Pressure Vessel Assembly and Motor Vehicle

Abstract

A pressure vessel assembly includes a plurality of pressure vessels which are disposed so as to be mutually parallel, one or a plurality of fixed bearings, and one or a plurality of floating bearings. Each pressure vessel at one longitudinal end is fastened to a fixed bearing and at an opposite longitudinal end is fastened to a floating bearing. The floating bearings define an initial intrusion space and, by displacing the pressure vessels along the floating bearings, a dynamic intrusion space opposite the floating bearings is defined.

Claims

1.-14. (canceled)

15. A pressure vessel assembly, comprising a plurality of pressure vessels which are disposed so as to be mutually parallel; one or a plurality of fixed bearings; and one or a plurality of floating bearings; wherein each pressure vessel at one longitudinal end is fastened to a fixed bearing and at an opposite longitudinal end is fastened to a floating bearing; wherein the floating bearings define an initial intrusion space and, by displacing the pressure vessels along the floating bearings, a dynamic intrusion space opposite the floating bearings is defined.

16. The pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15, wherein the floating bearings enable a displaceability of at least 10 mm or at least 20 mm.

17. The pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15, wherein the floating bearings enable a displaceability of at most 150 mm.

18. The pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15, wherein the floating bearings enable a displaceability along or parallel to a longitudinal direction of the pressure vessels.

19. The pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15, wherein only one pressure vessel is fastened to each fixed bearing.

20. The pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15, wherein the pressure vessels are assigned to a plurality of groups and wherein pressure vessels of each group are conjointly fastened to one or a plurality of fixed bearings.

21. The pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15, wherein the floating bearings, when viewed in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the pressure vessels, are disposed so as to be offset between the pressure vessels.

22. The pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15, wherein only one pressure vessel is fastened to each floating bearing.

23. The pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15, wherein the pressure vessels are assigned to a plurality of groups and wherein pressure vessels of each group are conjointly fastened to one or a plurality of floating bearings.

24. The pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15, wherein one, some, or all fixed bearings is/are rigidly connected to at least one floating bearing.

25. The pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15, wherein the floating bearings are configured as friction bearings having a guide rail or as roller support bearings having a guide rail.

26. A motor vehicle, comprising: a body; and at least one pressure vessel assembly according to claim 15 which is installed in the body.

27. The motor vehicle according to claim 26, wherein the pressure vessels of the pressure vessel assembly are aligned transversely to a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

28. The motor vehicle according to claim 27, wherein the pressure vessels are asymmetrically disposed along a transverse direction of the motor vehicle such that the initial intrusion space is configured on one side of an installation space and the fixed bearings (30) are contiguous to the other side of the installation space.

29. The motor vehicle according to claim 26: wherein a first rocker panel is disposed laterally to the pressure vessel assembly so as to be directly adjacent to the fixed bearings or at a spacing of at most 150 mm from the fixed bearings; and/or wherein a second rocker panel is disposed laterally to the pressure vessel assembly so as to be directly adjacent to the floating bearings or at a spacing of at most 150 mm from the floating bearings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle;

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the motor vehicle;

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of the motor vehicle;

[0040] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a motor vehicle; and

[0041] FIG. 5 shows another alternative embodiment of a motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 shows, purely schematically, a motor vehicle 1 according to one exemplary embodiment. The motor vehicle 1 has four wheels which are purely schematically illustrated and enable a movement of the motor vehicle 1 along a longitudinal direction. The motor vehicle 1 has a body 4 to which further components are attached.

[0043] Disposed laterally on the motor vehicle 1 are a first rocker panel 5 and a second rocker panel 6. A pressure vessel assembly 10 is disposed between the two rocker panels 5, 6. The pressure vessel assembly 10 has a plurality of pressure vessels 20 which extend along a transverse direction of the motor vehicle 1.

[0044] On one side, the pressure vessels 20 at respective longitudinal ends are fastened in fixed bearings 30. The latter establish a connection to the body 4. The fixed bearings 30 here are embodied as shown, so as to be directly contiguous to the first rocker panel 5.

