JP2017121847A - Fuel tank for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel tank for a vehicle which can prevent that a point to which a breather pipe itself, a breather pipe and a tank main body are fixed receives damage accompanied by the deformation of a top surface of the tank main body.SOLUTION: A fuel tank 100 for a vehicle comprises: a tank main body 102 having an opening 126 which communicates with an internal space and an external space for storing fuel; and a breather pipe 106 which communicates with the internal space in the vicinity of a top surface 114 of the tank main body 102, draws a prescribed trajectory along the internal space side of the top surface 114, extends up to the opening 126, is fixed to the opening 126, and communicates with the external space. The breather pipe 106 has fixed parts 132, 134 which are fixed to the internal space side of the top surface 114, linear parts 160, 162 which are located between the opening 126 and the fixed parts 132, 134, and linearly extend, and bellows-shaped bellows parts 164, 166 which are formed at the linear parts 160, 162.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle fuel tank.

  In general, a vehicle fuel tank includes a breather pipe that adjusts the air pressure in the tank when fuel is supplied to the tank body. A breather pipe is an elongate pipe | tube arrange | positioned in the interior space of a tank main body, for example as disclosed by patent document 1. FIG. One end of the breather pipe communicates with the internal space near the top surface of the tank body. The breather pipe extends from the vicinity of the top surface of the tank body in a predetermined path along the top surface, and then communicates with the external space through the opening at the top of the peripheral wall of the tank body, and is fixed to the opening. Has been.

  In this way, the breather pipe has a predetermined length. This is because when the length of the breather pipe is extremely shortened, the load applied to the portion fixed to the opening resonates with the minute vibration of the vehicle. This is because of the increase. The breather pipe that extends along the top surface of the tank main body while drawing a predetermined trajectory is fixed to the top surface of the tank main body at a predetermined location by a fixture such as a bracket.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-63187

  However, for example, an external force is applied to the tank body during traveling, or the tank body expands due to thermal expansion, so that the top surface of the tank body may be deformed to be curved upward. Particularly in recent years, the tank body is often made of resin instead of metal. The top surface of the resin tank body is more easily deformed than the metal tank body.

  When the top surface of the tank body is deformed in this manner, the breather pipe fixed to the top surface is also pulled upward. However, since the breather pipe is a steel pipe and is fixed to the top surface at a plurality of locations, it resists deformation of the top surface of the tank body and tries to maintain the current position. Due to the action of these opposing forces, there has been a problem that the breather pipe and a predetermined portion of the tank main body to which the breather pipe is fixed are damaged. Specifically, the bracket that fixes the breather pipe is damaged, or if the breather pipe has a bent portion, the bent portion itself is deformed by applying an excessive load to the bent portion. There was a fear.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention is for a vehicle capable of preventing damage to a breather pipe itself or a place where the breather pipe and the tank body are fixed in accordance with deformation of the top surface of the tank body. It aims to provide a fuel tank.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a typical configuration of a vehicle fuel tank according to the present invention includes a tank body having an internal space for fuel storage and an opening that communicates with an external space in the vehicle fuel tank, A breather pipe that leads to the internal space in the vicinity of the top surface of the main body, draws a predetermined locus along the internal space side of the top surface of the tank main body, extends to the opening, and is fixed to the opening and communicates with the external space. A fixed part fixed to the inner space side of the top surface at a predetermined location, a linearly extending straight part located between the opening and the fixed part, and a bellows-shaped bellows part formed in the straight part It is characterized by having.

  According to the fuel tank for a vehicle of the present invention, when the breather pipe is along the inner space side of the top surface of the tank body, the breather pipe has a straight portion having a predetermined length, and the bellows is formed in the straight portion. A bellows portion having a shape is formed. Since the breather pipe can be minutely deformed by the bellows portion formed in the straight portion, even if the top surface of the tank body is deformed, the load applied to the breather pipe can be absorbed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent damage to the fixed part and the opening of the breather pipe. For example, even if the breather pipe has a curved portion, it is possible to prevent the load from concentrating on the curved portion and to distribute the load effectively. Thereby, it is possible to prevent deformation of the breather pipe itself.

