DE19605702C2 - Fuel tank system for trucks or buses - Google Patents

Description

description

The invention relates to a fuel tank system for trucks or Buses according to the preamble of claims 1 and 2.

EP 0 528 151 B1 describes a container system with essentially the same design standardized single containers for the transport of different liquids, e.g. B. water and foam, known. The individual containers are in the area of the opposing egg term, form-fitting intervention communicating with the neighboring individual container connected with each other and together form the tank structure of a fire protection vehicle.

FR-A 2 671 542 can be assembled from standardized individual containers Res fuel tank system known for vehicles. The individual containers point to theirs the flank surface facing the adjacent individual container has a center th, protruding, tubular threaded connector with external thread, which with a Opposite opening of the side flank of the neighboring individual screwed and ver together with a corresponding internal thread is binding. The number of individual containers that can be screwed together is arbitrary expandable.

The invention has for its object in a fuel tank system for load motor vehicles or buses the arrangement, connection and adaptation of its individual to optimize the container to the space available on the vehicle.

This object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 2 ge solves, wherein according to the features of claim 1, the individual container by means of a Breakthrough is received by a carrier projecting from the vehicle frame, while according to the features of claim 2, the individual container from one of Vehicle frame attached, U-shaped support is fixed surrounding.  

With the solution according to the invention, a fuel tank system is also in need expandable number of horizontally arranged, modular individual containers, communicating with each other, optimal to the respective space are adaptable to the vehicle without restricting the amount of fuel required ken or other components of the vehicle. The respective reumbers Conditions on the vehicle depend on the arrangement of the existing assemblies, such as B. Exhaust system, battery box, air tank, brake units, hydraulics aggregates, soot filters, municipal bodies and the like. It can therefore ever according to volume requirements, several of the modular single containers horizontally in the vehicle lined up in the longitudinal direction, in an optimized manner on the chassis of the load car can be accommodated.

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to claim 3, NEN the carrier to the outside of the vehicle through tapered profile tubes be given, which with respect to the individual container to be secured against rotation Have a contour. To lock the individual container, the end of each Profile tubes fasteners can be provided, which form-fitting in corresponding Intervene in the receptacles of the individual containers. While the trained to profile tubes Carrier a positive connection to the individual containers in the vertical and Ensure horizontal main load directions are the movements in the remaining two directions of movement by the end attached to the carriers fasteners prevented. Fasteners can by the frame side Carrier provided paragraphs be given, the flanges with the Fahrzeugrah men are connected, and they can be provided by the free end of the carrier Cover given, be by a screw or the like on the carrier are consolidated. The heels on the frame side can be round or square be trained. The lids can be square or rectangular and bevelled on all four sides and next to the attachment of the Individual container additionally as anti-rotation device against movement of the individual container ter be provided around the longitudinal axis of the carrier. The anti-twist device through the lid may be necessary especially when it is not possible to use the conical Let breakthrough run through the center of gravity of the individual container. With egg  Nem oval, rectangular or square-shaped carrier can turn tion through an appropriate design of the cross section of the Profile tube trained carrier can be reached.

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to claim 4, vertically project the supports on additional subframes or submounts be steady. The additional subframes or subcarriers can be above or below of the vehicle frame arranged perpendicular to this and possibly to the Bring further components be provided.

The additional subframe or submount can either be above or below screwed onto the vehicle frame and arranged perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal axis be nice. On the subframe or submount is the befe by means of a flange vertical support, protruding from the latter, with its free end vertically upwards or pointing below, protruding. If a subframe is provided, the Individual container thus on a vertical support and with the provision of an auxiliary frame be pushed onto a vertically hanging support. The subframe or Subcarrier can also be used to connect additional attachments, such as Spare wheel, battery box or the attachment of a side protection device be provided. By attaching the single container to one on one Auxiliary frame or auxiliary carrier arranged can be a significantly lower loading load of the flexible zone of the vehicle frame can be achieved. The one on top the subframe lying on the vehicle frame can, if necessary, be in a with the Vehicle frame connected structure to be integrated.

