IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,459,399
Granted Patent B2
US 8,459,399 · App. 13/258,539 · Granted Jun 11, 2013

Fuel cell system and vehicle

Inventor: Yasuhiko Ohashi (Toyota, JP)
Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,459,399
App. No.
13/258,539
Granted
Jun 11, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a mounting structure of a fuel cell system capable of inhibiting a related device from colliding with the fuel cell when a crash impact is applied from the vehicle front while inhibiting the increase in the vehicle weight. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, and a related device electrically connected to the fuel cell and disposed adjacent to the, wherein related device has an inclined part on a side of a forward direction of a vehicle. When a crash impact is applied to the vehicle from the forward direction side, the moving direction of the related device is changed to a direction (for example, downward) that is not parallel to the forward direction. Thus, it is possible to inhibit the related device from advancing directly toward and damaging the fuel cell.

Claims (26)

1. A fuel cell vehicle, comprising:

a fuel cell;

a related device electrically connected to the fuel cell and disposed adjacent to and in front of the fuel cell,

the related device having an inclined part on a front side, such that if a structural member of the vehicle moves backwards because of a collision impact to the vehicle, the structural member contacts the inclined part and moves downward, and

a cross member between the fuel cell and the related device, the cross member being disposed at a position such that if the related device moves backward because of a collision impact to the vehicle, the cross member contacts a rear edge part of the related device to cause the related device to pivot downward.

2. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein

the related device is fixed to the vehicle by at least two fastening members which are mutually spaced along the forward direction, and

of the at least two fastening members, the fastening member that is provided on the forward direction side is configured to be unfastened with weaker force than the fastening member that is provided on an opposite side to the forward direction side.

3. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein

the related device is provided with a protruding part on the fuel cell side, and the protruding part is provided at a position such that if the related device moves backwards or rotates because of a collision impact to the vehicle, the protruding part of the related device subjects an electrode terminal of the fuel cell to a moving force, causing the electrode terminal to move and become electrically connected with another electrode terminal, thereby creating a short circuit.

4. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the related device comprises, on the fuel cell side, a short circuit part configured to be capable of short-circuiting a power source of the related device when force of a certain level or higher is applied.

5. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the short circuit part is provided at a position where this part comes in contact with a part of the fuel cell based on the movement of the related device expected in a case where the vehicle collides.

6. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein a shock absorbing member is provided between the related device and the fuel cell.

7. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the related device is a converter that is electrically connected to the fuel cell.

8. A fuel cell system mounted on a vehicle, comprising:

a fuel cell; and

a related device electrically connected to the fuel cell and disposed adjacent to the fuel cell,

the related device being fixed to the vehicle by at least two fastening members which are mutually spaced along a forward direction of the vehicle, and

of the at least two fastening members, the fastening member that is provided on the forward direction side being configured to be unfastened with weaker force than the fastening member that is provided on an opposite side to the forward direction side,

the related device having an inclined part on a front side, and

the related device being arranged at a position such that if a structural member of the vehicle moves backwards because of a collision impact to the vehicle, the structural member contacts the inclined part and moves downward.

9. A fuel cell system mounted on a vehicle, comprising:

a fuel cell; and

a related device electrically connected to the fuel cell and disposed adjacent to the fuel cell,

the related device being provided with a protruding part on the fuel cell side, and

the protruding part being provided at a position such that if the related device moves backwards or rotates because of a collision impact to the vehicle, the protruding part of the related device subjects an electrode terminal of the fuel cell to a moving force, causing the electrode terminal to move toward another electrode and become electrically connected with the another electrode terminal, thereby creating a short circuit.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2011
From: OHASHI, YASUHIKO
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 027163/0819 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120006607A1 · Jan 12, 2012