Apparatus for reinforcing a vehicle fuel tank

Abstract

An apparatus for reinforcing a fuel tank of a vehicle improves the structure of a rigid reinforcing pillar installed in a closed fuel tank by maintaining the rigidity of the reinforcing pillar in a state in which the fuel tank is under positive pressure and the engine negative pressure acts on the fuel tank and causing the reinforcing pillar to break when a large impact such as a vehicle collision occurs, thereby preventing a rupture of a fusion portion between an upper plate and a lower plate of the fuel tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for reinforcing a vehicle fuel tank. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a device for reinforcing a vehicle fuel tank that improves the robustness of the fuel tank under positive and negative pressures while preventing the fuel tank from rupturing, which could result in fuel leakage in the event of a collision. Background Art

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] Generally, because when the engine is driven, when the engine negative pressure acts on the fuel tank through the canister, the evaporated gas in the fuel tank is collected in the canister and the evaporated gas collected in the canister enters the combustion chamber of the engine through the engine negative pressure and burns therein, so the regulations on the emission of evaporated gas in gasoline vehicles can be met.

[0004] On the other hand, when only the drive motor is operated, evaporated gas in the fuel tank cannot be properly collected in the canister of the hybrid vehicle because the engine negative pressure is not available due to the operation of the engine.

[0005] To address this issue, the fuel tank of the hybrid vehicle is manufactured in a closed structure using plastic material.

[0006] However, if the internal pressure of the fuel tank increases due to an increase in the outside air temperature, the fuel tank made of a plastic material may be deformed.

[0007] Accordingly, a rigid reinforcing member is installed in the fuel tank to prevent the fuel tank from being deformed.

[0008] Figure 1 An example of a conventional rigid reinforcement member installed in a fuel tank is shown.

[0009] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the reinforcement column 20 is connected between the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 of the fuel tank 10.

[0010] That is, the upper surface and the lower surface of the reinforcement pillar 20 are integrally fused to the corresponding upper plate 11 and lower plate 12 of the fuel tank 10 by thermal fusion or the like.

[0011] Specifically, in view of the fact that the reinforcement pillar 20 must be manufactured in a structure capable of breaking to absorb shock in the event of a vehicle collision according to safety regulations, a concave easy-to-break portion 22 is formed in the middle portion of the reinforcement pillar 20 .

[0012] Therefore, when a large impact such as that occurring in a vehicle collision is applied to the plastic fuel tank 10 made of plastic material, the fuel tank 10 deforms to absorb the impact, and the easily breakable portion 22 of the reinforcement pillar 20 breaks to absorb the impact.

[0013] However, we have found that when a large impact, such as that which occurs in a vehicle collision, is applied to the plastic fuel tank 10 made of plastic, the large impact causes the fuel in the fuel tank to leak. If the rigidity of the reinforcing column 20 is greater than the necessary rigidity, the easily breakable portion 22 does not break, but rather the fused portion between the upper plate 11 of the fuel tank 10 and the upper surface of the reinforcing column 20 or other fused portions between the lower plate 12 of the fuel tank 10 and the lower surface of the reinforcing column 20 are ruptured (torn).

[0014] On the other hand, if the rigidity of the reinforcement pillar 20 is too weak, the easily breakable portion 22 is easily broken by only the negative pressure acting in the fuel tank, thereby causing excessive deformation of the fuel tank.

[0015] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0016] On the one hand, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for reinforcing a vehicle fuel tank, namely, an apparatus capable of improving the structure of a rigid reinforcing column installed in a closed fuel tank by maintaining the rigidity of the reinforcing column when the fuel tank is under negative pressure and the negative pressure of the engine acts on the fuel tank, and causing the reinforcing column to break due to a large impact applied thereto, such as in the event of a vehicle collision, thereby preventing the fusion portion between the upper plate and the lower plate of the fuel tank from breaking.

