JP7750725B2 - Tanker truck - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tank truck, and in particular to a tank truck that can prevent the pressurized evaporator from falling off.

A technology is known in which liquefied gas in a tank is sent to a pressurized evaporator, and the pressure of the gas generated by evaporating the liquefied gas is used to expel the liquefied gas from the tank to the outside. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a pressurized evaporator is fixed to the vehicle frame (chassis frame).

JP 2013-193690 A

However, with the above-mentioned conventional technology, there was a concern that distortion caused by temperature changes in the pressurized evaporator could deteriorate the fixed part between the pressurized evaporator and the chassis frame, causing the pressurized evaporator to fall off the tank truck. Previously, this type of detachment due to deterioration was prevented by inspecting the tank truck.

The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a tank truck that can prevent the pressurized evaporator from falling off.

To achieve this objective, the tank truck of the present invention comprises a chassis frame supported by multiple wheels, a subframe fixed to the chassis frame, a tank fixed to the subframe, a pressurized evaporator fixed to the chassis frame or the subframe, a side portion fixed to the chassis frame or the subframe and positioned in the vehicle width direction or longitudinal direction of the pressurized evaporator, and a support portion protruding from the lower end of the side portion and positioned below the pressurized evaporator, and the support portion can support the pressurized evaporator when it is released from its attachment to the chassis frame or the subframe.

According to the tank truck described in claim 1, the side of the pressurized evaporator located in the vehicle width direction or longitudinal direction is fixed to the chassis frame or subframe, and the support portion protruding from the lower end of the side is located below the pressurized evaporator. As a result, even if the pressurized evaporator becomes detached from the subframe or chassis frame, the support portion fixed to the subframe or chassis frame via the side can support the pressurized evaporator. As a result, the pressurized evaporator can be prevented from falling off the tank truck.

The tank truck of claim 2 achieves the following effects in addition to the effects of the tank truck of claim 1. Multiple outer portions are located outside the pressurized evaporator in the vehicle width direction, and are arranged at intervals in the fore-and-aft direction. An outer support portion protruding inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of each outer portion is located below the pressurized evaporator. Side guards are also formed by connecting the multiple outer portions in the fore-and-aft direction. Tank trucks have traditionally been equipped with side guards for safety reasons, and the outer support portions can be easily formed by bending the lower end of the outer portion of each side guard. Therefore, the use of side guards makes it easy to provide outer support portions on tank trucks.

The tank truck of claim 3 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect of the tank truck of claim 2. Side frames that protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the subframe support the pressurized evaporator by suspending it. The outer portion, with the outer support portion protruding from the lower end, is fixed to the side frame. Even if the pressurized evaporator becomes detached from the side frame, the side frame that originally supported the pressurized evaporator supports it via the outer portion and outer support portion. As a result, it is easy to design the strength of the outer portion and outer support portion to support the pressurized evaporator that has become detached from the side frame.

The tank truck of claim 4 achieves the following effect in addition to the effects achieved by the tank truck of claim 2 or 3. As described above, the tank truck has an outer portion and an outer support portion. Furthermore, the inner portion is located inside the pressurized evaporator in the vehicle width direction, and the inner support portion, which protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the inner portion, is located below the pressurized evaporator. As a result, even if the pressurized evaporator becomes detached from the subframe or chassis frame, the outer support portion and inner support portion can support the pressurized evaporator from both sides in the vehicle width direction. This allows the outer support portion and inner support portion to be shorter, while stabilizing support of the pressurized evaporator by the outer support portion and inner support portion, compared to when the pressurized evaporator is cantilevered by a support portion provided on only one side in the vehicle width direction.

The tank truck of claim 5 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect of the tank truck of claim 1. The inner portion is located inside the vehicle width direction of the pressurized evaporator, and the inner support portion, which protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the inner portion, is located below the pressurized evaporator. Because the inner support portion protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the center of the pressurized evaporator in the vehicle width direction, even if the pressurized evaporator becomes detached from the subframe or chassis frame, the inner support portion alone can easily and stably hold the pressurized evaporator.

The tank truck of claim 6 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect of the tank truck of any one of claims 1, 4, and 5. The chassis frame is formed with a plurality of through-holes that penetrate in the vehicle width direction at intervals in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The inner portion of the pressurized evaporator, located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, is fixed to the chassis frame via fastening members inserted into the through-holes.

