Fuel tank system for a vehicle, and vehicle having the fuel tank system

Abstract

According to the invention, the technology disclosed here relates to a fuel tank system (10) for a vehicle (100), comprising: a housing (11) having a main chamber (12), which defines an inner housing volume (13), and having at least one secondary chamber (14, 15), which defines at least one outer housing volume (16, 17), at least one fuel tank (18) for storing fuel, at least one functional portion (19, 20), which is fastened to a first end face of the fuel tank (18) and / or to a second end face of the fuel tank (18), at least one bearing structure (21, 22) for mounting the fuel tank (18) on the functional portion (19, 20), the fuel tank (18) being positioned in the inner housing volume (13) and the functional portion (19, 20) being at least partially positioned in the outer housing volume (16, 17), at least one cavity structure (30) which defines at least one cavity volume (31) within the outer housing volume (16, 17), and at least one fuel sensor (40) which is positioned in and / or on the cavity volume (31). The technology also relates to a vehicle (100) having the fuel tank system (10).

Description

[0001] 24-2429

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] Fuel tank system for a vehicle and vehicle with the fuel tank system

[0005] The technology disclosed herein relates to a fuel storage system for a vehicle for storing fuel within the vehicle. The technology further relates to a vehicle with a fuel storage system for supplying a vehicle energy converter.

[0006] Energy converters such as internal combustion engines and fuel cells for vehicles are known in the prior art. These energy converters are supplied with fuel from a fuel tank system within the vehicle. Known fuel tank systems for motor vehicles comprise a fuel tank assembly with multiple fuel tanks. Current and future fuel tank systems are installed in the underfloor area of ​​the vehicle, beneath the passenger compartment. It is also known in the prior art to position fuel sensors near the fuel tanks and / or near the fuel cells to detect accumulations of flammable gases. Any fuel leaks should be detected as quickly and reliably as possible.

[0007] The purpose of the present technology is to create an improved fuel tank system and a vehicle with the fuel tank system for the rapid and reliable detection of fuel leaks.

[0008] The aforementioned problem is solved by the claims. In particular, the aforementioned problem is solved by the fuel tank system according to claim 1 and the vehicle according to the dependent claim. Further advantages of the disclosed technology will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Features described in connection with the fuel tank system also apply in connection with the vehicle, and vice versa, so that the disclosure always refers to and / or can refer to the individual aspects in a reciprocal manner.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present technology, a fuel tank system for a vehicle is proposed. The fuel tank system features: 24-2429

[0010] - 2 -

[0011] - a housing with a main chamber defining an inner housing volume, and at least one secondary chamber defining at least an outer housing volume,

[0012] - at least one fuel tank for storing fuel,

[0013] - at least one functional section attached to a first end face of the fuel tank and / or to a second end face of the fuel tank,

[0014] - at least one storage structure for storing the fuel tank at the functional section,

[0015] - wherein the fuel tank is positioned within the inner housing volume,

[0016] - where the functional section is at least partially positioned within the outer housing volume,

[0017] - at least one cavity structure that defines at least one cavity volume within the outer casing volume and

[0018] - at least one fuel sensor positioned in and / or on the cavity volume.

[0019] Within the framework of the technology described here, it was first recognized that fuel leaks in a typical pressure storage system are more likely to occur in the area of ​​functional sections at the end faces of a fuel tank. By positioning a fuel sensor in this area, potential leaks can therefore be detected particularly quickly and reliably. In conventional systems, fuel sensors were deliberately positioned in a main chamber containing the fuel tanks. The technology described here further proposes installing a specific cavity structure in the area of ​​the functional sections, in which fuel from a potential leak point can accumulate in such a concentrated manner that a fuel leak can be detected particularly quickly and reliably.Rapid and reliable detection of fuel leaks allows for swift implementation of countermeasures to prevent further leakage. Consequently, the proposed configuration improves the operational reliability of the fuel tank system as well as the overall operational reliability of the system in which it is installed.

[0020] The main chamber can be understood as a housing part that defines a larger volume than a secondary chamber or than several secondary chambers combined. A chamber positioned centrally between two secondary chambers can be considered a main chamber.24-2429

[0021] - 3 -

[0022] The term "chamber" is understood to refer to the housing. The housing can therefore comprise a main chamber, a first secondary chamber, and a second secondary chamber, with the main chamber positioned between the first and second secondary chambers. The first secondary chamber can be spaced apart from the second secondary chamber. The first secondary chamber can define a first outer housing volume, and the second secondary chamber can define a second outer housing volume. The housing can have a cuboid outer contour or a substantially cuboid outer contour. The at least one secondary chamber and the main chamber can have the same or substantially the same maximum height, the same or substantially the same maximum width, and a different maximum length.

