Mounting structure for fuel piping

Abstract

This mounting structure for mounting a filler pipe (11), which connects an oil supply port (41) of a vehicle (100) and a fuel tank (15), and a breather pipe (13) to a vehicle body (17) comprises a bracket (60) fixed to the filler pipe (11) and the breather pipe (13). The bracket (60) has a long hole (61) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and is fixed to the vehicle body (17), so as to be slidable in the vehicle front-rear direction within a range in the length direction of the long hole (61), by a fastening bolt (71) inserted into the long hole (61) and fastened to the vehicle body (17).

Description

Fuel pipe mounting structure

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

[0002] In vehicles such as automobiles, fuel pipes such as long filler necks and vent tubes that connect the fuel filler opening and fuel tank are supported by brackets joined to the pipes and fastened to the vehicle body with bolts (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 9-39588

[0004] However, if the vehicle is subjected to an impact such as a rear-end collision and the body is deformed, the fuel pipe extending from the fuel filler cap will be displaced, and a large load will be placed on the fixing point between the bracket bolted to the body and the fuel pipe, which may be damaged.

[0005] In this case, if the fastening point of the bracket to the vehicle body is designed to come off upon impact, damage to the fixing point of the fuel pipe to the bracket can be reduced, but the fuel pipe will move significantly, which raises concerns about damage to the hose connecting the fuel pipe to the fuel tank.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fuel pipe mounting structure that can maintain a high level of safety even when an impact is applied to the vehicle.

[0007] The present invention comprises the following configuration: A mounting structure for mounting a fuel pipe connecting a fuel filler opening and a fuel tank of a vehicle to a vehicle body, the mounting structure comprising: a bracket fixed to the fuel pipe, the bracket having an elongated hole extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and the bracket being fixed to the vehicle body by a fastener that is inserted into the elongated hole and fastened to the vehicle body so as to be slidable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle within a range in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel pipe mounting structure that can maintain a high level of safety even when an impact is applied to the vehicle.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a rear view of the left side at the rear of a vehicle, illustrating the fuel pipe mounting structure according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the locations where the filler pipe and breather pipe are disposed in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the filler pipe and breather pipe. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the locations where brackets are fixed to the filler pipe and breather pipe. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bracket fixed to the filler pipe and breather pipe. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the end side of the bracket where an elongated hole is formed.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the symbol FR indicates the front of the vehicle, and the symbol HL indicates the vehicle width direction. Fig. 1 is a rear view of the left side of the rear of a vehicle 100, illustrating the fuel pipe mounting structure according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the locations of the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 in Fig. 1.

[0011] 1 and 2, the fuel pipe mounting structure is a structure for mounting a fuel pipe provided in a vehicle 100 such as an automobile to a vehicle body 17. In this example, the fuel pipes are a filler pipe 11 and a breather pipe 13. The filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are connected to a fuel filler port 41 (see FIG. 3) and a fuel tank 15 of the vehicle 100, which will be described later.

[0012] The filler pipe 11 is a pipe for sending fuel supplied from the fuel filler port 41 to the fuel tank 15 of the vehicle 100. The breather pipe 13 is a pipe for venting gases such as air in the fuel tank 15 to the fuel filler port 41 side.

[0013] The fuel tank 15 is provided under the floor of the vehicle body 17. The vehicle body 17 includes a chassis frame (skeletal member) 21. The chassis frame 21 includes a pair of side members 23 and cross members 25, 27. The side members 23 are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction and extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. Note that only the left side member 23 of the vehicle 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cross members 25, 27 extend in the vehicle width direction at multiple locations spaced apart in the vehicle front-rear direction. Both ends of these cross members 25, 27 are joined to the side members 23. The cross member 27 on the rear side of the vehicle is joined to the rear end of the side member 23. The fuel tank 15 is located between the side members 23 of the chassis frame 21 and further forward of the cross member 25 on the front side of the vehicle.

[0014] The filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are arranged along a wheel house (not shown) of the vehicle body 17 that surrounds the rear wheel 29, and are passed under the side member 23. The filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are connected to the fuel tank 15 via flexible connecting hoses 31 and 33, respectively.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the fixing points of the bracket 60 on the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13.

