Patent Description:
Because commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses are heavier and larger than automobiles, a relatively large amount of output, e.g., about <NUM> kW or more, is required in order to drive commercial vehicles. Thus, it may be impossible or difficult to drive a commercial vehicle using only one fuel cell of the type used in automobiles. Therefore, research thereon is being actively conducted. A fuel cell vehicle is for example disclosed in <CIT> forming the basis for the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a fuel cell vehicle that can substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

The invention provides a fuel cell vehicle in which a plurality of fuel cells is efficiently mounted.

According to the invention, a fuel cell vehicle includes the features of claim <NUM>.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a fuel cell vehicle includes the features of claim <NUM>.

Other embodiments of the invention are covered by the dependent claims.

For example, the front fuel cell may be mounted to the lower end of the cab.

For example, the top surface of the front fuel cell may be located between the top surface of each of the first and second body frames and the bottom surface of the cab.

For example, the top surface of the rear fuel cell may be lower than the bottom surface of the loading part on the basis of the ground.

For example, the top surface of the rear fuel cell may be lower than the bottom surface of the hydrogen storage on the basis of the ground.

For example, the fuel cell vehicle may further include a front axle, and the front fuel cell may be disposed between the cab and the front axle.

For example, the top surface of the rear fuel cell may be lower than the top surface of the front fuel cell on the basis of the ground.

For example, the spacing distance in the second direction between the first body frame and the second body frame may gradually decrease from a front portion of the fuel cell vehicle to a rear portion of the fuel cell vehicle on the basis of the direction in which the fuel cell vehicle travels.

For example, the width in the second direction of the front fuel cell may be greater than the width in the second direction of the rear fuel cell, and the width in the second direction of the rear fuel cell may be less than the minimum spacing distance in the second direction between the first body frame and the second body frame.

For example, the fuel cell vehicle may further include a plurality of front connection members configured to connect the front fuel cell to the first and second body frames and a plurality of rear connection members configured to connect the rear fuel cell to the first and second body frames.

For example, the fuel cell vehicle may further include a plurality of common connection members configured to connect some of the plurality of front connection members and some of the plurality of rear connection members to the first and second body frames.

For example, the plurality of front connection members and the plurality of common connection members may connect the front fuel cell to the first and second body frames such that the front fuel cell may be mounted and demounted above the first and second body frames.

For example, the plurality of front connection members may be disposed in a region that is exposed after the cab is tilted.

For example, the plurality of rear connection members and the plurality of common connection members may connect the rear fuel cell to the first and second body frames such that the rear fuel cell may be mounted above or below the first and second body frames and may be demounted below the first and second body frames.

For example, each of the plurality of front connection members may include a first mounting support bracket connected to an end of the front fuel cell and a first individual mounting bracket configured to connect the first mounting support bracket to one of the first and second body frames.

For example, each of the plurality of front connection members may further include a first mount insulator, which is disposed between the first mounting support bracket and the first individual mounting bracket in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions and has vibration isolation capability.

For example, each of the plurality of rear connection members may include a second mounting support bracket connected to an end of the rear fuel cell and a second individual mounting bracket configured to connect the second mounting support bracket to one of the first and second body frames.

For example, each of the plurality of rear connection members may further include a second mount insulator, which is disposed between the second mounting support bracket and the second individual mounting bracket in the third direction and has vibration isolation capability.

For example, each of the plurality of common connection members may include a common mounting bracket configured to connect the first individual mounting bracket and the second individual mounting bracket, adjacent to the first individual mounting bracket in the first direction, to the first and second body frames.

For example, the first individual mounting bracket may be connected to an upper portion of the common mounting bracket, and the second individual mounting bracket may be connected to a lower portion of the common mounting bracket.

For example, the front fuel cell may include a first cell stack configured such that a plurality of unit cells is stacked in the first direction, and the rear fuel cell may include a second cell stack configured such that a plurality of unit cells is stacked in the first direction.

For example, the number of unit cells included in the first cell stack and the number of unit cells included in the second cell stack may be the same as each other.

For example, the number of unit cells included in the first cell stack and the number of unit cells included in the second cell stack may be different from each other.

Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are shown. The examples, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be more thorough and complete, and will more fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" or "under" another element, it may be directly on/under the element, or one or more intervening elements may also be present.

When an element is referred to as being "on" or "under", "under the element" as well as "on the element" may be included based on the element.

In addition, relational terms, such as "first", "second", "on/upper part/above" and "under/lower part/below", are used only to distinguish between one subject or element and another subject or element, without necessarily requiring or involving any physical or logical relationship or sequence between the subjects or elements.

Hereinafter, a fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) will be described using the Cartesian coordinate system (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) for convenience of description. However, other different coordinate systems may be used. In the drawings, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system are perpendicular to each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may intersect each other. In the following description, the term "first direction" refers to at least one of the +x-axis direction or the -x-axis direction, the term "second direction" refers to at least one of the +y-axis direction or -y-axis direction, and the term "third direction" refers to at least one of the +z-axis direction or the -z-axis direction. The term "downward direction (or, lower side)" may refer to the gravity direction, which is oriented toward the ground, and the term "upward direction (or, upper side)" may refer to the direction that is oriented away from the ground, i.e. the direction opposite that indicated by the term "downward direction". The term "frontward direction (or, front side)" may refer to the direction in which the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) moves forwards, and the term "backward direction (or, rear side)" may refer to the direction in which the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) moves backwards, i.e. the direction opposite that indicated by the term "frontward direction".

