JP2010276059A - High-pressure gas tank and vehicle equipped with this - Google Patents

Abstract

A high-pressure gas tank is provided that facilitates tank mounting.
A high-pressure gas tank (100) includes a reinforcing layer (122) formed by winding carbon fiber (CF) around an outer surface of a liner (120), and tank extension units (130) are disposed on both sides of the tank sandwiched between tank central axes. Thus, the fixing plate 132 of the unit extends from the inside of the reinforcing layer 122 to the outside of the tank through the skin. The fixed plate 132 is fixed to the tank position reference such as the outer shape of the tank or its central axis because the liner side plate 134 that is the protrusion is buried in the reinforcing layer 122 and fixed by the reinforcing layer. The position of the plate 132 is defined.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a high-pressure gas tank in which fibers are wound around an outer surface of a liner and reinforced, and a vehicle equipped with the high-pressure gas tank.

  The high-pressure gas tank may be mounted on a moving body such as a fuel cell vehicle, and the weight reduction is required. As a method for reducing the weight of a high-pressure gas tank, a method for manufacturing a high-pressure gas tank by a filament winding method (FW method) is known. In the method of manufacturing a high-pressure gas tank by the filament winding method, a liner having a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin is wound around the outer periphery of a relatively lightweight resin liner, and the thermosetting resin is thermally cured. Reinforces the tank and increases the tank strength. When mounting a high-pressure gas tank on the vehicle, a technique is adopted in which a band is placed around the tank outer periphery and the band is fixed to the vehicle body (Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-219049 A

  Usually, a high-pressure gas tank is provided with a valve on one end side, and gas is discharged from the valve through a pipe. Therefore, it is required to fix the tank by positioning in the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction of the tank for the convenience of pipe connection. Since the band is not involved in tank positioning, it is necessary to fix the tank with the band while positioning the tank, which is complicated.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a high-pressure gas tank that facilitates tank mounting.

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

[Application 1: High pressure gas tank]
A high pressure gas tank,
Liner,
A fiber reinforcing layer formed by laminating fibers on the outer surface of the liner and formed into a layer and cured with a resin attached to the fibers;
A tank extension that is surrounded by the wound fibers inside the fiber reinforcement layer and fixed to the fiber reinforcement layer and extends from the inside of the fiber reinforcement layer to the outside of the tank through the skin of the fiber reinforcement layer. The gist is to include a protruding member.

  In the high-pressure gas tank having the above-described configuration, the tank extending member is surrounded by the wound fiber inside the fiber reinforcing layer and is fixed to the fiber reinforcing layer, so that the positional relationship between the tank extending member and the tank is provided. Is defined at the fixed location. That is, the positional relationship of the tank extending member in the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction of the tank is determined by determining the fixing location of the tank extending member. The tank extending member whose positional relationship is determined in this manner extends to the outside of the tank through the outer surface of the fiber reinforcement layer on the outer periphery of the tank. Therefore, if the tank extending member is fixed outside the tank, the high-pressure gas tank is positioned. Fixed. That is, the mounting of the high-pressure gas tank is completed simply by fixing the tank extending member extending to the outside of the tank.

  The above-described high-pressure gas tank can be configured as follows. For example, the tank extending member is provided with a liner side plate that extends along the outer periphery of the liner and is surrounded by the wound fibers and buried in the fiber reinforcing layer. A tank extending member can be extended from the plate to the outside of the tank. By doing so, the fixing strength of the tank extending member is increased through the liner side plate buried in the fiber reinforcement layer, and therefore, it is possible to cope with mounting of a large-sized high-pressure gas tank.

  In this case, if the liner side plate has a curved shape following the outer shape of the cylindrical liner and extends in the circumferential direction of the liner, the liner side plate can be buried in the fiber reinforcing layer without any gap, and the fixed strength Can be further improved. If the liner side plate has a curved shape exceeding the semicircular circumference of the liner, the liner can be reinforced at the mounting position also by the liner side plate. If the tank extending member is extended from both sides of the liner to the both sides of the liner from the curved liner side plate exceeding the half circumference of the liner, the high pressure gas tank can be easily fixed on both sides.

  Further, the liner side plate may extend in the axial direction of the liner, and the tank extending member may be separated from the liner side plate and extend from the liner side plate along the axial direction. In this way, the tank can be easily fixed at a plurality of locations in the tank axial direction.

  Further, the liner side plate and the tank extending member may be made of metal, and the liner side plate may be brought into contact with the outer surface of the metal liner. This has the following advantages. When the gas is filled into the tank, the tank internal pressure increases with the gas filling, and the gas temperature in the tank also increases. As a result, the temperature of the metal liner also rises, but the heat propagates to the liner side plate that is in contact with the outer surface of the liner and the tank extending member that extends from the liner side plate. Since the tank extending member extends outside the tank to release heat to the outside air or the fixed object of the tank extending member, the high-pressure gas tank according to the aspect described above can cool the tank when filling the gas. This can be done without using cooling equipment.

