JP2009283404A - Fuel cell mounting vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The effectiveness of air replacement in a case containing a fuel cell is enhanced.
A fuel cell-equipped vehicle 10 is provided under a vehicle floor in a state in which a fuel cell 100 is housed in a battery case 200. An air introduction pipe 220 and an air discharge pipe 240 are provided from the battery case 200 to the air ventilation region 350 on the vehicle front side, and the air introduction pipe 220 guides air into the battery case 200 from the air suction opening 224. The air exhaust pipe 240 exhausts the air inside the battery case 200 to the air vent area 350 through the air exhaust opening 244 that opens to the air vent area 350, thereby performing air ventilation in the case. The air is discharged during the air ventilation by negative pressure suction based on the pressure difference between the air suction opening 224 and the air discharge opening 244 and the ejector effect at the air discharge opening 244.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle.

  The fuel cell receives a fuel gas supply to the anode and an oxygen-containing gas (for example, air) to the cathode, and generates electricity by advancing an electrochemical reaction between the fuel (for example, hydrogen) and oxygen in the fuel gas. Since such power generation occurs for each so-called fuel cell having an electrolyte membrane, in the fuel cell, fuel cells are stacked so that gas can be supplied to each cell. And in order to improve the mounting property of such a fuel cell in a vehicle and simplify the handling, the fuel cell is usually housed in a case and mounted on the vehicle.

  When stacking the fuel cells, airtightness is achieved by a sealing member between the cells, but it is proposed to introduce air into the case in consideration of the possibility that fuel gas leaks for some reason. (For example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-29776 A

  If air is introduced into the case containing the fuel cell, the leaked gas is discharged from the case together with the introduced air, and the inside of the case is replaced with air to ventilate the case. However, since no measures have been taken for exhaust from the case, air ventilation in the case may be insufficient depending on the state of air discharge.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to improve the effectiveness of air ventilation in a case in which a fuel cell is housed.

  In order to achieve at least a part of the above object, the present invention adopts the following configuration.

[Applicable to vehicles equipped with fuel cells]
A fuel cell vehicle,
A battery case that houses a fuel cell, enabling air introduction from the air intake opening and air discharge from the air discharge opening,
The gist of the present invention is that the air discharge opening communicates with a disposition location where negative pressure suction generated based on the air flow associated with traveling of the vehicle acts.

  In the fuel cell-equipped vehicle having the above-described configuration, the air discharge opening is not provided when air is ventilated in the battery case by introducing air from the air intake opening to the battery case housing the fuel cell and discharging air from the air discharge opening. In addition, it communicates with a disposition location where negative pressure suction generated based on the flow of air accompanying traveling of the vehicle acts. Therefore, the air in the battery case is discharged from the air discharge opening in response to this negative pressure suction, so that the air is discharged into the battery case by negative pressure suction and is introduced into the battery case via the air introduction pipe. Increased air discharge efficiency. For this reason, according to the fuel cell-equipped vehicle having the above configuration, the effectiveness of air ventilation in the battery case can be enhanced. In addition, since air is discharged into the case by negative pressure suction, a fan for air ventilation, a driving motor for the fan, and the like are not required, so that it is possible to suppress power consumption and further improve the fuel consumption of the vehicle.

  The fuel cell vehicle described above can be configured as follows. For example, for air introduction and discharge, air is introduced into the battery case from the air suction opening on the other end side through an air introduction tube connected at one end to the battery case, and one end is connected to the battery case. The air in the battery case can be discharged from the air discharge opening on the other end via the air discharge pipe. This has the following advantages.

