Installation element for a fuel tank to reduce sloshing motion and fuel tank for a motor vehicle with such an installation element

Abstract

Installation element (2) for a fuel tank (1) for reducing sloshing motion in the fuel tank (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a sloshing element (4), wherein the sloshing element (4) is fixed to a fuel pump (5) and / or a cap (6) of the fuel tank (1), characterized in that the installation element (2) has two areas, namely the sloshing element (4) and a fixing part (3) formed integrally with the sloshing element (4), wherein the fixing part (3) is designed for a form-fit and / or force-fit arrangement on the fuel pump (5) and / or the cap (6) of the fuel tank (1) without fasteners.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a component for reducing sloshing motion in a fuel tank of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a fuel tank for a motor vehicle.

[0002] The movement of a motor vehicle causes the fuel in the tank to be in constant motion, and this movement, particularly during acceleration and braking, can lead to noises that are perceived as disturbing. While it is known to incorporate components in such fuel tanks to dampen these movements, these components are relatively small compared to the tank's cross-sectional area. As a result, the majority of the tank's cross-sectional area remains unobstructed, and thus, sloshing motions within the tank in the direction of travel, for example during braking, are not significantly dampened.Consequently, the kinetic energy inherent in the moving fuel, upon a more or less unbraked, essentially perpendicular impact with the tank wall, is converted into sound energy, particularly in those areas where the fuel cannot deflect or can only deflect to a limited extent upon impact. These include, for example, corner areas or other areas enclosed on multiple sides. Naturally, the path the fuel travels within the tank before striking a wall also plays a role. Therefore, the noise generation is particularly pronounced in tanks whose longest length runs parallel to the direction of travel.

[0003] In DE 39 05 611 C2, it has already been proposed to solve this problem by providing the fuel tank with a device for absorbing the kinetic energy of the fuel contained therein, such that a plate-shaped impact element made of plastic material is provided locally at least in an upper corner area of ​​the fuel tank.

[0004] German patent application DE 197 31 912 A1 discloses a tank in which a wall-like element is arranged to reduce sloshing. This element extends over at least a substantial portion of the tank's height and width and is shaped such that its boundary surfaces do not predominantly lie in planes perpendicular to the direction of travel. Furthermore, the distance between the wall-like element and adjacent wall sections to be shielded is chosen such that the volume of fuel in the respective area between the wall-like element and the wall section to be shielded is insufficient to generate unwanted noise. This is intended to break the movement of the fuel at least shortly before it reaches the respective end wall of the tank. The element is either rigidly connected to the wall sections or rests against them in sections with a force-fit connection.

[0005] It is also known from DE 100 55 660 A1 to arrange an installation element movable against a restoring force in order to reduce the sloshing movements, which enlarges a compensating opening depending on the sloshing force acting on the installation element, wherein the fuel flows around the installation element through the compensating opening.

[0006] From the generic patent EP 2 065 245 A1, a fuel tank is known in which a plurality of foam bodies are connected to one another in a chain-like manner and arranged inside the fuel tank to prevent sloshing. The chain of foam bodies can be fixed at its ends at two points inside the fuel tank, so that the position of the foam bodies within the fuel tank is roughly determined.

[0007] DE 101 28 308 A1 describes a device for reducing fuel sloshing in a fuel tank with a sloshing-inhibiting element which can be moved from a compact mounting position into an operating position after being inserted into the fuel tank and locked onto the wall of the fuel tank.

[0008] These solutions, however, are relatively complex. Furthermore, they present difficulties when the tank is manufactured as a single piece, for example, using a blow molding process with plastic, as is often the case. The components are installed through holes cut into the fuel tank. These can be openings for the fuel pump or the fuel gauge sender. However, with the typically large components, additional mounting openings are required. Every opening in the tank carries risks regarding leak tightness, product liability, and legally permissible gas leakage. Moreover, the components are often installed blindly, without the possibility of visual inspection during or after installation. Under such circumstances, checking the seating position and tightness of the components becomes difficult.

[0009] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of designing a device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that easy and / or reliable installation of the components into a fuel tank becomes possible.

[0010] This problem is solved with a built-in element and a fuel tank according to the features of independent claims 1 and 8. The respective dependent claims relate to particularly advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0011] According to the invention, an installation element for a fuel tank is provided in which the reduction of sloshing motion in the fuel tank is achieved by a sloshing element fixed to a fuel pump and / or a fuel tank cap. Due to the arrangement of the sloshing element on the fuel pump and / or a cap, it is possible to easily and reliably mount the sloshing element in the fuel tank. For example, the sloshing element can be mounted together with the fuel pump, which reduces the number of individual parts to be assembled and thus minimizes the number of assembly steps.

