JP2001113960A - Fuel battery automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the efficient arrangement structure of the constitution apparatus and the device (the constitution element of a fuel battery system) of a fuel battery system without narrowing a passenger room and a cargo room, in a fuel battery automobile in which four - five or more passengers ride. SOLUTION: This fuel battery automobile is formed such that a fuel tank 1, a fuel reforming device 2, a fuel battery device 3, and an electric energy storage 7 are situated, in the order, in a place below the floor of the automobile 10 along the longitudinal direction of a car body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle powered by a fuel cell, and more particularly to a fuel tank, a fuel reformer, a fuel cell, and the like which are components of a fuel cell system.
The present invention relates to an arrangement structure of an electric energy storage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electric vehicle powered by a fuel cell is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-109126 and US Pat. No. 5,641,031. The above technology is a small-sized fuel cell vehicle for a very small number of passengers of about two people, in which the fuel cell is mounted near the center of gravity of the vehicle body. The above vehicle is a system that does not use electric energy storage.

[0003]

In the above-described fuel cell vehicle, a fuel reformer, a fuel cell main body, and a battery are arranged on a frame of a vehicle body, and these devices and devices are installed in a passenger compartment. The guest room space is narrowed. Therefore, with such a device arrangement in this type of conventional car, the passenger compartment becomes narrow as a car in which 4 to 5 people or more people ride.

As described above, the above-mentioned automobile is a system that does not use electric energy storage, and as shown in FIG. 1 of the specification, the reformer is disposed in the rear luggage compartment, so that the luggage compartment space is reduced. Narrows. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 of the specification, a fuel cell is disposed between a fuel tank disposed at the front of the vehicle body and a reformer disposed at the rear of the vehicle body. It is presumed that the piping between the devices becomes complicated, and the arrangement of the devices and devices is not efficient in the fuel cell system.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems in a fuel cell vehicle powered by a fuel cell. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell vehicle with four to five or more occupants in a fuel cell system without reducing the space of a passenger compartment and a luggage compartment without reducing the space between a passenger compartment and a luggage compartment. A fuel cell vehicle capable of realizing an efficient arrangement structure of system components).

Another object of the present invention is to dispose a distributor for distributing electric power generated by a fuel cell to an electric energy storage and a motor in a fuel cell system efficiently and to provide an advantageous electric wiring. Provided is a fuel cell vehicle capable of realizing the arrangement, thereby shortening the electric wiring between the components, simplifying the assembly including the electric wiring of the fuel cell vehicle, and the like.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel cell vehicle powered by a fuel cell, wherein a fuel tank and a fuel tank are provided below a floor of the vehicle along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The reformer, the fuel cell, and the electric energy storage are arranged in this order.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the components of the fuel cell system are arranged along the system flow, so that the piping and wiring between the components are shortened, and the fuel cell system is efficiently arranged in a fuel cell vehicle. It can be structured. In addition, by arranging the components of the fuel cell system under the floor of the vehicle body, the space of the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment is not narrowed, and the space of the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment of the fuel cell vehicle can be widely used to make it easy to use. be able to. Also, by arranging the components of the fuel cell system in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along the system flow, the heaviest fuel cell and electric energy storage among the components can be disposed in the center of the vehicle, It is possible to obtain a fuel cell vehicle having a good weight balance before and after.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a fuel cell vehicle powered by a fuel cell, a fuel tank, a fuel reformer, a fuel cell,
The electric energy storage is arranged in this order, and the electric energy storage and the distributor are juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the components of the fuel cell system are arranged along the system flow, the piping and wiring between the components are shortened, and the fuel cell system is efficiently arranged in a fuel cell vehicle. It can be structured. The electric energy generated by the fuel cell can be supplied via the distributor according to the load of the motor and the amount of power stored in the electric energy storage. In particular, in the present invention, since the electric energy storage and the distributor are juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction, the distributor is disposed near the fuel cell and the electric energy storage, and the electric wiring between the constituent elements is reduced as much as possible. It can be shortened, and an advantageous arrangement in terms of electric wiring can be realized. Also, by arranging the components of the fuel cell system under the floor of the vehicle body, the space of the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment can be reduced, and the space of the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment of the fuel cell vehicle can be made large and easy to use. it can. Further, by arranging the components of the fuel cell system in the front-rear direction of the vehicle according to the system flow as described above, the heaviest fuel cell and the electric energy storage among the components are disposed in the center of the vehicle. As a result, a fuel cell vehicle having a good weight balance before and after can be obtained.