Hereinafter, a fuel cell vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as a "vehicle") <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> according to an embodiment, <FIG> is a plan view of the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> and <FIG> are cross-sectional views of respective fuel cell vehicles 300A and 300B according to embodiments of the invention.

In order to promote an understanding of a vehicle body <NUM>, illustrations of a front fuel cell (or, frontward fuel cell) <NUM> and a rear fuel cell (or, backward fuel cell) <NUM> are omitted from the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment includes a vehicle body <NUM> and a plurality of fuel cells. For example, the plurality of fuel cells includes a front fuel cell <NUM> and a rear fuel cell <NUM>. Although the plurality of fuel cells will be described below as including the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM>, the following description may also be applied to the configuration in which three or more fuel cells are provided.

First, an example of each of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> included in the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment will now be described with reference to <FIG>. However, the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment includes the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> possibly having any of various configurations other than the configuration shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is an exemplary cross-sectional view of each of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> included in the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment. The term "fuel cell" to be mentioned herein with reference to <FIG> may indicate each of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> according to the embodiment.

The fuel cell may be, for example, a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (or a proton exchange membrane fuel cell) (PEMFC), which has been studied most extensively as a power source for driving vehicles.

The fuel cell may include first and second end plates (pressing plates or compression plates) 110A and 110B, current collectors <NUM>, and a cell stack <NUM>.

The cell stack <NUM> may include a plurality of unit cells <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N, which are stacked in the first direction. Here, "N" is a positive integer of <NUM> or greater, and may range from several tens to several hundreds. However, the disclosure is not limited to any specific value of "N".

Hereinafter, the cell stack <NUM> included in the front fuel cell <NUM> is referred to as a "first cell stack", and the cell stack <NUM> included in the rear fuel cell <NUM> is referred to as a "second cell stack".

Depending on embodiments, the number of unit cells included in the first cell stack and the number of unit cells included in the second cell stack maybe the same as each other, or may be different from each other.

Each unit cell <NUM>-n (where <NUM> ≤ n ≤ N) may generate <NUM> volts to <NUM> volts of electricity, on average <NUM> volts of electricity. Thus, "N" may be determined in accordance with the intensity of the power to be supplied from the fuel cell to a load. Here, "load" may refer to a part of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) that requires power.

In particular, the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may be a commercial vehicle, which requires a large amount of power, like a bus, a truck, or the like. In order to meet the requirements for a large amount of drive power, the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) may include multiple (e.g. two) fuel cells, namely, the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM>.

Each unit cell <NUM>-n may include a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) <NUM>, gas diffusion layers (GDLs) <NUM> and <NUM>, gaskets <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and separators (or bipolar plates) <NUM> and <NUM>.

The membrane electrode assembly <NUM> has a structure in which catalyst electrode layers, in which electrochemical reaction occurs, are attached to both sides of an electrolyte membrane through which hydrogen ions move. Specifically, the membrane electrode assembly <NUM> may include a polymer electrolyte membrane (or a proton exchange membrane) <NUM>, a fuel electrode (a hydrogen electrode or an anode) <NUM>, and an air electrode (an oxygen electrode or a cathode) <NUM>. In addition, the membrane electrode assembly <NUM> may further include a sub-gasket <NUM>.

The polymer electrolyte membrane <NUM> is disposed between the fuel electrode <NUM> and the air electrode <NUM>.

Hydrogen, which is the fuel in the fuel cell, may be supplied to the fuel electrode <NUM> through the first separator <NUM>, and air containing oxygen as an oxidizer may be supplied to the air electrode <NUM> through the second separator <NUM>.

The hydrogen supplied to the fuel electrode <NUM> is decomposed into hydrogen ions (protons) (H+) and electrons (e-) by the catalyst. Only the hydrogen ions may be selectively transferred to the air electrode <NUM> through the polymer electrolyte membrane <NUM>, and at the same time, the electrons may be transferred to the air electrode <NUM> through the gas diffusion layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first and second separators <NUM> and <NUM>, which are conductors. In order to realize the above operation, a catalyst layer may be applied to each of the fuel electrode <NUM> and the air electrode <NUM>. The movement of the electrons described above causes the electrons to flow through an external wire, thus generating current. That is, the fuel cell may generate power due to the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen, which is the fuel, and oxygen contained in the air.

In the air electrode <NUM>, the hydrogen ions supplied through the polymer electrolyte membrane <NUM> and the electrons transferred through the first and second separators <NUM> and <NUM> meet oxygen in the air supplied to the air electrode <NUM>, thus causing a reaction that generates water (hereinafter, referred to as "product water"). The product water generated in the air electrode <NUM> may penetrate the polymer electrolyte membrane <NUM> and may be transferred to the fuel electrode <NUM>.

The first and second gas diffusion layers <NUM> and <NUM> serve to uniformly distribute hydrogen and oxygen, which are reactant gases, and to transfer the generated electric energy. To this end, the first and second gas diffusion layers <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on respective sides of the membrane electrode assembly <NUM>. The first gas diffusion layer <NUM> may serve to diffuse and uniformly distribute hydrogen supplied as a reactant gas through the first separator <NUM>, and may be electrically conductive. The second gas diffusion layer <NUM> may serve to diffuse and uniformly distribute air supplied as a reactant gas through the second separator <NUM>, and may be electrically conductive.

