JP6666771B2 - Saddle type vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a saddle-ride type vehicle including a fuel cell.

  A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with a fuel cell is generally known. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a fuel cell that generates electric power based on a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere. An air-cooled cooling device is combined with the fuel cell. The cooling device introduces air from an air intake opening at the upper surface of the fuel cell that is inclined upward.

JP 2009-78622 A

  In the saddle-ride type vehicle described in Patent Literature 1, there are other components above the intake port on the upper surface, and the flow is not efficient. As a result, a large power is required for the cooling fan in the cooling device to take in the air from the intake port.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a saddle-ride type vehicle that can realize more efficient ventilation when using a fuel cell.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a body frame supporting a front fork with a head pipe so as to be steerable and swingably swinging around a pivot is provided on the body frame behind the head pipe. A saddle-ride type vehicle is provided, which is supported and has an air-cooled fuel cell unit disposed forwardly below the head pipe and having an intake of outside air used for supplying and cooling oxygen.

  According to the second aspect, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the saddle-ride type vehicle closes the front of the intake while defining an intake space in front of the intake, and extends from the edge of the front wall to the rear of the vehicle. A frame cover that defines left and right intake ports that open rearward while communicating with the intake space on a side wall that extends toward the intake space; and a frame cover that is coupled to the frame cover behind the intake port to sandwich the introduction space. And a wind guide plate that spreads laterally to the front of the vehicle while facing the air inlet.

  According to the third aspect, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, a third intake port is provided above the front wall of the frame cover and communicates with the intake port while covering the intake port in a front view. An inlet cover having a communication port is provided.

  According to the fourth aspect, in addition to the configuration of any of the first to third aspects, the saddle-ride type vehicle further includes a fuel tank that extends rearward from the fuel cell unit and stores high-pressure hydrogen, and a rear wheel. A motor that is connected and drives the rear wheel based on the supplied power, and a control device that is disposed below the fuel cell unit and in front of the rear wheel and controls power supplied to the motor, A secondary battery that is arranged below the fuel cell unit and is arranged alongside the control device and that performs charging and discharging of electric power according to control of the control device.

  According to a fifth aspect, the secondary battery is disposed in front of the control device, and the saddle-ride type vehicle includes a pressure regulating valve for adjusting a flow rate of hydrogen gas from the fuel tank at a front end of the fuel tank. .

  According to the first invention, since the intake of the outside air is opened forward, the traveling wind easily flows into the fuel cell unit during traveling of the saddle type vehicle. Thus, the outside air is efficiently introduced into the fuel cell unit. Oxygen is sufficiently supplied, and the fuel cell unit is sufficiently cooled.

  According to the second aspect, the airflow flows between the air guide plate and the frame cover from the front of the vehicle during traveling. The air flow passes along the inner wall surface of the baffle plate, once at the side of the air inlet opening backward, and enters the introduction space. Thereafter, the airflow is introduced from the intake port into the intake space while flowing forward from the introduction space. Water and dust splashed by the front wheels stay in the introduction space due to the inertia of the airflow. Therefore, water and dust can be removed from the airflow flowing from the intake port into the intake space. In this way, water and dust are prevented from entering the fuel cell unit.

  According to the third aspect, the third intake port is opened forward, so that the traveling wind easily flows into the fuel cell unit during traveling of the saddle-ride type vehicle. Since the third intake port is covered with the inlet cover, water and dust jumped up by the front wheels do not directly enter the intake port, and water and dust are prevented from entering the fuel cell unit. You.

  According to the fourth aspect, the fuel tank can be arranged in a space above the rear wheel. Therefore, the fuel tank can be close to the fuel cell unit. The fuel path connecting the fuel tank to the fuel cell unit can be shortened as much as possible. In addition, the control device can be located close to the fuel cell unit. The power path from the fuel cell unit to the electric motor via the control device can be shortened. Power lines are shortened when using fuel cells.

