RU2243108C1 - Vehicle fuel tank - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, particularly, to fuel system and fuel tanks of said engines. Fuel tank is arranged in passenger compartment on body floor, and it has hermetically sealed housing with sectional filler pipe with filler neck mounted on side surface of housing, and section air bleed pipe whose outlet cut is connected to filler neck. Fuel tank is furnished additionally with device providing removal of fuel or its fumes from passenger compartment into ambient space under vehicle body floor.

EFFECT: improved reliability and fire safety of vehicle.

4 cl, 6 dwg

Description

The invention relates to vehicles (TCs) equipped with internal combustion engines (ICE), in particular to ICE power systems, and in particular to fuel tanks (TB).

TB devices are known, for example, according to German patents No. 4018197, class. In 60 K 15/067, publication 91.12.12, No. 4302546, cl. In 60 K 15/073, publication 94.04.07, No. 3722034, cl. 60 K 15/02, publication 88.09.01., Where the TB TS contains a sealed enclosure with an internal cavity for pouring liquid fuel, connected by a pipeline to the internal combustion engine, a filler pipe and a filler pipe cover. In this case, the TB is installed on the bottom of the vehicle, behind the rear overhang, and is fixed with clamps attached to the bottom.

The disadvantage of these devices is the danger of destruction (depressurization) of the TB when the vehicle hits from behind due to the proximity of its location to the extreme rear point of the vehicle (rear bumper). As a result of depressurization of TB, a fire may occur, which is unacceptable. To improve the safety of TB, various types of TB clamps have been used (see the description for the mentioned German patents), which is also not a reliable means of preventing TB depressurization and fire in traffic accidents.

TB devices according to the Federal Republic of Germany patent (application No. 3822620, class F 01 N / 14, publication 89.02.09, Japan (application No. 1-24087, class 60 K 15/02, publication 89.05.10, Japan No. 4-28566 , class B 60 K 17/02, publication 92.05.14, Japan (application No. 63-1203, class B 60 K 15/04, publication 88.01.11) containing TB with the elements described above are devoid of this drawback, t. K. TB is located under the bottom of the vehicle, in front of its rear axle, i.e., are not in the zone of direct deformation of the body when the vehicle hits from the rear.

The disadvantage of these devices is the lack of protection of TB from below from elements of adverse road surface, especially for vehicles with increased cross-country ability, which can lead to fuel leakage from TB as a result of a breakdown and fire. Another drawback is the complexity of the design of the TB, namely the introduction of punching (recesses inside the TB) (see position 115, Japanese patent No. 4-28566) on the upper half of the TB, for the passage of the driveshaft or changing the configuration of the TB (see Japan patent No. 63- 1203), to ensure the performance of the vehicle suspension. All this leads to a decrease in the volume of refueling fuel and the introduction of additional devices (see item 143, Japanese patent No. 4-28566) to ensure the performance of the TB. In addition, the geometric proximity to the TB of the elements of the vehicle exhaust system (silencer, exhaust pipe), (see position 2, 5 of the FRG application No. 3822620) also negatively affects the performance of the TB due to an increase in fuel temperature, which is undesirable since this leads to an increase in the amount of fuel vapor. In order to prevent undesirable effects of temperature on TB, various screens are introduced (see position 16 of the FRG application No. 3822620), which also complicates the design of the vehicle.

An example of eliminating the disadvantages of previous devices are devices according to Japanese patents: application No. 2-15407, class B 60 K 15/063, publication 90.04.12, application No. 2-15406, class. In 60 K 15/063, publication 90.04.12, application No. 63-2809, cl. 60 K 15/02, publication 88.01.20, where a TB having the above-described elements is placed under the bottom of the vehicle body in deep punching (a recess made inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle). This punching protects the TB from all sides, including from below, with the help of a movable partition, from the adverse effects of the exhaust system and heated asphalt pavement in the summer. In this case, the design of the TB is not complicated and is optimal for its manufacture in production.

The disadvantage of these devices is the irrational use of the passenger compartment or the cargo compartment of the vehicle due to the presence of large recesses that enter and occupy usable volume.

