JPH0616811Y2 - Saddle type fuel tank device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention has a propeller shaft penetrating recess formed in the central portion in the front-rear direction so that the tank portion is separated into left and right parts. The present invention relates to a saddle-type fuel tank device arranged so as to straddle a fuel tank.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in an FR vehicle (front engine rear drive vehicle) as shown in FIG. 6, for example, a propeller shaft (drive shaft) P extends rearward from an engine E through an underfloor portion. The propeller shaft P is connected to the rear axle via a differential gear DF.

From the viewpoint of saving the installation space and the like, a saddle type having a groove portion extending in the front-rear direction in the central portion of the fuel tank device T so that the propeller shaft P can pass through the central portion of the fuel tank device T. Fuel tank devices have been proposed.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral FW indicates a front wheel, and RW indicates a rear wheel.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, such a conventional saddle type fuel tank device T
Since the tank parts are inevitably separated into the right and left, two fuel supply / removal systems are required in order to supply fuel to the left and right tank parts and take out fuel from each tank part. In particular, providing the pumps for two systems causes a significant cost increase.

Therefore, the two bottom parts are divided into two parts with the recess sandwiched between them.
A main tube of this book has been proposed in which two bottom parts are connected in an underhang shape by a siphon as a connecting pipe so that fuel can be supplied to the engine [Practical application No. 60-7913]. 61-124423
No.) microfilm (see especially FIG. 5)].

However, the siphon in the above technology is one in which the two bottom parts are simply connected linearly, and does not prevent interference with other frame devices, let alone prevent interference with propeller shafts that are displaced during traveling. No consideration is given.

The present invention is intended to solve such problems,
A saddle type fuel tank that enables refueling and withdrawal of fuel in the left and right tank parts with only one system without providing two refueling / retrieving systems and prevents interference with propeller shafts that are displaced during traveling, etc. The purpose is to provide a device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] For this reason, the saddle type fuel tank device of the present invention straddles the propeller shaft which is connected to the rear wheel differential gear of the vehicle through the joint and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. In a saddle type fuel tank device in which a propeller shaft penetrating recess formed in the front-rear direction is formed and the tank parts are formed separately on the left and right sides, the left and right tank parts are mounted between the bottom parts below the propeller shaft. A U-shaped flexible tube that is bridged to communicate the fuel in the left and right tank portions, and a clamp member that is provided in the left and right tank portions and that holds the flexible tube substantially horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube. It is characterized in that the flexible tube is arranged such that its folded-back portion can be positioned in front of the vehicle.

[Operation] In the above-described saddle type fuel tank device of the present invention, the fuel in the left and right tank portions communicate with each other through the flexible tube.

Further, the flexible tube is held substantially horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube by the clamp members provided on the left and right tank parts, and at this time, the folded part of the flexible tube is positioned in front of the vehicle. It is located in.

[Embodiment] A saddle type fuel tank device as an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 6, the saddle type fuel tank apparatus T is also arranged so as to straddle the propeller shaft P under the rear seat of the FR vehicle, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tank upper 1 and the tank lower 2 are provided, and the tank upper 1 and the tank lower 2 are assembled so as to overlap each other at their flange portions.

Further, a groove (recess) 2C extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the center of the tank lower 2, and the left and right portions 2A, 2
B is configured as a tank portion. And this groove 2
The propeller shaft P passes through C so as to pass through it.

By the way, a U-shaped flexible tube (hose) 3 is interposed between the bottom portions of the tank portions 2A and 2B in order to connect the fuel in the left and right tank portions 2A and 2B to each other. It is mounted.

Further, the flexible tube 3 has a J-shaped clamp member 5 provided on the tank outer wall portion (wall portion of the groove 2C) in front of the joint portion 4 so that the folded portion faces the front F and does not hang down. And the middle part is supported.

Reference numeral 6 in FIG. 2 indicates a fuel return pipe, and reference numeral 7 indicates a fuel take-out pipe. In this saddle type fuel tank device T, a fuel supply pipe connected to the fuel filler pipe is also provided on either side. It is provided in the tank part.