[0012] According to the invention, the installation element comprises a fixing part for the surge element. The fixing part is integrally formed with the surge element and is arranged without fasteners, either positively or non-positively, on the fuel pump and / or the fuel tank cap. This allows the creation of a surge element without having to adapt the fuel pump and / or the cap to accommodate the installation element. Furthermore, such a surge element can be arranged on different fuel pumps and / or caps, which increases the number of identical parts and thus simplifies assembly. For this purpose, the fixing part rests against the fuel pump and / or the cap in an annular manner.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the baffle element and / or the fixing part consists of an elastically deformable material. This makes it possible, firstly, to pre-tension the baffle element for installation, whereby the component occupies a small volume and can thus be easily inserted into the fuel tank through an opening. After installation, the pre-tension is released, allowing the baffle element to unfold and expand within the fuel tank. Secondly, due to its elastic deformability, the baffle element can be deformed by the kinetic energy of the fuel impacting it, which contributes to reducing the kinetic energy of the fuel. With a ring-shaped baffle element, the waves of the fuel coming from different directions can be dampened.Furthermore, an elastically deformable fixing part allows for easy positioning and attachment of the installation element to the fuel pump and / or the cap. Preferably, the material used is a metal or a plastic, for example, aluminum or a polymer.

[0014] Another embodiment relates to the surge element and / or the fixing part, which is designed in a band shape. In a band-shaped design, the surge element and / or the fixing part have two parallel outer edges, the distance between which is less than the length of the installation element. The installation element comprises the surge element and the fixing part. Preferably, the installation element is designed symmetrically about its central longitudinal axis, so that installation by flipping it over is possible.

[0015] It has proven advantageous for the mounting element for the fixing part to have an opening with two leg edges and at least one edge notch. Preferably, the mounting element has two corresponding edge notches forming a pair of edge notches. The opening allows the mounting element to interpenetrate itself, so that the fixing part has a ring-shaped structure in its operating position. In this position, the edge notch rests against one leg edge of the opening. If the mounting element has an edge notch on each of the two opposing parallel outer edges, then in the operating position, the two edge notches rest against the two leg edges. Preferably, the two corresponding edge notches of an edge notch pair are arranged on an axis that is oriented perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the mounting element.In a further development of the invention, the mounting element has several pairs of edge notches that are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the central longitudinal axis. This enables the use of the fixing part on, for example, fuel pumps with very different housing cross-sections.

[0016] It is advantageous that the opening is wedge-shaped, at least in some sections. This allows the ring-shaped fixing element to be secured against the wedge effect on the fuel pump and / or the cap. For this purpose, the fixing element is, for example, looped around the fuel pump or fitted over it in a ring-shaped structure. In the final position, the fixing element is then drawn together, which guides the edge notches against the wedge-shaped leg edges. This creates a positive and non-positive connection. The opening has a base edge, which is oriented perpendicular to the outer edges, contributing to its wedge shape. Furthermore, at least one of the leg edges has a section that is oriented at an acute angle to the outer edges. The distance of a leg edge to the nearest outer edge is smallest in the area of ​​the base edge.The depth of the notch is equal to or greater than the smallest distance of a leg edge to the nearest outer edge, but less than the largest distance of a leg edge to the nearest outer edge.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the surge element has an elongated, particularly flat, shape. A preferred embodiment uses another embodiment in which the surge element is ring-shaped. To form the ring-shaped structure from a band-shaped surge element, the installation element has an eyelet at one end along its central longitudinal axis and a tab at the opposite end for connection to the eyelet. To form the ring-shaped, particularly circular, structure, the eyelet and the tab are inserted into one another. The fixing element is preferably arranged inside the ring-shaped surge element. Alternatively, an embodiment in which the fixing element is arranged outside the ring-shaped surge element is possible.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the fixing element comprises an anti-rotation device and / or a clamping aid. These are preferably designed as a projection and / or a recess and, in the operating position and / or during assembly, interact with a projection and / or a recess of the fuel pump and / or the cap and / or a wall section. The fuel pump and / or the cap serve as anti-rotation devices and prevent relative rotation of the baffle element and / or the fixing element. The clamping aid is used to clamp and secure the fixing element, for example, when closing the cap.

[0019] The installation element further comprises spacers that rest against a wall section of the fuel tank and / or the cap, thus pre-tensioning the fixing element or holding it securely in place when the cap is closed. This prevents any forces or moments from acting on the fuel pump. The spacers are preferably designed such that they include notch-like gaps between them on the outer edge of the installation element or comprise openings, through-holes, or holes that allow free fuel flow.

[0020] In one embodiment, at least one wall section of the fuel tank and / or the cap has a receptacle for the installation element. This receptacle is, for example, a groove into which at least one section of the installation element engages. The receptacle can also consist of one or more ribs or projections. Preferably, the receptacle has the shape code of the installation element in its operating position. The receptacle serves to support forces and / or to aid in correct positioning during installation.

[0021] Additionally, the installation element, especially the fixing part, has numerous openings, through-holes, or holes in the central longitudinal direction. These serve to ensure the free flow of fuel to the intake openings of the fuel pump.

[0022] According to the invention, a fuel tank is further provided in which an installation element with at least one of the aforementioned features is arranged. In such a fuel tank, it has proven advantageous to position a sensor device, such as a float or sensor, for level detection inside an annularly shaped surge element. This makes it possible to reliably detect the fill level, particularly in a moving vehicle.