The gaskets <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may serve to maintain the airtightness and clamping pressure of the cell stack at an appropriate level with respect to the reactant gases and the coolant, to disperse the stress when the first and second separators <NUM> and <NUM> are stacked, and to independently seal the flow paths. As such, since airtightness and watertightness are maintained by the gaskets <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the flatness of the surfaces that are adjacent to the cell stack <NUM>, which generates power, may be secured, and thus surface pressure may be distributed uniformly over the reaction surfaces of the cell stack <NUM>.

The first and second separators <NUM> and <NUM> may serve to move the reactant gases and the cooling medium and to separate each of the unit cells from the other unit cells. In addition, the first and second separators <NUM> and <NUM> may serve to structurally support the membrane electrode assembly <NUM> and the gas diffusion layers <NUM> and <NUM> and to collect the generated current and transfer the collected current to the current collectors <NUM>.

The first and second separators <NUM> and <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction and may be disposed outside the first and second gas diffusion layers <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. That is, the first separator <NUM> may be disposed on the left side of the first gas diffusion layer <NUM>, and the second separator <NUM> may be disposed on the right side of the second gas diffusion layer <NUM>.

The first separator <NUM> serves to supply hydrogen as a reactant gas to the fuel electrode <NUM> through the first gas diffusion layer <NUM>. The second separator <NUM> serves to supply air as a reactant gas to the air electrode <NUM> through the second gas diffusion layer <NUM>. In addition, each of the first and second separators <NUM> and <NUM> may form a channel through which the cooling medium (e.g. coolant) may flow.

Each of the first and second end plates 110A and 110B may be disposed at a respective one of both ends of the cell stack <NUM>, and may support and fix the unit cells. That is, the first end plate 110A may be disposed at one end of the cell stack <NUM>, and the second end plate 110B may be disposed at the opposite end of the cell stack <NUM>.

The current collectors <NUM> may be disposed between the cell stack <NUM> and the inner surfaces 110AI and 110BI of the first and second end plates 110A and 110B that are opposite the cell stack <NUM>. The current collectors <NUM> serve to collect the electric energy generated by the flow of electrons in the cell stack <NUM> and to supply the electric energy to a load of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) that uses the fuel cell.

Referring back to <FIG>, the vehicle body <NUM> may include first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. Alternatively, the vehicle body <NUM> may further include at least one cross member <NUM>.

The first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> may extend in the first direction (or forward direction or backward direction), in which the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) travels (or heads), and may be opposite each other in the second direction, which intersects the first direction. In this case, the at least one cross member <NUM> may be a part that is disposed (or located) between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM> in the vehicle body <NUM>, and may be integrally formed with at least one of the first body frame <NUM> or the second body frame <NUM>. However, the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment is not limited as to the presence or absence of the cross member <NUM> or the specific position of the cross member <NUM>.

The front fuel cell <NUM> maybe mounted in a first space S1 in the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B), and the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be mounted in a second space S2 in the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B). Here, the first space S1 may be the space formed between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM>, which are spaced apart from each other in the second direction in the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B).

The second space S2 may be the space that is located at the rear side of the first space S1, within the space formed between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM>, which are spaced apart from each other in the second direction in the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B).

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> (300A) may include a cab (or a cabin room) <NUM>, a loading part <NUM>, and a hydrogen storage <NUM>. Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> (300B) may include a cab <NUM> and a loading part <NUM>. The hydrogen storage <NUM> may be eliminated, or may be mounted at a position that is different from the position shown in <FIG>.

The loading part <NUM> or <NUM> may be located at the rear side of the cab <NUM> in the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B).

When the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) is a commercial vehicle, which is a truck, the loading part <NUM> or <NUM> may provide a space in which cargo is loaded, and when the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) is a bus, the loading part <NUM> or <NUM> may provide a space that passengers occupy.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the loading parts <NUM> and <NUM> are illustrated as being of a closed type that has a rectangular-shaped cross-section, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, according to another embodiment, unlike the configurations shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the loading parts <NUM> and <NUM> may have an open-type cross-section that has an open upper portion.

The hydrogen storage <NUM> may be located between the cab <NUM> and the loading part <NUM> in the first direction, and may store hydrogen required for the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> as fuel of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B). Although not shown, the vehicle 300A shown in <FIG> may further include pipes for respectively supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen storage <NUM> to the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM>.

The cab <NUM> and the loading part <NUM> or <NUM> may be supported by the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. The hydrogen storage <NUM> may also be supported by the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

In addition, the cross member <NUM> may serve to support at least one of the cab <NUM>, the loading part <NUM> or <NUM>, or the hydrogen storage <NUM>. Alternatively, the cross member <NUM> may support none of the cab <NUM>, the loading part <NUM> or <NUM>, and the hydrogen storage <NUM>, or may be omitted.

