DE202021105673U1 - Baffle for a fuel tank and fuel tank having such a baffle - Google Patents

Abstract

Baffle (100) for a fuel tank, characterized in that it has a top plate (110), a bottom plate (120) and a side plate (130), the top plate and the bottom plate being supported by a vertically arranged spring (150 ) are slidably connected together and the side face is articulated to the top panel by a hinge (140), a knob (160) being pivoted on an assembly consisting of the top panel, the bottom panel and the side panel and configured such that: when in a first angular position, the baffle is locked in a fully collapsed condition in which the top panel, bottom panel and side panel at least partially overlap; when it is in a second angular position, the upper plate and the lower plate slide while moving away from each other in a vertical direction under the action of the spring; and when it is in a third angular position, the lateral panel opens laterally under the action of the hinge.

Description

The present utility model relates to a baffle for a fuel tank (particularly a fuel tank for an automobile) and a fuel tank having such a baffle.

When a vehicle starts, accelerates, brakes, or turns, fuel in a fuel tank sloshes, producing noise. In recent years, in order to improve the comfort of a vehicle user, baffles have been provided in the fuel tanks of certain automobiles.

In order to effectively perform a function of reducing noise, the baffle must be sufficiently large because if it is too small, it does almost nothing to reduce the noise generated by the fuel sloshing motion. Consequently, most of the prior art baffles are pieces in the form of a one-piece panel with a relatively large footprint. However, too much space makes the process of mounting a baffle in a fuel tank complex and difficult. A known assembling method is to weld various accessories including a baffle to an inner wall of a fuel tank by a complex assembling system during blow molding of the fuel tank when the fuel tank wall is still in a molten state. This undoubtedly increases the complexity of the process and the production costs for the fuel tank.

It is an object of the present utility model to solve the technical problem described above, and it is to provide a baffle which can be conveniently mounted in a fuel tank through a hole for a pump and which effectively reduces the noise generated by the sloshing motion of fuel noise allowed.

To this end, the present utility model provides a baffle for a fuel tank, which comprises a top plate, a bottom plate and a side plate, the top plate and the bottom plate being slidably connected to each other by a vertically arranged spring and the side surface on of the top panel by a hinge, with a knob being rotatably mounted on an assembly consisting of the top panel, the bottom panel and the side panel and configured so that: when in a first angular position, the baffle is locked in a fully collapsed condition in which the top panel, the bottom panel and the side panel at least partially overlap; when it is in a second angular position, the upper plate and the lower plate slide while moving away from each other in a vertical direction under the action of the spring; and when it is in a third angular position, the lateral panel opens laterally under the action of the hinge.

The configuration of the baffle described above allows it to move between a fully collapsed condition, a partially unfolded condition (i.e. the condition where the top panel and the bottom panel are spaced apart) and a fully unfolded condition (i.e. the condition where the side panel was also opened) to switch. Consequently, when fully folded, it occupies the smallest possible footprint and can be conveniently inserted by an operator (which can be done single-handedly and blindly) into a fuel tank through a hole provided for a pump. The operator can then fully unfold the baffle simply by turning the knob twice, so that it has the largest possible effective area and thus efficiently fulfills its function of reducing the noise generated by the fuel sloshing movement.

