JP2000190874A - Bus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To meet needs of such installation of a cylinder on the roof of buses as poses no problems of strength. SOLUTION: A cylinder installing mechanism comprises a plurality of roof frames 5 arranged on the interior side of a roof 4 of a bus 1 perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis of the bus 1, a pair of first frames 6 arranged at the right and left ends of the roof 4 in parallel to the center axis and in straddling relation to the roof frames 5 so as to serve as structural members for bearing the weight of CNG cylinders 3, second stiffeners disposed separately from first stiffeners to function as ribs for interspacing and interconnecting the roof frames 5, and a cylinder bracket mount 20 coupled to the first frames 6. The first frames 6 are connected to the roof 4, roof frames 5 and second stiffeners, and the cylinder bracket mount 20 has part of coupling means to joint cylinder brackets in place.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a bus having a compressed natural gas cylinder mounted on a roof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a bus utilizing compressed natural gas (hereinafter referred to as "CNG") has a cylinder (compressed natural gas cylinder: CNG cylinder) arranged under the floor, and is provided with an air conditioner and a luggage room. There were many issues such as difficulty in maintenance and inspection in addition to the balance of the arrangement of the equipment.

[0003] Buses, which are highly public vehicles,
For raising and lowering, low-floor buses are desired from the viewpoint of higher welfare. However, when the CNG cylinder was placed under the floor, it was difficult to lower the floor.

If a CNG cylinder is mounted on the roof as a countermeasure, such a problem is not restricted. For example, a bus exhibited at the "96 Congress and Expo of Natural Gas Vehicles" held at Putra World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from September 30 to October 4, 1996 , CNG cylinders are mounted on the roof.

However, CNG cylinders are heavy (1.
(65 kg in a 65 liter FRP cylinder and 160 kg in a 125 liter steel cylinder), it is difficult to mount it on the roof of a bus due to the strength of the roof. In the bus exhibited at the above-mentioned "96th Conference and Exposition of Automobiles Using Natural Gas", the problem of strength was solved and a heavy CNG cylinder was mounted on the roof of the bus. The configuration is not shown.

[0006] Another conventional technique is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-1.
No. 17496 discloses a cylinder support device, and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-39893 discloses a technique for attaching a cylinder to a lift car.
No. 1, JP-A-7-24622, JP-A-7-2
JP-A-23447 discloses a technique for mounting a cylinder below a frame of a vehicle. However, these techniques cannot meet the above-mentioned demand for mounting a cylinder on a bus roof without difficulty in terms of strength.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is intended to provide a bus capable of meeting a demand for mounting a cylinder on a bus roof without difficulty in terms of strength. It is intended to be provided.

[0008]

The bus of the present invention has a cylinder mounting mechanism on a roof in a bus having a CNG cylinder mounted on a roof, and the cylinder mounting mechanism includes a cylinder mounting mechanism. A plurality of roof frames (5a, 5b, 5) arranged on the indoor side of the roof in a direction orthogonal to the center axis of the bus.
c, 5d) and the roof frame (5a, 5b, 5
c, 5d), and a pair of first CNGs serving as structural members for supporting the weight of the CNG cylinder.
A frame (6), a second stiffener (8a, 8b, 8c) provided separately from the first stiffener acting as a rib for maintaining a space between the roof frames and connecting the roof frames to each other; A cylinder bracket mounting base connected to one frame (6), and the first frame includes a roof, a roof frame (5a, 5b, 5c,
5d), it is connected to the second stiffeners (8a, 8b, 8c), and the cylinder bracket mounting base is formed with a part of a connecting means for connecting the cylinder bracket.

According to the bus of the present invention having such a configuration, the weight of the CNG cylinder is supported by the first frame and the roof frame via the cylinder bracket and the cylinder bracket mounting base. Here, since the first frame and the roof frame have sufficient strength as structural members, it is possible to mount the cylinder on the bus roof without difficulty in terms of strength.

This eliminates the necessity of arranging a cylinder in the space under the floor, in addition to the essential volume of a luggage room or the like in the case of a sightseeing bus, thereby improving the degree of freedom in layout and equipment maintenance. In addition, it is easy to lower the floor, and it is possible to meet the demand for higher welfare.

