ACCESSORIES ATTACHED TO A VEHICLE FUEL TANK

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle tank. More particularly, the invention relates to an accessory for a vehicle tank and a vehicle tank comprising such an accessory.

[0002] A motor vehicle may include several tanks intended to store liquids that perform different functions in the use of the vehicle. These include the fuel tank, used in particular to power a thermal engine of the vehicle, or the urea tank, used to reduce oxides present in the exhaust gases. These tanks are generally equipped with one or more accessories performing various functions. As a non-limiting example, a tank may be equipped with a noise-reducing baffle that aims to reduce the noise associated with waves of liquid that can be generated within the tank when the vehicle accelerates, brakes or takes a turn. Such a baffle is also called an "anti-slosh" baffle in the jargon of the trade. It exerts an anti-sloshing effect, that is to say, it limits the movement of the liquid in the tank.

[0003] The accessory can be fixed in the tank to the upper wall thereof. Conventionally, in the case of plastic tanks obtained by extrusion-blow molding, the accessory is introduced and fixed in the tank after the latter has been manufactured, through an opening made in the wall thereof. Document EP 2 916 017 A1 discloses an accessory according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] However, this attachment of the accessory can pose problems. Indeed, the attachment of the accessory is complicated to implement since it is necessary to manipulate the accessory through an opening that is often small, so that the accessory cannot be maneuvered as well as one would like. In addition, different tanks may have different wall thicknesses, which can cause compatibility problems between an accessory and a given tank. This disparity in the thickness of the tank wall can have several causes. For example, the nature of the liquid that will be contained in the tank may impose a constraint on the thickness of the tank. Another example is the manufacturing process of the tank having a dimensional tolerance in the direction of the thickness of the tank that is not zero.

[0005] The invention aims in particular to remedy these problems by proposing a tank accessory presenting fewer compatibility constraints with the tanks.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an accessory for a vehicle tank according to claim 1.

[0007] By "the distance between the at least one fixing member and the head of the rod being equal to a predetermined value independent of the reservoir", is meant the fact that the distance between the at least one fixing member and the head of the rod remains unchanged, whether or not the head is coupled to a reservoir wall when the body of the rod is fixed to the fixing member.

[0008] Thus, thanks to the fact that the distance between the at least one fixing member and the head of the rod is equal to a predetermined value independent of the tank, variations or uncertainties linked to the thickness of the tank wall are avoided. It follows that the accessory is suitable for any type of tank, which gives it very high compatibility. In addition, the accessory comprises simple means allowing it to be fixed to the wall of the tank, namely a coupling between a rod and at least one connection member, so that the invention does not complicate the fixing between the accessory and the tank.

[0009] According to the invention, the main part and the at least one fixing member are in one piece.

[0010] The accessory thus has a small number of component parts, which makes it simple to manufacture and assemble. In addition, this allows the main part and at least one fixing member to be produced in a single molding and demolding operation in the case where they are made of plastic.

[0011] Advantageously, the at least one rib extends all around the body of the rod and has a shape which widens towards the head of the rod.

[0012] The at least one rib thus has a shape that is simple to produce and can provide an anti-loosening function for the rod when the rod extends into the at least one fixing member.

[0013] According to the invention, the at least one fixing member comprises proximal and distal relief shapes spaced from each other, the proximal relief shape being located between the head of the rod and the distal relief shape when the rod is fixed to the at least one fixing member, the proximal and distal relief shapes respectively having a proximal orifice and a distal orifice which are coaxial.

[0014] By providing these two raised shapes and their respective orifices, the at least one fixing member is enabled to prevent any rotation of the rod relative to the at least one fixing member along an axis perpendicular to a main axis of the rod. This thus eliminates rotational play of the rod relative to the at least one fixing member and improves the robustness of the attachment of the accessory to the tank.

[0015] Preferably, the proximal orifice has a greater cross-sectional area than a cross-section of the distal orifice.

[0016] Preferably, the diameter of the distal orifice is greater than the diameter of the body of the rod and is such as to prevent the passage of the at least one rib through the distal orifice.

[0017] The distal relief shape thus forms a stop for the travel of the rod through the at least one fixing member, which ensures the correct positioning of the rod relative to the at least one fixing member.

[0018] Advantageously, the at least one fixing member comprises flexible fins extending into the proximal orifice and allowing the passage of the body of the rod and the at least one rib through the proximal orifice.

