JP2009220680A - Fixing structure of vehicular fuel tank - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely fix a fuel tank by a simple structure, and to correspond to expansion displacement of the fuel tank, in a fixing structure of the vehicular fuel tank. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel tank 10 includes a fuel tank body 12 in an axial direction, and first and second projecting portions 16, 18 respectively projecting from the valve 14 and the other end of the fuel tank body 12 in the axial direction toward the axial direction, and fitted with first and second recessed portions 34, 40 formed on first and second fixing members 30, 32. First and second side portions 34a, 40a of the first and second recessed portions 34, 40 are oppositely contacted with first and second flat side surfaces 22a, 26a of the first and second projecting portions 16, 18. Therefore, movement in a circumferential direction of the fuel tank can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle fuel tank fixing structure for fixing a cylindrical fuel tank to a vehicle to be fixed via a fixing member.

  Conventionally, a vehicle that travels by supplying a gaseous fuel such as natural gas to an internal combustion engine is known. In such a vehicle, a cylindrical fuel tank that contains gaseous fuel in a high-pressure state is mounted.

  Conventionally, a vehicle that supplies gaseous fuel such as hydrogen gas to a fuel cell and travels using electric power generated by the cell is known. Also in such a vehicle, a cylindrical fuel tank that accommodates gaseous fuel in a high-pressure state is mounted.

  In the following Patent Document 1, a neck portion on one end side of a high-pressure gas container (fuel tank) is inserted into a hole of a container mounting member, and a neck portion on the other end side of the high-pressure gas container is inserted into a hole of an auxiliary member. A fixing structure in which the gas container is fixed to the vehicle is described. In this fixing structure, since the main valve housing recess having a shape corresponding to the container main valve attached to the neck at one end of the high pressure gas container is provided in the container mounting member, positioning of the high pressure gas container is facilitated. It is possible to prevent displacement of the high-pressure gas container in the circumferential direction.

  In Patent Document 2 below, a base structure on one end side of a fuel tank is held by a base holding member, and a cylinder structure of the fuel tank is placed on a tank receiving part having a concave curved surface so that the fuel tank is fixed to the vehicle. Is described. In this fixing structure, since the concave portion having a shape corresponding to the base portion is provided in the base holding member, the positioning of the fuel tank is facilitated and the displacement of the fuel tank in the circumferential direction can be prevented.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-340298 JP 2005-170272 A

  In the fuel tank fixing structure as described in Patent Document 1, the container mounting member to be fixed is divided into a flange portion through which the neck portion is inserted and a main body portion that accommodates the container main valve. The position of the tank can be determined and the fuel tank can be fixed. Further, in the fuel tank fixing structure as in Patent Document 2, the base part holding member to be fixed is divided into upper and lower members, and the position of the fuel tank is determined by sandwiching the base part, and the fuel tank Can be fixed.

  As described above, the fixing member as in Patent Document 1 or 2 is divided into a plurality of members. For this reason, when positioning and fixing a fuel tank, those members had to be assembled | attached, and there existed a problem that work man-hours will increase. The fuel tank is generally a container that expands and displaces when filled with gaseous fuel. For this reason, when both ends of the fuel tank are fixed by the fixing members as in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the expansion displacement in the axial direction cannot be dealt with.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve at least one problem, and one object of the present invention is to fix a fuel tank for a vehicle that can fix the fuel tank reliably with a simple structure. To provide a structure. Another object is to provide a vehicle fuel tank fixing structure that can cope with expansion displacement of the fuel tank with a simple structure.

  The present invention relates to a vehicle fuel tank fixing structure in which a cylindrical fuel tank is fixed to a vehicle to be fixed via a fixing member. The fuel tank is attached to the fuel tank main body and one end of the fuel tank main body in the axial direction. A valve, and a protrusion projecting from the valve and the other end of the fuel tank body in the axial direction in the axial direction, and engaging with a recess formed in the fixing member, and in the circumferential direction of the fuel tank In order to prevent movement, at least one of the bottom portion and the side portion of the concave portion and the flat side surface of the protruding portion are opposed to and in contact with each other.

  Each of the protrusions includes an overhang formed by overhanging, and the other end of the fuel tank main body at the protrusion that protrudes from the other end of the fuel tank main body, the overhang being hooked on the inner peripheral edge of the recess. To the projecting portion can be made longer than the expansion displacement of the fuel tank body in the axial direction.

  Further, the fixing member corresponding to the protruding portion protruding from the valve has a wall portion formed so that an inner peripheral edge of the concave portion is erected in the axial direction, and from the valve in the protruding portion protruding from the valve. The length to the projecting portion can be made equal to the length of the wall portion in the axial direction.

  Each of the fixing members may have a sealing portion that closes an upper end of the concave portion and prevents the protruding portion from moving upward.

  Furthermore, each said fixing member has an open part which is open | released in the horizontal direction in communication with the upper end of the said recessed part, The said protrusion part can be introduce | transduced into the said recessed part from the said open part.

  According to the vehicle fuel tank fixing structure of the present invention, the fuel tank can be reliably fixed with a simple structure, and the expansion displacement of the fuel tank can be dealt with.

