to the above embodiment may be, for example, a tank to which UNR134 (Unified Regulations for Approval of Automobiles and Their Components Related to Safety-Related Performance of Hydrogen Fuel Vehicles) applies.

[0071] [5. Addendum] The following addendums are disclosed with respect to the above embodiments. (Addendum 1) A tank mounting structure for mounting a fluid storage tank on a mobile body, comprising a substantially box-shaped mounting member for housing the tank, wherein at least a portion of the mounting member is located vertically above the frame of the mobile body and its lower part is attached to the frame, the mounting member has a pair of supported parts at its lower part that are horizontally separated and each supported by the frame of the mobile body, and comprises a plate-shaped auxiliary member whose ends are connected to the pair of supported parts, extending in the width direction and vertical direction of the mobile body, and suppressing deformation of the mounting member, wherein the intermediate part of the plate-shaped auxiliary member is located below the pair of supported parts.

[0072] (Note 2) The tank mounting structure for the mobile body according to Note 1, characterized in that a plurality of the plate-shaped auxiliary members are arranged parallel to each other.

[0073] (Note 3) The tank mounting structure for a mobile body according to Note 2, characterized in that the pair of supported parts are separated from each other at the lower left and right sides of the mounting member and have a skeletal member extending in the left-right direction of the mobile body, and the plate-shaped auxiliary member is attached so as to sandwich the skeletal member.

[0074] (Note 4) The tank mounting structure for a mobile body according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, characterized in that the plate-shaped auxiliary member has a shape that is convex downwards.

[0075] (Note 5) The tank mounting structure for a mobile body according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, characterized in that the mobile body is a truck.

[0076] (Note 6) The tank mounting structure for a mobile body according to Note 5, characterized in that the truck is equipped with a driver's cab and a cargo compartment, and the tank is positioned between the driver's cab and the cargo compartment.

[0077] 1 Truck (vehicle) as a mobile body 2 Frame 3L, 3R Side rails 3a Web section 3b, 3c Flange 3d Widened section of side rails 3L, 3R 4 Cross member 5 Cab (driver's compartment) 6 Cargo compartment 7 Front wheels 8 Rear wheels 10 Tank (hydrogen tank) 10a Middle section (cylindrical section) of hydrogen tank 10 10b Both ends of hydrogen tank 10 20 Tank mounting structure 40 Skeleton section 40a Upper left end of skeleton section 40 40b Upper right end of skeleton section 40 41 First skeleton member (corner skeleton member) of skeleton section 40 42 Second skeleton member of skeleton section 40 43 Third skeleton member of skeleton section 40 44 Fourth skeleton member (supported section) of skeleton section 40 44a Front-rear section of fourth skeleton member 44 44b Width-direction section of fourth skeleton member 44 45 Upper outer stiffener 46 Lower outer stiffener 47 Front bracket 48 Rear bracket 49 Outer stiffener 50 Auxiliary stay (auxiliary member) 51 Lower end of auxiliary stay 50 52 Upper end of auxiliary stay 50 53 Ball joint 54 Bracket 60 Bracing member (deformation suppressing member) 61 First member of bracing member 60 62 Second member of bracing member 60 63, 64 Bracket 65 Intersection 66 Reinforcement member 70 Plate-shaped auxiliary member 71 Middle part of plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 72 Both ends of plate-shaped auxiliary member 70 FR Front of vehicle RR Rear of vehicle RH Right side in the vehicle width direction LH Left side in the vehicle width direction UP Vertically upward DW Vertically downward

Claims

1. A tank mounting structure for mounting a fluid storage tank on a mobile body, comprising a substantially box-shaped mounting member for housing the tank, wherein at least a portion of the mounting member is located vertically above the frame of the mobile body and its lower part is attached to the frame, the mounting member has a pair of supported parts at its lower part that are horizontally separated and each supported by the frame of the mobile body, and a plate-shaped auxiliary member whose ends are connected to the pair of supported parts and which extends in the width direction and vertical direction of the mobile body to suppress deformation of the mounting member, the intermediate part of the plate-shaped auxiliary member is located below the pair of supported parts.

2. The tank mounting structure for a mobile body according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of the plate-shaped auxiliary members are arranged parallel to each other.

3. The tank mounting structure for a mobile body according to claim 2, characterized in that the pair of supported portions are spaced apart from each other at the lower left and right sides of the mounting member and have a skeletal member extending in the left-right direction of the mobile body, and the plate-shaped auxiliary member is attached so as to sandwich the skeletal member.

4. The tank mounting structure for a mobile body according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate-shaped auxiliary member has a shape that is convex downwards.

5. The tank mounting structure for a mobile body according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile body is a truck.

6. The tank mounting structure for a mobile body according to claim 5, characterized in that the truck is equipped with a driver's cab and a cargo compartment, and the tank is positioned between the driver's cab and the cargo compartment.

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