[0016] 3 and 4, the filler pipe 11 is bent at multiple locations along the route of installation into the vehicle body 17. The filler pipe 11 is made of a metal tube, and the opening at one end thereof serves as a fuel filler port 41. The other end of the filler pipe 11 serves as a connection end 43, to which the connection hose 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is connected.

[0017] The breather pipe 13 is made of a metal tube having a smaller diameter than the filler pipe 11, and like the filler pipe 11, is bent at multiple locations along the route of installation to the vehicle body 17. One end of the breather pipe 13 is connected near the fuel filler port 41, which is the opening of the filler pipe 11, and is in communication with the fuel filler port 41. The other end of the breather pipe 13 is a connection end 53, to which a connection hose 33 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is connected.

[0018] The filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 each have a straight portion 45, 55 that are arranged parallel to each other with a gap between them. The straight portions 45, 55 of the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are passed below the side member 23 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0019] A bracket 60 is fixed to the straight portions 45, 55 of the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13. As a result, the straight portions 45, 55 of the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are fixed in parallel to the bracket 60. The bracket 60 is fixed to the upper side, which is the side member 23 side, of the straight portions 45, 55 of the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 that pass below the side member 23. The bracket 60 is formed in a long plate shape. The bracket 60 is made of a metal plate, and one end 60a of the bracket 60 is welded and fixed to the straight portions 45, 55 of the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13. As a result, the straight portions 45, 55 of the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are maintained in a state where they are arranged in parallel with a gap between them by the bracket 60.

[0020] The bracket 60 has an elongated hole 61 at its other end 60b. This elongated hole 61 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see FIGS. 1 and 2). A fastening bolt (fastener) 71 is inserted into the elongated hole 61 from below, opposite the side member 23. The fastening bolt 71 has a threaded portion 73 and a head portion 75 with a larger diameter than the threaded portion 73. The threaded portion 73 is inserted into the elongated hole 61 of the bracket 60. The threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71 is then threaded into a female threaded portion (not shown) provided in the side member 23 to fasten the bracket 60, thereby sandwiching and fixing the bracket 60 between the head portion 75 of the fastening bolt 71 and the side member 23. As a result, the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are attached to and supported by the side member 23 that constitutes the chassis frame 21 of the vehicle body 17 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In this way, when the bracket 60 is fixed to the side member 23 with the fastening bolts 71 and the filler pipe 11 and breather pipe 13 are attached to the vehicle body 17, the fuel tank 15 is positioned on the front side of the vehicle relative to the point where the bracket 60 is fixed to the vehicle body 17.

[0021] Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bracket 60 fixed to the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the end side of the bracket 60 where the elongated hole 61 is formed.

[0022] 5 and 6 , the elongated hole 61 of the bracket 60 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction has an insertion region 63 and a slide region 65. The insertion region 63 is provided at the end of the elongated hole 61 on the vehicle front side. The portion of the elongated hole 61 on the vehicle rear side of the insertion region 63 is the slide region 65. The insertion region 63 is a circular region into which the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71 can be inserted. In other words, the bracket 60 is fixed to the side member 23 at the end of the elongated hole 61 on the vehicle front side by screwing the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71 inserted into the insertion region 63 of the elongated hole 61 into the female threaded portion of the side member 23.

[0023] The width W of the slide region 65 of the elongated hole 61 is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the fastening portion of the fastening bolt 71 that is fastened to the vehicle body 17 (i.e., equal to or smaller than the diameter of the threaded portion 73). Specifically, the width W of the slide region 65 is equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71. This makes it difficult for the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71 to be inserted into the slide region 65, thereby preventing erroneous insertion of the fastening bolt 71 into the slide region 65 when fixing the bracket 60 to the side member 23. This allows the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71 to be properly inserted into the insertion region 63 of the elongated hole 61, thereby fixing the bracket 60 to the vehicle body 17.