  Embodiments of a vehicle fuel tank (hereinafter simply referred to as a fuel tank) fixing structure according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, the structure of the fuel tank in this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 1 is a side view of a fuel tank according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view seen from the direction A in FIG.

  The fuel tank 10 includes a fuel tank body 12 and a valve 14 at one end of the fuel tank body 12 in the axial direction. The fuel tank body 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape, so-called cylinder shape, so that the pressure of the gaseous fuel accommodated therein is dispersed. Connected to the valve 14 is a pipe (not shown) for injecting or outflowing gaseous fuel into the fuel tank body 12.

  Further, the fuel tank 10 in the present embodiment includes a first protrusion 16 protruding in the axial direction from the valve 14 and a second protrusion 18 protruding in the axial direction from the other end of the fuel tank body 12. Have.

  The first projecting portion 16 includes a first projecting portion 20 formed by projecting and a first body portion 22 connected to the valve 14. The first overhang 20 is formed at the end of the first protrusion 16. The first projecting portion 20 may be formed such that the cross section in the entire direction of the first protrusion 16 is substantially T-shaped, or is formed so that only the cross-section in a certain direction is substantially T-shaped. Also good. As shown in FIG. 2, the first body portion 22 has first side surfaces 22 a that are flat on both sides.

  The second projecting portion 18 includes a second projecting portion 24 formed by projecting and a second body portion 26 connected to the other end of the fuel tank body 12. The second overhang portion 24 is formed at the end of the second protrusion 18. The second projecting portion 24 may be formed such that the cross section in the entire direction of the second protrusion 18 is substantially T-shaped, or is formed so that only the cross-section in a certain direction is substantially T-shaped. Also good. Similar to the first body part 22, the second body part 26 has second side surfaces 26 a that are flat on both sides.

  Generally, a fuel tank is a container that expands and displaces when filled with gaseous fuel. In FIG. 1, the displacement when the fuel tank body 12 expands is represented by a two-dot chain line. In the present embodiment, the second protrusion 18 has a length from the other end of the fuel tank body 12 to the second overhanging portion 24, that is, a length X of the second body portion 26 in the axial direction. Or longer than the expansion displacement thereof.

  Next, a fixing structure for fixing the fuel tank 10 to the vehicle to be fixed will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of the fuel tank 10. FIG. 4 is a view as seen from the direction B of FIG.

  First and second fixing members 30 and 32 are joined to a vehicle 50 (two-dot chain line in FIG. 4) to be fixed. The fuel tank 10 is horizontally fixed to the vehicle 50 through these fixing members 30 and 32. Hereinafter, the fixing structure will be described in detail.

  The first fixing member 30 includes a first recess 34 cut out in a groove shape, and a first opening 36 that communicates with the upper end of the first recess 34 and opens laterally. The first recess 34 has a shape corresponding to the first body portion 22 of the first protrusion 16, and has a first side portion 34 a that faces the first side surface 22 a of the first body portion 22 so as to be in contact therewith. The first opening portion 36 is opened to be larger than the outer shape of the first body portion 22 of the first protrusion 16.

  Further, the first fixing member 30 has a wall portion 38 that is formed such that inner peripheral edges of the first concave portion 34 and the first opening portion 36 are erected in the axial direction. The height of the wall portion 38 is equal to the length of the first body portion 22 in the axial direction.

  The 2nd fixing member 32 has the 2nd recessed part 40 notched in groove shape, and the 2nd open part 42 connected to the upper end of the 2nd recessed part 40, and open | released in a horizontal direction. The second recess 40 has a shape corresponding to the second body portion 26 of the second protrusion 18, and has a second side portion 40 a that faces and contacts the second side surface 26 a of the second body portion 26. The second opening portion 42 is opened larger than the outer shape of the second body portion 26 of the second protrusion 18. Note that the second fixing member 32 is not formed with the wall portion 38 unlike the first fixing member 30.

  When the fuel tank 10 is fixed to the vehicle, the first and second protrusions 16 and 18 of the fuel tank 10 are connected to the first and second fixing members 30 and 32 as indicated by arrows in FIG. It inserts in the open parts 36 and 42, respectively, and drops into the first and second recesses 34 and 40, respectively. Since the outer shapes of the first and second protrusions 16 and 18 correspond to the shapes of the inner peripheral edges of the first and second recesses 34 and 40, respectively, the first and second protrusions 16 and 18 are the first and second recesses. 34 and 40, respectively. Thereby, the fuel tank 10 can be positioned easily. Further, since the flat first and second side surfaces 22a and 26a formed on the first and second projecting portions 16 and 18 respectively contact the first and second side portions 34a and 40a, the fuel tank 10 The movement in the circumferential direction is restricted. In order to restrict the movement of the fuel tank 10 in the circumferential direction, the flat side surfaces of the first and second body portions 22 and 26 are provided on at least one of the bottom and side portions of the first and second recesses 34 and 40. What is necessary is just to face and contact.