According to a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the vehicle body includes two frames extending in the front-rear direction, and at least the fuel reforming device, the fuel cell, and the electric energy are provided between the two frames. The storage is arranged.

According to the third aspect, between the left and right vehicle body frames (between the two frames) provided to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.
In addition, since at least the fuel reforming device, the fuel cell, and the electric energy storage are arranged, in the event of an impact from the side of the vehicle, the components constituting the fuel cell system can be protected.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the electric energy storage and the distributor are arranged between the two frames in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, between the left and right body frames (extending between the two frames) provided to extend in the front-rear direction of the body.
In addition, at least a fuel reforming device, a fuel cell, and an electric energy storage are arranged, and the electric energy storage and a distributor juxtaposed thereto are arranged between the left and right body frames (between two frames). In the event of an impact from the direction, the components constituting these fuel cell systems including the distributor can be protected.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, a condenser for returning steam discharged from the fuel cell to water is disposed on the fuel reformer.

According to the fifth aspect, the layout of the condenser is advantageous, and since the condenser is arranged on the fuel reformer, the water recovered from the fuel cell is supplied to the fuel reformer by its own weight. And a dedicated pump for supplying water is not required.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings should be viewed in the direction of reference numerals. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system flow of a fuel cell system in a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment. Although a fuel cell system of a fuel cell vehicle is known, its outline will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes a fuel tank, which uses, for example, methanol as a fuel, and 2 denotes a fuel reformer, which heats a reaction raw material such as a mixture of fuel and water sent from the fuel tank, thereby reforming the fuel. The reformed gas is converted into a reformed gas, and the reformed gas mainly containing hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell 3.

The fuel cell 3 receives supply of air (oxygen) from the air supply device 4 together with the reformed gas, and the reformed gas reacts with air (oxygen) to become water (steam).
At this time, electricity is generated as is known. The fuel cell 3 is provided with a cell cooling device 5. Electricity generated by the fuel cell 3 is supplied to a motor 6 which is a power source of an automobile,
The motor 6 is driven to drive the automobile. On the other hand, electricity generated in the fuel cell 3 is stored in the electric energy storage 7. The electric energy storage 7 supplies power to the motor 6 according to the driving state of the vehicle. The electric energy storage 7 is, for example, a secondary battery, an electric double layer capacitor, or the like. Water vapor generated and discharged in the fuel cell 3 is condensed in the condenser 8 to become water, and the water is supplied to the fuel reformer 2. Although the above description has been made using methanol as an example of fuel, gasoline may be used.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of the fuel cell system according to the first embodiment of the fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention, and shows an example of an automobile in which a motor is disposed at a front portion of a vehicle body. is there. A flat outline of the body 11 of the automobile 10 is indicated by a chain line, and left and right front wheels 12 and 12 and left and right rear wheels 1 are shown.
It is a four-wheeled vehicle equipped with 3,13. The vehicle body 11 is provided with two frames 14 and 14 that are separated in the vehicle width direction and extend in the front-rear direction. The two frames 14, 14 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other left and right. In the embodiment, the interval between the front portions 14a, 14a of the frames 14, 14 is slightly narrower, and the intermediate portion 14b in the front-rear direction is provided. , 14b are slightly wider, and the rear portions 14c, 14c have a portion (front portion of the rear portion) 14d, 14d slightly curved symmetrically inward in the vehicle width direction, and the space between the rear portions is slightly enlarged. It is set as follows.

The above-described components of the fuel cell system are arranged along the front-rear direction of the automobile 10. First,
At the rear part of the vehicle body 11, the rear parts 14c of the frames 14,
The fuel tank 1 is arranged between the front portions 14d of the 14c. A fuel reformer 2 is disposed immediately before and adjacent to the fuel tank 1, and a condenser 8 is disposed above the fuel reformer 2. In front of the fuel reformer 2, a fuel cell 3 is disposed immediately before and adjacent thereto, and in front of the fuel cell 3, an electric energy storage 7 is disposed immediately before and adjacent thereto. Further, at the front of the vehicle body 11,
The motor 6 is disposed between the front portions 14a of the frames 14, 14. A mission 6a is assembled to the motor 6. The mission 6a is not shown,
The left and right front wheels 12, 12 are connected via a drive shaft.