Furthermore, the inner portion has a lower end offset in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle relative to the fastening member. The inner support portion, which protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end, is positioned below the pressurized evaporator. This allows the inner portion to be secured using through holes and fastening members, while the inner support portion can support the pressurized evaporator at a position offset in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle relative to the fastening member. Therefore, while the inner portion can be secured to the chassis frame using multiple through holes, the support position of the pressurized evaporator by the inner support portion can be freely adjusted.

The tank truck of claim 7 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect of the tank truck of any one of claims 1 to 6. Because multiple side portions and support portions are arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction, it is easy to exchange outside air between the side portions and support portions and the pressurized evaporator, ensuring efficient heat exchange in the pressurized evaporator. Furthermore, because multiple support portions are arranged in the front-to-rear direction, the pressurized evaporator can be stably supported by the multiple support portions.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tank truck according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged side view of the tank truck showing a portion II in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the tank truck taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the side frame and the side guard taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a tank truck according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a tank truck according to a modified example.

Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the overall configuration of the tank truck 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a side view of the tank truck 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that Figure 1 omits the illustration of the side guards 50 and protective guards 60, which will be described later.

As shown in Figure 1, the tank truck 1 is equipped with multiple wheels 2 and is configured as a vehicle for transporting liquefied gas (e.g., LNG). The multiple wheels 2 support a chassis frame 3 that forms the framework of the vehicle body.

The chassis frame 3 is a frame that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body (left-right direction in Figure 1), and a cab 30 that serves as the driver's seat is located at the front end of the chassis frame 3. A tank 5 is supported (mounted) on the chassis frame 3, located rearward of the cab 30, via a pair of left and right sub-frames 4.

Before the tank 5 is supported on the chassis frame 3 (before mounting), the subframe 4 is joined (directly fixed) to the tank 5 by welding or other means. A rubber liner 31 (see Figure 3) is sandwiched between the chassis frame 3 and the subframe 4, and the subframe 4 is fixed to the chassis frame 3 by welding or using a fixing device (not shown), thereby mounting the tank 5 to the chassis frame 3.

Tank 5 is a cylindrical tank for carrying liquefied gas. A delivery pipe 6 is connected to the rear of tank 5, and a pressurized evaporator 7 is connected to tank 5 via this delivery pipe 6. The rear end of tank 5 is covered by a box-shaped equipment room 9, to which a return pipe 8 is connected. Inside the equipment room 9 are installed operating devices and meters (neither of which is shown) that are operated during liquefied gas loading and unloading operations.

The pressurized evaporator 7 is a device that evaporates and vaporizes the liquefied gas delivered from the tank 5 through the delivery pipe 6, returns the evaporated gas to the tank 5 through the return pipe 8, and pressurizes the inside of the tank 5. The pressurized evaporator 7 comprises a rectangular frame 70 that forms the outer shell of the pressurized evaporator 7, and piping 72 housed within the frame 70.

Openings 71 that connect the inside and outside of the frame 70 are formed on the top, bottom, left, and right sides. One end of piping 72 is connected to the delivery pipe 6, and the other end of piping 72 is connected to the return pipe 8. Liquefied gas introduced into piping 72 from the delivery pipe 6 is vaporized by heat exchange with the outside air as it flows through piping 72, and the vaporized gas is returned to the tank 5 via the return pipe 8. At this time, the outside air is exchanged between the inside and outside of the frame 70 through the openings 71 provided in the frame 70, maintaining the temperature of the outside air around the piping 72 and ensuring the efficiency of heat exchange in the pressurized evaporator 7.

Next, the mounting structure of the pressurized evaporator 7 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a partially enlarged side view of the tank truck 1, enlarging part II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the tank truck 1 taken along line III-III in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the side frame 40 and side guard 50 taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3. Note that Figures 2 and 3 only show the outer shell of the pressurized evaporator 7.

While Figure 3 shows a portion of the left side of the tank truck 1, a portion of the right side of the tank truck 1 is similarly configured to be symmetrical. That is, a pressurized evaporator 7, a side frame 40, a side guard 50, a protective guard 60, etc. are provided on each of the left and right sides of the tank truck 1.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, side frames 40 are joined to the sides of the subframe 4 by welding or other means. The subframe 4 extends rearward beyond the tank 5. The pair of left and right subframes 4 are each connected to the tank 5 and the equipment room 9 located behind the tank 5. This ensures the rigidity of the subframe 4.

