Fuel tank device

Abstract

A fuel tank apparatus for a motor vehicle that includes a fuel tank and a filling module configured for connection to the fuel tank. The filling module includes a fuel accumulator and a filler neck configured for fluidic connection to the fuel accumulator in such a way that permits filling to occur place via the filler neck exclusively into the fuel accumulator.

Claims

1. A fuel tank apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising: a fuel tank; and a filling module configured for receipt into the fuel tank, the filling module including a fuel accumulator and a covering element configured for placement on and attachment to the fuel tank from an area outside of the fuel tank, the covering element including: a filler neck configured for fluidic connection to the fuel accumulator to permit a filling sequence to occur, via the filler neck, exclusively into the fuel accumulator, and a filler cap configured to close access to the filler neck from the area outside of the fuel tank.

2. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank does not include an additional filler neck, to permit the filling sequence to occur exclusively via the fuel accumulator.

3. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filler neck is configured to protrude into a collar of the fuel accumulator.

4. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one connecting opening arranged at an interface between the fuel tank and the fuel accumulator to permit filling of the fuel tank via the fuel accumulator.

5. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one float valve arranged in the fuel tank, and configured to: open a fluid connection between the fuel tank and the fuel accumulator when surrounded by fuel, and close the fluid between the fuel tank and the fuel accumulator when not surrounded by fuel.

6. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an assembly that includes the float valve and a forward feed and return line to an engine of the motor vehicle.

7. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel accumulator is configured for attachment to a wall of the fuel tank.

8. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel accumulator comprises at least one vacuum line configured to open into the fuel tank.

9. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filling module comprises a filling level sensor configured to measure a filling level of fuel in the fuel tank.

10. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filling module comprises a fuel pump configured to convey the fuel from the fuel accumulator to an engine of the motor vehicle and also from the engine of the motor vehicle.

11. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filling module comprises a pressure equalization valve and/or a ventilation device.

12. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filling module comprises a water separator.

13. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank comprises a main tank of a saddle tank of a lorry.

14. A method for producing a fuel tank apparatus for a motor vehicle, the method comprising: assembling a filling module including a fuel accumulator and a filler neck configured for fluidic connection to the fuel accumulator to permit a filling sequence to occur via the filler neck exclusively into the fuel accumulator; inserting the assembled filling module into a fuel tank; and closing access to the filler neck from an area outside of the fuel tank, via a covering element that includes a filler neck configured for fluidic connection to the fuel accumulator to permit a filling sequence to occur via the filler neck exclusively into the fuel accumulator, and a filler cap configured to close access to the filler neck from the area outside of the fuel tank.

15. A fuel tank apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising: a fuel tank; and a filling module including a fuel accumulator configured for receipt into the fuel tank, and a covering element configured for placement on and attachment to the fuel tank from an area outside of the fuel tank, the covering element including: a filler neck configured for fluidic connection to the fuel accumulator to permit a filling sequence to occur via the filler neck exclusively into the fuel accumulator, and a filler cap configured to close access to the filler neck from the area outside of the fuel tank.

16. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 15, further comprising at least one connecting opening arranged at an interface between the fuel tank and the fuel accumulator to permit filling of the fuel tank via the fuel accumulator.

17. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 15, further comprising at least one float valve arranged in the fuel tank, and configured to: open a fluid connection between the fuel tank and the fuel accumulator when surrounded by fuel, and close the fluid between the fuel tank and the fuel accumulator when not surrounded by fuel.

18. The fuel tank apparatus of claim 15, wherein the fuel accumulator comprises at least one vacuum line configured to open into the fuel tank.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments will be illustrated by way of example in the drawings and explained in the description below

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a fuel tank apparatus during the production thereof, in accordance with embodiments.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a fuel tank apparatus, in accordance with embodiments.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a fuel tank apparatus, in accordance with embodiments.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of a fuel tank apparatus, in accordance with embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

(6) FIG. 1 illustrates a fuel tank apparatus during production thereof, the fuel tank apparatus comprising a fuel tank 1 and a filling module 2. The filling module 2 is at least mostly assembled before being inserted and fastened in the fuel tank 1, and is subsequently inserted into the fuel tank 1 (in the arrow direction which is illustrated in FIG. 1) and is fastened to the fuel tank 1. The fuel tank 1 has, for example, an assembly opening for inserting the filling module 2, or comprises during the insertion, for example, only a half shell, onto which a second half shell is welded or screwed or adhesively bonded only after the insertion of the filling module 2.

(7) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel accumulator 3 may have an integrated filler neck 4, or the filler neck 4 may already be connected to the fuel accumulator 3 before the insertion of the fuel accumulator 3. Otherwise, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a filler neck 4 may also be connected to the fuel accumulator 3 after the insertion.

(8) FIG. 2 illustrates further details of the fuel tank apparatus in accordance with embodiments, and includes at least one or a plurality of connecting openings 8 which are arranged on the fuel accumulator 3. Particularly, the connecting openings 8 may be arranged in the boundary wall which delimits the fuel accumulator 3 towards the fuel tank 1, and which are set up to make filling of the fuel tank 1 possible via the connecting opening 8.