In practicing the present invention, the first frame comprises:
By rivet, roof, roof frame (5a, 5b,
5c, 5d), second stiffener (8a, 8b, 8c)
It is preferably combined with

According to this structure, the first frame includes the roof, the roof frames (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and the second frame.
Are sufficiently supported by the stiffeners (8a, 8b, 8c), and are safe in terms of strength and infiltration of rainwater.

Further, the bus of the present invention is a bus in which a CNG cylinder is mounted on a roof, and has a cylinder mounting mechanism on the roof, and the cylinder mounting mechanism includes left and right ends of the bus roof. A plurality of roof frames (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) arranged in a direction parallel to the center axis of the roof, and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the center axis of the bus on the indoor side of the roof; 5c, 5d) and a plurality of first frames (6) functioning as structural members for supporting the weight of the CNG cylinder, and a cylinder bracket mounting stand connected to the first frame (6); And the first frame is a roof frame (5a,
5b, 5c, and 5d), and a part of the connecting means for connecting the cylinder bracket is formed on the cylinder bracket mounting base.

Also in this case, since the weight of the CNG cylinder is supported by the first frame and the roof frame having sufficient strength as structural members via the cylinder bracket and the cylinder bracket mounting base, the strength of the CNG cylinder is reduced. It is possible to mount a cylinder on the roof of the bus without difficulty.

Here, the first frame is a CNG cylinder,
It is connected to the roof frame (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) by a connection member having sufficient strength to support the entire weight of the cylinder bracket and the cylinder bracket mounting base, for example, a large diameter bolt and nut. Is preferred.

Further, it is preferable that a part of the connecting means for connecting the cylinder bracket formed on the cylinder bracket mounting base is a through hole for inserting a bolt.

As described above, according to the present invention, the CNG cylinder is mounted at a position on the roof of the bus by a structural member having sufficient strength. However, in order to further improve safety, the CNG cylinder is made of steel. Reinforced resin (FR
It is preferable to use a lightweight cylinder made of P).

Here, when the fuel gas is supplied (filled) to the cylinder mounted on the roof of the bus, dew condensation occurs on the outer surface of the filling pipe. After the filling operation is completed, the condensation melts and leaks onto the floor of the cabin space of the bus.

On the other hand, in the present invention, a gas filling port is provided on the side of the bus, and the gas filling port and the cylinder mounting mechanism communicate with each other by a filling pipe. The range of the filling pipe corresponding to the region can be configured to be surrounded by the dew condensation preventing material. The filling pipe in the range from the floor to the ceiling of the bus (the range corresponding to the cabin) is surrounded by the dew condensation preventing material. This prevents condensation from forming on the floor of the filling pipe from the floor to the ceiling of the bath (a range corresponding to the passenger room), thereby preventing the bath from melting and leaking onto the floor.

[0020]

1 to 3 show a main outline of a cylinder mounting mechanism 2 mounted on a roof 4 of a bus 1. FIG. FIG.
In this embodiment, a cylinder mounting mechanism 2 for mounting four CNG cylinders is mounted in this embodiment. Inside the roof 4 are roof frames 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d of strength members.
(In the case of a generic name, it is abbreviated as 5), and the roof 4, the first frame 6, and the cylinder bracket mounting base 2 are provided.
0, a cylinder 3 is attached via the cover 2a.
Indicates a normal state in which is mounted. 2 shows a state in which the cover 2a is removed from the state in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows a structure in which the cylinder 3 in FIG. 2 is removed.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the roof, in which a plurality of roof frames support the roof 4 under the roof 4 at regular intervals except for the front and rear portions in a direction perpendicular to the center axis CC of the bus. I have. As described above, the roof frame 5 of the cylinder mounting mechanism is composed of four rods 5a, b, c, and d in this embodiment, and the cylinder bracket mounting base 20 and the like are added to the AA section in FIGS. 5 over the entire width of the roof 4. The cross-sectional shape of the roof frame 5 is formed in a square mountain shape with an open bottom as shown in FIG. 6 showing a cross section B in FIG. 4, and supports the weight of the CNG cylinder 3 and the cylinder bracket mounting base 20 and its peripheral devices. It has functions such as structural strength and flexural rigidity.