The side frames 40 are frames that protrude outward in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) from the subframe 4, and are formed with a C-shaped cross section (in this embodiment, a channel steel shape) by vertically connecting one edge of the upper and lower surfaces with the side sections. The side frames 40 protrude outward in the left-right direction beyond the tank 5 and equipment compartment 9. The pressurized evaporator 7 is fixed to the subframe 4 via these side frames 40.

In other words, the pressurized evaporator 7 is indirectly fixed to the chassis frame 3 via the side frames 40 and subframe 4, and is not directly fixed to the chassis frame 3. As a result, even if the chassis frame 3 is deformed, such as twisted, due to vibrations while the tank truck 1 is traveling, the load caused by that deformation can be prevented from acting directly from the chassis frame 3 on the pressurized evaporator 7.

Multiple side frames 40 (three in this embodiment) are provided at intervals in the fore-and-aft direction, and the pressurized evaporator 7 is suspended and supported (fixed) on the undersides of these multiple side frames 40. As a result, even if the subframe 4 is deformed due to the above-mentioned deformation of the chassis frame 3, the load caused by that deformation can be prevented from acting on the pressurized evaporator 7 via the side frames 40.

A connecting frame 41 for fixing the pressurized evaporator 7 is joined to the underside of the side frame 40. The connecting frame 41 is a frame that extends in the left-right direction and has a C-shaped cross section (in this embodiment, a channel steel shape) similar to the side frame 40, and the frame body 70 of the pressurized evaporator 7 is joined to the underside of the connecting frame 41.

The pressurized evaporator 7 may deform due to temperature changes caused by the evaporation of liquefied gas. This deformation and vibrations during travel may cause the fixed portions between the pressurized evaporator 7 and the side frames 40 to deteriorate, raising the concern that the pressurized evaporator 7 may become detached from the side frames 40 and fall off the tank truck 1. The fixed portions between the pressurized evaporator 7 and the side frames 40 specifically refer to the fixed portions between the frame body 70 and the connecting frames 41 and the fixed portions between the side frames 40 and the connecting frames 41. Furthermore, "the pressurized evaporator 7 becoming detached from the side frames 40" refers to the fact that at least one of the fixed portions between the multiple side frames 40 and the pressurized evaporator 7 becomes detached.

Conventionally, inspection of the tank truck 1 has prevented the pressurized evaporator 7 from falling off due to deterioration of the fixed parts. In contrast, in this embodiment, the tank truck 1 is provided with side guards 50 and protective guards 60 to prevent the pressurized evaporator 7 from falling off the tank truck 1 even if the pressurized evaporator 7 becomes detached from the side frame 40.

The side guards 50 are metal protective devices designed to prevent pedestrians and other vehicles from coming into contact with the pressurized evaporator 7, and in this embodiment also function to catch the pressurized evaporator 7 if it becomes detached from the side frame 40. The side guards 50 include multiple outer sections 51 positioned on the left-right outer sides of the pressurized evaporator 7 and extending vertically, multiple connecting sections 52 connecting the multiple outer sections 51 lined up front and behind each other, multiple fixing sections 53 that fix the upper ends of the multiple outer sections 51 to the multiple side frames 40, and multiple outer support sections 54 that protrude inward in the left-right direction from the lower ends of the multiple outer sections 51.

The outer portion 51 is a round pipe-shaped section that extends vertically so as to be perpendicular to the road surface and chassis frame 3. The outer portion 51 is arranged at a distance on the left-right outer side of the pressurized evaporator 7. The upper end 51a of the outer portion 51 is bent vertically inward in the left-right direction, and is formed to fit along the upper corner of the pressurized evaporator 7. Multiple outer portions 51 (three in this embodiment) are lined up at intervals in the front-to-rear direction.

The connecting portion 52 is a round bar-shaped section that extends in the front-to-rear direction and is connected perpendicularly to the outer portion 51. The connecting portion 52 connects the outer portion 51 at two points: the center and the bottom in the vertical direction. These multiple connecting portions 52 and outer portions 51 are connected to each other in a lattice pattern, covering the outer left-right sides of the pressurized evaporator 7 in the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions. These connecting portions 52 and outer portions 51 help prevent pedestrians and other vehicles from coming into contact with the pressurized evaporator 7.

As shown in Figure 4, the fixing portion 53 is a metal fitting with an L-shaped cross section that vertically connects the edges of the top and side portions, and extends in the left-right direction. The fixing portion 53 is placed on the outside of the top and side portions of the side frame 40, which has a C-shaped cross section. The upper end 51a of the outer portion 51 is joined by welding or the like to the outside of the side portion of the fixing portion 53 that is placed on this side frame 40. Because both the side portion and upper end 51a of the fixing portion 53 extend in the left-right direction, it is easy to ensure the joint strength between them.