As a prototype, the TB device of the VAZ 21214-20 car was selected (see the catalog of parts and assembly units, Togliatti publication 2001).

Known TB TS contains a sealed enclosure with an internal cavity for pouring liquid fuel, connected by a pipeline to the internal combustion engine. A bulk pipe is connected to the body, consisting of a pipe directly connected to the body and a filler neck mounted on the side surface of the vehicle. At the same time, the pipe and neck are interconnected by a hose using clamps. The hose also connects the exhaust pipe located in the upper part of the body and the fitting on the filler neck. The open end of the filler neck is closed by a quick-release lid. The TB is located in the passenger compartment, on the floor of the vehicle, and is closed on top with a special partition separating it from the passenger compartment. A passenger seat is installed above the partition. This location of the TB distinguishes it from the location of the TB of the above devices, because It has protection from all sides (from impact and road) and does not impair the comfort of passengers in the passenger compartment.

The disadvantage of this safety device is the possibility of a fire in the vehicle cabin when the elements of the filling pipe (pipe and filler neck) are depressurized, for example, due to the weakening of hose clamps or rupture of the hose due to poor-quality manufacturing, and fuel leakage into the passenger compartment, which is unacceptable.

The solution to the technical problem involves changing the design mainly of the filler neck and the TB as a whole and ultimately increasing the reliability and fire safety of the vehicle.

The essence of the invention lies in the fact that in the known TB vehicle located in the passenger compartment, on the floor of the vehicle body, and containing a sealed housing with an internal cavity for pouring liquid fuel, connected by a pipeline to the internal combustion engine, and to which (the body) is connected a composite filling pipe, consisting, in particular, of a pipe directly connected to the housing and a filler neck mounted on the side surface of the vehicle, while the pipe and neck are interconnected by a hose using clamps, and similar in construction uu Air Release tube, located at the top of the housing TB connected a hose with a nipple on the filler neck, an open end which is sealed by a quick-release cap design described above is further provided with a device to allow discharge of fuel from the passenger compartment under the floor of the vehicle body, i.e., into the gap between the underbody and the road surface.

In one embodiment, the filling pipe and the exhaust pipe with a gap are enclosed by a device providing for the removal of fuel from the passenger compartment under the floor of the vehicle body, which is made in the form of a tray having an open cross-section and obliquely oriented towards a recess made in the floor of the body and provided with at least one drain hole.

In another embodiment, at least the filling pipe and the air exhaust pipe are enclosed by a device providing for the removal of fuel from the passenger compartment under the floor of the vehicle body, which is made in the form of a casing of an elastic, tight, fireproof, material not permeable to hydrocarbons, having a closed cross-section, at least a part of the casing has the ability to open and close with the help of a lock "lightning", while the casing is equipped with a device for removal Fuel and its vapors under the floor of the truck.

Additionally, the fuel tank body can be placed in an elastic, sealed, fireproof casing, in the form of a bag, made of a material impermeable to hydrocarbon fuel, and at least part of the casing can be opened and closed using a “lightning” lock, while the shell of at least one of the housings mounted drain rails associated with drain holes made in the floor of the body.

In the most constructively acceptable embodiment, the cavity cavities mutually communicate with each other.

The invention is illustrated by drawings.

Figure 1 shows the TB installed on the vehicle.

Figure 2 shows a section aa in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a TB with a filler pipe placed in a casing.

Figure 4 shows a fragment 1 of figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a section bB in figure 3.

Figure 6 shows the TB in the casing with a zipper lock.

