CN111070639A

CN111070639A - Directly mountable strap-like reinforced fuel tank assembly for motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: CN111070639A
Application number: CN201910972090.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 托马斯·巴拉诺夫斯基; 迈克·布罗达; 帕斯卡·雷布曼; 马库斯·弗兰岑
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2018-10-18
Filing date: 2019-10-14
Publication date: 2020-04-28

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel tank arrangement (10; 32; 38) of a motor vehicle, comprising a fuel tank (12) which contains a first thermoplastic material, and a fastening device (14) which has a plurality of fastening elements (26) for fastening the fuel tank (12) to the motor vehicle. The fuel tank (12) according to the invention comprises a plurality of integrated fastening regions (16, 18, 20) and each fastening element (26) is arranged in one integrated fastening region (16, 18, 20) so as to be enclosed and provided to form a direct releasable firm connection to a corresponding fastening element (28) of the motor vehicle. In this case, the majority of the integrated fixing regions (16, 18, 20) are equipped with at least one fibrous reinforcing strip (24; 34; 36), which fibrous reinforcing strip (24; 34; 36) is actively connected to the fixing element (26) of the respective integrated fixing region (16, 18, 20) and comprises a second thermoplastic material.

Description

Directly mountable strap-like reinforced fuel tank assembly for motor vehicles

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a fuel tank arrangement of a motor vehicle having a fuel tank and a fastening device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a fuel tank arrangement according to the preamble of claim 10.

Background

In the field of automotive technology, it is known to use fuel tanks of light plastic material in motor vehicles in order to reduce weight. Such fuel tanks, for example manufactured by blow moulding of thermoplastic plastic materials, can have excellent performance in the event of a crash ("crash performance") and an excellent degree of freedom in design which is superior compared to that of metallic fuel tanks.

In order to increase the mechanical strength of such fuel tanks, different solutions are known from the prior art.

For example, the website https:// www.dsm.com/morphate/media/formatting center-news/2017/09/2017-09-04-dsm-collapsing-novel-materials-solution-for-high-pressure-composition-tan-for-hydrogen-storage. The two-piece box design has

A blow-molded insert for a fuel lock, which is an engineering plastic material based on polyamide 6 with a high hydrocarbon barrier. Where applicable, the container may then be wound

Polyamide 410 is further reinforced in a Unidirectional (UD) continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic tape.

Patent document US 6,716,503B 1 discloses a method of reinforcing a thin-walled hollow thermoplastic storage container with one or more continuous fiber sleeves. This method requires thermal bonding between the reinforcing fibers and the outer surface of the thermoplastic storage container while the interior cavity of the storage container is under pressure. The fiber windings may also be oriented in a spatial direction to withstand the internal loading of the storage vessel wall during operation.

A wide variety of thermoplastic polymers may be selected as the material of construction for the storage container. Suitable organic polymers include, but are not limited to, Polyethylene (PE), such as high and medium density polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPs), polyether ketone (PEKK), Polyamide (PA), polyamide imide (PAI), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

An improved plastic fuel tank for motor vehicle applications is proposed in patent document US 5,020,687 a. For example, a High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) blow molded plastic fuel tank has at least one reinforcing insert that is encapsulated in a preselected area outside of the fuel tank. The reinforcing inserts provide additional support, resilience and fire resistance or a combination thereof. In order to improve the performance of blow-molded propellant tanks, provision is made for one or more woven material reinforcing inserts to be added, which inserts remain in one or more preselected positions inside the mold prior to the operation of introducing the blow-molded blank.

Furthermore, plastic containers are known from the prior art, which are intended to contain a working fluid of a motor vehicle and which at least partially contain a thermoplastic material with a fiber filling.

For example, patent document US 2016/0052385 a1 describes a working-fluid container for motor vehicles having a container body which is formed by two complementary injection-molded thermoplastic shells. The shells are welded to one another circumferentially to form a substantially closed hollow body, wherein at least one shell is composed of thermoplastic materials of different strengths at least in regions. At least one partial region comprises a thermoplastic material with a fibrous filling, wherein the housing is obtained by a co-injection molding method during injection molding.

For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), polycarbonate, POM (polyoxymethylene) and the like can be considered as thermoplastic materials. In order to reinforce the structure of the operating fluid container according to the invention, at least one of the shells is provided at least in regions with a fibrous filling, for example in the form of carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, polyamide fibers or the like.

