Patent Description:
<CIT> (<CIT>) describes a configuration in which a vehicle that runs using hydrogen gas as a fuel includes a receptacle and a plurality of gas tanks. The receptacle is a member having a hydrogen filling port and into which a gas station (ST)-side nozzle is inserted. <CIT> (<CIT>) describes a hydrogen filling device capable of filling a plurality of hydrogen tanks at the same time. <CIT> (<CIT>) describes a method of filling a plurality of tanks with gas. In this method, gas fuel is filled into the tanks in order from the tank with higher heat radiation characteristics, and, after gas fuel is filled into the other tanks, gas fuel is filled into the tank with high heat radiation characteristics again. <CIT> (<CIT>) describes a liquid hydrogen fuel supply system in which boil-off gas produced from liquid fuel is filled and then the volume of a filling device is configured to be changeable in accordance with the amount of boil-off gas. <CIT> discloses a universal hydrogen filling performance evaluation system for back-to-back filling performance evaluation and capacity-specific filling performance evaluation.

When hydrogen is filled into a vehicle with a large filling capacity, such as large commercial vehicles and buses equipped with fuel cells that use hydrogen as a fuel, it is desirable to efficiently fill hydrogen. With, for example, a configuration that fills hydrogen into a plurality of hydrogen tanks provided in a vehicle from a single receptacle, it particularly takes time to fill hydrogen. It is conceivable to provide a plurality of receptacles and connect each of the receptacles with the hydrogen tanks. However, there is a case where a nozzle is allowed to be connected to only one of the receptacles depending on an existing hydrogen filling station (hydrogen station). In this case, changing the receptacle to insert the nozzle is required, so it is complicated.

The disclosure makes it possible to efficiently fill hydrogen into a plurality of hydrogen tanks even in a vehicle equipped with the hydrogen tanks. The invention is defined by the independent claim.

A first aspect of the disclosure provides a hydrogen storage device provided in a vehicle that uses hydrogen as a fuel. The hydrogen storage device includes a plurality of receptacles, a plurality of hydrogen tanks, and a flow channel through which hydrogen flows from the receptacles to the hydrogen tanks. The flow channel has a confluence point configured such that the hydrogen merges into one on a downstream side of the plurality of receptacles. The flow channel branches from the confluence point into the plurality of hydrogen tanks.

In the flow channel, the length of a flow channel from every receptacle hydrogen storage device to the confluence point is shorter than the length of a flow channel from the confluence point to every hydrogen tank in the hydrogen storage device.

At least part of a flow channel from the receptacles to the confluence point may be a flow channel inside a distributor.

The plurality of hydrogen tanks may include hydrogen tanks with different capacities. The flow channel from the confluence point to the hydrogen tank with a first capacity may be shorter than the flow channel from the confluence point to the hydrogen tank with a second capacity less than the first capacity.

A second aspect of the disclosure provides a vehicle. The vehicle includes the above-described hydrogen storage device, and a fuel cell system configured to generate electricity from hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tanks of the hydrogen storage device.

According to the aspects of the disclosure, even in a vehicle equipped with a plurality of hydrogen tanks, it is possible to efficiently fill hydrogen into the hydrogen tanks.

<FIG> schematically shows the outline of a vehicle <NUM> on which hydrogen tanks <NUM> are mounted. A hydrogen storage device <NUM> will be described later with reference to other drawings, so <FIG> shows only the hydrogen tanks <NUM> of the hydrogen storage device <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment is a large vehicle (truck). The vehicle <NUM> includes a chassis <NUM>, a driving section <NUM> disposed at the front of the chassis <NUM>, a load-carrying section <NUM> disposed at the rear of the chassis <NUM>, wheel sections <NUM> provided under the chassis <NUM>, an electric motor <NUM> that drives the vehicle <NUM>, and a fuel cell unit <NUM>. Here, a truck is illustrated as a large vehicle; however, the configuration is not limited thereto. The embodiment of the disclosure is also applicable to a bus and the like. The embodiment of the disclosure is not limited to large vehicles and is also applicable to ordinary passenger vehicles.