  According to the fifth aspect, the piping connecting the fuel tank to the fuel cell unit and the power line connecting the control device to the secondary battery or the electric motor can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an overall configuration of a saddle-ride type vehicle, that is, a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an entire image of a motorcycle with a body cover removed. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the motorcycle viewed from above with a cover removed. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle body frame. FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a ventilation path in the motorcycle. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a fitting relationship between a fuel cell unit and a seat frame. FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view schematically showing a front wall of a frame cover.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a saddle-ride type vehicle, that is, a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The motorcycle (saddle-ride type vehicle) 11 includes a body frame 12 and a body cover 13 mounted on the body frame 12. The body frame 12 includes a head pipe 15 that supports the front fork 14 so as to be steerable, a pair of left and right main frames 16, 16 extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 15 at a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane, A pair of left and right pivot frames 17, 17 connected to the rear ends of the main frames 16, 16 at connection points 17a and extending downward from the rear ends of the main frames 16, 16; A pair of left and right down frames 18, 18 extending downward at a second angle larger than the angle, and a pivot frame extending from a rear end of the down frame 18 at a second connection point 17b below the first connection point 17a. 17 and a pair of left and right lower frames 19, 19. The front fork 14 supports a front wheel WF so as to be rotatable around an axle 21.

  The motorcycle 11 includes a rear wheel unit 22. The rear wheel unit 22 is connected to the pivot frame 17 via a pivot 23 extending in the horizontal direction. The rear wheel unit 22 is supported by the pivot frame 17 so as to be vertically swingable about the pivot 23. A rear wheel WR is supported at a free end of the rear wheel unit 22 so as to be rotatable around an axle 24 parallel to the pivot 23. A rear cushion 25 is provided between the body frame 12 and the rear wheel unit 22. One end of the rear cushion 25 is connected to the pivot frame 17 above the pivot 23. The rear cushion 25 regulates the swing of the rear wheel unit 22 with respect to the body frame 12. Transmission of vibration from the rear wheel WR to the body frame 12 is suppressed. The rear wheel unit 22 includes an electric motor 26 that is connected to the rear wheel WR and drives the rear wheel WR based on supplied power.

  The motorcycle 11 includes a fuel supply assembly 28. The fuel supply assembly 28 is connected to the main frame 16 above the pivot frame 17. The fuel supply assembly 28 includes a seat frame 31 extending rearward above the rear wheel WR from the main frame 16 and supporting the occupant seat 29. As will be described later, the seat frame 31 has a monocoque structure that also functions as an exhaust duct that guides exhaust from the fuel cell unit to the rear of the occupant seat 29.

  The seat frame 31 includes an upper body 31a and a lower body 31b. The upper body 31a and the lower body 31b are mutually connected. The joint surface between the upper body 31a and the lower body 31b extends from the main frame 16 to the rear end. The occupant seat 29 is mounted on the upper body 31a. The occupant straddles the occupant seat 29.

  The vehicle body cover 13 includes an upper cover 32 commonly connected to the left and right above the main frame 16, a side cover 33 connected to each main frame 16 below the main frame 16, and a side cover 33. And a rear cover 35 that covers the seat frame 31 behind the occupant seat 29. The upper cover 32 straddles the two main frames 16 from above and is coupled to the main frames 16. The rear cover 35 forms an exhaust port at the rear end of the seat frame 31.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a fuel cell unit 36 is mounted on the body frame 12. The fuel cell unit 36 is supported by a pair of left and right lower frames 19 from below, behind the head pipe 15. The down frame 18 extends forward of the fuel cell unit 36. The fuel cell unit 36 arranges an outside air intake 38 along a forward virtual plane 37 that is perpendicular to the ground surface and extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle. In the fuel cell unit 36, electric power is generated based on a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere. The fuel cell unit 36 uses the air flowing from the intake 38 to supply and cool oxygen.

  A frame cover 39 is connected to the body frame 12. The frame cover 39 has a front wall 39a and a side wall 39b that extends from both left and right edges of the front wall 39a toward the rear of the vehicle. An intake port 41 is defined on the left and right sides of the side wall 39b.

  A cylindrical fuel tank 42 is mounted on the body frame 12. The fuel tank 42 extends rearward from the pressure regulating valve 43 connected to the fuel cell unit 36. The fuel tank 42 stores high-pressure hydrogen. The lower body 31b of the seat frame 31 supports the fuel tank 42 from below. The fuel tank 42 is housed in the seat frame 31.