• - Die obere Platte ist auf einer unteren Fläche ihres oberen Endes mit einem ersten Höcker versehen, der nach unten vorspringt, und die untere Platte ist auf einer oberen Fläche ihres unteren Endes mit einem zweiten Höcker versehen, der nach oben vorspringt, wobei der erste Höcker und der zweite Höcker in einer vertikalen Richtung fluchten, wobei die zwei Enden der Feder auf dem ersten Höcker bzw. dem zweiten Höcker aufgeschoben sind. Der erste Höcker und der zweite Höcker gestatten, die Position der Feder zu begrenzen und sie so zu führen, dass die Feder eine vertikale Orientierung aufrecht erhält und mit der oberen und unteren Platte mit einer ausreichenden Festigkeit verbunden ist. Für den Fall, dass die Feder defekt ist, kann sie ferner ebenso bequem von den Höckern abgezogen werden, um sie auszutauschen.
• - Der erste Höcker und der zweite Höcker sind mit der oberen Platte bzw. der unteren Platte einstückig ausgebildet. Gegenüber der Lösung, wo die Höcker getrennt hergestellt sind und dann durch ein Befestigungsmittel befestigt oder an die Platten geschweißt sind, gestattet die so genannte einstückige Lösung, die Festigkeit der Verbindung zwischen den Höckern und den jeweiligen Platten zu erhöhen, was das Risiko, dass die Höcker aufgrund der Belastungen im Bereich der Verbindungsstelle brechen, reduziert oder sogar beseitigt.
• - Der erste Höcker und der zweite Höcker haben beide ein im Wesentlichen kreisförmiges Umfangsprofil und weisen jeweils eine Mehrzahl von Lamellen auf, die sich radial erstrecken und in einer Umfangsrichtung beabstandet sind. Dies gestattet sicherzustellen, dass die Höcker während des Abkühlens nach der Fertigung (zum Beispiel Spritzguss) im Wesentlichen die gleiche Kontraktionsverformung aufweisen wie die umgebenden Teile, was die Herstellungspräzision sicherstellt.
• - Die obere Platte weist eine erste Vertiefung auf, die sich in der vertikalen Richtung erstreckt, und die untere Platte weist eine zweite Vertiefung auf, die sich in der vertikalen Richtung erstreckt, wobei die erste Vertiefung und die zweite Vertiefung zusammen eine Durchführung bilden, welche die Feder aufnimmt und führt. Die Durchführung gestattet sicherzustellen, dass die Feder während des Öffnens oder des Schließens der oberen und unteren Platte nicht in einer Querrichtung abgelenkt wird und eine elastische Verformung wiederum in der vertikalen Richtung erfährt, was sicherstellt, dass die obere und untere Platte ohne Schwierigkeiten geöffnet und geschlossen werden, und was die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Störung reduziert.
• - Die obere Platte weist in ihrer Dicke ein Durchgangsloch auf, die untere Platte weist einen Schlitz auf, der ihre Dicke durchquert und sich in der vertikalen Richtung erstreckt, und der Knauf weist einen Griff und einen Körper auf, wobei der Körper mit der oberen Platte und mit der unteren Platte verbunden ist, indem er durch das Durchgangsloch und den Schlitz hindurch verläuft.
• - Die Anzahl an Federn beträgt wenigstens zwei, wobei die Federn jeweils, bevorzugt auf eine symmetrische Weise, beiderseits des Schlitzes angeordnet sind. Eine derartige Anordnung gestattet sicherzustellen, dass, wenn die Verriegelung zwischen der oberen Platte und der unteren Platte gelöst ist, die zwei Federn gleichmäßig eine ausreichende Federkraft ausüben, so dass die obere und untere Platte sich ohne Schwierigkeit öffnen lassen.
• - Der Körper weist eine erste Verriegelungsstruktur und eine zweite Verriegelungsstruktur auf, die untere Platte weist eine erste Verriegelungsnut auf und die seitliche Platte weist eine zweite Verriegelungsnut auf; wenn der Knauf in der ersten Winkelposition ist, befindet sich die erste Verriegelungsstruktur in der ersten Verriegelungsnut und die zweite Verriegelungsstruktur befindet sich in der zweiten Verriegelungsnut; wenn der Knauf in der zweiten Winkelposition ist, verlässt die erste Verriegelungsstruktur die erste Verriegelungsnut, die zweite Verriegelungsstruktur jedoch bleibt in der zweiten Verriegelungsnut; wenn der Knauf in der dritten Winkelposition ist, verlässt die erste Verriegelungsstruktur die erste Verriegelungsnut und die zweite Verriegelungsstruktur verlässt die zweite Verriegelungsnut.
• - Die erste Verriegelungsstruktur ist ein radialer Zapfen, der sich an der Verbindungsstelle zwischen dem Körper und dem Griff befindet, und die erste Verriegelungsnut ist eine bogenförmige Vertiefung auf zwei gegenüberliegenden Innenwänden des Schlitzes.
• - Die zweite Verriegelungsstruktur ist ein radialer Stift, der sich an einem freien Ende des Körpers befindet, und die zweite Verriegelungsnut ist eine birnenförmige Ausnehmung auf einer ersten Seite der seitlichen Platte, wobei die erste Seite der oberen Platte und der unteren Platte zugewandt ist, wenn die seitliche Platte noch nicht geöffnet ist.