  The portion corresponding to the bellows portion of the top surface is preferably convex upward so as to be away from the breather pipe. According to such a configuration, even if the linear portion is deformed so as to approach the top surface of the tank body by the bellows portion, it is possible to prevent the linear portion and the top surface of the tank body from contacting each other. Thus, the top surface of the tank body and other parts via the top surface are not affected by the deformation of the bellows portion. In addition, since the top surface of the tank body has a step, the step serves as a bead. Thereby, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the top surface of the tank body.

  Further, another typical configuration of the vehicle fuel tank according to the present invention is the vehicle fuel tank, wherein the vehicle fuel tank has a tank body having an opening that communicates with an internal space for fuel storage and an external space; A breather pipe that extends to the opening in the vicinity of the top surface of the tank body, extends to the opening, is fixed to the opening, extends to the outer space side of the top surface of the tank body, and extends along a predetermined path. A fixed portion fixed to the outer space side of the top surface at a predetermined location, a linearly extending straight portion located between the opening and the fixed portion, and a bellows-shaped bellows formed in the straight portion Part.

  According to such a configuration, even when the breather pipe is along the outer space side of the top surface of the tank main body, the breather pipe has a straight portion of a predetermined length, and the bellows-shaped bellows portion in the straight portion. Is formed. Accordingly, the load applied to the breather pipe can be absorbed by the bellows portion, as in the case where the breather pipe is along the inner space side of the top surface of the tank body. Thereby, it is possible to prevent deformation of the breather pipe itself and damage to the fixed part and the opening fixing part of the breather pipe.

  In the bellows part, the straight part is preferably intermittently depressed. According to such a configuration, the bellows part is formed by intermittently denting the straight line part. Therefore, for example, compared to the case where the bellows part is formed by intermittently raising the straight part, the plate of the bellows part is formed. It is possible to reduce the thickness and section modulus. This makes it easier to bend the breather pipe at the bellows part.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle fuel tank capable of preventing damage to a breather pipe itself or a portion where the breather pipe and the tank body are fixed in accordance with deformation of the top surface of the tank body. It is possible.

It is a perspective view of the fuel tank for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the upper panel of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the bracket periphery of FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the bellows part of FIG. 4 deform | transformed by deformation | transformation of the top | upper surface. It is a perspective view of the upper panel of the fuel tank for vehicles concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle fuel tank (hereinafter simply referred to as “fuel tank 100”) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel tank 100 includes a tank main body 102, a fuel pipe 104 that is inserted into the tank main body 102 and supplies fuel to the tank main body 102, and a breather pipe 106 that adjusts the atmospheric pressure in the tank when the fuel is supplied. With. Such a fuel tank 100 is a fuel tank for a four-wheeled vehicle, and is installed at the bottom of the vehicle of the four-wheeled vehicle, for example.

  In FIG. 1, a tank main body 102 includes a steel plate upper panel 110 constituting the upper side and a steel plate lower panel 112 constituting the lower side. The tank body 102 may be made of resin. In this case, the tank body 102 may be formed by integral molding. The upper panel 110 is a box shape having an opening at the bottom, and has a side surface 116 and a top surface 114. The lower panel 112 has a box shape with an upper opening, and has a bottom surface and a side surface 118 although not shown in FIG. The upper panel 110 and the lower panel 112 have flanges 120 and 122 extending horizontally from the side surfaces 116 and 118, respectively, and the flanges 120 and 122 are joined to each other by seam welding or the like. Thereby, the tank main body 102 which has the internal space for fuel storage inside is comprised.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper panel 110 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the upper panel 110 of FIG. 1 is viewed from below. An opening 126 is formed near the center of one side surface 116 of the upper panel 110. The opening 126 communicates with the external space. A breather pipe 106 is passed from the opening 126 toward the internal space of the tank body 102. Although not shown, the breather pipe 106 extends from the opening 126 to, for example, the vicinity of the fuel filler port of the fuel pipe 104 in the external space, and is connected to the fuel pipe 104 near the filler port. In this manner, the breather pipe 106 connects the internal space of the tank body 102 to the external space through the opening 126. When fuel is supplied from the fuel pipe 104 to the tank body 102, the air in the tank flows to the breather pipe 106, and the pressure in the internal space is adjusted.