[0017] In one form of the present disclosure, an apparatus for reinforcing a vehicle fuel tank may include: a reinforcing column, the reinforcing column including: an upper portion forming an upper opening; and a lower portion forming a lower opening; upper fastening legs arranged at two positions above the upper opening; and lower fastening legs arranged at two positions below the lower opening; an upper fusion structure having an upper coupling protrusion on its outer peripheral surface, wherein, in a state in which the lower portion of the upper fusion structure is inserted into the upper opening and the upper coupling protrusion is locked and fastened to the upper fastening legs, the upper surface of the upper fusion structure is fused to the inner surface of the upper plate of the fuel tank; a lower fusion structure having a lower coupling protrusion on its outer peripheral surface, wherein, in a state in which the upper portion of the lower fusion structure is inserted into the lower opening and the lower coupling protrusion is locked and fastened to the lower fastening legs, the lower surface of the lower fusion structure is fused to the inner surface of the lower plate of the fuel tank; and at least one easily breakable portion formed in the reinforcing column to cause the reinforcing column to break when an impact equal to or greater than an impact threshold is applied thereto.

[0018] The reinforcement column may have an upper leg support formed on an outer peripheral surface of the upper opening to support the upper fastening leg, and a lower leg support formed on an outer peripheral surface of the lower opening to support the lower fastening leg.

[0019] In one embodiment, an upper breaking rib may be integrally formed with the upper fastening leg and the upper leg support and disposed between the upper fastening leg and the upper leg support, and the upper breaking rib may break due to a tensile force equal to or greater than a tensile force threshold applied by the upper coupling protrusion. In another embodiment, a lower breaking rib may be integrally formed with the lower fastening leg and the lower leg support and disposed between the lower fastening leg and the lower leg support, and the lower breaking rib may break due to a tensile force equal to or greater than the tensile force threshold applied by the lower coupling protrusion.

[0020] The at least one breakable portion may include one or more breakable portions located between the upper leg support and the lower leg support, and the breakable portions may break due to a crushing force equal to or greater than a crushing force threshold applied during a vehicle collision.

[0021] Each easily breakable portion may be a groove formed at a portion of the reinforcing column where the radial thickness of the reinforcing column is reduced. The groove may be formed as a depression on the inner surface or the outer surface of the reinforcing column. Alternatively, the groove may be formed as a depression on both the inner surface and the outer surface of the reinforcing column.

[0022] In another form, the upper fastening leg may be inclined diagonally above the upper opening, the upper portion of the upper fastening leg may be connected to the upper leg support by an upper breaking rib, the lower portion of the upper fastening leg may be positioned at a predetermined distance above the upper end of the upper opening, and the upper coupling protrusion may be inserted and positioned between the lower portion of the upper fastening leg and the upper end of the upper opening.

[0023] In some forms, the lower fastening leg can be inclined diagonally below the lower opening, the lower portion of the lower fastening leg can be connected to the lower leg support by a lower breaking rib, the upper portion of the lower fastening leg can be positioned a predetermined distance below the lower end of the lower opening, and the lower coupling protrusion can be inserted and positioned between the upper portion of the lower fastening leg and the lower end of the lower opening.

[0024] In some forms, the upper fastening legs provided at two locations above the upper opening may be integrally formed on the lower surface of the annular upper support rib, and the lower fastening legs provided at two locations below the lower opening may be integrally formed on the upper surface of the annular lower support rib. The upper support rib and the lower support rib may extend in an elliptical shape.

[0025] In other forms, the upper fusion structure may be provided at its upper end with an upper fusion plate having a plurality of fusion protrusions for fusing with the upper plate of the fuel tank, and the lower fusion structure may be provided at its lower end with a lower fusion plate having a plurality of fusion protrusions for fusing with the lower plate of the fuel tank.

[0026] Other aspects and exemplary forms of the disclosure are discussed below.

[0027] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger cars including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, ships including various watercraft, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more power sources, for example, a vehicle that is both gasoline-powered and electric.

[0028] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order that the present disclosure may be better understood, its various forms given by way of example will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional rigid reinforcement member installed in a fuel tank;

[0031] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an apparatus for reinforcing a fuel tank according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3 is an assembled perspective view showing an apparatus for reinforcing a fuel tank according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 4 is an upper cross-sectional view illustrating an apparatus for reinforcing a fuel tank in one form of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 5 is a lower cross-sectional view illustrating an apparatus for reinforcing a fuel tank in one form of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6 is a top view showing a reinforcement column according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 7is a bottom perspective view showing a lower structure of a reinforcement column according to one form of the present disclosure; and

[0037] Figures 8A to 8G 1 and 2 are partial views respectively illustrating grooves of a reinforcement column according to some forms of the present disclosure.

