Fuel tank attachment structure

Abstract

To provide a fuel tank attachment structure which can easily attach a fuel tank to a vehicle body with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A fuel tank attachment structure includes a bracket 21, a vehicle body side coupling member 30, a fuel tank side coupling member 22, and an elastic member 26. The bracket has a first coupling part 21c and a second coupling part 21a. The vehicle body side coupling member couples the first coupling part to a vehicle body 2. The elastic member is disposed between the second coupling part and a fuel tank 3 and coupled to the fuel tank 3 by the fuel tank side coupling member and elastically supports the fuel tank 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel tank mounting structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a fuel tank mounting structure for coupling a fuel tank of a vehicle to a vehicle body by a bracket has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this type of fuel tank mounting structure, there is a problem that variations occur in the mounting of the fuel tank to the vehicle body due to tolerances of each member.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and one of the problems is to obtain a fuel tank mounting structure that can accurately and easily mount a fuel tank to a vehicle body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The fuel tank mounting structure according to the present invention includes a bracket having a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion, a vehicle body side coupling member that couples the first coupling portion to the vehicle body, a fuel tank side coupling member, and an elastic member that is interposed between the second coupling portion and the fuel tank, is coupled to the fuel tank by the fuel tank side coupling member, and elastically supports the fuel tank.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a fuel tank mounting structure that can accurately and easily mount a fuel tank to a vehicle body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] One embodiment will be described below. Note that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships between elements, the ratios of the elements, etc. may be different from the actual ones. Also, there may be parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios are different between the drawings. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used only for distinguishing parts, members, sites, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a bottom view schematically showing a part of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2, a fuel tank 3, and a fuel tank mounting structure 4. The vehicle 1 supplies the fuel stored in the fuel tank 3 to the engine and runs by the power of the engine.

[0011] As shown in each drawing, for convenience, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined in this specification. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis is provided along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The Y-axis is provided along the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle 1. The Z-axis is provided along the up-down direction of the vehicle 1.

[0012] Furthermore, in this specification, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are defined. The X direction is the direction along the X-axis, including the +X direction indicated by the arrow of the X-axis and the -X direction opposite to the arrow of the X-axis. The Y direction is the direction along the Y-axis, including the +Y direction indicated by the arrow of the Y-axis and the -Y direction opposite to the arrow of the Y-axis. The Z direction is the direction along the Z-axis, including the +Z direction indicated by the arrow of the Z-axis and the -Z direction opposite to the arrow of the Z-axis.

[0013] In the following description, the +Z direction is defined as being above the vertical direction, and the -Z direction is defined as being below the vertical direction. Note that the Z direction may be different from the vertical direction depending on various conditions such as the location where the vehicle 1 is located and the state of the tires.

[0014] Also, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the front-rear direction is the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1, the width direction (left-right direction) is the width direction of the vehicle 1, and the up-down direction is the up-down direction of the vehicle 1. Also, in the width direction, front-rear direction, and up-down direction, the direction toward the inside (center) of the vehicle 1 is referred to as the inside of the vehicle, and the direction toward the outside of the vehicle 1 is also referred to as the outside of the vehicle.

[0015] The vehicle body 2 has a floor panel 2a. The floor panel 2a has a panel portion 2b and a cross member 2c. The floor panel 2a is made of, for example, a metal material.

[0016] The fuel tank 3 has a tank body 3a and a flange 3b. The fuel tank 3 is made of, for example, a metal material. The tank body 3a stores fuel. The flange 3b extends from the tank body 3a to the outside of the tank body 3a. The fuel tank 3 is constituted by, for example, a combination of two members. Thereby, the flange 3b is constituted by two plates 3c, 3d (see FIG. 5) that are overlapped with each other.

[0017] The fuel tank mounting structure 4 mounts the fuel tank 3 to the vehicle body 2. Specifically, the fuel tank mounting structure 4 couples the fuel tank 3 to the floor panel 2a of the vehicle body 2. The fuel tank mounting structure 4 includes two left and right tank bands 11L and 11R, and two left and right mounting structures 12L and 12R. Hereinafter, the tank bands 11L and 11R are collectively referred to as the tank band 11, and the mounting structures 12L and 12R are collectively referred to as the mounting structure 12. The mounting structure 12 is also referred to as a fuel tank mounting structure.

[0018] The two tank bands 11 extend in the front-rear direction passing under the fuel tank 3, and are arranged side by side with a space therebetween in the left-right direction. The front and rear ends of the tank band 11 are coupled to the floor panel 2a by bolts 13. The tank band 11 supports the lower surface of the fuel tank 3.

[0019] The two mounting structures 12 are arranged side by side with a space therebetween in the left-right direction. The mounting structure 12 couples the flange 3b at the rear of the fuel tank 3 to the cross member 2c of the vehicle body 2.