  Furthermore, the tank extension member is made of metal, and further includes a metal liner inner member that stays inside the resin liner, and the tank extension member is provided from the liner inner member to the liner and the fiber. It extends through the reinforcement layer to the outside of the tank. And a seal | sticker is aimed at in the liner penetration location of a tank extension member. If it carries out like this, in the high-pressure gas tank which has a resin-made liner, the tank cooling at the time of gas filling can be performed with the tank extension member extended to the tank outer side from the metal inner liner member which stays inside the liner.

  In the present invention, the following configuration is adopted as the vehicle.

[Application 2: Vehicle]
A vehicle,
The gist is to mount one of the above high-pressure gas tanks by fixing the tank extending member to a vehicle body.

  In this vehicle, the high-pressure gas tank can be easily mounted after positioning, and the tank mounting property is excellent.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the mode of tank mounting in the vehicle 10 as an Example of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the high-pressure gas tank 100 mounted on a vehicle. It is explanatory drawing which shows the high pressure gas tank 100 from the one end side. It is sectional drawing which cross-sectionally views the high pressure gas tank 100 crossing a longitudinal direction. It is a perspective view of the tank extension unit 130 used for tank fixation. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a tank manufacturing process. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode of the transition of F / W method performed in the manufacturing procedure of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the relationship between the carbon fiber CF wound and the tank extension unit 130. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which mounted the high pressure gas tank 100 with the structure of a tank periphery. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of piping connection schematically with a perspective view with the tank holding jig. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of piping connection, and the mode of tank vehicle mounting. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tank extension unit 130 </ b> A according to the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 5. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of mounting | wearing with the tank extension unit 130A. It is a perspective view which perspectively shows the tank extension unit 130B of 3rd Example, showing the relationship with the liner 120. FIG. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, and is a cross-sectional view of a high-pressure gas tank 100 </ b> A according to a third embodiment viewed in a crossing manner with respect to the longitudinal direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode of the manufacture process in this high pressure gas tank 100A. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the high-pressure gas tank 100 </ b> B according to the fourth embodiment viewed in cross section with respect to the longitudinal direction, corresponding to FIG. 15.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state of tank mounting in a vehicle 10 as an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a high-pressure gas tank 100 mounted on a vehicle, and FIG. 3 shows the high-pressure gas tank 100 from one end side thereof. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the high-pressure gas tank 100 in a cross-sectional view intersecting the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tank extension unit 130 used for tank fixing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 mounts the high-pressure gas tank 100 horizontally below the platform F so that the tank longitudinal direction is the vehicle width direction. The high-pressure gas tank 100 stores hydrogen gas at a high pressure. The hydrogen gas stored in the tank is supplied to a fuel cell (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 10 from the high-pressure gas tank 100 via the gas pipes P1 and P2, and is decompressed by a pressure reducing valve (not shown) when the gas is supplied. The high-pressure gas tank 100 is mounted horizontally in the vehicle width direction on the rear side from the axle of the rear wheel RT, mounted side by side on the back side of the paper, or mounted side by side on the rear side of the tank position shown in the figure, Alternatively, it can be mounted below the platform F on the front side of the vehicle.

  As will be described later, the high-pressure gas tank 100 is made of resin and reinforced with a cylindrical liner. As shown in FIG. 2, the high-pressure gas tank 100 is long and has a cylindrical shape, and a metal valve base 110 is provided on one end of the tank. Have. The valve base 110 is provided at one end of the tank with a flow path for filling gas in the tank, and is connected to the gas pipes P1 and P2 through a pipe connector 112 attached to the side surface. In this case, the positional relationship of the valve base 110 with respect to the outer shape of the high-pressure gas tank 100 or its central axis is determined by mounting the base, and the installation position of the pipe connector 112 in the valve base 110 is also determined. That is, the positional relationship between the valve base 110 and the pipe connector 112 is determined with respect to the outer shape of the high-pressure gas tank 100 or its central axis. In the following description, the outer shape of the high-pressure gas tank 100 that serves as a reference for the positional relationship with respect to the tank or the central axis thereof will be appropriately referred to as a tank position reference.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the high-pressure gas tank 100 includes a resin or metal liner 120 serving as a barrier layer against gas, a reinforcing layer 122 surrounding the liner 120, and a tank extending unit 130 extending outside the tank. The liner 120 is an injection molded product of a resin such as a nylon resin or a metal molded product. The reinforcing layer 122 is formed on the outside of the liner 120 by a filament winding method (hereinafter referred to as FW method) using high-strength fibers (carbon fibers in this embodiment) such as carbon fibers, aramid fibers, and glass fibers, as will be described later. A carbon fiber is wound around the surface to form a layer, which is cured with a fiber-attached resin, and the liner 120 is reinforced from the outside. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the fiber winding by the FW method is performed twice, so that in the reinforcing layer 122, the inner reinforcing layer 122a and the outer reinforcing layer 122b are laminated. The inner and outer reinforcing layers are not separated, but the inner reinforcing layer 122a is formed first by the F / W method, and the outer reinforcing layer 122b is formed subsequently.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tank extension unit 130 includes a fixed plate 132 that protrudes from an arc-shaped liner side plate 134 that is curved following the outer shape of the liner 120. Both the plates are made of metal, and the fixed plate 132 is integrated with the liner side plate 134 by a technique such as welding. The liner side plate 134 is fixed to the reinforcing layer inside the reinforcing layer 122 when the reinforcing layer 122 is formed on the liner 120 as will be described later. The fixing plate 132 is fixed to the reinforcing layer 122 from the inside of the reinforcing layer 122. A through hole 136 for fixing the tank is provided on the protruding end side, extending through the outer skin to the outside of the tank. When the tank extension unit 130 is directly attached to the surface of the liner 120, if the liner 120 is made of resin, the liner side plate 134 is fixed by a thermal fusion or vibration fusion technique, and the liner 120 is If it is made of metal, the liner side plate 134 is fixed by welding. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the high-pressure gas tank 100 includes tank extension units 130 that are arranged on both sides of the tank and in the tank front-rear direction.