The first frame 6, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
a, 4b, the roof frame 5 in a direction parallel to the central axis CC.
Are arranged as a pair on the left and right sides.
The shape thereof is, as shown in FIGS.
A square C-shaped material 6b is formed in close contact with a, and ribs 6e and 6d are reinforced at equal pitches in the longitudinal direction as strength members. A plurality of holes 6f drilled at the top are for connecting the cylinder bracket mounting base 20 with bolts 21, and a plurality of small holes 6c drilled at the bottom are for riveting to the roof 4. With this structure, CN
It has a function of supporting the weight of the G cylinder 3, the cylinder bracket mount 20, and its peripheral devices, for example, structural strength and flexural rigidity, and transmits these weights to the roof frame 5 via the roof 4.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second stiffeners 8a, 8b, and 8c (generally abbreviated as 8) are provided separately from the first stiffener 7 which is usually provided. The first frame 6 is formed of a flat plate and
Spot welding at the position corresponding to the roof frame 5
a to 5b to 5c to 5d are maintained so as to function as ribs for connecting the roof frames 5 to each other. And as a back plate which rivets the first frame 6 to the roof 4, rivet strength is secured by securing the rivet length, and local load on the roof 4 is avoided.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cylinder bracket mounting base 20 is formed in a rectangular girder shape with a rectangular hollow tube. The cross member 22 and the vertical member 23 are of the same shape, and the joint is fixed by welding and reinforcement by ribs 24. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, two bolt holes 26 a are drilled and fixed to the first frame 6 with the bolts 21, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. It is configured to be. Further, a plurality of bolt holes 25 drilled on the upper surface of the vertical member 23 are one of coupling means for coupling the cylinder bracket 18 (see FIG. 18).
It is formed as a through hole for bolt insertion of the part.

The first frame 6 is provided with a rivet at the bottom of the roof 4, the roof frame 5,
The bracket mounting base 20 is connected to the second stiffener 8 by a bolt 21 as a connecting member at the upper part (see FIGS. 5 and 18).

FIGS. 15 and 16 show another shape of the roof frame. The roof frame 15 includes the roof 1
4 are arranged in a direction parallel to the center axis CC of the bus at both left and right ends, and are arranged on the indoor side of the roof 14 in a direction orthogonal to the center axis CC of the bus. In FIG. 15, the left and right roof frames 15 are not connected to each other, but they may be connected to each other by a lightweight member such as a Z shape without connection. In this case, the roof 14 is configured such that there is no problem in strength even if it is a Z-shaped lightweight member or without connection.

The first frame in this case is arranged so as to straddle the roof frame 5 (in this case, the roof frame is 15) like the first frame 16 of FIGS. 3 and 5 used for convenience of explanation. And is coupled to a roof frame 15 via a roof 14. The first frame 16 has a function of supporting the weights of the CNG cylinder 3, the cylinder bracket mounting base 20, and peripheral devices thereof, for example, structural strength and flexural rigidity. No. 15.

The connection between the first frame 6 and the roof frame 15 via the roof 14 has been described in connection with the rivet in the previous example. However, the CNG cylinder 3 and the cylinder bracket mounting base 20 support the weight of the peripheral equipment. As a joining member having sufficient strength, for example, a large diameter (10 to 12 in this example)
mm) bolts and nuts are preferred. In this case, it can be fixed without relying on the second stiffener in the previous example.

The CNG cylinder mounting mechanism 2 preferably has a small load weight even if the roof frame 5 and the first frame 6 have sufficient strength and rigidity.
G cylinder 3 is reinforced resin (eg FRP) than steel
It is preferable to use a lightweight cylinder made of aluminum.

