JPH0236731Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] This invention forms a tunnel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that protrudes upward from the floor panel surface at the center in the width direction of the floor panel and is open at the bottom, and a fuel tank is placed within the tunnel. This invention relates to a protector for a fuel tank in an automobile.

Generally, in automobiles, especially passenger cars, the fuel tank is located at the rear end of the passenger space, behind the seat, but this limits the use of space at the rear of the vehicle due to the space for the fuel tank. It was hot.

In order to solve these problems, we have developed a vehicle M in which the propeller shaft does not extend vertically below the vehicle floor panel, such as a rear-engine/rear-drive vehicle or a front-engine/front-drive vehicle (see Figure 1). ), a tunnel 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is formed in the center of the floor panel 1 in the width direction, protruding upward from the floor panel surface and having an open bottom surface.
By arranging the fuel tank 3 inside the vehicle, it is possible to make effective use of the space at the rear of the vehicle, and also to shorten the overall length of the vehicle and reduce the vehicle weight.

However, in this case, the fuel tank 3 is placed with its lower surface exposed inside the tunnel 2, which is a space with a substantially rectangular cross section.
While the vehicle is running, the lowermost 4 portions of the fuel tank 3 are
There is a risk of damage caused by collision with flying stones.

In addition, in order to avoid damage to the lowest end 4 portion of the fuel tank 3, the general lower surface 3A of the fuel tank 3 is
It is also possible to move the fuel tank to an upper position, that is, to raise the bottom of the fuel tank 3, but in this case, there would be a wasted space in the lower part of the tunnel 2, and the capacity of the fuel tank would be reduced. There is a problem in that it reduces the

In the figure, numeral 5 is the passenger seat, 6 is the engine, and 7 is the passenger seat.
numeral 8 represents a rear wheel, numeral 8 represents a dash panel, numeral 9 represents a back panel, and numeral 10 represents a band supporting a fuel tank.

This idea was made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to effectively utilize the space inside the tunnel and reduce the capacity of the fuel tank without increasing the vehicle weight or manufacturing cost. A protector for a fuel tank of an automobile, which can protect a portion of the fuel tank that protrudes downward from the general lower surface of the fuel tank from flying stones, etc.
The purpose is to provide

This invention provides a protector for a fuel tank of an automobile that is placed in a tunnel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which protrudes upward from the floor panel surface at the center in the width direction of the floor panel, and has an open bottom surface. By arranging a cross member that crosses the lower side of the lower opening of the tunnel, has both ends fixed to the lower surface of the floor panel, and supports the parking brake equalizer at a position immediately before the lower part of the tunnel. , which achieves the above objectives.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, parts that are the same as or corresponding to the conventional automobile fuel tank structure shown in FIG. 1 will be designated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this embodiment is arranged in a tunnel 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that projects upward from the surface of the floor panel 1 at the center in the width direction of the floor panel 1 and has an open bottom surface. In a protector for a fuel tank 3 of an automobile, a position immediately before the lowest ground clearance part of the fuel tank 3,
A cross member 12 is disposed across the lower side of the lower opening of the tunnel 2, both ends of which are fixed to the lower surface of the floor panel 1, and which supports a parking brake equalizer 11.

That is, in this embodiment, the cross member 12 is arranged in front of the lowermost end portion 4, which is the portion that protrudes most downwardly from the general lower side surface 3A of the fuel tank 3.

In the figure, reference numeral 13 indicates a parking brake flexible wire connected to a parking brake lever (not shown), 14 an inner wire, and 15 a brake drum.

In this embodiment, a cross member for supporting the parking brake equalizer 11 is used.
12 is disposed in front of the lowest end 4 that protrudes further downward from the general lower surface 3A of the fuel tank 3, so that the general lower surface 3A of the fuel tank 3 is placed at the limit of the allowable lower position. Even if the lowermost end portion 4 is provided, the lowermost end portion 4 will not be damaged by flying stones or the like while the vehicle is running.

Therefore, the space within the tunnel 2 can be utilized to the maximum, and the capacity of the fuel tank 3 can also be maximized.

In the above embodiment, the lowermost end portion 4 is the portion that protrudes most downwardly from the general lower surface 3A of the fuel tank 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and Any structure may be used as long as the cross member is disposed in front of the downwardly projecting portion.

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to avoid increasing the vehicle weight and manufacturing cost, and
This has an excellent effect in that the part of the fuel tank that protrudes most downwardly from the general lower surface of the fuel tank can be protected from flying stones and the like without reducing the capacity of the fuel tank.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view showing a conventional fuel tank structure for an automobile, FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below showing an embodiment of a protector for an automobile fuel tank according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 2; M...Car, 1...Floor panel, 2...Tunnel, 3...Fuel tank, 3A...General lower side, 4...Lowermost end, 11...Parking brake
Key Qualizer, 12...Cross member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In a protector for a fuel tank of an automobile, which is disposed in a tunnel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the protector projects upward from the floor panel surface at the center of the width direction of the floor panel and is open at the bottom surface, and the protector is located at the lowest part of the fuel tank in the lowest ground clearance. An automobile characterized in that a cross member is disposed immediately before the tunnel, crossing the lower side of the lower opening of the tunnel, having both ends fixed to the lower surface of the floor panel, and supporting a parking brake equalizer. fuel tank protector.