  Next, a manufacturing process of the high-pressure gas tank 100 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the tank manufacturing process, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the transition of the FW method performed in the manufacturing procedure of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a carbon fiber CF to be wound. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the relationship between the tank extension unit 130. FIG.

  As shown in the manufacturing process of FIG. 6, first, a resin liner 120 is prepared and set in the F / W device 200 (step S100). As shown in FIG. 7A, the prepared liner 120 includes a base 124 used for connecting the valve base 110 at one end, and a set fitting 126 for rotating the tank at the other end. The F / W device 200 includes a rotation drive unit 210 and a reel 220 above it. The rotation driving unit 210 supports the liner 120 at both ends thereof and rotates the liner 120 about the central axis CX. The reel 220 is provided with the carbon fiber CF wound up, and sends out the carbon fiber CF while reciprocating along the axial direction of the central axis CX by a reciprocating drive device (not shown). The F / W device 200 feeds the carbon fiber CF from the reel 220 while adjusting the rotational speed of the liner by the rotation driving unit 210 and the reciprocating speed of the reel 220, and thereby the carbon fiber CF on the outer surface of the liner 120. The carbon fiber CF is wound in a cross shape over the outer surface of the liner 120 while changing the winding position.

  When the carbon fiber CF is wound around the reel 220 or sent out from the reel 220, an epoxy resin which is a thermosetting resin is attached. Specifically, the carbon fiber CF is immersed in an epoxy resin storage tank and then wound around the reel 220 or impregnated in the storage tank when being fed from the reel 220. This thermosetting resin is thermoset by a thermosetting process, which will be described later, thereby curing the reinforcing layer 122 while functioning as an adhesive that bonds the carbon fibers CF to each other.

  When the above-described liner setting to the FW device 200 is completed, the initial filament winding (F / W) is performed while adjusting the rotational speed of the liner and the reciprocating speed of the reel. Is executed (step S110). Since the initial FW is performed on the single liner 120, the inner reinforcing layer 122a shown in FIG. 4 is formed on the outer surface of the liner 120 by executing Step S110 (FIG. 7 ( B)). In this initial FW, the tank extension unit 130 described later may be bonded by a thermosetting resin attached to the carbon fiber CF. In this state, since thermosetting of the thermosetting resin has not been completed, the inner reinforcing layer 122a remains in a state in which the carbon fibers CF to which the thermosetting resin is attached are wound in layers.

  Next, the tank extension unit 130 is attached to the liner 120 on which the inner reinforcing layer 122a has been wound (step S120; see FIG. 7C). At this time, the liner-side plate 134 of the tank extension unit 130 is pressed against the outer surface of the inner reinforcing layer 122a, and the tank extension unit 130 is bonded with a thermosetting resin attached to the fiber. Alternatively, the tank extending unit 130 is bonded by applying an adhesive having adhesiveness to the thermosetting resin attached to the fiber to the back surface of the liner side plate 134. When the tank extending unit 130 is bonded, the tank extending unit 130 is positioned with respect to the tank position reference described above. That is, the tank extension units 130 are positioned on both sides of the liner 120 as shown in FIG. 4, and the fixing plates 132 of the tank extension units 130 on both sides of the tank are arranged along the tank diameter. For example, the fixed plate 132 is arranged to protrude from both sides of the tank in the horizontal direction with respect to the horizontal tank. Moreover, the tank extension units 130 located on the same side as viewed from the tank are arranged back and forth along the center axis of the tank as shown in FIG.

  Following the installation of the tank extension unit 130, F / W using the F / W device 200 is executed again (step S130). F / W in step S130 is performed on the liner 120 in a state where the tank extension units 130 are mounted on the front, rear, left and right as shown in FIG. 7C. For this reason, the carbon fiber CF wound by F · W in step S130 is wound in a cross shape so as to overlap with the inner reinforcing layer 122a as shown in FIG. 4 at a portion where the tank extension unit 130 is not mounted. Turn. As shown in FIG. 8, the carbon fiber CF winds the liner side plate 134 in a cross shape around the surface of the tank extending unit 130 and surrounds the liner side plate 134. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the carbon fiber CF wound from above the fixing plate 132 in the drawing so as to overlap the surface of the liner side plate 134 is fixed to the fixing plate protruding from the liner side plate 134 toward the front side of the sheet. It is wound around the lower side of the fixed plate 132 so as to surround the base portion of the plate avoiding 132. The same applies to the carbon fiber CF wound from the lower side of the fixed plate 132.

