Fuel tank and vehicle including the fuel tank

Abstract

A fuel tank according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a first recessed member, which is recessed on one side of the first recessed member to form a receiving space, is open at the other side of the first recessed member, and has a first flange portion formed on the open side of the first recessed member, the first flange portion is bent to partially cover the receiving space; and a second recessed member, which is connected to the first recessed member on the other side of the first recessed member to form a sealed closed space, the second recessed member is open on one side of the second recessed member, has a second flange portion on the open side of the second recessed member, and is recessed on the other side of the second recessed member to form the receiving space, the second flange portion is bent to partially cover the receiving space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel tank and a vehicle including a fuel tank. Background Art

[0002] As production of eco-friendly vehicles for reducing vehicle exhaust gas expands, development and distribution of plug-in hybrid vehicles are expanding.

[0003] A plug-in hybrid vehicle can simultaneously use the engine power of an internal combustion engine vehicle according to the related art and the motor power of an electric vehicle to achieve both vehicle power and high fuel efficiency.

[0004] When a plug-in hybrid vehicle travels long distances in electric-only mode, the internal combustion engine is not used, so that the utilization of the fuel tank can be reduced.

[0005] In this case, the pressure inside the fuel tank increases by about 2 to 3 times compared to the related art fuel tank due to evaporation of the fuel inside the fuel tank. Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel tank having enhanced rigidity to prevent damage to the fuel tank caused by pressure increase due to evaporation of fuel inside the fuel tank, and a vehicle including the fuel tank.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel tank that reduces expansion force generated by a pressure increase caused by evaporation of fuel inside the fuel tank, and a vehicle including the fuel tank.

[0009] Problem Solution

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel tank includes a first recessed member and a second recessed member, the second recessed member being arranged opposite to the other side of the first recessed member. The first recessed member is recessed on one side of the first recessed member to form a receiving space and is open on the other side of the first recessed member, and the first recessed member includes a first flange portion that is bent to cover a portion of the receiving space. The second recessed member is recessed on one side of the second recessed member to form a receiving space and is open on the other side of the second recessed member, and the second recessed member includes a second flange portion that is bent to cover a portion of the receiving space.

[0011] The first flange portion and the second flange portion of the fuel tank according to the embodiment may overlap each other, and the overlapping portions of the first flange and the second flange may be welded to be fixed.

[0012] Each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion of the fuel tank according to the embodiment may have a through hole formed therein, through which fuel passes.

[0013] The fuel tank according to the embodiment may be provided in the form of a tube, and may include a central member having one end portion and another end portion, the other side portion of the first recessed member being coupled to the one end portion, and the other side portion of the second recessed member being coupled to the other end portion to form a hermetically closed space.

[0014] The center member of the fuel tank according to the embodiment may have a supporting groove portion formed therein along a length direction.

[0015] The center member of the fuel tank according to the embodiment may be coupled to the first female member in the circumferential direction of one end portion by arc welding, and coupled to the second female member in the circumferential direction of the other end portion by arc welding.

[0016] The fuel tank according to the embodiment may include a buffer unit which penetrates and connects the first flange portion and the second flange portion. The buffer unit may maintain a gap between the first flange portion and the second flange portion connected to each other via the central member with an elastic force.

[0017] For example, according to an embodiment, the buffer unit of the fuel tank may include: a support rod, which penetrates a through hole formed in each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion; a first stepped bolt, which is connected to one end portion of the support rod; a first spring, which is arranged between the first stepped bolt and the first flange portion; a second stepped bolt, which is connected to the other end portion of the support rod; and a second spring, which is arranged between the second stepped bolt and the second flange portion.

[0018] In addition, according to an embodiment, the buffer unit of the fuel tank may include: a first stop protrusion connected to the support rod, the first stop protrusion is arranged adjacent to the first flange portion and is arranged in a more inner position of the central member than the first flange portion; and a second stop protrusion connected to the support rod, the second stop protrusion is arranged adjacent to the second flange portion and is arranged in a more inner position of the central member than the second flange portion.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes: the above-mentioned fuel tank; a drive engine configured to generate a driving force with the fuel stored in the fuel tank; and a vehicle body frame in which the fuel tank and the drive engine are mounted, the vehicle body frame being provided with a wheel member connected to the drive engine to receive the driving force.

