Motor vehicle including a fuel tank protection kit

Abstract

A motor vehicle comprising a floor extending along a longitudinal axis (X), including a protective assembly (30) fixed to the lower surface of the vehicle floor. The protective assembly (30) includes: - a tubular protective element (31) extending along a transverse axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), - two fixing reinforcements (32) attached at their free ends to the protective element (31), and including a fixing interface (32a) for fixing by screws to the lower surface of the vehicle floor, - a support (33) configured to support both a fuel vapor tank (8) connected to the fuel tank, and a particulate filter (9), and - at least one connecting element (35) extending along a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the transverse axis (Y) and to the longitudinal axis (X) connecting the support (33) to the protective element (31). Figure for the summary: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle comprising a fuel tank protection assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and in particular the rear structure of a motor vehicle.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to systems for protecting a fuel tank present in a motor vehicle, in particular during a rear impact.

[0003] Generally, a motor vehicle includes a spare wheel or a liquefied gas tank housed in a dedicated compartment under the floor of the vehicle, between the rear end of the vehicle, in the direction of travel of the vehicle when moving forward, and the rear axle of the vehicle.

[0004] The vehicle's fuel tank is generally located under the vehicle floor near the rear axle and the spare wheel compartment.

[0005] Current solutions do not allow the fuel tank to be effectively protected during a rear impact while complying with approval requirements.

[0006] Thus, there is a need to improve the protection systems for the fuel tank of motor vehicles.

[0007] The objective of the invention is therefore to overcome these drawbacks and to improve the protection systems for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle, in order to allow easy installation, while reducing design and assembly costs.

[0008] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a floor extending along a longitudinal axis, comprising a first compartment for receiving a fuel tank and a second compartment for receiving a rear wheel or a liquefied gas tank located downstream of the first compartment, and a protection assembly fixed to the lower surface of the floor of the vehicle in the second compartment upstream of the second compartment.

[0009] The protection set includes: - a protective member or protective tube of tubular shape extending along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, - two fixing reinforcements secured to the free ends of the protective member, in particular respectively to a fixing portion, and comprising a fixing interface, such as for example through holes, for fixing by serial screws on the lower surface of the vehicle floor, - a support configured to support both a fuel vapor tank connected to the fuel tank, known as a canister in Anglo-Saxon terms and a particulate filter, and - at least one connecting element extending along a vertical axis perpendicular to the transverse axis and to the longitudinal axis connecting the support to the protection member.

[0010] The protective assembly has the function of both protecting against an impact at the rear of the vehicle and supporting the dust filter and the fuel vapor tank.

[0011] The protection assembly is configured to absorb the energy of a rear impact and thus prevent the spare wheel or the LPG tank from coming into contact with the fuel tank.

[0012] The protective tube forms a shock limiter configured to limit the aggression of the spare wheel or the LPG tank on the fuel tank during an impact at the rear of the vehicle. The protective tube also makes it possible to protect the fuel vapor tank and the dust filter during an impact at the rear of the vehicle.

[0013] The support allows the fuel vapor tank and the dust filter to be held, without requiring additional parts in the motor vehicle.

[0014] Advantageously, all the parts forming the protection assembly together form a monolithic assembly in which all the parts are irreversibly fixed to each other.

[0015] In other words, the fixing reinforcements are preferably fixed by welding to the protection tube and the connecting elements are fixed by welding respectively to the support and to the protection tube.

[0016] Advantageously, the protective member comprises a base extending along the transverse axis and two portions for fixing to the floor of the vehicle, said fixing portions each extending in the longitudinal direction, opposite to the direction of the longitudinal axis, that is to say extending towards the front of the vehicle.

[0017] For example, the two fixing portions of the protective member are parallel to each other.

[0018] The two fixing portions of the protective member can be connected to the base respectively by a connecting portion extending in a direction inclined along the vertical axis and the transverse axis.

[0019] For example, the connecting portions may have, in a non-limiting manner, one or more curvatures.

[0020] For example, the protective tube is hollow and comprises a wall with a thickness of between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, preferably equal to 2 mm.

[0021] Advantageously, the fixing reinforcements are each in the form of a plate extending in a first plane comprising the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis.

[0022] For example, each fixing reinforcement is fixed on the lower surface of the portion corresponding fixing of the protection tube. Alternatively, provision could be made to fix the fixing reinforcements on the upper surface of the corresponding fixing portion.

[0023] The fixing reinforcements are preferably fixed by welding to the protective tube.

[0024] Advantageously, the support comprises a transverse fixing base extending in a second plane comprising the vertical axis and the transverse axis, and a longitudinal fixing portion extending in a third plane comprising the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis from an upper end of the transverse fixing base towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0025] For example, the longitudinal attachment portion comprises longitudinal notches.

[0026] For example, the transverse fixing base comprises a first portion comprising a first fixing interface, for example a drilling cooperating with screws, for fixing the dust filter and a second portion comprising a second fixing interface, for example a plurality of through grooves cooperating with screws, for fixing the fuel vapor tank.