[0023] One embodiment of the fuel tank includes a fuel pump that is designed as a single, integrated assembly with the cap. Preferably, this assembly has a screw thread for mounting it in an opening of the fuel tank. The mounting element is arranged on this assembly.

[0024] The invention allows for numerous embodiments. To further illustrate its basic principle, one of these is shown in the drawing and described below. This shows in Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a fuel tank with a built-in component; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the component; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the component prepared for installation; Fig. 4 A schematic representation of the component in its operating position.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a fuel tank 1 for a motor vehicle (not shown). A component 2 for reducing sloshing is arranged in the fuel tank 1. The component 2 consists of a fixing part 3 and a sloshing element 4. The fixing part 3 rests against the housing of a fuel pump 5. The fuel pump 5 and the component 2 have been inserted into the fuel tank 1 through an opening. The opening is closed with a cap 6. The fuel pump 5 is attached to the cap 6. A sensor device 7 for a fuel level detection system (not shown) is positioned inside the annular sloshing element.

[0026] The Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show that in Fig. Figure 1 shows the installation element 2 in different mounting positions without the fuel tank 1 and without the fuel pump 5. The installation element 2 is ribbon-shaped. It has parallel outer edges 8. The distance 9 between the outer edges 8 is less than the length 10 of the installation element 2 in the direction of the central longitudinal axis 11. The installation element 2 has two sections: the baffle element 4 and the fixing element 3. The fixing element 3 is designed for a connection-free, form-fit and / or force-fit, in particular ring-shaped, arrangement on the fuel pump 5 and / or the cap 6 of the fuel tank 1.

[0027] The fixing part 3 has an opening 12 with a base edge 13, two leg edges 14, and a pair of edge notches. The pair of edge notches consists of corresponding edge notches 15 arranged in an axis 16, which is oriented perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 11 of the installation element 2. The opening 12 is wedge-shaped, at least in sections. The base edge 13 is perpendicular, and the leg edges 14 are oriented at an acute angle to the outer edges 8 and the central longitudinal axis 11, respectively. The installation element 2 has an eyelet 17 at one end and a tab 18 at the opposite end for connection to the eyelet 17.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3 represents the installation element 2 prepared for assembly. The installation element 2 interpenetrates itself in the opening 12, with the edge notches 16 abutting the leg edges 14 of the opening 12.

[0029] Fig.Figure 4 shows the installation element 2 in its operating position. The tab 18 is connected to the eyelet 17, and the splash guard element 4 has assumed a ring-like shape. The fixing part 3 is located inside the splash guard element 4. Reference symbol list 1 fuel tank 2 Installation element 3 Fixing part 4 surge element 5 Fuel pump 6 sealing caps 7 Sensor device 8 outer edge 9 distance 10 Length 11 Central longitudinal axis 12 Breakthrough 13 Base edge 14 thigh edge 15 Edge notch 16 axle 17 eyelets 18 tab

Claims

[1] Installation element (2) for a fuel tank (1) for reducing sloshing motion in the fuel tank (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a sloshing element (4), wherein the sloshing element (4) is fixed to a fuel pump (5) and / or a cap (6) of the fuel tank (1), characterized by , that the installation element (2) has two areas, namely the surge element (4) and a fixing part (3) formed in one piece with the surge element (4), wherein the fixing part (3) is designed for a form-fit and / or force-fit arrangement without fasteners on the fuel pump (5) and / or the sealing cover (6) of the fuel tank (1). [2] Installation element (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that it, in particular the surge element (4) and / or the fixing part (3), consists of an elastically deformable material. [3] Installation element (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that it, in particular the surge element (4) and / or the fixing part (3), is designed in a band shape, having two parallel outer edges (8) whose distance (9) is less than the length (10) of the installation element (2). [4] Installation element (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that for the fixing part (3) it has a perforation (12) with two leg edges (14) and at least one edge notch (15), wherein in a position of use the edge notch (15) is in contact with one of the leg edges (14) of the perforation (12). [5] Installation element (2) according to claims 3 and 4 characterized by , that the opening (12) is at least partially wedge-shaped, wherein a base edge (13) is oriented perpendicular to the outer edges (8) and at least one of the leg edges (14) has a section which is oriented at an acute angle to the outer edges (8). [6] Installation element (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the installation element (2) has an eyelet (17) at one end and a tab (18) at the opposite end for connection with the eyelet (17). [7] Installation element (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fixing part (3) has an anti-rotation device and / or a clamping aid, which in particular is designed as a projection and / or a recess for interaction with a projection and / or a recess of the fuel pump (5) and / or the sealing cover (6). [8] Fuel tank (1) for a motor vehicle, characterized by , that an installation element (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7 is arranged in the fuel tank (1). [9] Fuel tank (1) according to claim 8, characterized by, that a sensor device (7) for level detection is positioned inside a ring-shaped surge element (4).

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