Furthermore, from patent document US 9,694,674B 2 a fuel system is known comprising a fuel tank having at least a top wall, a bottom wall and one or more supports positioned in the fuel tank, wherein each support is connected to the top wall and the bottom wall. The intersection of the expansion measuring strip with the support and the top wall is positioned relatively outside the fuel tank, so that deterioration of the support results in a pressure-dependent deformation of the fuel tank, which deformation is detected by the expansion measuring strip. In this way, deterioration of a deformable fuel tank, such as a polymer fuel tank, may be diagnosed and indicated.

The outer wall of the fuel tank may at least partially comprise a polymer or plastic material, for example at least partially comprising High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). In some examples, the outer wall of the fuel tank may comprise polyolefins, thermoplastic polyesters, polyketones, polyamides, and copolymers. Mixtures of polymers or copolymers may also be used, for example mixtures of polymers with inorganic, organic and/or natural fillers may be used, such as, but not limited to, the following: carbon, salts and other inorganic derivatives, natural or polymeric fibers. It is also possible to use a multilayer structure comprising a stack and an adhesive layer comprising at least one of the polymers or copolymers described above.

Furthermore, the patent document US 2015/0083719 a1 describes an extrusion blow-molded fuel tank of thermoplastic material with a compound tank wall obtained in different manufacturing steps and comprising different layers. In this case, at least the first layer comprises at least one shell-like support shell and the second layer of thermoplastic material forms an adhesive bond to the support shell. The support housing has a greater strength than the second layer. The support shells form the inner layer of the tank and the second layer forms the outer skin of the tank, wherein the two support shells inside the tank form a support cage or support shell. For example, the at least one support housing may be formed from a fibre composite material, preferably with a thermoplastic or thermoset plastic matrix. Glass fibers, carbon fibers or aramid fibers may be considered as fibers.

Lightweight fastening devices for fastening a fuel tank in a motor vehicle are also known from the prior art.

Thus, for example, patent document GB 2430183 a describes a tank arrangement provided for a motor vehicle. The tank arrangement comprises a tank body having a first plastic material, support means for supporting the tank body on the vehicle and fixing means for fixing the support means to the vehicle. The support means comprises at least one reinforcing retention strip made of a second plastic material, wherein at least a portion of the reinforcing retention strip is embedded in the tank body. The reinforcing material may typically be fiberglass, nylon or linen. Further, a method for manufacturing a tank arrangement for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a mould, arranging a reinforcing retainer strip in the mould, providing a first body of plastics material in the mould and applying a blow-moulding process to the plastics body so as to produce a tank body substantially in the form of the mould, so that the reinforcing retainer strip is embedded or integrated into the tank body. There may be two retention straps formed of reinforced polypropylene.

According to the proposed prior art, there is still room for improvement in the field of engineering material containers for motor vehicles, in particular fuel tanks, consisting of plastic material.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight fuel tank having a fastening device for fastening to a motor vehicle, which has advantages with respect to fastening to the motor vehicle with respect to weight reduction and/or simplification of assembly and/or increased service life and/or savings in installation space which are intended to be provided.

The object according to the invention is achieved by a fuel tank arrangement having the features of claim 1. The object is further achieved by a method for manufacturing such a fuel tank arrangement according to claim 10. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

It should be noted that the features and measures presented separately in the following description may be combined with each other and present additional embodiments of the invention in any technically advantageous manner. Furthermore, the description particularly features and details in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The fuel tank arrangement of a motor vehicle according to the invention has a fuel tank and a fastening device with a plurality of fastening elements for fastening the fuel tank to the motor vehicle. The fuel tank comprises a first thermoplastic material. In this case, the fuel tank further comprises a plurality of integrated fastening regions. Each fastening element is provided in one integrated fastening area so as to be thereby enclosed and provided to form a direct releasable secure connection to a corresponding fastening element of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, most integrated fastening regions are equipped with at least one fiber-reinforced band which is actively connected to the fastening element of the respective integrated fastening region and which comprises a second thermoplastic material.

The term "motor vehicle" is intended in the context of the present invention to be understood in particular as a passenger car, truck, semi-trailer or bus.

The term "plurality" is intended in the context of the present invention to be understood in particular as a number of at least two.

The term "releasable firm connection" is intended to be understood in the context of the present invention in particular as a mechanical connection which can be formed and released in a reversible manner, for example by the user using a tool.