A liner 55 made of a metal plate is sandwiched between the upper surface of the fixing portion 53 and the upper surface of the side frame 40, and with the side portion of the fixing portion 53 directly overlapping the side portion of the side frame 40, the upper surface and side surface are fastened together with bolts 56 and nuts 57, respectively. This allows the outer portion 51 to be detachably fixed to the side frame 40 via the fixing portion 53. In other words, the side guard 50 is detachably fixed to the subframe 4 via the side frame 40.

The side guards 50 are fixed by placing the upper surface of the L-shaped cross-section fixing portion 53 on the upper surface of the side frame 40, making the fixed portion between the fixing portion 53 and the side frame 40 strong against downward loads. When the pressurized evaporator 7 is supported by the side guards 50, a downward load is applied to the fixed portion, making it easier to ensure the strength of the fixed portion.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the outer support portion 54 is a portion for supporting the pressurized evaporator 7 when it is detached from the side frame 40. The outer support portion 54 is formed by bending the lower end of the round pipe that constitutes the outer portion 51 vertically inward in the left-right direction. In other words, the outer support portion 54 is molded integrally with the outer portion 51. The outer support portion 54 is positioned below the pressurized evaporator 7 with a gap between them. This protects the underside of the pressurized evaporator 7 from bumps and grooves in the road surface, making it less likely for the pressurized evaporator 7 to hit it.

Furthermore, because the external support part 54 is located below the pressurized evaporator 7, even if the pressurized evaporator 7 becomes detached from the side frame 40, the external support part 54, which is fixed to the side frame 40 via the outer part 51 and the fixing part 53, can receive and support the pressurized evaporator 7. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pressurized evaporator 7 from falling off the tank truck 1.

When the pressurized evaporator 7 that has come off the side frame 40 is supported by the outer support portion 54, the outer portion 51 located on the left-right outer side of the pressurized evaporator 7 restricts the pressurized evaporator 7 from moving outward in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the pressurized evaporator 7 that has come off the side frame 40 restricts its movement inward in the left-right direction by the chassis frame 3 and the protective guard 60 described below. Furthermore, the pressurized evaporator 7 that has come off the side frame 40 restricts its movement in the front-to-rear direction by devices (not shown) mounted on the chassis frame 3 and the like in front of and behind the pressurized evaporator 7. Alternatively, the movement may be restricted by bending the front-to-rear ends of the connecting portion 52 inward in the left-to-right direction.

The side frames 40 support the pressurized evaporator 7 by hanging it, and are therefore designed with strength suitable for such support. If the pressurized evaporator 7 becomes detached from the side frames 40, the side frames 40 that originally supported it will support the pressurized evaporator 7 via the side guards 50. This makes it easy to design the strength of each part of the side guards 50 that support the pressurized evaporator 7 that has become detached from the side frames 40.

Note that, for safety reasons, tank trucks have traditionally been provided with side guards (outer portion 51 and connecting portion 52) that do not have outer support portions 54. The outer support portions 54 can be easily formed by bending the lower end of the outer portion 51 of the side guard. Therefore, by using the side guards 50, the outer support portions 54 can be easily provided on the tank truck 1.

The protective guard 60 is a metal protective device for receiving the pressurized evaporator 7 if it becomes detached from the side frame 40. Multiple protective guards (three in this embodiment) are provided at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. The protective guard 60 includes an inner portion 61 located on the inside of the pressurized evaporator 7 in the left-to-right direction, and an inner support portion 62 that protrudes outward in the left-to-right direction from the lower end of the inner portion 61.

The inner portion 61 is a member that extends in the vertical direction, with its front surface projecting in a rib-like manner from the front edge of the side surface, forming an L-shaped cross section. This ensures the strength and rigidity of the inner portion 61, and in particular makes it less likely for the inner portion 61 of the protective guard 60, which supports the pressurized evaporator 7, to deform in the left-right direction.

The inner portion 61 is fixed to the chassis frame 3 at a distance from the inside of the pressurized evaporator 7 in the left-right direction. The chassis frame 3 has multiple through-holes 32 that penetrate in the left-right direction. The sides of the inner portion 61 are removably fixed to the chassis frame 3 by bolts 63 and nuts 64 (fastening members) inserted into these through-holes 32.