The baffle described above can also have one or more of the following features, individually or in combination:

• - The upper plate is provided on a lower surface of its upper end with a first hump projecting downward, and the lower plate is provided on an upper surface of its lower end with a second hump projecting upward, the first hump and the second hump are aligned in a vertical direction, with the two ends of the spring being slipped on the first hump and the second hump, respectively. The first hump and the second hump allow to limit the position of the spring and to guide it so that the spring maintains a vertical orientation and is connected to the upper and lower plates with sufficient strength. Furthermore, in the event that the spring is defective, it can also be easily pulled off the humps in order to replace it.
• - The first boss and the second boss are integral with the top plate and the bottom plate, respectively. Contrary to the solution where the humps are manufactured separately and then fixed by a fastener or welded to the plates the so-called one-piece solution to increase the strength of the connection between the cusps and the respective plates, reducing or even eliminating the risk of the cusps breaking due to the stresses in the area of the connection.
• - The first hump and the second hump both have a substantially circular peripheral profile and each have a plurality of laminations which extend radially and are spaced in a peripheral direction. This allows ensuring that the bumps have substantially the same contraction deformation as the surrounding parts during cooling after fabrication (e.g. injection molding), ensuring manufacturing precision.
• - The upper plate has a first cavity extending in the vertical direction and the lower plate has a second cavity extending in the vertical direction, the first cavity and the second cavity together forming a passage which picks up and guides the spring. The implementation allows ensuring that the spring is not deflected in a transverse direction during opening or closing of the top and bottom panels and undergoes elastic deformation in turn in the vertical direction, ensuring that the top and bottom panels open and close without difficulty and which reduces the likelihood of interference.
• - The top plate has a through hole in its thickness, the bottom plate has a slit that traverses its thickness and extends in the vertical direction, and the knob has a handle and a body, the body with the top plate and connected to the bottom plate by passing through the through hole and the slit.
• the number of springs is at least two, the springs being arranged respectively, preferably in a symmetrical manner, on either side of the slot. Such an arrangement allows to ensure that when the lock between the top panel and the bottom panel is released, the two springs equally apply sufficient spring force so that the top and bottom panels can be opened without difficulty.
• - the body has a first locking structure and a second locking structure, the bottom plate has a first locking groove and the side plate has a second locking groove; when the knob is in the first angular position, the first locking structure is in the first locking groove and the second locking structure is in the second locking groove; when the knob is in the second angular position, the first locking structure exits the first locking groove but the second locking structure remains in the second locking groove; when the knob is in the third angular position, the first locking structure exits the first locking groove and the second locking structure exits the second locking groove.
• - The first locking structure is a radial spigot located at the junction between the body and the handle, and the first locking groove is an arcuate depression on two opposite inner walls of the slot.
• - The second locking structure is a radial pin located at a free end of the body, and the second locking groove is a pear-shaped recess on a first side of the side panel, the first side facing the top panel and the bottom panel when the side panel is not yet open.

• - Wenn der Knauf in der dritten Winkelposition ist, öffnet sich die seitliche Platte seitlich, bis sie sich im Wesentlichen in einer gleichen Ebene befindet wie die obere Platte. Dies gestattet, die Schallwand maximal auseinanderzuklappen, wodurch sich die größte Wirkarbeitsfläche ergibt und ein optimales Ergebnis hinsichtlich der Geräuschreduzierung erzielt wird.
• - Die seitliche Platte ist auf ihrer zweiten Fläche, die der ersten gegenüberliegt, mit einer Verstärkungsplatte versehen, die in einer horizontalen Richtung gleiten kann, die obere Platte ist auf ihrer zweiten Fläche, die ihrer ersten Fläche, auf der das Scharnier montiert ist, mit einer Führungsnut versehen, die zur Aufnahme der Verstärkungsplatte bestimmt ist, wobei die Verstärkungsplatte wenigstens teilweise in die Führungsnut gleiten kann, wenn sich die seitliche Platte und die obere Platte im Wesentlichen in einer gleichen Ebene befinden. Auf diese Weise bildet sich eine steife Verbindung zwischen der seitlichen Platte und der oberen Platte, was die Struktur robuster und widerstandsfähiger gegenüber den Stößen des in Schwappbewegung geratenen Kraftstoffs werden lässt.
• - Die obere Platte weist an ihrem oberen Ende eine obere Abdeckplatte auf, deren Form zu einer oberen Innenwand eines Kraftstofftanks, in dem die Schallwand montiert ist, komplementär ist, und die untere Platte weist an ihrem unteren Ende eine untere Abdeckplatte auf, deren Form zu einer unteren Innenwand des Kraftstofftanks, in dem die Schallwand montiert ist, komplementär ist. Auf diese Weise kann die Schallwand, sobald sie auseinandergeklappt ist, zwischen der oberen und unteren Wand des Kraftstofftanks mit Hilfe der oberen und unteren Abdeckplatte fest verkeilt werden, ohne auf ein zusätzliches Befestigungsmittel oder einen zusätzlichen Schweißvorgang zurückgreifen zu müssen.
• - Die zweite Winkelposition ist um etwa 50° gegenüber der ersten Winkelposition gedreht und die dritte Winkelposition ist um mehr als etwa 50° gegenüber der zweiten Winkelposition gedreht. Dieser Winkel von 50° ist ein bevorzugter Winkel, der vom Erfinder des Gebrauchsmusters unter Berücksichtigung der Ergonomie und des Schutzes vor Fehlbedienungen gewählt wurde.