The term "provided" is especially intended to be understood in the context of the present invention as a special configuration or arrangement thereof.

The term "actively connected" is in this context intended to be understood in particular as actively connecting objects to each other such that a transmission of force and/or torque between the objects is possible. In this case, the transmission between the fixing element and the fibre-reinforced band can be effected either by direct contact or indirectly by means of one or more additional fibre-reinforced bands.

The terms "first", "second", and the like, as used herein, are for distinguishing purposes only. In particular, the order or priority of objects referred to in connection with these terms is not intended to imply their use.

With such a fuel tank arrangement, a lightweight fuel tank with an advantageously low weight and which can be manufactured at reduced costs can be provided for fixing to a motor vehicle. An increase in the mechanical strength, in particular the bending stiffness, of the integrated fastening region can be achieved and thus the risk of damaging the fastening of the fuel tank to the motor vehicle in the event of an impact, for example by forming cracks, can be effectively reduced. Potential problems due to inadmissibly high creep behaviour of the fastening device can be effectively prevented without the use of metal (threaded) inserts. Furthermore, since the handling of the flexible band is dispensed with, a simplified assembly on a motor vehicle can be achieved with a suitable configuration. By using the plastic material entirely, corrosion can be prevented to a large extent and a long service life of the fuel tank can be achieved. Furthermore, the proposed fuel tank arrangement has a compact structure and may allow a larger fuel tank volume in the same installation volume.

For example, the fuel tank may be manufactured by using a blow molding method or an injection molding method.

Preferably, the fastening element can be designed as an edge region of the through-opening in the integrated fastening region and the corresponding fastening element can be designed as a combination of a threaded screw and a threaded bore.

Preferably, the fiber-reinforced belt may in particular comprise carbon fibers and/or glass fibers and/or aramid fibers. The fibrous reinforcing tape may preferably have continuous fibers (filament yarns). The belt can be configured as a unidirectional belt (UD belt), as a biaxial belt or as a multiaxial belt which is produced from different types of layers and is a combination of the mentioned belt types. The fiber-reinforced belt may also be present as a fabric belt or as a multiaxial fabric.

Preferably, at least one fibrous reinforcing strip securely connected to the respective integrated fastening region is provided in a proximal surface region of the respective integrated fastening region. A particularly simple production of the fuel tank arrangement is thus possible if a secure connection of the at least one fiber-reinforced band to the respective integrated fastening region is produced in a suitable production process of the fuel tank.

In a preferred embodiment of the fuel tank arrangement, a majority of the integrated fastening areas have, in the mounted state, a flat surface which faces the motor vehicle and is arranged to be moved into mutual contact with a corresponding surface of the motor vehicle in the mounted state. A particularly simple assembly of the fuel tank arrangement and a particularly uniform surface pressure on the directly releasable fastening connection can thus be achieved.

Preferably, the majority of the integrated fixing areas are connected to at least one other integrated fixing area along at least one path along the outer surface of the fuel tank by at least one fibrous reinforcing band comprising a second thermoplastic plastic material. In this case, the end of the at least one fiber-reinforced band is firmly connected to the integrated fastening area connected by the band, and the remaining part of the at least one fiber-reinforced band is firmly connected to the fuel tank or to the material thereof. Furthermore, in the mounted state, at least one end of at least one fiber-reinforced belt is actively connected to one fixing element of the integrated fixing region connected by the belt.

In this way, laminar forces introduced from the fuel tank into the integrated fastening region and into the motor vehicle can be achieved, so that local mechanical shear stresses occurring due to the weight of the fuel tank arrangement and the fuel stored in the fuel tank and due to acceleration and/or deceleration during driving operation are reduced. The reduced mechanical shear stress may advantageously reduce the risk of crack formation, especially in the event of an impact. Potential problems caused by inadmissibly high creep behaviour of the first thermoplastic material can be effectively prevented. Due to the lower material loading, a further extension of the service life of the fuel tank arrangement can be achieved.