FIG. 17 shows a gas filling pipe 30 that passes through the CNG cylinder 3 (see FIG. 2) mounted on the roof 4 from the side of the vehicle body of the bus. Gas filling port 31 on the side of vehicle body
A filling pipe 30 having a gas injection plug 30a therein rises along the inside of the vehicle body, and is not shown in FIG.
It communicates with the G cylinder. An anti-condensation member 32 is attached so as to surround the floor-to-ceiling of the filling pipe 30, that is, in the area of the passenger compartment.

The operation of the bus having the above structure is described by the cylinder mounting mechanism 2.
This will be mainly described. In FIG. 2 and FIG.
The cylinder 3 is connected to the cylinder bracket mounting base 20 by the cylinder bracket 18, and the cylinder bracket mounting base 2
Numeral 0 is fixed to the first frame 6 arranged on both right and left ends of the roof 4 by bolts 21. The horizontal load of the CNG cylinder 3 and the like is supported by the frictional force proportional to the tightening force of the bolt 21 and the shearing force of the bolt cross-sectional area.

The first frame 6 is riveted together with the roof 4 and the roof frames 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d or the second stiffeners 8a, 8b, 8c arranged on the indoor side. By this riveting, the first frame 6
The horizontal load is supported by the frictional force proportional to the tightening force between the roof and the roof 4 and the shearing force of the rivet cross-sectional area.

The roof frames 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d support the vehicle body and are also supported by the vehicle body to support the horizontal load, and peripheral devices such as the CNG cylinder 3 and the pressure reducing valve, the cylinder bracket mounting base 20, and the first frame. 6 weight support.

With this configuration and operation, the C
The vertical load of the NG cylinder 3 etc. is mainly
a, 5b, 5c, 5d. In addition, the horizontal front load due to sudden braking, the horizontal rear load due to sudden start, and the horizontal lateral load due to sudden turning are mainly applied to the roof frames 5 a, 5 b, via the cylinder bracket mounting base 20 and the first frame 6.
Support by 5c, 5d. This prevents the roof 4 and the vehicle body from being overstrengthened in strength, prevents the roof 4 from being damaged, and prevents flooding during rainy weather and car washing.

As shown in FIG. 17, the dew condensation preventing material 32 surrounding the gas filling pipe 30 leading to the CNG cylinder 3 prevents dew condensation on the pipe outer surface due to a temperature difference between the inside and outside of the pipe generated at the time of gas filling. Can be done. Here, the portion surrounded by the dew condensation preventing material 32 is a range corresponding to the area from the floor to the ceiling of the bus of the filling pipe 30 in the room.

[0036]

The effects of the present invention are listed below. (1) A pair of first frames functioning as strength members to support the weight of CNG cylinders are coupled to a plurality of roof frames, so the load is distributed and the cylinders are mounted on the bus roof in a structure that is reasonable in strength. it can. This facilitates lowering the floor for better welfare support.
Further, the arrangement of a cooler, a luggage room, and the like under the floor is facilitated, and a space for maintenance and inspection is easily obtained. (2) If the first frame is connected to the roof, the roof frame, and the second stiffener by rivets, the load on the roof is dispersed by a large number of rivets, and there is no local damage, so that rainwater can be prevented from entering. (3) If the connecting member of the first frame to the roof frame is made of a large-diameter bolt, the connection to the roof frame can be increased, the load on the roof can be reduced, and the second stiffener of the previous example can be eliminated. Thus, concerns about rainwater intrusion from the roof can be further avoided. (4) The cylinder bracket can be securely and easily fixed to the cylinder bracket mounting base by using the through holes for bolt insertion. (5) By enclosing the gas filling pipe to the cylinder on the roof with the anti-condensation material on the exposed part of the cabin, it is possible to prevent dew condensation and to prevent wetting due to the drop of dew on the floor surface, hindering passengers' walking movement. Does not occur.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bus provided with a cylinder mounting mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state where a cover of FIG. 1 is removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of a cylinder mounting mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the roof structure showing a state where the entire surface is covered.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in which a first frame and the like are added in the direction of arrow AA in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view on arrow B showing the roof frame, the roof, and the first stiffener of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view taken in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 5 (a view of the ceiling looking up from the room).

FIG. 8 is a top view of the first frame.