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to claims 2 and 5, can the U-shaped carrier carrying the individual container upwards or for driving be open on the tool side. Regardless of the type of arrangement of the U-för Migen carrier can each one of the circumferential grooves of the individual container approximately in their vertical center of gravity. The the individual containers in the U-shaped Trä Locks that like to fix can be pre-positioned through the end of the U-shaped support Hene locking elements are given, for example, in the end of the U-shaped slots arranged slots can be used. The locking elements  can be formed by a strap or a straight hat profile, which in the Elongated holes can be hooked in or screwed in, for example. This has opposite conventionally designed L-shaped carriers have the advantage that the individual container is held by a positive connection in the U-shaped carrier and thus movements in all six directions of movement are effectively prevented. The friction generating Non-positive connection by a tensioning strap in conventional fuel tank systems and the dead weight of the individual container is generated and the fuel container is fixed, can be effectively avoided with the fuel tank system according to the invention the. If the U-shaped support is open at the top, the individual containers can inserted from above and the closure provided above this. Is the U-shaped supports, on the other hand, are arranged open to the vehicle side container can be inserted laterally and locked laterally by the closure. The individual containers can with at least one order oriented transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction be provided catch groove, which form a positive connection to which they take up has the profile of the U-shaped support. One of the circumferential grooves of an individual Halters should be approximately in its vertical center of gravity, with additional Circumferential grooves arranged as close as possible to the central circumferential groove on the individual container can be net. This effectively prevents tilting moments on the individual containers the one that can lead to stress on the individual containers. If necessary, on U-shaped beams in the floor area, profiles running parallel to the vehicle frame be arranged, which prevent any bending of the fuel tank bottoms other. The arrangement of the individual containers on the U-shaped carrier is for individual containers ter made of plastic and metal material equally suitable.

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to claim 6, flan the individual containers for additional rotation and / or displacement protection On the other side, a groove communicating with the adjacent individual containers Form the spring contact contour. As a result, the relative movements between the ones individual containers and the connection and ventilation connections and thus the Bela minimized connections and lines.  

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to claim 7, the Individual containers in the area of their flank-side contact contour in each case at least a fuel and ventilation line to be connected. The fuel and Vent lines can have non-displaceable means. This can be done by arranged at the end of the fuel and ventilation lines, secure against displacement designed nozzle or by providing appropriate sealants.

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to claim 8, the individual containers are picked up by the carriers in the area of their center of gravity his. As a result, the otherwise high vibration stresses of the Components carrying individual containers can be significantly reduced. This has the advantage to be able to dimension these components smaller, thereby reducing costs and weight can be saved.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one form the container on its flank side in the form of a fender. With that is in front geous compared to conventional fuel tanks, the space above the fender shape used to store additional fuel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one individual container, a volume volume filling the space below the vehicle frame have a larger undercut. This is also a better end allows use of the relevant installation space.

In the following, the invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing examples of management explained in more detail. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a single container of a fuel tank systems for trucks or buses in a spatial representation,

Fig. 2 shows schematically a first embodiment of a single container according to Fig. 1 in a sectional representation,

Fig. 3 schematically shows the arrangement of different variants of the vehicle frame anordbarer carrier,

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a single container with an undercut in a spatial representation,

Fig. 5 shows a further variant of a single container with an edge side in the form of a wing,

Fig. 6, two further variants of fastening possibilities for individual containers accelerator as Fig. 1,

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of a single container and

Fig. 8, two further variants of mounting possibilities for the embodiment of a single container according to Fig. 7.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a first embodiment of a single container 1 of a fuel tank system for trucks or buses. Of the individual containers 1 is added to a horizontally protruding from a vehicle frame 2 and carrier 3 has a purpose - as shown in Fig. 2 - consistent, complementarily shaped to the carrier 3 opening 4 on. The carrier 3 is fastened to the vehicle frame 2 by means of a flange 9 ( FIG. 2). The individual container 1 is locked by means of a cover 7 releasably attached to the free end of the carrier 3 . This cover 7 is designed square and with rounded corners in the exemplary embodiment shown here and engages in a form-fitting manner in a complementary container-shaped pocket 8 ( FIG. 2). The individual container 1 is thus also secured against rotation. The individual container 1 also has on the top a cheek arranged on a filler neck 5 and is provided on the flank side with a wide investment cone 13 . On this system contour 13 of the individual container 1 , a complementary to this groove 6 of an adjacent single container, not shown here, is pushed on ( FIG. 4). The two individual containers 1 thus form a form-fitting tongue and groove contact contour in this area and are thus additionally secured against rotation and displacement. Furthermore, the individual container 1 is provided on the upper side with a recessed ventilation line 24 which has displacement-resistant means, such as, for example, movement-tolerant ventilation nozzles with appropriate seals. Analogous to the ventilation line, the individual container has a shift-proof fuel line - not shown here - arranged in its base or lower rear wall area.