[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the mounting structure 12 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the mounting structure 12 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 2. Also, FIG. 6 corresponds to the cross-section taken along line D-D in FIG. 3.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the mounting structure 12 includes a bracket 21, a bolt 22, a nut 23, a connecting member 24, a collar 25 (FIGS. 5 and 6), an elastic member 26 (FIGS. 5 and 6), a pin member 27 (FIGS. 2 and 6), a bolt 30 (FIGS. 2 and 6), and a nut 31 (FIG. 6). The bolt 22 is an example of a fuel tank side coupling member and a fastening member, and the bolt 30 is an example of a vehicle body side coupling member and a fastening member. The bolts 22 and 30 are also referred to as screwing members.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the bracket 21 has a coupling portion 21a, a connection portion 21b, and a coupling portion 21c. The bracket 21 is made of, for example, a metal material. The coupling portion 21a is an example of a second coupling portion, and the coupling portion 21c is an example of a first coupling portion.

[0023] The coupling portion 21a is formed in a plate shape that extends in a direction (XY plane) perpendicular to the vertical direction. The coupling portion 21a is coupled to the flange 3b of the fuel tank 3 via a bolt 22, a nut 23, and an elastic member 26.

[0024] The coupling portion 21c is located above the coupling portion 21a. The coupling portion 21c is formed in a plate shape that extends in a direction (XY plane) perpendicular to the vertical direction. The coupling portion 21c is coupled (fixed) to the cross member 2c of the vehicle body 2 by bolts 30 and nuts 31. A through hole 21f is provided in the coupling portion 21c. A bolt 30 is inserted into the through hole 21f (FIG. 6).

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, a plurality (two as an example) of bolts 22 are provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the bolt 22 has a head 22a and a shaft portion 22b. The head 22a is located on the lower side with respect to the coupling portion 21a of the bracket 21. The shaft portion 22b extends upward from the head 22a and penetrates the coupling portion 21a of the bracket 21 and the flange 3b of the fuel tank 3. Specifically, a through hole 21d is provided in the coupling portion 21a of the bracket 21, and through holes 3e and 3f are provided in the plates 3c and 3d of the flange 3b of the fuel tank 3. The shaft portion 22b penetrates the through hole 21d of the coupling portion 21a and the through holes 3e and 3f of the plates 3c and 3d of the flange 3b.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of bolts 22 are connected by a connecting member 24. The connecting member 24 is formed in a plate shape that spreads in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 5, a through hole 24a is formed in the connecting member 24. The head 22a of the bolt 22 is located below the connecting member 24, and the shaft portion 22b of the bolt 22 is inserted into the through hole 24a. The head 22a of the bolt 22 is fixed to the connecting member 24 by welding or the like. That is, the connecting member 24 and the plurality of bolts 22 are integrated and move together as one body.

[0027] The nut 23 is overlapped with the flange 3b of the fuel tank 3 on the upper side with respect to the flange 3b and is coupled to the shaft portion 22b of the bolt 22.

[0028] The collar 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape. As an example, the collar 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The collar 25 is made of, for example, a metal material. The collar 25 is located below the flange 3b of the fuel tank 3, and the shaft portion 22b of the bolt 22 is inserted into the collar 25. The collar 25 is fastened to the flange 3b by the bolt 22 and the nut 23 in a state of being sandwiched between the flange 3b and the head 22a of the bolt 22. Specifically, the connecting member 24 is interposed between the collar 25 and the head 22a of the bolt 22.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic member 26 is interposed between the coupling portion 21a and the flange 3b of the fuel tank 3. The elastic member 26 is coupled to the fuel tank 3 by the bolt 22 and elastically supports the fuel tank 3. The elastic member 26 elastically supports the fuel tank 3 so as to be movable in a direction including, for example, the vertical direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction.

[0030] Specifically, the elastic member 26 is formed in a cylindrical shape. As an example, the elastic member 26 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The elastic member 26 is composed of, for example, rubber. The elastic member 26 is elastically deformable. The elastic member 26 is located below the flange 3b of the fuel tank 3, and the shaft portion 22b of the bolt 22 and the collar 25 are inserted into the elastic member 26. In other words, the elastic member 26 covers the outer peripheral surface of the collar 25. The elastic member 26 is sandwiched between the flange 3b and the head 22a of the bolt 22. Specifically, a connecting member 24 is interposed between the elastic member 26 and the head 22a of the bolt 22.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, a recess 26b is provided on the outer peripheral surface 26a of the elastic member 26. A part of the connecting portion 21a of the bracket 21 is fitted into the recess 26b. Specifically, the portion around the through hole 21d in the connecting portion 21a is fitted into the recess 26b. Thereby, the elastic member 26 is supported by the bracket 21, and the fuel tank 3 is elastically supported with respect to the bracket 21.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the pin member 27 is fixed to the connecting member 24. The pin member 27 has a head 27a and a shaft portion 27b. The head 27a is located on the lower side with respect to the connecting member 24. The head 27a is fixed to the connecting member 24. Therefore, the connecting member 24, the pin member 27, and the plurality of bolts 22 are integrated.

