JP5962384B2 - Industrial vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an industrial vehicle equipped with a fuel cell.

  A vehicle equipped with a fuel cell is proposed in Patent Document 1, for example. And in the vehicle of patent document 1, when heating a room | chamber interior, in addition to a vehicle air conditioning system, efficiency is improved by utilizing the waste heat of a fuel cell.

JP 2011-131858 A

  The fuel cell is also mounted on a forklift as an industrial vehicle, and uses electric power generated by the fuel cell as a driving source for traveling and cargo handling. By the way, forklifts are used even in a low-temperature environment, for example, when loading and unloading luggage stored in a large refrigerator or freezer. For this reason, since the operator of a forklift will be exposed to a low temperature environment, it is desired to mount a heating system. However, in a configuration in which a heat source such as a heater is mounted, the cost is increased and the power generated by the fuel cell is consumed by the heating system.

  This invention was made paying attention to the problem which exists in such a prior art, The objective is the industrial vehicle which can heat a driver's cab efficiently, without complicating a structure. It is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a fuel cell, a circulation path for circulating the coolant of the fuel cell, and the coolant and air provided in the middle of the circulation path. In an industrial vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system having a radiator that cools the coolant by exchanging heat, the fuel cell system is disposed in a storage room adjacent to the cab, and after the heat exchange a supply flow path for guiding the heat dissipation wind the radiator to the cab, and a blow-out port and then blowing into the cab side the radiator air flowing through the supply passage, the cab, the heat dissipation wind A return port for returning to the accommodation chamber of the fuel cell system is provided, and a pipe connecting the return port and the outlet is disposed, and a pipe blower for blowing the radiant air into the operation room is provided in the pipe. There is an exit The gist that you are.

According to this, by disposing the fuel cell system in the accommodation room adjacent to the cab, the radiator radiant air that cools the coolant of the fuel cell can be guided to the cab and the configuration for heating is complicated. It is not converted. And since heating is performed using the exhaust heat of the fuel cell, the cab can be efficiently heated without consuming the electric power generated by the fuel cell for heating. Further, since the cab is provided with a return port for returning the radiant air to the accommodation chamber of the fuel cell system, the radiant air blown out to the cab can be returned to the accommodation chamber. A circulation flow path can be formed. And heating efficiency can be improved by circulating a thermal radiation.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the industrial vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a discharge passage for guiding the radiating air to the outside of the vehicle; and a switching mechanism for switching the passage through which the radiating air flows. The gist. According to this, when the heating is unnecessary, the heat radiation can be discharged outside the vehicle.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the industrial vehicle according to the first or second aspect, a seat is provided in the cab, and the fuel cell system is located under the floor of the cab, or It is arrange | positioned under the said seat, and makes it a summary that the said blower outlet is arrange | positioned at the operator's feet seated on the said seat. According to this, the heat radiation can be blown out from the operator's feet, so that a feeling of use of heating can be given to the operator.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the industrial vehicle according to the first or second aspect, the cab is a standing type, and the fuel cell system is disposed in a front region of the cab. It is arrange | positioned and it makes it a summary that the said blower outlet is arrange | positioned at the said operator's foot. According to this, the heat radiation can be blown out from the operator's feet, so that a feeling of use of heating can be given to the operator.

  According to the present invention, the cab can be efficiently heated without complicating the configuration.

The side view of a forklift. The schematic block diagram of a fuel cell system. The schematic diagram explaining the flow of thermal radiation. The schematic diagram explaining the flow of thermal radiation.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a mast 12 is provided on the front side of a machine base frame 11 constituting a vehicle body of a forklift 10 as an industrial vehicle. The mast 12 is equipped with a fork 13 that can be lifted and lowered via a lift bracket 14, and the fork 13 is lifted and lowered together with the lift bracket 14 by an expansion and contraction operation of the lift cylinder 15. Four support columns 16 are erected on the machine base frame 11, and the front support column 16 is formed integrally with the head guard 17. A cab 18 is constituted by a space surrounded by the support column 16 and the head guard 17. The cab 18 is separated from the outside by a transparent wall on the front side and the rear side, and doors 19 that can be opened and closed on both the left and right sides. The cab 18 is provided as a cabin that can be opened through a door 19. A driver's seat (seat) 20 is disposed in the cab 18.

