JP6090176B2 - Fuel tank - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel tank.

  In a fuel tank mounted on an automobile, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is a structure in which a reinforcing device is provided between an upper part and a lower part inside the fuel tank to suppress expansion and contraction of the fuel tank. Specifically, a support column is provided between the upper and lower parts inside the fuel tank, and one end of the support column is fixed to the inner wall of the upper part of the fuel tank, and the other end of the support column is fixed to the inner wall of the lower part of the fuel tank. By fixing to, both walls are connected and held to suppress deformation. Thereby, expansion and contraction of the fuel tank are suppressed.

JP 2011-93408 A

  However, according to the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the support column fixed to the inner wall of the fuel tank is configured to be strong in order to suppress deformation of the fuel tank. For this reason, when the fuel tank deforms due to expansion or contraction, the struts are difficult to follow the deformation, so a relatively large load may be applied to the fixing portion that fixes the struts to the inner wall. There is room for.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to obtain a fuel tank that can suppress deformation of the fuel tank without applying a relatively large load to the fixing portion between the reinforcing device and the fuel tank.

  A fuel tank according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided between a fuel tank main body that contains fuel and one inner wall and the other inner wall facing each other in the fuel tank main body, and is close to the one inner wall. A reinforcing member provided with a space communicating from an end portion to an end portion close to the other inner wall; and the one inner wall and the other inner wall of the fuel tank main body, inserted into the space of the reinforcing member, And a connecting member having flexibility, and a reinforcing device configured to include a flexible connecting member.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the fuel tank is deformed (hereinafter referred to as negative pressure deformation) due to the negative pressure generated in the fuel tank, the one inner wall facing the fuel tank and the other Deforms in a direction approaching the inner wall. At this time, the flexible connecting member attached to one inner wall and the other inner wall bends, and each inner wall contacts the reinforcing member. That is, since the connecting member bends and follows the deformation, it is possible to suppress a relatively large load from being applied to the fixing portion between the connecting member and each inner wall. Further, the deformation of the fuel tank can be suppressed by the reinforcing member receiving the negative pressure deformation load applied to the inner wall of the fuel tank.

  Further, when the fuel tank is deformed (hereinafter referred to as positive pressure deformation) due to the positive pressure generated in the fuel tank, the inner wall of the fuel tank is deformed in a direction away from the other inner wall. At this time, each inner wall is separated from the reinforcing member, and tension is applied to the connecting member attached to one inner wall and the other inner wall. At the same time, since the flexible connecting member follows the deformation, as in the case of the negative pressure deformation described above, it is possible to suppress a relatively large load from being applied to the fixing portion between the connecting member and each inner wall. it can. Further, the deformation of the fuel tank can be suppressed by receiving the positive pressure deformation load applied to the inner wall of the fuel tank.

  Furthermore, when the fuel tank itself deforms due to heat shrinkage and fuel swelling (gasoline swelling), the respective inner walls of the fuel tank shrink and deform along the wall surface. At this time, since the connecting member fixed to one inner wall and the other inner wall is flexible, the connecting member can receive a deformation load while following contraction deformation and expansion deformation of the inner wall. it can. Therefore, in this case as well, it is possible to suppress a relatively large load from being applied to the fixing portion between the connecting member and each inner wall, and to suppress deformation of the fuel tank.

  The fuel tank according to the first aspect of the present invention has an excellent effect that deformation of the fuel tank can be suppressed without applying a relatively large load to the fixing portion between the reinforcing device and the fuel tank.

(A) is a top view which shows the reinforcement apparatus of the fuel tank which concerns on 1st Example, (B) is an expanded sectional view which shows the fuel tank which concerns on 1st Example. (A) is an expanded sectional view which shows the upper fixed part or lower fixed part of the fuel tank which concerns on 1st Example, (B) is an expanded sectional view which shows the modification with respect to (A). It is an expanded sectional view which shows the state at the time of the negative pressure deformation | transformation of the fuel tank which concerns on 1st Example. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the state at the time of the positive pressure deformation | transformation of the fuel tank which concerns on 1st Example. (A) is an expanded sectional view which shows an upper fixing part or a lower fixing part when the fuel tank according to the first embodiment is thermally contracted, and (B) is a case where the fuel tank is swollen with respect to (A). It is an expanded sectional view showing an upper fixed part or a lower fixed part. (A) is a top view which shows the reinforcement apparatus of the fuel tank which concerns on 2nd Example, (B) is an expanded sectional view which shows the fuel tank which concerns on 2nd Example. (A) is an expanded sectional view which shows the fuel tank based on 3rd Example, (B) is an expanded sectional view which shows the state at the time of the positive pressure deformation | transformation of a fuel tank with respect to (A). (A) is an enlarged sectional view showing a state in which the fuel tank according to proportionality is in a negative pressure deformation state, (B) is an enlarged sectional view showing a state in a positive pressure deformation state with respect to (A), (C ) Is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state when heat contraction and fuel swell with respect to (A).

