EP3557117A2 - Pressure vessel and method for connecting a pressure vessel into a body structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressure vessel (10) and a method for connecting such a pressure vessel in a body structure and a tool and a method for winding a hollow cylindrical extension of an outer shell (12) of such a pressure vessel (10). The pressure vessel (10) comprises an outer shell (12) having a cylinder-like central region (14) and two adjoining end portions (16, 18), wherein at both axial ends of the cylinder-like central region (14) of the outer shell (12) in each case one hollow cylindrical extension (20) is formed, which projects beyond the respective end region (16, 18). According to the invention, the respective hollow cylindrical extension (20) is formed at its open end as tension and / or pressure-elastic compensation area (22), which merges into a plurality of tensile and / or pressure-elastic, tab-like compensating elements (24), at each of which a fastening element (24). 26) is formed, which are suitable for entering into a torsionally rigid connection with corresponding fastening elements (32) of a body structure (30).

Description

The invention relates to a pressure vessel according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for connecting such a pressure vessel in a body structure and a tool and a method for winding a hollow cylindrical extension of an outer shell of such a pressure vessel.

Pressure vessels and corresponding methods for connecting such a pressure vessel in a body structure and tools and a method for winding a hollow cylindrical extension of an outer shell of such a pressure vessel are known in numerous variations. In general, such pressure vessels can be filled, for example, with gases or pressure-liquefied gases and therefore store a considerable amount of energy. Due to the expansion of pressure vessels with very high filling pressures and the resulting change in length in the axial and radial directions during filling or pressurization, these pressure vessels are usually attached to the vehicle structure by means of flexible tank straps. These tank straps allow for tolerance compensation when filling the container, but provide no structural influence of the container stiffness on the body of the vehicle. As a result, the change in length of the pressure tank is not affected by the body and the transmission of the crash energy is carried out solely by the components or load paths of the body.

Although several connection concepts for pressure vessels in a body structure are already known, but these usually have a fixed and / or floating bearing for tolerance compensation and / or require due to the mounting accessibility a variety of additional holders for the realization of sufficient connection points to the vehicle structure.

A generic pressure vessel, which may be installed in a rear-side cargo space and / or underfloor in the region of a center tunnel of the vehicle body of a vehicle, preferably has a cylindrical design, in which a cylindrical pressure vessel shell is closed on both sides by curved outwardly, frontal bottoms. The pressure vessel wall may for example be constructed in three layers and comprise an inner layer, a middle layer of a fiber composite plastic and an outer layer of a further fiber composite plastic. In a so-called type 4 high pressure container for natural gas, the inner layer is a plastic liner made by blow molding or rotary / sintering method or thermoforming method. The plastic liner reinforcing middle layer is preferably wound in a wet winding process as a fiber winding on the plastic liner. By way of example, the fiber winding consists of, for example, carbon, aramid, glass and / or boron fibers which are embedded in a matrix of thermosets or of thermoplastics. The fibers are applied to the plastic liner in different fiber orientations. The preferred impact-absorbing outer layer may also be a fiber winding which is wound on the middle layer in a wet winding process. The outer winding thus formed consists, for example, of carbon and / or glass fibers embedded in a matrix.

The finished high-pressure container has, for example, on a front-side container bottom on an outwardly projecting neck piece, in which a valve is integrated. Otherwise, the high-pressure vessel is usually completely smooth on the outside. In its installed position, the high-pressure container is secured in position by means of clamping bands in conventional practice, which surround the smooth-surface cylinder wall of the high-pressure container.

From the DE 10 2015 206 826 A1 is a pressure vessel for a motor vehicle, with a fastening device known. The fastening device is designed to connect the pressure vessel with a body of the motor vehicle. The fastening device comprises at least two connecting pins and at least two bearings. In each case a connecting pin is connected to a bearing in a connection point. The connecting pins and / or the bearings are respectively connected to the pressure vessel in a pressure vessel connection area and extend away from the outer surface of the pressure vessel. The pressure tank connection areas each have an extension. The connecting pin and the bearing are at least partially formed and arranged in the connection point such that the extension E is guided kinematically by a movement of the bearing and / or the connecting pin with only one translational degree of freedom.