  Normally, the fuel cell is mounted under the vehicle floor, but the fuel cell can be mounted under the vehicle floor by installing a battery case under the vehicle floor. Therefore, it is possible to easily secure a passenger compartment space similar to the conventional one. When the battery is mounted under the vehicle floor through the battery case in this way, the air intake opening of the air introduction pipe and the air discharge opening of the air discharge pipe are taken into consideration when water enters the case or the case itself is submerged. It is desirable to dispose both openings at a location away from the battery case or at a high position. In the fuel cell-equipped vehicle of the above aspect, the air discharge opening of the air discharge pipe is disposed at a position where negative pressure suction acts, and the air discharge port is disposed at a position away from the battery case or at a high position. In addition, the air intake opening of the air introduction tube can be disposed at a location away from the battery case or at a high position. Therefore, the effectiveness of air ventilation in the battery case can be enhanced while preventing water from entering from the air suction opening of the air introduction pipe and the air discharge opening of the air discharge pipe.

  In addition, the air suction opening and the air discharge opening are individually disposed at two locations where a pressure difference is generated based on the air flow, and the air discharge opening is disposed on the low pressure side. It can arrange | position in an arrangement | positioning location. In this way, due to the pressure difference between the air suction opening and the air discharge opening, air is introduced into the battery case through the air suction opening on the high pressure side, and the air discharge opening from the air discharge opening by negative pressure suction on the low pressure side. Air exhaust occurs without hindrance, and the effectiveness of air ventilation in the battery case increases.

  In addition, a pipe line on the air discharge opening side may be intersected with the air flow so as to receive the negative pressure suction due to an ejector effect generated with the air flow. In this way, air can be exhausted from the air discharge opening by negative pressure suction without any trouble by simple measures of crossing the air flow path on the side of the air discharge opening side, and the effectiveness of air ventilation in the battery case Will rise.

  In addition, the air suction opening may be disposed at the location where the air flows along the air flow. In this way, air can be introduced into the battery case through the air suction opening without any trouble by a simple countermeasure that air flows in along the air flow through the air suction opening. The effectiveness of air ventilation can be increased.

  When the air suction opening and the air discharge opening are disposed, the air suction opening is disposed so as to suck air flowing in from the front grille of the vehicle, and the air discharge opening is set against the air flow flowing in from the front grille. Can be arranged to exhaust. In this way, both the air intake opening and the air discharge opening can be arranged at a high position near the lower end of the front grill, so that water intrusion from both openings can be prevented and air ventilation inside the battery case is effectively performed. Can increase the sex. In this case, the air intake opening and the air discharge opening can be disposed on the downstream side of the front grille or the downstream side of the radiator along the air flow.

  Further, the air intake opening and the air discharge opening may be arranged so as not to overlap when the vehicle is viewed in plan. In this way, even if the air discharge opening is positioned upstream of the air suction opening along the air flow, the air discharged from the air discharge opening is sucked from the air suction opening downstream of the opening. Can be avoided. That is, since fresh air is always introduced into the battery case from the air intake opening, it is desirable for air ventilation in the battery case.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing a fuel cell vehicle 10 as an embodiment of the present invention in a side view, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in a plan view.

  As illustrated, the fuel cell vehicle 10 includes a fuel cell 100 and a hydrogen gas tank 110 in a chassis 30 of a vehicle body 20. The fuel cell 100 is configured by laminating a power generation module including a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (not shown) in which electrodes are joined to both sides of an electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell 100 is fixed to the chassis 30 via the battery case 200 so that the fuel cell 100 is located below the vehicle floor between the front wheel FW and the rear wheel RW while being housed in the battery case 200. The fuel cell vehicle 10 supplies hydrogen gas and air from the hydrogen gas tank 110 to the anode and cathode of the fuel cell 100. The fuel cell 100 generates electric power by causing an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen in the supplied hydrogen gas and oxygen in the air, and drives a load such as a driving motor (not shown) on the front and rear wheels with the generated power.

  In the fuel cell vehicle 10, the vehicle front side of the chassis 30 is a chassis side device mounting area 40, and a wheel drive motor or the like is mounted in the area. Also, above the chassis side device mounting region 40, the device mounting region 42 is located below the hood, and in this region, gas supply control to the fuel cell 100 and power supply control from the fuel cell 100 to a motor or the like are performed. A control unit is installed.