  Such winding of the carbon fiber CF is achieved by adjusting the rotational speed of the liner and the reciprocating speed of the reel when winding the fiber in the vicinity of the mounting position of the tank extension unit 130. That is, in the vicinity of the location where the tank extension unit 130 is mounted, the carbon fiber CF can be wound so that the carbon fiber CF does not interfere with the fixed plate 132 by increasing the reciprocating speed of the reel. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer reinforcing layer 122 b is formed on the inner reinforcing layer 122 a by F · W in step S 130, and the liner side plate 134 includes the inner reinforcing layer constituting the reinforcing layer 122. It is buried in the reinforcing layer 122 between the outer reinforcing layer 122b and the outer reinforcing layer 122a. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7 (D), the fixing plate 132 extends from the liner side plate 134 through the reinforcing layer 122 to the outside of the tank. Even in this state, since thermosetting of the thermosetting resin has not been completed, the inner reinforcing layer 122a and the outer reinforcing layer 122b formed in step S130 are carbon fibers to which the thermosetting resin has been attached. The CF is still wound in layers.

  In the first half of F / W in step S130 described above, the winding of the carbon fiber CF in the range excluding the mounting position of the tank extension unit 130 is preceded by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the liner side plate 134. Do. Thereafter, the carbon fiber CF including the mounting portion of the tank extension unit 130 is wound so that the FW in step S130 can be completed. In this way, the first half of the FW includes substantially the same thickness including the mounting position of the tank extension unit 130, so that no step can be left on the outer periphery of the tank at the second FW.

  The outer reinforcing layer 122b formed by F · W in step S130 described above fixes the tank extension unit 130 with the liner side plate 134 after the thermosetting resin is cured. Therefore, the degree of winding of the outer reinforcing layer 122b at this time may be such that the fixing strength can be maintained.

  Following the above-described F · W, the high-pressure gas tank 100 in which the winding of the carbon fiber CF is completed after the tank extending unit 130 is mounted is subjected to a thermosetting process by a thermosetting apparatus (not shown) ( Step S140). The thermosetting treatment device is a device for thermosetting the thermosetting resin attached to the wound carbon fiber CF. The high pressure gas tank 100 is rotated at a constant speed around its central axis CX. The temperature of the enclosed space is raised, and the high-pressure gas tank 100 is heated for a predetermined time. Thereby, the thermosetting resin is thermally cured, the carbon fibers CF are bonded to each other, and the high-pressure gas tank 100 including the cured reinforcing layer 122 on the outer surface of the liner 120 is obtained. In this case, the temperature raising temperature and the heating time may be determined in consideration of the type of the thermosetting resin to be used, the layer thickness of the reinforcing layer 122, and the like.

  In general, when heating for thermosetting is started, the thermosetting resin once decreases in viscosity and softens until it becomes almost liquid. In addition, when the thermosetting resin is further heated from the softened state, the crosslinking reaction proceeds and is cured. Further, the thermosetting resin has a property of shrinking with curing. Accordingly, when the curing of the thermosetting resin proceeds, a force acts on the high-pressure gas tank 100 in a direction in which the tank diameter decreases due to the shrinkage of the thermosetting resin. Therefore, in the above-described thermosetting treatment, the tank internal pressure is adjusted during the treatment process, and the shrinkage of the tank diameter is suppressed by the shrinkage of the thermosetting resin.

  After the thermosetting resin is cured, the high-pressure gas tank 100 is removed from the thermosetting apparatus, and the valve base 110 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) is attached to the base 124 (step S150), and the high-pressure gas tank 100 is shipped or mounted on the vehicle. Put it on the line. When the valve base 110 is mounted, the valve base 110 is positioned with respect to the tank position reference as described above. As described above, since the tank extending units 130 on the front, rear, left and right sides of the tank are also positioned with respect to the tank position reference, the positional relationship between the tank extending unit 130 and the valve base 110 is also determined.

  Next, an on-vehicle state of the above-described high-pressure gas tank 100 and piping connection for the on-vehicle will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the high-pressure gas tank 100 is mounted on the vehicle, together with the configuration around the tank.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the platform F on the rear side of the rear wheel RT includes a tank-mounted recess 12 extending in the vehicle width direction, and both sides of the recess serve as a tank fixing seat 13. The high-pressure gas tank 100 is in a state where the fixed plate 132 of the tank extending unit 130 extending to the outside of the tank is in contact with the tank fixing seat 13, and in this state, the tank extending unit 130, specifically the fixed plate 132, 140 and the fixing bolt 142 are screwed to the tank fixing seat 13 to complete the mounting of the high-pressure gas tank 100. In the high-pressure gas tank 100 mounted on the vehicle, the gas pipe P1 and the gas pipe P2 are connected to the pipe connector 112 of the valve base 110. Prior to such tank mounting, piping connection to the high-pressure gas tank 100 is performed in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state of pipe connection together with the tank holding jig 300 in a perspective view, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a state of pipe connection and a state of mounting on the tank.