[0033] The shaft portion 27b extends upward from the head portion 27a and passes through the connecting member 24 and the connecting portion 21a of the bracket 21. Specifically, the connecting member 24 is provided with a through hole 24b, and the connecting portion 21a of the bracket 21 is provided with a through hole 21e. The shaft portion 27b passes through the through hole 24b of the connecting member 24 and the through hole 21e of the connecting portion 21a of the bracket 21. Further, a retaining plate 28 is coupled to the shaft portion 27b. The head portion 27a of the pin member 27 and the retaining plate 28 sandwich the connecting portion 21a of the connecting member 24 and the bracket 21. The pin member 27 restricts the relative movement between the bracket 21 and the bolt 22 around the central axis Ax1 of the bolt 30 when the shaft portion 27b contacts the peripheral surface of the through hole 21e in the connecting portion 21a of the bracket 21.

[0034] As described above, the fuel tank mounting structure 4 of the present embodiment includes the bracket 21, the bolt 30 (vehicle body side connecting member), the bolt 22 (fuel tank side connecting member), and the elastic member 26. The bracket 21 has a connecting portion 21c (first connecting portion) and a connecting portion 21a (second connecting portion). The bolt 30 connects the connecting portion 21c to the vehicle body 2. The elastic member 26 is interposed between the connecting portion 21a and the fuel tank 3, and is coupled to the fuel tank 3 by the bolt 22 to elastically support the fuel tank 3.

[0035] According to such a configuration, the elastic member 26 can absorb the variation in the tolerances of the respective members, so that the fuel tank 3 can be easily and accurately mounted on the vehicle body 2. Further, in the conventional structure, there is a problem that it is difficult to mount the fuel tank 3 on the vehicle body 2 due to the tolerances of the respective members and the like. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the variation in the tolerances of the respective members can be absorbed, so that the fuel tank 3 can be easily mounted on the vehicle body 2.

[0036] Further, according to the above configuration, when the vehicle 1 collides with an obstacle or the like, the load (impact force) caused by the collision can be absorbed by the elastic member 26. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the transmission of the load to the fuel tank 3. That is, the elastic member 26 functions as a buffer material that absorbs the load.

[0037] Further, the fuel tank mounting structure 4 includes a pin member 27 (restricting member). The body-side coupling member is a bolt 30 (fastening member). The pin member 27 restricts relative movement between the bracket 21 and the bolt 22 around the central axis Ax1 of the bolt 30.

[0038] According to such a configuration, since the pin member 27 restricts relative movement between the bracket 21 and the bolt 22 around the central axis Ax1 of the bolt 30, when the coupling portion 21a of the bracket 21 is coupled to the fuel tank 3 by the bolt 22 and the coupling portion 21c of the bracket 21 is coupled to the vehicle body 2 by the bolt 30, relative movement between the bracket 21 and the bolt 22 can be suppressed.

[0039] Further, the fuel tank mounting structure 4 includes a plurality of bolts 22 and a connecting member 24 that connects the plurality of bolts 22. The fuel tank-side coupling member is a bolt 22 (fastening member).

[0040] According to such a configuration, the strength of the fuel tank mounting structure 4 can be improved.

[0041] Further, the connecting member 24, the plurality of bolts 22, and the pin member 27 are integrated.

[0042] According to such a configuration, the connecting member 24, the plurality of bolts 22, and the pin member 27 move integrally.

[0043] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the above embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The above embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0044] 2... Vehicle body 4…Fuel tank mounting structure 21…Bracket 21a…Joint part (second joint part) 21c…Joint part (first joint part) 22…Bolt (fuel tank side coupling member) 24…Connecting member 26…Elastic member 27…Pin member (restricting member) 30…Bolt (vehicle body side coupling member) Ax1…Central axis

Claims

1. A bracket having a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion; A vehicle body side coupling member that couples the first coupling portion to the vehicle body; A fuel tank side coupling member; An elastic member interposed between the second coupling portion and the fuel tank, coupled to the fuel tank by the fuel tank side coupling member, and elastically supporting the fuel tank; A fuel tank mounting structure comprising the above.

2. Comprising a restricting member, The vehicle body side coupling member is a fastening member, The restricting member restricts relative movement between the bracket and the fuel tank side coupling member about the central axis of the vehicle body side coupling member. The fuel tank mounting structure according to Claim 1.

3. A plurality of the fuel tank side coupling members; A connecting member that connects the plurality of the fuel tank side coupling members; Comprising the above. The fuel tank side coupling member is a fastening member. The fuel tank mounting structure according to Claim 1.

4. A plurality of the fuel tank side coupling members; A connecting member that connects the plurality of the fuel tank side coupling members; Comprising the above. The fuel tank side coupling member is a fastening member. The connecting member, the plurality of the fuel tank side coupling members, and the restricting member are integrated. The fuel tank mounting structure according to Claim 2.

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