(9) If the fuel level in the fuel accumulator 3 reaches the level of the connecting opening 8 during filling of the fuel accumulator 3 via the filler neck 4, or during filling of the fuel accumulator 3 via a return line 11, the fuel may then flow over into the fuel tank 1.

(10) The filling module 2 comprises at least one forward feed and return line 11, for conducting the fuel out of the fuel accumulator 3 to and from an engine of the motor vehicle. The filling module 2 may have a fuel pump for conveying the fuel. The return line 11 is arranged in such a way that fuel which flows back always passes into the fuel accumulator 3.

(11) The fuel tank apparatus has a float valve 13 in the fuel tank 1, which float valve 13 is to open a fluid connection to the fuel accumulator 3 when the float valve 13 in the fuel tank 1 is surrounded by fuel, and close the fluid connection when no fuel prevails at the float valve 13. When the float valve 13 is open, fuel may be removed from the fuel tank 1 via the float valve 13. When the float valve 13 is closed because no fuel is available in the fuel tank 1 at the float valve 13, a supply of fuel takes place merely from the fuel accumulator 3.

(12) The float valve 13 may be formed by way of an assembly which comprises: the float valve 13, arranged in the fuel tank 1 outside the fuel accumulator 3, a T-piece adjoining it, and a vacuum valve, particularly spring valve, adjoining it in the fuel accumulator 3. The T-piece which is situated between the spring valve, i.e., the vacuum valve, and the float valve 13 may be connected directly to the forward feed line, particularly the diesel forward feed line.

(13) When the float valve 13 is closed, a vacuum is produced in the forward feed line, and the vacuum valve, i.e., the spring valve, opens. The supply of fuel then takes place via the fuel accumulator 3. When the float valve 13 is open, the supply of fuel takes place via the float valve 13 in the fuel tank 1. The spring valve is then closed. No supply takes place via the fuel accumulator.

(14) The fuel accumulator 3 may additionally have a plurality of vacuum lines 9 which open into the fuel tank 1, with the result that fuel may be sucked out of the fuel tank 1 into the fuel accumulator 3. Float valves may likewise be arranged at the free ends of the vacuum lines 9.

(15) The filling module 2 additionally has a filling level sensor 10, for example, a toggle lever encoder, for measuring the filling level in the fuel tank 1. The filling module 2 may have a pressure equalization valve and/or ventilation device. The filling module 2 may likewise have a water separator.

(16) The filling module 2 comprises a filler cap 6 for closing the filler neck 4. The filling module 2 may also comprise an anti-theft protection device for the fuel.

(17) As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fuel tank 1 may comprise a main tank of a saddle tank of a lorry, the saddle tank having an additional tank 12 in addition to the main tank.

(18) FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a fuel tank apparatus in which a covering element 5 of the filling module 2 is subsequently placed onto the remaining parts of the filling module 2, particularly onto the fuel accumulator 3. The filler neck 4 which is accessible from the outside is configured on the covering element 5 of the filling module 2. The covering element 5 is placed onto the fuel tank 1 from the outside and is fastened to the said fuel tank 1. The filler neck 4 may be inserted into a collar 7 of the fuel accumulator 3, with the result that the filler neck and the fuel accumulator are connected directly in a fluid-conducting manner, and the entire fuel passes directly into the fuel accumulator 3.

(19) As illustrated in FIG. 4, an embodiment of a fuel tank apparatus differs from the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 3 in that the filling module 2, particularly the fuel accumulator 3, is attached here to a wall of the fuel tank 1 and is fastened to the fuel tank 1 on the outside. The fastening of the filling module 2 may take place, particularly, by way of an orbital weld which runs around on the outside, with the formation of an orbital seam 14, or, for example, as an adhesive bond.

(20) The walls of the fuel accumulator 3 and the fuel tank 1, in the region of the orbital seam 14, may together act as a metallic dividing wall between fuel accumulator 3 and fuel tank 1.

(21) The term coupled or connected may be used herein to refer to any type of relationship, direct or indirect, between the components in question, and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, electromechanical or other connections. In addition, the terms first, second, etc. are used herein only to facilitate discussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronological significance unless otherwise indicated.

(22) This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the preferred embodiments, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of embodiments is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. Aspects from the various embodiments described, as well as other known equivalents for each such aspects, may be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in the art to construct additional embodiments and techniques in accordance with principles of this application.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(23) 1 Fuel tank

(24) 2 Filling module

(25) 3 Fuel accumulator

(26) 4 Filler neck

(27) 5 Covering element

(28) 6 Filler cap

(29) 7 Collar

(30) 8 Connection opening

(31) 9 Vacuum line

(32) 10 Filling level sensor

(33) 11 Forward feed and return lines

(34) 12 Additional tank

(35) 13 Float valve

(36) 14 Orbital seam