High pressure container unit
11215324 ยท 2022-01-04
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
F17C2205/0332
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2203/066
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B60K15/03519
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F17C2223/0123
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2260/042
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B60K2015/03421
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F17C2223/036
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2221/012
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2270/0168
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C13/12
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C13/123
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2201/0109
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2201/056
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Y02E60/32
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
F17C2250/0636
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2205/0142
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C13/06
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2205/0176
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2205/0317
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2205/0146
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2205/0382
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2250/0439
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2270/0178
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2227/0114
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2201/035
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C2205/0111
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F17C13/12
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F17C13/06
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A high pressure container unit includes a container body configured to store high pressure gas, a case storing the container body inside the case, a pipe connected with the container body and extending to an outside of the case, a closing member that is configured to close the pipe and allow the high pressure gas stored in the container body to be discharged from the pipe when a given condition is satisfied, and a ventilation mechanism that discharges air inside the case to the outside of the case with use of pressure of the discharged high pressure gas when the given condition is satisfied.
Claims
1. A high pressure container unit comprising: a container body configured to store high pressure gas; a case that stores the container body inside the case; a pipe that is connected with the container body and extends to an outside of the case; a closing member that is configured to close the pipe and allow the high pressure gas stored in the container body to be discharged from the pipe when a given condition is satisfied; and a ventilation mechanism that discharges air inside the case to the outside of the case by way of pressure exerted during discharge of high pressure gas from the container body when the given condition is satisfied.
2. The high pressure container unit according to claim 1, wherein: the pipe includes: a common flow path that is communicated with internal space of the container body; and an exhaust gas flow path that is branched from the common flow path and extends to the outside of the case; the closing member is configured to close the exhaust gas flow path; and the closing member is configured to allow the high pressure gas stored in the container body to be discharged from the exhaust gas flow path when the given condition is satisfied.
3. The high pressure container unit according to claim 2, further comprising a communication flow path that allows internal space of the case and external space of the case to communicate with each other, wherein the ventilation mechanism discharges the air inside the case to the outside of the case from the communication flow path when the given condition is satisfied.
4. The high pressure container unit according to claim 3, wherein: the ventilation mechanism includes: a first impeller provided in the exhaust gas flow path; a second impeller provided in the communication flow path; and a shaft that connects the first impeller and the second impeller with each other; and the second impeller is rotated as the first impeller is rotated.
5. The high pressure container unit according to claim 4, wherein: the exhaust gas flow path includes: a lateral flow path extending to a first side of a vehicle front-rear direction; and a folded flow path that is folded from the lateral flow path to a second side of the vehicle front-rear direction and is open to the outside of the case; the closing member is screwed to a connecting portion between the lateral flow path and the folded flow path; and the closing member is configured to allow the lateral flow path and the folded flow path to communicate with each other when the given condition is satisfied.
6. The high pressure container unit according to claim 5, wherein: the ventilation mechanism includes: a first impeller provided in the folded flow path; a second impeller provided in the communication flow path; and a shaft that connects the first impeller and the second impeller with each other; and the second impeller is rotated as the first impeller is rotated.
7. The high pressure container unit according to claim 3, wherein: the communication flow path is provided in a first end side of the case in a vehicle front-rear direction; and an introduction portion is provided on a second end side of the case in the vehicle front-rear direction, the introduction portion being configured to introduce air from the outside of the case.
8. The high pressure container unit according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of introduction portions is provided in the case.
9. The high pressure container unit according to claim 7, wherein: the case includes: a bottom portion to which the container body is fixed; a peripheral wall portion that is erected on the bottom portion and configures a peripheral wall of the case; and a ceiling portion that has a shape corresponding to the peripheral wall portion and is joined to an upper surface of the peripheral wall portion; and the introduction portion is provided in the ceiling portion of the case.
10. The high pressure container unit according to claim 7, wherein an entrance of the introduction portion is away from the case.
