Tank for vehicle with guided attachment, and vehicle equipped with such a tank

Abstract

Tank (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a main body (10), a fixing means (2) ensuring fixing to a support by sliding in an opening of said support in a sliding direction (X), the fixing means (2) projecting relative to the main body (10) of the tank (1), a first guide means (3) comprising a first guide surface projecting relative to the main body (10), located on one side of the fixing means (2) in the sliding direction (X), remarkable in that it comprises a second guide means (4) comprising a second guide surface projecting relative to the main body (10) in the same direction as the fixing means (2), the first (3) and second (4) guide means being arranged on either side of the fixing means (2) in the sliding direction (X). Figure for abstract: Fig.1

Description

Title of the invention: Tank for vehicle with guided attachment, and vehicle equipped with such a tank

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle reservoir, in particular of the windshield washer reservoir type, an assembly comprising said reservoir fixed to a support, as well as a vehicle equipped with such an assembly.

[0002] In order to supply liquid to a vehicle window washing system, and more particularly to the windshield equipped with wipers, it is known to install a windshield washer reservoir in the vehicle. This type of reservoir is for example installed under the front hood of the vehicle or behind the front wing of the vehicle. A pump sucks the liquid from the reservoir to spray it onto one of the windows, for example the windshield, via nozzles. An arrangement in the front wing of the vehicle has the advantage of not reducing the volume of the compartment located under the front hood, and of filling a space which is usually left empty and unused. Such a reservoir is installed by passing through the underside of the wing, that is to say through the wheel arch, after the wing is installed on the vehicle.

[0003] For example, document FR3111599 describes a vehicle windshield washer reservoir comprising means for being fixed to a support secured to the structure of said vehicle. These fixing means comprise two T-shaped attachment members extending from and above the upper edge of the reservoir, being longitudinally spaced from each other. These attachment members each cooperate in a sliding manner with an elongated slot formed in a corresponding fixing lug of the support. These fixing means also comprise a protrusion projecting transversely from the central part of the lower edge of the frame and extending at its free end by a right-angled tab having a circular orifice making it possible to lock by screwing, onto a bodywork element of the vehicle, the position of the reservoir after it has been slidably placed in the engine compartment of this vehicle via the attachment members.

[0004] The disadvantage of such a solution is that the installation of the tank by an operator is difficult, particularly in the case of difficult access or poor visibility of the fixing zone, the operator installing such a tank having to control the sliding movements to ensure secure fixing, at the risk of having to repeat the movement several times to successfully achieve the fixing.

[0005] The objective of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks. In particular, one of the aims of the invention is to propose a tank that facilitates its installation on a support and reduces the risks of not succeeding with an installation on the first attempt.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention, thanks to a tank for a motor vehicle comprising a main body capable of containing a liquid, a fixing means arranged to ensure fixing of the tank to a support by sliding in an opening of said support in a sliding direction, the fixing means projecting relative to the main body of the tank, a first guide means comprising a first guide surface projecting relative to the main body in the same direction as the fixing means, located on one side of the fixing means in the sliding direction, remarkable in that the tank further comprises a second guide means comprising a second guide surface projecting relative to the main body in the same direction as the fixing means, the first and second guide means being arranged on either side of the fixing means in the sliding direction.

[0007] Thus advantageously, when positioning the tank in the insertion position, that is to say with the fixing means inserted into an opening located in the support, each of the two guide means can bear against the parts of the support located on either side of the opening, via their respective guide surface, and thus facilitate precise positioning of the tank, and consequently of the fixing means, relative to the support. In addition, when sliding towards a locked position, in which the fixing means ensures fixing to the support following its sliding in the opening located in the support, the two guide means allow maintenance of precise positioning to ensure rapid locking of the tank on the support. Thus, the installation by an operator of the tank on the support, in particular when the operator has poor visibility of the support or difficult access to it, is rapid and reliable.The risks of incorrect installation or not succeeding in fixing on the first attempt are reduced.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first guide means and the second guide means are aligned along the sliding axis.

[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second guide means are each formed by a rib extending parallel to the sliding axis, the guide surface of each of the guide means being located at the top of each of the respective ribs.

[0010] Thus advantageously, the fixing means are produced in a simple manner, for example by a shape of the surface of the tank. Their extension along the sliding axis allows sliding with a low force against the support.

[0011] In another embodiment of the invention, the reservoir comprises a locking tab between the first guide surface and the fixing means, at a height greater than the first guide surface relative to the surface of the main body, so as to be inserted into a locking opening arranged in the support, when the tank is in the locked position.

[0012] Thus advantageously, the locking of the tank on the support is ensured in a simple and automatic manner, when the tank reaches the locked position at the end of sliding.

[0013] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the first guide means is distant from the fixing means, the locking tab extending in the extension of the rib of the first guide means, cantilevered above the main body, in the direction of the fixing means, parallel to the sliding direction.