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the fuel tank according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the fuel tank 10 has a fuel tank body 12 capable of containing fuel therein. The fuel tank body 12 is made of resin in this embodiment. The fuel tank body 12 as a whole is formed in a shape (for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape in the illustrated example) in which fuel can be accommodated. In particular, in this embodiment, the fuel tank body 12 has a rectangular shape having a lower inner wall 14 and an upper inner wall 16 as inner walls, and a front inner wall 18 and a rear inner wall 20. The lower inner wall 14 and the upper inner wall 16 are in opposite positions, and are set longer than the front inner wall 18 and the rear inner wall 20 that are similarly facing each other.

  In the fuel tank main body 12, a reinforcing device 26 composed of a reinforcing member 22 and a connecting member 24 is provided (see FIG. 1A). The reinforcing member 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and is provided between the lower inner wall 14 and the upper inner wall 16. Specifically, one long side 28 as an end is provided so as to be close to the lower inner wall 14, and the other long side 29 as an end is provided so as to be close to the upper inner wall 16. . Further, the long sides 28 and 29 are provided with escape portions 34 for securing a clearance with respect to an upper fixing portion 30 and a lower fixing portion 32 described later, and along the thickness direction of the reinforcing member 22. A flange 36 extending from the surface of the reinforcing member 22 is provided.

  Inside the reinforcing member 22 in the plate thickness direction, a communication hole 38 is provided as a space communicating from the relief portion 34 of one long side 28 to the relief portion 34 of the other long side 29. A plurality of communication holes 38 are provided, and each communication hole 38 is arranged in a truss shape in plan view of the reinforcing member 22.

  The connecting member 24 is formed in a wire shape (string shape) and is made of a flexible carbon fiber. The connecting member 24 is inserted into the communication hole 38 of the reinforcing member 22, and one connecting material end 40 is attached to the upper inner wall 16 via the upper fixing portion 30, and the other connecting material end 40 is connected. Is attached to the lower inner wall 14 via the lower fixing portion 32. In the present embodiment, the connecting member 24 is made of carbon fiber, but is not limited thereto, and is made of an organic material, an inorganic material, a metal, or the like as long as the material has flexibility and tensile strength. May be.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, in the upper fixing portion 30, an anchor 42 formed in a substantially rectangular shape is fixed to the upper inner wall 16 by welding or the like. The anchor 42 is provided with a locking hole 44 at a substantially central portion, and the connecting material end 40 of the connecting member 24 is inserted into the locking hole 44 and locked to the anchor 42. Further, the lower fixing portion 32 has the same configuration as the upper fixing portion 30.

  A ring plate 46 formed in a disk shape is caulked and attached to the connecting member 24 in the relief portion 34 of the reinforcing member 22. The ring plate 46 is attached to the connecting member 24 at a position outside the reinforcing member 22 and in contact with the flange 36 of the reinforcing member 22. Further, the outer shape of the ring plate 46 is larger than the diameter of the communication hole 38 of the reinforcing member 22. Therefore, since the reinforcement member 22 is restrained from moving along the connecting member 24, the reinforcing member 22 is held at a fixed position with respect to the connecting member 24.

(Operation and effect of the first embodiment)
Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