[0027] The second fixing portion preferably has a width in the transverse direction less than the width of the first portion and a height in the vertical direction greater than the height of the first portion.

[0028] For example, the width of the first fixing portion is substantially equal to the width of the longitudinal fixing portion.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the protection assembly further comprises two connecting elements parallel to each other, extending along the vertical axis and connecting the support to the protection tube.

[0030] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig.l] illustrates very schematically a view from below of a motor vehicle comprising a fuel tank protection assembly according to the invention;

[0032] [Fig.l A] is one of the details of [Fig.l];

[0033] [Fig.2] shows in detail the fuel tank protection assembly of [Fig.l];

[0034] [Fig.2A] illustrates in detail the attachment of a dust filter to the protective assembly of [Fig.2];

[0035] [Fig.2B] illustrates in detail the attachment of a fuel vapor tank to the protective assembly of [Fig.2]; and

[0036] [Fig.3] represents in perspective the fuel tank protection assembly of [Fig.2], alone.

[0037] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are defined according to the usual orthogonal reference system for motor vehicles, shown in the drawings, and which includes:

[0038] - a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle;

[0039] - a transverse axis Y, horizontal, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and oriented left to right of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving;

[0040] - a vertical axis Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal and transverse axes X and Y and directed from bottom up.

[0041] In [Fig.l], a very schematic view is shown from below of the floor of a motor vehicle, referenced 1 as a whole, comprising a rear part 2 comprising a first compartment 3 configured to receive a fuel tank 4 and a second compartment 5, located at the free end of the rear part 2, configured to receive a spare wheel 6 or a liquefied gas tank, with the acronym "LPG".

[0042] In a manner known per se, the fuel tank 4 is fixed to side members (not shown) integral with the floor of the vehicle 1, upstream of the second compartment 5, considering the longitudinal axis X.

[0043] In a manner known per se, the rear part 2 of the vehicle 1 further comprises a rear axle 7 fixed to the lower surface of the floor and to which the rear wheels 8 of the vehicle are connected.

[0044] The rear part 2 of the motor vehicle 1 further comprises a protective assembly 30 fixed to the lower surface of the floor and separating the fuel tank 4 from the second compartment 5 intended to house the spare wheel 6 or an LPG tank.

[0045] The protection assembly 30 is configured to absorb the energy of a rear impact and thus prevent the spare wheel or the LPG tank from coming into contact with the fuel tank 4.

[0046] For this purpose, the protection assembly 30 comprises a protection member 31 of tubular shape comprising a base 31a extending along the transverse axis Y and two attachment portions 31b, 31c to the floor of the vehicle 1. The two attachment portions 31b, 31c each extend in a longitudinal direction, opposite to the direction of the longitudinal axis X, that is to say extending towards the front of the vehicle 1.

[0047] The two fixing portions 31b, 31c are parallel to each other.

[0048] The two fixing portions 31b, 31c are connected to the base 31a respectively by a connecting portion 31d, 31e extending in a direction inclined along the vertical axis Z and the transverse axis Y.

[0049] The connecting portions 31d, 31e may have, in a non-limiting manner, one or more curvatures.

[0050] The protective tube 31 forms a shock limiter configured to limit the aggression of the spare wheel 6 or the LPG tank on the fuel tank 4 during an impact at the rear of the vehicle.

[0051] The protective tube 31 is hollow and comprises a wall with a thickness of between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, preferably equal to 2 mm.

[0052] The protection assembly 30 comprises two fixing reinforcements 32 secured to the free ends of the protection tube 31, respectively to a fixing portion 31b, 31c and comprising through holes 32a for fixing by screws (not shown) on the lower surface of the floor of the vehicle 1.

[0053] The fixing reinforcements 32 are each in the form of a plate extending in a plane YX comprising the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y.

[0054] Each fixing reinforcement 32 is, here, fixed on the lower surface of the corresponding fixing portion 31b, 31c of the protective tube 31. Alternatively, provision could be made to fix the fixing reinforcements on the upper surface of the corresponding fixing portion 31b, 31c.

[0055] The protection assembly 30 further comprises a support 33 intended to support both a fuel vapor reservoir 8, known as a canister in English terms, and a particle filter 9.

[0056] The fuel vapor tank 8 has the function of storing the fuel vapors from the fuel tank before being returned to the fuel circuit, thus preventing any escape into the atmosphere.

[0057] The dust filter 9 prevents dust from entering the air so as not to damage the pump (not shown) of the fuel tank 4.

[0058] The support 33 therefore makes it possible to hold the fuel vapor tank 8 and the dust filter 9, not requiring additional parts in the motor vehicle.

[0059] The protective tube 31 also makes it possible to protect the fuel vapor tank 8 and the dust filter 9 during an impact at the rear of the vehicle.

[0060] The support 33 comprises a transverse fixing base 34 extending in a plane YZ comprising the vertical axis and the transverse axis, and a longitudinal fixing portion 33a extending in a plane XY comprising the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y, from an upper end of the transverse fixing base 34 towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0061] The longitudinal fixing portion 33a comprises, here, longitudinal notches 33b.