[0023] The term "at least one functional section" can refer to functional sections located on the end faces of the at least one fuel container. Fuel containers of this type can have control units, sensors, and / or a blanking plug on different end faces. For example, a first functional section on one end face of a fuel container can have a blanking plug, a T-piece, a distributor, an adapter, a safety mechanism, and / or sensors. Another functional section on a different end face of the fuel container can have a valve unit. The valve unit can be understood to be a unit with at least one valve, which can be configured to control fuel flow from the fuel container and fuel flow into the fuel container.In this context, "controlling" can be understood as adjusting, controlling, and / or regulating. The functional sections can each be configured to store the fuel container at at least one storage structure. For example, a first functional section can be configured to store a fuel container at a first storage section of the storage structure, and a second functional section can be configured to store the fuel container at a second storage section of the storage structure. This means that a fuel container can be stored at two storage sections of the storage structure via two functional sections. If the fuel container system has multiple fuel containers, each fuel container can be stored at a total of two storage sections via two functional sections.

[0024] The bearing structure can be configured as a separating element to separate the main chamber from at least one secondary chamber. The bearing structure can form a boundary between the 24-2429

[0025] - 4 -

[0026] Define the inner volume and at least one outer volume. The bearing structure can have a similar height and width to the housing.

[0027] For example, the bearing structure can comprise at least 80% of the housing height and / or at least 80% of the housing width. The length or thickness of a bearing section is preferably shorter than the length of a functional section.

[0028] The fuel tank system may include a busbar through which multiple fuel tanks are fluidly interconnected. The busbar may be configured to withstand substantially the same pressures as the fuel tanks connected to it. The individual fuel tanks of the fuel tank system may be directly fluidly interconnected via the busbar. The distance between the busbar and the valve unit described above may be less than 50 cm, less than 20 cm, or less than 10 cm. The fuel tank system may include a fuel path with a fuel line for conveying fuel through the valve unit to the busbar. The fuel line, the valve unit, and the busbar may be considered separate components.

[0029] The fuel tanks can be designed as so-called composite overwrapped pressure vessels. The fuel tanks can be configured as high-pressure gas tanks. The fuel tanks can be configured to store fuel such as hydrogen at ambient temperatures continuously at a nominal operating pressure of at least 350 bar or at least 700 bar. In addition to the bearing structure, the fuel tank system can include support, fastening, and / or protective elements to which the fuel tanks are attached within the housing volume and / or to the housing. The at least one bearing structure can be configured to improve the transverse stiffness of the housing and / or to spatially separate the inner housing volume from the at least one outer housing volume. The fuel tank system can include more than 3, more than 5, or more than 7 fuel tanks.The fuel containers can be positioned parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction. The fuel containers can have circular or oval cross-sections. The individual fuel containers can be designed as storage tubes. The individual fuel containers can each have a length-to-diameter ratio with a value between 2 and 200, between 2 and 100, or between 2 and 20. The length-to-diameter ratio is the quotient of the total length of the individual fuel containers in the numerator and the largest outside diameter of the fuel container.

[0030] - 5 -

[0031] in the denominator. The individual fuel tanks can be arranged directly adjacent to one another, for example, at a distance of less than 20 mm, less than 15 mm, less than 10 mm, or less than 5 mm. Each individual fuel tank can be equipped with a shut-off valve. Alternatively, several fuel tanks can be connected to one another via a busbar with a common shut-off valve. At least one shut-off valve can be designed as part of a functional section and / or spaced apart from the functional section. The shut-off valve can be designed as part of the valve arrangement described here. The fuel tank can be configured to store fuel such as hydrogen or another gaseous fuel such as LPG or natural gas.

[0032] The fuel tank system can include at least one underbody housing or be designed at least partially as an underbody housing for a vehicle. This means that a housing of the fuel tank system can be configured to form part of the vehicle's underbody when installed in the vehicle as intended. Within the context of the technology described here, it was recognized that when multiple fuel tanks are arranged side-by-side, a continuous area with an increased risk of leakage is created at both ends of the fuel tanks and / or at the functional sections. The proposed fuel tank system addresses this problem.

