JP-2026075361-A - Fuel cell systems and electric assist vehicles

JP2026075361AJP 2026075361 AJP2026075361 AJP 2026075361AJP-2026075361-A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a fuel cell system and an electric assist vehicle that can suppress the decrease in the cooling efficiency of the fuel cell. [Solution] The fuel cell system 40 comprises a fuel cell 50, a canister 60, and a holder 70. The canister 60 supplies fuel gas to the fuel cell 50. The holder 70 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 71 that holds the outer surface of the canister 60. The holder 70 is positioned such that the axial direction of the peripheral wall 71 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The peripheral wall 71 has an internal flow path 80 that extends in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 71. The internal flow path 80 has an inlet 81 for introducing coolant discharged from the coolant outlet 57 of the fuel cell 50, an outlet 82 for leading the coolant to the coolant supply port 56 of the fuel cell 50, and an inlet 83 for injecting coolant into the internal flow path 80. The inlet 83 is located below the top of the internal flow path 80 and above the outlet 82. [Selection Diagram] Figure 2

Inventors

池田健司

Assignees

トヨタ紡織株式会社

Dates

Publication Date: 20260508
Application Date: 20241022

Claims (5)

A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell, a canister for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell, and a holder having a cylindrical peripheral wall for holding the outer surface of the canister, The fuel cell has a coolant supply port through which coolant flows inside the fuel cell is supplied, and a coolant discharge port through which the coolant is discharged. The holder is positioned such that the axial direction of the peripheral wall is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The peripheral wall has an internal flow path extending in the axial direction, The internal flow path has an inlet for introducing the coolant discharged from the coolant outlet, an outlet for leading the coolant to the coolant supply port, and an inlet for injecting the coolant into the internal flow path. The inlet is located below the uppermost part of the internal flow path and above the outlet. Fuel cell system.
The outlet is located below the inlet. The fuel cell system according to claim 1.
The inlet is located below the inlet. The fuel cell system according to claim 1.
The holder is positioned such that its axial direction is inclined with respect to both the horizontal and vertical directions. The internal flow path includes a cylindrical space provided around the entire circumference inside the peripheral wall, The inlet and outlet are openings on the upper surface of the peripheral wall. The fuel cell system according to claim 1.
A fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a motor supplied with power from the fuel cell, configured to be movable by adding an assist driving force from the motor to the human power driving force from the occupants, Electric-assist vehicle.

Description

An application has been submitted for an exception to the loss of novelty. This invention relates to a fuel cell system and an electric assist vehicle. Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile body comprising a hydrogen storage alloy container containing a hydrogen storage alloy, a fuel cell unit, and a heating/cooling unit. The hydrogen storage alloy supplies hydrogen gas to the fuel cell unit. The fuel cell unit generates electricity using the hydrogen gas as fuel. The heating/cooling unit circulates a coolant between the inside of the hydrogen storage alloy container and the area surrounding the fuel cell unit. Hydrogen storage alloys absorb heat as they release hydrogen gas. This causes the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy to decrease. As the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy decreases, the amount of hydrogen gas released, and therefore the amount of hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cell unit, decreases. The coolant flows around the fuel cell unit, which generates heat during power generation. This cools the fuel cell unit and increases the temperature of the coolant. The heated coolant then flows inside the container containing the hydrogen storage alloy. This heats the hydrogen storage alloy and lowers the temperature of the coolant. The heating of the hydrogen storage alloy prevents a decrease in the supply of hydrogen gas to the fuel cell unit. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-7609 Figure 1 is a side view of an electric assist vehicle according to one embodiment.Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell system in the electric assist vehicle shown in Figure 1.Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the holder shown in Figure 2.Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the holder in the first modified example.Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the holder in the second modified example.Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the holder in the third modified example. Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fuel cell system and an electric assist vehicle will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. (Overall configuration of the electric assist vehicle 10) The electric assist vehicle 10 shown in Figure 1 is configured to be movable by adding an assist driving force from the motor 36 to the human power driving force from the rider. The electric assist vehicle 10 is, for example, an electric assist bicycle. The electric assist vehicle 10 comprises a frame 20, a front fork 27, a handlebar 28, a front wheel 29, a rear wheel 30, a saddle 31, and a drive unit 32. The frame 20 includes a head tube 21, a seat tube 22, a top tube 23, a down tube 24, a seat stay 25, and a chain stay 26. The head tube 21 extends vertically. The seat tube 22 extends vertically along the head tube 21, behind it. The top tube 23 connects the upper end of the head tube 21 to the upper end of the seat tube 22. The down tube 24 connects the lower end of the head tube 21 to the lower end of the seat tube 22. The seat stay 25 extends rearward from the upper end of the seat tube 22. The chain stay 26 extends rearward from the lower end of the seat tube 22. The rear end of the seat stay 25 and the lower end of the chain stay 26 are connected to each other. The frame 20 is constructed, for example, by welding together a plurality of pipes with a circular cross-section. The front fork 27 is rotatably supported on the head tube 21 around an axis that extends in the vertical direction. The handlebars 28 are mounted on the upper end of the front forks 27. The front wheel 29 is rotatably supported at the lower end of the front fork 27. The rear wheel 30 is rotatably supported at the connection point between the seat stay 25 and the chain stay 26. The saddle 31 is located at the upper end of the seat tube 22. The drive unit 32 is fixed to the frame 20 below the connection point between the seat tube 22 and the down tube 24. The drive unit 32 comprises a crank axle 33, a pair of crank arms 34, a pair of pedals 35, and a motor 36. The crankshaft 33 extends in the vehicle width direction. A pair of crank arms 34 extend from both ends of the crankshaft 33 in a direction perpendicular to the crankshaft 33. A pair of pedals 35 are fixed to the ends of the pair of crank arms 34, respectively. The crankshaft 33 is connected to the rear wheel 30 via a chain (not shown). The human-powered driving force acting on the pedals 35 is transmitted to the rear wheel 30 via the chain. The motor 36 is connected to the crankshaft 33 via a transmission member (not shown). The motor 36 provides assist driving force to the crankshaft 33. (Configuration of fuel cell system 40) As shown in Figure 2, the electric assist vehicle 10 is equipped with a fuel cell system 40. The fuel cell system 40 comprises a fuel cell 50, a canister 60, a holder 70, a compressor 90, and a pump 100. The fuel cell 50 supplies power to the motor 36. The canister 60 supplies fuel gas to the fuel cell 50. The holder 70 houses the canister 60. The compressor 90 supplies oxidizer gas