The fuel cell unit <NUM> includes a fuel cell <NUM>, the hydrogen tanks <NUM>, an air intake device (not shown), and a hydrogen tank storage case <NUM>. With this configuration, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tanks <NUM> stored in the hydrogen tank storage case <NUM> to the fuel cell <NUM> through a hydrogen supply pipe 10a, and air is supplied from the air intake device (not shown) to the fuel cell <NUM>. The fuel cell <NUM> generates electricity by oxidizing hydrogen with supplied air (oxygen) and supplies electric power to the electric motor <NUM> through an electric line 10b to drive the electric motor <NUM>, with the result that the vehicle <NUM> obtains a propulsive force. Driving the electric motor <NUM> with the fuel cell <NUM> using hydrogen as a fuel in the vehicle <NUM> is known. In addition, as will be described later, the hydrogen storage device <NUM> is disposed in the vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The hydrogen storage device <NUM> receives hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen filling device provided at a hydrogen station and stores hydrogen in the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. Hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tanks <NUM> by the hydrogen storage device <NUM>.

<FIG> are diagrams that illustrate the outline of the hydrogen filling device <NUM> that supplies hydrogen to the hydrogen storage device <NUM>. The hydrogen filling device <NUM> includes an accumulator <NUM> in which hydrogen is encapsulated, a compressor <NUM> that compresses (pressurizes) hydrogen discharged from the accumulator <NUM> to a pipe, a hydrogen supply pipe <NUM> through which pressurized hydrogen is supplied from the compressor <NUM> to the hydrogen storage device <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> that controls supply of hydrogen. Hydrogen is filled when a nozzle 53a at the distal end of the hydrogen supply pipe <NUM> is connected to a receptacle <NUM> provided in the hydrogen storage device <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. The hydrogen filling device <NUM> has a mode in which a single nozzle 53a is disposed as shown in <FIG> and a mode in which two or more (a plurality of) nozzles 53a are disposed as shown in <FIG>. The hydrogen storage device <NUM> described below is able to efficiently store hydrogen in any mode.

As described above, the vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes the hydrogen storage device <NUM> that is a device for storing hydrogen. <FIG> conceptually show the configurations of the hydrogen storage device <NUM> according to embodiments. Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described.

<FIG> conceptually shows the configuration of the hydrogen storage device <NUM> according to an embodiment 1A. As is apparent from <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen storage device <NUM> includes the hydrogen tanks <NUM>, the receptacles <NUM>, and a flow channel <NUM>.

The hydrogen tanks <NUM> are containers that store hydrogen. Hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tanks <NUM> to the fuel cell <NUM>. The specific structure of each of the hydrogen tanks <NUM> is not limited, and known ones usable as hydrogen tanks are applicable. Typically, a hydrogen tank includes a tank body T that is a portion storing hydrogen, and a pipe sleeve K that is the entrance of the tank body T for hydrogen and to which a pipe is connected.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of (for example, four) hydrogen tanks <NUM> is provided, and hydrogen is filled into each of the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. Here, an example in which the four hydrogen tanks <NUM> are disposed will be described, and reference signs 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d are used to distinguish the hydrogen tanks <NUM>.

When the receptacle <NUM> is connected to the nozzle 53a of the hydrogen filling device <NUM>, the flow channel communicates between the hydrogen filling device <NUM> and the hydrogen storage device <NUM>, and hydrogen flows from the hydrogen filling device <NUM> to the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. The specific shape of each of the receptacles <NUM> is not limited, and the one with a known mode may be used.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of (for example, two) receptacles <NUM> is provided, and a downstream fitting is provided in each of the receptacles <NUM>. Then, where necessary, the nozzle 53a is connected. For example, in the case of the hydrogen filling device <NUM> of <FIG>, the nozzle 53a just needs to be connected to one of the receptacles <NUM> (22a, 22b). In the case of the hydrogen filling device <NUM> of <FIG>, two nozzles 53a just need to be respectively connected to the receptacles <NUM> (22a, 22b). Here, an example in which two receptacles <NUM> are provided will be described, and reference signs 22a and 22b are used to distinguish the receptacles <NUM>. Other than the case where one downstream fitting is provided for one receptacle as described above, there is a case where one downstream fitting is provided for a plurality of receptacles, and any case is applicable. In other words, a plurality of receptacles just needs to be provided.

