Abstract
A multi-lobe seal for a sealing device for sealing an opening in a multi-layer wall of a fuel tank, the multi-layer wall having a layer of fuel barrier material and an opening in the multi-layer wall, the multi-lobe seal being fuel-impermeable and capable of being positioned in contact, at the opening in the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank, between the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank and a component, is disclosed. The multi-lobe seal includes, on the face capable of being in contact with the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall, at least two protrusions, one of which leans on the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall.
Claims
1. A multi-lobe seal for a sealing device for sealing an opening in a wall of a fuel tank, the wall of the multi-layer type having at least one layer of fuel barrier material and an opening in the multi-layer wall, the multi-lobe seal being fuel-impermeable and capable of being positioned in contact, at the opening in the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank, between the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank and a component, wherein the multi-lobe seal comprises, on the face capable of being in contact with the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall at least two protrusions, one of which leans on the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall.
2. The multi-lobe seal according to claim 1, comprising, on the face capable of being in contact with the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall a protrusion leaning on the layer of fuel barrier material, and two other protrusions on either side of the protrusion leaning on the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall.
3. The multi-lobe seal (100) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one shoulder intended to rest on an outer layer of the multi-layer wall of a fuel tank.
4. A sealing device for an opening in a wall of a motor vehicle fuel tank, the wall of the multi-layer type having at least one layer of fuel barrier material and an opening in the multi-layer wall, wherein said device comprises: a component capable of being inserted into the opening in the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank; a multi-lobe seal according to claim 1 capable of being positioned between the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank and the component; and a fastening element capable of being fastened to at least one outer layer of the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank.
5. The sealing device for a fuel tank according to claim 4, such that the multi-lobe seal has, on the face capable of being in contact with the component, a first connecting means resting on the component.
6. The sealing device for a fuel tank according to claim 4, such that the multi-lobe seal has, on the face capable of being in contact with the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall, a second connecting means resting on the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank.
7. The sealing device for a fuel tank according to claim 4, such that the component and the multi-lobe seal are capable of exerting a radial pressure on the layer of fuel barrier material once the sealing device for a motor vehicle fuel tank has been assembled.
8. The sealing device for a fuel tank according to claim 4, such that the fastening element is capable of being a solid part.
9. The sealing device for a fuel tank according to claim 4, such that the fastening element is capable of being a part that is hollow at its center.
10. The sealing device for a fuel tank according to claim 4, such that the fastening element is capable of being fastened on all of the areas in contact with the multi-layer wall of a fuel tank.
11. The sealing device for a fuel tank according to claim 4, such that the multi-lobe seal is overmolded onto the component.
12. The sealing device for a fuel tank according to claim 4, such that the fastening element is integral with the component.
13. A fuel tank comprising the sealing device according to claim 4.
14. A method for producing a fuel tank according to claim 13 comprising at least the steps of: positioning the multi-lobe seal in contact with the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank; compressing the multi-lobe seal, by the component also inserted into the opening in the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank, against the layer of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank; fastening the fastening element to the multi-layer wall of the fuel tank.
15. The method according to claim 14, such that the fastening of the fastening element is selected from welding, gluing, sintering and overmolding.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0085] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given merely as an illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, in which:
[0086] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle fuel tank provided with an opening according to the invention;
[0087] FIG. 2 is a cross section of part of the multi-lobe seal according to the invention;
[0088] FIG. 3 shows a sealing device for a motor vehicle fuel tank according to the invention;
[0089] FIG. 4 describes a sealing device for a motor vehicle fuel tank, when the opening in the motor vehicle fuel tank according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 is closed;
[0090] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the sealing device for a motor vehicle fuel tank, in which a connection component is connected to a motor vehicle fuel tank according to the invention;
[0091] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the sealing device for a motor vehicle fuel tank, in which the second connecting means is a shoulder;
[0092] FIG. 7 shows a view of an embodiment of the sealing device for a motor vehicle fuel tank, in which the face of the multi-lobe seal oriented toward the component has a projection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0093] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may also be combined and/or interchanged to provide other embodiments.
[0094] In the present description, it is possible to index certain elements or parameters, for example a first element or second element as well as a first parameter and second parameter or a first criterion and second criterion, etc. In this case, it is a simple indexing process to differentiate and name similar but not identical elements or parameters or criteria. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element, parameter or criterion with respect to another and such denominations can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present description. Nor does this indexing imply an order in time, for example to assess this or that criterion.
[0095] In relation to FIG. 1, a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) is presented. The motor vehicle fuel tank (4) has an opening (3) capable of receiving the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) according to the invention, said sealing device (1) not being shown in FIG. 1.