[0033] The cavity volume can be positioned precisely above or below a leakage-prone area. Depending on the density of the escaping fuel, the fuel-enriched air rises or falls and can accumulate in the cavity volume or cavity structure. The cavity structure can have a continuous lateral boundary or edge structure that prevents, or at least temporarily prevents, the lateral outflow of fuel or a fuel mixture from the cavity volume. The cavity can be designed as an integral component of the housing and / or as part of the housing. Alternatively, the cavity can be designed as a separate structural component that can be attached to the housing by force-fit and / or form-fit. In the fuel container system described here, a fuel sensor in the main chamber or in the inner housing volume can be deliberately omitted.This means the fuel tank system can be configured without a fuel sensor inside the housing volume. 24-2429.

[0034] - 6 -

[0035] The term "fuel sensor" can refer to a hydrogen sensor. It can also refer to a concentration sensor used to determine the fuel concentration within and / or at the cavity volume.

[0036] The fuel tank system can be configured for use in an energy conversion system, for example, in a fuel cell system and / or in an internal combustion engine system. The fuel tank system can be designed as part of an energy conversion system. The energy converter can include at least one energy converter. The energy conversion system can be understood to be a fuel cell system. In this case, the energy converter can be understood to be at least one fuel cell or a fuel cell stack. The energy conversion system can also be understood to be an internal combustion engine system. In this case, the energy converter can be understood to be an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine can be configured to burn gaseous fuel in order to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the fuel tank system described here, the cavity structure can define a cuboid or substantially cuboid cavity volume. A rectangular cavity above or below a leak allows fuel-enriched air to accumulate evenly within the cavity volume. This enables reliable detection of leaks located some distance from the fuel sensor. For example, a leak in an outer fuel tank can be reliably detected by a fuel sensor positioned centrally within the cavity volume. Furthermore, a cavity structure defining a cuboid or substantially cuboid cavity volume can be integrated into the fuel tank system in a relatively space-saving manner.In the technology described here, the fuel sensor can be positioned centrally or substantially centrally within the cavity volume with respect to its length and / or width. The fuel sensor can also be positioned near a functional section, for example, closer than 500 mm, closer than 200 mm, or closer than 100 mm to a functional section.

[0038] Furthermore, it is possible that the cavity volume is smaller than the outer casing volume. This means that the cavity structure can define a limited volume within the outer casing volume in which fuel and / or a fuel mixture can accumulate. Through targeted positioning and / or dimensioning of the 24-2429

[0039] - 7 -

[0040] A cavity volume allows for particularly quick and reliable detection of any leaks. The cavity volume can be at least 25%, at least 50%, or at least 75% smaller than the outer casing volume. This means the cavity volume can be slightly smaller or significantly smaller than at least one outer casing volume. Generally, the smaller the cavity volume, the better the measurement resolution, since enriching the sample with the same fuel mass results in a higher concentration in a smaller volume. The relative size of the cavity volume can vary depending on the application and / or fuel storage system.

[0041] Furthermore, the housing may have an upper inner surface and a lower inner surface, with the upper inner surface positioned above the lower inner surface in the direction of gravity during intended use of the fuel container system, and with either the upper or lower inner surface forming at least part of the cavity structure. This means that a cavity structure can be designed as part of the housing and / or at least one secondary chamber. This allows the cavity structure to be designed in a particularly space- and material-saving manner. Depending on the fuel stored in the at least one fuel container, either the upper or lower inner surface can form part of the cavity structure. For example, if hydrogen is stored in such a way that it could escape from a leak in the outer housing volume, the upper inner surface can form part of the cavity structure.In other words, if the at least one fuel container is, for example, a hydrogen tank and / or a fuel container for storing hydrogen, the upper inner surface of the housing can be designed as part of the cavity structure. If the at least one fuel container is, for example, an LPG or CNG tank and / or a fuel container for storing LPG or CNG, the lower inner surface of the housing can be designed as part of the cavity structure. In both of these alternative cases, the other inner surface of the housing is not part of the cavity structure.