11. The high pressure container unit according to claim 1, wherein the case is provided with an introduction portion that is configured to introduce air into the case from the outside of the case.
12. The high pressure container unit according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of introduction portions is provided in the case.
13. The high pressure container unit according to claim 11, wherein: the case includes: a bottom portion to which the container body is fixed; a peripheral wall portion that is erected on the bottom portion and configures a peripheral wall of the case; and a ceiling portion that has a shape corresponding to the peripheral wall portion and is joined to an upper surface of the peripheral wall portion; and the introduction portion is provided in the ceiling portion of the case.
14. The high pressure container unit according to claim 11, wherein an entrance of the introduction portion is away from the case.
15. The high pressure container unit according to claim 1, wherein: the closing member is a fusible plug; and the fusible plug is configured to allow the high pressure gas stored in the container body to be discharged from the pipe as at least a part of the fusible plug melts at given temperature.
16. The high pressure container unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication flow path that allows internal space of the case and external space of the case to communicate with each other, wherein: the case has a box shape, is mounted on a lower part of a vehicle, and includes a ceiling portion, a bottom portion, and a peripheral wall portion; the container body is provided inside the case; the pipe includes a common flow path and an exhaust gas flow path, the common flow path connecting the container body and a valve with each other, the exhaust gas flow path being branched from the common flow path and extending to the outside of the case; the closing member is a fusible plug; and the ventilation mechanism is configured to discharge air inside the case from the communication flow path as the high pressure gas stored in the container body is discharged from the exhaust gas flow path when at least a part of the fusible plug melts.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
(2)
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
(9) A high pressure container unit 10 according to a first embodiment is described with reference to the drawings. An arrow FR, an arrow UP, and an arrow RH shown in each of the drawings indicate a front side, an upper side, and a right side of a vehicle 100 on which the high pressure container unit 10 is mounted, respectively. Hereinafter, when description is given simply with use of front-rear, upper-lower, and right-left directions, they mean a front-rear direction of the vehicle, an upper-lower direction of the vehicle, and a right-left direction of the vehicle in a vehicle width direction while the vehicle is directed to an advancing direction, unless otherwise specified.
(10) As shown in
(11) The high pressure container unit 10 according to the embodiment is arranged between a front wheel 102 and a rear wheel 104, and mounted on a lower part of the vehicle. Specifically, the high pressure container unit 10 is arranged below a floor panel 106 that constructs a vehicle floor portion. In
(12) The high pressure container unit 10 includes a box-shaped case 12, and the case 12 includes a ceiling portion 14, a bottom portion 18, and a peripheral wall portion 16. Also, a plurality of container bodies 20 is provided inside the case 12.
(13) As shown in
(14) The peripheral wall portion 16 is erected on the bottom portion 18 and constructs a peripheral wall of the case 12. Further, the peripheral wall portion 16 includes a front wall 16A that extends in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side. Also, a right wall 16B extends from a right end portion of the front wall 16A to the vehicle rear side. Further, a left wall 16C extends from a left end portion of the front wall 16A to the vehicle rear side. A rear end of the right wall 16B and a rear end of the left wall 16C are connected with each other by a rear wall 16D that extends in the vehicle width direction.
(15) In the embodiment, for example, each of the front wall 16A, the right wall 16B, the left wall 16C, and the rear wall 16D is formed by extrusion forming or the like into a closed sectional shape. Further, both end portions of the rear wall 16D in the vehicle width direction have a shape that is depressed to the inner side in order to prevent interference with peripheral members.
(16) As shown in
(17) As shown in
(18) Each of the container bodies 20 extends so that the vehicle front-rear direction serves as its axis direction, and is formed into an almost cylindrical shape. The container bodies 20 are formed so as to accommodate high pressure gas, and, in the embodiment, hydrogen gas serving as a fuel is stored in the container bodies 20.