With the above-described configuration, the fuel in the left and right tank portions 2A and 2B of the saddle type fuel tank device T communicates with each other through the flexible tube 3, so that the saddle type fuel tank device T is supplied with fuel. Only one system is required for taking out.

Further, the flexible tube 3 is held in a substantially horizontal state along the longitudinal direction by the clamp member 5 and is moved in the front direction of the vehicle by U.
Since it is arranged so that the folded portion of the character shape is located,
Even if the propeller shaft P is swung up and down around the joint with the differential gear DF, the flexible tube 3 and the propeller shaft P do not interfere with each other.

Further, at the time of a collision or the like, the propeller shaft P largely tilts with the swing of the differential gear DF as shown in FIG. 4, but the flexible tube 3 can bend, so that the propeller shaft P as described above can be bent. Can be sufficiently absorbed, and thus high safety against fuel leakage at the time of collision can be secured.

As shown in FIG. 5, a clamp member 5'for supporting the flexible tube 3 may be arranged so that the opening thereof faces downward, and the flexible tube 3 may be held by the clamp member 5 '. In this way, when the propeller shaft P is largely displaced at the time of a collision, the flexible tube 3 is likely to drop off from the clamp member 5 ', so that higher safety against fuel leakage at the time of collision can be secured.

[Advantage of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the saddle type fuel tank device of the present invention, the flexible tubes for communicating the fuel in the left and right tank parts are mounted between the bottom parts of these tank parts. With a simple configuration, the refueling / retrieving system can be made into one system, and even if the propeller shaft moves a lot during a collision etc., the flexible gap bends to absorb the movement of the propeller shaft. Therefore, there is an advantage of having high safety against fuel leakage at the time of collision.

Further, according to the saddle type fuel tank device of the present invention, the propeller shaft swings around the engine side of the propeller shaft due to the rotation of the differential shaft due to acceleration and deceleration while the vehicle is traveling. Even if it moves up and down, the flexible tube is arranged such that the folded portion of the flexible tube is located in front of the vehicle while being held in a substantially horizontal state in the longitudinal direction by the clamp member. Interference between the propeller shaft and the flexible tube can be avoided.

Further, in the saddle type fuel tank device of the present invention, if the vehicle is in a collision, the differential gear swings greatly,
Even if the rear end of the propeller shaft tilts greatly downward,
Since the flexible tube is formed in a U shape and can be bent between the left and right tank parts, it is possible to sufficiently absorb the abnormal movement of the propeller shaft and to secure high safety against fuel leakage at the time of collision. Play.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 5 show a saddle type fuel tank device as one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view seen from below,
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view thereof, FIG. 3 is a side view thereof, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the state at the time of collision corresponding to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing another example of how to clamp the flexible tube, and FIG. 6 is a saddle type fuel. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the arrangement position of a tank device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tank upper, 2 ... Tank lower, 2A, 2B ... Tank section, 2C ... Groove (concave), 3 ... Flexible tube, 4 ... Joint section, 5, 5 '... Clamping member, 6 ... Fuel extraction tube, 7 ...
Fuel return pipe, E ... Engine, DF ... Differential gear, FW ... Front wheel, P ... Propeller shaft, RW ... Rear wheel,
T ... saddle type fuel tank device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A left and right having a propeller shaft penetrating recess formed in the center in the front-rear direction across a propeller shaft which is connected to a rear wheel differential gear for a vehicle through a joint and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. In a saddle type fuel tank device in which a tank part is formed separately, a U-shaped flexible tube mounted between the bottom parts of the left and right tank parts below the propeller shaft and communicating the fuel in the left and right tank parts. And a clamp member which is provided in the left and right tank portions and holds the flexible tube substantially horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube, and the flexible tube positions the folded-back portion in front of the vehicle. Saddle-type fuel tank device, characterized in that the saddle-type fuel tank device is arranged.