[0042] According to a further embodiment of the fuel container system described here, it is possible that the housing has an upper inner surface and a lower inner surface, wherein the upper inner surface is designed above the lower inner surface in the direction of gravity when the fuel container system is used as intended, wherein the cavity structure is cuboidal with an open bottom surface facing the lower inner surface or cuboidal with an open top surface facing the upper

[0043] - 8 -

[0044] The interior is designed with this feature. The open side surface allows fuel and / or a fuel mixture to enter the cavity volume over a large area. This makes it particularly effective to detect potential leaks. The cavity structure can have a relatively simple geometry. For example, the cavity structure can have a rectangular and / or cuboid-shaped lid. This allows the cavity structure to be manufactured and / or integrated into the fuel tank system relatively easily. Such a cavity structure can be realized with at least one specifically designed side wall. This side wall can extend orthogonally from the upper interior surface or orthogonally from the lower interior surface. Under an open top surface, or...The underside can be understood as a side surface of the cavity structure that lacks a wall and / or barrier layer and is defined by a boundary structure of the cavity structure. An open underside towards the lower inner surface can be understood as a side surface of the cavity structure that is closer to the lower inner surface than a closed top surface of the cavity structure. An open surface towards the upper inner surface can be understood as a side surface of the cavity structure that is closer to the upper inner surface than a closed underside of the cavity structure. Apart from the open top and bottom surfaces of the cavity structure, all other side surfaces of the cuboid or substantially cuboid cavity structure can be closed or substantially closed. The cavity structure can therefore be designed as a lid or a box.

[0045] In the fuel container system described here, the cavity volume can have a height, a width, and a length, with the height extending in the direction of gravity and / or in the vertical direction of a vehicle when the fuel container system is used as intended. The width and / or length can each be many times greater than the height. In simplified terms, the cavity structure can have the shape of a flat lid or a shallow box. This allows the cavity structure to form a space-saving and / or easily integrated cavity volume within the fuel container system, while simultaneously enabling reliable fuel accumulation for the dependable detection of any potential fuel leaks.The maximum width and / or the maximum length of the cavity structure can each have a value that is, for example, more than 2x, 3x, 5x, 10x or 50x greater than a value of the maximum height of the cavity structure.24-2429.

[0046] - 9 -

[0047] The cavity volume height can range from 5 mm to 100 mm. It has been found that a suitably dimensioned cavity structure enables reliable fuel accumulation while being relatively easy to integrate into the fuel storage system. The cavity volume can also have a height ranging from 10 mm to 50 mm or from 15 mm to 30 mm. The edge structure described herein can correspond to this height or substantially to it. For example, the edge structure can have a height that is at least 80% of the maximum height of the cavity volume.

[0048] According to a further embodiment of the fuel tank system described here, the width of the cavity volume can range from 100 mm to 1,500 mm and / or the length from 50 mm to 500 mm. It has been found that a correspondingly dimensioned cavity structure enables reliable fuel accumulation while simultaneously being integrated into the fuel tank system in a relatively space-saving manner. The cavity volume can also have a width ranging from 200 mm to 1,000 mm and / or a length ranging from 100 mm to 300 mm.If the fuel tank system is used as intended and is, for example, installed in a vehicle, length can be understood as a distance in the direction of travel, width as a distance in the transverse direction, and height as a distance in the vehicle's vertical direction. Alternatively or additionally, length can be understood as a distance in a longitudinal direction of the at least one fuel tank, and width as a distance perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the plane of the longitudinal direction.

[0049] Furthermore, it is possible that the cavity structure of the fuel tank system described here has:

[0050] - a closed top, an open bottom, an substantially closed rim structure and a through-hole in the rim structure, wherein the fuel sensor is positioned in and / or at the through-hole, or

[0051] - an open top, a closed bottom, a substantially closed rim structure and a through-hole in the rim structure, wherein the fuel sensor is positioned in and / or at the through-hole.