  The breather pipe 106 shown in FIG. 2 is a steel pipe, and one end 130 of the breather pipe 106 is located in the vicinity of the top surface 114 of the upper panel 110 that is the top surface of the tank main body 102, and substantially at the center of the top surface 114. Accordingly, the breather pipe 106 communicates with the internal space near the top surface 114 of the tank body 102. The breather pipe 106 has a predetermined locus along the inner space side of the top surface 114 of the tank body 102 from one end 130. In other words, the breather pipe 106 extends from one end 130 toward the corner 115 of the top surface 114, curves from there to the opening 126, extends to the opening 126, and is fixed to the opening 126.

  In FIG. 2, the breather pipe 106 has fixed portions 132 and 134 at predetermined positions, and is fixed to the inner space side of the top surface 114 by the fixed portions 132 and 134. In the present embodiment, the fixed portions 132 and 134 of the breather pipe 106 are fixed to the inner space side of the top surface 114 by two brackets 140 and 142.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view around the bracket 140 of FIG. Since the bracket 142 has the same configuration as the bracket 140, only the bracket 140 will be described. In FIG. 3, the bracket 140 includes a top surface fixing portion 144 fixed to the top surface 114, a breather pipe fixing portion 146 that contacts and fixes the fixed portion 132 of the breather pipe 106, and a top surface fixing portion 144. An intermediate portion 148 connecting the breather pipe fixing portion 146; The top surface fixing part 144 is fixed to the top surface 114 by welding at two welding locations 150 and 152. The breather pipe fixing portion 146 is curved so as to be in contact with the fixed portion 132 of the breather pipe 106, and is bonded to the fixed portion 132 by a predetermined bonding method. Thus, the bracket 140 fixes the breather pipe 106 to the inner space side of the top surface 114 so as to be suspended from above.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the breather pipe 106 has a straight portion 162 extending linearly between the opening 126 and the fixed portion 134, and between the opening 126 and the fixed portion 132 (that is, the fixed portion). (Between the portion 132 and the fixed portion 134) also has a linear portion 160 extending linearly. The straight portions 160 and 162 have bellows portions 164 and 166, respectively. Hereinafter, since the straight portion 162 and the bellows portion 166 are the same as the straight portion 160 and the bellows portion 164, only the straight portion 160 and the bellows portion 164 will be described.

  4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. In FIG. 4, the bellows portion 164 is a bellows-shaped portion formed in the straight portion 160 with a predetermined length. The length L of the bellows portion 164 may be set to a desired length according to the hardness of the breather pipe 106, the degree of deformation of the top surface 114, and the like.

  The feature of this embodiment is that the straight portions 160 and 162 have the bellows portions 164 and 166 as described above. Thereby, even when the top surface 114 is deformed so as to be curved upward, the breather pipe 106 can be slightly deformed by the bellows portions 164 and 166, so that the load applied to the breather pipe 106 can be absorbed. Is possible. Hereinafter, the minute deformation of the breather pipe 106 caused by the bellows portion accordion portion 164 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The deformation by the bellows portion 166 is the same as that in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing a state where the bellows part 164 of FIG. 4 is deformed by the deformation of the top surface 114. The top surface 114 is normally substantially horizontal as illustrated in FIG. However, for example, when an external force is applied to the tank main body 102 during traveling or the tank main body 102 expands due to thermal expansion, the top surface 114 may be deformed to be curved upward as shown in FIG. Assuming that the bellows-shaped bellows portion 164 is not formed on the straight portion 160, the breather pipe 106 is a steel pipe and is fixed to the top surface 114 at a plurality of locations, and thus resists deformation of the top surface 114. Keep the current position. As a result, the breather pipe 106 itself and the brackets 140 and 142 and the opening 126 (FIG. 2), which are the fixing points between the breather pipe 106 and the top surface 114, are damaged.