[0038] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0040] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and to some extent present a simplified representation of various features illustrating the basic principles of the present disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined by the specific intended application and use environment.

[0041] Hereinafter, reference will be made in detail to various forms of the present disclosure, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with exemplary forms, it should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the present disclosure to these exemplary forms. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover not only the exemplary forms, but also various modifications, adaptations, equivalents, and other forms included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0042] Figures 2 to 7 as well as Figures 8A to 8G An apparatus for reinforcing a vehicle fuel tank according to some forms of the present disclosure is shown, wherein reference numeral 100 represents a reinforcing column.

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the reinforcing column 100 may have a pipe structure having a circular cross section and a predetermined length, and have an upper opening 101 at an upper portion thereof and a lower opening 102 at a lower portion thereof.

[0044] The reinforcing column 100 includes upper fastening legs 105 for fastening to the upper fusion structure 200 and lower fastening legs 106 for fastening to the lower fusion structure 300. In the reinforcing column 100, the upper fastening legs 105 are provided at two locations above the upper opening 101, and the lower fastening legs 106 are provided at two locations below the lower opening 102.

[0045] The upper fastening legs 105 are supported by the upper leg supports 103 and provided at two locations above the upper opening 101 , and the lower fastening legs 106 are supported by the lower leg supports 104 and provided at two locations below the lower opening 102 .

[0046] The upper leg support 103 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the upper opening 101 and is provided below the upper fastening leg 105 , and the lower leg support 104 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the lower opening 102 and is provided above the upper fastening leg 106 .

[0047] An upper breaking rib 107 is provided between each upper fastening leg 105 and an associated one of the lower leg supports 103 , and a lower breaking rib 108 is provided between each lower fastening leg 106 and an associated one of the lower leg supports 104 .

[0048] The upper breaking rib 107 is integrally formed with the upper portion of the upper fastening leg 105 and the upper portion of the upper leg support 103 to connect between the upper fastening leg and the upper leg support. The lower breaking rib 108 is integrally formed with the lower portion of the lower fastening leg 106 and the lower portion of the lower leg support 104 to connect between the lower fastening leg and the lower leg support.

[0049] The upper breaking rib 107 is a portion that breaks when an excessive tensile force equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force threshold is applied to the upper fastening leg 105 via the upper coupling protrusion 201 of the upper fusion structure 200. The lower breaking rib 108 is a portion that breaks when an excessive tensile force equal to or greater than the predetermined tensile force threshold is applied to the lower fastening leg 106 via the lower coupling protrusion 301 of the lower fusion structure 300. When a large impact is applied to the fuel tank 10, such as in a vehicle collision, a tensile force equal to or greater than the predetermined tensile force threshold may be applied to the upper fastening leg 105 or the lower fastening leg 106.

[0050] The upper breaking rib 107 is formed thinner than the upper leg support 103 and the upper fastening leg 105, and the lower breaking rib 108 is formed thinner than the lower leg support 104 and the lower fastening leg 106. Each of the upper breaking rib 107 and the lower breaking rib 108 may have a rib shape thinner than the wall of the reinforcement column 100.

[0051] When excessive tensile force is applied to the reinforcing column 100 by the upper fusion structure 200 and the lower fusion structure 300 , the upper and lower breaking ribs 107 and 108 break while the upper and lower fastening legs 105 and 106 support the tensile force.

[0052] In order to cause the upper breaking ribs 107 and the lower breaking ribs 108 to break according to the direction of impact applied to the upper breaking ribs and the lower breaking ribs in the event of a vehicle collision, when the upper fastening legs 105 are set at two positions above the upper opening 101, the upper fastening legs can be set in the left and right directions of the vehicle, and when the lower fastening legs 106 are set at two positions below the lower opening 102, the lower fastening legs can be set in the forward and rearward directions of the vehicle.

[0053] That is, the upper fastening legs 105 provided at two locations above the upper opening 101 can be provided in the left and right directions of the vehicle, and the lower fastening legs 106 provided at two locations below the lower opening 102 can be provided in the forward and rearward directions of the vehicle. Thus, the arrangement direction of the upper fastening legs 105 and the arrangement direction of the lower fastening legs 106 can be perpendicular to each other.