(19) Here, a cap 22 is attached to a first end side of each of the container bodies 20 in the axis direction (the vehicle front side), and a manifold 24 serving as pipe is connected with the cap 22. The manifold 24 extends along the front wall 16A of the peripheral wall portion 16 in which the vehicle width direction serves as a longitudinal direction of the manifold 24. The manifold 24 is provided with a common flow path 24A that is communicated with the container bodies 20, and allows internal spaces of the container bodies 20 to communicate with each other. Further, the common flow path 24A is connected with a valve 26 provided outside the case 12.
(20) Meanwhile, an end portion of each of the container bodies 20 on a second end side in the axis direction (the vehicle rear side) is fixed to the bottom portion 18 of the case 12 through a bracket 23. Thus, the container bodies 20 do not move inside the case 12.
(21) As shown in
(22) A rear end portion of the lateral flow path 24B1 of the exhaust gas flow path 24B is open on a surface of the manifold 24 on the vehicle rear side, and this opening is closed by a fusible plug 28. The fusible plug 28 is screwed to a connecting portion between the lateral flow path 24B1 and the vertical flow path 24B2 and closes the exhaust gas flow path 24B so that high pressure gas does not flow into the vertical flow path 24B2. The fusible plug 28 is structured so as to melt at least partially at given temperature. As at least a part of the fusible plug 28 melts, the lateral flow path 24B1 and the vertical flow path 24B2 communicate with each other, and high pressure gas is discharged from the exhaust port 24D. The fusible plug 28 is an example of a closing member.
(23) A communication flow path 29 is formed in a center portion of the vertical flow path 24B2 of the exhaust gas flow path 24B. The center portion is in the center of the vertical flow path 24B2 in the upper-lower direction. The communication flow path 29 communicates with space inside the case 12 through a discharge pipe 30 that projects into the inside of the case 12 from the manifold 24. Further, the communication flow path 29 allows the internal space of the case 12 and external space to communicate with each other through the vertical flow path 24B2. This means that a part of the communication flow path 29 is used together with the vertical flow path 24B2.
(24) Here, the vertical flow path 24B2 of the exhaust gas flow path 24B according to the embodiment is provided with a ventilation mechanism 32. The ventilation mechanism 32 includes a throttle portion 24C formed in the vertical flow path 24B2.
(25) The throttle portion 24C is formed in the vertical flow path 24B2 near a connecting portion between the vertical flow path 24B2 and the communication flow path 29, and a distance between the throttle portion 24C and the exhaust port 24D is longer than a distance between the connecting portion with the communication flow path 29 and the exhaust port 24D. In other words, compared with the connecting portion with the communication flow path 29, the throttle portion 24C is formed in the upstream side of the flow of the high pressure gas. The throttle portion 24C is formed so that the flow path is narrowed down gradually towards the vehicle lower side and gradually expands towards the vehicle lower side from the narrowest position of the flow path. This means that a part of the vertical flow path 24B2 configures a Venturi tube.
(26) As shown in
(27) Next, description is given regarding a case where temperature of the lower part of the vehicle 100 becomes high. The case where temperature of the lower part of the vehicle 100 becomes high is an example of a case where a given condition is satisfied. As shown in
(28) At this time, because at least a part of the fusible plug 28 melts, high pressure gas stored in the container body 20 flows from the common flow path 24A to the exhaust gas flow path 24B of the manifold 24 and is discharged from the exhaust port 24D as shown in
(29) Here, since the throttle portion 24C is formed in the vertical flow path 24B2 of the exhaust gas flow path 24B, flow speed of the high pressure gas increases at the throttle portion 24C, and negative pressure is generated near the throttle portion 24C (the Venturi effect). Because of this, as the high pressure gas is discharged, air inside the case 12 is sucked into the vertical flow path 24B2 from the discharge pipe 30 and discharged together with the high pressure gas from the exhaust port 24D to the outside of the case 12 like a jet pump. Further, as air inside the case 12 is discharged, air is introduced from the outside to the inside of the case 12 through the introduction pipe 33.
