JPH0546503Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a fuel tank for a vehicle, and particularly to a fuel tank provided between the frames of a vehicle.

[Prior Art] In general, fuel tanks installed in automobiles, etc.
It is formed by molding a steel plate material that has been subjected to anti-corrosion treatment into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The installation position thereof is such that it protrudes outside the frame (side member) in order to ensure ease of installation.

On the other hand, in recent years, proposals have been made to integrally mold the tank body from synthetic resin (see Utility Model Application Publication No. 54-60677, etc.). According to these proposals,
Due to the properties of the synthetic resin that is the material, weight reduction and improved anti-corrosion performance can be achieved, and the lighter weight can improve installation workability.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, even if a synthetic resin fuel tank is adopted, the following problems remain.

If the fuel tank is installed outside the frame, various auxiliary devices that should be installed at that location cannot be placed, and the weight must be balanced on the opposite side of the tank, which limits the mounting locations for other parts and devices. It ends up.

Furthermore, especially if it is made of synthetic resin, the appearance, durability, and safety in the event of a collision will be insufficient due to exposure.

In addition, as a technology related to the mounting position of the fuel tank, there is a proposal to protect the tank by bending the frame (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 137623/1983), but here it is simply installed between the frames. Therefore, it is considered that various improvements are required in terms of ease of installation, etc.

Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention was devised to provide a fuel tank that does not need to be provided outside the frame and has a structure that takes into account the ease of installation.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a main body having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the long side of which is shorter than the distance between the side members arranged side by side and having flange portions on the top and bottom, and the distance between the opposing flange portions. , the short side is shorter than the distance between the flanges mentioned above,
The height is formed to be lower than the height between the upper and lower flange parts, and one pair of the corners connecting the long side and the short side is cut out so that the opposing distance passing through the center is less than the length of the long side, and the above-mentioned The main body has a hanging handle protruding from the flange portion.

[Function] The long side, short side, and height of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped have external dimensions such that they can be inserted between the side members and spanned over, thereby ensuring the attachment of the tank body. At this time, the cutout corner is rotated so as to move along the side member. The hanging handle is
To facilitate this installation work and to fix the tank after it has been hung.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the structure of the frame of an automobile in which the vehicle fuel tank according to the present invention is installed will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 3, this frame and a pair of side members 9 are arranged side by side at intervals in the vehicle width direction and extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It is composed of a plurality of cross members 10 arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the side member 9 is made of a channel material having a U-shaped cross section and having upper and lower flange portions 11 and 12.
Channel parts 13 divided by 1 and 12 are arranged in parallel so as to face each other. Further, both ends of the cross member 10 are sandwiched and joined between the upper and lower flange portions 11 and 12 within the channel portion 13, and are spanned between the side members 9 to connect the side members 9 to each other.

Next, the configuration of the first embodiment of the fuel tank will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body 1 of this fuel tank is integrally molded from a synthetic resin material in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The outer dimensions are shorter than the distance a between the side members 9 and longer than the distance b between the opposing lower flange portions 12, 12. That is, the end portion 4 is supported by the lower flange portion 12 and spanned between the side members 9 . Moreover, the short side 5 is formed shorter than the distance between the upper flange parts 11. That is,
The tank body 1 can be inserted between the side members 9 from above. The height 6 of the end 4 on the short side 5 is 11, 12 between the upper and lower flange parts.
is made lower than the height h of the side members 9 to enable direction change and attachment after being inserted between the side members 9.

Furthermore, one pair of the corners connecting the long side 3 and the short side 5 are cut off as appropriate so that the facing distance d passing through the center o is equal to or less than the length of the long side 3. In this embodiment, the corner 7 is formed by a circular arc drawn from the center o with a radius of 1/2 the length of the long side.

A hanging handle 8 is provided on the upper surface 2 of the tank body 1 to support the fuel tank from above during insertion and direction change (rotation). In this embodiment, two grippable bridge-shaped grips are provided, and they are positioned at a predetermined distance from the center o of the upper surface 2.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the gripped portion 14 is stretched inward from the flange portions 11 and 12 so that it can be fixed when the tank body 1 is stretched between the side members 9. It is adapted to be fitted and locked into a bracket 15 which is provided so as to extend out. One end 16 of the bracket 15 is overlapped with the upper flange portion 11 and supported by a bolt 17, and the other end 18 is folded back to restrain the suspension handle 8 in the vertical direction and in the transverse direction of the side member 9. ing. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the rising portion 1 of the hanging handle 9
Since the bracket 9 abuts against the end of the bracket 14, it is essentially restrained in three directions.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained in accordance with the procedure for installing this fuel tank between the side members 9.

The tank body 1, which is suspended from above by a suspension handle 8, is aligned with the long side 3 along the longitudinal direction of the side member 9 while keeping the upper surface 2 horizontal, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. Insert in the same direction.

Thereafter, the direction is changed by rotating about 90 degrees clockwise in FIG. 7 so that the cutout corner 7 goes first and the end side 5 enters the channel part 13. Then, the uncut corner portions come into contact within the channel portion 13, and further rotation is restricted. At this time, the direction of the short side 5 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the side member 9, and the direction of the long side is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the cross member 10, and both ends 4 of the tank body 1 are supported by the lower flange portion 12. Thus, it is passed between the side members 9. That is,
Since the height of both end portions 4 is lower than the height between the upper and lower flange portions 11 and 12, they are accommodated in the channel portion 13.