  In addition, the fuel cell-equipped vehicle 10 includes an air introduction pipe 220 and an air discharge pipe 240 in order to replace the air inside the battery case 200. Both pipes have one end connected to the battery case 200 and extend to the front side of the chassis side device mounting area 40, and reach the air ventilation area 350 between the front grill 310 and the radiator 320. The air introduction pipe 220 guides the air flowing into the pipe line from the air suction opening 224 opened in the air ventilation region 350 to the inside of the battery case 200 through the case side opening 222. The air discharge pipe 240 discharges the air inside the battery case 200 to the air ventilation area 350 through the case side opening 242 and the air discharge opening 244 opened to the discharge pipe line and the air ventilation area 350. The air supply / discharge of the battery case 200 by the air introduction pipe 220 and the air discharge pipe 240 will be described later together with the positional relationship of the air suction opening 224 and the air discharge opening 244.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air introduction tube 220 and the air discharge tube 240 described above are separated in the left-right direction of the vehicle and connected to the battery case 200. For this reason, the air intake opening 224 of the air introduction pipe 220 and the air discharge opening 244 of the air discharge pipe 240 are arranged so as not to overlap when the fuel cell vehicle 10 of this embodiment is viewed in plan.

  Next, the arrangement state of the air suction opening 224 and the air discharge opening 244 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the pressure distribution and the opening position relationship that appear in the air ventilation region 350 based on the air flow that has passed through the front grill 310 as the vehicle travels, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode of a flow and opening positional relationship.

  The state of the pressure distribution shown in FIG. 3 and the state of the air flow shown in FIG. 4 are determined from an experimental analysis by a wind tunnel experiment or a simulation analysis using a computer. Therefore, in this embodiment, based on the obtained pressure distribution, the air suction opening 224 and the air discharge opening 244 are arranged at two locations where a pressure difference is generated based on the flow of air passing through the front grill 310. After being individually arranged, the air discharge opening 244 of the air discharge pipe 240 was arranged at a location where the pressure was low. Specifically, in the vicinity of the lower end of the front grill 310, stagnation occurs due to the air flow due to the shape characteristics of the air ventilation region 350, and the pressure is low. Therefore, the air discharge opening 244 is disposed in the vicinity of the lower end of the low pressure front grill 310, and the air suction opening 224 is disposed at a high pressure location downstream of the air discharge opening 244. Therefore, the air passing through the front grill enters the air introduction tube 220 through the air intake opening 224 and is introduced into the battery case 200, and the air in the case receives negative pressure suction based on the pressure difference described above, and the air discharge tube The air is discharged from the case side opening 242 of 240 through the air discharge opening 244 to the downstream of the front grill 310.

  As described with reference to the flow of air, as shown in FIG. 4, the air passing through the front grille passes in the vicinity of the air discharge opening 244 due to the shape characteristics of the air ventilation region 350 and the like. It flows as if it enters. Therefore, air flows directly into the air suction opening 224 and air is also sucked by the above-described high and low pressures, and the air discharge opening 244 also has an ejector effect due to the air flowing in the vicinity of the opening. In combination, negative suction of air occurs. In this case, the air suction into the air suction opening 224 and the ejector effect at the air suction opening 224 can be improved.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an opening position for enhancing the air suction to the air suction opening 224 and the ejector effect at the air suction opening 224. As shown in FIG. 5, the air introduction pipe 220 is formed so that the end pipe 226 on the air suction opening 224 side is formed along the air flow so that the air flows directly into the air suction opening 224. To do. For the air discharge pipe 240, a negative pressure due to the ejector effect at the air discharge opening 244 is formed by bending the end pipe line 246 on the air discharge opening 244 side so that the front end of the pipe line is perpendicular to the air flow. Arrange to increase the efficiency of suction.