[0096] FIG. 2 is a cross section of an embodiment of the multi-lobe seal (100) according to the invention, and said multi-lobe seal (100) is fuel-impermeable. The multi-lobe seal (100) is based on a material having a low fuel permeability, said material being FPM. The multi-lobe seal (100) according to the invention consists of a face (101) capable of being oriented toward a component (2) capable of being inserted into the opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said face (101) comprises a first connecting means (102) resting on said component (2). The multi-lobe seal (100) also comprises a face (103) capable of being oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said face (103) capable of being oriented toward the edge of the multi-layer wall (10) consists of a protrusion (104) capable of being in contact (11A) with the layer (11) of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said protrusion (104) is surrounded on either side by protrusions (104A) capable of being in contact with the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). In addition, the multi-lobe seal (100) has, on said face (103) capable of being oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4), a second connecting means (105) capable of leaning on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Finally, the multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a shoulder (106) covering the multi-lobe seal (100). Said shoulder (106) is capable of being in contact with the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) and said component (2). The multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4), the component (2) capable of being inserted into the opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10) and the opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10) are not shown in FIG. 2.
[0097] FIG. 3 is a cross section of the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) according to the invention. It can be seen that the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) comprises a multi-layer wall (10) having a layer (11) of fuel barrier material, as well as an opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10) in which a fuel-impermeable multi-lobe seal (100) is inserted which is made of FPM, and a component (2) which is inserted so as to exert a radial compression on the multi-lobe seal (100). The compressed multi-lobe seal (100) in turn exerts a radial compression on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) once the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) has been assembled. The multi-lobe seal (100) and component (2) assembly, inserted into the opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10), is held by fastening a fastening element (5) to the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10), with said fastening being a weld. The fastening of the fastening element (5) exerts an axial compression on the component (2) located between the multi-lobe seal (100) and the fastening element (5). Said component (2) then in turn exerts an axial compression on the shoulder (106) of the multi-lobe seal (100), which rests on the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). The multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a face (101) oriented toward a component (2). Said face (101) comprises a first connecting means (102) resting on said component (2). The multi-lobe seal (100) also comprises a face (103) oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said face (103) oriented toward the edge of the multi-layer wall (10) consists of a protrusion (104) in contact (11A) with the layer (11) of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said protrusion (104) is surrounded on either side by protrusions (104A) in contact with the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). In addition, the multi-lobe seal (100) has, on said face (103) oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4), a second connecting means (105) capable of leaning on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). The multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a shoulder (106) covering the multi-lobe seal (100). Said shoulder (106) is in contact with the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) and said component (2).
[0098] FIG. 4 is a cross section of a second embodiment of a sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) according to the invention shown in FIG. 3. It can be seen that the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) comprises a multi-layer wall (10) having a layer (11) of fuel barrier material, as well as an opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10) in which a fuel-impermeable multi-lobe seal (100) is inserted which is made of FPM, and a component (2) which is inserted so as to exert a radial compression on the multi-lobe seal (100). The compressed multi-lobe seal (100) in turn exerts a radial compression on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) once the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) has been assembled. The multi-lobe seal (100) and component (2) assembly, inserted into the opening (3) in multi-layer wall (10), is held by fastening a fastening element (5A) to the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10), with said fastening being a weld. The fastening of the fastening element (5A) exerts an axial compression on the component (2) located between the multi-lobe seal (100) and the fastening element (5A). In this particular embodiment, the fastening element (5A) is a solid part which closes the opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said component (2) then in turn exerts an axial compression on the shoulder (106) of the multi-lobe seal (100), which rests on the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). The multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a face (101) oriented toward a component (2). Said face (101) comprises a first connecting means (102) resting on said component (2). The multi-lobe seal (100) also comprises a face (103) oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said face (103) oriented toward the edge of the multi-layer wall (10) consists of a protrusion (104) in contact (11A) with the layer (11) of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said protrusion (104) is surrounded on either side by protrusions (104A) in contact with the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). In addition, the multi-lobe seal (100) has, on said face (103) oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4), a second connecting means (105) capable of leaning on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Finally, the multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a shoulder (106) covering the multi-lobe seal (100). Said shoulder (106) is in contact with the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) and said component (2).