The type of locking described above and corresponding locking structures are simple, reliable and easy to implement. However, it is important to understand that this is just one of the possible embodiments and other embodiments that achieve the same goal and corresponding mechanical structures will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

• - When the knob is in the third angular position, the side panel opens laterally until it is substantially in the same plane as the top panel. This allows the baffle to be unfolded to the maximum, giving the largest effective working area and achieving an optimal result in terms of noise reduction.
• - The side panel is provided on its second face, opposite to the first, with a reinforcement panel that can slide in a horizontal direction, the top panel is on its second face, that of its first face on which the hinge is mounted with provided with a guide groove intended to receive the reinforcement plate, the reinforcement plate being able to slide at least partially in the guide groove when the side plate and the top plate are substantially in the same plane. In this way, a rigid connection is formed between the side panel and the top one Plate, which makes the structure more robust and resistant to the impacts of the sloshing fuel.
• The upper plate has at its upper end a top cover plate complementary in shape to an upper inner wall of a fuel tank in which the baffle is mounted, and the lower plate has at its lower end a lower cover plate whose shape matches a bottom inner wall of the fuel tank in which the baffle is mounted. In this way, once unfolded, the baffle can be firmly wedged between the top and bottom walls of the fuel tank by means of the top and bottom cover plates without resorting to any additional fastener or welding operation.
• - The second angular position is rotated by about 50° from the first angular position and the third angular position is rotated by more than about 50° from the second angular position. This angle of 50° is a preferred angle chosen by the inventor of the utility model in consideration of ergonomics and protection against incorrect operation.

The present utility model further provides a fuel tank having a baffle as described above.

Advantageously, the baffle is attached to the fuel tank by pressing an upper cover plate, complementary in shape to an upper inner wall of the fuel tank, and a lower cover plate, complementary in shape to a lower inner wall of the fuel tank, against the upper and lower walls of the fuel tank, respectively be brought to bear.

character list

• 1 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters im vollständig auseinandergeklappten Zustand, von der Vorderseite des Knaufs aus gesehen.
• 2 und 3 sind perspektivische Ansichten einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters im vollständig auseinandergeklappten Zustand, von der Rückseite des Knaufs aus unter verschiedenen Winkeln gesehen.
• 4 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters im vollständig zusammengeklappten Zustand.
• 5 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters im vollständig auseinandergeklappten Zustand, von der Rückseite des Knaufs aus gesehen.
• 6 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters im teilweise auseinandergeklappten Zustand.
• 7a bis 7F zeigen den Vorgang des Auseinanderklappens einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters.
• 8A ist eine Draufsicht einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters im vollständig zusammengeklappten Zustand und 8B ist eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A in 8A.
• 9A ist eine Draufsicht einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters im teilweise auseinandergeklappten Zustand und 9B ist eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A in 9A.
• 10A ist eine Draufsicht einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters im vollständig auseinandergeklappten Zustand und 10B ist eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A in 10A.
• 11 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht des Knaufs einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters.
• 12 ist eine vergrößerte schematische Schnittansicht der Nähe des Knaufs einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters im vollständig zusammengeklappten Zustand.
• 13 ist eine vergrößerte schematische Ansicht der Nähe des Scharniers einer zusammenklappbaren Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters im vollständig auseinandergeklappten Zustand.
• 14 ist eine schematische Teilschnittansicht eines Kraftstofftanks, in dem eine zusammenklappbare Schallwand gemäß einer Ausführungsform des Gebrauchsmusters montiert ist.