[0052] Fuel that accumulates in the cavity volume can flow out of the cavity volume through the through-hole. Fuel can be transferred via the through-hole in the 24-2429

[0053] - 10 -

[0054] The cavity volume is directed precisely to the fuel sensor. This allows fuel within the cavity volume to be detected quickly and reliably. Consequently, fuel leakage can be detected particularly quickly and reliably via the through-hole. The through-hole can be designed relatively simply, for example, as a through-bore. The through-hole can be located within the rim structure and / or be defined solely by the rim structure. The through-hole can have a diameter and / or a maximum width in a range between 1 mm and 50 mm, between 2 mm and 30 mm, or between 3 mm and 20 mm. The rim structure can have multiple through-holes, with a fuel sensor positioned at and / or in each through-hole, or with a fuel sensor positioned at and / or in only one of the through-holes.If the edge structure has multiple through-openings, these can have different shapes and / or sizes. The at least one through-opening has a significantly smaller area relative to a side surface of the edge structure by which the at least one through-opening is defined. For example, the flow cross-section of the through-opening can be smaller than 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 of a side surface of the edge structure in which the through-opening is formed. The edge structure is preferably formed directly on the closed top or the closed bottom. The edge structure can have interruptions and / or through-openings in and / or on which no fuel sensor is positioned, wherein the interruptions and / or through-openings can have a width and / or length of less than 10 mm, less than 5 mm, or less than 3 mm.

[0055] The cavity structure described above may also exhibit:

[0056] - a closed top, an open bottom and an at least substantially closed edge structure, wherein the fuel sensor is positioned closer to the closed top than to the open bottom, or

[0057] - an open top, a closed bottom and an at least substantially closed edge structure, with the fuel sensor positioned closer to the closed bottom than to the open top.

[0058] If the fuel sensor is located closer to the closed side, i.e., deeper within the cavity volume, the fuel within the cavity volume can be detected particularly quickly and / or reliably. It has also been found that, with regard to fuel determination and leak detection, it can be advantageous if the fuel sensor is positioned as close as possible to the closed side of the cavity structure. When using hydrogen as the fuel, it can be advantageous if the fuel sensor 24-2429

[0059] - 11 -

[0060] The fuel sensor should be positioned as high as possible in the direction of gravity, and when using LPG or CNG as fuel, it can be advantageous to position it as low as possible in the direction of gravity. A substantially closed edge structure can be understood as an edge structure in which one or more through-openings are formed, where the total cross-sectional area of ​​the at least one through-opening is negligibly small, for example, less than 1 / 100 of the side area of ​​the edge structure.

[0061] In the proposed fuel tank system, a first functional section may include a blanking plug and / or sensors and be at least partially located within a first outer housing volume of a first secondary chamber, with the fuel sensor positioned within this first outer housing volume. It has been recognized that fuel leakage is more likely to occur in the area of ​​such a functional section. Consequently, the proposed configuration allows for the rapid and reliable detection of fuel leakage.

[0062] Furthermore, the fuel tank system may include a valve unit for the controlled filling and emptying of at least one fuel tank, with the valve unit and the fuel sensor positioned in the second outer housing volume. It has been observed that fuel leakage is also more likely in the vicinity of such a valve unit. Consequently, any fuel leakage can be detected quickly and reliably with this configuration. Alternatively, the valve unit may be positioned in the first outer housing volume. The blanking plug and / or the sensor may alternatively be positioned in the second functional section. A pressure control unit for monitoring gas pressure in the valve unit may be integrated into the first and / or second outer housing volume.The at least one fuel sensor can be positioned in the same outer housing volume as the pressure control unit. The pressure control unit can be understood as a unit for setting, controlling, and / or regulating a fluid pressure, in particular a fuel pressure and / or a line pressure in a fuel supply path. For this purpose, the pressure control unit can include at least one pressure regulator. The pressure regulator can be configured to reduce the fluid pressure in the fuel supply path and / or to stabilize it at a value as constant as possible that is suitable for a desired operating condition.24-2429

[0063] - 12 -

[0064] Furthermore, it is possible for the valve unit to be positioned at a distance from the second functional section, with the fuel sensor positioned less than 200 mm away from the valve unit. It has been found that this allows the fuel sensor to be positioned both close enough to a potential leakage point in the valve unit and centrally and / or flexibly enough within the cavity volume to enable effective and / or efficient leakage detection.

[0065] Another aspect of the proposed technology concerns a vehicle with a fuel storage system and an energy converter as described above, wherein the fuel storage system is configured to store fuel for the energy converter. The term "vehicle" can refer to a motor vehicle such as a motorized two-wheeler, a passenger car, or a truck. It can also refer to a road vehicle, an aircraft, a watercraft, a rail vehicle, a spacecraft, or a robot. Furthermore, the term "vehicle" can refer to a purely electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle.