  As shown in the figure, when the gas pipe P1 and the gas pipe P2 are connected, first, the high-pressure gas tank 100 is placed on the tank holding jig 300. The tank holding jig 300 includes holding pins 304 on holding plates 302 arranged in a row, and the holding plate 302 is fixed by a curved arm 306. The tank holding jig 300 includes a tank holding arm 310 located on the lower side of the tank and a lifter device 312 that moves the tank holding arm 310 up and down.

  The interval between the holding plates 302 is defined so as to be positioned on the left and right sides of the high-pressure gas tank 100. In step S120 of FIG. 6, since the position of each tank extension unit 130 is defined as described above with respect to the tank position reference of the high-pressure gas tank 100, the through hole 136 in each tank extension unit 130 is provided. The pitch of is already fixed. Therefore, the holding pins 304 are installed according to the pitch of the through holes 136 of the tank extension unit 130 (fixed plate 132) that the high-pressure gas tank 100 has in the front, rear, left, and right. Therefore, if the high-pressure gas tank 100 is placed so that the holding pin 304 enters the through-hole 136, specifically, if the fixing plate 132 is placed on the holding plate 302, the tank extending unit 130 can move relative to the tank position reference. In combination with what has already been defined, the high-pressure gas tank 100 reproduces the posture mounted on the vehicle 10 by the tank holding jig 300. In this embodiment, four holding pins 304 are used. However, if at least two holding pins 304 are used, the on-vehicle posture of the tank can be reproduced.

  Even in the valve base 110, since it is defined with respect to the tank position reference in step S150 of FIG. 6, the attitude of the valve base 110 mounted on the vehicle 10 by mounting the high-pressure gas tank 100 on the tank holding jig 300. Will be reproduced. The tank holding jig 300 may be provided with a jig for defining the mounting position of the valve base 110, more specifically, the attitude around the tank axis, and the mounting position of the valve base 110 may be confirmed and adjusted. .

  After the high-pressure gas tank 100 is mounted on the tank holding jig 300, the gas pipe P1 and the gas pipe P2 are connected to the pipe connector 112 of the valve base 110. The piping paths of both the gas pipes are determined in advance when the tank is mounted on the vehicle 10. Therefore, both the gas pipes P1 and P2 are bent along the pipe path before being connected, and the vehicle fixing bracket PK is provided at a predetermined position in the pipe path. . That is, both the gas pipes are connected to the pipe connector 112 on the tank connection side at one end of the pipe while being bent along the pipe path, and are integrated with the high-pressure gas tank 100. In this embodiment, in order to avoid the so-called cantilevered state of both gas pipes connected in this way, a pipe temporary holding arm (not shown) is extended from the holding plate 302 to hold the pipe.

  After the gas pipe is connected, the high pressure gas tank 100 is transported together with the tank holding jig 300 to the mounting position on the vehicle 10, that is, below the recess 12 of the platform F, and the high pressure gas tank 100 connected with the gas pipe is connected to the tank holding arm 310 and the lifter. Lift by device 312. Then, the high-pressure gas tank 100 is mounted and fixed to the platform F by the fixing bolt 142 by bringing the fixing plate 132 of the tank extension unit 130 extending outside the tank into contact with the tank fixing seat 13 of the platform F.

  As described above, in the vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment, in the state of the high-pressure gas tank alone before mounting on the vehicle, the position of the valve base 110 and the outside of the tank extend with respect to the tank position reference such as the outer shape of the high-pressure gas tank 100 or its central axis. The position of the fixed plate 132 is defined (steps S120 and S150). Specifically, the posture (rotation position) of the valve base 110 around the axis with respect to the tank center axis and the position of the fixed plate 132 with respect to the tank outer shape or the tank center axis and the tank longitudinal direction are defined in the tank manufacturing process. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, the high-pressure gas tank 100 is fixed to the platform F via the fixing plate 132, and is positioned not only in the vehicle up / down, front / rear and width directions but also around the axis in the horizontal position. The high-pressure gas tank 100 can be fastened and fixed. Therefore, according to the high-pressure gas tank 100 of the present embodiment, the tank positioning work for mounting on the vehicle 10 is not necessary and is simple. As for the vehicle 10, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a vehicle that can be easily mounted after positioning the high-pressure gas tank 100 and has excellent tank mounting properties.

  Further, in the high-pressure gas tank 100 of the present embodiment, when the stationary plate 132 is positioned with respect to the tank position reference and extended to the outside of the tank, the arc-shaped liner side plate 134 curved in the circumferential direction following the tank outer shape is provided. In the manufacturing process, the carbon fiber CF was buried in the reinforcing layer 122 and fixed with the carbon fiber CF forming the reinforcing layer 122. For this reason, the fixing strength of the tank extension unit 130 via the liner side plate 134 can be increased, and the large-sized high-pressure gas tank 100 can be suitably mounted on the vehicle.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the position of the valve base 110 and the fixed plate 132 with respect to the tank position reference is defined as described above in the state of the high-pressure gas tank alone before mounting on the vehicle. 100 can be reproduced by the tank holding jig 300. As a result, it is possible to connect the gas pipe P1 and the gas pipe P2 provided with the fixing bracket PK for fixing the vehicle to the high-pressure gas tank 100 after being bent in the piping path after the vehicle is mounted before being mounted on the vehicle. That is, since the gas pipe to be connected to the high-pressure gas tank 100 can be in a state after being mounted on the vehicle before the vehicle is mounted, not only the tank mounting but also the piping fixing work to the vehicle is simplified. In addition, since the gas pipe is bent in advance along the pipe path, the need for bending and bending of the pipe when connecting the gas pipe to the gas pipe is reduced, and unintentional stress can be prevented from being left in the gas pipe.