9 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the cylinder bracket mounting base.

FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of a portion D in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a side view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top view showing left and right ends of a roof and a roof frame having another structure.

FIG. 16 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow B showing the roof frame and the roof in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a bus showing a gas filling pipe.

FIG. 18 is a rear sectional view showing the periphery of the roof frame, the first frame, and the cylinder bracket mounting base.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bus 2 ... Cylinder mounting mechanism 2a ... Cover 3 ... Cylinder 4 ... Roof (roof) 5a, b, c, d ... Roof frame 6 ... 1st frame 7. First stiffeners 8a, 8b, 8c Second stiffeners 14 Roofs 15a, b, c, d Roof frames 18 Cylinder brackets 20 Cylinder bracket mounts 21 Bolts 22 ・ ・ Horizontal beam 23 ・ ・ Vertical beam 24 ・ ・ Bracket 25 ・ ・ Bomb bracket mounting hole 26 ・ ・ Roof frame mounting bracket hole 26a ・ ・ Roof frame mounting hole 30 ・ ・ Filling pipe 30a ・ ・ Gas injection plug 31 ・ ・Filling port 32: Dew condensation prevention material

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Kahachi Iioka 1-chome, 1-chome, Daio, Saio-shi, Saitama Prefecture Inside (72) Inventor Tsutomu Miyoshi 1-chome, 1-chome, 1-chome, Ageo-shi, Saitama Nissan Inside Diesel Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ken Yamada 1-chome, 1-chome, Ageo-shi, Saitama Nissan Diesel Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koichi Takada 1-7-1, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (72) Inventor Koji Kikuchi 1-7-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo F-term in Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (reference) 3D003 AA07 AA14 AA15 BB10 CA38 CA40 DA01 3D020 AA00 AB01 AC01 AD01 AD11 3D038 CA12 CB02 CC13 CC14 CD09 CD10 CD13

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A bus having a compressed natural gas cylinder mounted on a roof, comprising a cylinder mounting mechanism on the roof, wherein the cylinder mounting mechanism is provided on the indoor side of the bus roof with a central axis of the bus. And a plurality of roof frames arranged in a direction orthogonal to the roof axis, arranged in a direction parallel to the central axis at the left and right ends of the bus roof, arranged so as to straddle the roof frame, and the weight of the compressed natural gas cylinder A pair of first stiffeners functioning as supporting structural members, and a second stiffener provided separately from the first stiffener that maintains a space between the roof frames and acts as a rib that connects the roof frames to each other And a cylinder bracket mounting base connected to the first frame, wherein the first frame includes a roof, a roof frame, a second
A bus characterized in that a part of a connecting means for connecting the cylinder bracket is formed on the cylinder bracket mounting base. 2. The bus of claim 1, wherein the first frame is connected to the roof, the roof frame, and the second stiffener by rivets. 3. A bus having a compressed natural gas cylinder mounted on a roof, comprising a cylinder mounting mechanism on the roof, wherein the cylinder mounting mechanism has a central axis at both left and right ends of the bus roof. A plurality of roof frames arranged in parallel with each other and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the center axis of the bus on the indoor side of the roof, and arranged so as to straddle the roof frames and support the weight of the compressed natural gas cylinder A plurality of first frames functioning as structural members, and a cylinder bracket mounting base connected to the first frame, wherein the first frame is coupled to the roof frame, and A bus characterized in that a part of a connecting means for connecting a cylinder bracket is formed on a base. 4. The first frame includes a compressed natural gas cylinder,
4. The bus of claim 3 wherein the bus is coupled to the roof frame by a coupling member having sufficient strength to support the front weight of the cylinder bracket and the cylinder bracket mount. 5. The bus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the connecting means for connecting the cylinder bracket formed on the cylinder bracket mounting base is a through hole for inserting a bolt. 6. A gas filling port is provided on a side surface, and a communication between the gas filling port and the cylinder mounting mechanism is provided by a filling pipe, and a filling pipe corresponding to an area from a floor to a ceiling in a room of the bus is provided. The area is surrounded by an anti-condensation material.
The bus according to any one of the above.