EP3557117B1 - Pressure vessel and method for connecting a pressure vessel into a body structure - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a pressure vessel according to the preamble of patent claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for connecting such a pressure vessel to a body structure.

Pressure vessels and corresponding methods for connecting such a pressure vessel to 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 with gases or pressure-liquefied gases, for example, and can therefore store a significant amount of energy. Due to the expansion of pressure tanks with very high filling pressures and the resulting change in length in the axial and radial directions during filling or pressurization, these pressure tanks are usually attached to the vehicle structure by means of flexible tank straps. These tank straps enable tolerance compensation when filling the tank, but do not offer any structural influence of the tank rigidity on the vehicle body. As a result, the change in length of the pressure tank is not affected by the body and the crash energy is only transmitted through the components or load paths of the body.

Although several connection concepts for pressure vessels in a body structure are already known, these usually have a fixed and/or Floating bearing mount for tolerance compensation and/or require a large number of additional brackets to implement sufficient connection points to the vehicle structure due to the assembly accessibility.

A pressure vessel, which can be installed in a rear cargo space and/or under the floor in the area of a central tunnel of the vehicle body, preferably has a cylindrical design in which a cylindrical pressure vessel jacket is closed on both sides by outwardly curved end faces. The pressure vessel wall can be constructed in three layers, for example, and can comprise an inner layer, a middle layer made of a fiber-reinforced plastic and an outer layer made of a further fiber-reinforced plastic. In a so-called Type 4 high-pressure container for natural gas, the inner layer is a plastic liner that is manufactured using blow molding or rotation/sintering processes or thermoforming processes. The middle layer reinforcing the plastic liner is preferably wound onto the plastic liner as a fiber winding in a wet winding process. By way of example, the fiber winding consists of carbon, aramid, glass and/or boron fibers, for example, which are embedded in a matrix made of duromers or thermoplastics. The fibers are applied to the plastic liner in different fiber orientations. The preferably impact-absorbing outer layer can also be a filament winding that is wound onto the middle layer in a wet winding process. The outer winding formed in this way consists, for example, of carbon and/or glass fibers that are embedded in a matrix.

The finished high-pressure container has, for example, on a front container bottom, a neck piece protruding outwards, in which a valve is integrated. Otherwise, the high-pressure tank is usually completely smooth on the outside. In its installation position, the high-pressure tank is, as is customary practice, secured in position by means of tensioning straps which enclose the smooth-surfaced cylinder wall of the high-pressure tank.

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

From the DE 10 2015 007 047 B4 a method for producing a pressurizable container is known, which has a cylindrical middle part made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material, at the ends of which a base part is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material to close the container. In this case, the center part of the container is arranged on a mandrel of a winding body as a prefabricated center part or is produced by winding a roving. An inner surface of the base is defined by the mandrel of the bobbin and an end of the center portion adjacent the base, and an outer surface of the base is defined by a plurality of shaping portions. The bottom part of the container is produced by winding a preferably unidirectional roving in a winding space defined by the winding mandrel and the shaping parts up to the end of the middle part, with the shaping parts being arranged one after the other starting from a winding axis of the winding body outwards on the winding axis if an between the partial winding space formed by the winding mandrel and the previously arranged shaping part is filled.

From the DE 10 2011 114 213 A1 a generic pressure vessel with an outer shell is known, which has a cylinder-like central area and two adjoining end areas. At both axial ends of the cylinder-like central area of the outer shell is a hollow-cylindrical extension with a clamping ring protruding beyond the respective end area.

The object of the present invention is to provide a pressure vessel and a method for connecting such a pressure vessel to a body structure, which can be easily integrated into the body structure as a stiffening element and enables tolerance compensation that is independent of the filling level.

This object is achieved by a pressure vessel with the features of patent claim 1 and by a method for connecting such a pressure vessel in a body structure with the features of patent claim 8 . Advantageous configurations with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

In order to provide a pressure vessel and a method for connecting such a pressure vessel to a body structure, which can be easily integrated into the body structure as a stiffening element and enables tolerance compensation independent of the fill level, hollow-cylindrical extensions at their open ends are designed as compensation areas that are elastic in tension and/or compression formed, which merge into several tension and / or pressure-elastic, strap-like compensating elements, at the end of which a fastening element is formed, which are suitable for entering into a torsionally rigid connection with corresponding fastening elements of a body structure. The pressure vessel comprises an outer shell which has a cylinder-like central area and two end areas adjoining it. Such a hollow-cylindrical extension is formed on each of the two axial ends of the cylinder-like central area of the outer casing, which protrudes beyond the respective end area.

The corresponding body structure, to which the pressure vessel is to be connected, has counter-elements adapted to the shape and arrangement of the strap-like compensation elements. Here are the Fastening elements of the compensating elements and the counter-elements can be displaced into one another in an operating position of the pressure vessel by a rotary movement of the pressure vessel about its longitudinal axis and thereby form a form-fitting connection. The method for connecting such a pressure vessel in a body structure comprises the steps: aligning the pressure vessel in such a way that the pressure vessel can be inserted into the body structure from an open side of the body structure perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, with the pressure vessel being rotated about its longitudinal axis for alignment such that the fasteners and mating elements do not interfere with each other during insertion. Insertion of the pressure vessel into the body structure until the deployment position is reached, and rotation of the pressure vessel about its longitudinal axis in such a way that a form-fit connection with the body structure is established.