[0020] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0021] As described above, according to example embodiments, a fuel tank and a vehicle including the fuel tank may enhance rigidity to prevent damage to the fuel tank caused by a pressure increase due to evaporation of fuel inside the fuel tank.

[0022] In another aspect, a fuel tank and a vehicle including the fuel tank can reduce expansion force generated by a pressure increase caused by evaporation of fuel inside the fuel tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a fuel tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a process of manufacturing a first female member of a fuel tank according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a center member of a fuel tank according to an example embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a center member including a fuel tank according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a process of manufacturing a center member of a fuel tank according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a buffer unit including a fuel tank according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 7 is a view illustrating the result of simulation on the fuel tank according to the embodiment.

[0030] Figure 8 A vehicle including a fuel tank according to an embodiment is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be modified into various other forms, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided to more completely explain the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the accompanying drawings, the shapes and sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0032] Furthermore, in the present specification, it should be understood that a singular expression includes a plural expression unless clearly defined otherwise in the context, and that the same reference numerals or reference numerals given in a similar manner throughout the specification refer to the same element or corresponding elements.

[0033] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a fuel tank 1 according to an embodiment, and Figure 2 1 is a perspective view illustrating a process of manufacturing the first female member 10 of the fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment.

[0034] The fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment may include a first female member 10 and a second female member 20 .

[0035] The first female member 10 may be recessed on one side thereof to form a receiving space and may be open on the other side thereof. The first female member 10 may include a first flange portion 11 bent to cover the receiving space.

[0036] The second female member 20 may be arranged opposite to the other side of the first female member 10. The second female member 20 may be recessed on one side thereof to form a receiving space and may be open on the other side thereof. The second female member 20 may include a second flange portion 21 that is bent to cover the receiving space.

[0037] In the fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment, the first recessed member 10 including the first flange portion 11 and the second recessed member 20 including the second flange portion 21 can be connected to each other so that the receiving space of the first receiving member 10 and the receiving space of the second receiving member 20 can be combined to form a sealed closed space S.

[0038] Therefore, it is possible to ensure rigidity to prevent damage caused by a pressure increase due to evaporation of the fuel inside the fuel tank 1 .

[0039] As an example, one side of each of the first and second recessed members 10 and 20 may be recessed to form a receiving space, and the other side of each may have an open can shape. For example, one end portion of each of the first and second recessed members 10 and 20 may be closed, and the other end of each may have an open can shape, and the first and second recessed members 10 and 20 may be arranged so that a sealed closed space S is formed by coupling the other end portions having a can shape and open to each other. A flange shape may be added to the other end portion of the can shape to enhance rigidity.

[0040] In particular, a portion remaining during the formation of the first female member 10 or the second female member 20 may be formed as the first flange portion 11 or the second flange portion 21 to improve the usage rate of the material and secure the target rigidity.

[0041] Hereinafter, a process of forming the first female member 10 or the second female member 20 will be described. Figure 2 As shown in (a), the receiving space for receiving the fuel can be formed by a drawing process with a blank material. In this case, in addition to the portion forming the receiving space, the remaining portion for fixing the blank material can also be formed. Figure 2 As shown in (b), the portion remaining after the receiving space is formed may be subjected to a trimming process to form the first flange portion 11 or the second flange portion 21. Figure 2 (c) and Figure 2 As shown in (d), a bending process may be performed such that the first flange portion or the second flange portion is bent to cover a portion of the receiving space. Figure 2 As illustrated in (e), a welding process may be performed so that an overlapping portion of the bent first flange portion 11 or an overlapping portion of the bent second flange portion 21 is fixed by welding to improve rigidity.

[0042] As described above, the first female member 10 and the second female member 20 may be coupled to each other to form a hermetically closed space S, thereby providing the fuel tank 1 that may accommodate fuel.

[0043] In this case, the first and second female members 10 and 20 may be directly coupled to each other to form an internally hermetically closed space S, or a central member 30 may be provided between the female member 10 and the second female member 20 to expand the internally hermetically closed space S. Figures 3 to 7 An embodiment including the central member 30 is described.