Now, the present utility model will be described in more detail using the figures. Those skilled in the art will understand that these figures are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model. The identical reference numbers in the figures denote identical or similar elements. In order to simplify the description, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

• 1 14 is a perspective view of a folding baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model in the fully unfolded state, seen from the front of the knob.
• 2 and 3 12 are perspective views of a foldable baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model in the fully unfolded state, seen from the rear of the knob from different angles.
• 4 12 is a perspective view of a folding baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model in the fully folded state.
• 5 14 is a perspective view of a folding baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model in the fully unfolded state, seen from the rear of the knob.
• 6 14 is a perspective view of a folding baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model in a partially unfolded state.
• 7a until 7F show the process of unfolding a collapsible baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model.
• 8A 12 is a plan view of a folding baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model in the fully folded state and 8B 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA in FIG 8A .
• 9A 12 is a plan view of a folding baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model in a partially unfolded state and 9B 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA in FIG 9A .
• 10A 12 is a plan view of a foldable baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model when fully unfolded, and FIG 10B 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA in FIG 10A .
• 11 12 is a perspective view of the knob of a folding baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model.
• 12 12 is an enlarged schematic sectional view of the vicinity of the knob of a folding baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model in the fully folded state.
• 13 Fig. 12 is an enlarged schematic view of the vicinity of the hinge together men foldable baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model in the fully unfolded state.
• 14 12 is a schematic partial sectional view of a fuel tank in which a collapsible baffle is mounted according to an embodiment of the utility model.

Reference List

100

collapsible baffle

110

top plate

111

through hole

112

top cover plate

113

guide groove

114

first bump

115

first deepening

120

lower plate

121

slot

122

lower cover plate

123

arcuate indentation

124

second hump

125

second deepening

130

side plate

132

reinforcement plate

133

pear-shaped recess

140

hinge

141

first hinge head

142

second hinge head

150

Feather

160

knob

161

Handle

162

Body

1621

radial pivot

1622

radial pin

Detailed description

the 1 until 6 12 show perspective views of a collapsible baffle 100 according to an embodiment of the utility model from different angles, the baffle 100 in FIGS 1 until 3 and 5 in a fully unfolded state, in 4 in a fully folded state and in 6 12 is in a partially unfolded condition (with spring 150 removed to clearly show bosses 114 and 124).

As in the 1 until 6 1, the baffle 100 includes a top panel 110, a bottom panel 120, and a side panel 130. FIG. The upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120 are slidably connected to each other by a spring 150 arranged vertically and thus can slide toward each other or in opposite directions. The side panel 130 is articulated to the top panel 110 by a hinge 140 and can therefore pivot with respect to the top panel 110 about the axis of the hinge 140 . A knob 160 is rotatably supported on the top plate 110, bottom plate 120 and side plate 130 assembly. When the knob 160 is in a first angular position (see 7A) , the baffle 100 is locked in a fully collapsed state, that is, a state where the top panel 110, the bottom panel 120 and the side panel 130 at least partially overlap, at which point the baffle 100 has the smallest footprint and from can be mounted by an operator using a single hand in a fuel tank via a hole intended for the pump. When the knob 160 is in a second angular position (see 7B) , the upper panel 110 and the lower panel 120 are unlocked and slide, moving away from each other in a vertical direction under the action of the spring 150, at which time the baffle 100 is in a partially unfolded state. When the knob 160 is in a third angular position (see 7D ), the side panel 130 opens laterally under the action of the hinge 140, at which time the baffle 100 is in a fully unfolded state and has the largest effective area and thus that caused by the sloshing motion of the fuel in the fuel tank in which the baffle mounted, can effectively reduce noise generated. In general, once the operator has inserted the baffle 100 into the fuel tank through the pump hole in the fully collapsed state, the operator rotates the knob 160 twice to transition the baffle 100 through the partially unfolded state to the fully unfolded state so that when fully unfolded, it performs its noise reduction function.

As in 11 As illustrated, the knob 160 has a handle 161 and a body 162, wherein the handle 161 can have any shape suitable for screwing, such as a flat plate shape, a cylindrical shape, etc.; the body 162 has a first latch structure and a second locking structure. In this embodiment, the first locking structure is a radial pin 1621 located at the junction between the body 162 and the handle 161 and the second locking structure is a radial pin 1622 located at a free end of the body 162. The handle 161 and the body 162 may be separately formed and then attached together, or may be integrally formed.

