IP Library Granted Patent US 8,932,769
Granted Patent B2
US 8,932,769 · App. 13/258,523 · Granted Jan 13, 2015

Fuel cell assembly and vehicle

Inventor: Yasuhiko Ohashi (Toyota, JP)
Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
B60K1/04Y02T10/7216B60L11/1887B60L2210/10Y02T10/705B62D25/20B60L11/1896Y02T90/34B60K2001/0438B60L11/1892B60L2210/40B60L11/1877Y02T90/32B60L1/003B60L11/1803B60L2240/421H01M2250/20B60L3/0053H01M8/247Y02E60/50B60L7/16Y02T10/642B60L11/1898B60L2240/36Y02T10/7241H01M8/2475
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,932,769
App. No.
13/258,523
Granted
Jan 13, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a mounting structure of a fuel cell system capable of withstanding a collision from the side face of a fuel cell vehicle. The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell unit for housing a fuel cell, and a protective structure having a mounting surface for mounting the fuel cell unit. The protective structure includes sloping frames provided obliquely relative to the mounting surface at a position opposing at least one side face of the fuel cell unit. Since the protective structure has the sloping frames as the structural objects to be subjected to the impact of the collision from the side face, the protection of the entire height of the fuel cell unit is realized by the lightest structural objects.

Claims (20)

1. A fuel cell assembly, comprising:

a fuel cell unit configured to house a fuel cell; and

a protective structure having a mounting surface configured to mount the fuel cell unit, wherein the mounting surface is disposed in a horizontal direction,

the protective structure including a sloping frame provided obliquely relative to the mounting surface at a position opposing at least one side face of the fuel cell unit,

the fuel cell unit having an inclined flange that is provided on the at least one side face and is inclined relative to the mounting surface of the protective structure, and

the protective structure and the fuel cell unit being mounted so that the side face to which the inclined flange of the fuel cell unit is provided opposes the sloping frame of the protective structure, and so that the sloping frame and the inclined flange intersect when viewed from the side.

2. The fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein at least one face of the fuel cell unit is provided with a relief shape.

3. The fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein the fuel cell assembly is mounted on a vehicle, and

the fuel cell assembly is mounted on the vehicle so that the sloping frame of the protective structure faces a side direction of the vehicle.

4. The fuel cell assembly according to claim 3 ,

wherein the protective structure is fastened to a reinforcing frame configuring a part of a frame structure of the vehicle, and

the reinforcing frame and the protective structure are fastened with a bracket which increases a fastening strength.

5. The fuel cell assembly according to claim 3 ,

wherein the protective structure is provided with a related component of the fuel cell on a side that is opposite to a forward travel direction of the vehicle.

6. The fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein the mounting surface of the protective structure is provided with a panel.

7. The fuel cell assembly according to claim 1 ,

wherein the fuel cell unit further houses a power source related device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2011
From: OHASHI, YASUHIKO
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 027149/0305 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120028135A1 · Feb 2, 2012