The multiple through holes 32 are pre-formed in the chassis frame 3 to allow for the mounting of various devices (not shown), such as an intrusion prevention device. In this embodiment, two through holes 32 are aligned on a line perpendicular to the road surface (in the up-down direction), and are spaced equally apart in the fore-and-aft direction.

The inner portion 61 comprises a vertical portion 61a that is perpendicular to the road surface, and an inclined portion 61b that extends diagonally downward and rearward from the lower end of the vertical portion 61a. The vertical portion 61a is fixed to the chassis frame 3 with bolts 63 and nuts 64 inserted into two through-holes 32 on a vertical line. The lower end of the inclined portion 61b is offset rearward from the through-holes 32 (bolts 63 and nuts 64).

The inner support portion 62 is a shaft-shaped portion for supporting the pressurized evaporator 7 when it is detached from the side frame 40. The inner support portion 62 is joined to the inner portion 61 by welding or the like, with the axial end face of the inner support portion 62 abutting against the side surface of the lower end of the inclined portion 61b. This makes it easier to ensure the bonding area between the inner support portion 62 and the inner portion 61 and ensure their bonding strength.

The inner support part 62 is positioned below the pressurized evaporator 7 at a distance. This protects the underside of the pressurized evaporator 7 from the inner support part 62, making it less likely for the pressurized evaporator 7 to come into contact with uneven road surfaces, etc.

In addition, because the inner support part 62 is located below the pressurized evaporator 7, even if the pressurized evaporator 7 becomes detached from the side frame 40, the inner support part 62, which is fixed to the chassis frame 3 via the inner part 61, can receive and support the pressurized evaporator 7. As a result, the pressurized evaporator 7 can be prevented from falling off the tank truck 1.

In this embodiment, if the pressurized evaporator 7 becomes detached from the side frame 40, the external support portion 54 and the internal support portion 62 can support the pressurized evaporator 7 from both the left and right sides. This allows for more stable support of the pressurized evaporator 7 than when the pressurized evaporator 7 is cantilevered by only one of the external support portion 54 or the internal support portion 62.

Furthermore, compared to when the pressurized evaporator 7 is cantilever-supported by the outer support part 54 or the inner support part 62, the stability of support of the pressurized evaporator 7 by the outer support part 54 and the inner support part 62 can be ensured even if the left-right dimensions of the outer support part 54 and the inner support part 62 are shortened. Specifically, when viewed from the front-to-back direction, if the left-to-right distance between the outer support part 54 and the inner support part 62 is smaller than the left-to-right dimension of the pressurized evaporator 7, the pressurized evaporator 7 will be less likely to slip out from between the outer support part 54 and the inner support part 62, and support of the pressurized evaporator 7 by the outer support part 54 and the inner support part 62 can be stabilized.

Furthermore, by shortening the left-right dimensions of the outer support portion 54 and inner support portion 62, which respectively protrude in the left-right direction, it is possible to reduce the amplitude of the tips of the outer support portion 54 and inner support portion 62 that occurs when the tank truck 1 vibrates while traveling. This makes it less likely that the tips of the outer support portion 54 and inner support portion 62 will come into contact with the road surface.

A protective guard 60 is fixed to the chassis frame 3, which is subject to deformation such as twisting when the tank truck 1 is traveling, and a side guard 50 is fixed via a side frame 40 to the subframe 4, which is made highly rigid by being connected to the tank 5 and equipment compartment 9. Therefore, the vibrations experienced by the protective guard 60 and the side guard 50 during travel are different.

If the inner support portion 62 of the protective guard 60 and the outer support portion 54 of the side guard 50 were connected, there is a possibility that different vibrations would place a large load on each part of the protective guard 60 and the side guard 50. In contrast, in this embodiment, the inner support portion 62 and the outer support portion 54 are separate and not connected, so even if the vibrations are different, the load on each part of the protective guard 60 and the side guard 50 can be reduced. As a result, the strength and durability of the protective guard 60 and the side guard 50 can be ensured.

Furthermore, the multiple outer portions 51 and outer support portions 54 are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. That is, the side guards 50 are formed in a lattice pattern, which facilitates the exchange of outside air between the side guards 50 and the pressurized evaporator 7. Similarly, the protective guards 60 (inner portions 61 and inner support portions 62) are multiplexed and spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction, which facilitates the exchange of outside air between the protective guards 60 and the pressurized evaporator 7. As a result, the heat exchange efficiency of the pressurized evaporator 7 can be ensured.