  Here, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described using the proportionality shown in FIG. In addition, about the same component as this embodiment, the same number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, two struts 100 are provided between the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10, and one strut end 102 of the strut 100 is a fixed portion. The other strut end 102 is fixed to the lower inner wall 14 via a fixing portion 106. One strut end 102 of the strut 100 and the upper inner wall 16 of the fuel tank 10 are firmly fixed by welding or the like at the fixing portion 104 in order to suppress deformation of the fuel tank 10. Similarly, the other column end 102 of the column 100 and the lower inner wall 14 are firmly fixed by a fixing unit 106. Moreover, the support | pillars 100 are couple | bonded by the reinforcement member 108 comprised by the rectangular-shaped board | plate material.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the negative pressure is generated in the fuel tank 10 and the fuel tank 10 is deformed by a negative pressure, the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10 approach each other. Deforms (see chain line shape in the figure). At this time, the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 are deformed so that the displacement amount at the substantially central portion of the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 is maximized, and the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 abut against the reinforcing member 108. Further, since the support columns 100 are coupled to each other by the reinforcing member 108 and the support columns 100 are fixed by welding or the like at the fixing portions 104 and 106, a relatively large load may be applied to the fixing portions 104 and 106. There is.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the fuel tank 10 is deformed by the positive pressure generated in the fuel tank 10, the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10 are separated. It deforms in the direction (see the chain line shape in the figure). At this time, the upper center wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 are deformed so that the displacement amount at the substantially central portion is maximized. However, as in the case of the negative pressure deformation described above, the column 100 is difficult to follow the deformation, and the column Since the 100 members are coupled to each other by the reinforcing member 108 and the support column 100 is fixed to the fixing portions 104 and 106 by welding or the like, a relatively large load may be applied to the fixing portions 104 and 106.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the fuel tank 10 is deformed by thermal contraction and fuel swelling, the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10 are contracted and expanded and deformed along the respective wall surfaces. To do. In this case, the struts 100 also move along the wall surfaces of the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14, but the struts 100 are joined together by the reinforcing member 108, and the struts 100 are fixed by welding or the like at the fixing portions 104 and 106. Therefore, there is a possibility that a relatively large load is applied to the fixing portions 104 and 106.

  In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the fuel tank 10 is deformed by negative pressure, the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10 are deformed so as to approach each other. At this time, the flexible connecting member 24 attached to the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 bends, and the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 abut against the reinforcing member 22. That is, since the connecting member 24 bends and follows the deformation, it is possible to suppress a relatively large load from being applied to the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32. In addition, the deformation of the fuel tank 10 can be suppressed by the reinforcing member 22 receiving the negative pressure deformation load applied to the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the fuel tank 10 is deformed at a positive pressure, the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10 are deformed in a direction away from each other. At this time, the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 are separated from the reinforcing member 22, and a tension is applied to the flexible connecting member 24 attached to the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14. At the same time, since the flexible connecting member 24 follows the deformation, it is possible to suppress a relatively large load from being applied to the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32 as in the case of the negative pressure deformation described above. it can. Moreover, the deformation of the fuel tank 10 can be suppressed by receiving the positive pressure deformation load applied to the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the fuel tank 10 itself is deformed by thermal contraction, the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10 are arranged along the respective wall surfaces. 14 contracts to the center side. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the fuel tank 10 itself is deformed by fuel swelling, the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10 are arranged along the respective wall surfaces. 14 is expanded and deformed toward the outer peripheral side. At this time, since the connecting member 24 fixed to the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 has flexibility, the connecting member 24 follows the contraction deformation and the expansion deformation of the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14. While receiving deformation load. Accordingly, even in this case, it is possible to suppress a relatively large load from being applied to the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32 and to suppress deformation of the fuel tank 10. Therefore, the deformation of the fuel tank 10 can be suppressed without applying a relatively large load to the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a fuel tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the same component as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fuel tank according to the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the connecting member 48 of the reinforcing device 47 has an upper inner wall. 16 and the lower inner wall 14 are characterized by being attached substantially perpendicularly.

  A plurality of communication holes 52 provided in the plate thickness direction inside of the reinforcing member 50 are provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the long sides 28 and 29 in a plan view of the reinforcing member 50, and the respective communication holes 52 are spaced at a predetermined interval. Is arranged in.

  The connecting member 48 is formed in a wire shape (string shape) and is made of a flexible carbon fiber. The connecting member 48 is inserted into the communication hole 52 of the reinforcing member 50, and one connecting material end 54 is attached to the upper inner wall 16 via the upper fixing portion 30, and the other connecting material end 54 is connected. Is attached to the lower inner wall 14 via the lower fixing portion 32. Accordingly, the connecting member 48 is attached to the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 along a substantially vertical direction, and the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32 are provided at positions facing each other.

(Operation and effect of the second embodiment)
Next, the operation and effect of the second embodiment will be described.