Referring back to <FIG>, the first space S1 in which the front fuel cell <NUM> is mounted may be formed in the lower end of the cab <NUM> (or below the cab). When viewed in plan, the front fuel cell <NUM> is hidden by the cab <NUM> and thus is invisible. However, in order to promote an understanding of the embodiment, the first space S1 and the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> are indicated by dotted lines in <FIG>. The front fuel cell <NUM> may be mounted in the first space S1 located between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM> below the cab <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in the vehicle 300A shown in <FIG>, the second space S2 (S21) in which the rear fuel cell <NUM> is mounted (disposed, coupled, connected, located, or assembled) may be located below the hydrogen storage <NUM>. In this case, the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be mounted in the second space S21 shown in <FIG>, which is located between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM> within the space below the hydrogen storage <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, in the vehicle 300B shown in <FIG>, the second space S2 (S22) in which the rear fuel cell <NUM> is mounted may be located below the loading part <NUM>. In this case, the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be mounted at any position in the second space S22 between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM> below the loading part <NUM>. For example, the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be mounted in the space S21, which is adjacent to the first space S1, within the second space S2.

In this case, in the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B), the second space in which the rear fuel cell <NUM> is mounted (disposed, coupled, connected, located, or assembled) may be determined within a range within which the rear fuel cell <NUM> does not interfere with a part (e.g. the cross member <NUM>, a motor, or the like) mounted at the rear side of the rear fuel cell <NUM>.

The front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be located at various positions relative to the ground G, the bottom surface 350B of the hydrogen storage <NUM>, the top surfaces 320T of the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, the bottom surface 364B of the loading part <NUM>, and the bottom surface <NUM> of the cab <NUM>.

Hereinafter, various positions at which the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> are mounted in the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment, the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be lower than the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell <NUM> on the basis of the ground G. That is, a first height H1, by which the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell <NUM> is spaced apart from the ground G, may be less than a second height H2, by which the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell <NUM> is spaced apart from the ground G.

In addition, when viewed in a cross-section, the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell <NUM> may be located between the top surface 320T of each of the first and second body frames <NUM> (<NUM> and <NUM>) and the bottom surface <NUM> of the cab <NUM>. That is, when viewed in a cross-section, the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell <NUM> may be located in a space DS1 between the top surface 320T of each of the first and second body frames <NUM> (<NUM> and <NUM>) and the bottom surface <NUM> of the cab <NUM>.

In addition, the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) may further include a front axle <NUM>. In this case, the front fuel cell <NUM> may be mounted between the cab <NUM> and the front axle <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be lower than the bottom surface 350B of the hydrogen storage <NUM> on the basis of the ground G. That is, the first height H1, by which the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell <NUM> is spaced apart from the ground G, may be less than a third height H31 (hereinafter, referred to as a "<NUM>-<NUM>st height"), by which the bottom surface 350B of the hydrogen storage <NUM> is spaced apart from the ground G. In this case, a height difference DS2 between the first height H1 and the <NUM>-<NUM>st height H31 may be greater than or equal to <NUM>. When viewed in a cross-section, the more the height difference DS2 decreases, the more the length in the third direction of the space in the hydrogen storage <NUM>, in which hydrogen is stored, may increase.

Further, a height difference DS3 between the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be greater than the height difference DS2 between the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell <NUM> and the bottom surface 350B of the hydrogen storage <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be lower than the bottom surface 364B of the loading part <NUM> on the basis of the ground G. That is, the first height H1, by which the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell <NUM> is spaced apart from the ground G, may be less than a third height H32 (hereinafter, referred to as a "<NUM>-<NUM>nd height"), by which the bottom surface 364B of the loading part <NUM> is spaced apart from the ground G. In this case, a height difference DS2 between the first height H1 and the <NUM>-<NUM>nd height H32 may be greater than or equal to <NUM>. When viewed in a cross-sention, the more the height difference DS2 decreases, the more the length in the third direction of the space in the loading part <NUM>, in which cargo is loaded, may increase.

Further, a height difference DS3 between the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be greater than the height difference DS2 between the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell <NUM> and the bottom surface 364B of the loading part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view of the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment.

<FIG> corresponds to a plan view of each of the vehicles 300A and 300B shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In order to promote an understanding of the structure in which each of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> is connected to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, illustration of the cab <NUM>, the loading part <NUM> or <NUM>, and the hydrogen storage <NUM>, which are mounted (disposed, coupled, connected, located, or assembled) on the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, is omitted from <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the spacing distance in the second direction between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM> may gradually decrease from the front portion of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) to the rear portion thereof. The spacing distance in the second direction between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM> may be maximized at the front end of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B), and may be minimized at the rear end of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B). That is, the spacing distance in the second direction between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM> at the front end of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) may have the maximum value YMA, and the spacing distance in the second direction between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM> at the rear end of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) may have the minimum value YMI.

When viewed in plan, as described above, in the case in which the spacing distance in the second direction between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM> gradually decreases from the front portion of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) to the rear portion thereof, the width YF in the second direction of the front fuel cell <NUM> may be greater than the width YB in the second direction of the rear fuel cell <NUM>. Alternatively, the width YF and the width YB may be the same as each other. The width YB in the second direction of the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be less than the minimum spacing distance YMI in the second direction between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM>. Through this structure, even when the minimum spacing distance YMI in the second direction between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM> is small, the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> are respectively mounted in the first space S1 and the second space S21 or S22 between the first body frame <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may further include a plurality of front connection members FC (e.g. FC1 to FC4) and a plurality of rear connection members BC (e.g. BC1 to BC4). Alternatively, the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may further include a plurality of common connection members CC.