  In the fuel cell-equipped vehicle 10 described above, the air introduction pipe 220 connected to the battery case 200 through the case side opening 222 is used to introduce air into the battery case 200 in which the fuel cell 100 is housed. Air is introduced into the battery case from the air suction opening 224 of the tube 220. On the other hand, the air inside the battery case 200 is discharged using an air discharge pipe 240 connected to the battery case 200 through the case side opening 242, and the air discharge from the air discharge opening 244 is performed using the pressure difference as described above. Or negative pressure suction using the ejector effect. As a result, according to the fuel cell-equipped vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, the efficiency of discharging the air introduced into the battery case 200 via the air introduction pipe 220 is reduced by the amount of air discharged from the negative pressure suction. This can increase the effectiveness of air ventilation in the battery case. In addition, since air discharge from the battery case 200 is performed by negative pressure suction, a fan for air ventilation and a driving motor thereof are not required, so that power consumption can be reduced, and the fuel cell 100 can be used for power generation. The fuel consumption of the vehicle can be improved by reducing the consumption of the fuel gas used.

  Further, in the fuel cell-equipped vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, the fuel cell 100 is installed under the vehicle floor via the battery case 200, specifically, in the chassis 30 to secure a vehicle compartment space, and then the air in the battery case is The air intake opening 224 of the air introduction pipe 220 for ventilation and the air discharge opening 244 of the air discharge pipe 240 are arranged at a height near the lower end of the front grill 310. Therefore, according to the fuel cell-equipped vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, the air discharge opening 244 of the air discharge pipe 240 is disposed so that negative pressure suction acts as described above, and then the air discharge opening 244 and the air suction opening are arranged. 224 can be disposed away from the battery case or at a high position. As a result, the effectiveness of air ventilation in the battery case can be enhanced while preventing intrusion of water from both the openings.

  Further, in the fuel cell vehicle 10 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a pressure difference is generated between the air suction opening 224 and the air discharge opening 244 based on the flow of air passing through the front grill 310. The air discharge openings 244 were arranged on the low pressure side after individually arranged at two arrangement places. In addition, air can be directly sucked into the air suction opening 224, or the end pipe 246 on the air discharge opening 244 side can be orthogonal to the air flow so that the ejector effect at the air discharge opening 244 is effective. Increased negative pressure suction efficiency. As a result, according to the fuel cell vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, the effectiveness of air ventilation in the battery case can be further enhanced. Moreover, in order to improve the effectiveness of such air ventilation, the end pipe line 246 on the side of the air discharge opening 244 intersects the air flow, or the end pipe line 226 is arranged so that the air flows directly into the air suction opening 224. It is easy and easy to deal with.

  Further, in the fuel cell-equipped vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the air introduction pipe 220 and the air discharge pipe 240 are separated from each other in the vehicle width direction so as to be connected to the battery case 200 and the air suction opening 224. And the air discharge opening 244 are arranged so as not to overlap in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5, even if the air discharge opening 244 is positioned on the vehicle front side of the air suction opening 224, the air discharged from the air discharge opening 244 (in-case air) is rearward of the vehicle. The air suction opening 224 on the side can be prevented from being sucked. As a result, since fresh air is always introduced into the battery case from the air suction opening 224, even if fuel gas (hydrogen gas) leaks from the fuel cell 100 for some reason, the leaked gas flows from the air suction opening 224. It is not reintroduced into the battery case and is desirable for air ventilation in the battery case.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. Is possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the air suction opening 224 and the air discharge opening 244 are disposed downstream of the front grill 310, but may be modified so as to be disposed downstream of the radiator 320. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the radiator 320, the air introduction pipe 220A, and the air discharge pipe 240A in the modified example, and FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. It is explanatory drawing shown.