[0024] The bracket 60 has a pair of locking portions 67 in the elongated hole 61. The locking portions 67 are provided on the longitudinal edges of the elongated hole 61 and are formed to protrude inward of the elongated hole 61. The locking portions 67 are formed at the boundary between the insertion region 63 and the slide region 65. In this example, the locking portions 67 are provided at opposing positions on both longitudinal edges of the elongated hole 61. The distance between the pair of locking portions 67 is smaller than the width W of the slide region 65 and smaller than the diameter of the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71. As a result, the pair of locking portions 67 lock the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71 inserted into the insertion region 63 and restrict movement of the threaded portion 73 toward the slide region 65. The elongated hole 61 of the bracket 60 also has a pair of notches 69 formed in the notches 69. The notches 69 are formed adjacent to the respective locking portions 67 on the opposite side from the insertion region 63. The locking portion 67 and the notch 69 may be provided on only one edge of the elongated hole 61 along the length direction.

[0025] With the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 attached to the vehicle body 17 by the above-described attachment structure, the bracket 60 is fixed to the side member 23 of the chassis frame 21, which is a framework member, by the fastening bolt 71 having a threaded portion 73 inserted into the insertion region 63 of the long hole 61. Therefore, the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are maintained in a state where they are supported by the vehicle body 17 without any rattle, even if vibrations or the like are applied during driving.

[0026] Next, a situation will be described in which an impact is applied from behind the vehicle 100 in which the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are attached to the vehicle body 17 by the above-described attachment structure.

[0027] For example, when an impact is applied to the vehicle 100 from behind, such as in a rear collision, the impact is transmitted to the vehicle body 17. If the rear of the vehicle other than the highly rigid chassis frame 21, which is a framework member of the vehicle body 17, is deformed by this impact, the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are pushed toward the front of the vehicle. In contrast, the side member 23 of the highly rigid chassis frame 21 to which the bracket 60 is fixed is limited in deformation. Therefore, the bracket 60 is pulled toward the front of the vehicle by the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13, which are pushed toward the front of the vehicle, and a tensile force F toward the front of the vehicle acts on the side member 23 (see FIG. 2 ).

[0028] When this tensile force F exceeds the fastening force of the bracket 60 by the fastening bolt 71, the bracket 60 is pulled toward the front of the vehicle, and the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71 enters the slide region 65 from the insertion region 63 of the elongated hole 61 while pushing the locking portion 67 toward the slide region 65 and deforming it, and moves relatively to the end of the slide region 65 opposite the insertion region 63. As a result, the bracket 60 slides toward the front of the vehicle within the range of the length of the elongated hole 61. Here, the locking portion 67 pressed by the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71 enters the space formed by the adjacent notch portion 69. This allows smooth relative movement of the fastening bolt 71 with respect to the bracket 60, allowing the bracket 60 to slide smoothly. Then, by the bracket 60 sliding toward the front of the vehicle, the load on the fixing points between the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 and the bracket 60 is reduced, and damage to the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 at the fixing points with the bracket 60 is avoided. Note that the fastening force of the fastening bolts 71 that fasten the bracket 60 to the side member 23 is set to a value smaller than the fixing strength between the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 and the bracket 60.

[0029] Furthermore, because the bracket 60 remains supported by the fastening bolts 71 with the threaded portions 73 inserted into the elongated holes 61, it remains attached to the side member 23 without falling off even when sliding. This prevents the bracket 60 from falling off and the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 from moving significantly toward the front of the vehicle. This also prevents damage to the connecting hoses 31, 33 connecting the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 to the fuel tank 15, for example, from being pinched between the cross member 25 and the connecting ends 43, 53 of the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13.

[0030] In this way, with the fuel pipe mounting structure of this embodiment, even when an impact is applied to the vehicle 100, damage to the fixing points between the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 and the bracket 60, and damage to the connection points between the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 and the fuel tank 15 can be avoided, thereby maintaining a high level of safety.

[0031] Furthermore, since the bracket 60 is fixed to the side member 23 of the chassis frame 21, which is a high-strength framework member of the vehicle body 17, the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 can be attached to the vehicle body 17 in a stable state.

[0032] Furthermore, the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71 inserted through the elongated hole 61 is locked by the locking portion 67, which prevents unnecessary sliding of the bracket 60 under normal conditions and allows the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 to be stably attached to the vehicle body. Moreover, when an impact is applied to the vehicle 100, the locking portion 67 is pressed by the threaded portion 73 of the fastening bolt 71 and deforms. At this time, the locking portion 67 enters the adjacent notch 69, allowing smooth relative movement of the fastening bolt 71 with respect to the bracket 60.