  Also in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a relatively large load from being applied to the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32 as in the first embodiment described above. That is, when the fuel tank 10 is deformed by negative pressure, the reinforcing member 50 receives deformation load to suppress deformation of the fuel tank 10 and the connecting member 48 is bent, so that the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32 are deformed. It is possible to suppress a relatively large load from being applied. Further, when the fuel tank 10 is deformed at a positive pressure, the connecting member 48 receives a deformation load while following the deformation, thereby suppressing the deformation of the fuel tank 10 and relatively preventing the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32 from moving. It can suppress that a big load is added. Further, when the fuel tank 10 is deformed due to thermal contraction and fuel swelling, the connecting member 48 is flexible, so that the connecting member 48 deforms while following the contraction deformation and expansion deformation of the fuel tank 10. By receiving the load, it is possible to suppress deformation of the fuel tank 10 and to prevent a relatively large load from being applied to the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32. Therefore, the deformation of the fuel tank 10 can be suppressed without applying a relatively large load to the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a fuel tank according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the same component as 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment mentioned above, the same number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the basic structure of the fuel tank according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the connecting member 56 is provided with a bent portion 58. There are features.

  That is, a plurality of communication holes 52 provided inside the reinforcing member 50 in the plate thickness direction are provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the long sides 28 and 29 in a plan view of the reinforcing member 50, and each communication hole 52 is predetermined. Are arranged at intervals.

  The connecting member 56 is formed in a wire shape (string shape). The connecting member 56 is inserted into the communication hole 52 of the reinforcing member 50, and one connecting material end 64 is attached to the upper inner wall 16 via the upper fixing portion 30, and the other connecting material end 64. Is attached to the lower inner wall 14 via the lower fixing portion 32. Accordingly, the connecting member 56 is attached to the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 along a substantially vertical direction, and the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32 are provided at positions facing each other.

  The vicinity of the connecting material end 64 of the connecting member 56 is formed substantially in a straight line. On the other hand, a bent portion 58 that is bent with respect to the vicinity of the connecting material end portion 64 is formed in the substantially central portion. Specifically, the bent portion 58 is formed so as to be convex along the direction of the long sides 28 and 29 of the reinforcing member 50 in the communication hole 52.

(Operations and effects of the third embodiment)
Next, the operation and effect of the third embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, when the fuel tank 10 is in a normal state, as shown in FIG. 7A, a bent portion 58 is formed at a substantially central portion of the connecting member 56, but in FIG. As shown, when the fuel tank 10 undergoes positive pressure deformation, tension is applied to the connecting member 56 fixed to the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14. Then, when a tension is applied to the bent portion 58 of the connecting member 56, the bent portion 58 is stretched, so that the length of the connecting member 56 in the longitudinal direction is extended. For this reason, the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10 are displaced by the length of the connecting member 56 in the longitudinal direction. Thereafter, when the connecting member 56 that has become substantially linear due to the extension receives a deformation load, further displacement of the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 is suppressed. That is, the internal capacity of the fuel tank 10 can be varied to be increased. Thereby, the positive pressure generated in the fuel tank 10 can be relaxed.

  In addition, in this embodiment, it is set as the structure by which the bending part 58 is formed in the connection member 56, However, Not only this but the structure which gave the connection member 56 slack is good.

  In each of the first to third embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 (A), the upper fixing portion 30 and the lower fixing portion 32 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the anchor 42 is formed on the upper inner wall. 16 and the lower inner wall 14 are fixed to each other by welding or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 2B, the anchor 60 is connected to the fuel tank 10 from the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14. It is good also as a structure fitted through the protrusion part 62 protruded inside.

  Further, in each of the first to third embodiments, the reinforcing device 26 according to the present invention is configured between the upper inner wall 16 and the lower inner wall 14 of the fuel tank 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fuel tank 10 may be provided between the front inner wall 18 and the rear inner wall 20.

  Furthermore, the communication holes 38 and 52 through which the connecting members 24, 48 and 56 are inserted are configured to be provided inside the reinforcing members 22 and 50 in the plate thickness direction. , 50, a connecting member 24, 48, 56 may be provided in the groove, and a connecting member detachment preventing lid may be provided on the opening side of the groove.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications other than those described above can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course.

10 Fuel tank 12 Fuel tank body 14 Lower inner wall (inner wall)
16 Upper inner wall (inner wall)
22 Reinforcing member 24 Connecting member 26 Reinforcing device 28 Long side (end)
29 Long side (end)
30 Upper fixed part (fixed part)
32 Lower fixing part (fixing part)
38 Communication hole (space)
48 connecting member 50 reinforcing member 52 communicating hole (space)
56 Connecting member

Claims (1)

A fuel tank body for containing fuel;
Reinforcement provided between one inner wall and the other inner wall facing each other in the fuel tank main body, and having a space communicating from an end portion close to the one inner wall to an end portion close to the other inner wall And a connecting member that is inserted into the space of the reinforcing member, is attached to the one inner wall and the other inner wall of the fuel tank body via a fixing portion, and has flexibility. A reinforcing device comprising:
With fuel tank.