The flow channel <NUM> is a flow channel that communicates the receptacles <NUM> with the hydrogen tanks <NUM> and is configured such that hydrogen flows. In the present embodiment, the flow channel <NUM> includes a receptacle-side flow channel <NUM> disposed on the side close to the receptacles <NUM> and a tank-side flow channel <NUM> disposed on the side close to the hydrogen tanks <NUM>.

The receptacle-side flow channel <NUM> includes a flow channel 24a defined by a pipe of which one end is connected to the receptacle 22a and a flow channel 24b defined by a pipe of which one end is connected to the receptacle 22b. The other end of the flow channel 24a and the other end of the flow channel 24b are configured to merge at a confluence point A. In other words, hydrogen flowing in from the receptacle 22a and hydrogen flowing in from the receptacle 22b merge at the confluence point A. In the present embodiment, the confluence point A is made up of a pipe fitting, and the flow channel 24a, the flow channel 24b, and a pipe to a branch point B are connected by the pipe fitting. The flow channel 24a and the flow channel 24b are respectively connected to the receptacle 22a and the receptacle 22b. Therefore, the flow sectional area of each of the flow channels 24a, 24b is less than the flow sectional area of the tank-side flow channel <NUM> (the flow sectional area of each of the flow channels 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d defined by pipes) (flow resistance per unit length increases, and a pressure loss increases).

Two check valves 24c (valves that allow the flow in a direction from the receptacle side toward the confluence point and restricts the flow in the opposite direction) are preferably provided in each of the flow channel 24a and the flow channel 24b. Thus, backflow is doubly prevented, so safety is improved.

One end of the tank-side flow channel <NUM> is connected to the confluence point A. The tank-side flow channel <NUM> branches off at the branch point B halfway, and each of the other ends of the tank-side flow channel <NUM> is connected to an associated one of the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. In other words, the tank-side flow channel <NUM> includes the flow channel 25e defined by a pipe from the confluence point A to the branch point B and the flow channel 25a defined by a pipe from the branch point B to the hydrogen tank 21a, the flow channel 25e and the flow channel 25b defined by a pipe to the hydrogen tank 21b, the flow channel 25e and the flow channel 25c defined by a pipe to the hydrogen tank 21c, and the flow channel 25e and the flow channel 25d defined by a pipe to the hydrogen tank 21d. In the present embodiment, the branch point B is made up of a pipe fitting, and the pipe of the flow channel 25e from the confluence point A and the pipes of the flow channels 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d are connected by the pipe fitting. The flow sectional area of each of the flow channels 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d is greater than the flow sectional area of the receptacle-side flow channel <NUM> (the flow channel 24a and the flow channel 24b) (flow resistance per unit length is small, and a pressure loss is low).

A check valve 25f (a valve that allows the flow in a direction from the confluence point toward each hydrogen tank and restricts the flow in the opposite direction) is preferably provided in each of the flow channel 25a, the flow channel 25b, the flow channel 25c, and the flow channel 25d. Thus, backflow is prevented, so safety is improved. Embodiment 1B.

<FIG> conceptually shows the configuration of the hydrogen storage device <NUM> according to an embodiment 1B. As is apparent from <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen storage device <NUM> includes the hydrogen tanks <NUM>, the receptacles <NUM>, and the flow channel <NUM>. Here, the hydrogen tanks <NUM> and the receptacles <NUM> are presumably similar to those of the embodiment 1A, so the description is omitted.

The flow channel <NUM> is a flow channel that communicates the receptacles <NUM> with the hydrogen tanks <NUM> and is configured such that hydrogen flows. In the present embodiment, the flow channel <NUM> includes the receptacle-side flow channel <NUM> disposed on the side close to the receptacles <NUM> and the tank-side flow channel <NUM> disposed on the side close to the hydrogen tanks <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, in the receptacle-side flow channel <NUM>, part of the flow channel 24a from the receptacle 22a to the confluence point A and the flow channel 24b from the receptacle 22b to the confluence point A is a flow channel inside a distributor <NUM>. The distributor <NUM> is a block-shaped member in which the flow channel is defined. Therefore, in the flow channel 24a from the receptacle 22a to the confluence point A, a pipe is disposed at the receptacle 22a, the pipe is connected to the distributor <NUM>, and the flow channel to the confluence point A is defined inside the distributor <NUM>. Similarly, in the flow channel 24b from the receptacle 22b to the confluence point A, a pipe is disposed at the receptacle 22b, the pipe is connected to the distributor <NUM>, and the flow channel to the confluence point A is defined inside the distributor <NUM>. In other words, in the present embodiment, the distributor <NUM> provides a flow channel such that the confluence point A is included inside the distributor <NUM>. The concept of the flow channel 24a, the flow channel 24b, and the confluence point A is similar to that of the embodiment 1A.