  As described above, since the gas pipe P1 and the gas pipe P2 can be connected to the high-pressure gas tank 100 in a state before being mounted on the vehicle, various inspections such as a hydrogen gas leak check at the piping and its connection place are also performed on a jig before mounting on the vehicle. be able to. In addition, since the inspection is performed on the jig, mass production using a turntable or the like is possible, and the repair when a leak is found can be easily handled on the jig. Furthermore, the fuel cell stack can be assembled together with piping and tanks before being mounted on the vehicle, and is excellent in mountability and workability.

  Further, in the high-pressure gas tank 100 according to the present embodiment, a band that spans the outer periphery of the tank is not necessary when the tank is mounted, and thus the weight can be reduced.

  Next, another embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 and is a perspective view of the tank extending unit 130A of the second embodiment, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the state of mounting of the tank extending unit 130A.

  As shown in the figure, the tank extension unit 130 </ b> A includes a liner side plate 134 </ b> A having an arc shape exceeding the semicircular circumference of the liner 120 and two fixing plates 132. The two fixing plates 132 extend outward along the diameter of the liner-side plate 134A in the arc shape. In this tank extension unit 130A, the liner side plate 134A is formed of a spring steel plate, so that the liner side plate 134A can be bent outward so that the arc opening portion is opened.

  In step S120 in FIG. 6, the tank extension unit 130A is attached to the outer periphery of the high-pressure gas tank 100 (specifically, the inner reinforcing layer 122a) instead of the tank extension unit 130 described above. At the time of this mounting, as shown in FIG. 13, the tank extending unit is temporarily bent once so that the liner side plate 134A is bent outward, and then the liner side plate 134A tightly surrounds the inner reinforcing layer 122a. Wear 130A. Thereafter, the high-pressure gas tank 100 is manufactured by the procedure after step S130 in FIG.

  In the high-pressure gas tank 100 using the tank extension unit 130A of the second embodiment described above, the liner 120 can be reinforced in a range surrounded by the liner side plate 134A. In addition, by mounting one tank extension unit 130A, the two fixed plates 132 on both sides of the tank with the tank center shaft interposed therebetween are positioned with respect to the tank position reference and then extended from the liner side plate 134A to the outside of the tank. be able to. Therefore, when the tank extension unit 130A is mounted, it is not necessary to position the fixing plates 132 on both sides of the tank. As a result, the mounting operation of the tank extension unit 130A can be simplified, and the high-pressure gas tank 100 can be easily fixed on both sides thereof.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the tank extension unit 130B while showing the relationship with the liner 120. As shown in the figure, the tank extension unit 130B includes a long liner side plate 134B extending in the axial direction of the liner 120. The liner side plate 134B is separated from the fixed plate 132 at both ends of the plate. Prepare to extend from. In step S120 in FIG. 6, this tank extension unit 130B is mounted on the outer periphery of the high-pressure gas tank 100 (specifically, the inner reinforcing layer 122a) in place of the tank extension unit 130 described above, and thereafter, in FIG. The high-pressure gas tank 100 is manufactured by the procedure after step S130.

  In the high-pressure gas tank 100 using the tank extension unit 130B of the third embodiment described above, the tank extension units 130B are mounted on both sides of the tank across the tank central axis, so that both sides of the tank extend along the tank axial direction. The two fixed plates 132 that are separated from each other can be positioned with respect to the tank position reference and can be extended from the liner side plate 134B to the outside of the tank. Therefore, when the tank extension units 130B are mounted on both sides of the tank, it is not necessary to position the fixed plates 132 separated along the tank axial direction. As a result, the mounting operation of the tank extension unit 130A can be simplified, and the high-pressure gas tank 100 can be easily fixed at two fixing points separated along the tank axial direction.

  Next, another embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 and is a cross-sectional view of the high-pressure gas tank 100A of the third embodiment as seen in a cross section crossing the longitudinal direction. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view schematically showing the manufacturing process in the high-pressure gas tank 100A. is there.

  As shown in the figure, the high-pressure gas tank 100A is similar to the high-pressure gas tank 100 shown in FIG. 4, and the tank extension units 130 on both sides of the tank are fixed while the tank extension units 130 are positioned on both sides of the liner 120A. The plate 132 extends outside the tank so as to be aligned along the tank diameter. In the high-pressure gas tank 100A, the liner 120A is made of metal, and the liner side plate 134 is in direct contact with the outer surface of the liner 120A. That is, in the manufacturing process of FIG. 6, after preparing and setting the metal liner 120A in step S100, step S110 of FIG. 6 is omitted and the procedure after step S120 is advanced to manufacture the high-pressure gas tank 100A. Is done.