  Drive wheels (front wheels) 21 are provided at the front lower portion of the vehicle body, and steering wheels (rear wheels) 22 are provided at the rear lower portion of the vehicle body. The drive wheel 21 is driven by a traveling motor 23. A fuel cell system 24 is mounted under the floor of the cab 18 in the machine base frame 11. The fuel cell system 24 is used as a power source for the traveling motor 23.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell system 24 includes a fuel cell FC, a hydrogen supply unit 25 that supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell FC, and an air supply unit 26 that supplies air to the fuel cell FC. . The fuel cell FC of the present embodiment is constituted by a solid polymer fuel cell, and incorporates a plurality of cells including a fuel electrode and an air electrode partitioned by a polymer electrolyte membrane. In the fuel cell FC, power generation is performed by an electromotive reaction through an electrolyte membrane between hydrogen supplied to the fuel electrode and oxygen in the air supplied to the air electrode. The electric power generated by the fuel cell FC is supplied to a load F such as a traveling motor 23 connected to the fuel cell system 24.

  In addition, an electric double layer type capacitor 27 as a power storage device is electrically connected to the fuel cell FC via a DC / DC converter 28 so as to be in parallel with the fuel cell FC. The capacitor 27 is charged by receiving power supply from the fuel cell FC via the DC / DC converter 28. The DC / DC converter 28 converts electric power of a predetermined voltage (for example, 100 volts) generated by the fuel cell FC into a predetermined voltage (for example, 48 volts). A voltmeter 29 that detects the voltage of the capacitor 27 is connected between the capacitor 27 and the DC / DC converter 28 so as to be in parallel with the capacitor 27.

  The hydrogen supply unit 25, the air supply unit 26, the DC / DC converter 28, and the voltmeter 29 are electrically connected to a controller 30 that controls the fuel cell system 24. The controller 30 controls the start and stop of power generation and the amount of power generated. The controller 30 controls the DC / DC converter 28 so as to convert the voltage of the electric power generated by the fuel cell FC into a predetermined voltage suitable for charging the capacitor 27.

  The fuel cell FC generates power by an electromotive reaction and discharges offgas. The off-gas includes gas (hydrogen and oxygen) used at each of the fuel electrode and the air electrode and water generated during the electromotive reaction. The fuel cell FC is connected to a discharge mechanism 31 that separates the gas and the liquid from the off gas, discharges the gas to the outside, atomizes the liquid, and discharges the liquid to the outside. The fuel cell FC is connected to a cooling mechanism 32 that circulates and supplies a cooling medium to the fuel cell FC.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cooling mechanism 32 includes a radiator 33 serving as a heat exchanger and a fan 34 serving as a blower. A circulation pipe 35 as a circulation path for circulating the coolant is connected to the fuel cell FC, and a radiator 33 and a circulation pump 36 are provided in the middle of the circulation pipe 35. The coolant passes through the radiator 33 by driving the circulation pump 36. Further, air is supplied to the radiator 33 by driving the fan 34. Then, the cooling liquid can be cooled by the heat exchange between the cooling liquid and the air by the radiator 33.

  Further, the machine frame 11 is provided with a storage chamber 37 for the fuel cell system 24 under the floor of the cab 18 which is a space adjacent to the cab 18. The machine frame 11 has an intake port 38 for taking outside air into the storage chamber 37 when the fan 34 is driven, and a discharge port 39 for releasing the heat radiation of the radiator 33 after heat exchange with the cooling liquid. Is provided. Further, a switching plate 40 is provided between the discharge port 39 and the radiator 33 as a switching mechanism for switching the flow path through which the radiating air flows. In the present embodiment, the switching plate 40 can be operated by operating the operation member H provided in the cab 18.

  Further, a floor 41 of the operation room 18 that divides the operation room 18 and the accommodation room 37 is provided with an air outlet 42 that communicates the operation room 18 and the accommodation room 37. From the air outlet 42, the heat radiation of the radiator 33 blows out to the cab 18. Further, the air outlet 42 is disposed at the feet of the worker who is seated on the driver's seat 20. Further, the air outlet 42 is provided with a door 43 that opens and closes the air outlet 42. The door 43 operates in conjunction with the switching plate 40 by operating the operation member H. The floor 41 is provided with a return port 44 that communicates the cab 18 and the storage chamber 37 on the intake port 38 side of the machine base frame 11. The return port 44 blows into the cab 18 and guides the circulated radiant air to the storage chamber 37.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the switching plate 40 is arranged so that the operating member H is operated to guide the radiated air of the radiator 33 to the air outlet 42, the door 43 of the air outlet 42 is also opened. As a result, a supply flow path Y <b> 1 that guides the radiant air to the operation room 18 is formed in the operation room 18 and the accommodation room 37. For this reason, when the fuel cell FC starts power generation and the coolant and air exchange heat with the radiator 33, the radiating air flows through the supply flow path Y1 and is guided to the cab 18 and through the outlet 42. And blow out. At this time, in the present embodiment, since the fuel cell system 24 is arranged under the floor of the cab 18, the radiating air is directly guided to the cab 18. Even when the supply flow path Y1 is formed, the discharge flow path Y2 for guiding the heat radiation to the discharge port 39 is formed. For this reason, a part of the heat radiating air is discharged outside the vehicle through the discharge port 39, but when the supply flow path Y1 is formed, the supply flow path Y1 is not formed as shown in FIG. Compared to the case, the flow rate of the radiating air flowing through the discharge passage Y2 is reduced.