The two check valves 24c (the valves that allow the flow in a direction from the receptacle side toward the confluence point A and restricts the flow in the opposite direction) are preferably provided in each of the pipe in the flow channel 24a and the pipe in the flow channel 24b. Thus, backflow is doubly prevented, so safety is improved.

One end of the tank-side flow channel <NUM> is connected to the confluence point A. The tank-side flow channel <NUM> branches off at the branch point B halfway, and each of the other ends of the tank-side flow channel <NUM> is connected to an associated one of the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. In other words, the tank-side flow channel <NUM> includes the flow channel 25e defined by a pipe from the confluence point A to the branch point B and the flow channel 25a defined by a pipe from the branch point B to the hydrogen tank 21a, the flow channel 25e and the flow channel 25b defined by a pipe to the hydrogen tank 21b, the flow channel 25e and the flow channel 25c defined by a pipe to the hydrogen tank 21c, and the flow channel 25e and the flow channel 25d defined by a pipe to the hydrogen tank 21d. In the present embodiment, the whole of the flow channel 25e including the branch point B and part of the other flow channels are made up of the flow channel inside the distributor <NUM>. The flow sectional area of each of the flow channels 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d is greater than the flow sectional area of the receptacle-side flow channel <NUM> (the flow channel 24a and the flow channel 24b) (flow resistance per unit length is small, and a pressure loss is low).

The check valve 25f (the valve that allows the flow in a direction from the confluence point toward each hydrogen tank and restricts the flow in the opposite direction) is preferably provided in each of the flow channel 25a, the flow channel 25b, the flow channel 25c, and the flow channel 25d. Thus, backflow is prevented, so safety is improved. Mode, Advantageous Effects, and Others of Flow Channel.

In the present embodiment, in the flow channel <NUM>, the flow channels (24a, 24b) respectively extend from the plurality of receptacles (22a, 22b) in the receptacle-side flow channel <NUM>, the confluence point (confluence point A) at which these flow channels join into one is provided, the flow channel branches off from the tank-side flow channel <NUM> at the branch point B, and the flow channels are respectively connected to all the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. At this time, at each of the confluence point A and the branch point B, the flow channels may be coupled by the pipe fitting as in the case of the embodiment 1A, or the flow channels may be coupled by the distributor in which the flow channel including both the confluence point A and the branch point B as in the case of the embodiment 1B is defined.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to efficiently perform filling from the hydrogen filling device <NUM> to the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. For example, in the case of the hydrogen filling device <NUM> of which the number of nozzles 53a is one (the number of hydrogen supply ports is one) as shown in <FIG>, when the nozzle 53a is connected to any one of the receptacle 22a and the receptacle 22b, it is possible to fill hydrogen into all the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. Therefore, changing the receptacle to insert the nozzle is not required. On the other hand, for example, in the case of the hydrogen filling device <NUM> of which the number of nozzles 53a is two (the number of hydrogen supply ports is two) as shown in <FIG>, when the nozzles 53a are respectively connected to the receptacle 22a and the receptacle 22b, it is possible to fill hydrogen into all the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. Therefore, changing the receptacle to insert the nozzle is not required also in this case.

The length of the flow channel between the receptacle <NUM> and the confluence point A (each of the length of the flow channel 24a and the length of the flow channel 24b) is configured to be shorter than the length of the flow channel between the confluence point A and the hydrogen tank <NUM> (the length of the flow channel 25e and flow channel 25a, the length of the flow channel 25e and flow channel 25b, the length of the flow channel 25e and flow channel 25c, and the length of the flow channel 25e and flow channel 25d). With this configuration, the receptacle-side flow channel <NUM> of which the flow sectional area is small is made short, so it is possible to suppress a pressure loss to a low level.