The front connection members FC serve to connect (couple, assemble, dispose, or displace) the front fuel cell <NUM> to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the front connection members FC may include first to fourth front connection members FC1 to FC4, which are located between the front fuel cell <NUM> and the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited as to the specific number of front connection members FC.

The rear connection members BC serve to connect (couple, assemble, dispose, or place) the rear fuel cell <NUM> to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the rear connection members BC may include first to fourth rear connection members BC1 to BC4, which are located between the rear fuel cell <NUM> and the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited as to the specific number of rear connection members BC.

Although each of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> as having a rectangular-shaped plane, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, each of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> will be described as having a rectangular-shaped plane, as shown in <FIG>. However, the following description may also be applied to the case in which each of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the rear fuel cell <NUM> has a polygonal-shaped, circular-shaped, or elliptical-shaped plane.

The front fuel cell <NUM> may include four sides, namely, first to fourth sides FS1, FS2, FS3 and FS4.

According to an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, each of the second and third front connection members FC2 and FC3 may be disposed between the first side FS1 of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the first body frame <NUM>, and may connect the front fuel cell <NUM> to the first body frame <NUM>. Each of the first and fourth front connection members FC1 and FC4 may be disposed between the third side FS3 of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM>, and may connect the front fuel cell <NUM> to the second body frame <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, unlike the configuration shown in <FIG>, each of the second and third front connection members FC2 and FC3 may connect at least one of the second side FS2, the fourth side FS4, the corner between the first side FS1 and the second side FS2, or the corner between the first side FS1 and the fourth side FS4 of the front fuel cell <NUM>, to the first body frame <NUM>. In addition, unlike the configuration shown in <FIG>, each of the first and fourth front connection members FC1 and FC4 may connect at least one of the second side FS2, the fourth side FS4, the corner between the second side FS2 and the third side FS3, or the corner between the third side FS3 and the fourth side FS4 of the front fuel cell <NUM>, to the second body frame <NUM>.

The rear fuel cell <NUM> may include four sides, namely first to fourth sides BS1, BS2, BS3 and BS4.

According to an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, each of the second and third rear connection members BC2 and BC3 may be disposed between the first side BS1 of the rear fuel cell <NUM> and the first body frame <NUM>, and may connect the rear fuel cell <NUM> to the first body frame <NUM>. Each of the first and fourth rear connection members BC1 and BC4 may be disposed between the third side BS3 of the rear fuel cell <NUM> and the second body frame <NUM>, and may connect the rear fuel cell <NUM> to the second body frame <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, unlike the configuration shown in <FIG>, each of the second and third rear connection members BC2 and BC3 may connect at least one of the second side BS2, the fourth side BS4, the corner between the first side BS1 and the second side BS2, or the corner between the first side BS1 and the fourth side BS4 of the rear fuel cell <NUM>, to the first body frame <NUM>. In addition, unlike the configuration shown in <FIG>, each of the first and fourth rear connection members BC1 and BC4 may connect at least one of the second side BS2, the fourth side BS4, the corner between the second side BS2 and the third side BS3, or the corner between the third side BS3 and the fourth side BS4 of the rear fuel cell <NUM>, to the second body frame <NUM>.

The common connection members CC serve to connect (couple, assemble, dispose, or place) some of the front connection members FC and some of the rear connection members BC to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the common connection members CC may include first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2, but the disclosure is not limited as to the specific number of common connection members CC.

Each of the common connection members CC serves to connect a corresponding one of the front connection members and a corresponding one of the rear connection members, which are adjacent to each other in the first direction, to a corresponding one of the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. Specifically, the third front connection member FC3 among the front connection members FC and the third rear connection member BC3 among the rear connection members BC are adjacent to each other in the first direction. In addition, the fourth front connection member FC4 among the front connection members FC and the fourth rear connection member BC4 among the rear connection members BC are adjacent to each other in the first direction. The first common connection member CC1 serves to connect the third front connection member FC3 and the third rear connection member BC3 to the first body frame <NUM>, and the second common connection member CC2 serves to connect the fourth front connection member FC4 and the fourth rear connection member BC4 to the second body frame <NUM>.

In addition, the front connection members FC and the common connection members CC may connect the front fuel cell <NUM> to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> such that the front fuel cell <NUM> may be mounted (secured, coupled, connected, or assembled) above the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> and may be demounted (dismantled, disassembled, or removed) above the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the method of mounting and demounting the front fuel cell <NUM> to and from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) using the front connection members FC will be described.

First, a method of mounting the front fuel cell <NUM> to the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) will be described.

According to an embodiment, the cab <NUM> is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Thereafter, the first to fourth front connection members FC1 to FC4 are connected to the front fuel cell <NUM>, and then the first and second front connection members FC1 and FC2 are connected to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> above the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the third and fourth front connection members FC3 and FC4 are connected to the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2, thereby completing the mounting of the front fuel cell <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the cab <NUM> is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Thereafter, the first and second front connection members FC1 and FC2 are connected to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> above the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the third and fourth front connection members FC3 and FC4 are respectively connected to the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2. Thereafter, the first to fourth front connection members FC1 to FC4 are connected to the front fuel cell <NUM>, thereby completing the mounting of the front fuel cell <NUM>.

Next, a method of demounting the front fuel cell <NUM> from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) will be described.