[0066] Further features and combinations of features of the proposed technology will become apparent from the following description of various embodiments, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. All features and / or advantages arising from the claims, the description, and the figures, including design details and spatial arrangements, can be significant both individually and in combination with one another.

[0067] They each show schematically:

[0068] Fig. 1 shows a fuel tank system according to an embodiment of the present technology in a top view.

[0069] Fig. 2 shows a fuel tank system according to an embodiment of the present technology in a side view,

[0070] Fig. 3 shows a cavity structure according to an embodiment of the present technology,

[0071] Fig. 4 shows a cavity structure according to a further embodiment of the present

[0072] Technology, 24-2429

[0073] - 13-

[0074] Fig. 5 shows a cavity structure according to a further embodiment of the present technology,

[0075] Fig. 6 shows a cavity structure according to a further embodiment of the present technology and

[0076] Fig. 7 shows a cavity structure according to a further embodiment of the present technology and

[0077] Fig. 8 shows a vehicle with a fuel tank system according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0078] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are each provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0079] Fig. 1 shows a fuel tank system 10 for a vehicle 100 depicted in Fig. 7 according to one possible embodiment in a top view and a bottom view. The fuel tank system 10 shown comprises a housing 11 with a main chamber 12, a first secondary chamber 14, and a second secondary chamber 15. The main chamber 12 is positioned between the first secondary chamber 14 and the second secondary chamber 15. The main chamber 12 defines an inner housing volume 13. The first secondary chamber defines a first outer housing volume 16, and the second secondary chamber 15 defines a second outer housing volume 17. Eight fuel tanks 18 for storing fuel are positioned in the inner housing volume 13 of the main chamber 12. Each fuel tank 18 is configured as a hydrogen pressure vessel for storing hydrogen under high pressure.Each fuel tank 18 has a first functional section 19 and a second functional section 20. More precisely, each functional section 19, 20 is attached to the end faces of the fuel tank 18. The fuel tank system 10 shown also has two support structures 21, 22 for supporting the fuel tank 18. The fuel tank 18 shown are each supported on the support structures 21, 22 via the functional sections 19, 20. The first functional sections 19 are each partially positioned in the first outer housing volume 16. The second functional sections 20 are each partially positioned in the second outer housing volume 17. 24-2429.

[0080] - 14-

[0081] The fuel container system 10 shown has two spaced-apart cavity structures 30. A first cavity structure defines a cavity volume 31 within the first outer casing volume 16, and a second cavity structure 30 defines another cavity volume 31 within the second outer casing volume 17. The first cavity structure 30 has a through-opening 35 in a rim structure 34. The rim structure 34 is part of the cavity structure 30 and is shown and described in further detail in Figures 4 and 5. The cavity structures 30 each define a cuboid or substantially cuboid cavity volume 31. The cavity volume 31 is in each case more than 50% smaller than the associated outer case volume 16, 17. The case volume 16, 17 is in each case defined between an upper inner surface 24 and a lower inner surface 25 of the case 11.In the illustrated embodiment, a first fuel sensor 40 is positioned in the through-opening 35 at a first cavity volume 31. A second fuel sensor 40 is positioned within a second cavity volume 31. The illustrated fuel tank system 10 further comprises a pressure control unit 46 in the first outer housing volume 16 and a valve unit 45 in the second outer housing volume 17. In the first functional section 19, a blanking plug and sensors for pressure and / or temperature measurement in the fuel tank 18 are provided. The fuel sensor 40 is positioned approximately 100 mm away from the valve unit 45.

[0082] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the fuel container system 10. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the cavity volume 31 has a height 41, a width 42, and a length 43. The height 41 extends in the direction of gravity 26. In the example shown, the width 42 and the length 43 are each many times greater than the height 41. In the example shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the cavity volume 31 has a height 41 of approximately 20 mm and a width of approximately 1,300 mm. The first cavity volume 31 has a length of approximately 100 mm, and the second cavity volume 31 has a length of approximately 350 mm.