Effects
(30) Next, effects of the embodiment are described.
(31) In the high pressure container unit 10 according to the embodiment, the box-shaped case 12 is mounted on the lower part of the vehicle 100, and the case 12 includes the ceiling portion 14, the bottom portion 18, and the peripheral wall portion 16. The container bodies 20 that store high pressure gas are provided inside the case 12. As described above, because the container bodies 20 are provided inside the case 12, it is possible to protect the container bodies 20.
(32) Further, when temperature of the lower part of the vehicle 100 becomes high, at least a part of the fusible plug 28 melts, allowing the lateral flow path 24B1 and the vertical flow path 24B2 of the exhaust gas flow path 24B to communicate with each other. Thus, high pressure gas stored in the container bodies 20 can be discharged from the exhaust gas flow path 24B to the outside of the case 12.
(33) Further, the throttle portion 24C that configures the ventilation mechanism 32 is formed in the vertical flow path 24B2 of the exhaust gas flow path 24B, and configured so as to allow air inside the case 12 to be discharged from the communication flow path 29 as exhaust gas is discharged. Thus, it is possible to restrain temperature inside the case 12 from becoming high until the high pressure gas stored in the container bodies 20 is discharged. This means that, in the structure in which the high pressure container is mounted on the lower part of the vehicle 100, when temperature of the lower part of the vehicle 100 becomes high, it is possible to effectively ventilate an area around the high pressure container such as a fuel tank.
(34) In particular, in the embodiment, because the throttle portion 24C is formed, air inside the case 12 is discharged due to the Venturi effect. Therefore, it is possible to ventilate the inside of the case with a simple structure.
(35) Furthermore, in the embodiment, it is possible to introduce air from the outside of the case 12 from the introduction pipe 33 as air is discharged from the communication flow path 29. Furthermore, the introduction pipe 33 is provided on the opposite side of the container body 20 from the communication flow path 29 in the axis direction. Therefore, it is possible to restrain high-temperature air from staying inside the case 12. This means that, in
(36) Moreover, in the embodiment, as shown in
(37) In the embodiment, the introduction pipe 33 is provided in the vehicle rear end portion and a left edge of the ceiling portion 14 of the case 12 in the vehicle width direction. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, like a modification shown in
Modification
(38) As shown in
(39) As described above, as the introduction pipes 33, 36, 38 are provided in the high pressure container unit 50 according to the modification, it is possible to ventilate an inside of the case 12 more efficiently compared to a structure in which only one introduction pipe is provided. As the introduction pipes 33, 36, 38 are provided in the ceiling portion 14 of the case 12, air in an upper part of the case 12 can be discharged.
Second Embodiment
(40) Next, a high pressure container unit 60 according to a second embodiment is described. The same reference numerals are given to constituents similar to those of the first embodiment, and description is omitted as appropriate.
(41) As shown in
(42) Here, the manifold 62 is provided with an exhaust gas flow path 62B branched from the common flow path 62A. The exhaust gas flow path 62B includes a lateral flow path 62B1 and a folded flow path 62B2. The lateral flow path 62B1 extends from the common flow path 62A to the vehicle rear side, and the folded flow path 62B2 is folded from a rear portion of the lateral flow path 62B1 to the vehicle front side. The folded flow path 62B2 is open to an outside of the case 12 through an exhaust pipe 64 that passes through the front wall 16A.
(43) The rear end portion of the lateral flow path 62B1 of the exhaust gas flow path 62B is open on a surface of the manifold 62 on the vehicle rear side, and this opening is closed by a fusible plug 28. The fusible plug 28 is screwed into a connecting portion between the lateral flow path 62B1 and the folded flow path 62B2 and closes the exhaust gas flow path 62B so that the high pressure gas does not flow to the folded flow path 62B2. Further, the fusible plug 28 is structured so as to at least partially melt at given temperature. Because at least a part of the fusible plug 28 melts, the lateral flow path 62B1 and the folded flow path 62B2 are allowed to communicate with each other, and the high pressure gas is thus discharged to the outside of the case 12 from the exhaust pipe 64.