[0033] Furthermore, since the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 are fixed in parallel to the bracket 60, the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 can be supported collectively on the vehicle body 17 by the bracket 60 while minimizing damage when an impact is applied to the vehicle 100.

[0034] The fuel pipe attached to the vehicle body 17 by the bracket 60 may be a leveling pipe provided to detect the fuel level in the fuel tank 15.

[0035] Furthermore, the sliding direction of the bracket 60 is not limited to the front side of the vehicle. For example, the insertion region 63 and the sliding region 65 in the elongated hole 61 of the bracket 60 may be reversed so that the sliding direction of the bracket 60 is toward the rear side of the vehicle. In this case, for example, when an impact is applied to the vehicle 100 from the front side, the bracket 60 slides toward the rear side of the vehicle, thereby reducing the load on the fixing points between the filler pipe 11 and the breather pipe 13 and the bracket 60, and preventing damage. Furthermore, the elongated hole 61 may be provided with sliding regions 65 on both sides of the insertion region 63, so that the bracket 60 can slide in either direction in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0036] Furthermore, the method of fixing the bracket 60 to the vehicle body 17 is not limited to using the fastening bolts 71. For example, the bracket 60 may be fixed to the vehicle body 17 by passing a stud bolt provided upright on the side member 23 through the elongated hole 61 of the bracket 60 and fastening a nut thereto.

[0037] As such, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention also contemplates the mutual combination of the various components of the embodiments, as well as modifications and applications by those skilled in the art based on the description in the specification and well-known techniques, and these modifications and applications are included in the scope of protection sought.

[0038] As described above, this specification discloses the following: (1) A mounting structure for mounting a fuel pipe connecting a fuel filler opening and a fuel tank of a vehicle to a vehicle body, the mounting structure comprising: a bracket fixed to the fuel pipe; the bracket having an elongated hole extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; and the bracket being fixed to the vehicle body by a fastener inserted through the elongated hole and fastened to the vehicle body so as to be slidable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle within a range along the length of the elongated hole. With this fuel pipe mounting structure, when a fore-and-aft impact is applied to the vehicle and the fuel pipe is displaced, the bracket fixed to the vehicle body by the fastener slides in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle within a range along the length of the elongated hole. This reduces the load on the fixed portion between the fuel pipe and the bracket, thereby preventing damage to the fuel pipe at the fixed portion with the bracket. Moreover, because the bracket is maintained in a supported state by the fastener inserted through the elongated hole, detachment of the bracket fixed to the vehicle body can be prevented. Therefore, damage to the connection portion between the fuel pipe and the fuel tank due to the bracket detaching and the fuel pipe moving significantly can be reduced.

[0039] (2) The fuel pipe mounting structure according to (1), wherein the bracket is fixed to a frame member of the vehicle body. According to this fuel pipe mounting structure, by fixing the bracket to a high-strength frame member, the fuel pipe can be mounted to the vehicle body in a stable state.

[0040] (3) The fuel pipe mounting structure according to (1) or (2), wherein the bracket has a locking portion that protrudes into the elongated hole and locks the fastener. With this fuel pipe mounting structure, the fastener inserted into the elongated hole is locked by the locking portion, preventing unnecessary sliding of the bracket under normal conditions and allowing the fuel pipe to be stably mounted to the vehicle body. Furthermore, when an impact is applied to the vehicle, the fastener presses against the locking portion, deforming the locking portion, allowing the fastener to move smoothly relative to the bracket. This allows the bracket to slide smoothly, avoiding damage to the fastening point between the bracket and the fuel pipe.

[0041] (4) The fuel pipe mounting structure according to (3), wherein the elongated hole has a notch formed in the locking portion at a position adjacent to the side opposite to the side through which the fastener is inserted. With this fuel pipe mounting structure, when the locking portion is deformed by being pressed by the fastener, the locking portion enters the adjacent notch. This allows the locking portion to be smoothly deformed by the fastener when an impact is applied to the vehicle. This allows the fastener to move smoothly relative to the bracket, allowing the bracket to slide smoothly and preventing damage to the fastening point with the fuel pipe.