The fuel reformer 2 having the condenser 8 disposed thereon,
The fuel cell 3 and the electric energy storage 7 are disposed between the intermediate portions 14b and 14b of the frames 14 and 14 and extend from the rear side to the front of the vehicle body 11 from the fuel reformer 2, the fuel cell 3 and the electric energy storage 7 In the order of
The fuel tank 1 is arranged at the rearmost part behind the fuel reformer 2,
Further, a motor 6 is arranged in front of the electric energy storage 7. Further, in the present embodiment, the battery cooling device 5 constituting the cooling system of the fuel cell 3 is provided outside the fuel cell 3 on one side.
Intermediate part 1 of frame 14 on this side (right side 14R)
4b. Further, the air supply device 4 constituting the intake system of the fuel cell 3 is disposed outside the other end of the fuel cell 3 and outside the intermediate portion 14b of the frame 14 on this side (the left side 14L).

FIG. 3 is a left side view of FIG. As shown in the figure, the frames 14, 14 have a high front portion 14a,
The middle part 14b is slightly lower than the front part 14a, and the rear part 14c
Is slightly higher than this, and the portion of the fuel tank 1 (the front portions 14d, 14d of the frame rear portions 14c, 14c) is slightly curved upward and bulges. The fuel reformer 2 and the electric energy storage 7 are connected to the frame 14,
It can be understood from the figure that the frame intermediate portion 14b is disposed between the intermediate portions 14b, 14b.
As described above, the fuel cell 3 is disposed between the fuel cells 3 and 14b, and the air supply device 4 disposed on the outer left side is shown in the drawing.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the outline of the vehicle body with solid lines and showing the layout of the seats. Body 11
Under the floor 15 of the above two frames 14, 1
The fuel tank 1, the fuel reformer 2, the fuel cell 3, and the electric energy storage 7 are arranged in front and rear from the rear part to the front part of the vehicle body. Has been established. Left and right front seats 16 and 17 are placed on the floor 15a above the fuel cell 3 and on the floor 15b above the fuel cell 3.
The rear seat 18 is placed above the fuel reformer 2 described above.
Is arranged. Further, a spare tire 19 was stored on the floor 15c of the rear luggage compartment. A radiator 20 is disposed at the front of the vehicle body 11 between the front ends of the left and right frames 14, 14, and above the motor 6 including the transmission 6a, a power control for the motor and the fuel cell system is provided. A unit (PCU) 21 was arranged.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of FIG. As shown in the figure, a radiator 20 is disposed at a front portion in a bonnet 11a at a front portion of the vehicle body 11, and a front wheel 12,
The above-described power control unit 21 is disposed above the motor 6 including the transmission 6a disposed therebetween. These are arranged in the motor room 11b. The fuel cell 3 is disposed below the front seats 16 and 17 in the passenger compartment 11c in which the occupant gets on, and the fuel reformer 2 and the condenser 8 disposed above the rear seat 18 are disposed below the rear seat 18. It can be understood that they are arranged. Immediately after the rear seat 18 and in the lower part of the front of the luggage compartment 11d,
It can be understood that the fuel tank 1 is disposed between the rear wheels 13, 13.

The present invention is also applicable to an automobile having a motor disposed at the rear of a vehicle body. In this case, the fuel tank, the fuel reformer, the fuel cell, and the electric energy storage are arranged in this order below the floor from the front to the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a system flow of a fuel cell system in a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention, and is a diagram showing a second embodiment. Since the system flow of the fuel cell vehicle is basically the same as that of FIG. 1, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. 1 is a fuel tank, 2 is a fuel reformer, 3 is a fuel cell, 4 is an air supply device, 5 is a battery cooling device of the fuel cell 3, 6 is a motor which is a power source of an automobile, 7 is an electric energy storage, 8 Is a condenser.

In the above, a distributor 22 is provided between the fuel cell 3 and the electric energy storage 7 and the motor 6. The distributor 22 distributes and supplies the electric power generated by the fuel cell 3 to the electric energy storage 7 and the motor 6. The distributor 22 supplies the electric power generated by the fuel cell 3 to the motor 6 and the electric energy storage 7 in accordance with the load of the motor 6 and the amount of power stored in the electric energy storage 7. Specifically, for example, when the load of the motor 6 is large, such as during acceleration, the electric power of the fuel cell 3 and the electric energy storage 7 is supplied to the motor 6. At the time of deceleration, braking, etc., regenerative electric power obtained from the motor 6 is supplied to the electric energy storage 7.