In a preferred embodiment of the fuel tank arrangement, at least one integrated fastening region is connected to at least one other integrated fastening region along the surface of the fuel tank along at least two mutually different paths by at least two fiber-reinforced bands, which comprise a second thermoplastic material. In this case, the ends of the at least two fiber-reinforced bands are firmly connected to the integrated fastening area connected by the band, and the remaining parts of the at least two fiber-reinforced bands are firmly connected to the fuel tank or its material. Furthermore, in the mounted state, at least one end of at least two fiber-reinforced belts is actively connected to one fixing element of the integrated fixing region connected by the belt. In this way, local mechanical shear stresses which occur as a result of the weight of the fuel tank arrangement and the fuel stored in the fuel tank and as a result of acceleration and/or deceleration during driving operation of the motor vehicle can be further reduced. The risk of crack formation can thus be further reduced and the service life of the fuel tank arrangement can thus be further increased.

In an advantageous manner, the first thermoplastic material comprises at least one material from the group of materials consisting of high-density polyethylene (PE-HD), medium-density polyethylene (PE-MD), polypropylene (PP), Polyamide (PA) and Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPs) and also the foam forms of the mentioned materials. Extensive experience and a variety of specialized manufacturing methods are available that can be used for the materials of this group of materials that are readily available in large quantities.

Preferably, the first thermoplastic material and the second thermoplastic material are the same material. In this way, a particularly secure connection between the fiber-reinforced band and the integrated fastening region of the fuel tank or between the fiber-reinforced band and the surface of the fuel tank outside the integrated fastening region can be achieved in a particularly simple manner.

If at least two integrated fastening regions are provided on opposite sides of the fuel tank, laminar forces introduced from the fuel tank into the integrated fastening regions and into the motor vehicle can be achieved on opposite sides of the fuel tank, thereby further reducing local mechanical shear stresses occurring due to the weight of the fuel tank arrangement and the fuel stored in the fuel tank and due to accelerations and/or decelerations during driving operation of the motor vehicle. As a result, a particularly low risk of crack formation and a particularly high service life of the fuel tank arrangement can be achieved.

In a preferred embodiment of the fuel tank arrangement, the at least one fastening element arranged in the at least one integrated fastening region is configured as an edge region of the through-opening. In this case, the at least one fiber-reinforced band, which is firmly connected to the integrated fixing region, at least largely circumferentially surrounds the through-opening. A uniform introduction of force into the motor vehicle can thus be achieved by a particularly simple construction.

In another aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing method for manufacturing a fuel tank apparatus according to the present invention is provided. The manufacturing method at least comprises the following steps:

-extruding a blow-moulded parison comprising a first thermoplastic material,

-placing and fixing a plurality of fibrous reinforcing strips comprising a second thermoplastic material at predetermined positions in a tank blow moulding mould,

-placing the blow-moulded blank in a tank blow-moulding mould,

-closing the tank blow-moulding mould,

-forming the fuel tank arrangement by applying an internal air pressure to the thermoplastic blow-molded parison and pressing the thermoplastic blow-molded parison into the fuel tank blow-molding die and connecting the plurality of fibrous reinforcing strips to the blow-molded parison by material bonding,

-opening the tank blow-moulding mould after the tank assembly has cooled, and

-ejecting the tank from the tank blow-moulding mould.

In this way, the fuel tank assembly according to the invention can be manufactured quickly, accurately and reliably.

It is advantageous if the fiber-reinforced tape, which is configured as an eyelet, is embedded in the region of the fixing region. This may already be sufficient to achieve the required performance. It is advantageous if the fiber-reinforced strips overlap one another with their free ends in the fixing region or if the strips are wound with their ends around the intended through-hole (for accommodating a threaded screw). The fiber-reinforced tape, which in the arrangement is an eyelet, can thus be accommodated in a substantially sandwich-like manner between the ends of other tapes which then extend along the surface of the fuel tank to other fixing areas in order to cover the eyelet-like tape, which is an intermediate layer, again with its free end at this location. In the case of the omission of the eyelet-like fiber-reinforced band, it is possible to cover the free ends of the fiber-reinforced band one above the other in the fixing region, so that they open along the surface of the fuel tank into the selected fixing region and cover them again one above the other with their free ends in this position and thus reinforce the fixing region. In this case, it is particularly advantageous for the reinforcing strips that overlap one another to be aligned with the free surface of the stack with the surface of the fastening region, that is to say to form a substantially or completely stepless contact surface with respect to the motor vehicle. This ensures a particularly reliable and secure connection of the fuel tank with respect to the motor vehicle through the integrated and reinforced fastening region.