  Since the radiating air of the radiator 33 has a temperature of about 30 ° C. to 40 ° C., the radiating air guided to the cab 18 functions as an conditioned air for heating the cab 18. That is, when working in a cold region or working in a freezer, the interior of the cab 18 is heated using exhaust heat.

  In addition, a return port 44 is provided in the floor 41 of the cab 18 separately from the air outlet 42. The return port 44 is provided on the intake port 38 side for taking air into the storage chamber 37. For this reason, the radiant air guided from the air outlet 42 into the cab 18 is circulated through the cab 18 and returned from the return port 44 to the storage chamber 37. Since the radiating air returned to the storage chamber 37 via the return port 44 circulates around the fuel cell system 24 in the storage chamber 37, it is used as a temperature-controlled air that warms the components constituting the fuel cell system 24. Function. Thereby, when working in a cold region or when working in a freezer, freezing of the fuel cell system 24 can be suppressed using exhaust heat. In this embodiment, the circulation passage Y <b> 3 that circulates the radiant air to the fuel cell system 24 is formed by providing the air outlet 42 and the return port 44 on the floor 41 of the cab 18.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the switching plate 40 is arranged so as to guide the radiating air to the discharge port 39 by operating the operation member H, the door 43 of the air outlet 42 is also closed. As a result, a discharge flow path Y <b> 2 that guides the heat radiation to the discharge port 39 is formed in the storage chamber 37. Then, the heat radiation from the radiator 33 is discharged outside the vehicle through the discharge port 39. In other words, when there is no need to heat the cab 18, the radiant air can be released to the outside without being guided to the cab 18.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) By disposing the fuel cell system 24 in the accommodation chamber 37 under the floor of the cab 18, the heat radiation of the radiator 33 can be directly guided to the cab 18, and the configuration for heating is not complicated. . That is, the structure for heating can be simplified. Since the exhaust heat of the fuel cell FC is used for heating, the cab 18 can be efficiently heated without consuming the electric power generated by the fuel cell FC for heating. That is, the electric power generated by the fuel cell FC can be consumed for traveling and cargo handling of the forklift 10, and efficient energy consumption can be realized.

  (2) By providing the switching plate 40, the supply flow path Y1 and the discharge flow path Y2 can be switched as necessary. In other words, when heating is necessary, the radiating air is circulated through the supply flow path Y1, while when the heating is unnecessary, the radiating air can be discharged outside the vehicle. Thus, since the necessity of heating can be switched, the environment according to an operator's intention can be given.

(3) By providing the air outlet 42 on the floor 41 of the cab 18, the heat radiation can be blown from the operator's feet. Therefore, a feeling of use of heating can be given to the worker.
(4) Since the return port 44 is provided, the radiating air blown into the cab 18 can be returned into the accommodation chamber 37. That is, the circulation channel Y3 for the radiating air can be formed in the cab 18. Then, by circulating the radiating air, the heating efficiency can be improved and the inside of the cab 18 can be ventilated.

  (5) In addition, by returning the radiating air to the accommodation chamber 37 through the circulation flow path Y3, the radiating air can function as a temperature-controlled air that warms the fuel cell system 24. For this reason, even if it is a case where the forklift 10 is used in low temperature environments, such as a cold region and a freezer, freezing of the fuel cell system 24 can be suppressed. In the fuel cell FC, water is generated during an electromotive reaction, and if this water adheres to a pipe or the like, it may freeze. However, in this embodiment, since the fuel cell system 24 is warmed by the radiating air, freezing can be suppressed. In addition, the fuel cell system 24 can be protected.

(6) The circulation flow path Y3 allows the heat radiation to be used as both the conditioned air and the temperature-controlled air, so that the functionality of the forklift 10 can be improved.
(7) Since the cab 18 is provided as a cabin, the radiated air blown into the cab 18 is difficult to escape outside the vehicle. Therefore, the heating efficiency of the cab 18 can be improved.