  A control device 44 is mounted on the body frame 12. The control device 44 is disposed below the fuel tank 42 and in front of the rear wheel WR. The control device 44 controls the power supplied from the fuel cell unit 36 and the power supplied to the electric motor 26.

  A secondary battery 45 is mounted on the body frame 12. The secondary battery 45 is arranged below the fuel cell unit 36 and in front of the control device 44. The secondary battery 45 performs charging and discharging of electric power under the control of the control device 44.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of left and right main frames 16, 16 is disposed on both left and right sides of the fuel cell unit 36. As shown in FIG. 4, the body frame 12 further includes an upper hanger plate 46. The upper hanger plate 46 is connected to the left and right main frames 16 over the fuel cell unit 36. The upper hanger plate 46 connects the fuel cell unit 36 to the main frame 16.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the frame cover 39 blocks the front of the intake 38 while defining an intake space 48 in front of the intake 38. The intake port 41 opens rearward while communicating with the intake space 48. In forming the air inlet 41, a shielding plate 49 is disposed at the opening of the side wall 39b and moves away from the virtual plane including the side wall 39b toward the rear. The intake port 41 is formed between the rear end of the shielding plate 49 and the side wall 49b.

  The air guide plate 34 is coupled to the frame cover 39 behind the air inlet 41. The air guide plate 34 spreads toward the front of the vehicle on the sides of the intake port 41 and the shielding plate 49 while facing the intake port 41 with the introduction space 51 interposed therebetween.

  The fuel cell unit 36 has an outlet 53 disposed along a rearward imaginary plane 52 that is perpendicular to the ground surface and extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle. In the fuel cell unit 36, an airflow circulates through the housing from the intake port 38 to the discharge port 53 by the function of the built-in fan unit.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the seat frame 31 forms an exhaust duct. The exhaust duct defines a ventilation path 54 between the upper body 31a and the lower body 31b. The ventilation path 54 opens at the front end introduction port 54a and extends to the rear end exhaust port 54b. The fuel tank 42 is accommodated in the exhaust duct.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the front end of the exhaust duct is fitted to a frame 55 defining an exhaust port by the fuel cell unit 36. A seal member 56 is sandwiched between the frame 55 and the seat frame (exhaust duct) 31. The seal member 56 is formed of, for example, a flexible rubber material.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a third air inlet 58 is defined above the front wall 39a of the frame cover 39. The intake port 58 is opened forward. The intake port 58 communicates with the intake space 48. An inlet cover 59 is attached to the front wall 39a of the frame cover 39 in front of the intake port 58. The inlet cover 59 covers the air inlet 58 from the front. A ventilation space 61 is defined between the inlet cover 59 and the front surface of the front wall 39a. The ventilation space 61 is partitioned by an inclined wall 62 below the intake port 58 and displaced forward as the distance from the intake port 58 decreases.

  A communication port 63 that opens forward is formed in the inlet cover 59. The upper edge of the communication port 63 is defined by a current plate 64 that spreads downward as it is displaced rearward from the opening. The rectifying plate 64 rectifies the airflow taken in from the communication port 63 downward. The captured airflow enters the upper intake port 58 after colliding with the inclined wall 62 of the front wall 39a.

  During traveling, the airflow flows between the wind guide plate 34 and the frame cover 39 from the front of the motorcycle 11. The airflow passes along the inner wall surface of the baffle plate 34, once passing the side of the air inlet 41 that opens rearward, and enters the introduction space 51. Thereafter, the airflow is introduced from the intake port 41 into the intake space 48 while flowing forward from the introduction space 51. Water and dust splashed by the front wheel WF remain in the introduction space 51 due to the inertia of the airflow. Therefore, water and dust can be removed from the airflow flowing from the intake port 41 into the intake space 48. In this way, the entry of water and dust into the fuel cell unit 36 is prevented.

  The air-cooled fuel cell unit 36 has an intake 38 that is partitioned forward in a virtual plane 37. Since the intake 38 is opened forward, the traveling wind easily flows into the fuel cell unit 36 while the motorcycle 11 is traveling. Thus, the outside air is efficiently introduced into the fuel cell unit 36. Oxygen is sufficiently supplied, and the fuel cell unit 36 is sufficiently cooled.