From the DE 10 2015 007 047 B4 For example, there is known a method of manufacturing a pressurizable container which comprises a cylindrical central part made of a fibrous plastic composite material at the ends of which a bottom part made of a fiber-plastic composite material is produced for closing the container. Here, the middle part of the container is arranged on a winding mandrel of a wound body as a prefabricated middle part or produced by winding a roving. An inner surface of the bottom portion is defined by the winding mandrel of the bobbin and an end of the central portion adjacent to the bottom portion, and an outer surface of the bottom portion is defined by a plurality of shaping portions. The bottom part of the container is produced by winding a preferably unidirectional roving into a winding space defined by the winding mandrel and the shaping parts up to the end of the middle part, wherein the shaping parts are arranged successively from a winding axis of the winding body outwards on the winding axis, if an intermediate the winding mandrel and the respective previously arranged forming part formed part winding space is filled.

Object of the present invention is to provide a pressure vessel and a method for connecting such a pressure vessel in a body structure and to provide a tool and a method for winding a hollow cylindrical extension of an outer shell of such a pressure vessel, which can be integrated in a simple manner as a stiffening element in the body structure and allows a level-independent tolerance compensation.

This object is achieved by a pressure vessel having the features of patent claim 1, by a method for connecting such a pressure vessel in a body structure with the features of claim 8 and by a tool for winding a hollow cylindrical extension of an outer shell of such a pressure vessel having the features of claim 11 and solved by a method for winding a hollow cylindrical extension of an outer shell of such a pressure vessel with the features of claim 13. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

In order to provide a pressure vessel and a method for connecting such a pressure vessel in a body structure, which can be integrated in a simple manner as a stiffening element in the body structure and allows a filling level independent tolerance compensation, hollow cylindrical extensions are at their open ends in each case as tension and / or pressure elastic compensation areas formed, which merge into several tensile and / or pressure elastic, strap-like compensation elements, at the end of each a fastener is formed, which are adapted to enter into a torsionally rigid connection with corresponding fasteners of a body structure. The pressure vessel comprises an outer shell which has a cylinder-like central region and two adjoining end regions. At both axial ends of the cylinder-like central region of the outer shell, in each case such a hollow cylindrical extension is formed, which projects beyond the respective end region.

The corresponding body structure, to which the pressure vessel is to be integrated, has adapted to the shape and arrangement of the tab-like compensating elements counter elements. In this case, the fastening elements of the compensating elements and the counter-elements in an insertion position of the pressure vessel by a rotational movement of the pressure vessel about its longitudinal axis are slidable and thereby form a positive connection. The method for connecting such a pressure vessel in a body structure comprises the steps of: aligning the pressure vessel such that the pressure vessel is insertable from an open side of the body structure perpendicular to its longitudinal axis in the body structure, wherein the pressure vessel is rotated about its longitudinal axis to align the fasteners and the counter elements do not interfere with each other during insertion. Inserting the pressure vessel in the body structure until the insertion position is reached, and rotating the pressure vessel about its longitudinal axis such that a positive connection with the body structure is made.

A tool for winding the hollow cylindrical extensions of the outer shell of the pressure vessel comprises a winding mandrel, through whose outer radius during winding an inner radius of the hollow cylindrical extension is predetermined. According to the invention, the mandrel can be converted from a first state having a predetermined winding radius and a resulting cross section into a second state having a smaller cross section. For this purpose, the mandrel can for example be made in several parts, wherein the transfer from the first to the second state then takes place by a decomposition.

The method for winding the hollow cylindrical extension of the outer shell of the pressure vessel by means of such a tool comprises the steps: transfer of the winding mandrel in its first state, winding the hollow cylindrical extension, transferring the winding mandrel in its second state, and removing the winding mandrel from the hollow cylindrical extension.

Embodiments of the pressure vessel according to the invention are characterized in that the structurally connected pressure vessel due to the interpretable in the fiber composite elastic compensation range allows tolerance compensation, but also forces from the vehicle structure, such as bending and torsional forces from the body stiffness and additional forces from Crashlastfällen transferred, and thus can significantly contribute to increasing the lightweight construction and crash safety of the body.