[0014] This arrangement advantageously makes it possible to avoid the locking tab becoming blocked against an edge of the opening when the tank slides, the tab being behind the guide means in the sliding direction.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the tank comprises a tank filling chute, the chute comprising the fixing means.

[0016] Thus advantageously, the fixing means is as close as possible to the filling spout, allowing good stability of the spout during its use, and improving the quality perceived by a user. In addition, the quantity of material for producing the tank is reduced by reusing the projecting part of the spout to produce the fixing means.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, the reservoir comprises a second fixing means arranged to ensure fixing to a support by sliding in a complementary opening of the support.

[0018] Alternatively, the reservoir is an automobile windshield washer fluid reservoir.

[0019] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a reservoir as described above. and a support wall, said support wall comprising an elongated opening comprising a first zone of width greater than the second part of the fixing means so as to allow its insertion into said opening, a second zone of width greater than the first part of the fixing means and of width less than the second part of the fixing means so as to allow the passage of the second part in said second zone, the first zone and the second being aligned in the sliding direction so as to allow the sliding of the fixing means in the opening between an insertion position and a locked position,the height of the first guide means and the second guide means being such that the first and second guide means bear against the support wall when the tank is in the insertion position and the edges of the opening in the wall of the second zone are inserted under the second part of the fixing means when the tank slides in the sliding direction from the insertion position to the locking position, i.e., between the second part and the main body.

[0020] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an assembly.

[0021] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a following windshield washer reservoir the invention.

[0023] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the tank and a support, the tank being in an insertion position.

[0024] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of the tank and the support, the tank being in a locked position on the bracket.

[0025] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the tank and its support, with the tank in insertion position, following an XZ cutting plane shown in [Fig.2].

[0026] [Fig.5] is a sectional view of the tank and its support, with the tank in locked position, following an XZ cutting plane shown in [Fig.3].

[0027] The drawings are schematic representations to facilitate understanding of the invention. The components are not necessarily shown to scale. The same references correspond to the same components from one figure to another.

[0028] The X axis represents the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the Y axis the transverse direction and the Z axis the vertical direction.

[0029] [Fig.l] illustrates a vehicle windshield washer reservoir 1 comprising a main body 10 forming a volume capable of containing a windshield washer liquid, a fixing means 2 arranged to ensure fixing to a support 9 by sliding in an opening 90 of said support in a sliding direction X. The reservoir 1 associated with the support 9 is illustrated in [Fig.2] to 5. The fixing means 2 projects relative to the main body 10 of the reservoir 1. In the embodiment presented in the figures, the reservoir 1 comprises a chute 6 projecting from the main body 10, and said chute 6 forming the fixing means 2. The reservoir 1 further comprises a first guide means 3 comprising a first guide surface 30 projecting relative to the main body 10 in the same direction as the fixing means 2, located on one side of the fixing means 2 in the sliding direction X.In the embodiment shown in the figures, the fixing means 2 projects relative to the main body in a direction Z perpendicular to the direction X. The tank 1 comprises a second guide means 4 having a second guide surface 40 projecting relative to the main body 10 in the same direction as the fixing means 2. The first 3 and second 4 guide means are arranged on either side of the fixing means 2, and therefore on either side of the filling spout in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, in the sliding direction X.

[0030] The first guide means 3 and the second guide means 4 are aligned along the sliding axis X.

[0031] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first guide means 3 and the second guide means 4 are each formed by a rib extending parallel to the sliding axis X, the guide surface 30, 40 of each of the guide means 3, 4 being located at the top of each of the respective ribs. The ribs are for example made from the material of the main body 1.

[0032] The rib of the first guide means 3 comprises at its front end, the one opposite the fixing means 2, a first ramp 31 at an angle between the main body 10 and the first guide surface 30, that is to say connecting the first guide surface 30 to the main body 10.

[0033] The reservoir 1 comprises a locking tab 8 between the first guide surface 30 and the fixing means 2, at a height greater than the first guide surface 30 relative to the surface of the main body 1, so as to be inserted into a locking opening 91 arranged in the support 9, illustrated in figures 2 to 5, when the reservoir 1 is in the locked position.

[0034] As illustrated in the figures, the first guide means 3 is distant from the fixing means 2, that is to say that a space exists between the first guide means 3 and the fixing means 2 in the sliding direction X. The locking tab 8 extends in the extension of the rib of the first guide means 3, cantilevered above the main body 10, in the direction of the fixing means 2, parallel to the sliding direction. That is to say that the first guide surface 30 is extended by the surface of said locking tab 8. The locking tab 8 is elastic, that is to say that a force applied to it in the direction of the main body 1 in the direction Z perpendicular to the sliding direction, deforms it towards the main body 1, then returns to its initial position once the force is removed.This elasticity is obtained by the choice of material and the shape of the tab, for example with a small thickness along the Z axis. The highest part of the fixing tab 8 relative to the main body, that is to say along the Z direction of projection of the first guide means 3, is connected to the first guide surface by a second ramp 80 at an angle.