  However, as shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, since the bellows-shaped bellows portion 164 is formed in the straight portion 160, the bellows portion 164 is slightly curved upward as the top surface 114 is deformed. It can be deformed. As a result, the load applied to the breather pipe 106 can be absorbed, and damage to the brackets 140 and 142 and the opening 126 (FIG. 2) can be prevented. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the breather pipe 106 has a locus that curves from the center of the top surface toward the opening 126, but the load is prevented from concentrating on the curved portion. Can be effectively dispersed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent deformation of the breather pipe 106 itself.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the straight portions 160 and 162 has one bellows 164 and 166, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of bellows portions may be formed on one straight portion. In addition, for example, the breather pipe may have a straight portion that does not have a bellows portion and a straight portion that has a bellows portion. In any case, since the breather pipe can be minutely deformed by the bellows portion, damage to the brackets 140 and 142 and the opening 126 can be prevented. In FIG. 2, the closer the positions of the bellows portions 164 and 166 are to the brackets 140 and 142 and the opening 126, the more damage to the brackets 140 and 142 and the opening 126 can be prevented. Therefore, the bellows portions 164 and 166 are preferably in the vicinity of the brackets 140 and 142 and the opening 126, but are not limited thereto.

  In FIG. 2, four beads 170, 172, 174, 176 that are convex upward are formed on the top surface 114 in the longitudinal direction. Of the four beads 170, 172, 174 and 176, the bead 174 intersects the bellows part 164. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, a portion 180 of the bead 174 corresponding to the bellows portion 164 is convex upward so as to be away from the breather pipe 106. In FIG. 2, the bead 176 is also formed at a position corresponding to the bellows part 166, that is, above the bellows part 166 and parallel to the bellows part 166. Thereby, although not shown in detail, the bead 176 is also convex upward so as to be away from the breather pipe 106.

  In the present embodiment, the portion 180 of the top surface 114 corresponding to the bellows portions 164 and 166 and the bead 176 are convex upward so as to be away from the breather pipe 106 in this way. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, even if the bellows part 164 is deformed, it is possible to prevent the linear part 160 and the top surface 114 from contacting each other. In other words, in FIG. 5, the bellows portion 164 is slightly bent upward as the top surface 114 is deformed, so that the straight portion 160 approaches the top surface 114 due to the deformation of the bellows portion 164.

  However, in this embodiment, since the bellows part 164 and the top surface 114 are separated by the bead 174, even if the bellows part 164 is deformed, it is possible to prevent the linear part 160 and the top surface 114 from contacting each other. It is. Thereby, the deformation of the bellows part 164 does not affect the top surface 114 or other parts via the top surface 114. Further, by projecting upward the portion 180 corresponding to the bellows portion 164 away from the breather pipe 106, the top surface 114 has a step. Thereby, the rigidity of the top surface 114 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the bellows portion 164 is formed by intermittently denting the surface of the straight portion 160. Thereby, compared with the case where a bellows part is formed, for example by raising the surface of the linear part 160 intermittently, it is possible to reduce the plate | board thickness of the bellows part 164, and a section modulus. Therefore, it is possible to make the breather pipe 106 easier to bend at the bellows part 164.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the upper panel 210 of the vehicle fuel tank 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 6, the same components as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 2, but the upper panel 210 has an opening 226 that communicates with the outer space at the center of the top surface 214, and the breather pipe 206 communicates with the outer space from the opening 226 to the outside space. 2 is different from FIG. 2 in that it extends along a space along a space. Although not shown, the lower panel of the vehicle fuel tank 200 is the same as the lower panel 112 in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, an opening 226 leading to the external space is formed substantially at the center of the top surface 214 of the upper panel 210. The breather pipe 206 has one end 230 near the interior space through the opening 226, thereby communicating with the interior space near the top surface 214. The breather pipe 206 extends from one end 230 to the opening 226 as shown by a solid line in FIG. 6, is fixed to the opening 226 and leads to the external space, and along the external space side of the top surface 214 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 6. , Extending in a predetermined locus similar to the first embodiment. Although not shown, the breather pipe 206 further extends to, for example, a fuel filler port formed in the vehicle body in the external space.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the breather pipe 206 leads from the opening 226 formed in the top surface 214 to the external space and follows a predetermined locus along the external space side of the top surface 214. Drawing and extending. Also in this case, the breather pipe 206 has fixed portions 232 and 234 at predetermined positions as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 6, and is fixed to the outer space side of the top surface 214 by the fixed portions 232 and 234. Yes. Therefore, as also indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 6, in order to fix the fixed portions 232 and 234 to the outer space side of the top surface 214, two brackets 240 and 242 are provided on the outer space side of the top surface 214. Is arranged. Each of the brackets 240 and 242 has the same form as the bracket 140 shown in FIG. 3, but unlike the bracket 140 of FIG. 2, the breather pipe 206 is supported from below and fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, bellows-shaped bellows portions 264 and 266 are formed in the straight portions 260 and 262 even when the breather pipe 206 is along the outer space side of the top surface 214. Therefore, the load applied to the breather pipe 206 can be absorbed by the bellows portions 264 and 266 as in the case of the first embodiment in which the breather pipe 106 is along the inner space side of the top surface 114. Thereby, it is possible to prevent deformation of the breather pipe 206 itself and damage to the fixed portions 232 and 234 and the opening 226 of the breather pipe 206.

