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 protection systems for a fuel tank present in a motor vehicle, particularly during a rear-end collision.

[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 compartment for the spare wheel.

[0005] Current solutions do not allow for effective protection of the fuel tank during a rear impact while complying with homologation 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 disadvantages and to improve the protection systems of the fuel tank of motor vehicles, 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, having 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 protective assembly fixed on the lower surface of the vehicle floor in the second compartment upstream of the second compartment.

[0009] The protection system includes: - a protective device or protective tube of tubular shape extending along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, - two fixing reinforcements attached to the free ends of the protective device, specifically to a fixing portion, and comprising a fixing interface, such as, for example, through holes, for fixing by screws sequentially 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 the canister in English, and a particulate filter, and - at least one connecting element extending along a vertical axis perpendicular to the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis connecting the support to the protective device.

[0010] The protective assembly has the function of both protecting against an impact to 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 impact of the spare wheel or the LPG tank on the fuel tank during a rear-end collision. The protective tube also protects the fuel vapor tank and the dust filter during a rear-end collision.

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

[0014] Advantageously, all the parts forming the protective 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 protective tube and the connecting elements are fixed by welding respectively to the support and to the protective tube.

[0016] Advantageously, the protective device comprises a base extending along the transverse axis and two portions for fixing to the floor of the vehicle, said portions of fixing each extending along the longitudinal direction, opposite to the direction of the longitudinal axis, i.e. extending towards the front of the vehicle.

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

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

[0019] For example, the connecting portions may have, in no way limitingly, one or more curvatures.

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

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

[0022] For example, each fastening reinforcement is fixed to the lower surface of the portion corresponding fixing of the protective tube. Alternatively, the fixing reinforcements could be fixed to 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 includes a transverse mounting base extending in a second plane comprising the vertical axis and the transverse axis, and a longitudinal mounting portion extending in a third plane comprising the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis from an upper end of the transverse mounting base towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0025] For example, the longitudinal fixing portion includes longitudinal notches.

[0026] For example, the transverse mounting base includes a first portion comprising a first fixing interface, for example a bore 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 fastening portion preferably has a width along the transverse direction less than the width of the first portion and a height along the vertical direction greater than the height of the first portion.

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

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

[0030] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig.1] illustrates in a very schematic way a view from below of a motor vehicle comprising a fuel tank protection assembly according to the invention;

[0032] [Fig.1 A] is one of the details of [Fig.1];

[0033] [Fig.2] represents in detail the entire fuel tank protection assembly of [Fig.1];

[0034] [Fig.2A] illustrates in detail the attachment of a dust filter to the protective assembly of the [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 of the entire 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 coordinate 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 horizontal transverse axis Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and oriented of left to right of the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward;

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

[0041] In [Fig.1], a very schematic view of the underside of the floor of a motor vehicle, referred to as 1 in its entirety, comprising a rear part 2 including 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, acronym “LPG”.

[0042] In a manner known per se, the fuel tank 4 is fixed on longitudinal members (not shown) attached to 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 includes 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 protective assembly 30 includes a tubular protective element 31 comprising a base 31a extending along the transverse axis Y and two fixing portions 31b, 31c to the floor of the vehicle 1. The two fixing portions 31b, 31c each extend in a longitudinal direction, opposite to the direction of the longitudinal axis X, i.e. 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 portion of connection 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 no way limitingly, 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 a rear-end collision of the vehicle.

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

[0052] The protective assembly 30 includes two fixing reinforcements 32 attached to the free ends of the protective tube 31, respectively to a fixing portion 31b, 31c and having 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 each take 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 to the lower surface of the corresponding fixing portion 31b, 31c of the protective tube 31. Alternatively, the fixing reinforcements could be fixed to the upper surface of the corresponding fixing portion 31b, 31c.

[0055] The protective assembly 30 further includes a support 33 intended to support both a fuel vapor reservoir 8, known as a canister in Anglo-Saxon terms, and a particulate filter 9.

[0056] The fuel vapor reservoir 8 has the function of storing fuel vapors from the fuel tank before they are 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 any additional parts in the motor vehicle.

[0059] The protective tube 31 also helps to protect the fuel vapor tank 8 and the dust filter 9 in the event of an impact to the rear of the vehicle.

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

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

[0062] The transverse mounting base 34 includes 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 portion 34a of the fixing includes a hole 36, visible on the [Fig.2A], intended to receive a screw element 36a for fixing the dust filter 9.

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

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

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

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

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

[0070] The fixing reinforcements 32 are preferably fixed by welding to the protective tube 31 and the connecting elements 35 are fixed by welding respectively to the support 33 and to the protective 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 to 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 protective assembly is mounted directly on the lower surface of the vehicle floor and does not require the addition of additional parts, which reduces the mass of the protective assembly.

[0075] Thanks to the protective assembly according to the invention, it is possible to reduce the de fuel tank formation, and consequently reduce the risk of fire in the event of a rear-end collision, while also improving the compactness of the rear of the vehicle by directly integrating a support dedicated to both the fuel vapor tank and the dust filter onto said protective assembly, thus further reducing the vehicle's mass.

[0076] Furthermore, the protective assembly according to the invention also makes it possible to protect the fuel vapor tank and the dust filter during a rear-end collision of the vehicle.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a floor extending along a longitudinal axis (X), having 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), a fuel vapor tank (8) connected to the fuel tank (4), a particulate filter (9) and a protective assembly (30) fixed to the lower surface of the vehicle floor in the second compartment (5) upstream of the second compartment (5), characterized in that the protective assembly (30) comprises: - a tubular protective element (31) extending along a transverse axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), - two fixing reinforcements (32) integral with the free ends of the protective element (31),and comprising a fastening interface (32a) for serial screw fastening to the underside surface of the vehicle floor (1), - a support (33) configured to support both the fuel vapor reservoir (8) connected to the fuel tank (4) and the particulate filter (9), and - at least one connecting element (35) extending along a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the transverse axis (Y) and the longitudinal axis (X) connecting the support (33) to the protective element (31), the protective element (31) comprising a base (31a) extending along the transverse axis (Y) and two fastening portions (31b, 31c) to the vehicle floor (1), said fastening portions (31b, 31c) each extending along the longitudinal direction opposite to the direction of the longitudinal axis (X).

2. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein all the parts forming the protective 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 two fixing portions (31b, 31c) of the protective member (31) are parallel to each other.

4. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two fastening portions (31b, 31c) of the protective element (31) are connected to the base (31a) respectively by a connecting portion (31d, 31e) extending in an inclined direction along the vertical axis (Z) and the transverse axis (Y).

5. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening 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).

6. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (33) comprises a transverse mounting base (34) extending in a second plane (YZ) comprising the vertical axis (Z) and the transverse axis (Y), and a longitudinal mounting 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 mounting base (34) towards the rear of the vehicle.

7. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 6, wherein the transverse mounting base (34) comprises a first portion (34a) comprising a first mounting interface for the attachment of the particulate filter (9) and a second portion (34b) comprising a second mounting interface for the attachment of the fuel vapor tank (8).

8. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second portion (34b) of attachment has a width along the transverse direction (Y) less than the width of the first portion (34a) and a height along the vertical direction (Z) greater than the height of the first portion (34a).

9. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective 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 protective tube (31).

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