The fuel tank of the vehicle of figure 1 contains a sealed housing 1 connected by a pipe 2 to the internal combustion engine (not shown). A bulk pipe 3 is connected to the housing 1, consisting of a pipe 4 directly connected to the housing 1, and a filler neck 5 mounted on the side surface 6 of the vehicle body (Figs. 1 and 2). In this case, the pipe 4 and the neck 5 are connected by a hose 7 of elastic material with the help of clamps 8 (Fig. 3). The hose 9 also connects the exhaust pipe 10 located in the upper part of the TB case 1 and the fitting 11 located in the filler neck 5. The open end of the filler neck 5 is hermetically closed by a quick-release lid 12 (Fig. 4). The 1 TB case is placed in the vehicle space, bounded below by the floor 13 of the vehicle body, the partition 14 of the floor 13 and the screen 15 TB. In the floor 13 there are recesses 16 and drain holes 17. Under the filler pipe 3, along its entire length and with a gap to it, there is a device for removing fuel from the passenger compartment of the vehicle and draining it to the ground in the form of a tray 18 (figure 2). The device may take the form of a casing 19 (Figs. 3, 5), which can be made of an elastic material having a closed cross section and hermetically connected to the side wall of the body 6 with a seal 20 (Fig. 4), which simultaneously seals the filler neck 5 The casing 19, made of an elastic material, has the ability to open, releasing the filler pipe 3 with a “lightning” lock 21 located at least in the length section of the filler pipe 3. The housing 1 according to (Figs. 3, 6) can also be placed in elastic sealed fire resistant casing of the housing 22 in the form of a bag, which can be opened using the lock "lightning" 23, for mounting and dismounting the housing 1. The elastic casing 19 and the casing of the housing 22 can be a single unit. The casing of the housing 22 has guides 24 (Fig.6), which are inserted into the holes 17 (Fig.1) connecting the casing of the housing 22 with the outboard space of the vehicle. The filler neck 5, at the points of its connection to the side surface 6 of the vehicle body, has through holes 25 (Fig. 4) connecting the inside of the elastic casing 19 with the outboard space of the vehicle.

TB TS works as usual.

Refueling TB is carried out with the open quick-release lid 12 (Fig.3). The fuel passes through the bulk pipe 3 into the housing 1 TB. As the housing 1 is filled with fuel, air is displaced from it and, passing through the air exhaust pipe 10, hose 9 and fitting 11, is released into the atmosphere, which allows filling the TB to the required level. At the same time, the connections of the filler neck 5, hose 7, nozzle 4, fitting 11, hose 9 and tube 10 are tight, because their tightness is provided by the clamps 8. Then the fuel enters through the pipe 2 in the internal combustion engine to ensure its operation.

In case of depressurization in these joints as a result of poor installation or mechanical damage to the inlet pipe 3, hoses 7 and 9, as well as during deformation, at the time of impact (in particular, in the event of damage to the vehicle due to traffic accidents), fuel must not leak out passenger compartment of the vehicle. Fuel should not leak out, in particular, onto the screen of TB 15 and beyond the partition of the floor 14, into the passenger accommodation area, as this can cause a fire, but must be taken out of the vehicle to the ground. This requirement is regulated by paragraphs 5.1.6, 5.1.7, 5.1.8 of UNECE Regulation No. 34 (Uniform Provisions Regarding the Approval of the Customs Union for the Prevention of Fire Hazards of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe).

In order to prevent fuel from escaping into the vehicle’s cabin when the bulkhead pipe 3 or case 1 is depressurized under the filling pipe, along its entire length and with a clearance to it, there is a device for removing fuel from the passenger compartment of the vehicle and draining it to the ground in the form of a tray 18 ( figure 2). The tray 18 is installed with an inclination, which allows the leaked fuel to move from the sections of the bulk pipe 3 or the TB case 1 along the inclined section of the floor 13, then to the recess 16 and into the drain holes 17, through which the fuel enters the ground.

In case of leakage (rather than leakage at a constant flow rate) of fuel in the connections of the hoses 7 and 9 of the bulk pipe 3 and housing 1 TB, the fuel evaporates and enters the vehicle interior in the form of steam, which can lead, in extreme cases, to poisoning passengers with hydrocarbons when they sufficient concentration. The case under consideration is complicated by the location of the TB in the vehicle compartment, which requires absolute tightness in the joints of the bulk pipe 3 and the TB case 1, which is not always possible for structural reasons. In addition, the climatic operating conditions of the vehicle (temperature range from minus 40 ° С to plus 50 ° С) contribute to the aging of rubber hoses 7 and 9 and the loss of their elasticity, and vibration loads lead to weakening of the clamps 8 connecting the elements of the bulk pipe 3. As a result, loss of tightness in the joints of the bulk pipe 3 and housing 1 TB.