According to an embodiment, the cab <NUM> is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Thereafter, the first and second front connection members FC1 and FC2 are respectively separated from the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> above the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the third and fourth front connection members FC3 and FC4 are separated from the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2. Thereafter, the separated components are withdrawn upwards from the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. Thereafter, the first to fourth front connection members FC1 to FC4 are separated from the front fuel cell <NUM>, thereby demounting the front fuel cell <NUM> from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B).

According to another embodiment, the cab <NUM> is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Thereafter, the first to fourth front connection members FC1 to FC4 are separated from the front fuel cell <NUM>. Thereafter, the separated front fuel cell <NUM> is withdrawn upwards from the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. Thereafter, the first and second front connection members FC1 and FC2 are respectively separated from the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> above the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the third and fourth front connection members FC3 and FC4 are respectively separated from the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2, thereby demounting the front fuel cell <NUM> from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B).

As described above, in order to mount or demount the front fuel cell <NUM> to or from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B), the front connection members FC may be disposed in a region A1 that is exposed after the cab <NUM> is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow AR, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Accordingly, for example, when it is desired to perform maintenance/repair on the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) equipped with the front fuel cell <NUM>, it is possible to easily demount the front fuel cell <NUM> above the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

In addition, the rear connection members BC and the common connection members CC may connect the rear fuel cell <NUM> to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> such that the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be mounted above or below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> and may be demounted below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a method of mounting and demounting the rear fuel cell <NUM> to and from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) using the rear connection members BC will be described.

First, a method of initially mounting the rear fuel cell <NUM> to the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) will be described.

According to an embodiment, the first to fourth rear connection members BC1 to BC4 are connected to the rear fuel cell <NUM>, and then the first and second rear connection members BC1 and BC2 are respectively connected to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> above or below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the third and fourth rear connection members BC3 and BC4 are respectively connected to the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2, thereby completing the mounting of the rear fuel cell <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the first and second rear connection members BC1 and BC2 are respectively connected to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> above or below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the third and fourth rear connection members BC3 and BC4 are respectively connected to the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2. Thereafter, the rear fuel cell <NUM> is connected to the first to fourth rear connection members BC1 to BC4, thereby completing the mounting of the rear fuel cell <NUM>.

After the rear fuel cell <NUM> has been initially mounted to the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) in the manner described above, the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be demounted from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the method to be described below.

According to an embodiment, the first to fourth rear connection members BC1 to BC4 are separated from the rear fuel cell <NUM> below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the separated rear fuel cell <NUM> is withdrawn downwards from the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. Thereafter, the first and second rear connection members BC1 and BC2 are respectively separated from the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the third and fourth rear connection members BC3 and BC4 are respectively separated from the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2, thereby completing the demounting of the rear fuel cell <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the first and second rear connection members BC1 and BC2 are respectively separated from the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the third and fourth rear connection members BC3 and BC4 are respectively separated from the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2. Thereafter, the first to fourth rear connection members BC1 to BC<NUM> are separated from the rear fuel cell <NUM>, thereby completing the demounting of the rear fuel cell <NUM>.

Next, a method of again mounting the rear fuel cell <NUM>, which has been demounted from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B), to the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) will be described below.

According to an embodiment, the first to fourth rear connection members BC1 to BC4 are connected to the rear fuel cell <NUM>. Thereafter, the first and second rear connection members BC1 and BC2 are respectively connected to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the third and fourth rear connection members BC3 and BC4 are respectively connected to the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2, thereby completing the mounting of the rear fuel cell <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the first and second rear connection members BC1 and BC2 are respectively connected to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the third and fourth rear connection members BC3 and BC4 are respectively connected to the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2. Thereafter, the rear fuel cell <NUM> is connected to the first to fourth rear connection members BC1 to BC4 below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, thereby completing the mounting of the rear fuel cell <NUM>.

As described above, according to the embodiment, after the rear fuel cell <NUM> has been initially mounted to the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B), the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be demounted from and again mounted to the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> in order to perform maintenance/repair or the like. Thus, it is not necessary to dismantle the hydrogen storage <NUM> shown in <FIG> or the loading part <NUM> shown in <FIG> from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) in order to mount or demount the rear fuel cell <NUM>.

Further, as described above, the front fuel cell <NUM> may be mounted and demounted above the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, whereas the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be mounted and demounted below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. That is, according to the embodiment, the direction in which the front fuel cell <NUM> is mounted and demounted and the direction in which the rear fuel cell <NUM> is mounted and demounted are different from each other. Therefore, it is required to prevent the connection state of the rear fuel cell <NUM> from being affected by the process of mounting or demounting the front fuel cell <NUM>, and it is required to prevent the connection state of the front fuel cell <NUM> from being affected by the process of mounting or demounting the rear fuel cell <NUM>. To this end, the third front connection member FC3 and the third rear connection member BC3, which are disposed adjacent to each other in the first direction, are not directly connected to the first body frame <NUM>, but are indirectly connected to the first body frame <NUM> via the first common connection member CC1. Further, the fourth front connection member FC4 and the fourth rear connection member BC4, which are disposed adjacent to each other in the first direction, are not directly connected to the second body frame <NUM>, but are indirectly connected to the second body frame <NUM> via the second common connection member CC2.

Hereinafter, examples of the front connection members FC, the rear connection members BC, and the common connection members CC will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a partial side-sectional view of an example of the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows one of the front connection members FC, one of the rear connection members BC, and one of the common connection members CC.