[0035] To produce the fixing means 2, the chute 6 comprises two parts 21 and 22: a first part 21 arranged between a second part 22 and the main body 10. The second part 22 projects beyond the first part 21 in a plane normal to the direction Z of the chute 6, in the front zone and / or on each lateral side of the fixing means 2, the front being in the direction and direction of sliding X and on the side of the first guide means 3, and each of the lateral zones being on each side of the fixing means 2 perpendicular to the direction of sliding X. That is to say that the second part 22 forms a zone of greater width above the first part.

[0036] In Figures 1 and 2, the tank 1 comprises a second fixing means 5 arranged to ensure a second fixing on the support 9 by sliding in a complementary opening 92, arranged in front of the first fixing means 2.

[0037] Figures 2 and 4 illustrate the reservoir 1 in the insertion position on the support 9. The support 9 is formed by a support wall 9 and comprises an elongated opening 9. The opening 90 comprises a first zone 901 of width greater than the second part 22 of the fixing means 2, formed by the chute 6 in the representation of the figures, so as to allow its insertion into said opening 90, and a second zone 902 of width greater than the first part 21 of the fixing means 2 but of width less than the second part 22 of the fixing means 2 so as to allow the passage of the second part 22 in said second zone 902 by sliding the reservoir in the sliding direction X. The width corresponds to the dimension in a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the sliding direction X and to the projection direction Z of the fixing means 2 and guide means 3, 4.The first zone 901 and the second 902 are aligned in the sliding direction X so as to allow the sliding of the fixing means 2 in the opening 90 between an insertion position in which the fixing means 2 is in the first zone 901, and a locked position in which said fixing means is in the second zone 902. The first zone 901 is said to be behind the second zone 902, and the second zone 902 is therefore in front of the first zone 901.

[0038] The height of the first guide means 3 and the second guide means 4 are chosen so that the first and second guide means 3 and 4 bear against the support wall 9 when the tank 1 is in the insertion position, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the fixing means 2 passing through the opening 90, at the level of the first zone 901. When the tank 1 slides along the sliding axis X, towards the locked position, the fixing means 2 moves into the second zone 902 of the opening 90, the edges of the opening 90 of the wall 9 of the second zone 902 being inserted under the second part 22 of the fixing means 2. In this position, the movement of the tank 1 along the axis of the projections Z is blocked on one side by the second part 22 of the fixing means 2 and on the other by the first guide surface 30.

[0039] When sliding towards the locked position of the tank 1, the locking tab 8 is deformed by its contact against the wall of the support 9, then a part of said tab is inserted into a locking opening 91 located in the support wall 9, once the locked position of the tank 1 is reached. The locked position is illustrated in [Fig.3] and 5.

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], when the reservoir 1 is in the insertion position, the second guide means 4 bears against the support wall 9 located near the opening 90, behind the opening 90. In this position, the locking tab 8 is located in the opening 90. When the reservoir 1 is moved from this insertion position to the locked position, the second guide surface 40 slides against the support wall 9. The shape of the second guide surface 40 makes it possible to slightly separate the reservoir 1 from the support wall 9, while being in contact with said wall 9, so as to reduce the friction between the locking tab 8 and the edge of the opening 90, when the reservoir 1 is moved from the insertion position to the locked position. For example, the height of the second guide surface 40 is greater at a distance from the first fixing means 2 than near it.

[0041] The length of the second guide means 4; that is to say its dimension along the sliding direction X, is chosen so that just before arriving in the locked position, said second guide means 4 is opposite the opening 90. The reservoir 1 can thus move closer to the support wall 9, putting the locking tab under tension against said support wall 9. By continuing the sliding movement, the locking tab 8 is placed opposite the locking opening 91 and partially enters said locking opening 91 by elastic return, thus ensuring immobilization of the reservoir 1.

[0042] The second fixing means 5 is for example T-shaped, entering into a complementary opening 92 in the support wall 9, the complementary opening 92 having two widths following the same principle as for the first fixing means, with a first zone at the rear wider than a second zone at the front. In order to allow fixing during sliding of the tank 1, the complementary opening 92 extends in a direction close to the sliding direction X, that is to say for example with an angle less than 15° from the sliding direction X.

[0043] A guide stop 23 is arranged at the junction between the main body 10 and the first part 21 of the fixing means 2, extending towards the second part 22, leaving a space with its top and the second part 22 projecting beyond the first part 21. When the tank 1 is in the locked position, the wall of the support 9 located at the edge of the opening 90 enters this space. The guide stop 23 comprises an inclined ramp to help guide the edge of the opening 90 towards this space during sliding.