<FIG> conceptually shows the configuration of the hydrogen storage device <NUM> according to an embodiment <NUM>. As is apparent from <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen storage device <NUM> includes the hydrogen tanks <NUM>, the receptacles <NUM>, and the flow channel <NUM>. The receptacles <NUM> are presumably similar to those of the embodiment <NUM>, so the description is omitted.

The hydrogen tanks <NUM> are containers that store hydrogen. Hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tanks <NUM> to the fuel cell <NUM>. The basic structure of each of the hydrogen tanks <NUM> is presumably similar to that of the embodiment <NUM>. However, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen tanks <NUM> with different capacities are mixedly disposed. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the plurality of (for example, four) hydrogen tanks <NUM> is provided, and hydrogen is filled into each of the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. Here, an example in which the four hydrogen tanks <NUM> are disposed will be described, and reference signs 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d are used to distinguish the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. Then, the hydrogen tank 21a, the hydrogen tank 21b, and the hydrogen tank 21c have the same second capacity, and the hydrogen tank 21d has a first capacity greater than the second capacity.

The flow channel <NUM> is a flow channel that communicates the receptacles <NUM> with the hydrogen tanks <NUM> and is configured such that hydrogen flows. In the present embodiment, the flow channel <NUM> includes the receptacle-side flow channel <NUM> disposed on the side close to the receptacles <NUM> and a tank-side flow channel <NUM> disposed on the side close to the hydrogen tanks <NUM>.

The receptacle-side flow channel <NUM> includes the flow channel 24a defined by a pipe of which one end is connected to the receptacle 22a and the flow channel 24b defined by a pipe of which one end is connected to the receptacle 22b. The other end of the flow channel 24a and the other end of the flow channel 24b are configured to merge at the confluence point A. In other words, hydrogen flowing in from the receptacle 22a and hydrogen flowing in from the receptacle 22b merge at the confluence point A. The flow channel 24a and the flow channel 24b are respectively connected to the receptacle 22a and the receptacle 22b. Therefore, the flow sectional area of each of the flow channels 24a, 24b is less than the flow sectional area of the tank-side flow channel <NUM> (the flow sectional area of each of the flow channels 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d defined by the pipes) (flow resistance per unit length increases, and a pressure loss increases).

The two check valves 24c (the valves that allow the flow in a direction from the receptacle side toward the confluence point and restricts the flow in the opposite direction) are preferably provided in each of the flow channel 24a and the flow channel 24b. Thus, backflow is doubly prevented, so safety is improved.

One end of the tank-side flow channel <NUM> is connected to the confluence point A. The tank-side flow channel <NUM> branches off at the branch point B halfway, and each of the other ends of the tank-side flow channel <NUM> is connected to an associated one of the hydrogen tanks <NUM>. In other words, the tank-side flow channel <NUM> includes the flow channel 25e defined by a pipe from the confluence point A to the branch point B and the flow channel 25a defined by a pipe from the branch point B to the hydrogen tank 21a, the flow channel 25e and the flow channel 25b defined by a pipe to the hydrogen tank 21b, the flow channel 25e and the flow channel 25c defined by a pipe to the hydrogen tank 21c, and the flow channel 25e and the flow channel 25d defined by a pipe to the hydrogen tank 21d. The flow sectional area of each of the flow channels 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d is greater than the flow sectional area of the receptacle-side flow channel <NUM> (the flow channel 24a and the flow channel 24b) (flow resistance per unit length is small, and a pressure loss is low).

In the present embodiment, as is apparent from <FIG>, the flow channel 25d to the hydrogen tank 21d with a relatively large capacity is configured to be shorter than each of the flow channels 25a, 25b, 25c to the other hydrogen tanks 21a, 21b, 21c. When the tank capacities are different, the flow rate of the flow channel connected to the hydrogen tank with a relatively large capacity increases, and a pressure loss tends to be high. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a pressure loss to a low level by reducing the length. A specific extent of the length of the flow channel is not limited, and the length may be changed to perform proportional distribution in accordance with a difference in tank capacity. When the tank capacities are not two types but three types or more, the length of the flow channel may be configured to be reduced as the tank capacity increases in proportional distribution according to the tank capacities.