  In the motorcycle 11, the fuel tank 42 is arranged in a space above the rear wheel WR. Therefore, the fuel tank 42 can approach the fuel cell unit 36. The fuel path connecting the fuel tank 42 to the fuel cell unit 36 can be shortened as much as possible. In addition, the control device 44 is arranged close to the fuel cell unit 36. The power path from the fuel cell unit 36 to the electric motor 26 via the control device 44 can be shortened. Power lines are shortened when using fuel cells.

  The left and right lower frames 19 support the fuel cell unit 36 from below. The weight of the fuel cell unit 36 is supported by the lower frame 19. The fuel cell unit 36 is positioned by the main frame 16 in the left-right and front-rear directions.

  The body frame 12 includes an upper hanger plate 46. The upper hanger plate 46 connects the fuel cell unit 36 to the main frame 16. The fuel cell unit 36 is supported from above and below by the upper hanger plate 46 and the lower frame 19. Thus, the fuel cell unit 36 can be securely connected to the vehicle body frame 12.

  Since the third intake port 58 is opened forward in the frame cover 39, the traveling wind easily flows into the fuel cell unit 36 during the traveling of the motorcycle 11. Since the third intake port 58 is covered with the inlet cover 59, the water or dust jumped up by the front wheel WF does not directly enter the intake port 58, and the water or dust flows to the fuel cell unit 36. Is prevented from entering.

  In the motorcycle 11, the secondary battery 45 is disposed in front of the control device 44. The pressure regulating valve 43 is installed at the front end of the fuel tank 42. Therefore, the piping connecting the fuel tank 42 and the fuel cell unit 36 and the power line connecting the controller 44 to the secondary battery 45 and the electric motor 26 can be reduced.

  11: saddle-ride type vehicle (motorcycle), 12: body frame, 14: front fork, 15: head pipe, 16: main frame, 17: pivot frame, 17a: first connection point, 17b: second connection point, 18 Down frame, 19 Lower frame, 22 Rear wheel unit, 23 Pivot, 26 Electric motor, 34 Baffle plate, 36 Fuel cell unit, 38 Inlet, 39 Frame cover, 39a Front wall 39b ... side wall, 41 ... intake port, 42 ... fuel tank, 43 ... pressure regulating valve, 44 ... control device, 45 ... secondary battery, 46 ... upper hanger plate, 48 ... intake space, 58 ... third intake port, 59: inlet cover, 63: communication port, WR: rear wheel.

Claims (4)

A body frame (12) supporting a front fork (14) so as to be steerable by a head pipe (15) and swingably supporting a rear wheel unit (22) around a pivot (23);
An intake port (38) for outside air used for supplying and cooling oxygen is disposed forwardly below the head pipe (15), supported by the body frame (12) behind the head pipe (15). An air-cooled fuel cell unit (36) ;
An intake space (48) is defined in front of the intake port (38) to block the front of the intake port (38). A frame cover (39) defining left and right intake ports (41) that open rearward while communicating with the space (48);
Behind the intake port (41), the frame cover (39) is connected to the frame cover (39). A saddle-ride type vehicle comprising: a wind guide plate (34) extending toward the vehicle. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein a third intake port (58) is provided above the front wall (39a) of the frame cover (39), and the intake port (58) is viewed from the front. A saddle-ride type vehicle provided with an inlet cover (59) provided with a communication port (63) communicating with the intake port (58) while covering. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A fuel tank (42) extending rearward from the fuel cell unit (36) and storing high-pressure hydrogen;
An electric motor (26) connected to the rear wheel (WR) and driving the rear wheel (WR) based on supplied electric power;
A control device (44) disposed below the fuel cell unit (36) and in front of the rear wheel (WR) to control electric power supplied to the electric motor (26);
A secondary battery (45) arranged below the fuel cell unit (36), side by side with the control device (44), and charging and discharging power according to the control of the control device (44). A saddle-ride type vehicle characterized by that: The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein the secondary battery (45) is disposed in front of the control device (44), and adjusts a flow rate of hydrogen gas from the fuel tank (42). 43) is provided at a front end of the fuel tank (42).

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