[0019] Preferably, the flexible fins are configured to block any movement of the rod body away from the distal relief shape as the rod body extends through the proximal port.

[0020] By "flexible" we mean that the fins can deform elastically to allow the passage of the rod body and ribs.

[0021] The fins thus provide an anti-loosening function for the stem when it extends into the proximal orifice, by cooperating with at least one rib of the stem.

[0022] Advantageously, the main part forms a heat shield, a canister or a baffle for a vehicle tank.

[0023] The invention can thus be adapted to several types of accessories, which contributes to its flexibility of implementation.

[0024] Advantageously, the number of fixing members is equal to 1.

[0025] The accessory thus has a simple design and can be manufactured easily while being inexpensive.

[0026] Advantageously, the proximal orifice is of non-circular section, the body of the rod having, between the at least one rib and the head, a non-circular straight section configured to prevent rotation of the rod in the proximal orifice.

[0027] By providing these cross-sectional shapes for the proximal orifice and the body of the stem, the at least one fixing member is enabled to prevent any rotation of the stem relative to the at least one fixing member along an axis parallel to a main axis of the stem, this being particularly advantageous in the case where the accessory is fixed by a single fixing member. This also ensures good positioning of the accessory relative to the reservoir and improves the robustness of the fixing of the accessory to the reservoir.

[0028] Advantageously, the head of the rod comprises a positioning tooth extending radially relative to a main axis of the rod.

[0029] This makes it easy to ensure that the rod is correctly positioned angularly in relation to the tank when installing it.

[0030] Also provided according to the invention is a vehicle tank comprising a wall provided with an opening and comprising an accessory, as defined above, coupled to the wall extending through the opening.

[0031] Advantageously, the tank wall includes a marking positioned to align with the positioning tooth.

[0032] This makes it easy to ensure that the rod is correctly positioned angularly in relation to the tank when installing it.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall is an external wall of the tank and the accessory is sealingly coupled to the wall.

[0034] By "external wall" is meant a wall which delimits an internal volume of the tank.

[0035] Advantageously, the head of the rod is fixed in a sealed manner to the wall. Preferably, the head of the rod is fixed by welding.

[0036] In another embodiment of the invention, the wall is an internal wall of the tank and the head is coupled to the wall and serves as a stop therefor.

[0037] The term "internal wall" means a wall located within the internal volume of the tank. Therefore, the internal wall of the tank is a wall inside the tank. Brief description of the figures

[0038] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle tank comprising an accessory according to the invention, and [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 is a view of the tank and the accessory of the figure 1 in section in a plane including a principal axis of the accessory. Detailed description

[0039] We have represented in figure 1a part of a tank 2 according to the invention. This is a tank 2 intended to store a liquid in a motor vehicle, for example fuel or any other liquid necessary or useful for the operation of the vehicle. The tank 2 comprises a wall 4 delimiting an internal volume of the tank 2, therefore, the wall 4 is also called the external wall of the tank. The portion of wall 4 shown in the figure 1 is a part of an upper wall of the tank 2. The wall 4 has an opening 6, illustrated in the figure 2 which represents in section the part of tank 2 of the figure 1 , passing through the wall 4 in its entire thickness. The opening 6 here has a circular cross-section.

[0040] The tank 2 comprises an accessory 8 fixed to the wall 4 of the tank. The accessory 8 comprises a main part 10 intended to ensure the function of the accessory 8. Here, the main part 10 forms a baffle configured to attenuate the noise associated with the waves of liquid which can be generated within the tank 2. As a variant, it can be provided that the main part forms a heat shield or a canister for a vehicle tank.

[0041] The accessory 8 comprises at least one fixing member 12 allowing the fixing of the main part 10 to the wall 4 of the tank 2. The accessory 8 here comprises a single fixing member 12, but it can be provided that the accessory 8 comprises a greater number of fixing members 12, for example two or more.

[0042] The accessory 8 comprises at least one rod 14 having two parts, namely a body 16 and a head 18. The number of rods 14 is equal to the number of fixing members 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of fixing members 12 being equal to 1, the accessory 8 comprises only one rod 14.

[0043] The body 16 of the rod has at least one rib 20. The body 16 here comprises several ribs 20, five in number in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in figure 1. Each rib 20 is in the form of a ring extending, on the one hand, radially all around the body 16 of the rod considering a main axis 22 of the rod 14 and, on the other hand, at a distance from the axial ends of the body 16 of the rod considering the main axis 22 of the rod 14. Each rib 20 has a shape widening in the direction of the head 18 of the rod. In other words, each rib 20 has a male shoulder oriented towards the head 18 of the rod.