Fig. 3 shows different embodiments of the vehicle frame 2 can be arranged and projecting from this horizontal beams 3, 3/1, 3/2. These can have differently shaped pipe cross sections, for example with a round, square or oval cross-section, and extend in their longitudinal axis to the vehicle frame 2 in a conically widened manner. The carriers 3, 3/1, 3/2 by flanges 9 generating frame 2 is arranged on the elevator. The carriers 3, 3/1, 3/2 point for fixing the individual containers, not shown on the frame side on a shoulder 10 and at its free end designed as a lid 7 fastening means. The paragraph 10 can be rounded or tapered. The paragraph 10 engages if necessary in a form-fitting manner, corresponding to the cover 7 , to prevent rotation in complementary fashion to the paragraph 10 , internal pockets 8 ( FIG. 2).

Fig. 4 shows a further second embodiment of a single container 12 having an un terhalb of the vehicle frame 2 provided undercut. 11 This also uses the space below the vehicle frame 2 for storing fuel. The individual container 12 has to prevent rotation with adjacent individual containers both a flank-side groove 6 and a complementary system contour 13 . Together with a groove of an adjacent single container, not shown here, this forms a form-fitting, displacement-safe tongue and groove arrangement.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of an individual container 14 , a flank 15 of the individual container 14 being in the form of a fender. This means that the space in the area behind the wheels can be used to store fuel. A fender angle (not shown here) and a splash guard can be attached to the fender-shaped flank 15 .

Fig. 6 shows two variants of fixing options for single container. In a first variant, the carrier 3, which is not shown here, is attached to an auxiliary frame 16 via the flange 9 . The auxiliary frame 16 is arranged by means of the lead frame 16/1 perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis and be found underneath the vehicle frame. 2 In a version not shown here, the subframe 16 is additionally provided for connecting additional attachments, such as a spare wheel, bat terie box or the attachment of a lateral protective device. The single container, not shown here, is pushed onto the conical support 3 standing vertically on the auxiliary frame 16 and fixed and fastened to the support 3 by means of a cover, not shown here.

In the second variant, an auxiliary carrier 17 is arranged perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis above half of the vehicle frame 2 . A downward-projecting, downward-pointing conical carrier 3 is fastened to the auxiliary carrier 17 , onto which an individual container (not shown here) is pushed from below and fixed by means of a fastening means. Relief of the flexible zone of the vehicle frame 2 is achieved both when an auxiliary frame 16 and an auxiliary carrier 17 are provided. In a version not shown here, the opening in the individual container can be offset in order to accommodate the individual container on the carrier close to the center of gravity. For this purpose, the carrier can protrude horizontally from a frame piece pointing downward from the vehicle frame. Due to the focus of the individual container on the carrier, especially when the individual container is filled, the driving-related vibrations on the carriers can be considerably reduced.

Fig. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of a single container 18 , which in the exemplary embodiment shown here has a plurality of circumferential grooves 19 running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, by means of which the individual container 18 in adaptation to the existing installation space in projecting from the vehicle frame - shown in Fig. 8 - U-shaped carrier 20 is inserted. The individual containers 18 of the fourth embodiment have a groove 6 on the flank side corresponding to the individual container 1 of the first embodiment and an abutment contour 13 opposite this, by means of which a displacement of the individual containers 18 to one another is prevented. The wide ren are minimized by the groove 6 and the system contour 13, the displacement-related loads on the not shown here, the individual container line connecting fuel and ventilation lines and their connections are minimized.

FIG. 8 shows two variants of fastening options on the vehicle frame 2 for a fourth embodiment of an individual container 18 ( FIG. 7). The individual containers 18 are received by U-shaped carriers 20 . These are provided with profiles 21 which are complementary to the circumferential grooves 19 of the individual containers 18 and which engage in the circumferential grooves 19 of the individual containers 18 . The U-shaped supports 20 are arranged on the vehicle frame 2 upwards or open to the vehicle side. Compared to conventional, the individual container carrying, L-shaped carriers, the individual container 18 are held in the U-shaped carriers 20 via a positive connection, which prevents movement in all six directions of movement. The otherwise occurring loads on the individual container as a result of the frictional connection generated by the tensioning strap and the weight of the individual container can be considerably reduced. The individual containers 18 are fastened at the ends of the U-shaped carrier 20 , the "U" shape of which closes. In the version shown here, the individual containers 18 in the U-shaped carriers 20 fixing closures by end-side of the U-shaped carrier 20 provided locking straps 22 or the like. These can be inserted into elongated holes 23 arranged at the end of the U-shaped support 20 . The fixation of the individual container 18 can also be carried out by other suitable means.