[0083] Fig. 3 shows a cavity structure 30 according to a further embodiment of the technology proposed here. The cavity structure 30 is configured as an integral part of the housing 11. The housing 11 has an upper inner surface 24 and a lower inner surface 25 shown in Fig. 5. When the fuel container system 10 is used as intended, the upper inner surface 24 is positioned above the lower inner surface 25 in the direction of gravity 26. The 24-24 29 shown in Fig. 3

[0084] - 15-

[0085] The upper inner surface 24 forms part of the cavity structure 30. More precisely, the upper inner surface 24 forms a closed top surface 32 of the cavity structure 30. The cavity structure 30 shown in Fig. 3 has a closed edge structure 34 and forms a cuboid cavity volume 31. The cavity structure 30 also has an open bottom surface 33 in the direction of the lower inner surface 25 of the housing 11 (not shown in Fig. 3). The fuel sensor 40 shown in Fig. 3 is positioned closer to the closed top surface 32 than to the open bottom surface 33. Furthermore, the fuel sensor 40 is positioned centrally within the cavity volume 31 with respect to a width 42 (lateral direction) and a length 43 (longitudinal direction) (not shown).

[0086] Fig. 4 shows a cavity structure 30 according to a further embodiment. The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 has a through-opening 35 in the edge structure 34, wherein the fuel sensor 40 is positioned in the through-opening 35 and partially in the cavity volume 31.

[0087] Fig. 5 shows another possible embodiment of the cavity structure 30. According to Fig. 5, a part of the lower inner surface 25 of the housing 11 forms a bottom surface 33 of the cavity structure 30, with a top surface 32 open in the direction of the upper inner surface 24, which is not shown in Fig. 5.

[0088] Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which the cavity structure 30 is designed as an independent structural component within an outer housing volume 16. In the example shown, the cavity structure 30 is designed to be spaced apart from the upper inner surface 24 of the housing 11.

[0089] Fig. 7 shows a cavity structure 30 according to a further embodiment of the technology proposed here. In this example, the cavity structure 30 is designed as an integral part and local recess of the housing 11.

[0090] Figure 8 shows a vehicle 100 in the form of a passenger car. The vehicle 100 has a fuel storage system 10 as described above, an energy converter 50 in the form of a fuel cell stack, two electric motors 60 for driving the vehicle 100, and a buffer battery 70. The fuel storage system 10 is configured to store fuel for the energy converter 50. The energy converter 50 is configured to generate electrical current in the vehicle 100, which is used to power the electric motors.

[0091] - 16-

[0092] 60 can be used. Electrical energy from the energy converter 50 can be temporarily stored in the buffer battery 70.

[0093] The technology disclosed herein allows for further design principles in addition to the embodiments shown. That is to say, the technology should not be considered limited to the embodiments explained with reference to the figures. For example, the fuel tank system 10 is not limited to the flat storage system shown. The fuel tank system 10 can, for example, have a T-shaped fuel tank arrangement in which at least one fuel tank 18 is positioned in the direction of travel and at least one further fuel tank 18 is positioned transversely to the direction of travel. In this case, or also in one of the embodiments shown and / or described, it is possible that not only one or two cavity structures 30, but three, four, five, or even more cavity structures 30 are designed in and / or on leakage-prone areas.Furthermore, it is possible that the fuel sensor 40 is not located within the through-opening 35, but rather entirely within the cavity volume 31 at the through-opening 35, or outside the cavity volume 31 directly at the through-opening 35 and thus also directly at the cavity volume 31. The cavity structure 30 can define not only a cuboid cavity volume 31, but alternatively also a cavity volume 31 that is at least substantially cylindrical or prismatic. The vehicle 100 can have an internal combustion engine as an energy converter 50 instead of the fuel cell stack, and the internal combustion engine can be configured to burn fuel from the fuel storage system 10 to generate mechanical energy.