The check valve 25f (the value that allows the flow in a direction from the confluence point toward each hydrogen tank and restricts the flow in the opposite direction) is preferably provided in each of the flow channel 25a, the flow channel 25b, the flow channel 25c, and the flow channel 25d. Thus, backflow is prevented, so safety is improved. Mode, Advantageous Effects, and Others of Flow Channel.

The mode of the flow channel in the present embodiment may also be presumably similar to the embodiment <NUM>, and similar advantageous effects are obtained. In the present embodiment, by changing the length of each of the flow channels (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) of the tank-side flow channel in accordance with the tank capacity, it is possible to suppress an increase in pressure loss even in the case where a plurality of hydrogen tanks with different tank capacities is disposed. Therefore, efficient hydrogen storage is possible. Embodiment <NUM>.

The receptacle-side flow channel <NUM> includes the flow channel 24a defined by a pipe of which one end is connected to the receptacle 22a and the flow channel 24b defined by a pipe of which one end is connected to the receptacle 22b. The other end of the flow channel 24a and the other end of the flow channel 24b are configured to merge at the confluence point A. In other words, hydrogen flowing in from the receptacle 22a and hydrogen flowing in from the receptacle 22b merge at the confluence point A. The flow channel 24a and the flow channel 24b are respectively connected to the receptacle 22a and the receptacle 22b. Therefore, the flow sectional area of each of the flow channels 24a, 24b is less than the flow sectional area of the tank-side flow channel <NUM> (the flow sectional area of each of the flow channels 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d defined by pipes) (flow resistance per unit length increases, and a pressure loss increases).

In the present embodiment, as is apparent from <FIG>, the flow sectional area of the flow channel 25d to the hydrogen tank 21d with a larger capacity than the other is configured to be greater than the flow sectional area of each of the flow channels 25a, 25b, 25c to the other hydrogen tanks 21a, 21b, 21c. When the tank capacities are different, the flow rate of the flow channel connected to the hydrogen tank with a relatively large capacity increases, and a pressure loss tends to be high, so, with this configuration, it is possible to suppress a pressure loss to a low level. A specific extent of the flow sectional area is not limited, and the flow sectional area may be changed to perform proportional distribution in accordance with a difference in tank capacity. When the tank capacities are not two types and the tank capacities are three or more types, the flow sectional area may be configured to be increased as the tank capacity increases in proportional distribution according to the tank capacities.

The mode of the flow channel in the present embodiment may also be presumably similar to the embodiment <NUM>, and similar advantageous effects are obtained. In the present embodiment, by changing the flow sectional area of each of the flow channels (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) of the tank-side flow channel in accordance with the tank capacity, it is possible to suppress an increase in pressure loss even in the case where a plurality of hydrogen tanks with different tank capacities is disposed. Therefore, efficient hydrogen filling is possible.

The hydrogen storage devices according to the embodiment <NUM> to the embodiment <NUM> are not limited to application of any one of the embodiments. At least two of the hydrogen storage devices according to the embodiment <NUM> to the embodiment <NUM> may be combined. Thus, it is possible to increase the design flexibility of receptacle arrangement, pipe arrangement, and hydrogen tank arrangement.

Claim 1:
A hydrogen storage device (<NUM>) provided in a vehicle (<NUM>) that uses hydrogen as a fuel, the hydrogen storage device (<NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of receptacles (22a, 22b);
a plurality of hydrogen tanks (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d); and
a flow channel (<NUM>) through which hydrogen flows from the receptacles (22a, 22b) to the hydrogen tanks (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d), wherein:
the flow channel (<NUM>) has a confluence point (A) configured such that the hydrogen merges into one on a downstream side of the receptacles (22a, 22b);
the flow channel (<NUM>) is configured to branch from the confluence point (A) into the plurality of hydrogen tanks (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d);
characterised in that in the flow channel (<NUM>), a length of a flow channel (<NUM>) from every receptacle (22a, 22b) in the hydrogen storage device (<NUM>) to the confluence point (A) is shorter than a length of a flow channel (<NUM>) from the confluence point (A) to every hydrogen tank (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) in the hydrogen storage device (<NUM>).