In a version not shown here, the individual containers are in the area of their flanks side system contour via at least one fuel and vent line connected with each other. The fuel and ventilation lines can shift Other media, such as sliding seals and connecting pieces exhibit.

In a version not shown here, you can choose between adjacent individual containers a gap that bridges and covers the two individual containers thus formed ter connecting, circulating belt to be closed. This makes ver impurities and the walls of the individual containers u. U. damaging stones or the like.  

Depending on the design of the individual containers, both metal can be used for their manufacture use materials as well as plastics, for example thermoplastics det be.

Claims (10)

1. Fuel tank system for trucks or buses, consisting of mo modularly designed, standardized individual containers, which can be arranged in an expandable manner, communicating with each other, characterized in that the individual containers ( 1 , 12 , 14 ) in adaptation to the existing installation space for fastening Receiving on the vehicle frame ( 2 ) in approximately horizontally projecting carriers ( 3 ) have at least one continuous, approximately complementary to the carriers ( 3 ) formed openings ( 4 ). 2. Fuel tank system for trucks or buses, consisting of mo-shaped, standardized individual containers, which can be arranged in an expandable manner, communicatively connected to one another, characterized in that the individual containers ( 18 ) have at least one circumferential groove ( 19 ) running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, by means of this the individual container ( 18 ) in adaptation to the existing installation space in abra from the vehicle frame ( 2 ) abra ing U-shaped carrier ( 20 ) with complementary to the circumferential grooves ( 19 ) from profiles ( 21 ) inserted and from the U-shaped Attached carriers ( 20 ), the "U" shape closing closures ( 22 ) are held. 3. Fuel tank system according to claim 1, characterized in that the Trä ger ( 3 ) to the outside of the vehicle are given by conically tapered profile tubes which have a ver rotational locking contour with respect to the individual container to be carried ( 1 , 12 , 14 ), and that Locking the individual container ter ( 1 , 12 , 14 ) each end of the profiled tubes ( 3 ) fastening means ( 7 ) are vorgese hen, which positively engage in corresponding receptacles ( 8 ) of the individual container ter ( 1 , 12 , 14 ). 4. Fuel tank system according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the carriers are attached to additional subframes ( 16 ) or submounts ( 17 ) vertically abra, which are arranged above or below the vehicle frame ( 7 ) perpendicular to this and optionally for attachment other components are seen before. 5. Fuel tank system according to claim 2, characterized in that the individual containers ( 18 ) carrying U-shaped carrier ( 20 ) upwards or to the vehicle side are open and that one of the circumferential grooves ( 19 ) of the individual container ( 18 ) approximately in their vertical center of gravity, and that the individual containers ( 18 ) in the U-shaped carriers ( 20 ) fixing Ver closures ( 22 ) by the end of the U-shaped carrier ( 20 ) provided locking elements ( 22 ) are given, which can be used in elongated holes ( 23 ). 6. Fuel tank system according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the individual container ( 1 , 12 , 14 , 18 ) for additional rotation and / or displacement protection on the flank side with the adjacent individual containers ( 1 , 12 , 14 , 18 ) form a communicating tongue and groove contact contour ( 6 , 13 ). 7. Fuel tank system according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the individual containers ( 1 , 12 , 14 , 18 ) in the region of their flank-side system contour or their top or rear each have at least one fuel and ventilation line ( 24 ) are connected to each other, and that the fuel and ventilation lines have displaceable means. 8. Fuel tank system according to one or more of the preceding claims 1, 3, 4 and 7, characterized in that the individual containers ( 1 , 12 , 14 ) in the region of their center of gravity are received by the carriers ( 3 ). 9. Fuel tank system according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one individual container ( 1 , 12 , 14 , 18 ) on a flank ( 15 ) forms the shape of a fender. 10. Fuel tank system according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one single container ter ( 1 , 12 , 14 , 18 ) has a space below the vehicle frame ( 2 ) filling de, volume-increasing undercut ( 11 ) , and that a joint formed between the flanks of adjacent individual containers ( 1 , 12 , 14 , 18 ) is closed by a belt running around both individual containers ( 1 , 12 , 14 , 18 ).