[0094] - 17 -

[0095] Reference symbol list

[0096] Fuel tank system

[0097] Housing

[0098] Main chamber

[0099] internal case volume

[0100] first side chamber

[0101] second side chamber

[0102] external case volume

[0103] external case volume

[0104] fuel tank

[0105] first functional section

[0106] second functional section

[0107] first warehouse structure

[0108] second storage structure

[0109] upper inside

[0110] lower inside

[0111] Direction of gravity

[0112] Cavity structure

[0113] Cavity volume

[0114] Top

[0115] bottom

[0116] Edge structure

[0117] Passage opening

[0118] Fuel sensor

[0119] Height

[0120] Width

[0121] length

[0122] Valve unit

[0123] Pressure control unit

[0124] Energy converter

[0125] electric motor

[0126] Buffer battery

[0127] 0 vehicles

Claims

24-2429 - 18- Patent claims 1. Fuel tank system (10) for a vehicle (100), comprising: - a housing (11) with a main chamber (12) defining an inner housing volume (13) and at least one secondary chamber (14, 15) defining at least one outer housing volume (16, 17), - at least one fuel container (18) for storing fuel, - at least one functional section (19, 20) which is attached to a first end face of the fuel container (18) and / or to a second end face of the fuel container (18), - at least one storage structure (21, 22) for storing the fuel container (18) at the functional section (19, 20), - wherein the fuel container (18) is positioned in the inner housing volume (13), - wherein the functional section (19, 20) is positioned at least partially in the outer housing volume (16, 17), - at least one cavity structure (30) that defines at least one cavity volume (31) within the outer casing volume (16, 17) and - at least one fuel sensor (40) positioned in and / or on the cavity volume (31).

2. Fuel container system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cavity structure (30) defines a cuboid or substantially cuboid cavity volume (31).

3. Fuel container system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity volume (31) is smaller than the outer casing volume (16, 17).

4. Fuel container system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity volume (31) is at least 25% smaller than the outer casing volume (16, 17).

5. Fuel container system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (11) has an upper inner surface (24) and a lower inner surface (25), wherein the upper inner surface (24) is configured above the lower inner surface (25) in the direction of gravity (26) when the fuel container system (10) is used as intended, and wherein the upper inner surface (24) or the lower inner surface (25) forms at least a part of the cavity structure (30). - 19- 6. Fuel container system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (11) has an upper inner surface (24) and a lower inner surface (25), wherein the upper inner surface (24) is configured in the direction of gravity (26) above the lower inner surface (25) when the fuel container system (10) is used as intended, wherein the cavity structure (30) is configured cuboidally with an open bottom surface (33) in the direction of the lower inner surface (25) or cuboidally with an open top surface (32) in the direction of the upper inner surface (24).

7. Fuel container system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity volume (31) has a height (41), a width (42) and a length (43), wherein the height extends in the direction of gravity (26) when the fuel container system (10) is used as intended, and wherein the width (42) and / or the length (43) are each several times greater than the height (41).

8. Fuel container system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity volume (31) has a height (41), a width (42) and a length (43), wherein the height (41) extends in the direction of gravity (26) when the fuel container system (10) is used as intended, and wherein the height (41) has a value in a range between 5 mm and 100 mm.

9. Fuel container system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity volume (31) has a height (41), a width (42) and a length (43), wherein the height extends in the direction of gravity (26) when the fuel container system (10) is used as intended, and wherein the width (42) has a value in a range between 100 mm and 1,500 mm and / or the length (43) has a value in a range between 50 mm and 500 mm.

10. Fuel container system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity structure (30) comprises: - a closed top (32), an open bottom (33), a substantially closed edge structure (34) and a through-hole (35) in the edge structure (34), wherein the fuel sensor (40) is positioned in and / or on the through-hole (35), or 24-2429 - 20 - - an open top surface (32), a closed bottom surface (33), a substantially closed edge structure (34) and a through-hole (35) in the edge structure (34), wherein the fuel sensor (40) is positioned in and / or on the through-hole (35).

11. Fuel container system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity structure (30) comprises: - a closed top surface (32), an open bottom surface (33) and an at least substantially closed edge structure (34), wherein the fuel sensor (40) is positioned closer to the closed top surface (32) than to the open bottom surface (33), or - an open top surface (32), a closed bottom surface (33) and an at least substantially closed edge structure (34), wherein the fuel sensor (40) is positioned closer to the closed bottom surface (33) than to the open top surface (32).

12. Fuel tank system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first functional section (19) has a blind closure and / or a sensor, is positioned at least partially in a first outer housing volume (16) of a first secondary chamber (14) and wherein the fuel sensor (40) is positioned in the first outer housing volume (16).

13. Fuel container system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a valve unit (45) for controlled filling and emptying of the at least one fuel container (18), wherein the valve unit (45) and the fuel sensor (40) are positioned in the second outer housing volume (17).

14. Fuel tank system (10) according to claim 13, wherein the valve unit (45) is positioned spaced apart from the second functional section (20) and wherein the fuel sensor (40) is positioned at a distance of less than 200 mm from the valve unit (45).

15. Vehicle (100) comprising a fuel storage system (10) according to one of the preceding claims and an energy converter (50), wherein the fuel storage system (10) is configured to store fuel for the energy converter (50).

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