In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.
The temperature of the fuel cell system 24 may be measured, the switching plate 40 may be controlled based on the temperature, and the amount of the radiating air flowing into the supply flow path Y1 and the discharge flow path Y2 may be adjusted. In this case, the controller 30 acquires the measurement result of the temperature sensor arranged in the fuel cell system 24 and controls the switching plate 40. Specifically, when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, that is, when the temperature of the fuel cell system 24 is high, the switching plate 40 is operated so that the air volume to the discharge flow path Y2 increases. As a result, the radiating air is discharged outside the vehicle through the discharge port 39, so that the temperature inside the storage chamber 37, that is, the temperature of the fuel cell system 24 can be lowered. On the other hand, when the temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature, that is, when the temperature of the fuel cell system 24 is low, the switching plate 40 is operated so that the air volume to the supply flow path Y1 is increased. Thereby, the inside of the cab 18 can be heated. Moreover, when the return port 44 is provided in the floor 41, the fuel cell system 24 can also be warmed by the circulating heat radiation. In this other example, the controller 30 functions as an air volume adjusting unit. Note that a control unit different from the controller 30 may be provided, and the control unit may perform the above-described control. Further, the temperature of the fuel cell system 24 may be directly measured by measuring the temperature of the fuel cell system 24, or the temperature of the storage chamber 37 may be measured and the temperature may be regarded as the temperature of the fuel cell system 24.

○ The position of the air outlet 42 provided on the floor 41 may be changed. For example, the air outlet 42 may be disposed under the driver seat 20. Moreover, the number of the blower outlets 42 can be changed arbitrarily.
O The door 43 may not be provided in the blower outlet 42, but you may always make it open.

In the case of forming the supply flow path Y1, the discharge port 39 may be closed by the switching plate 40. In this case, the heat radiation is not released outside the vehicle.
○ The floor 41 may be provided with only the air outlet 42 without providing the return port 44. In this case, for example, the air outlet 42 may be closed by the door 43 and a circulation flow path for circulating the radiating air in the accommodation chamber 37 may be formed.

The configuration of the switching mechanism that switches between the supply flow path Y1 and the discharge flow path Y2 may be changed. For example, a shutter type switching mechanism may be used.
○ The cab 18 of the forklift 10 may not be a cabin type. The non-cabinet forklift 10 has no door 19 and the cab 18 is open. In such a forklift 10, the heat radiation may be blown out to the cab 18.

  A pipe connecting the air outlet 42 and the return port 44 may be arranged in the cab 18 to form a circulation flow path Y3 that circulates the radiated air to the accommodation chamber 37 via the cab 18. In this case, the cab 18 can be heated by providing the outlet in the pipe.

  ○ It may be embodied in a reach-type forklift. The cab of the reach-type forklift is a standing type. The fuel cell system 24 is disposed in the front area of the cab. Even in such a reach-type forklift, heating can be performed if the air outlet 42 is disposed at the foot of the operator.

○ It may be embodied in industrial vehicles other than forklifts. For example, it may be embodied in a tow vehicle.
O It is not necessary to form the circulation flow path Y3 to the storage chamber 37.

Next, a technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and another example will be added below.
(B) It is provided with an air volume adjusting unit that acquires the temperature of the fuel cell system and controls the switching mechanism based on the temperature to adjust the air volume flowing to each flow path. The industrial vehicle according to claim 2, wherein when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the temperature of the accommodation chamber is lowered by flowing heat radiation to the discharge passage.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Forklift, 18 ... Driver's cab, 20 ... Driver's seat, 24 ... Fuel cell system, 33 ... Radiator, 35 ... Circulation piping, 37 ... Storage chamber, 40 ... Switching plate, 41 ... Floor, 42 ... Air outlet, 44 ... return port, FC ... fuel cell, Y1 ... supply channel, Y2 ... discharge channel.

Claims (4)

A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell; a circulation path for circulating the coolant of the fuel cell; and a radiator provided in the middle of the circulation path for exchanging heat between the coolant and air to cool the coolant. In industrial vehicles equipped with
The fuel cell system is disposed in a storage room adjacent to the cab,
A supply flow path for guiding the radiant air of the radiator after heat exchange to the cab;
And a outlet for blown the radiator air flowing through the supply passage to the cab side,
The cab is provided with a return port for returning the radiant air to the accommodation chamber of the fuel cell system, and a pipe connecting the return port and the outlet is disposed.
The industrial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the piping is provided with a piping outlet for blowing the radiant air into the cab . A discharge passage for guiding the heat radiation to the outside of the vehicle;
The industrial vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a switching mechanism that switches a flow path through which the heat radiation flows. The driver's cab is provided with a seat,
The fuel cell system is disposed under the floor of the cab or under the seat,
The industrial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the air outlet is disposed at a foot of an operator who is seated on the seat. The driver's cab is a standing type,
The fuel cell system is disposed in a front region of the cab,
The industrial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the air outlet is disposed at an operator's foot.