  As shown in the figure, in this modification, the air introduction pipe 220 and the air discharge pipe 240 are installed apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, and the air introduction pipe 220 is a position that interferes with the flow of air passing through the radiator 320. The air inlet pipe 220A was installed with the air suction opening 224A facing the radiator 320 by bending the pipe line near the air suction opening 224A. In the air discharge pipe 240A, the air discharge opening 244A is disposed in the vicinity of the lower end of the radiator, and the pipe line in the vicinity of the opening is set to be orthogonal to the flow of the radiator passing air. Even in this modification, air ventilation in the battery case can be achieved with high effectiveness as in the above-described embodiment. And since the said both opening was arrange | positioned downstream of a radiator, there exists the following advantage.

  In the radiator 320, the air passage holes have substantially the same shape in order to increase the contact area because of the nature of heat exchange by contact with air. Accordingly, since the flow of the air passing through the radiator is not disturbed immediately downstream of the radiator 320, the air suction into the air suction opening 224A is ensured, and the negative effect due to the ejector effect based on the air flow at the air discharge opening 244A is ensured. Pressure suction is also ensured. As a result, the effectiveness of air ventilation in the case is further increased.

  In addition, the air suction opening 224 and the air discharge opening 244 can be disposed at other locations.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the fuel cell mounting vehicle 10 as an Example of this invention in a side view schematically. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a fuel cell vehicle 10 in plan view. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the relationship of the pressure distribution and opening position relationship which appear in the air ventilation area | region 350 based on the flow of the air which passed the front grille 310 with vehicle travel. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode of a flow of front grille passage air, and opening positional relationship. It is explanatory drawing which shows the opening position for improving the air suction to the air suction opening 224, and the ejector effect in the air suction opening 224. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship of the radiator 320, the air introduction pipe | tube 220A, and the air exhaust pipe 240A in a modification. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 and illustrating a main part of a fuel cell vehicle 10A according to a modification in plan view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10A ... Fuel cell mounting vehicle 20 ... Car body 30 ... Chassis 40 ... Chassis side equipment mounting area 42 ... Equipment mounting area 100 ... Fuel cell 110 ... Hydrogen gas tank 200 ... Battery case 220, 220A ... Air introduction pipe 222, 222A ... Case Side opening 224, 224A ... Air suction opening 226 ... End pipe line 240, 240A ... Air discharge pipe 242, 242A ... Case side opening 244, 244A ... Air discharge opening 246 ... End pipe line 310 ... Front grill 320 ... Radiator 350 ... Air ventilation area FW ... Front wheel RW ... Rear wheel

Claims (8)

A fuel cell vehicle,
A battery case that houses a fuel cell, enabling air introduction from the air intake opening and air discharge from the air discharge opening,
The air discharge opening communicates with a disposition location where negative pressure suction generated based on an air flow accompanying traveling of the vehicle acts. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1,
One end connected to the battery case and the other end side as the air suction opening to introduce air into the battery case; and
A fuel cell-equipped vehicle, comprising: an air discharge pipe that discharges air in the battery case, with one end connected to the battery case and the other end side serving as the air discharge opening. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1 or 2,
The air intake opening and the air discharge opening are individually arranged at two arrangement places where a pressure difference is generated based on the air flow,
The vehicle is equipped with a fuel cell, wherein the air discharge opening is disposed at the position where the pressure is low.   The pipe line on the air discharge opening side intersects with the air flow, and the air discharge opening is disposed so as to receive the negative pressure suction due to an ejector effect generated with the air flow. The vehicle equipped with the fuel cell according to any one of claims 3 to 4.   The fuel cell-equipped vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air suction opening is disposed at the disposition location where air flows along the air flow. A fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The air suction opening is arranged to suck air flowing in from a front grill of the vehicle,
The vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, wherein the air discharge opening is disposed so as to exhaust air flowing from the front grille.   The fuel cell-equipped vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the air suction opening and the air discharge opening are disposed on the downstream side of the front grill or the downstream side of the radiator along the air flow.   The fuel cell-equipped vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the air intake opening and the air discharge opening are arranged so as not to overlap when the vehicle is viewed in plan.

Images