Drawings

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the following description of the figures.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a fuel tank assembly according to the present invention in an installed condition;

fig. 2 is the same schematic side view of a development of the fuel tank arrangement according to the invention according to fig. 1 in the mounted state;

fig. 3 is a schematic isometric bottom view of an alternative development of the fuel tank arrangement according to the invention according to fig. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a detail of a direct releasable secure connection of an installed fuel tank arrangement according to the invention according to FIGS. 1 to 3; and

fig. 5 is a flow chart of a method according to the present invention for manufacturing a fuel tank apparatus according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

In the different figures, identical parts are always given the same reference numerals and are therefore generally described only once.

Fig. 1 is a side view of a possible embodiment of a fuel tank arrangement 10 of a motor vehicle according to the invention. The fuel tank arrangement 10 is shown in a state in which the fuel tank arrangement 10 is mounted on a chassis 42 of a motor vehicle which is configured as a passenger car.

The fuel tank arrangement 10 has a fuel tank 12 for containing fuel and a fastening device 14 for fastening the fuel tank 12 to a motor vehicle.

The fuel tank 12 comprises a first thermoplastic material, which in this particular embodiment is formed of high density polyethylene (PE-HD). In other embodiments, the first thermoplastic material may be formed from medium density Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), Polyamide (PA), Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPs), foam forms of the mentioned materials or combinations of at least two of these materials.

The fuel tank 12 has a plurality (three) of integrated

fastening regions

16, 18, 20. As explained below, the three

integrated fastening areas

16, 18, 20 are formed in the same manufacturing method as the remainder of the fuel tank 12 with which they are integral and comprise a first thermoplastic material. Two

fastening regions

16, 18 of the three

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20 are arranged longitudinally outside the fuel tank 12 (behind the plane of the drawing in fig. 1). One fastening region 20 of the three

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20 is arranged on the longitudinal inner side of the fuel tank 12 (in front of the plane of the drawing of fig. 1) opposite the longitudinal outer side.

The

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20 are arranged on the top side of the fuel tank 12 in the mounted state shown in fig. 1 and each have a flat, horizontal, substantially or completely stepless surface facing the chassis 42 of the motor vehicle.

The fastening device 14 has a plurality of (three) fastening elements 26 (fig. 4), the three fastening elements 26 each being configured as an edge region of a through-opening in one of the

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20. Each of the three fixing elements 26 is arranged in one of the three

integrated fixing regions

16, 18, 20 in a state enclosed thereby.

Each of the three fixing elements 26 is arranged to form a direct releasable, secure connection with respect to a corresponding fixing element 28 of the motor vehicle. Fig. 4 shows by way of example a detailed arrangement of one direct releasable fastening of all

integrated fastening areas

16, 18, 20 on the illustrated integrated fastening area 20. The respective fixing element 28 of the motor vehicle is configured as a combination of a threaded screw 30 and a respective threaded hole. The formation of the direct releasable firm connection is brought about by screwing the threaded screw 30 through one of the through holes in one of the threaded holes.

Each of the integrated fixing

areas

16, 18, 20 is equipped with a plurality of fibrous reinforcing strips 24, which fibrous reinforcing strips 24 are firmly connected to the integrated fixing

areas

16, 18, 20 and comprise a second thermoplastic material and are each actively connected to one fixing element 26. In this particular embodiment, the second thermoplastic material is the same as the first thermoplastic material, e.g. PE-HD. For example, each fiber-reinforced belt 24 is configured as a biaxial belt, wherein the fiber reinforcement is formed by continuous aramid fibers, for example. Fiber reinforcement belt 24 may be configured as a round hole. The inner diameter of the hole shape is adapted to the inner diameter of the through hole. The fibre-reinforced band is thus arranged to simply surround the fixing element.

The integrated fastening regions 20 illustrated by all

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20 have cylindrical recesses 22 in the region of the edge regions of the through-holes for accommodating a plurality of fibrous reinforcing strips 24, which are arranged one above the other so that they completely surround the through-holes circumferentially and are arranged in the near-surface region of the integrated fastening regions 20. In the ready-to-mount state, the surfaces of the fiber-reinforced belts 24 disposed one above the other are aligned with the upper edge of the cylindrical recess so as to form a flat horizontal surface that faces the chassis 42 of the motor vehicle and corresponds to the surface of the chassis 42 in the fitted position. The several fibrous reinforcing bands 24 illustrated in FIG. 4 are for illustration only; the actual number may differ significantly from the number illustrated.