As in the 2 until 6 illustrated, the upper plate 110 has a through hole 111 in its thickness and the lower plate 120 has a slit 121 extending in the vertical direction and traversing its thickness, the through hole 111 and the slit 121 at least partially overlapping, so that the body 162 of the knob 160 can pass through it to be connected to the top panel 110 and bottom panel 120. The lower plate 120 has a first locking groove which, in this embodiment, is an arcuate indentation 123 on two opposite inner walls of the slot 121 . The side panel 130 has a second locking groove which, in this embodiment, is a pear-shaped recess 133 on an inner surface of the side panel 130 (ie, the surface facing the top and bottom panels when fully collapsed).

It is important to understand that the first and second locking structures and the first and second locking grooves may have configurations different from the illustrated embodiment as long as they can realize the locking function described above.

In this embodiment, the upper plate 110 further has, at its upper end, an upper cover plate 112, the shape of which is complementary to the shape of the upper inner wall of the fuel tank in which the baffle 100 is mounted, and the lower plate 120 has at its lower end, a lower cover plate 122, the shape of which is complementary to the shape of the lower inner wall of the fuel tank in which the baffle 100 is mounted. When the baffle 100 is mounted in the fuel tank, the upper cover plate 112 and the lower cover plate 122 can abut against the upper and lower inner walls of the fuel tank, respectively, and realize a function of position limiting and locking, so that the baffle is fixed in the fuel tank without having to resort to an additional fastener or welding process. This undoubtedly simplifies the baffle assembly process, reducing assembly time and cost.

As in 4 , 7A , 8th and 12 illustrated, when the knob 160 is in the first angular position (that is, the home position in which it has not been rotated), the radial pin 1621 of the knob 160 is blocked in the arcuate recess 123 of the lower plate 120 and the radial pin 1622 is blocked in the pear-shaped recess 133 of the lateral plate 130; at this time, the bottom panel 120 and the side panel 130 are both locked and no sliding or pivoting relative to the top panel 110 can occur. The baffle 100 is thus in the fully collapsed state.

As in the 7 , 7B , 7C and 9 illustrated, when the knob 160 (as indicated by the arrow in 7B illustrated) has been rotated to the second angular position, radial spigot 1621 of knob 160 engages arcuate recess 123 of bottom plate 120, but radial pin 1622 remains locked in pear-shaped recess 133 of side plate 130; at this time, since the radial pin 1621 is no longer constrained by the arcuate recess 123, it can slide upward in the vertical direction in the slot 121 of the lower plate 120, so that the upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120 can slide , in which they are under the spring force of spring 150 (as indicated by the arrow in 7C illustrated) move apart, reducing the interference area between the two to increase the effective area of the baffle 100. At this time, the baffle 100 is in the partially unfolded state.

As in the 2 , 3 , 5 , 7D , 7E and 10 illustrated, remains as the knob 160 rotates further (as in 7D illustrated by the arrow) and reaching the third angular position, the radial pin 1621 of the knob 160 in the slot 121 of the lower plate 120, while the radial pin 1622 leaves the pear-shaped recess 133 of the lateral plate 130; at this point, the radial pin 1622 of the knob 160 is no longer constrained by the pear-shaped recess 133 of the lateral plate 130, the lateral plate 130 opens laterally under the torsional force of the hinge 140 (as in Fig 7E illustrated by the arrow) so that the baffle 100 is in the fully unfolded condition. In this embodiment, the side panel 130 can open laterally until it is substantially in the same plane as the top panel 110 and bottom panel 120, that is, it has pivoted substantially 180°. In this way, the baffle 100 can be unfolded at maximum, which leads to the largest effective working area and realizes an optimal noise reduction effect.

Advantageously, the second angular position is rotated clockwise about 50° from the first angular position and the third angular position is rotated clockwise more than about 50° from the second angular position. If the angle of rotation is too small, it is easy to cause misoperation: a slight load may cause the baffle to unfold, or the top and bottom panels and side panel to open at the same time after a simple rotation. When the rotation angle is too large, the convenience of ergonomic operation is lost, and an operator has to exert a lot of effort to perform baffle unfolding and folding operations. It is important to understand that a person skilled in the art can provide a suitable angle and direction of rotation (e.g. counter-clockwise) depending on the actual needs and on the specific design of the locking structures.