  In this case, in step S120, the liner side plate 134 is welded to the outer surface of the metal liner 120A, the tank extension unit 130 is mounted, and the carbon fiber CF is F / Wed in step S130. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, the carbon fiber CF is wound in a cross shape directly on the outer surface of the liner 120 </ b> A at a portion where the tank extension unit 130 is not mounted. On the other hand, at the place where the tank extension unit 130 is mounted, the liner side plate 134 is wound in a cross shape on the surface as described above to surround the liner side plate 134. Thereby, the reinforcing layer 122 is directly formed on the outer surface of the liner 120A, and the liner side plate 134 is buried in the reinforcing layer 122 in a state in contact with the outer surface of the liner 120A. Also in such F / W, in the first half, the winding of the carbon fiber CF in the range excluding the installation location of the tank extension unit 130 is preceded by the amount corresponding to the thickness of the liner side plate 134. Do. After that, the carbon fiber CF including the mounting portion of the tank extension unit 130 is wound so that the FW in step S130 can be completed.

  In the high-pressure gas tank 100A, as described below, the tank can be easily cooled during gas filling. In the vehicle 10 equipped with the high-pressure gas tank 100A, it is necessary to replenish the gas in the tank by pressurizing and filling it as the vehicle travels. During such gas filling, the tank internal pressure of the high-pressure gas tank 100A rises with the gas filling, and the gas in the tank rises in temperature. The metal liner 120A is heated by touching the heated gas, and the heat is applied to the metal liner side plate 134 that is in contact with the outer surface of the liner and the metal fixing plate 132 extending therefrom. Also propagate. The fixing plate 132 extends to the outside of the tank to release heat from the outside air and the platform F to the tank fixing seat 13. Therefore, according to the high-pressure gas tank 100A described above, tank cooling at the time of gas filling can be executed via the tank extension unit 130 without using a special cooling device. That is, the high-pressure gas tank 100A can contribute not only to tank cooling but also to cost reduction.

  Next, the high-pressure gas tank 100B that provides tank cooling when the resin liner 120 is used will be described. FIG. 17 is a view corresponding to FIG. 15, and is a cross-sectional view of the high-pressure gas tank 100 </ b> B according to the fourth embodiment as viewed in cross section with respect to the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in the figure, even in the high-pressure gas tank 100B, as in the high-pressure gas tank 100 shown in FIG. 4, the tank extension units 130 are located on both sides of the tank, and the fixing plates 132 of the tank extension units 130 on both sides of the tank. Are extended to the outside of the tank so as to be aligned along the tank diameter. The high-pressure gas tank 100B is characterized in that the liner side plate 134 of the tank extension unit 130 is used as a member that stays inside the resin liner 120B. That is, in the high-pressure gas tank 100B, the metal liner side plate 134 is fastened inside the resin liner 120B, and then the metal fixing plate 132 is moved from the liner side plate 134 to the resin liner 120 and the reinforcing layer 122. It penetrates and extends to the outside of the tank. The fixing plate 132 is sealed with respect to the liner 120B by a seal member 135 disposed in the liner penetration portion.

  When manufacturing the high-pressure gas tank 100B, a resin liner 120B is prepared in which the metal tank extension unit 130 is sealed as described above and incorporated in step S100 of FIG. Since the resin liner used for the high-pressure gas tank 100B has a reduced diameter at both ends, it is formed by joining divided liners that intersect and intersect the liner axis at the opening side. At this time, each of the split liners is formed by a resin injection molding method, and both split liners are thermally melted by laser irradiation or the like at the joint portion to form a resin liner. Therefore, in the injection molding mold (split mold) of the split liner, a cavity for forming the through mounting hole of the fixed plate 132 and the mounting recess of the seal member 135 is formed, and the injection molding mold having this cavity A split liner is formed using a mold.

  Then, after the seal member 135 is disposed on the divided liner, the fixing plate 132 of the tank extension unit 130 is protruded from the inner side to the outer side of the liner, and the liner side plate 134 is held on the inner side of the liner. In this case, by making the liner side plate 134 bend along the inner wall of the liner, the liner side plate 134 can be brought into contact with the inner wall of the liner and held inside the liner. Next, both split liners are thermally melted by laser irradiation or the like at the joints to form and prepare a resin liner 120B. In this case, the through hole of the fixing plate 132 is formed as a finished liner product, and the fixing plates 132 of the tank extension units 130 on both sides of the liner are aligned along the liner diameter and outside the liner (the tank outside). It is set as the position extended to. That is, the prepared resin liner 120B has the fixing plates 132 on both sides thereof extended along the liner diameter to the outside of the liner.