[0062] The transverse fixing base 34 comprises a first portion 34a for fixing the dust filter 9 and a second portion 34b for fixing the fuel vapor tank 8.

[0063] The first fixing portion 34a comprises a hole 36, visible in [Fig.2A], intended to receive a screw element 36a for fixing the dust filter 9.

[0064] The second fixing portion 34b comprises a plurality of through grooves 37, visible in [Fig. 3], for fixing by screws (not shown) the fuel vapor tank 8.

[0065] The grooves 37 extend, here, along the vertical axis Z and along the transverse axis Y. Alternatively, a drilling or another configuration of grooves could be provided for fixing the fuel vapor tank 8.

[0066] The second fixing portion 34b has a width in the transverse direction Y less than the width of the first portion 34a.

[0067] The width of the first fixing portion 34a is substantially equal to the width of the longitudinal fixing portion 33a.

[0068] The second fixing portion 34b has a height in the vertical direction Z greater than the height of the first portion 34a.

[0069] The protection assembly 30 further comprises two connecting elements 35 extending along the vertical axis Z and configured to connect the support 33 to the protection tube 31.

[0070] The fixing reinforcements 32 are preferably fixed by welding to the protection tube 31 and the connecting elements 35 are fixed by welding respectively to the support 33 and to the protection tube 31.

[0071] In other words, all the parts forming the protective assembly together form a monolithic assembly in which all the parts are irreversibly fixed to each other.

[0072] The protective assembly has the function of both protecting against an impact at the rear of the vehicle and supporting the dust filter 9 and the fuel vapor tank 8.

[0073] All the parts forming the protective assembly are made of metallic material, for example steel.

[0074] The protection assembly is mounted directly to the underside surface of the vehicle floor and does not require the addition of additional parts, thereby reducing the mass of the protection assembly.

[0075] Thanks to the protective assembly according to the invention, it is possible to reduce the de formation of the fuel tank, and consequently to reduce the risk of fire in the event of an impact at the rear of the vehicle, while making it possible to improve the compactness of the rear part of the vehicle by integrating directly on said protection assembly, a support dedicated to both the fixing of the fuel vapor tank and the dust filter, which further reduces the mass of the vehicle.

[0076] Furthermore, the protection assembly according to the invention also makes it possible to protect the fuel vapor tank and the dust filter during an impact at the rear of the vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a floor extending along a longitudinal axis (X), comprising a first compartment (3) for receiving a fuel tank (4) and a second compartment (5) for receiving a rear wheel (6) or a liquefied gas tank located downstream of the first compartment (3), and a protective assembly (30) fixed to the lower surface of the floor of the vehicle in the second compartment (5) upstream of the second compartment (5), characterized in that the protective assembly (30) comprises: - a tubular protective member (31) extending along a transverse axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), - two fixing reinforcements (32) secured at the free ends to the protective member (31), and comprising a fixing interface (32a) for fixing by serial screws on the lower surface of the floor of the vehicle (1),- a support (33) configured to support both a fuel vapor tank (8) connected to the fuel tank (4), and a particle filter (9), and - at least one connecting element (35) extending along a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the transverse axis (Y) and to the longitudinal axis (X) connecting the support (33) to the protection member (31).,

2. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein all the parts forming the protection assembly (30) together form a monolithic assembly in which all the parts are irreversibly fixed to each other.

3. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective member (31) comprises a base (31a) extending along the transverse axis (Y) and two fixing portions (31b, 31c) to the floor of the vehicle (1), said fixing portions (31b, 31c) each extending in the longitudinal direction, opposite to the direction of the longitudinal axis (X).

4. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 3, in which the two fixing portions (31b, 31c) of the protection member (31) are parallel to each other.

5. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the two fixing portions (31b, 31c) of the protection member (31) are connected to the base (31a) respectively by a connecting portion (31d, 31e) extending in a direction inclined along the vertical axis (Z) and the transverse axis (Y).

6. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing reinforcements (32) are each in the form of a plate extending in a first plane (YX) comprising the longitudinal axis (X) and the transverse axis (Y).

7. A motor vehicle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the support (33) comprises a transverse attachment base (34) extending in a second plane (YZ) comprising the vertical axis (Z) and the transverse axis (Y), and a longitudinal attachment portion (33a) extending in a third plane (XY) comprising the longitudinal axis (X) and the transverse axis (Y) from an upper end of the transverse attachment base (34) towards the rear of the vehicle.

8. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 7, wherein the transverse fixing base (34) comprises a first portion (34a) comprising a first fixing interface for fixing the dust filter (9) and a second portion (34b) comprising a second fixing interface for fixing the fuel vapor tank (8).

9. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 7 or 8, in which the second fixing portion (34b) has a width in the transverse direction (Y) less than the width of the first portion (34a) and a height in the vertical direction (Z) greater than the height of the first portion (34a).

10. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the protection assembly (30) further comprises two connecting elements (35) parallel to each other, extending along the vertical axis (Z) and connecting the support (33) to the protection tube (31).

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