[0044] The first flange portion 11 and the second flange portion 21 of the fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment may be bent into the receiving space, and overlapping portions of the first flange portion 11 and the second flange portion 21 may be welded to be fixed.

[0045] The process of welding the overlapping parts may be a spot welding process, or an arc welding process using a welding material.

[0046] Furthermore, a through hole “h” may be formed in each of the first flange portion 11 and the second flange portion 21 of the fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment.

[0047] The through hole "h" allows the fuel inside the fuel tank 1 to flow.

[0048] In the through hole (h), a support rod 41 of a buffer unit 40 to be described later may be arranged to buffer the pressure increase inside the fuel tank 1. Figure 6 A detailed description thereof is given.

[0049] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a center member 30 of a fuel tank 1 according to an example embodiment, Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which the fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment includes a center member 30, Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a process of manufacturing the central member 30 according to the embodiment, and Figure 7 : is a diagram illustrating the result of simulation performed on the fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment.

[0050] The fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment is provided in the form of a tube and may include a central member 30 having one end portion and another end portion, the other side portion of the first recessed member 10 being coupled to the one end portion, and the other side portion of the second recessed member 20 being coupled to the other end portion to form a sealed closed space S.

[0051] The center member 30 is further provided between the first female member 10 and the second female member 20 to expand the hermetically closed space S of the fuel tank 1 .

[0052] For example, the central member 30 may be provided in the form of a tube having opposite open end portions, one of which may be coupled to the first female member 10, and the other of which may be coupled to the second female member 20, so that the three members may cooperate to form a sealed closed space S.

[0053] Hereinafter, the process of forming the central member 30 will be described. Figure 5As shown in (a), a stamping process may be performed to form a support recess portion 31 in the blank material. Figure 5 As shown in (b), a bending process may be performed to form the blank material in which the support groove portion 31 and the like are formed into a tube form. Figure 5 As illustrated in (c), a welding process may be performed to form the central member 30 so that the form of a tube may be maintained.

[0054] The opposite end portions of the central member 30 may be coupled to the first and second female members 10 and 20 by welding. In this case, the central member 30 may be coupled to the first and second female members 10 and 20 by arc welding using a welding material.

[0055] Arc welding may be performed, for example, by metal inert gas (MIG) welding, CO2 welding, metal active gas (MAG) welding, etc. Arc welding may be a method in which an arc is generated between a welding material (filler metal), a consumable wire supplied at a constant speed, and a base material, and the welding material is melted by arc heat to form a weld bead.

[0056] In this case, a protective gas to prevent foreign matter penetration may be supplied together so that air can be blocked to protect the arc and the melted portion. As the protective gas, an inert gas such as argon (AR), carbon dioxide gas, or a mixed gas thereof may be used.

[0057] Since coupling of the central member 30 with the first and second female members 10 and 20 is performed in the end portions of the central member 30 , stress concentration can be prevented when the weld portion W is formed by arc welding and a tighter weld coupling can be achieved.

[0058] For example, when welding is not performed on the end portion, stress may be concentrated in a portion of the base material where the weld portion W is formed, thereby increasing problems such as cracking. However, since the weld portion W is formed by the welded portion between the end portion of the central member 30 and the first and second female members 10 and 20, problems such as stress concentration can be alleviated.

[0059] The fuel tank 1 according to the related art may perform butt welding on the flange portions extending outward from the upper member and the lower member. A portion formed with the welding portion may be a middle point of the member, rather than an end portion of the member. Therefore, stress may be concentrated in the middle portion where the flange portion of the upper member and the flange portion of the lower member overlap each other, thereby causing problems such as cracking of the welding portion W. However, according to an embodiment, the welding portion W may be formed in the end portion of the central member 30, so that stress concentration in the welding portion W can be prevented.

[0060] Figure 7 The simulation results are illustrated, which are based on the maximum displacement value required in the fuel tank 1 and the count of the number of repetitions of applying the positive and negative pressures, and which confirm that the maximum displacement value and the count are satisfied.