[0044] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the second part 22 of the fixing means 2 forms an excess thickness around the chute 6, against which the support wall 9 rests around the opening 90. This shoulder is thicker on the front of the chute 6, that is to say on the side of the first guide means, and its thickness reduces towards the rear of the chute 6, that is to say by turning around said chute 6 towards the second guide means 4.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the tank 1 is elongated in a direction close to the sliding direction X, narrow, that is to say that its dimension in the transverse direction Y is small compared to its length, the fixing means 2 and the guide means 3, 4 being located on a top face when the tank 1 is fixed to a vehicle. For example, the width of the tank 1 is less than half, or even a third, of its length.

[0046] Alternatively, the first fixing means 2 can be separated from the chute 6.

[0047] The tank 1 is for example installed on a vehicle in the space between a wing front of said vehicle and a fender liner, the support wall 9 being a wall of a structural element arranged between the front fender and the fender liner, in the upper part of the wheel arch. To install the tank 1, an operator carries said tank by hand and brings it into the space between the front fender and the fender liner via the wheel arch. The operator must therefore move the tank 1 upwards, towards the support wall 9, while being located under the vehicle, without a precise view of the support wall 9. Once in contact with the support wall 9, he brings the first fixing means into the opening 90, in the insertion position, then slides the tank 1 while continuing to apply a force to maintain contact between the guide surfaces 30, 40 and the support wall 9, until said tank 1 is locked on the support wall 9.The fixing means 2 and the guide means 3, 4 are in this type of installation on the upper face of the main body 10, that is to say the highest face of the body 10 once the tank 1 is installed on the vehicle. The sliding axis X is for example substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and the projection direction Z of the fixing means 2 is substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the vehicle.

[0048] A person skilled in the art may apply this type of reservoir to contain liquids other than windshield washer fluid. He may also choose other situations for installing it in a vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Tank (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a main body (10) capable of containing a liquid, a fixing means (2) arranged to ensure fixing of the tank (1) to a support (9) by sliding in an opening (90) of said support (9) in a sliding direction (X), the fixing means (2) projecting relative to the main body (10) of the tank (1), a first guide means (3) comprising a first guide surface (30) projecting relative to the main body (10) in the same direction as the fixing means (2), located on one side of the fixing means (2) in the sliding direction (X), the tank (1) being characterized in that it further comprises a second guide means (4) comprising a second guide surface (40) projecting relative to the main body (10) in the same direction as the fixing means (2),the first (3) and second (4) guide means being arranged on either side of the fixing means (2) in the sliding direction (X).,

2. Tank (1) according to the preceding claim, the first guide means (3) and the second guide means (4) of which are aligned along the sliding axis (X).

3. Tank (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the first guide means (3) and the second guide means (4) of which are each formed by a rib extending parallel to the sliding axis (X), the guide surface (30, 40) of each of the guide means (3, 4) being located at the top of each of the respective ribs.

4. Tank (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a locking tab (8) between the first guide surface (30) and the fixing means (2), at a height greater than the first guide surface (30) relative to the surface of the main body (1), so as to be inserted into a locking opening (91) arranged in the support (9), when the tank (1) is in the locked position.

5. Tank (1) according to claims 3 and 4, the first guide means (3) of which is distant from the fixing means (2), the locking tab (8) extending in the extension of the rib of the first guide means (3), cantilevered above the main body (10), in the direction of the fixing means (2), parallel to the sliding direction.

6. Tank (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a chute (6) for filling the tank, the chute comprising the fixing means (2).

7. Tank (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a second fixing means (5) arranged to ensure fixing to a support (9) by sliding in a complementary opening (92) of said support (9).

8. Reservoir (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the reservoir being a windshield washer fluid reservoir for an automobile.

9. An assembly (100) comprising a reservoir (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a support wall (9), said support wall (9) comprising an elongated opening (90) comprising a first zone (901) of width greater than the second part (22) of the fixing means (2) so as to allow its insertion into said first zone of the opening, a second zone (902) of width greater than the first part (21) of the fixing means (2) and of width less than the second part (22) of the fixing means (2) so as to allow the passage of the second part (22) into said second zone (902), the first zone (901) and the second zone (902) being aligned in the sliding direction (X) so as to allow the sliding of the fixing means (2) in the opening (90) between an insertion position and a locked position,the height of the first guide means (3) and of the second guide means (4) being such that the first and second guide means (3, 4) bear against the support wall (9) when the tank (1) is in the insertion position and the edges of the opening (90) of the wall (9) of the second zone (902) are inserted under the second part (22) of the fixing means (2) when the tank (1) slides in the sliding direction (X) from the insertion position to the locking position.,

10. Motor vehicle comprising an assembly (100) according to the preceding claim.

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