  In order to manufacture the high-pressure gas tank 100B from the liner 120 having the fixing plate 132 extended on both sides in this way, the step S110 of FIG. 6 and the subsequent step 120 are performed on the resin liner 120B obtained as described above. The procedure after step S130 is omitted. In this case, in the F / W of the carbon fiber CF in step S130, the carbon fiber CF is wound in a cross shape directly on the outer surface of the liner 120B at a portion where the fixing plate 132 of the tank extension unit 130 does not extend outward. Turned. On the other hand, at the place where the fixing plate 132 extends outward, the fixing plate 132 is avoided from the fixing plate 132 (see FIG. 9), and the fixing plate 132 is wound around the outer surface of the liner 120B while surrounding the fixing plate 132 from its base side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the reinforcing layer 122 is directly formed on the outer surface of the liner 120A, and the reinforcing layer 122 surrounds and fixes the fixing plate 132 through thermosetting of the thermosetting resin. The fixing plate 132 extends from the inside of the reinforcing layer 122 to the outside of the tank.

  In the high-pressure gas tank 100B shown in FIG. 17, even when the liner 120B is made of a resin having low heat propagation, the tank can be easily cooled during gas filling as will be described below. Even in gas filling in the vehicle 10 equipped with the high-pressure gas tank 100B, the gas in the high-pressure gas tank 100B rises with gas filling as described above, but the metal liner side stays inside the liner 120B. The plate 134 touches the heated gas and propagates the heat to the metal fixed plate 132. As a result, due to the heat release by the fixed plate 132 that extends to the outside of the tank and is fixed to the tank fixing seat 13, the tank cooling at the time of gas filling can be executed via the tank extending unit 130 without using a special cooling device. . Further, even if the liner 120B is made of an existing resin, the gas supply restriction at high temperatures is relaxed, so that gas filling can be performed quickly.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the four high-pressure gas tanks 100 are provided with the front, rear, left and right tank extension units 130, but the number of tank extension units 130 can be increased or decreased according to the tank weight.

  Further, the high-pressure gas tank 100A shown in FIG. 15 may be one using the liner side plate 134A shown in FIG. The tank mounting location in the vehicle 10 is not limited to the rear side of the rear wheel RT but may be on the lower side of the occupant seat.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the two fixed plates 132 located between the tanks protrude horizontally on both sides of the tank, but both fixed plates 132 protrude tangentially from the outer periphery of the tank on both sides of the tank. It can also be done. The two fixed plates 132 protrude along the radial direction from the center axis of the tank. However, the two fixed plates 132 can protrude around the outer periphery of the tank with a predetermined angle, for example, an angular difference of 90 degrees or 120 degrees. .

  In addition, it is also possible to form a recess into which the liner side plate 134 enters the outer surface of the liner 120, arrange the liner side plate 134 in this recess, and then form the reinforcing layer 122.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle 12 ... Recess 13 ... Tank fixing seat 100, 100A, 100B ... High-pressure gas tank 110 ... Valve base 112 ... Pipe connector 120, 120A, 120B ... Liner 122 ... Reinforcement layer 122a ... Inner reinforcement layer 122b ... Outer reinforcement layer 124 ... Cap 126 ... Set fitting 130, 130A, 130B ... Tank extension unit 132 ... Fixing plate 134, 134A, 134B ... Liner side plate 135 ... Seal member 136 ... Through hole 140 ... Washer 142 ... Fixing bolt 210 ... Rotation drive part 220 Reel 300 ... Tank holding jig 302 ... Holding plate 304 ... Holding pin 306 ... Curved arm 310 ... Tank holding arm 312 ... Lifter device F ... Platform P1 ... Gas piping P2 ... Gas piping PK ... Fixing metal fitting CF ... Carbon fiber RT ... Ring

Claims (9)

A high pressure gas tank,
Liner,
A fiber reinforcing layer formed by laminating fibers on the outer surface of the liner and formed into a layer and cured with a resin attached to the fibers;
A tank extension that is surrounded by the wound fibers inside the fiber reinforcement layer and fixed to the fiber reinforcement layer and extends from the inside of the fiber reinforcement layer to the outside of the tank through the skin of the fiber reinforcement layer. A high-pressure gas tank comprising a projecting member.   The tank extension member includes a liner side plate extending along an outer periphery of the liner and surrounded by the wound fibers and buried in the fiber reinforcing layer, and extends from the liner side plate to the outside of the tank. Item 4. The high-pressure gas tank according to Item 1.   The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 2, wherein the liner-side plate has a curved shape that follows the outer shape of the cylindrical liner, and extends in a circumferential direction of the liner.   The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 3, wherein the liner side plate has a curved shape exceeding a semicircular circumference of the liner.   The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 4, wherein the tank extending member extends from the liner side plate on both sides of the liner.   The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 2, wherein the liner side plate extends in an axial direction of the liner, and the tank extending member extends from the liner side plate so as to be spaced apart along the axial direction.   The high-pressure gas tank according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the liner side plate and the tank extending member are made of metal, and the liner side plate is in contact with an outer surface of the metal liner. . The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 1,
The tank extension member made of metal includes a metal liner inner member that stays inside the resin liner, extends from the liner inner member to the outside of the tank through the liner and the fiber reinforcement layer, and A high-pressure gas tank sealed at the penetration of the liner. A vehicle,
A vehicle on which the high-pressure gas tank according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is mounted by fixing the tank extending member to a vehicle body.

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