To prevent the smell of gasoline in the vehicle compartment, the bulk pipe 3 and the TB case 1 are enclosed in sealed elastic casings 19 and 22, respectively (Figs. 3, 5). Mentioned casing 19 and 22 can be integral and made of impervious to hydrocarbon fuel, as well as non-combustible material.

When the joints of the filling pipe 3 or housing 1 TB are depressurized, the fuel flowing out at a constant flow rate enters the casing 19 (Figs. 3, 5) and is transported to the drain rails 24, which are inserted into the openings 17. Further, the fuel flows outside the vehicle to the ground, as regulated by the mentioned UNECE Regulation No. 34. When fuel leaks and evaporates, the fuel vapor remains in a confined space formed by the casings 19 and 22, and does not go into the passenger compartment. TS. This is because the material from which the housings 19 and 22 are made is not permeable to hydrocarbons. The casing 19 is sealed by the seal 20 of the filler neck 5 (Fig. 4), and the drain guides 24 are brought out, outside the floor 13 of the vehicle body.

For mounting and dismounting the bulk pipe 3 and the TB case 1, the casings 19 and 22 are equipped with a tight “zipper” lock 21 and 23. In the event of a fire in the vehicle compartment, the non-combustible material of the casings 19 and 22 will prevent ignition and destruction of the flexible hoses 7 and 9, which will not allow the ignition of gasoline in them. When the vehicle is parked and there is excessive air pressure inside the casings 19 and 22 due to an increase in the partial pressure of the evaporated hydrocarbons, fuel vapors will escape through the openings 25 in the filler neck 5 and through the drain guides 24 of the casing 22. Since the guides 24 are brought out under the floor of the TS, then the oncoming oncoming air flow during vehicle movement will create increased air pressure inside the casings 19 and 22, which will exit together with the evaporated fuel hydrocarbons located there through openings 25 into the vehicle’s outboard space (ambient atmosphere).

In this case, the release of hydrocarbon fuel vapors from the vehicle to the surrounding atmosphere is not a violation of the requirements for the vehicle for toxicity, because the case under consideration is emergency and the aim pursued - the safety of passengers - justifies the above-described means that prevent fire in the vehicle compartment or poisoning of passengers, which is a positive effect.

Claims (4)

1. The fuel tank of the vehicle, located in the passenger compartment on the floor of the body, comprising a sealed housing, equipped with a composite filler pipe with a filler neck mounted on the side surface of the body, and a composite air pipe, the outlet cut of which is connected to the filler neck, characterized in that the filling pipe and the exhaust pipe with a gap are covered by a device providing for the removal of fuel from the passenger compartment under the floor of the vehicle body, which is made in the form of a tray Having a non-closed cross section and obliquely orientated in a side recess made in the floor of the body and provided with at least one drain hole. 2. The fuel tank of the vehicle, located in the passenger compartment on the floor of the body, comprising a sealed body, equipped with a composite filler pipe with a filler neck mounted on the side surface of the body, and a composite air outlet tube, the outlet cut of which is connected to the filler neck, characterized in that at least the filling pipe and the exhaust pipe are covered by a device that provides fuel removal from the passenger compartment under the floor of the vehicle body, which is made in the form a casing of an elastic sealing flame resistant, impermeable to fuel hydrocarbon material having a closed cross section, wherein at least part of the casing has the ability to open and closed by means of zippers, the casing being provided with means for discharging fuel and vapor under the floor of the body. 3. The fuel tank according to claim 2, characterized in that the fuel tank body is placed in an elastic tight fireproof casing in the form of a bag of material impermeable to hydrocarbon fuel, and at least part of the casing has the ability to open and close with a zipper , while on the shell of at least one of the casings mounted drain rails associated with drain holes made in the floor of the body. 4. The fuel tank according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the cavity of the shells communicate with each other.

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