The schematic illustration of a development 32 of the fuel tank arrangement 10 according to the invention according to fig. 1 is illustrated in the same view in the installed state of fig. 2. To avoid repetition, only the differences relating to the embodiment of the fuel tank arrangement 10 according to fig. 1 are described below.

The fuel tank arrangement 32 according to fig. 2 contains a plurality of additional fiber-reinforced

bands

34, 36, the material composition of the additional fiber-reinforced

bands

34, 36 corresponding to the fiber-reinforced band 24 according to the embodiment of fig. 1, wherein the fiber-reinforced

bands

34, 36 are configured as unidirectional bands in comparison to the fiber-reinforced band 24, for example.

Additional fibrous reinforcing strips 34 are provided in addition to the fibrous reinforcing strips 24, the additional fibrous reinforcing strips 34 being shown in fig. 4 and configured as round holes. The ends of some of these fiber-reinforced bands 34 are firmly connected to the band 24 in the form of a circular eyelet of one of the integrated fixing

areas

16, 18 by material bonding and are guided along a path along the outer surface of the fuel tank 12 and are firmly connected to the outer surface of the fuel tank 12, that is to say are firmly connected to its material by material bonding. The other end of such a strap 34 is firmly connected to the strap 24 by material bonding, the strap 24 being configured as a round eyelet and being arranged on one of the other integrated fastening regions 20. In this way, each

integrated fastening region

16, 18, 20 is connected to each of the other two

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20 by means of a fibrous reinforcing tape 34.

The other fiber-reinforced bands 36 of the plurality of fiber-reinforced

bands

34, 36 are guided along the outer surface of the fuel tank 12, that is to say are connected with their material firmly to the outer surface of the fuel tank 12 in a material-bonded manner and are also connected with their ends firmly to the two fiber-reinforced bands 34 in a material-bonded manner, the fiber-reinforced bands 34 being actively connected between two of the

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20 and in particular to the fastening element 26, the fastening element 26 being arranged on these

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20.

In this way, a web of the fiber-reinforced

bands

24, 34, 36 is formed, by means of which the forces occurring as a result of the fuel tank arrangement 32, the weight of the fuel stored in the fuel tank 12 and as a result of acceleration or deceleration during driving operation of the motor vehicle can be received and can be introduced into the chassis 42 of the motor vehicle via the

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20 and the fastening elements 26 arranged on the

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20. The eyelet-like configuration of the strap 24 can also be dispensed with if the

straps

34 and 36 are provided with their ends on the

fastening regions

16, 18, 20 or in a state in which they are connected to the

fastening regions

16, 18, 20 and the other straps, respectively, in a material-bonded manner.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an alternative development 38 of the fuel tank arrangement 10 according to the invention according to fig. 1 as an isometric bottom view. Again, to avoid repetition, only the differences relating to the embodiment of the fuel tank arrangement 10 according to fig. 1 will be described below.

The fuel tank arrangement 38 according to fig. 3 comprises a plurality of fibrous reinforcing strips 40, the material composition of which strips 40 corresponds to the

strips

34, 36 of the embodiment of the fuel tank arrangement 32 according to fig. 2.

Additional fiber-reinforced bands 40 are provided in addition to fiber-reinforced band 24 and

bands

34 and 36 configured as round holes. The ends of some of these fiber-reinforced bands 40 are securely connected by material bonding to the band 24 in the form of a circular eyelet of one of the integrated fastening areas 20, guided along a path along the outer surface of the fuel tank 12 and securely connected by material bonding to the outer surface of the fuel tank 12. The other end of such a strap 40 is firmly connected to the strap 24 by material joining, the strap 24 being configured as a round eyelet and being arranged on one of the other

integrated fastening regions

18, 20. In this way, the fixing element 26 of each integrated fixing

region

16, 18, 20 is actively connected to each fixing element 26 of the other two

integrated fixing regions

16, 18, 20 by means of at least one fiber-reinforced band 40.

The integrated fastening region 20 arranged on the longitudinally inner side 12 of the fuel tank 12 is actively connected to the fastening element 26 of each of the two

integrated fastening regions

16, 18 by means of two fiber-reinforced bands 40, which integrated

fastening regions

16, 18 are arranged longitudinally outside the fuel tank 12, wherein the two fiber-reinforced bands 40 are guided along the surface of the fuel tank 12 on two mutually different, spaced-apart paths, that is to say on the underside of the fuel tank 12. In this case, the ends of the two fibrous reinforcing strips 40 are actively connected to the integrated fixing

regions

16, 18, 20, which integrated fixing

regions

16, 18, 20 are connected by the fibrous reinforcing strips 40 and their fixing elements 26 in a material-bonded manner. The remaining portions of the two fiber-reinforced bands 40 are firmly connected to the fuel tank 12 or the material thereof in a material-bonded manner.