[0042] (5) The fuel pipe mounting structure according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the bracket is fixed to the vehicle body by the fastener that is inserted into a front end of the elongated hole and fastened to the vehicle body. With this fuel pipe mounting structure, when an impact is applied from behind the vehicle, such as in a rear collision, the bracket can smoothly slide toward the front of the vehicle within the range of the length of the elongated hole.

[0043] (6) The fuel pipe mounting structure according to (5), wherein the fuel tank is disposed forward of the vehicle relative to the location where the bracket is fixed to the vehicle body. With this fuel pipe mounting structure, even when the bracket slides forward of the vehicle, the fasteners inserted through the elongated holes prevent the bracket from falling off and maintain the mounting state on the vehicle body. Therefore, damage to the connection between the fuel pipe and the fuel tank caused by the bracket falling off and the fuel pipe moving significantly forward of the vehicle can be reduced.

[0044] (7) The fuel pipe mounting structure according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the elongated hole has an insertion region through which the fastener is passed and a slide region through which the fastener passed through the insertion region can slide, and the width dimension of the slide region is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the fastener's portion fastened to the vehicle body. According to this fuel pipe mounting structure, the width dimension of the slide region is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the fastener's portion fastened to the vehicle body, making it difficult for the fastener to enter the slide region, thereby preventing the fastener from being erroneously inserted into the slide region of the elongated hole. This allows the fastener to be properly passed through the insertion region of the elongated hole to secure the bracket to the vehicle body.

[0045] (8) The fuel pipe mounting structure according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the fuel pipe comprises a filler pipe that sends fuel supplied from the fuel filler opening to the fuel tank and a breather pipe that directs gas in the fuel tank toward the fuel filler opening, and the filler pipe and the breather pipe are fixed in parallel to the bracket. With this fuel pipe mounting structure, the filler pipe and the breather pipe can be collectively supported on the vehicle body by the bracket while suppressing damage when an impact is applied to the vehicle.

[0046] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2024-049952) filed on March 26, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0047] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 Filler pipe (fuel pipe) 13 Breather pipe (fuel pipe) 15 Fuel tank 17 Vehicle body 21 Chassis frame (skeletal member) 23 Side member (skeletal member) 41 Fuel filler port 60 Bracket 61 Elongated hole 63 Insertion area 65 Slide area 67 Locking portion 69 Notch portion 71 Fastening bolt (fastener) 100 Vehicle W Width dimension

Claims

1. A mounting structure for mounting a fuel pipe connecting a fuel filler opening and a fuel tank of a vehicle to a vehicle body, the mounting structure comprising: a bracket fixed to the fuel pipe, the bracket having an elongated hole extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and the bracket being fixed to the vehicle body by a fastener that is inserted into the elongated hole and fastened to the vehicle body so as to be slidable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle within the longitudinal range of the elongated hole.

2. The fuel pipe mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the bracket is fixed to a frame member of the vehicle body.

3. A fuel pipe mounting structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bracket has a locking portion that projects into the elongated hole and locks the fastener.

4. A fuel pipe mounting structure as set forth in claim 3, wherein the elongated hole has a notch formed in the engaging portion at a position adjacent to the side opposite to the side through which the fastener is inserted.

5. A fuel pipe mounting structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bracket is fixed to the vehicle body by the fastener that is inserted into the end of the elongated hole on the front side of the vehicle and fastened to the vehicle body.

6. The fuel pipe mounting structure according to claim 5, wherein the fuel tank is disposed on the vehicle front side with respect to the fixing point of the bracket to the vehicle body.

7. A fuel pipe mounting structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated hole has an insertion region through which the fastener is passed and a slide region along which the fastener passed through the insertion region can slide, and the width of the slide region is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the fastening portion of the fastener which is fastened to the vehicle body.

8. A fuel piping mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fuel piping comprises a filler pipe that sends fuel supplied from the fuel filler opening into the fuel tank and a breather pipe that directs gas in the fuel tank toward the fuel filler opening, and the filler pipe and the breather pipe are fixed in parallel to the bracket.