[0044] The head 18 of the rod is configured to be coupled in a sealed manner to the wall 4 of the tank on the outside thereof and is in the form of a thin cylinder with an axis coinciding with the main axis 22 and with a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening 6 of the wall 4. The body 16 of the rod extends through the opening 6 of the wall 4 so that the body 16 and the head 18 of the rod extend on either side of the wall 4, the head being fixed in a sealed manner to the wall 4 of the tank. Preferably, the head 18 of the rod is welded in a sealed manner to the wall 4 of the tank.

[0045] The fastener 12 includes a proximal relief shape 24 that extends perpendicular to the main portion 10 of the accessory such that it includes a proximal surface 26 parallel to the wall 4 of the reservoir in the assembled state. The fastener 12 further includes a distal relief shape 28 that extends perpendicular to the main portion 10 of the accessory such that it includes a distal surface 30 parallel to the wall 4 of the reservoir in the assembled state. The proximal 24 and distal 28 relief shapes are positioned such that the proximal relief shape 24 is located between the wall 4 of the reservoir and the distal relief shape 28 in the assembled state. The proximal 24 and distal 28 relief shapes and the main portion 10 are integral, such that the fastener 12 and the main portion 10 are integral.

[0046] In reference to the figure 2which is a sectional view of the accessory 8, the proximal relief shape 24 has a proximal orifice 32 formed in the proximal surface 26 and sized to receive the rod 14. The proximal relief shape 24 further comprises flexible fins 34 extending into the proximal orifice 32, towards the distal relief shape 28, and allowing the passage of the body 16 of the rod and the rib 20 through the proximal orifice 32. The end of each fin 34 has a flat surface parallel to the proximal surface 26 so that it can bear against the ribs 20 in order to block any movement of the body 16 of the rod away from the distal relief shape 28 when the body 16 of the rod extends through the proximal orifice 32. In other words, the fins 34 and the ribs 20 form means for locking the rod 14 in the fixing member 12. Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the ends of the fins are pointed or tapered.

[0047] The distal relief shape 28 has a distal orifice 36 formed in the distal surface 30 and dimensioned to, on the one hand, receive the rod 14, the proximal 32 and distal 36 orifices being coaxial, and on the other hand to block the passage of the ribs 20. In other words, the diameter of the distal orifice 36 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the body 16 of the rod and less than the diameter of the ribs 20. Thus, as illustrated in figure 1, the distal orifice 36 forms a stop for the axial travel of the rod 14 through the fixing member 12. The proximal 24 and distal 28 relief shapes cooperate to form means for axial positioning of the rod 14 in the fixing member 12. Thus, the distance separating the fixing member 12 and the head 18 of the rod is equal to a predetermined value depending only on the dimensions of the fixing member 12 and the rod 14, and not depending on the thickness of the wall 4 of the reservoir 2. This distance is represented by an arrow D connecting the proximal surface 26 and a lower surface of the head 18 of the rod.

[0048] Furthermore, the fins 34 cooperate with the distal orifice 36 to prevent any rotation of the rod 14 relative to an axis perpendicular to the main axis 22 of the rod, the body 16 of the rod being clamped between the fins 34 and in the distal orifice 36.

[0049] Between the head 18 and the ribs 20, the body 16 of the rod has a non-circular cross-section configured to prevent rotation of the rod in the proximal orifice 32. The cross-section of the body 16 of the rod may, for example, be square or rectangular. The body 16 of the rod cooperates with a non-circular section of the proximal orifice 32, formed by the presence of the fins 34, to prevent rotation of the rod 14 in the proximal orifice 32 about the main axis 22. To facilitate the angular positioning of the rod 14 relative to the fixing member 12 and to ensure good rotational locking of the rod 14 relative to the fixing member 12 about the main axis 22, the head 18 of the rod comprises a positioning tooth 38 extending radially relative to the main axis 22 of the rod 14, and the wall of the reservoir 4 comprises a marking 40 positioned to be able to align with the positioning tooth 38.