Furthermore, since multiple outer support parts 54 are arranged in the front-to-rear direction, the pressurized evaporator 7 can be stably supported by the multiple outer support parts 54. Similarly, since multiple inner support parts 62 are arranged in the front-to-rear direction, the pressurized evaporator 7 can be stably supported by the multiple inner support parts 62. In particular, since the front, center, and rear of the pressurized evaporator 7 in the front-to-rear direction are supported by the outer support parts 54 and inner support parts 62, respectively, the support of the pressurized evaporator 7 by the outer support parts 54 and inner support parts 62 can be made even more stable.

In this embodiment, the lower end of the inner portion 61 of the protective guard 60 is offset rearward by the inclined portion 61b relative to the through-hole 32 (bolt 63 and nut 64) used to secure the inner portion 61. As a result, even if the through-hole 32 is used to secure the inner portion 61, the pressurized evaporator 7 can be supported by the inner support portion 62 at a position offset in the fore-and-aft direction from the through-hole 32. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of offset of the lower end of the inner portion 61 relative to the through-hole 32 while securing the inner portion 61 to the chassis frame 3 using multiple through-holes 32, the support position of the pressurized evaporator 7 by the inner support portion 62 can be adjusted as desired.

Specifically, for example, the through-hole 32 near the rear end of the pressurized evaporator 7 (the rear end of the chassis frame 3) is used to secure an anti-intrusion device (not shown) that prevents vehicles that have rear-ended the tank truck 1 from crawling under the vehicle. Therefore, it is difficult to bring the inner support portion 62 of the protective guard 60, which is secured using the multiple through-holes 32 pre-installed in the chassis frame 3, close to the rear end of the pressurized evaporator 7.

However, in this embodiment, the inclined portion 61b allows the inner support portion 62 to be shifted rearward relative to the through-hole 32 used to secure the protective guard 60. As a result, even if the through-hole 32 closer to the rear end of the pressurized evaporator 7 cannot be used to secure the protective guard 60, the inner support portion 62 can be moved closer to the rear end of the pressurized evaporator 7, further stabilizing support of the pressurized evaporator 7 by the inner support portion 62.

The protective guard 60 that supports the front and center of the pressurized evaporator 7 also has the same shape as the protective guard 60, with the inner support part 62 shifted rearward to support the rear end of the pressurized evaporator 7. This is to match the shape of all the protective guards 60 and reduce the number of parts.

The front outer support portion 54 of the side guard 50 is located forward of the multiple inner support portions 62, and the rear outer support portion 54 of the side guard 50 is located rearward of the multiple inner support portions 62. As a result, if either the front or rear of the fixed portions between the multiple side frames 40 and the pressurized evaporator 7 comes loose and the pressurized evaporator 7 tilts, the pressurized evaporator 7 will be supported by the front or rear outer support portion 54.

In this way, even if a load is applied from the pressurized evaporator 7 to one outer support part 54, that load can be distributed and borne by multiple side frames 40 via multiple outer parts 51 connected to each other by connecting parts 52. Therefore, by arranging the outer support parts 54 respectively in front of and behind the multiple inner support parts 62, it is easier to ensure support strength for the pressurized evaporator 7 that has come off the side frame 40.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. In the first embodiment, a case in which the pressurized evaporator 7 detached from the side frame 40 is supported by the side guard 50 and the protective guard 60 is described. In contrast, in the second embodiment, a case in which the pressurized evaporator 7 is supported by the side guard 81 without using the protective guard 60 is described. Note that parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described below.

Figure 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a tank truck 80 in the second embodiment. In the tank truck 80, the outer support portion 82 of the side guard 81 is longer than the outer support portion 54 of the tank truck 1 in the first embodiment, and the tank truck 80 does not have a protective guard 60. Other than that, the configuration of the tank truck 80 is identical to that of the tank truck 1.

In the tank truck 80, the pressurized evaporator 7 that has come off the side frame 40 is cantilevered by the external support part 82, preventing the pressurized evaporator 7 from falling off the tank truck 80. Furthermore, the tip of the external support part 82, which protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the outer part 51, is positioned inside the left-right center of the pressurized evaporator 7. This improves the stability of the cantilever support of the pressurized evaporator 7 by the external support part 82.