Then, after fitting the other end 18 of the bracket 15 to the gripping portion 14 of the hanging handle 8, the one end 16
are bolted to the upper flange portion 11. This will prevent any "backlash" after the hanging.

In this way, the fuel tank can be installed between the frames with good installation workability and fixation. Furthermore, since it is made of synthetic resin and is not exposed to the outside, it is lightweight, durable, safe, etc.

The shape of the hanging handle may be such that it can be grasped by hand as in this embodiment, or it may have a protruding annular member that can be hung on a chain block hook or the like. Further, the shape of the tank body does not need to be a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, as long as at least a portion thereof has a predetermined size. For example, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 8, the capacitance may be increased by projecting downward in steps.

In addition, from the viewpoint of securing the shape (moldability), quality, and cost, the fuel tank is made of synthetic resin materials that are safe for fuel, such as polyethylene, nylon, and saturated polyester resin, either singly or blended. , or it may be adopted as a double layer. In this case, the manufacturing method is to mold a substantially rectangular tank body using a general plastic molding method such as blow molding, and then attach a separately molded suspension handle by hot plate welding or vibration welding, or It may be formed by integral molding using insert molding.

Furthermore, although the cross-sectional shape of the side member is described as being U-shaped, the present invention is similarly applicable to an I-shaped side member that also has a flange portion on the outside.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, this fuel tank has a hanging handle 20 projecting from the upper surface of the tank body 1 formed similarly to the first embodiment.
It is formed into a hollow body. The feature of this second embodiment is that the hanging handle 20 also serves as the air space normally formed above the tank body 1.

In other words, conventionally, the fuel filler cap was configured to have an air breather hole, so when the vehicle is parked on a slope, when the vehicle is driven, or when the fuel level is near the capacity limit, fuel may leak from the air breather hole due to shaking. There was a problem. For this reason, the addition of a bulky plate was a factor in increasing cost and weight. As in this embodiment, if the upwardly protruding hollow portion is used as an air space, it is difficult for fuel to enter, and leakage from the air breather hole can be suppressed, and the entire tank body 1 can be used as a fuel storage section. Also in this embodiment, the handle 20 can be used as a fixed part, as in the first embodiment. In addition, the breather hole in the fuel filler cap may be eliminated, and a valve may be provided on the handle 20 that only allows inflow into the tank from the outside, or as shown in Figure 13, it may be necessary to prevent foreign matter from entering from the outside. If the air breather 22 is configured as an open type air breather 22 with the tip 21 opened downward, leakage can be further prevented. However, in this case, the height and length of the parts should be adjusted so that the fuel does not reach the air breather (tip) when the vehicle is tilted to its maximum angle with fuel filled to the highest liquid level when horizontal. You need to set the position.

Moreover, this handle 20 can be used as a separator chamber, and a vapor pipe 23 for vapor discharge can be installed (see FIG. 14). In this case, compared to the case where the vapor pipe is fixed to the top surface of the tank by post-processing (for example, hot plate welding), the handle 20
It is difficult to bend and can be firmly fixed.

The function, materials, and manufacturing method of this second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] In summary, the present invention provides the following excellent effects.

The long sides, short sides, height, and corner parts of the main body, which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, are formed so that they can be inserted and hung between the side members, and a hanging handle that is locked to the flange part is provided, so that the tank main body can be easily It can be installed properly between frames, improving weight balance, freedom of attachment of frame parts, safety, and durability.
A fuel tank that is particularly easy to install was obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a vehicle fuel tank according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof,
Figure 3 is a plan view ( ) and side view ( ) showing the frame of the vehicle in which the fuel tank is installed, Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part A in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is B in Figure 4.
-B line arrow view, Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the B-B line in Figure 4, Figure 7 is a plan view when the fuel tank is installed, Figure 8 is C in Figure 7. -C line sectional view, FIG. 9 is a side view of the main part of FIG. 7, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
12 is a sectional view taken along the line EE in FIG. 10, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 10 showing another embodiment. The upper part of the sectional view taken in the direction of arrows, FIG. 14, is a sectional view of the same portion as FIG. 13 showing another embodiment. In the figure, 1 is the tank body, 3 is the long side, 5 is the short side,
6 is a height, 7 is a corner, 8 is a hanging handle, 9 is a side member, and 11 and 12 are flange parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) The long side of a main body having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is shorter than the distance between side members arranged side by side and has flanges on the top and bottom, and longer than the distance between the opposing flanges. , the short side is shorter than the distance between the flange parts, the height is lower than the height between the upper and lower flange parts, and the facing distance between the center of one pair of the corners connecting the long side and the short side is the length of the long side. A fuel tank for a vehicle, characterized in that the fuel tank is cut out as follows, and has a hanging handle protruding from the main body that is latched to the flange portion. (2) The fuel tank for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the tank is integrally molded from a synthetic resin material. (3) Paragraph 1 or 2 of the above utility model registration claim, in which the above-mentioned hanging handle is formed as a hollow body.
Fuel tanks for vehicles described in section.