[0050] The attachment of the accessory 8 in the reservoir 2 is carried out in the following manner. The main part 10 and the attachment member 12 are inserted inside the reservoir 2, close to the opening 6 provided in the wall 4, and the attachment member is positioned so that the opening 6, the proximal orifice 32 and the distal orifice 36 are coaxial. The body 16 of the rod is inserted through the opening 6, and its passage is forced through the proximal orifice 32, the ribs 20 spreading the fins 34 as they pass. The body 16 of the rod also passes through the distal orifice 36, until the rib 20 closest to the axial end of the body 16 of the rod abuts against the distal surface 30 around the distal orifice 36. At this moment, the head 18 of the rod abuts against the wall 4 of the reservoir, and one of the ribs 20 bears against the ends of the fins 34.The rod 14 is thus immobilized, and the accessory is made integral with the wall 4 of the tank 2. The sealed coupling of the accessory 8 to the wall 4 is ensured by welding the head 18 to the wall 4 of the tank 2.

[0051] In another example where the wall 4 of the tank 2 is an internal wall of the tank, the coupling of the accessory 8 to the wall 4 does not need to be sealed, in this case, the head 18 is coupled to the wall 4 by serving as a stop for it.

[0052] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications are only possible within the scope of protection of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims. List of references

[0053] 2: reservoir 4: wall 6: opening 8: accessory 10: main part 12: fixing member 14: stem 16: stem body 18: stem head 20: rib 22: main axis 24: proximal relief shape 26: proximal surface 28: distal relief shape 30: distal surface 32: proximal orifice 34: fin 36: distal orifice 38: positioning tooth 40: marking

Claims

1. Accessory (8) for vehicle tank, comprising: - a main part (10) of the accessory, - at least one fastener (12) of the main part (10) to a tank, the main part (10) and the at least one fastener (12) being in one piece, - a rod (14) comprising a body (16), having at least one rib (20) configured to be attached to the at least one attachment member (12), and a head (18), configured to be coupled to a wall of a tank, the distance between at least one fixing member (12) and the head (18) of the rod being equal to a predetermined value, characterized in that the at least one fastener (12) comprises proximal (24) and distal (28) relief shapes spaced from each other, the proximal relief shape (24) being located between the head (18) of the rod and the distal relief shape (28) when the stem (14) is attached to the at least one fastener (12), the proximal (24) and distal (28) relief shapes having a proximal orifice (32) and a distal orifice (36) respectively which are coaxial.

2. Accessory (8) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one rib (20) extends all around the body (16) of the stem and has a shape that flares out towards the head (18) of the rod.

3. Accessory (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the proximal orifice (32) has a cross-section of area greater than that of a cross-section of the distal orifice (36).

4. Accessory (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the distal orifice (36) is greater than the diameter of the body (16) of the rod and is such as to prevent the passage of at least one rib (20) through the distal orifice (36).

5. Accessory (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one fastener (12) comprises flexible fins (34) extending into the proximal orifice (32) and permitting the passage of the body (16) of the rod and the at least one rib (20) through the proximal orifice (32).

6. Accessory (8) according to the preceding claim, wherein the flexible fins (34) are configured to block any displacement of the body (16) of the rod away from the distal relief shape (28) when the body (16) of the rod extends through the proximal orifice (32).

7. Accessory (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main part (10) forms a heat shield, canister or baffle for a vehicle tank.

8. Accessory (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of fasteners (12) is equal to 1.

9. Accessory (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the proximal orifice (32) is of non-circular cross-section, the body (16) of the rod having, between the at least one rib (20) and the head (18), a non-circular cross-section configured to prevent rotation of the rod (14) in the proximal orifice (32).

10. Accessory (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head (18) of the rod comprises a locating tooth (38) extending radially with respect to a main axis (22) of the rod (14).

11. A vehicle tank (2) comprising a wall (4) provided with an opening (6) and comprising an accessory (8) according to any one of the preceding claims coupled to the wall (4) extending through the opening (6).

12. A vehicle tank (2) according to claims 10 and 11, wherein the wall (4) of the tank (2) comprises a marking (40) positioned to align with the locating tooth (38).

13. A vehicle tank (2) according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein the wall (4) is an outer wall of the tank (2) and the accessory (8) is tightly coupled to the wall (4).

14. A vehicle tank (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the head (18) of the rod is tightly attached to the wall (4).

15. A vehicle tank (2) according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein the wall (4) is an inner wall of the tank (2) and the head (18) of the rod is coupled to the wall (4) by serving as a stop for the wall.