[0054] refer to Figure 4 , each upper fastening leg 105 is inclined diagonally above the upper opening 101. Thus, the upper portion of the upper fastening leg 105 is positioned above the associated upper leg support 103, and the lower portion of the upper fastening leg 105 is positioned a predetermined distance above the upper opening 101.

[0055] refer to Figure 5 , each lower fastening leg 106 is inclined diagonally below the lower opening 102. Thus, the lower portion of the lower fastening leg 106 is positioned below the associated lower leg support 104, and the upper portion of the lower fastening leg 106 is positioned a predetermined distance below the lower opening 102.

[0056] In a state where the upper fastening legs 105 are provided at two positions above the upper opening 101, the upper fastening legs 105 may be interconnected into a whole by the upper support rib 109. The upper support rib 109 may have an annular shape, and the upper fastening legs 105 may be integrally formed at both sides on the lower surface of the annular upper support rib 109.

[0057] In a state where the lower fastening legs 106 are provided at two locations below the lower opening 102, the lower fastening legs 106 may be interconnected integrally by the lower support rib 110. The lower support rib 110 may have an annular shape, and the lower fastening legs 106 may be integrally formed at both sides on an upper surface of the annular lower support rib 110.

[0058] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 7The upper support rib 109 can be extended in an elliptical shape to allow the upper fastening legs 105 to undergo more stable elastic deformation and normal behavior (operation) when the reinforcing column 100 and the upper fusion structure 200 are assembled with each other. In this exemplary form, the pair of upper fastening legs 105 are provided at two locations above the upper opening 101 in the main axis direction of the upper support rib 109.

[0059] Likewise, reference Figure 6 The lower support rib 110 can be extended in an elliptical shape to allow the lower fastening legs 106 to undergo more stable elastic deformation and normal behavior (operation) when the reinforcing column 100 and the lower fusion structure 300 are assembled with each other. In this form, the pair of lower fastening legs 106 are provided at two positions below the lower opening 102 in the main axis direction of the lower support rib 110.

[0060] The pair of upper fastening legs 105 are integrally interconnected and supported by the upper support rib 109 so that when the reinforcement column 100 and the upper fusion structure 200 are assembled with each other, the pair of upper fastening legs 105 are more stably fastened to the upper coupling protrusion 201 .

[0061] Likewise, the pair of lower fastening legs 106 are integrally interconnected and supported by the lower support rib 110 , so that when the reinforcement column 100 and the lower fusion structure 300 are assembled with each other, the pair of lower fastening legs 106 are more stably fastened to the lower coupling protrusion 301 .

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the upper fusion structure 200 may have a tube structure having a circular cross section and a predetermined length, and may have an upper coupling protrusion 201 protruding from an outer peripheral surface thereof. The upper coupling protrusion 201 may extend in a circumferential direction of the upper opening 101.

[0063] With the lower portion of the upper fusion structure 200 inserted into the upper opening 101 and the upper coupling protrusion 201 locked and fastened to the lower portion of the upper fastening leg 105 , the upper surface of the upper fusion structure 200 is fused and fixed to the inner surface of the upper plate 11 of the fuel tank 10 .

[0064] When the lower portion of the upper fusion structure 200 is inserted into the upper opening 101, the upper coupling protrusion 201 elastically deforms the upper fastening leg 105 while pushing the lower portion of the upper fastening leg 105 out of the reinforcing column 100. When the upper coupling protrusion 201 passes through the upper fastening leg 105, the lower portion of the upper fastening leg 105 moves over the upper end of the upper coupling protrusion 201 while the upper fastening leg 105 returns to its original shape, so that the upper fastening leg 105 returns to a position above the upper opening 101.

[0065] When the upper fusion structure 200 is completely assembled to the reinforcement column 100 , the upper coupling protrusion 201 is inserted and locked between the lower portion of the upper fastening leg 105 and the upper end of the upper opening 101 .

[0066] For reference, the lower fusion structure 300 may have the same shape and structure as the upper fusion structure 200 .

[0067] The lower fusion structure 300 may have a tube structure having a circular cross section and a predetermined length, and may have a lower coupling protrusion 301 protruding from an outer peripheral surface thereof. The lower coupling protrusion 301 may extend in a circumferential direction of the lower opening 102 .