As in the 1 and 7F 1, the side panel 130 is provided on its outer surface (that is, on the surface seen in the fully folded state) with a reinforcement plate 132 that can slide in the horizontal direction. Correspondingly, the top plate 110 is provided on its outer surface (that is, on the surface that can be seen in any condition, or the surface opposite the inner surface on which the hinge 40 is mounted) with a guide groove 113 for receiving the Reinforcing plate 132 provided. To prevent the side panel 130 from dislodging during use of the baffle 100, when the side panel 130 opens until it is substantially in the same plane as the top panel 110, an operator can move the reinforcement panel 132 toward of the top plate 110 (as indicated by the arrow in 7F shown) so that it slides at least partially into the guide groove 113. In this way, the side plate 130 and the top plate 110 form an assembly and the structure is more robust and resistant to the shocks of the fuel sloshing motion. Furthermore, as in 13 1 shows, after the side panel 130 has been unfolded, a first hinge head 141 and a second hinge head 142 comprising the hinge 140 abut against the side panel 130 and the bottom panel 120, respectively, so that they are held in the unfolded position, without being reset by an opening reaction force.

How better in 6 As illustrated, the upper plate 110 is provided on a lower surface of its upper end with a first hump 114 projecting downward, and the lower plate 120 is provided on an upper surface of its lower end with a second hump 124, the first hump 114 and the second hump 124 are aligned in the vertical direction with the two ends of the spring 150 fitted on the first hump 114 and the second hump 124, respectively. In this embodiment, two springs 150 are provided straddling the slot 121 (preferably in a symmetrical manner) to ensure that when the lock between the top panel 110 and the bottom panel 120 is released, sufficient spring force is applied evenly so that the top and bottom panels can be opened without difficulty; correspondingly, two first bosses 114 and two second bosses 124 are provided to limit the position of the springs 150 and to guide them. Advantageously, the first bosses 114 and the second bosses 124 are made in one piece with the upper plate 110 and with the lower plate 120 respectively, for example by an injection molding process, which makes it possible to improve the connection strength between the bosses and the respective plates, reducing the risk that the bumps break due to the stresses in the area of the connection points is reduced or even eliminated. Also advantageously, the first boss 114 and the second boss 124 both have a substantially circular peripheral profile and each have a plurality of fins extending radially and spaced in the circumferential direction, allowing to ensure that the bosses during cooling after fabrication (e.g. by injection moulding) have substantially the same contraction deformation as the surrounding parts. However, it is important to understand that the person skilled in the art can provide more or fewer bumps and springs, depending on the actual needs.

Advantageously, the top plate 110, as shown in FIGS 1 and 3 1, has a first indentation 115 extending in the vertical direction and the bottom plate 120 has a second indentation 125 extending in the vertical direction, the first and second indentations together forming a passageway which the spring 150 picks up and leads. This implementation allows ensuring that the spring does not deflect sideways during the opening or closing operation of the top and bottom panels, reducing the likelihood of interference when the baffle 100 is folded or unfolded.

14 12 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a fuel tank 200 in which the baffle 100 is mounted. As illustrated in this figure, an upper inner wall and a lower inner wall of the fuel tank 200 each have a profile structure, that is, a structure having a shape corresponding to the shape of the upper cover plate 112 of the upper plate 110 and the lower cover plate 122 of the lower plate 120 is complementary. In this way, once deployed, the baffle 100 can be firmly locked between the top and bottom walls of the fuel tank without resort to any fastener or additional welding operation. Any fuel tank provided with the profile structure can be provided with the baffle 100 as described above. It is important to understand that those skilled in the art can provide the dimensions of the baffle depending on the specific dimensions of a fuel tank so that once the baffle is deployed, it can be properly keyed into the fuel tank.

The following will now include the 7a until 7F described how the baffle 100 is assembled and fixed in a fuel tank according to an embodiment of the utility model.

First, an operator inserts the baffle 100 in the fully folded state into the fuel tank through a hole provided for a pump (this can generally be done with one hand); then he rotates the knob 160 until he reaches the second angular position so that the top plate 110 and bottom plate 120 are separated, and the attachment is realized by pressing the top cover plate 112 and bottom cover plate 122 against the top and bottom inner walls of the fuel tank 200 to be brought into position; then he rotates the knob 160 again until it reaches the third angular position, so that the side panel 130 also opens, and then the reinforcing panel 132 of the side panel 130 is pushed into the guide groove 113 of the top panel 110 to prevent the side panel 130 detaches or tilts front-to-back during use.

It should be noted that in order for the baffle according to an embodiment of the utility model to be folded back to the fully folded state after it has been unfolded, it is sufficient to perform operations opposite to those of the unfolding work.