Furthermore, the left-right movement of the pressurized evaporator 7 that has come off the side frame 40 is restricted by the outer portion 51 and the chassis frame 3. Therefore, even if the tip of the external support portion 82 is positioned outside the left-right center of the pressurized evaporator 7, as long as the left-right distance from the tip of the external support portion 82 to the chassis frame 3 is smaller than the left-right dimension of the pressurized evaporator 7, the pressurized evaporator 7 will not easily come loose from between the external support portion 82 and the chassis frame 3. As a result, support of the pressurized evaporator 7 by the external support portion 82 can be stabilized.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the shortest distance from the tip of the external support part 82 to the chassis frame 3 (the diagonal distance in Figure 5) be shorter than the smallest dimension of the pressurized evaporator 7 (the left-right dimension in this embodiment). This makes it difficult for the pressurized evaporator 7 to slip out from between the external support part 82 and the chassis frame 3, even if the pressurized evaporator 7 becomes detached from the side frame 40 and tilts. As a result, the stability of the support of the pressurized evaporator 7 by the external support part 82 can be further improved.

The present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, but it is not limited to this embodiment, and it is easy to imagine that various modifications and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the tank 5 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be an elliptical or rectangular cylindrical shape.

In the above embodiment, the pressurized evaporator 7 is fixed to the subframe 4 via the side frame 40. However, for example, the pressurized evaporator 7 may be fixed directly to the chassis frame 3 or the subframe 4. The fixing method of the pressurized evaporator 7 may be changed as appropriate for the left and right sides. Furthermore, the tank truck 1, 80 may be provided with only one set of the pressurized evaporator 7 and the side guards 50, 81 and protective guards 60 that support the pressurized evaporator 7, or with three or more sets.

Furthermore, it is not necessary to arrange three external support parts 54, 82 and three internal support parts 62 in the front and rear for one pressurized evaporator 7. The number and arrangement of the external support parts 54, 82 and internal support parts 62 may be changed as appropriate so that a pressurized evaporator 7 that has been removed from the side frame 40 can be supported. For example, the front and rear of the pressurized evaporator 7 may be supported by a total of two external support parts 54, 82, and the center in the front-to-rear direction may be supported by one internal support part 62.

In the above embodiment, the side guards 50, 81 are fixed to the subframe 4 via the side frame 40. However, for example, the side guards 50, 81 may be fixed directly to the subframe 4 or the chassis frame 3. Furthermore, the side guards 50, 81 may be fixed to the subframe 4 or the chassis frame 3 via a member other than the side frame 40 (for example, an equipment compartment 9).

Furthermore, the outer portion 51 is not limited to being detachably fixed to the side frame 40 by the fixing portion 53; the fixing method may be changed as appropriate. For example, the fixing portion 53 may be omitted, and the upper end portion 51a of the outer portion 51 may be directly fixed to the side frame 40 by a U-bolt or welding. The side frame 40 may be extended outward in the left-right direction beyond the pressurized evaporator 7, and the outer portion 51 may be installed on this extended portion.

In the above embodiment, the protective guard 60 is fixed directly to the chassis frame 3, but the protective guard 60 may also be fixed directly to the subframe 4 or the side frame 40, for example. The protective guard 60 may also be fixed to the subframe 4 or the chassis frame 3 via a member other than the side frame 40 (for example, an equipment compartment 9, etc.).

In the above embodiment, the inner portion 61 of the protective guard 60 is described as having a vertical portion 61a perpendicular to the road surface and an inclined portion 61b extending diagonally downward and rearward from the lower end of the vertical portion 61a, but this is not limited to this. For example, the inclined portion 61b may extend diagonally downward and forward from the lower end of the vertical portion 61a, and the lower end of the inclined portion 61b from which the inner support portion 62 protrudes may be offset forward relative to the through hole 32 (bolt 63 and nut 64). Alternatively, the inclination of the inclined portion 61b may be omitted, and the inner portion 61 may be linear.

In the above embodiment, the side guards 50, 81 and protective guard 60 are separated from the pressurized evaporator 7 fixed to the side frame 40. However, for example, the side guards 50, 81 and protective guard 60 may be in contact with the pressurized evaporator 7 fixed to the side frame 40. Also, the pressurized evaporator 7 may be fixed directly to the side guards 50, 81 and protective guard 60.

However, since the pressurized evaporator 7 deforms as a result of heat exchange, by separating the side guards 50, 81 and protective guard 60 from the pressurized evaporator 7, there is no need to design the strength of the side guards 50, 81 and protective guard 60 to withstand this deformation. In other words, the strength of the side guards 50, 81 and protective guard 60 can be easily designed.