[0068] With the upper portion of the lower fusion structure 300 inserted into the lower opening 102 and the lower coupling protrusions 301 locked and fastened to the upper portions of the lower fastening legs 106 , the lower surface of the lower fusion structure 300 is fused and fixed to the inner surface of the lower panel 12 of the fuel tank 10 .

[0069] When the upper portion of the lower fusion structure 300 is inserted into the lower opening 102, the lower coupling protrusion 301 elastically deforms the lower fastening leg 106, and the upper portion of the lower fastening leg 106 is pushed out of the reinforcing column 100. When the lower coupling protrusion 301 passes through the lower fastening leg 106, the upper portion of the lower fastening leg 106 moves under the lower end of the lower coupling protrusion 301, and the lower fastening leg 106 returns to its original shape, so that the lower fastening leg 106 returns to the position below the lower opening 102.

[0070] When the lower fusion structure 300 is fully assembled to the reinforcement column 100 , the lower coupling protrusion 301 is inserted and locked between the upper portion of the lower fastening leg 106 and the lower end of the lower opening 102 .

[0071] The upper fusion structure 200 is coupled to the upper opening 101 via the upper coupling protrusion 201 engaged with the upper fastening leg 105 to carry and support the tensile and compressive forces transmitted through the fuel tank 10 and less than a threshold value. The lower fusion structure 300 is coupled to the lower opening 102 via the lower coupling protrusion 301 engaged with the lower fastening leg 106 to carry and support the tensile and compressive forces transmitted through the fuel tank 10 and less than a threshold value (e.g., tensile force threshold, compressive force threshold).

[0072] Specifically, the upper fusion structure 200 supports tensile force by locking the upper coupling protrusion 201 to the lower portion of the upper fastening leg 105, and supports compressive force by locking the upper coupling protrusion 201 to the upper end of the upper opening 101. The lower fusion structure 300 supports tensile force by locking the lower coupling protrusion 301 to the upper portion of the lower fastening leg 106, and supports compressive force by locking the lower coupling protrusion 301 to the lower end of the lower opening 102.

[0073] The upper fusion structure 200 may be integrally provided at an upper end thereof with an upper fusion plate 202 having a plurality of fusion protrusions 202 a for fusion with the upper plate 11 of the fuel tank 10 .

[0074] Likewise, the lower fusion structure 300 may be integrally provided at a lower end thereof with a lower fusion plate 302 having a plurality of fusion protrusions 302 a for fusion with the lower plate 12 of the fuel tank 10 .

[0075] The fusion protrusions 202a and 302a can improve the fusion strength between the upper and lower fusion structures 200 and 300 and the fuel tank 10. Each of the fusion protrusions 202a and 302a may have various shapes such as a dot shape, a straight line shape, and an arc shape.

[0076] After forming the fusion protrusions 202 a on the upper surface of the upper fusion plate 202 relative to the inner surface of the upper plate 11 , the upper fusion plate 202 may be fused to the inner surface of the upper plate 11 of the fuel tank 10 by thermal fusion, ultrasonic fusion, or the like.

[0077] Likewise, after forming the fusion protrusions 302 a on the lower surface of the lower fusion plate 302 relative to the inner surface of the lower plate 12 , the lower fusion plate 302 may be fused to the inner surface of the lower plate 12 of the fuel tank 10 by thermal fusion, ultrasonic fusion, or the like.

[0078] Accordingly, the upper fusion structure 200 including the upper fusion panel 202 and the lower fusion structure 300 including the lower fusion panel 302 may be made of the same plastic material as the fuel tank 10 , such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0079] Therefore, the upper fusion structure 200 is fused to the upper plate 11 of the fuel tank 10 and the lower fusion structure 300 is fused to the lower plate 12 of the fuel tank 10 to be integrated with each other.

[0080] Thus, even if an external force applied to the fuel tank 10 acts as a compressive force on the upper fusion structure 200 and the lower fusion structure 300, the upper coupling protrusion 201 is supported by the upper end of the upper opening 101 and the lower coupling protrusion 301 is supported by the lower end of the lower opening 102. Furthermore, even if an external force applied to the fuel tank 10 acts as a tensile force on the upper fusion structure 200 and the lower fusion structure 300, the upper coupling protrusion 201 is supported by the lower portion of the upper fastening leg 105 and the lower coupling protrusion 301 is supported by the upper portion of the lower fastening leg 106. As a result, the reinforcement column 100 carries a load smaller than a threshold value (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 and Figure 5 ).