In an advantageous embodiment of the pressure vessel, the compensation elements can be introduced by a machining post-processing, in particular by milling or cutting, in the hollow cylindrical extension.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the pressure vessel, the compensation area and / or the lashing-like compensation elements can have regions of different stiffnesses. In the manufacture of the compensation area and / or the tab-like compensation elements and / or the fastening elements, different fiber materials, fiber composites and / or laminate structures depending on the desired requirements, such as stiffness, strength, flexibility, elasticity, etc., can be used. Thus, the outer shell and the hollow cylindrical extensions, for example, from a fiber-reinforced, preferably a continuous fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP, GRP) are made, for example, a carbon fiber reinforced, preferably a continuous carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), or a glass fiber reinforced, preferably an endless glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) ,

In a further advantageous embodiment of the pressure vessel, the outer shell can surround a fluid-tight inner container made of metal or fiber-reinforced plastic or unreinforced plastic surface or form the fluid-tight inner container itself.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the pressure vessel a plurality of tab-like compensating elements with the fastening elements on the Circumference of the hollow cylindrical extension to be arranged equidistantly distributed.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method for connecting such a pressure vessel in a body structure can be made between the fastening elements of the pressure vessel and the counter-elements of the body structure in addition a non-positive and / or material connection. The fastening elements and the counter-elements can for example be screwed together and / or glued and / or clipped.

The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention. Thus, embodiments are also included and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Druckbehälters in einem ersten Zustand;

Fig. 2

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des Druckbehälters aus Fig. 1 aus einem anderen Blickwinkel;

Fig. 3

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Druckbehälters aus Fig. 1 und 2 in einem ausgedehnten zweiten Zustand;

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung eines Details IV aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung eines Details V aus Fig. 3,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Druckbehälters und einer korrespondierenden Karosseriestruktur vor dem Einführen des Druckbehälters;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Druckbehälters und der korrespondierenden Karosseriestruktur aus Fig. 6 während des Einführens des Druckbehälters;

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Druckbehälters und der korrespondierenden Karosseriestruktur aus Fig. 6 und 7 nach dem Herstellen der formschlüssigen Verbindung;

Fig. 9

eine schematische Darstellung eines Abschnitts des Druckbehälters aus Fig. 1 bis 8 mit einem Wickelwerkzeug während eines Wickelvorgangs eines hohlzylindrischen Fortsatzes des Druckbehälters; und

Fig. 10

eine Darstellung eines Details X aus Fig. 9.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawing, like reference numerals designate components that perform the same or analog functions. Hereby show:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a pressure vessel according to the invention in a first state;

Fig. 2

a schematic perspective view of the pressure vessel from Fig. 1 from a different angle;

Fig. 3

a schematic perspective view of the pressure vessel according to the invention Fig. 1 and 2 in an extended second state;

Fig. 4

a representation of a detail IV Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5

a representation of a detail V from Fig. 3 .

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of the pressure vessel according to the invention and a corresponding body structure prior to insertion of the pressure vessel;

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of the pressure vessel according to the invention and the corresponding body structure Fig. 6 during insertion of the pressure vessel;

Fig. 8

a schematic representation of the pressure vessel according to the invention and the corresponding body structure Fig. 6 and 7 after making the positive connection;

Fig. 9

a schematic representation of a portion of the pressure vessel from Fig. 1 to 8 with a winding tool during a winding operation of a hollow cylindrical extension of the pressure vessel; and

Fig. 10

a representation of a detail X from Fig. 9 ,

How out Fig. 1 to 10 it can be seen, the illustrated embodiment of a pressure vessel 10 comprises an outer shell 12, which has a cylinder-like central region 14 and two adjoining end portions 16, 18. At both axial ends of the cylinder-like central region 14 of the outer shell 12, a hollow cylindrical extension 20 is formed, which projects beyond the respective end region 16, 18.