In the second embodiment, the protective guard 60 is omitted from the first embodiment, and the pressurized evaporator 7 can be cantilevered by the side guard 81. In contrast, as shown in Figure 6, the tank truck 90 may be equipped with a side guard 91 that omits the outer support parts 54, 82, and a protective guard 92 that can cantilever the pressurized evaporator 7.

The inner support portion 93 of the protective guard 92 protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the lower end of the inner portion 61 and is the portion that cantilevers the pressurized evaporator 7 when it comes off the side frame 40. The inner support portion 93 protrudes outward in the left-right direction beyond the left-right center of the pressurized evaporator 7. This makes it easier for the inner support portion 93 alone to stably hold the pressurized evaporator 7 when it comes off the side frame 40. Furthermore, even when the side guard 91 is removed, the pressurized evaporator 7 held by the inner support portion 93 can be prevented from tilting outward in the left-right direction.

In addition, the side guard 91 is not limited to being fixed to the side frame 40. For example, the inner support portion 93 protruding from the inner portion 61 may be extended further outward in the left-right direction than the pressurized evaporator 7, and the outer portion 51 protruding upward from the tip of the inner support portion 93 may serve as the side frame.

In the above embodiment, the inner support part 62 and the outer support part 54 are not connected, but they may be connected. Also, a fence covering the underside of the pressurized evaporator 7 may be placed over the inner support part 62 and the outer support part 54. This makes it less likely that the pressurized evaporator 7 will come into contact with unevenness in the road surface.

In the above embodiment, tank trucks 1, 80, and 90 were described in which the cab 30 was located at the front end of the chassis frame 3 on which the tank 5 was supported, and the tank 5 and cab 30 were not separated. However, the present invention may also be applied to a trailer-type tank truck in which the tank 5 and cab 30 can be separated. The trailer portion on which the tank 5 is supported may be a semi-trailer that does not have front wheels and can stand on its own by deploying auxiliary legs, or a full trailer with multiple wheels that allows it to stand on its own.

1, 80, 90 Tank truck 2 Wheel 3 Chassis frame 32 Through-hole 4 Subframe 40 Side frame 5 Tank 7 Pressurized evaporator 50, 91 Side guard 51 Outer part (side part)
54, 82 Outer support part (support part)
61 Inner part (side part)
62,93 Inner support part (support part)
63 Bolt (part of fastening member)
64 Nut (part of fastening member)

Claims (7)

a chassis frame supported by a plurality of wheels;
a subframe fixed on the chassis frame;
A tank fixed on the subframe;
a pressurized evaporator fixed to the chassis frame or the subframe;
a side portion fixed to the chassis frame or the subframe and positioned in a vehicle width direction or a front-rear direction of the pressurized evaporator;
a support portion protruding from a lower end of the side portion and positioned below the pressurized evaporator;
A tank truck characterized in that the pressurized evaporator, which has been released from the chassis frame or the subframe, can be supported by the support portion. the side portion includes a plurality of outer portions located on the outer sides of the pressurized evaporator in the vehicle width direction and arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction,
The side guards are formed by connecting these multiple outer parts in the front-to-rear direction.
2. The tank truck according to claim 1, wherein the support portion includes an outer support portion that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from a lower end of the outer portion and is positioned below the pressurized evaporator. a side frame that protrudes outward in a vehicle width direction from the subframe and supports the pressurized evaporator by suspending it;
3. The tank truck according to claim 2, wherein the outer portion is fixed to the side frame. the side portion includes an inner portion located on an inner side of the pressurized evaporator in a vehicle width direction,
4. The tank truck according to claim 2, wherein the support portion includes an inner support portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from a lower end of the inner portion and is positioned below the pressurized evaporator. the side portion includes an inner portion located on an inner side of the pressurized evaporator in a vehicle width direction,
The tank truck according to claim 1, characterized in that the support portion has an inner support portion that protrudes from the lower end of the inner portion to the outside in the vehicle width direction beyond the center of the pressurized evaporator in the vehicle width direction and is positioned below the pressurized evaporator. The chassis frame is formed with a plurality of through holes that penetrate in the vehicle width direction at intervals in the vehicle front-rear direction,
the side portion is located inward of the pressurized evaporator in a vehicle width direction, is fixed to the chassis frame via a fastening member inserted into the through hole, and includes an inner portion having a lower end portion offset in a vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the fastening member,
6. The tank truck according to claim 1, wherein the support portion includes an inner support portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from a lower end of the inner portion and is positioned below the pressurized evaporator. 7. The tank truck according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the side portions and the support portions are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction.