JP3402903B2 - Automotive fuel tank support device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a fuel tank for an automobile for supporting the fuel tank with a substantially U-shaped band on the underside of a vehicle body. is there. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device for supporting a fuel tank for an automobile is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No.
FIG. 6 and FIG. According to this, a fuel tank is provided on the lower surface side of the vehicle body, and when viewed from the front of the fuel tank, the fuel tank is provided with a substantially U-shaped band externally fitted from below the fuel tank. . A lock pin having an axial center extending in the front-rear direction is attached to one end of the band in the longitudinal direction. The lock pin is attached to the lower surface of the vehicle body near one side of the fuel tank so that the lock pin can be detachably engaged. A locking bracket for locking is provided. A fastener is provided for fastening the other end of the band to the lower surface of the vehicle body near the other side of the fuel tank. When the fuel tank is to be supported on the lower surface side of the vehicle body by the support device, first,
The fuel tank is positioned at a predetermined position on the lower surface side of the vehicle body, and one end of the band is moved together with a locking pin toward the locking bracket to lock the locking pin to the locking bracket. . Next, the other end of the band is raised on the other side of the fuel tank toward the lower surface of the vehicle body,
At this time, the band is fitted to the lower part of the fuel tank. From the above state, the other end of the band is fastened to the lower surface of the vehicle body with a fastener. Then, the band fixes the fuel tank to the lower surface of the vehicle body, whereby the support of the fuel tank to the lower surface of the vehicle body is completed. [0008] By the way, in an automobile, the body space on the lower surface side of the body is limited and narrow due to the height of the body of the body and the like. Conversely, the fuel tank has a large shape for securing a predetermined capacity. For this reason, the working space for locking the locking pin to the locking bracket tends to be narrowed by being sandwiched between the fuel tank and other vehicle components. The locking operation of the locking pin with respect to is complicated. Therefore, it is conceivable to simplify the structure of locking the locking pin to the locking bracket so that the locking operation is facilitated even in a narrow work space. However, simply doing this makes the locking work easier,
The separation may easily occur, and the following problem may occur. That is, in order to support the fuel tank on the lower surface side of the vehicle body, and after locking the locking pin on the locking bracket, the other end of the band is to be fastened to the lower surface side of the vehicle body. With the external force applied to the band during this work,
The locking pin moves relative to the locking bracket together with one end of the band, and there is a possibility that the locking pin may be accidentally detached from the locking bracket. [0012] For this reason, during the work of fastening the other end of the band, another work of keeping the locking pin locked to the locking bracket is required. There is a problem that the work of supporting the tank is not sufficiently easy. Further, as described above, if it is assumed that the locking pin can be easily detached from the locking bracket, it is assumed that the vehicle is running with the fuel tank supported on the lower surface of the vehicle body. When the wheel falls into the groove of the road surface and the band is pushed up from the road surface together with the fuel tank, the locking pin moves with respect to the locking bracket together with one end of the band, whereby the locking There is a possibility that the locking pin may be unexpectedly detached from the bracket, and thus there is a possibility that the fuel tank cannot be reliably supported. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has made it possible to easily carry out a work for supporting a fuel tank on the lower surface side of a vehicle body. It is another object of the present invention to ensure that the fuel tank is reliably supported on the lower surface of the vehicle body. According to the present invention, there is provided a fuel tank supporting apparatus for an automobile, comprising: a bracket main body fixed to a lower surface of a vehicle body; The bracket body 41 includes upper and lower projecting portions 42 and 43 projecting outward from the upper and lower portions of the bracket body 41 on the side opposite to the fuel tank 24.
A locking pin passage 45 is formed between the lower protruding portions 42 and 43 to allow the locking pin 28 attached to the one end 27 of the band 26 to move, and faces downward from the upper edge of the base of the lower protruding portion 43. A locking notch 46 is formed to extend and extend and engage the locking pin 28 from the locking pin passage 45 side, and a guide surface 47 is formed at an upper edge of the lower protruding portion 43.
The guide surface 47 is gradually inclined downward from the protruding end side of the lower protruding portion 43 toward the upper end of the locking notch 46, and the end of the guide surface 47 on the protruding end side of the lower protruding portion 43. The part 48 is more than the protruding end of the upper protruding part 42,
When viewed from the fuel tank 24, it is located further outward,
On the other hand, another locking notch 51 extending upward from the lower edge of the base of the upper protruding portion 42 and lockingly engaging and disengaging the locking pin 28 from the locking notch 46 side is formed. It is. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a one-box type vehicle, and an arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle 1, and the following left and right refer to the vehicle width direction toward the front. The vehicle 1 has a vehicle body 2 made of sheet metal. The vehicle body 2 is supported on a road surface 3 by a pair of left and right front wheels 4 and a pair of right and left rear wheels 5. A door opening 8 is formed in each of the left and right side plates 7 of the vehicle body 2 at a midway in the front-rear direction, and a door 9 that allows the door opening 8 to be opened and closed is provided. Upper and lower rails 11 and 12 extending in the front-rear direction are mounted on the outer surface of the lower opening edge above the door opening 8, and the outer surface of the side plate 7 behind a vertically intermediate portion of the door opening 8. Is mounted with a center rail 13 extending in the front-rear direction. Each of the above rails 11 to 13
The roller 14 supported by the door 9 is supported movably back and forth, whereby the door 9 is supported movably back and forth on each of the rails 11 to 13. When the door 9 is moved forward,
As shown by the solid line, the door opening 8 is closed, and when it is moved backward, the door opening 8 is opened as shown by the imaginary line. When the door opening 8 is opened in this manner, it is possible to enter and exit the compartment 16 inside the vehicle body 2 from outside the vehicle through the door opening 8. 2 and 4, the lower rail 12
Are formed integrally with a lower end portion 17 of the side plate 7 which is a lower opening edge of the door opening 8, and are formed integrally with the upper and lower end portions 17.
In addition, a step 18 on which the occupant puts his / her foot when entering / exiting is integrally formed. The step 18 is disposed between the door opening 8 and the lower rail 12 in the vertical direction. 1, 4 to 6, a lower surface 19 of the vehicle body 2 is provided with a floor panel 20 which forms a lower portion of the passenger compartment 16.
A side member 21 extending in the front-rear direction and attached to the lower surface of each of the left and right sides of the floor panel 20;
And a cross member 22 attached to the lower surface of the "0". 2 to 4, a lower surface 1 of the vehicle body 2 is shown.
A fuel tank 24 made of sheet metal is provided below the fuel cell 9, and fuel for the engine is stored in the fuel tank 24. A support device 25 for supporting the fuel tank 24 on the lower surface 19 of the vehicle body 2 is provided. The support device 25 will be described. 1 and 4, the fuel tank 24 is viewed from one side in the horizontal direction (hereinafter referred to as "the front view of the fuel tank 24".
The fuel tank 24 is provided with a substantially U-shaped sheet metal band 26 which is fitted on the fuel tank 24 so as to be freely detachable from the lower side thereof. One end 27 of the band 26, which is the right end in the longitudinal direction, has a circular cross-section whose axial center extends in the front-rear direction (in the illustrated example, the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 2) in the "front view of the fuel tank 24". A stop pin 28 is attached. In this case, each end of the locking pin 28 in the axial direction protrudes from one end 27 of the band 26, and a locking peripheral groove 29 is formed at the base of each of the protrusions. In the vicinity of one side (right side) of the fuel tank 24, a sheet metal locking bracket 31 is attached to the side member 21 on the lower surface 19 of the vehicle body 2. The locking pin 28 is removably locked to the locking bracket 31. In FIG. 4, the other end 32, which is the left end of the band 26 in the longitudinal direction, is located near the other side (left side) of the fuel tank 24 and the cross member 22 on the lower surface 19 of the vehicle body 2. Is provided. The fastener 34 includes a bracket 35 attached to the cross member 22 and a bracket 35.
The band 26 includes a bolt 36 and a nut 37 for removably fastening the other end 32 of the band 26. The cross member 2 on the lower surface 19 of the vehicle body 2
A rubber plate-shaped buffer 38 is interposed between the fuel tank 2 and the upper surface of the fuel tank 24, and the fuel tank 24 is elastically pressed against the buffer 38 by the support device 25. The buffer body 38 is detachably supported on the lower surface 19 of the vehicle body 2 and prevents the fuel tank 24 from rattling. The lower rail 12 and the lower end 1 of the side plate 7
The steps 7 and 18 are components of the vehicle, and a narrow space 40 extending vertically is formed between the side parts 21 and the right side of the fuel tank 24. 1, 4 to 6, the locking bracket 31 is attached to the outer side surface of the side member 21 above the space 40. The locking bracket 31 includes:
A bracket body 41 fixed to the outer surface of the side member 21 and extending vertically,
The upper and lower protruding portions 4 integrally protrude from the lower portion toward the outer side (right side) opposite to the fuel tank 24.
2, 43. The upper and lower protrusions 42,
A locking pin passage 45 is formed between the holes 43 so as to allow the locking pin 28 whose axial center extends in the front-rear direction to allow parallel movement. A locking notch 46 extending downward from the upper edge of the base of the lower protruding portion 43 is formed in the lower protruding portion 43. The locking peripheral groove 29 of the locking pin 28 is detachably engaged with the locking notch 46 from the locking pin passage 45 side. This engagement is made in a close fitting manner, whereby the relative movement of the locking pin 28 with respect to the locking bracket 31 in each of the front, rear, left and right horizontal directions and downward is regulated. A guide surface 47 is provided on the upper edge of the lower protruding portion 43.
Are formed. The guide surface 47 is provided with
Are inclined substantially linearly so as to gradually descend downward from the projecting end side toward the upper end of the locking notch 46. Further, the guide surface 4 on the protruding end side of the lower protruding portion 43 is provided.
The end 48 side of 7 is located further outward than the protruding end of the upper protruding portion 42 when viewed from the fuel tank 24. Another guide surface 50 is formed on the upper edge of the upper protruding portion 42. The other guide surface 50 is inclined substantially linearly so as to gradually descend downward from the base side of the upper protruding portion 42 toward the protruding end thereof. When viewed from the front of the fuel tank 24, another locking notch 51 extending upward from the lower edge of the base of the upper protruding portion 42 is formed. The lower end of the other locking notch 51 is opposed to the lower end of the locking notch 51 in the vertical direction, so that the locking peripheral groove 29 of the locking pin 28 is moved from the locking notch 46 side to the locking pin passage 4.
5 through the other notch 51. In the above case, the upper end of the locking notch 46 is the lower end of the other locking notch 51 on the bracket body 41 side (the fuel tank 24 side) in the same manner as in “Front view of the fuel tank 24”. Open to the part. The locking brackets 31 are provided in a pair in the front-rear direction along the axis of the locking pin 28. The two locking brackets 31, 31 are formed of a single metal plate in a substantially U-shape in plan view. It is formed by bending. One end 27 of the band 26 is removably fitted into a space 52 between the locking brackets 31, 31, and the engagement between the one end 27 of the band 26 and the space 52 causes the locking. Bracket 3
1 and 31, one end 27 of the band 26 and the locking pin 2
8 are positioned in the front-rear direction. 1 and 4, a procedure for supporting the fuel tank 24 on the lower surface 19 of the vehicle body 2 by the support device 25 will be described. In FIG. 1, first, the fuel tank 24
At a predetermined position on the lower surface side 19 of the vehicle body 2 and
One end 27 of the band 26 is inserted into the space 40 together with the locking pin 28, and moved upward of the locking bracket 31 (arrow A in FIG. 1). Next, the one end 27 of the band 26 is fitted into the space 52 between the locking brackets 31. Then, the locking pin 28 is connected to both locking brackets 31, 31.
Are automatically positioned in the front-rear direction. next,
The locking pin 28 is positioned above the end 48 of the guide surface 47 (arrow B in FIG. 1). Next, when the locking pin 28 is lowered together with the one end 27 of the band 26, each locking peripheral groove 29 of the locking pin 28 is fitted to each guide surface 4 of each locking bracket 31.
7 are automatically fitted and brought into contact with each other (arrow C in FIG. 1). Further, when the locking pin 28 is lowered together with the one end 27 of the band 26, the locking pin 28 slides downward along the guide surface 47 (arrow D in FIG. 1). Then, the locking pin 28 is locked with the locking notch 4.
6 is automatically guided to the upper end. Then, when the locking pin 28 is further lowered together with the other end portion 32 of the band 26 (arrow D in FIG. 1), the locking pin 28 engages with the locking notch 46 and moves to the locking bracket 31. Is completed (shown by a solid line in FIG. 1). In the above case, the end 48 side of the guide surface 47 is
The fuel tank 24 is positioned more than the protruding end of the upper protruding portion 42.
In view of this, the locking pin 28 located above the end portion 48 side of the guide surface 47 is positioned more outwardly, so that it is necessary to lower the locking pin 28 almost straight downward from that position.
The guide surface 4 is not hindered by the upper protrusion 42.
7 can be abutted. As described above, instead of positioning the locking pin 28 above the end portion 48 of the guide surface 47 (arrow B in FIG. 1), the locking pin 28 is replaced with another guide surface 50. Then, when the locking pin 28 is lowered together with the one end 27 of the band 26, each locking peripheral groove 29 of the locking pin 28 is
Each of the other guide surfaces 50 is automatically fitted and abutted. When the locking pin 28 is lowered together with the one end 27 of the band 26, the locking pin 28 slides downward along the other guide surface 50. When the locking pin 28 reaches the protruding end of the upper protruding portion 42, the locking pin 28 is located above the end 48 of the guide surface 47. Thereafter, as described above, the band 2
When the locking pin 28 is further lowered together with the one end 27 of the lock 6, each locking peripheral groove 29 of the locking pin 28 is fitted to and abuts each guide surface 47 of each locking bracket 31, As described above, the locking pin 28 is engaged with the locking notch 46, and the locking to each locking bracket 31 is completed. Therefore, as described above, engaging the locking pin 28 with the locking notch 46 and, prior to this, bringing the locking pin 28 into contact with the guide surface 47, Since the simple operation of lowering the locking pin 28 substantially straight down together with the one end 27 of the vehicle body 26 can be performed, the locking pin 28 can be attached to the locking bracket 31 even if the vehicle body space on the lower surface side 19 of the vehicle body 2 is narrow. The locking operation can be easily performed. Further, as described above, the one end 27 of the band 26 is fitted into the space 52 between the two locking brackets 31, 31 and the locking pin 28 is positioned, so that the locking pin 28 It is easier to fit each locking circumferential groove 29 into the guide surface 47 and the other locking notch 51 to make it abut, so that the locking pin 31
8 can be easily locked. As described above, the upper protruding portion 42
Another locking notch 51 is formed extending upward from the lower edge of the base of the locking notch 46 and lockingly engaging and disengaging the locking pin 28 from the locking notch 46 side. For this reason, the locking pin 28 rises for some reason from the locking state of the locking pin 28 to the locking bracket 31, and the locking pin 2 moves from the locking notch 46 to the locking pin 2.
Even if the lock 8 is detached, the lock pin 28 immediately engages with the other lock notch 51 described above (arrow E in FIG. 1), and the locked state to the lock bracket 31 is maintained. Is done. Further, as described above, the locking notch 4
The upper end of 6 is open toward the bracket main body 41 side (the fuel tank 24 side) of the lower end of the other locking notch 51, and therefore, from the locking notch 46 side to the other. The engagement of the locking pin 28 with the locking notch 51 is more reliably achieved, that is, the locking state of the locking pin 28 with the locking bracket 31 is more reliably maintained. Then, in a state where the locking pin 28 is locked to the locking bracket 31, the other end 3 of the band 26 is locked.
When the fuel tank 24 is fastened to the lower surface 19 of the vehicle body 2 by the fasteners 34, the support of the fuel tank 24 on the lower surface 19 of the vehicle body 2 is completed. Although the above description is based on the illustrated example, the "front view of the fuel tank 24" may correspond to the side view of the vehicle body 2, and in this case, the band 26
The fuel tank 24 has a substantially U-shape which is fitted to the fuel tank 24 from below. According to the present invention, the locking bracket is fixed to the lower surface side of the vehicle body, and the bracket body projects from the upper and lower portions of the bracket body toward the outer side opposite to the fuel tank. And upper and lower projections.