A tool for winding the hollow-cylindrical extensions of the outer shell of the pressure vessel comprises a winding mandrel whose outer radius defines an inner radius of the hollow-cylindrical extension during winding. In this case, the winding mandrel can be transferred from a first state with a predetermined winding radius and a cross section resulting therefrom into a second state with a smaller cross section. For this purpose, the winding mandrel can, for example, be designed in several parts, with the transfer from the first to the second state then taking place by dismantling.

The method for winding the hollow-cylindrical extension of the outer shell of the pressure vessel using such a tool comprises the steps: moving the winding mandrel into its first state, winding the hollow-cylindrical extension, moving the winding mandrel into 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 allows tolerance compensation due to the elastic compensation area that can be interpreted in the fiber composite, but also forces from the vehicle structure, such as For example, bending and torsional forces from the body rigidity and additional forces from crash load cases, and can thus contribute significantly to increasing the lightweight quality and crash safety of the body.

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

In a further advantageous embodiment of the pressure vessel, the compensation area and/or the bracket-like compensation elements can have different rigidities in certain areas. Various fiber materials, fiber composites and/or laminate structures can be used in the manufacture of the compensation area and/or the strap-like compensation elements and/or the fastening elements, depending on the desired requirements, such as rigidity, strength, flexibility, elasticity, etc. For example, the outer shell and the hollow-cylindrical extensions can be made of a fiber-reinforced, preferably continuous fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP, GRP), which is, for example, carbon fiber-reinforced, preferably continuous carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), or glass-fiber-reinforced, preferably continuous glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP). .

In a further advantageous embodiment of the pressure vessel, the outer shell can enclose a fluid-tight inner vessel made of metal or fiber-reinforced plastic or non-reinforced plastic over a large area or form the fluid-tight inner vessel itself.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the pressure vessel, a plurality of strap-like compensating elements with the fastening elements can be distributed equidistantly over the circumference of the hollow-cylindrical extension.

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

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 shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawing, the same reference symbols denote components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. Here show:

1

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

2

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

3

a schematic perspective view of the pressure vessel according to the invention Figures 1 and 2 in an expanded second state;

4

a representation of a detail IV 1 ,

figure 5

a representation of a detail V from 3 ,

6

a schematic representation of the pressure vessel according to the invention and a corresponding body structure before the introduction of the pressure vessel;

7

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

8

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

9

Figure 12 shows a schematic representation of a section of the pressure vessel Figures 1 to 8 with a winding tool during a winding process of a hollow-cylindrical extension of the pressure vessel; and

10

a representation of a detail X 9 .

How out Figures 1 to 10 As can be seen, the illustrated exemplary embodiment of a pressure vessel 10 comprises an outer shell 12 which has a cylinder-like central region 14 and two end regions 16, 18 adjoining it. A hollow-cylindrical extension 20 is formed on each of the two axial ends of the cylinder-like central area 14 of the outer casing 12 and protrudes beyond the respective end area 16 , 18 .

According to the invention, the respective hollow-cylindrical extension 20 is designed at its open end as a tension and/or compression-elastic compensation area 22, which merges into a plurality of tension and/or compression-elastic, strap-like compensation elements 24, at the end of which a fastening element 26 is designed, which is suitable for this are, with appropriate Fastening elements 32 of a body structure 30 enter into a torsionally rigid connection.

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

The compensating elements 24 are introduced into the hollow-cylindrical extension 20 by machining. Here, the compensating area 22 and/or the strap-like compensating elements 24 have different rigidities in some areas in order to achieve the desired tensile and/or pressure-elastic properties. How out Figures 4 and 5 As can further be seen, the compensating area 22 and/or the strap-like compensating elements 24 allow an expansion of the inner container 11 along its longitudinal axis LA and an enlargement of the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

How out Figures 1 to 8 It can also be seen that in the exemplary embodiment shown, four strap-like compensating elements 24 with the fastening elements 26 are distributed equidistantly over the circumference of the hollow-cylindrical extension 20 .

The inventive method for connecting such a pressure vessel 10 in a body structure 30 is described below with reference to FIG Figures 6 to 8 described. How out Figures 6 to 8 It can further be seen that the body structure 30 has the shape and arrangement of the tab-like Compensating elements 24 adapted counter elements 32 on. The fastening elements 26 of the compensating elements 24 and the counter-elements 32 can be displaced into one another in an operating position of the pressure vessel 10 by rotating the pressure vessel 10 about its longitudinal axis LA and thereby form a positive connection. How out 6 and 7 As can be seen, the pressure vessel 10 is aligned in such a way that the pressure vessel 10 can be inserted into the body structure 30 from an open side of the body structure 30 perpendicular to its longitudinal axis LA. For alignment, the pressure vessel 10 is rotated about its longitudinal axis LA in such a way that the fastening elements 26 and the counter-elements 32 do not impede one another during insertion, as shown in FIG 7 is evident. How out 7 can further be seen, the pressure vessel 10 is introduced into the body structure 30 until the deployment position is reached. Then the pressure vessel 10 is rotated about its longitudinal axis LA in such a way that a positive connection with the body structure 30 is established, as shown in FIG 8 is evident.