The two

integrated fastening regions

16, 18 arranged on the longitudinal outer side of the fuel tank 12 are positively connected to one another with a fiber-reinforced band 40, by the ends of the fiber-reinforced band 40 being firmly connected in a material-bonded manner to the bands 24 of the two

integrated fastening regions

16, 18 in the form of round eyelets and being guided along a path along the outer surface of the fuel tank 12 and being firmly connected in a material-bonded manner to the outer surface of the fuel tank 12.

In this way, an alternative structural mesh of the fiber-reinforced

bands

24, 40 is formed, through which forces occurring due to the weight of the fuel tank arrangement 38 and the fuel stored in the fuel tank 12 and due to acceleration or deceleration during driving operation of the motor vehicle can be received and can be introduced into the chassis 42 of the motor vehicle via the

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20 and the fastening elements 26 arranged on the

integrated fastening regions

16, 18, 20.

According to the invention, the webs of the fiber-reinforced

bands

24, 34, 36 of the fuel tank arrangement 32 according to fig. 2 and the alternatively constructed webs of the fiber-reinforced

bands

24, 40 of the fuel tank arrangement 38 according to fig. 3 can be combined in an advantageous manner.

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention for producing a fuel tank arrangement 32 according to the invention.

In a first step 44 of the method, a blow-molded parison comprising a first thermoplastic material comprising high density polyethylene (PE-HD) is extruded. In a subsequent step 46, a plurality of fibrous reinforcing

bands

24, 34, 36, 40 are placed and secured in a fuel tank blow mold. In this case, the

belts

24, 34, 36, 40 comprise a second thermoplastic material which also comprises high density polyethylene (PE-HD). The fibrous reinforcement of the

belts

24, 34, 36, 40 is formed of continuous aramid fibers.

The blow-molded parison, which is still heated or reheated in a subsequent step 48, is placed in a fuel tank blow-molding mold and the molding mold is closed in an additional step 50. In a subsequent step 52, the fuel tank assembly is formed by applying internal air pressure to the thermoplastic blow-molded parison, by pressing the thermoplastic blow-molded parison into the fuel tank blow-molding mold, and by joining the plurality of fibrous reinforcing

strips

24, 34, 36, 40 to the blow-molded parison in a material-bonded manner. In a subsequent step 54, the fuel tank blow mold is opened after the fuel tank assembly 32 has cooled. Accordingly, fuel tank device 32 is ejected in a subsequent step 56.

Through holes can then be produced in the fixing

regions

16, 18, 20 in order to introduce the fixing elements into the arrangement as threaded screws. The through-hole has an inner diameter adapted to the outer diameter of the threaded shaft so that the threaded shaft is in contact with the fiber-reinforced

tape

24, 34, 36, 40.

List of reference numerals:

10 fuel tank device

12 fuel tank

14 fixing device

16 Integrated fastening area

18 integrated fastening area

20 Integrated fastening area

22 cylindrical recess

24 fiber reinforced belt (eyelet shape)

26 fixing element (edge area of through hole)

28 corresponding fixing element (threaded hole, screw)

30 screw thread screw

32 fuel tank device

34 fiber reinforced belt (between zones)

36 fiber reinforced belt (between the fiber reinforced belts)

38 fuel tank device

40 fiber reinforcement belt (between zones)

42 chassis

The method comprises the following steps:

44 extrusion blow molded blank

46 placing and securing a plurality of fiber reinforced tapes in a blow mold

48-lay blow molded parison

50-closed blow molding die

52 form a fuel tank assembly

54-opening blow molding die

56 ejecting fuel tank device

Claims

1. A fuel tank arrangement (10; 32; 38) of a motor vehicle, having a fuel tank (12) comprising a first thermoplastic material and having a fastening device (14) for fastening the fuel tank (12) to a plurality of fastening elements (26) of the motor vehicle,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the fuel tank (12) comprises a plurality of integrated fixing regions (16, 18, 20) and each fixing element (26) is arranged in one of the integrated fixing regions (16, 18, 20) so as to be enclosed and provided to form a direct releasable firm connection to a corresponding fixing element (28) of the motor vehicle, wherein a majority of the integrated fixing regions (16, 18, 20) are equipped with at least one fibrous reinforcing strip (24; 34; 36), which fibrous reinforcing strip (24; 34; 36) is actively connected to the fixing element (26) of the respective integrated fixing region (16, 18, 20) and comprises a second thermoplastic material.