[0061] As experimental conditions, a positive pressure of 0.35 bar and a negative pressure of -0.16 bar were applied, and the first repetition was set to 0 bar → 0.35 bar → 0 bar → -0.16 bar → 0 bar. In addition, the maximum displacement value, ie, the reference value, was 10 mm, and the reference repetition count was a value greater than 12,000.

[0062] The maximum displacement value of the fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment is 7.1 mm, satisfying the reference value, and the repetition number count is 15445, satisfying the reference value.

[0063] According to the simulation, it can be confirmed that the portion to which the maximum stress is applied is the bonding portion of the first female member 10 or the second female member 20 and the central member 30. It can also be confirmed that in this case, the maximum stress is about 523 MPa.

[0064] Therefore, a buffer unit 40 to be described later may be provided to alleviate such stress concentration. Figure 6 A detailed description thereof is given.

[0065] The fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment can satisfy the noise condition depending on the sloshing.

[0066] Under the noise condition, the fuel tank 1 was decelerated at an initial speed of 8 km / h and -0.2 g (where g is the gravitational acceleration), and the noise to be determined from a position 30 cm away from the front was measured when the fuel tank 1 was stopped. The reference noise level when the fuel tank 1 was stopped was 65 dB or less.

[0067] It was confirmed that a value of 57.8 dB lower than the existing noise level was obtained in the fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment.

[0068] A support groove portion 31 may be formed in the center member 30 of the fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment in the length direction. The support groove portion 31 may further improve the rigidity of the fuel tank 1.

[0069] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which the fuel tank 1 includes the buffer unit 40. The buffer unit 40 may penetrate the first and second flange portions 11 and 21, and may allow the first and second female members 10 and 2 to maintain elastic force.

[0070] Therefore, stress concentration in a coupling portion of the first female member 10 or the second female member 20 and the central member 30 may be alleviated.

[0071] In other words, the following phenomenon can be alleviated to relieve stress concentration in the connection portion of the central member 30 and the first recessed member 10 or the second recessed member 20: the first recessed member 10 and the second recessed member 20 respectively connected to the opposite end portions of the central member 30 move away from each other due to the increase in pressure inside the fuel tank 1.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the buffer unit 40 may include: a support rod 41, which is configured to penetrate a through hole "h" formed in each of the first flange portion 11 and the second flange portion 21; a first stepped bolt 42, which is connected to one end portion of the support rod 41; a first spring 43, which is arranged between the first stepped bolt 42 and the first flange portion 11; a second stepped bolt 44, which is connected to the other end portion of the support rod 41; and a second spring 45, which is arranged between the second stepped bolt 44 and the second flange portion 21.

[0073] The support rod 41 may couple the first and second female members 10 and 20 to each other, and may be disposed to penetrate a through hole “h” of each of the first and second female members 10 and 20 .

[0074] The first spring 43 and the second spring 45 may be connected to the support rod 41 disposed between the first female member 10 and the second female member 20 to elastically connect the first female member 10 and the second female member 20 to each other.

[0075] For example, the first spring 43 may be disposed between the first stepped bolt 42 and the first flange portion 11 so as to be configured so that the first flange portion 11 may have an elastic force toward the second female member 20 .

[0076] Furthermore, the second spring 45 may be disposed between the second stepped bolt 44 and the second flange portion 21 so as to be configured such that the second flange portion 21 may have an elastic force toward the first female member 10 .

[0077] Therefore, when the pressure inside the fuel tank 1 increases, the first female member 10 and the second female member 20 can be prevented from being separated from each other. In addition, tensile stress can be prevented from being concentrated in the welding portion W for coupling between the first female member 10 or the second female member 20 and the center member 30.

[0078] The buffer unit 40 may further include a first stopper protrusion 46 and a second stopper protrusion 47 to prevent compressive stress from being concentrated between the central member 30 and the first female member 10 or the second female member 20 .

[0079] For example, the buffer unit 40 of the fuel tank 1 according to the embodiment may include: a first stop protrusion 46 connected to the support rod 41, the first stop protrusion 46 is arranged to be adjacent to the first flange portion 11 and arranged in a more inner position of the central member 30 than the first flange portion 11; and a second stop protrusion 47 connected to the support rod 41, the second stop protrusion 47 is arranged to be adjacent to the second flange portion 21 and arranged in a more inner position of the central member 30 than the second flange portion 21.