As shown in <FIG>, each <NUM> of the front connection members FC according to the embodiment may include a first mounting support bracket <NUM> and a first individual mounting bracket <NUM>. The first mounting support bracket <NUM> is a portion of the front connection member <NUM> that is connected to an end of the front fuel cell <NUM>.

The first individual mounting bracket <NUM> is a portion of the front connection member <NUM> that connects the first mounting support bracket <NUM> to one of the first body frame <NUM>, the second body frame <NUM>, the first common connection member CC1, and the second common connection member CC<NUM>.

When the front connection member <NUM> shown in <FIG> corresponds to the first and second front connection members FC1 and FC2 shown in <FIG>, each of the first individual mounting brackets <NUM> of the first and second front connection members FC1 and FC2 may not be connected to the corresponding common connection member CC (<NUM>), but may be connected to a respective one of the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, unlike the configuration shown in <FIG>. However, when the front connection member <NUM> shown in <FIG> corresponds to the third and fourth front connection members FC3 and FC4 shown in <FIG>, each of the first individual mounting brackets <NUM> of the third and fourth front connection members FC3 and FC4 may be connected to the corresponding common connection member CC (<NUM>), as shown in <FIG>.

In addition, each <NUM> of the front connection members FC may further include a first mount insulator (or a bush) <NUM>. The first mount insulator <NUM> may be connected to the front fuel cell <NUM> via the first mounting support bracket <NUM>.

The first mount insulator <NUM> is disposed between the first mounting support bracket <NUM> and the first individual mounting bracket <NUM> in the third direction, and has vibration isolation capability. The first mount insulator <NUM> may prevent or minimize the transmission of vibrations from the first mounting support bracket <NUM> to the first individual mounting bracket <NUM>, and may prevent or minimize the transmission of vibrations from the first individual mounting bracket <NUM> to the first mounting support bracket <NUM>.

In addition, according to the embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, each <NUM> of the rear connection members BC may include a second mounting support bracket <NUM> and a second individual mounting bracket <NUM>. The second mounting support bracket <NUM> is a portion of the rear connection member <NUM> that is connected to an end of the rear fuel cell <NUM>. The second individual mounting bracket <NUM> is a portion of the rear connection member <NUM> that connects the second mounting support bracket <NUM> to one of the first body frame <NUM>, the second body frame <NUM>, the first common connection member CC1, and the second common connection member CC<NUM>.

When the rear connection member <NUM> shown in <FIG> corresponds to each of the first and second rear connection members BC1 and BC2 shown in <FIG>, each of the second individual mounting brackets <NUM> of the first and second rear connection members BC1 and BC2 may not be connected to the corresponding common connection member CC (<NUM>), but may be connected to a respective one of the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, unlike the configuration shown in <FIG>. However, when the rear connection member <NUM> shown in <FIG> corresponds to each of the third and fourth rear connection members BC3 and BC4 shown in <FIG>, each of the second individual mounting brackets <NUM> of the third and fourth rear connection members BC3 and BC4 may be connected to the corresponding common connection member CC (<NUM>), as shown in <FIG>.

In addition, each <NUM> of the rear connection members BC may further include a second mount insulator <NUM>. The second mount insulator <NUM> may be connected to the rear fuel cell <NUM> via the second mounting support bracket <NUM>.

The second mount insulator <NUM> is disposed between the second mounting support bracket <NUM> and the second individual mounting bracket <NUM> in the third direction, and has vibration isolation capability. The second mount insulator <NUM> may prevent or minimize the transmission of vibrations from the second mounting support bracket <NUM> to the second individual mounting bracket <NUM>, and may prevent or minimize the transmission of vibrations from the second individual mounting bracket <NUM> to the second mounting support bracket <NUM>.

In addition, each of the common connection members CC may include a common mounting bracket <NUM>. The common mounting bracket <NUM> serves to connect the first individual mounting bracket <NUM> and the second individual mounting bracket <NUM>, which are adjacent to each other in the first direction, to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

For example, the common mounting bracket <NUM> shown in <FIG> may connect the first individual mounting bracket <NUM> of the third front connection member FC3 (<NUM>) and the second individual mounting bracket <NUM> of the third rear connection member BC3 (<NUM>), which are adjacent to each other in the first direction, to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

In addition, the common mounting bracket <NUM> shown in <FIG> may connect the first individual mounting bracket <NUM> of the fourth front connection member FC4 (<NUM>) and the second individual mounting bracket <NUM> of the fourth rear connection member BC4 (<NUM>), which are adjacent to each other in the first direction, to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

To this end, each of the common mounting brackets <NUM> of the first and second common connection members CC1 and CC2 may be directly connected to a respective one of the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first individual mounting bracket <NUM> of the front connection member <NUM> may be connected to the upper portion (or the top surface) CCU of the common mounting bracket <NUM>, and the second individual mounting bracket <NUM> of the rear connection member <NUM> may be connected to the lower portion (or the bottom surface) CCL of the common mounting bracket <NUM>. This serves, as described above, to allow the front connection member <NUM> to be mounted or demounted above the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> and to allow the rear connection member <NUM> to be mounted or demounted below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view of an example of portion A shown in <FIG>.

The second rear connection member BC2 shown in <FIG> may be connected to the first body frame <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Although not shown, the first rear connection member BC1 shown in <FIG> may be connected to the second body frame <NUM> in the manner shown in <FIG>.