According to the invention, the respective hollow cylindrical extension 20 is formed at its open end as tensile and / or compressive elastic compensation area 22, which merges into a plurality of tensile and / or pressure elastic, flap-like compensation elements 24, at the end of each a fastener 26 is formed, which is suitable are to enter into a torsionally rigid connection with corresponding fasteners 32 of a body structure 30.

How out Fig. 1 to 5 can be seen, encloses the outer shell 12 in the illustrated embodiment, the fluid-tight inner container 11 surface. The fluid-tight inner container 11 can be made for example of metal or fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP, GFRP) or unreinforced plastic. Alternatively, the outer shell 12 itself may form the fluid-tight inner container 11. The outer shell 12 and the hollow cylindrical extension 20 are made of a fiber-reinforced, preferably a continuous fiber reinforced plastic (CFK, GRP), which, for example, a carbon fiber reinforced, preferably a continuous carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), and / or a glass fiber reinforced, preferably an endless glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) is.

The compensating elements 24 are introduced into the hollow cylindrical extension 20 by means of a machining operation. Here, the compensation area 22 and / or the tab-like compensation elements 24 have regions of different stiffness in order to achieve the desired tensile and / or compressive elastic properties. How out 4 and 5 It can also be seen that the compensation area 22 and / or the tab-like compensating elements 24 allow expansion of the inner container 11 along its longitudinal axis LA and a cross-sectional enlargement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

How out Fig. 1 to 8 is further apparent, in the illustrated embodiment, four tab-like compensating elements 24 with the Fixing elements 26 arranged distributed over the circumference of the hollow cylindrical extension 20 equidistant.

The inventive method for connecting such a pressure vessel 10 in a body structure 30 is described below with reference to Fig. 6 to 8 described. How out Fig. 6 to 8 is further apparent, the body structure 30 on the shape and arrangement of the tab-like compensating elements 24 adapted counter elements 32. In this case, the fastening elements 26 of the compensating elements 24 and the counter-elements 32 are in an insertion position of the pressure vessel 10 by a rotational movement of the pressure vessel 10 about its longitudinal axis LA into one another and thereby form a positive connection. How out Fig. 6 and 7 it can be seen, the pressure vessel 10 is aligned such that the pressure vessel 10 is insertable from an open side of the body structure 30 perpendicular to its longitudinal axis LA in the body structure 30. To align the pressure vessel 10 is rotated about its longitudinal axis LA so that the fasteners 26 and the counter-elements 32 do not interfere with each other during insertion, as from Fig. 7 is apparent. How out Fig. 7 Further, the pressure vessel 10 is inserted into the body structure 30 until the insertion position is reached. Then, the pressure vessel 10 is rotated about its longitudinal axis LA such that a positive connection with the body structure 30 is made, as shown Fig. 8 is apparent.

In addition, between the fastening elements 26 of the pressure vessel 10 and the counter-elements 32 of the body structure 30, a non-positive and / or integral connection is produced. For this purpose, the fastening elements 26 and the counter-elements 32, for example, screwed together and / or glued and / or clipped.

How out FIGS. 9 and 10 It can also be seen that the tool for winding the hollow cylindrical extension 20 of the outer shell 12 of the pressure vessel 10 with the cylinder-like central region 14 and two adjoining end regions 16, 18 comprises a mandrel 40, by the outer radius of which during winding an inner radius of the hollow cylindrical extension 20 is predetermined. In this case, the winding mandrel 40 can be converted from a first state shown with a predetermined winding radius and a resulting cross section into a second state with a smaller cross section.

How out Fig. 9 is further seen, the winding mandrel 40 is made of several parts and the transfer from the first to the second state is carried out by a disassembly of the winding mandrel 40 by first a first mandrel part 42 and then a second mandrel part 44 is removed from the wound extension 20.