[0080] The first and second stopper protrusions 46 and 47 may compensate for tensile stress caused by an increase in the internal pressure of the fuel tank 1 in a coupling portion between the center member 30 and the first or second female member 10 , 20 .

[0081] For example, when no additional pressure change occurs in the sealed closed space S of the fuel tank 1, the first stop protrusion 46 can be arranged inside the central member 30 from the first flange portion 11 in the direction toward the central portion of the central member 30, and further, the second stop protrusion 47 can be arranged inside the central member 30 from the second flange portion 21 in the direction toward the central portion of the central member 30, so as to be configured to compensate for the tensile stress in the state where the pressure inside the fuel tank 1 is increased.

[0082] Figure 8 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including a fuel tank 1 according to an embodiment. The vehicle according to the embodiment may include: the fuel tank 1; a drive engine configured to generate a drive force with the fuel stored in the fuel tank 1; and a vehicle body frame 3 in which the fuel tank 1 and the drive engine 2 are mounted, and the vehicle body frame 3 is provided with a wheel member 4 connected to the drive engine 2 to receive the drive force.

[0083] As described above, the vehicle according to the embodiment can include the above-mentioned fuel tank 1, so that the rigidity can be enhanced to prevent the fuel tank 1 from being damaged by evaporation of the fuel inside the fuel tank 1, and on the other hand, the expansion force generated by the pressure increase caused by the evaporation of the fuel inside the fuel tank 1 can be reduced.

[0084] The driving engine 2 may be a driving engine 2 using some liquid fuel such as a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, etc., which may provide driving force to the wheel member 4, and the vehicle body frame 3 may include all frames constituting the vehicle, including a bottom frame, a side frame, etc.

[0085] While example embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fuel tank, comprising: a first recessed member; as well as a second female member disposed opposite to the other side of the first female member, wherein the first recessed member is recessed on one side of the first recessed member to form a receiving space, The first female member is open on the other side of the first female member, and the first female member includes a first flange portion that is bent to cover a portion of the receiving space, The second female member is recessed on one side of the second female member to form a receiving space, and The second female member is open on the other side of the second female member, and the second female member includes a second flange portion bent to cover a portion of the receiving space, Wherein, each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion has a through hole formed therein, through which fuel passes.

2. The fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein: The first flange portion and the second flange portion overlap each other, and overlapping portions of the first flange portion and the second flange portion are welded to be fixed.

3. The fuel tank according to claim 1, comprising: A central member having one end portion and another end portion, the other side portion of the first female member being coupled to the one end portion, and the other side portion of the second female member being coupled to the other end portion to form a hermetically closed space.

4. The fuel tank according to claim 3, wherein: The center member has a support groove portion formed therein along a length direction.

5. The fuel tank according to claim 3, wherein: The center member is coupled to the first and second female members by arc welding.

6. The fuel tank according to claim 3, comprising: A buffer unit penetrates the first flange portion and the second flange portion and maintains a gap between the first female member and the second female member with an elastic force.

7. The fuel tank according to claim 6, wherein: The buffer unit comprises: a support rod penetrating a through hole formed in each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion; a first stepped bolt coupled to one end portion of the support rod; a first spring disposed between the first stepped bolt and the first flange portion; a second stepped bolt coupled to the other end portion of the support rod; and A second spring is disposed between the second stepped bolt and the second flange portion.

8. The fuel tank according to claim 7, wherein: The buffer unit comprises: a first stopper protrusion coupled to the support rod, the first stopper protrusion being disposed adjacent to the first flange portion and arranged in a more inner position of the central member than the first flange portion; and A second stop protrusion coupled to the support rod is disposed adjacent to the second flange portion and arranged in a more inner position of the central member than the second flange portion.

9. A vehicle comprising: A fuel tank according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a drive engine configured to generate a drive force with the fuel stored in the fuel tank; as well as A vehicle body frame in which the fuel tank and the driving engine are mounted is provided with a wheel member connected to the driving engine to receive the driving force.

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