[0099] FIG. 5 is a cross section of a third embodiment of the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) according to the invention shown in FIG. 3. It can be seen that the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) comprises a multi-layer wall (10) having a layer (11) of fuel barrier material, as well as an opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10) in which a fuel-impermeable multi-lobe seal (100) is inserted which is made of FPM, and a component (2) which is inserted so as to exert a radial compression on the multi-lobe seal (100). The compressed multi-lobe seal (100) in turn exerts a radial compression on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) once the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) has been assembled. The multi-lobe seal (100) and component (2) assembly, inserted into the opening (3) in multi-layer wall (10), is held by fastening a fastening element (5B) to the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10), with said fastening being a weld. The fastening of the fastening element (5B) exerts an axial compression on the component (2) located between the multi-lobe seal (100) and the fastening element (56). In this particular embodiment, the fastening element (5B) is a part that is hollow at its center and allows the connection to other components (6) having a low fuel permeability. Said component (2) then in turn exerts an axial compression on the shoulder (106) of the multi-lobe seal (100), which rests on the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). The multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a face (101) oriented toward a component (2). Said face (101) comprises a first connecting means (102) resting on said component (2). The multi-lobe seal (100) also comprises a face (103) oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said face (103) oriented toward the edge of the multi-layer wall (10) consists of a protrusion (104) in contact (11A) with the layer (11) of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said protrusion (104) is surrounded on either side by protrusions (104A) in contact with the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). In addition, the multi-lobe seal (100) has, on said face (103) oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4), a second connecting means (105) capable of leaning on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Finally, the multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a shoulder (106) covering the multi-lobe seal (100). Said shoulder (106) is in contact with the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) and said component (2).
[0100] FIG. 6 is a cross section of an alternative embodiment of the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) according to the invention. It can be seen that the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) comprises a multi-layer wall (10) having a layer (11) of fuel barrier material, as well as an opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10) in which a fuel-impermeable multi-lobe seal (100) is inserted which is made of FPM, and a component (2) which is inserted so as to exert a radial compression on the multi-lobe seal (100). The compressed multi-lobe seal (100) in turn exerts a radial compression on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) once the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) has been assembled. The multi-lobe seal (100) and component (2) assembly, inserted into the opening (3) in multi-layer wall (10), is held by fastening a fastening element (5) to the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10), with said fastening being a weld. The fastening of the fastening element (5) exerts an axial compression on the component (2) located between the multi-lobe seal (100) and the fastening element (5). Said component (2) then in turn exerts an axial compression on the shoulder (106) of the multi-lobe seal (100), which rests on the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). The multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a face (101) oriented toward a component (2). Said face (101) comprises a first connecting means (102) resting on said component (2). The multi-lobe seal (100) also comprises a face (103) oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said face (103) oriented toward the edge of the multi-layer wall (10) consists of a protrusion (104) in contact (11A) with the layer (11) of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said protrusion (104) is surrounded on either side by protrusions (104A) in contact with the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). In addition, the multi-lobe seal (100) has, on said face (103) oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4), a second connecting means (105) capable of leaning on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). In this particular embodiment, the second connecting means (105) is a second shoulder resting on the multi-layer wall (10). The multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a shoulder (106) covering the multi-lobe seal (100). Said shoulder (106) is in contact with the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) and said component (2).
[0101] FIG. 7 describes a cross section of the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) according to the invention. It can be seen that the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) comprises a multi-layer wall (10) having a layer (11) of fuel barrier material, as well as an opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10) in which a fuel-impermeable multi-lobe seal (100) is inserted which is made of FPM, and a component (2) which is inserted so as to exert a radial compression on the multi-lobe seal (100). The compressed multi-lobe seal (100) in turn exerts a radial compression on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) once the sealing device (1) for a motor vehicle fuel tank (4) has been assembled. The multi-lobe seal (100) and component (2) assembly, inserted into the opening (3) in the multi-layer wall (10), is held by fastening a fastening element (5) to the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10), with said fastening being a weld. The fastening of the fastening element (5) exerts an axial compression on the component (2) located between the multi-lobe seal (100) and the fastening element (5). Said component (2) then in turn exerts an axial compression on the shoulder (106) of the multi-lobe seal (100), which rests on the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). The multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a face (101) oriented toward a component (2). Said face (101) comprises a first connecting means (102) resting on said component (2) and, in this particular embodiment, a projection (107) leaning on the component (2). The multi-lobe seal (100) also comprises a face (103) oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said face (103) oriented toward the edge of the multi-layer wall (10) consists of a protrusion (104) in contact (11A) with the layer (11) of fuel barrier material of the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Said protrusion (104) is surrounded on either side by protrusions (104A) in contact with the multi-layer wall (10) of the motor vehicle fuel tank (4). In addition, the multi-lobe seal (100) has, on said face (103) oriented toward the edge of a multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4), a second connecting means (105) capable of resting on the multi-layer wall (10) of a motor vehicle fuel tank (4). Finally, the multi-lobe seal (100) consists of a shoulder (106) covering the multi-lobe seal (100). Said shoulder (106) is in contact with the outer layer (12) of the multi-layer wall (10) and said component (2).