[0081] Therefore, the reinforcement column 100 serves to support the rigidity of the fuel tank 10 to prevent the fuel tank 10 from being deformed even when an external force is applied to the fuel tank 10 .

[0082] Meanwhile, the reinforcing column 100 may be made of a material such as polyoxymethylen (POM). Figures 2 to 5 As shown in FIG, at least one breakable portion 111 is provided between the upper leg support 103 and the lower leg support 104.

[0083] When a plurality of easily breakable portions 111 are formed in the reinforcement column 100 , the easily breakable portions 111 may be vertically arranged.

[0084] When a large impact such as in the case of a vehicle collision is transmitted to the reinforcement pillar 100 through the fuel tank 10 , each easily breakable portion 111 may break due to an excessive compressive force (compressive load) acting on the reinforcement pillar 100 .

[0085] The easily breakable portion 111 may be a portion formed to reduce the radial thickness of the reinforcing column 100 so that the reinforcing column 100 breaks due to a compressive load equal to or greater than a compressive load threshold. The easily breakable portion 111 may be a portion in which the thickness of the reinforcing column 100 is reduced by a groove 112 formed in the reinforcing column 100.

[0086] The easily breakable portion 111 may extend in the circumferential direction of the reinforcement column 100. The easily breakable portion 111 may be divided into an upper easily breakable portion 111a provided at the upper portion of the reinforcement column 100 and a lower easily breakable portion 111b provided at the lower portion of the reinforcement column 100 based on the vertical center of the reinforcement column 100.

[0087] The upper breakable portion 111 a may be disposed below the upper leg support 103 , and the lower breakable portion 111 b may be disposed above the lower leg support 104 .

[0088] When a compressive force equal to or greater than a compressive force threshold value is applied to the reinforcing column 100 , the upper and lower easy-to-break portions 111 a and 111 b having relatively thin thicknesses are broken due to stress concentrated thereon.

[0089] like Figures 8A to 8G As shown in FIG, groove 112 may be formed as a depression on the inner or outer surface of reinforcing column 100. Alternatively, groove 112 may be formed on both the inner and outer surfaces of reinforcing column 100. Groove 112 may have any shape as long as it can reduce the cross-sectional area of ​​easily breakable portion 111. For example, groove 112 may have a notched, semicircular, or square cross-section.

[0090] When a large impact (i.e., an impact greater than an impact threshold) is applied to the closed fuel tank 10, such as in a vehicle collision, the impact can be transmitted to the reinforcement column 100 while the fuel tank 10 is deformed. When the impact caused by the deformation of the fuel tank 10 is transmitted to the upper fusion structure 200 or the lower fusion structure 300, which are integrally formed with the fuel tank 10, the upper fusion structure 200 and the lower fusion structure 300 may separate from each other when the upper breakable ribs 107 and the lower breakable ribs 108 are broken due to the impact, or the vertically standing state of the reinforcement column 100 may collapse when the upper easy-to-break portion 111a or the lower easy-to-break portion 111b is broken. As a result, the upper fusion structure 200 and the lower fusion structure 300 may remain fused to the corresponding upper plate 11 and lower plate 12 of the fuel tank 10.

[0091] In other words, the apparatus for reinforcing a fuel tank according to the present disclosure is used to prevent the fuel tank 10 from being deformed even if the internal pressure of the fuel tank 10 increases, and to maintain the fusion between the fusion structures 200 and 300a and the fuel tank 10 by breaking the fastening portion between the reinforcing column 100 and the fusion structures 200 and 300a or by breaking the reinforcing column 100 when a large impact such as in a vehicle collision is applied to the fuel tank 10, thereby easily preventing oil leakage due to rupture of the fused portion of the fuel tank in the related art.

[0092] According to exemplary forms, the present disclosure provides the following effects.

[0093] First, in a state where the fuel tank is at a positive pressure and the engine negative pressure acts on the fuel tank, the rigidity of the reinforcement column can be maintained, thereby preventing the fuel tank from being deformed.

[0094] Secondly, even if an impact (bursting pressure) such as in the event of a vehicle collision is applied to the fuel tank and the reinforcing column, the impact can be absorbed by the reinforcing column while causing the reinforcing column to separate from the upper plate and the lower plate of the fuel tank, and at the same time, the upper fusion structure and the lower fusion structure of the reinforcing column fused to the upper plate and the lower plate of the fuel tank are maintained.