A second mounting support bracket 382A, a second individual mounting bracket 384A, and a second mounting insulator 386A shown in <FIG> correspond to the second mounting support bracket <NUM>, the second individual mounting bracket <NUM>, and the second mounting insulator <NUM> shown in <FIG>, respectively.

As described above, in order to allow the rear connection member BC (<NUM>) to be mounted to or demounted from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the second individual mounting bracket 384A may be connected while surrounding the first body frame <NUM>, and may be separated from the first body frame <NUM> below the same.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the second mounting support bracket 382A may include a bent portion P. Although not shown, the first mounting support bracket <NUM> may also include a bent portion P in the same manner as shown in <FIG>. This serves to connect the front and rear fuel cells <NUM> and <NUM>, which are respectively disposed in the first and second spaces S1 and S2 formed between the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM> spaced apart from each other in the second direction, to the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>, extending in the first direction. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. None of the front and rear connection members FC and BC may include a bent portion P depending on the portions of the front and rear fuel cells <NUM> and <NUM> at which the front and rear connection members FC and BC are disposed or depending on the shapes of the front and rear connection members FC and BC.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example of the rear connection member 380A shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the second individual mounting bracket 384A of the rear connection member 380A may be coupled to the first body frame <NUM> using a screw <NUM>. In addition, the second mounting support bracket 382A of the rear connection member 380A may be coupled to the rear fuel cell <NUM> using a screw <NUM>.

Although not shown, the first mounting support bracket <NUM> of each of the first to fourth front connection members FC1 to FC4 may be screwed to the front fuel cell <NUM>, and the first individual mounting bracket <NUM> thereof may be screwed to the first body frame <NUM>, the second body frame <NUM>, or the common mounting bracket <NUM>. In addition, the second mounting support bracket <NUM> of each of the first, third and fourth rear connection members BC1, BC3 and BC4 may be screwed to the rear fuel cell <NUM>, and the second individual mounting bracket <NUM> thereof may be screwed to the first body frame <NUM>, the second body frame <NUM>, or the common mounting bracket <NUM>.

The fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may correspond to a commercial vehicle such as a truck or a bus, which is heavier or larger than an automobile. Therefore, the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment uses a plurality of fuel cells <NUM> and <NUM>. The fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may exhibit various effects through efficient arrangement of the fuel cells <NUM> and <NUM>.

The fuel cells <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed in the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment such that, when the fuel cells <NUM> and <NUM> are demounted from and again mounted to the vehicle in order to preform maintenance/repair, it is not necessary to dismantle other parts of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B), thereby improving maintainability. In particular, when it is desired to perform maintenance/repair on the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment, the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be removed or connected below the first and second body frames <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, when the rear fuel cell <NUM> is demounted from and again mounted to the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B), it is not necessary to dismantle the hydrogen storage <NUM> shown in <FIG> or the loading part <NUM> shown in <FIG> from the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B), thereby reducing the time and expense required for maintenance/repair of the fuel cells <NUM> and <NUM>.

In addition, since the height difference DS2 in the cross-section shown in <FIG> is small, the length in the third direction of the space occupied by the hydrogen storage <NUM> may increase, and thus the amount of hydrogen that is capable of being loaded in the hydrogen storage <NUM> as fuel of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) may increase. The increase in the amount of hydrogen that is loaded as fuel of the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) may increase the distance that the vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) is capable of traveling.

In addition, since the height difference DS2 in the cross-section shown in <FIG> is small, the length in the third direction of the space occupied by the loading part <NUM> may increase, and thus the amount of cargo that is capable of being loaded in the loading part <NUM> (or the number of passengers that are capable of getting on the vehicle when the vehicle is a bus) may increase.

In addition, in the fuel cell vehicle <NUM> (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment, the width YF in the second direction of the front fuel cell <NUM> and the width YB in the second direction of the rear fuel cell <NUM> may be adjusted so as not to affect the arrangement of parts (e.g. piping, wiring, etc.) around the front and rear fuel cells <NUM> and <NUM>.

As is apparent from the above description, the embodiments provide a fuel cell vehicle in which a plurality of fuel cells is efficiently disposed, thereby improving the maintainability thereof, increasing the traveling distance thereof, and increasing the amount of cargo capable of being loaded therein or the number of passengers capable of riding therein.

Claim 1:
A fuel cell vehicle (<NUM>: 300B), comprising:
a front fuel cell (<NUM>) mounted in a first space (S1);
a rear fuel cell (<NUM>) mounted in a second space (S21 or S22) located at a rear side of the first space based on a first direction in which the fuel cell vehicle travels;
first and second body frames (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending in the first direction and being opposite to each other in a second direction that intersects the first direction, wherein a space between the first body frame (<NUM>) and the second body frame (<NUM>), spaced apart from each other in the second direction, comprises the first space and the second space;
a cab (<NUM>); and
a loading part (<NUM>) located at a rear side of the cab, wherein the cab and the loading part are each supported by the first and second body frames,
wherein the rear fuel cell comprises a top surface (334T) that is lower than a top surface (332T) of the front fuel cell relative a ground (G),
characterized in that
the rear fuel cell is mounted below the loading part, and
a height difference (DS3) between the top surface (332T) of the front fuel cell and the top surface (334T) of the rear fuel cell is greater than a height difference (DS2) between the top surface of the rear fuel cell and a bottom surface (364B) of the loading part.