  Also in the case of the second embodiment in FIG. 6, the bellows portions 264 and 266 are formed by the linear portions 260 and 262 being intermittently recessed. Thereby, it is possible to make the breather pipe 206 easier to bend as in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, no bead is formed on the top surface 214 so as to intersect with the bellows portions 264 and 266. Although not shown, the bellows portions 264 and 266 are positioned above the top surface 214, so that the straight portions 260 and 262 are unlikely to contact the top surface 214 due to deformation of the bellows portions 264 and 266. is there. However, although not shown, for example, portions corresponding to the bellows portions 264 and 266 of the top surface 214 may be recessed downward so as to be away from the breather pipe 206.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, embodiment described above is a preferable example of this invention. Thus, other embodiments may be implemented or performed in various ways. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the detailed shape, size, configuration, and the like of the components shown in the accompanying drawings unless otherwise specified in the present specification. In addition, expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation, and are not limited thereto unless otherwise specified.

  Therefore, it is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood.

  The present invention can be used for a vehicle fuel tank.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 200 ... Fuel tank, 102 ... Tank main body, 104 ... Fuel pipe, 106, 206 ... Breather pipe, 110, 210 ... Upper panel, 112 ... Lower panel, 114, 214 ... Top surface, 115 ... Top surface corner, 116, 118: Side surface, 120, 122 ... Flange, 126, 226 ... Opening, 130, 230 ... One end of breather pipe, 132, 134, 232, 234 ... Fixed portion, 140, 142, 240, 242 ... Bracket, 144 ... Top Surface fixing portion, 146... Breather pipe fixing portion, 148... Intermediate portion, 150, 152 .. welded portion, 160, 162, 260, 262... Straight portion, 164, 166, 264, 266. 176 ... Bead, 180 ... Part of the top corresponding to the bellows

Claims (4)

In vehicle fuel tanks,
A tank body having an internal space for fuel storage and an opening leading to the external space;
A breather pipe that passes through the internal space in the vicinity of the top surface of the tank body, draws a predetermined locus along the internal space side of the top surface of the tank body, extends to the opening, is fixed to the opening, and communicates with the external space; With
The breather pipe is
A fixed part fixed to the inner space side of the top surface at a predetermined location;
A linearly extending linear portion located between the opening and the fixed portion;
A vehicular fuel tank comprising a bellows-shaped bellows portion formed in the straight portion.   2. The vehicle fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the top surface corresponding to the bellows portion is convex upward so as to be away from the breather pipe. In vehicle fuel tanks,
A tank body having an internal space for fuel storage and an opening leading to the external space;
A breather pipe that extends to the opening in the vicinity of the top surface of the tank body, extends to the opening, is fixed to the opening, extends through the outer space side of the top surface of the tank body, and extends along a predetermined locus. And
The breather pipe is
A fixed part fixed to the external space side of the top surface at a predetermined location;
A linearly extending linear portion located between the opening and the fixed portion;
A vehicular fuel tank comprising a bellows-shaped bellows portion formed in the straight portion.   The vehicular fuel tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the straight portion is intermittently depressed in the bellows portion.

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