The figures and the description above describe particular, non-limiting embodiments of the present utility model. Certain conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted in order to teach the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the variants derived from these embodiments fall within the scope of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art will understand that the features described above can be combined in various ways to form different variants of the present utility model. Thus, the present utility model is not limited to the particular embodiments described above, but is only defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (16)

Baffle (100) for a fuel tank, characterized in that it has a top plate (110), a bottom plate (120) and a side plate (130), the top plate and the bottom plate being supported by a vertically arranged spring (150 ) are slidably connected together and the side face is articulated to the top panel by a hinge (140), a knob (160) being pivoted on an assembly consisting of the top panel, the bottom panel and the side panel and configured such that: when in a first angular position, the baffle is locked in a fully collapsed condition in which the top panel, bottom panel and side panel at least partially overlap; when it is in a second angular position, the upper plate and the lower plate slide while moving away from each other in a vertical direction under the action of the spring; and when it is in a third angular position, the lateral panel opens laterally under the action of the hinge. baffle for a fuel tank claim 1 Characterized in that the upper plate is provided on a lower surface of its upper end with a first hump (114) projecting downward and the lower plate is provided on an upper surface of its lower end with a second hump (124). protruding upward with the first hump and the second hump being aligned in a vertical direction, the two ends of the spring being fitted on the first hump and the second hump, respectively. baffle for a fuel tank claim 2 , characterized in that the first hump and the second hump are integrally formed with the top plate and the bottom plate, respectively. baffle for a fuel tank claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the first hump and the second hump both have a substantially circular peripheral profile and each includes a plurality of laminae extending radially and spaced in a circumferential direction. Baffle for a fuel tank according to any one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the upper plate has a first recess (115) extending in the vertical direction, and the lower plate has a second recess (125) extending in the vertical direction, the first recess and the second depression together form a passage which receives and guides the spring. Baffle for a fuel tank according to any one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the top plate has a through hole (111) in its thickness, the bottom plate has a slit (121) traversing its thickness and extending in the vertical direction, and the knob has a handle (161) and a a body (162), the body being connected to the top plate and to the bottom plate by passing through the through hole and the slot. baffle for a fuel tank claim 6 , characterized in that the number of springs is at least two, the springs being arranged on either side of the slot. baffle for a fuel tank claim 6 , characterized in that the body has a first locking structure and a second locking structure, the bottom plate has a first locking groove and the side plate has a second locking groove; when the knob is in the first angular position, the first locking structure is in the first locking groove and the second locking structure is in the second locking groove; when the knob is in the second angular position, the first locking structure exits the first locking groove but the second locking structure remains in the second locking groove; when the knob is in the third angular position, the first locking structure exits the first locking groove and the second locking structure exits the second locking groove. baffle for a fuel tank claim 8 , characterized in that the first locking structure is a radial spigot (1621) located at the junction between the body and the handle, and the first locking groove is an arcuate depression (123) on two opposite inner walls of the slot. baffle for a fuel tank claim 8 , characterized in that the second locking structure is a radial pin (1622) located at a free end of the body and the second locking groove is a pear-shaped recess (133) on a first side of the side panel, the first side of the facing the top panel and the bottom panel when the side panel is not yet open. Baffle for a fuel tank according to any one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that when the knob is in the third angular position, the side panel opens laterally until it is substantially in the same plane as the top panel. baffle for a fuel tank claim 10 , characterized in that the side plate is provided on its second face opposite to the first with a reinforcing plate (132) which can slide in a horizontal direction, the top plate on its second face opposite to its first face on which the hinge is mounted, is provided with a guide groove (113) intended to receive the reinforcement plate, the reinforcement plate being able to slide at least partially in the guide groove when the side plate and the top plate are substantially in the same plane . Baffle for a fuel tank according to any one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the upper plate has at its upper end an upper cover plate (112) whose shape is complementary to an upper inner wall of a fuel tank in which the baffle is mounted, and the lower plate at its lower end a lower cover plate (122) the shape of which is complementary to a lower inner wall of the fuel tank in which the baffle is mounted. Baffle for a fuel tank according to any one of Claims 1 until 3 characterized in that the second angular position is rotated about 50° from the first angular position and the third angular position is rotated more than about 50° from the second angular position. Fuel tank, characterized in that it has a baffle according to any one of the preceding claims. fuel tank (200) after claim 15 , characterized in that the baffle is fixed to the fuel tank by pressing an upper cover plate, the shape of which is complementary to an upper inner wall of the fuel tank, and a lower cover plate, the shape of which is complementary to a lower inner wall of the fuel tank, against the upper and bottom wall of the fuel tank.

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