  When the first protrusion 16 is fitted into the first recess 34, the first overhanging portion 20 is caught on the inner peripheral edge of the first recess 34. Since the wall 38 is erected on the inner peripheral edge of the first recess 34, the first overhang 20 is caught by the tip of the wall 38. The height of the wall portion 38 is equal to the length of the first body portion 22 in the axial direction. Thereby, the movement of the fuel tank 10 in the axial direction is restricted. When the fuel tank 10 is inflated and displaced in the axial direction, the first protrusion 16 becomes a starting point, and the other end of the fuel tank main body 12 extends in the axial direction. Therefore, even if the fuel tank 10 expands, the position of the valve 14 does not change, so that the structure of the pipe connected to the valve 14 can be simplified.

  When the second protrusion 18 is fitted into the second recess 40, the second overhanging portion 24 is caught on the inner peripheral edge of the second recess 40. When the fuel tank 10 is inflated and displaced in the axial direction, the first protrusion 16 becomes a starting point, and the other end of the fuel tank body 12 extends in the axial direction as represented by a two-dot chain line in FIG. As described above, the second protrusion 18 in the present embodiment is formed such that the length X of the second body 26 in the axial direction is equal to or longer than the expansion displacement of the fuel tank body 12. ing. For this reason, the other end of the fuel tank body 12 extends in the axial direction, and the second body portion 26 slides in the axial direction while being fitted in the second recess 40. At this time, the hook of the second overhanging portion 24 with respect to the inner peripheral edge of the second concave portion 40 is released. However, since the first protrusion 16 is firmly fixed to the first fixing member 30 in the axial direction, it is possible to maintain a state in which the movement of the fuel tank 10 in the axial direction is restricted.

  According to the fixing structure as described above, the fuel tank 10 can be reliably fixed to the vehicle 50 with a simple structure, and the expansion displacement of the fuel tank 10 can be dealt with.

  Next, another embodiment of the first fixing member 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a view showing another first fixing member 30 when viewed from the direction B of FIG. 3. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to the said embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Moreover, since the 2nd fixing member 32 of another aspect becomes the structure similar to the 1st fixing member 30 of another aspect, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The first fixing member 30 is provided with a hook 52. The hook 52 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure about the shaft 52a. As shown in the drawing, after the fuel tank 10 is fixed to the vehicle 50, the hook 52 is fixed at a position where the upper end of the first recess 34 is closed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the fuel tank 10 from being pushed upward due to vibration of the vehicle 50 and the like, and the first protrusion 16 to be detached from the first recess 34.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which notches are formed at the upper ends of the first and second recesses 34 and 40 so that the first and second open portions 36 and 42 communicate with each other, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The upper ends of the first and second recesses 34 and 40 may be opened as they are without the first and second opening portions 36 and 42 communicating with the upper ends of the first and second recesses 34 and 40.

It is a side view of the fuel tank concerning this embodiment. It is the figure seen from the A direction of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the fixing structure of a fuel tank. It is the figure seen from the B direction of FIG. It is a figure which concerns on another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fuel tank, 12 Fuel tank main body, 14 Valve, 16 1st protrusion part, 18 2nd protrusion part, 20 1st protrusion part, 22 1st fuselage part, 24 2nd protrusion part, 26 2nd fuselage part, 30 1st One fixing member, 32 Second fixing member, 34 First recess, 36 First opening portion, 38 Wall portion, 40 Second recess, 42 Second opening portion.

Claims (5)

In a vehicle fuel tank fixing structure for fixing a cylindrical fuel tank to a vehicle to be fixed via a fixing member,
The fuel tank
A fuel tank body,
A valve at one end of the fuel tank body in the axial direction;
A protrusion that protrudes in the axial direction from the valve and the other end of the fuel tank body in the axial direction, and fits into a recess formed in the fixing member;
Have
In order to prevent the movement of the fuel tank in the circumferential direction, at least one of the bottom portion and the side portion of the recess and the flat side surface of the projection portion are opposed to each other,
A vehicle fuel tank fixing structure. The vehicle fuel tank fixing structure according to claim 1,
Each protrusion includes an overhang formed by overhanging,
The overhanging portion is caught on the inner peripheral edge of the recess,
The length from the other end of the fuel tank main body to the overhanging portion at the protrusion protruding from the other end of the fuel tank main body is longer than the expansion displacement of the fuel tank main body in the axial direction.
A vehicle fuel tank fixing structure. The vehicle fuel tank fixing structure according to claim 2,
The fixing member corresponding to the protruding portion protruding from the bulb has a wall portion formed with an inner peripheral edge of the concave portion standing in the axial direction,
The length from the bulb to the overhanging portion of the protruding portion protruding from the bulb is equal to the length of the wall portion in the axial direction.
A vehicle fuel tank fixing structure. The vehicle fuel tank fixing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Each of the fixing members has a sealing portion that closes an upper end of the concave portion and prevents the protruding portion from moving upward.
A vehicle fuel tank fixing structure. The vehicle fuel tank fixing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Each of the fixing members has an open portion that communicates with the upper end of the concave portion and opens laterally,
Introducing the protruding portion into the recess from the open portion;
A vehicle fuel tank fixing structure.

Images