(44) Meanwhile, a communication flow path 62C is formed in a lower end portion of the manifold 62. The communication flow path 62C extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a rear end portion of the communication flow path 62C communicates with internal space of the case 12. A front end portion of the communication flow path 62C serves as an exhaust portion 62D having a larger diameter than a general portion, and an exhaust port 62E that is open on a lower side is formed in the exhaust portion 62D. As described above, the communication flow path 62C allows the internal space of the case 12 and the external space to communicate with each other.
(45) Here, in the embodiment, a ventilation mechanism 66 is configured that it includes a first impeller 66A, a second impeller 66B, and a shaft 66C. The first impeller 66A is provided in the folded flow path 62B2 of the exhaust gas flow path 62B, and is configured so as to be able to rotate about a rotational axis in which the vehicle upper-lower direction serves as the axis direction. Therefore, the first impeller 66A is rotated by energy of a fluid (high pressure gas) flowing in the folded flow path 62B2.
(46) The second impeller 66B is provided in the exhaust portion 62D of the communication flow path 62C and is configured so as to be able to rotate about a rotation axis in which the vehicle upper-lower direction serves as the axis direction. Further, the first impeller 66A and the second impeller 66B are connected with each other in the vehicle upper-lower direction by a shaft 66C.
(47) The high pressure container unit 60 according to the embodiment is configured as described above, and, as shown in
(48) As the high pressure gas flows in the folded flow path 62B2 of the exhaust gas flow path 62B, the first impeller 66A is rotated, and rotation energy is transmitted to the second impeller 66B through the shaft 66C. Then, as the second impeller 66B is rotated, air inside the case 12 is sucked into the communication flow path 62C and discharged from the exhaust port 62E. As air inside the case 12 is discharged, air is introduced from the outside to the inside of the case 12 through the introduction pipe 33. As described above, when at least a part of the fusible plug 28 is melted, air inside the case 12 is discharged from the communication flow path 62C as the high pressure gas stored in the container body 20 is discharged from the exhaust gas flow path 62B.
Effects
(49) Next, effects of the embodiment are described.
(50) In the high pressure container unit 60 according to this embodiment, the exhaust gas flow path 62B and the communication flow path 62C are formed as separate flow paths. Therefore, it is possible to discharge air inside the case 12 more efficiently than a structure in which the communication flow path 62C is connected with the exhaust gas flow path 62B and the high pressure gas and air are discharged together. The rest of the effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
(51) The embodiments have been described so far. However, of course, the embodiments can be carried out in various forms without departing from the gist of the embodiments. For example, as shown in
(52) Further, in the foregoing embodiments, the container bodies 20 are arrayed in the vehicle width direction. However, the embodiments are not limited to this. For example, the container bodies 20 may be arrayed in the vehicle front-rear direction. In this case, an axis direction of each of the container bodies 20 is the vehicle width direction.
(53) Also, the fusible plug 28 according to the embodiments is an example of a closing member. The shape and structure of the closing member are not particularly limited, and the closing member may be a member other than the fusible plug or may have a different shape as long as the closing member has a structure to close the exhaust gas flow path and allow high pressure gas to be discharged from the exhaust gas flow path when the given condition is satisfied.
(54) Furthermore, the case where the given condition is satisfied is not limited to the case where temperature becomes given temperature, and may be a case where a different condition is satisfied. The given temperature in the embodiments may be the same or different.
(55) Moreover, in the embodiments, the introduction pipe 33 is provided as the introduction portion. However, the embodiments are not limited to this, and the introduction portion may be omitted. Even in this case, for example, as shown in