The method for winding the hollow cylindrical extension 20 of the outer shell 12 of the pressure vessel 10 by means of such a tool comprises the steps: transfer of the winding mandrel 40 in its first state, winding the hollow cylindrical extension 20, transferring the winding mandrel 40 in its second state, and removing the winding mandrel 40 from the hollow cylindrical extension 20th

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

pressure vessel

11

inner container

12

outer shell

14

the central region

16, 18

end

20

extension

22

Tensile and / or pressure elastic compensation area

24

tensile and / or pressure elastic compensation element

26

torsionally rigid fastening element

30

body structure

32

body-side counter-elements

40

mandrel

42

first part of the mandrel

44

second part of the mandrel

LA

longitudinal axis

Claims (13)

Pressure vessel (10) having an outer shell (12), which has a cylinder-like central region (14) and two adjoining end portions (16, 18), wherein at both axial ends of the cylinder-like central region (14) of the outer shell (12) each have a hollow cylindrical Extension (20) is formed, which projects beyond the respective end region (16, 18),
characterized,
in that the respective hollow-cylindrical extension (20) is formed at its open end as a tensile and / or pressure-elastic compensation area (22) which merges into a plurality of tensile and / or pressure-elastic, lashing-like compensating elements (24), at each of which a fastening element (22). 26) is formed, which are suitable for entering into a torsionally rigid connection with corresponding fastening elements (32) of a body structure (30). Pressure vessel (10) according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the compensation elements (24) are introduced by a machining post-processing in the hollow cylindrical extension (20). Pressure vessel (10) according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the compensation area (22) and / or the tab-like compensation elements (24) have regions of different stiffnesses. Pressure vessel (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
the outer shell (12) and the hollow cylindrical extension (20) are made of a fiber-reinforced, preferably an endless-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP, GFRP). Pressure vessel (10) according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the fiber composite plastic is a carbon fiber reinforced, preferably a continuous carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) or a glass fiber reinforced, preferably an endless glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP). Pressure vessel (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that
the outer shell (12) encloses a fluid-tight inner container (11) made of metal or fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP, GFRP) or unreinforced plastic or forms the fluid-tight inner container (11) itself. Pressure vessel (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that
a plurality of tab-like compensating elements (24) with the fastening elements (26) over the circumference of the hollow cylindrical extension (20) are arranged distributed equidistantly. Method for connecting a pressure vessel (10), which is designed according to Claim 7, into a body structure (30) which has counter elements (32) adapted to the shape and arrangement of the tab-like compensating elements (24), wherein the fastening elements (26) of the compensating elements (30) 24) and the counter-elements (32) in an insertion position of the pressure vessel (10) by a rotational movement of the pressure vessel (10) about its longitudinal axis (LA) are slidable into one another and thereby form a positive connection, comprising the steps: Aligning the pressure vessel (10) such that the pressure vessel is insertable into the body structure (30) from an open side of the body structure (30) perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (LA), the pressure vessel (10) being oriented about its longitudinal axis (LA). is rotated, that the fastening elements (26) and the counter-elements (32) do not interfere with each other during insertion, Inserting the pressure vessel (10) in the body structure (30) until the insertion position is reached, and Turning the pressure vessel (10) about its longitudinal axis (LA) such that a positive connection with the body structure (30) is made. Method according to claim 8,
characterized in that
between the fastening elements (26) of the pressure vessel (10) and the counter-elements (32) of the body structure (30) in addition a frictional and / or material connection is made. Method according to claim 9,
characterized in that
the fastening elements (26) and the counter-elements (32) are screwed together and / or glued and / or clipped. Tool for winding a hollow cylindrical extension (20) of an outer shell (12) of a pressure vessel (10) with a cylinder-like central region (14) and two adjoining end portions (16, 18), with a winding mandrel (40), by its outer radius during winding an inner radius of the hollow cylindrical extension (20) is predetermined,
characterized,
in that the winding mandrel (40) can be converted from a first state having a predetermined winding radius and a resulting cross section into a second state having a smaller cross section. Tool according to claim 11,
characterized in that
the winding mandrel (40) is designed in several parts and the transfer from the first to the second state is carried out by a decomposition. A method of winding a hollow cylindrical extension (20) of an outer shell (12) of a pressure vessel (10) by means of a tool according to one of claims 9 or 10, comprising the steps of: Conversion of the mandrel (40) in its first state, winding the hollow cylindrical extension (20), Transferring the winding mandrel (40) in its second state, and removing the winding mandrel (40) from the hollow cylindrical extension (20).

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