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

How out Figures 9 and 10 As can further be seen, the tool for winding the hollow-cylindrical extension 20 of the outer shell 12 of the pressure vessel 10 with the cylinder-like central area 14 and two adjoining end areas 16, 18 comprises a winding mandrel 40, the outer radius of which defines an inner radius of the hollow-cylindrical extension 20 during winding . In this case, the winding mandrel 40 can be transferred from a first state shown, with a predetermined winding radius and a cross section resulting therefrom, into a second state with a smaller cross section.

How out 9 is further evident, the mandrel 40 is designed in several parts and the transfer from the first to the second state is carried out by a Disassembly of the mandrel 40 by first removing a first mandrel portion 42 and then a second mandrel portion 44 from the coiled 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: moving the winding mandrel 40 into its first state, winding the hollow-cylindrical extension 20, moving the winding mandrel 40 into its second state, and removing the winding mandrel 40 from the hollow cylindrical extension 20.

REFERENCE LIST

10

pressure vessel

11

inner container

12

outer shell

14

midrange

16, 18

end area

20

extension

22

Tensile and/or pressure-elastic compensation area

24

tensile and/or pressure-elastic compensation element

26

torsionally stiff fastener

30

body structure

32

body-side counter elements

40

mandrel

42

first partial mandrel

44

second partial mandrel

L.A

longitudinal axis

Claims (10)

1. Pressure vessel (10) with an outer casing (12) that has a cylinder-like central region (14) and two adjoining end regions (16, 18),
   characterised in that
   at each of the two axial ends of the cylinder-like central region (14) of the outer casing (12) a hollow cylindrical extension (20) is formed which projects beyond the respective end region (16, 18), wherein the respective hollow cylindrical extension (20) is formed at its open end as a tension- and/or compression-elastic compensating region (22) which merges into a plurality of tension- and/or compression-elastic, lug-like compensating elements (24), at the end of each of which a fastening element (26) is formed, which are suitable for forming a torsionally rigid connection with corresponding fastening elements (32) of a body structure (30).
2. Pressure vessel (10) according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the compensating elements (24) are introduced into the hollow cylindrical extension (20) by a machining operation.
3. Pressure vessel (10) according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the compensating region (22) and/or the lug-like compensating elements (24) have different stiffnesses in different regions.
4. Pressure vessel (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   the outer casing (12) and the hollow cylindrical extension (20) are made of a fibre-reinforced, preferably a continuous fibre-reinforced, plastic (CFRP, GRP).
5. Pressure vessel (10) according to claim 4,
   characterised in that
   the fibre composite plastic is a carbon fibre-reinforced, preferably a continuous carbon fibre-reinforced, plastic (CFRP) or a glass fibre-reinforced, preferably a continuous glass fibre-reinforced, plastic (GFRP).
6. Pressure vessel (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that
   the outer casing (12) encloses the surface of a fluid-tight inner container (11) made of metal or of fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP, GRP) or of non-reinforced plastic or itself forms the fluid-tight inner container (11).
7. Pressure vessel (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that
   a plurality of lug-like compensating elements (24) with the fastening elements (26) are arranged in equidistant distribution over the circumference of the hollow cylindrical extension (20).
8. Method for connecting a pressure vessel (10), which is configured according to claim 7, into a body structure (30) which has counter-elements (32) adapted to the shape and arrangement of the lug-like compensating elements (24), wherein the fastening elements (26) of the compensating elements (24) and the counter-elements (32) can be displaced into one another in a deployment position of the pressure vessel (10) by a rotary movement of the pressure vessel (10) about its longitudinal axis (LA) and thereby form a form-fitting connection, the method comprising the steps:

   aligning the pressure vessel (10) in such a way that the pressure vessel can be inserted into the body structure (30) from an open side of the body structure (30) perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (LA), wherein the pressure vessel (10) is rotated about its longitudinal axis (LA) for alignment so that the fastening elements (26) and the counter-elements (32) do not interfere with each other during insertion,

   inserting the pressure vessel (10) into the body structure (30) until the insertion position is reached, and

   rotating the pressure vessel (10) about its longitudinal axis (LA) in such a way that a form-fitting connection with the body structure (30) is established.
9. Method according to claim 8,
   characterised in that
   a frictional and/or material connection is additionally produced between the fastening elements (26) of the pressure vessel (10) and the counter-elements (32) of the body structure (30).
10. Method according to claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the fastening elements (26) and the counter-elements (32) are screwed and/or glued and/or clipped together.

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