A PCU 21 (power control unit) is provided between the distributor 22 and the motor 6.
Intervene. The PCU 21 controls to supply the electric power from the distributor 22 to the motor 6 and the fuel cell system (air supply device or the like) according to the operation state of the automobile, for example.
At the time of deceleration, braking, and the like, control is performed to supply regenerative power obtained from the motor 6 to the electric energy storage.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the layout of the fuel cell system of the fuel cell vehicle according to the second embodiment, and shows an example of a vehicle in which a motor is disposed at the front of a vehicle body. Since the arrangement of the vehicle and the fuel cell system is basically the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. 1
0 is a car, 11 is a body, 12, 12 are left and right front wheels, 1
Reference numerals 3 and 13 denote left and right rear wheels, and reference numerals 14 and 14 denote frames.
The two (left and right) frames 14, 14 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other as described above, and along the front-rear direction of the automobile 10, the components of the fuel cell system as described above. Was placed.

The fuel tank 1 is disposed at the rear of the vehicle body 11 and between the front portions 14d, 14d of the rear portions 14c, 14c of the frames 14, 14. The fuel tank 1 is disposed in front of the fuel tank 1 immediately adjacent thereto. The fuel reformer 2 was arranged, and the condenser 8 was similarly arranged on the fuel reformer 2. In front of and immediately before the fuel reformer 2, a fuel cell 3 is arranged adjacent to the fuel reformer 2,
In front of the fuel cell 3, an electric energy storage 7 is arranged immediately before and adjacent to the fuel cell 3. Furthermore, at the front of the vehicle body 11,
The motor 6 to which the mission 6a is assembled is disposed between the front portions 14a of the frames 14, 14. Although not shown, the transmission 6a is connected to the left and right front wheels 12, 12 via a drive shaft.

By the way, in front of the above-mentioned fuel cell 3,
On one side of the electric energy storage 7 arranged immediately before this, just before the fuel cell 3, the distributor 22 is arranged. The distributor 22 is disposed so as to be juxtaposed and juxtaposed on one side of the electric energy storage 7. Therefore, the distributor 22 is located on one side (the right side of the vehicle in the figure) of the electric energy storage 7, is arranged side by side with the electric energy storage 7, and has an intermediate portion 1 between the left and right frames 14, 14.
The electric energy storage 7 and the distributor 22 arranged side by side are arranged between the front portions of 4b and 14b, and one frame 14R outside the distributor 22 is not adjacent to the distributor 22 of the electric energy storage 7. The other frame 14L is arranged outside the opposite side.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, the present invention can be applied to an automobile having a motor disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle body. In this case, an electric energy storage in which a fuel tank, a fuel reformer, a fuel cell, and a distributor are juxtaposed is arranged in this order below the floor from the front to the rear of the vehicle body.

[0033]

According to the present invention, the following effects are exhibited by the above configuration. According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a fuel cell vehicle powered by a fuel cell, a fuel tank, a fuel reformer, a fuel cell, and an electric energy storage are arranged in this order below the floor of the vehicle along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

According to the first aspect, since the components of the fuel cell system are arranged along the system flow, the piping connecting the components and the electric wiring can be shortened.
In a fuel cell vehicle, the structure is simplified, piping and wiring can be easily arranged, and an efficient fuel cell system arrangement can be provided. Also, by arranging the components of the fuel cell system under the floor of the vehicle body, the space of the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment is not narrowed by these components, and the space of the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment of the fuel cell vehicle can be widened and used. Therefore, the fuel cell vehicle can be improved in practicability. Also, since the components of the fuel cell system are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along the system flow, the heaviest fuel cell and the electric energy storage among the components can be arranged in the center of the vehicle, and the vehicle The weight balance before and after is improved, and a fuel cell vehicle with a good weight balance can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a fuel cell vehicle powered by a fuel cell, a fuel tank, a fuel reformer, a fuel cell, and an electric energy storage are arranged under the floor of the vehicle along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in this order. With the
The electric energy storage and the distributor were juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the components of the fuel cell system are arranged along the system flow, so that piping and electrical wiring connecting the components can be shortened.
In a fuel cell vehicle, the structure is simplified, piping and wiring can be easily arranged, and an efficient fuel cell system arrangement can be provided. In particular, in the present invention, the distributor is disposed so as to be juxtaposed with the electric energy storage, so that the electric energy generated by the fuel cell can be separately supplied via the distributor in accordance with the load of the motor and the stored amount of the electric energy storage. Can be supplied. In addition, since the electric energy storage and the distributor are juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction, the distributor is arranged near the fuel cell and the electric energy storage, and the electric wiring between the components can be shortened as much as possible. As a result, an advantageous arrangement in terms of electric wiring can be realized.