A locking pin passage is formed between the lower protruding portions to allow movement of a locking pin attached to one end of the band, and extends downward from the upper edge of the base of the lower protruding portion to the locking pin passage side A locking notch for engaging and disengaging the locking pin, a guide surface is formed on an upper end edge of the lower protruding portion, and the guide surface is formed from the protruding end side of the lower protruding portion. It is inclined so that it gradually faces downward as it faces the upper end of the notch, and the end of the guide surface on the protruding end side of the lower protruding portion is more viewed from the fuel tank than the protruding end of the upper protruding portion. It is located on the outside. Therefore, when the fuel tank is to be supported on the lower surface side of the vehicle body, first, the locking pin is moved together with one end of the band, and the locking pin is moved above the end of the guide surface. Then, when the locking pin is lowered together with one end of the band, the locking pin comes into contact with the guide surface. Further, when the locking pin is lowered together with one end of the band, the locking pin slides downward along the guide surface. Then, the locking pin is automatically guided to the upper end of the locking notch. Then, when the locking pin is further lowered together with the other end of the band, the locking pin is engaged with the locking notch, and the locking to the locking bracket is completed. In the above case, the end side of the guide surface is located more outward than the protruding end of the upper protruding portion as viewed from the fuel tank, and therefore, is located above the end side of the guide surface. The positioned locking pin can be brought into contact with the guide surface without being disturbed by the upper protrusion simply by lowering the locking pin almost straight downward from the position. Therefore, as described above, engaging the locking pin with the locking notch and, prior to this, bringing the locking pin into contact with the guide surface, are performed together with one end of the band. Since the simple operation of lowering the locking pin straight down can be performed, even if the body space on the lower surface side of the vehicle body is narrow, the operation of locking the locking pin to the locking bracket can be easily performed, that is, The operation of supporting the fuel tank on the lower surface side of the vehicle body is facilitated. Next, when the other end of the band is fastened to the lower surface of the vehicle body with a fastener while the locking pin is locked to the locking bracket, the support of the fuel tank is completed. . As described above, when the other end of the band is to be fastened in a state where the locking pin is locked to the locking bracket, the locking pin rises with respect to the locking bracket. However, in this case, the locking state may be released and the locking pin may be easily detached from the locking bracket. Therefore, another locking notch is formed extending upward from the lower edge of the base of the upper protruding portion and lockingly locking the locking pin from the locking notch side. . For this reason, even if the locking pin rises in the locking notch from the locked state of the locking pin to the locking bracket and the locking pin comes off from the locking notch, Thereafter, the locking pin immediately engages with the other locking notch, and the locked state to the locking bracket is maintained. Therefore, in order to support the fuel tank on the lower surface side of the vehicle body, first, the locking pin is locked on the locking bracket, and then, when the other end of the band is fastened to the lower surface side of the vehicle body, It is not necessary to pay much attention to the sudden release of the locking pin from the locking bracket, which facilitates the work for supporting the fuel tank. When the vehicle is running with the fuel tank supported on the lower surface of the vehicle body, the wheels temporarily fall into the grooves on the road surface, and the band is pushed up from the road surface together with the fuel tank. As a result, even if the locking pin rises with respect to the locking bracket together with one end of the band, the locking pin engages with the other locking notch as described above, thereby engaging with the locking bracket. The stop state is maintained. Thus, as described above, the fuel tank can be easily supported on the lower surface side of the vehicle body, and the fuel tank can be reliably supported.

[Brief description of the drawings] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a partially enlarged operation of FIG. 4; FIG. 2 is an overall side view of the automobile. FIG. 3 is an overall plan view of the automobile. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the support device. [Explanation of symbols] 1 car 2 Body 19 Lower side 24 Fuel tank 25 Supporting device 26 bands 27 One end 28 Locking pin 29 Locking circumferential groove 31 Locking bracket 32 The other end 34 Fastener 40 spaces 41 Bracket body 42 Top projection 43 Lower projection 45 Lock pin passage 46 Lock Notch 47 Guideway 48 end 50 other guideways 51 Other locking notch 52 space

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-169325 (JP, A) JP-A-4-90928 (JP, A) 145824 (JP, U) (58) Fields studied (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60K 15/00-15/077

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims 1] A fuel tank is disposed on a lower surface side of a vehicle body, and a substantially U-shaped fuel tank is fitted to the fuel tank from below when viewed from the front of the fuel tank. A band is provided, and a locking pin whose axial center extends in the front-rear direction is attached to one end of the band in the longitudinal direction, and the locking pin is attached to the lower surface of the vehicle body near one side of the fuel tank. An automobile fuel tank support device comprising: a locking bracket for detachably locking; and a fastener for fastening the other end of the band to a lower surface of the vehicle body near the other side of the fuel tank. The locking bracket includes a bracket body fixed to the lower surface of the vehicle body, and upper and lower protruding portions projecting from upper and lower portions of the bracket body toward outer sides opposite to the fuel tank. And these above and below Forming a locking pin passage between the protruding portions that allows movement of the locking pin,
A locking notch extending downward from the upper edge of the base of the lower protruding portion to engage and disengage the locking pin from the locking pin passage side is formed. A guide surface is formed, and the guide surface is gradually inclined downward from the projecting end side of the lower projecting portion toward the upper end of the locking notch, and the guide surface of the guide surface on the projecting end side of the lower projecting portion is formed. The end is located more outward than the protruding end of the upper protruding portion when viewed from the fuel tank, while the locking notch side extends upward from the lower edge of the base of the upper protruding portion. A fuel tank support device for an automobile, wherein another locking notch for lockingly locking the locking pin is formed.