[0095] Third, because the upper and lower fusion structures of the reinforcing pillar remain fused to the upper and lower plates of the fuel tank under conditions (rupture pressure) applied thereto such as in a vehicle collision situation, oil leakage due to rupture of the fusion portion of the fuel tank can be easily prevented.

[0096] The present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to its exemplary forms. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes can be made to these forms without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A device for strengthening a vehicle fuel tank, comprising: A reinforcing column, comprising: an upper portion, forming an upper opening; the lower portion, forming a lower opening; an upper fastening leg disposed above the upper opening; and a lower fastening leg disposed below the lower opening; an upper fusion structure having an upper coupling protrusion on an outer peripheral surface thereof, wherein an upper surface of the upper fusion structure is fused to an inner surface of an upper plate of a fuel tank in a state in which a lower portion of the upper fusion structure is inserted into the upper opening and the upper coupling protrusion is locked and fastened to the upper fastening leg; a lower fusion structure having a lower coupling protrusion on an outer peripheral surface thereof, wherein a lower surface of the lower fusion structure is coupled to an inner surface of a lower panel of the fuel tank in a state in which an upper portion of the lower fusion structure is inserted into the lower opening and the lower coupling protrusion is locked and fastened to the lower fastening leg; and at least one easily breakable portion formed in the reinforcement column to cause the reinforcement column to break when an impact is applied to the reinforcement column and the impact is equal to or greater than an impact threshold, wherein the reinforcement column further comprises: an upper leg support formed on an outer peripheral surface of the upper opening to support the upper fastening leg; and A lower leg support is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the lower opening to support the lower fastening leg.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: an upper breaking rib integrally formed with the upper fastening leg and the upper leg support, and the upper breaking rib is disposed between the upper fastening leg and the upper leg support; and When a tensile force applied by the upper coupling protrusion is equal to or greater than a tensile force threshold, the upper breaking rib is broken due to the tensile force.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The upper fastening leg is inclined diagonally above the upper opening; The upper portion of the upper fastening leg is connected to the upper leg support through the upper breaking rib; a lower portion of the upper fastening leg being positioned a predetermined distance above an upper end of the upper opening; and The upper coupling protrusion is inserted into and positioned between a lower portion of the upper fastening leg and an upper end of the upper opening.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The at least one breakable portion is provided between the upper leg support and the lower leg support, and the at least one breakable portion breaks due to a compression force applied by a vehicle collision and the compression force is equal to or greater than a compression threshold.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein The at least one breakable portion is a groove formed in a portion where a radial thickness of the reinforcing column is reduced.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein The groove forms a depression on the inner surface or the outer surface of the reinforcement column.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The groove forms a depression on both the inner surface and the outer surface of the reinforcement column.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A lower breaking rib is integrally formed with the lower fastening leg and the lower leg support, and the lower breaking rib is provided between the lower fastening leg and the lower leg support, and when a tensile force applied by the lower coupling protrusion is equal to or greater than a tensile force threshold, the lower breaking rib is broken by the tensile force.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: The lower fastening leg is inclined diagonally below the lower opening; The lower portion of the lower fastening leg is connected to the lower leg support through the lower breaking rib; an upper portion of the lower fastening leg being positioned a predetermined distance below a lower end of the lower opening; and The lower coupling protrusion is inserted into and positioned between an upper portion of the lower fastening leg and a lower end of the lower opening.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The upper fastening leg provided above the upper opening is integrally formed on a lower surface of an upper support rib having an annular shape; and The lower fastening leg disposed below the lower opening is integrally formed on an upper surface of a lower support rib having a ring shape.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein The upper support rib and the lower support rib extend in an elliptical shape.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: An upper fusion plate is provided at the upper end of the upper fusion structure, wherein the upper fusion plate has a plurality of fusion protrusions for fusing with the upper plate of the fuel tank; and A lower fusion plate is provided at a lower end of the lower fusion structure. The lower fusion plate has a plurality of fusion protrusions for being fused with the lower plate of the fuel tank.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The upper coupling protrusion extends in a circumferential direction of the upper opening, and the lower coupling protrusion extends in a circumferential direction of the lower opening.

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