Further, by arranging the components of the fuel cell system under the floor of the vehicle body, the space of the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment is not narrowed. And the practicability of the fuel cell vehicle can be improved. Further, by arranging the components of the fuel cell system in the front-rear direction of the vehicle according to the system flow as described above, the heaviest fuel cell and the electric energy storage among the components are disposed in the center of the vehicle. As a result, a fuel cell vehicle having a good weight balance before and after can be obtained.

According to a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the vehicle body comprises two frames extending in the front-rear direction.
At least the fuel reformer, the fuel cell, and the electric energy storage were arranged between the two frames.

In addition to the effects of claim 1 or claim 2,
At least the fuel reforming device, the fuel cell, and the electric energy storage are arranged between the left and right body frames provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. Critical components of the system can be protected from side impacts. This also eliminates or simplifies the need for a protector for the fuel cell system.

[0040] Claim 4 relates to claim 3, wherein the electric energy storage and the distributor are provided between two frames.
They are juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction.

According to the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the third aspect, a distributor juxtaposed close to the electric energy storage is arranged between the two frames, so that when a shock is applied from the lateral direction of the vehicle. In this, important components of the fuel cell system including the distributor can be protected from lateral impact. This also eliminates or simplifies the need for a protector for the fuel cell system.

According to a fifth aspect, in the first or second aspect, a condenser for returning steam discharged from the fuel cell to water is disposed on the fuel reformer.

According to the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, the condenser for returning the steam generated from the fuel cell to the water is disposed on the fuel reforming apparatus. This is advantageous in terms of layout and space layout.
Also, by disposing the condenser on the fuel reformer, the water recovered from the fuel cell can be supplied to the fuel reformer by its own weight, eliminating the need for a dedicated pump for supplying water. There is also an effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system flow of a fuel cell system in a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention, showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of the fuel cell system according to the first embodiment of the fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention;
Diagram showing an example of an automobile in which a motor is arranged at the front of the vehicle body

FIG. 3 is a left side view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the outline of the vehicle body with solid lines and showing the layout of the seat layout.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a system flow of a fuel cell system in a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention, showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an arrangement of a fuel cell system of a fuel cell vehicle according to a second embodiment, showing an example of an automobile in which a motor is arranged at a front part of a vehicle body.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel tank, 2 ... Fuel reformer, 3 ... Fuel cell, 4 ... Air supply device, 7 ... Electric energy storage, 8 ... Condenser, 10 ... Car, 11 ... Car body,
14 ... frame, 15 ... floor, 22 ... distributor.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Norio Igarashi 1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama Prefecture Inside Honda R & D Co., Ltd. (72) Koji Gohara 1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama Inside the Honda R & D Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeshi Ushio 1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama F-term inside the R & D Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3D035 AA00 AA06 BA01 3D038 CA12 CB01 CD00 CD01 CD02 5H027 AA02 BA01 DD03 5H115 PG04 PI16 PI18 PI29 PU01 UI27 UI32 UI35

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A fuel cell vehicle powered by a fuel cell, wherein a fuel tank, a fuel reformer, a fuel cell, and an electric energy storage are arranged below the floor of the vehicle along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in this order. A fuel cell vehicle characterized by the following. 2. In a fuel cell vehicle powered by a fuel cell, a fuel tank, a fuel reformer, a fuel cell, and an electric energy storage are arranged in this order below the floor of the vehicle along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A fuel cell vehicle, wherein the electric energy storage and the distributor are juxtaposed in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle body. 3. The vehicle body according to claim 1, further comprising two frames extending in a front-rear direction, wherein at least the fuel reforming device, the fuel cell, and the electric energy storage are arranged between the two frames. Or the fuel cell vehicle according to claim 2. 4. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the electric energy storage and the distributor are arranged between the two frames in a width direction of the vehicle body. 5. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a condenser for returning steam discharged from the fuel cell to water is disposed on the fuel reformer.