2. Fuel tank arrangement (10; 32; 38) according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the at least one fibrous reinforcing strip (24) firmly connected to the respective integrated fixing region (16, 18, 20) is arranged in a near-surface region of the respective integrated fixing region (16, 18, 20).

3. Fuel tank arrangement (10; 32; 38) according to claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

most of the integrated fastening areas (16, 18, 20) have a flat surface in the ready-to-mount state, which flat surface faces the motor vehicle and is arranged to be moved into contact with a corresponding surface of the motor vehicle in the mounted state.

4. Fuel tank arrangement (32) according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the majority of the integrated fastening regions (20) being connected to at least one of the other integrated fastening regions (16, 18) along at least one path along the outer surface of the fuel tank (12) by the at least one fibrous reinforcing strip (24, 34, 36), the fibrous reinforcing strip (24, 34, 36) comprising a second thermoplastic material, wherein an end of the at least one fibrous reinforcing strip (34) is firmly connected to the integrated fastening region (16, 18), the integrated fastening regions (16, 18) are connected by the strip (34) and the remainder of the at least one fibrous reinforcing strip (34) is firmly connected to the fuel tank (12), and wherein in the mounted state at least one end of the at least one fibrous reinforcing strip (34) is actively connected to the integrated fastening region (16, 18) connected by the strip, 18) Of one of said fixing elements (26).

5. Fuel tank arrangement (38) according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

at least one of the integrated fixing regions (16, 18, 20) is connected to at least one of the other integrated fixing regions (16, 18, 20) along at least two mutually different paths along the surface of the fuel tank (12) by at least two fibrous reinforcing strips (40), the fibrous reinforcing strips (40) comprising a second thermoplastic material, wherein ends of the at least two fibrous reinforcing strips (40) are firmly connected to the integrated fixing regions (16, 18, 20), the integrated fixing regions (16, 18, 20) are connected by the strips and the remaining parts of the at least two fibrous reinforcing strips (40) are firmly connected to the fuel tank (12), and wherein in the mounted state at least one end of the at least two fibrous reinforcing strips (40) is actively connected to the integrated fixing region (16, 18, 20) connected by the strips (40), 18. 20) of the first and second fastening elements (26).

6. Fuel tank arrangement (10; 32; 38) according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first thermoplastic material comprises at least one material from the group of materials consisting of high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide and polyphenylene sulfide and also foam forms of the mentioned materials.

7. Fuel tank arrangement (10; 32; 38) according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first thermoplastic material and the second thermoplastic material are the same material.

8. Fuel tank arrangement (10; 32; 38) according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

at least two of the integrated fastening regions (16, 20) are arranged on opposite sides of the fuel tank (12).

9. Fuel tank arrangement (10; 32; 38) according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the at least one fixing element (26) arranged in the at least one integrated fixing region (16, 18, 20) is configured as an edge region of a through-opening and the at least one fiber-reinforced band (24) which is firmly connected to the integrated fixing region (16, 18, 20) surrounds the through-opening at least to a large extent circumferentially.

10. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a fuel tank arrangement (32), in particular according to one of the preceding claims,

at least comprises the following steps:

-extruding (44) a blow-moulded parison comprising a first thermoplastic material,

-placing and fixing (46) a plurality of fibrous reinforcement strips (24, 34, 36) comprising a second thermoplastic material at predetermined positions in a tank blow moulding mould,

-placing (48) said blow-moulded blank in said tank blow-moulding mould,

-closing (50) the tank blow-moulding mould,

-forming (52) the fuel tank arrangement (32) by applying an internal air pressure to the thermoplastic blow-molded parison and pressing the thermoplastic blow-molded parison into the fuel tank blow-molding mold and connecting the plurality of fibrous reinforcing bands (24, 34, 36) to the blow-molded parison in a material bond,

-opening (54) the tank blow moulding mould after the tank assembly (32) has cooled, and

-ejecting (56) said fuel tank assembly (32) from said fuel tank blow mold.