[0045] On the opposite side, longitudinal ends of the pressure vessels 20 are fastened to floating bearings 40. The floating bearings 40 are embodied so as to be directly contiguous to the second rocker panel 6. Each pressure vessel 20 here is connected to an angle 22 which in turn is connected to the floating bearing 40 by way of a vertical pin 23.

[0046] The floating bearings 40 fix the pressure vessels 20 by way of a degree of freedom, specifically a movement along the transverse direction of the motor vehicle 1. In the event of a corresponding movement of the fixed bearings 30, the floating bearings 40 thus enable the pressure vessels 20 to be displaced in the transverse direction toward the second rocker panel 6.

[0047] In the state illustrated in FIG. 1, an initial intrusion space 7 is available between the second rocker panel 6 and the pressure vessels 20, in which intrusion space 7 the second rocker panel 6 can bend in the event of a side impact without one of the pressure vessels 20 being contacted or damaged. The initial intrusion space 7 is shown as a hatched area. In this way, the safety in the event of a side impact can be advantageously increased. However, if the side impact event were to take place from the other side, the first rocker panel 5 would be bent inward and in the process displace the fixed bearings 30 transversely toward the second rocker panel 6. By virtue of being mounted in the floating bearings 40, the pressure vessels 20 can readily conjointly perform this movement so that the initial intrusion space 7 is converted into a dynamic intrusion space on the opposite side of the pressure vessels 20, which dynamic intrusion space is actually available to the first rocker panel 5 for bending, without any of the pressure vessels 20 being contacted or damaged.

[0048] As a result of this embodiment, the length of the pressure vessels 20 can be increased in comparison to known embodiments in which intrusion spaces have to be kept available on both sides. In FIG. 1, this length is plotted as the length difference L. As a result, the quantity of gaseous fuel to be carried on board can be increased.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a lateral detailed view of components of the motor vehicle from FIG. 1. It can be seen here that the fixed bearing 30 produces a direct connection between the pressure vessels 20 and the body 4. To be seen on the opposite side are the angle 22 in a lateral view and the pin 23. As is shown, the pin 23 produces a connection to the floating bearing 40 which in turn is fastened on the body 4. The space between the angle 22 and the second rocker panel 6 is available for displacement, as shown.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of the pressure vessel assembly 10 on the body 4. The disposal of the floating bearings 40 can be seen even more clearly here. These floating bearings 40 are situated between two respective directly adjacent pressure vessels 20. The pins 23 engage from above in a respective floating bearing 40. As a result of such an embodiment, the installation space can be ideally utilized and the floating bearings 40 do not impede any movement of the pressure vessels 20. As is shown here, the floating bearings 40 bear directly on the body 4. Each floating bearing 40 in the embodiment shown has a T-shaped groove 42 which is illustrated in a detailed view in FIG. 3. The pin 23 can engage from above in this T-shaped groove 42, thus ensuring reliable guiding of the respective pressure vessel 20. It can in particular also be prevented as a result that the pressure vessel 20 is lifted upward.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a motor vehicle 1 according to an alternative embodiment. As opposed to the embodiment already described, three pressure vessels 20 here are in each case combined so as to form one group. Each group of pressure vessels 20 on the side of the fixed bearings has a connecting rail 32 which connects the pressure vessels 20 to one another. The stability can be further increased as a result. Furthermore, each group of pressure vessels 20 also has a respective connecting element 24 on the side of the floating bearings, which connecting element 24 connects the pressure vessels 20 of the group to one another on the side of the floating bearings. The stability is further increased also as a result thereof, because three pressure vessels 20 are in each case rigidly connected to one another. The functionality of the dynamically available intrusion space is nevertheless maintained. The connecting element 24 assumes the function of the angles 22 in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows another alternative embodiment of a motor vehicle 1. In addition to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the fixed bearings 30 and the floating bearings 40 here are additionally connected to one another by connecting webs 34. As a result, the stability of the overall system is increased, this making it possible that the functionality described is even better ensured, particularly in the event of severe side impacts.

[0053] Overall, intrusion space can advantageously be saved without sacrificing safety as a result of the embodiment described herein. The stored fuel supply can be increased as a result.

[0054] For the sake of legibility, the term at least one has at times been omitted for simplification. If a feature of the technology disclosed herein is described in the singular, or by an indefinite article (e.g., the/a pressure vessel, the/a floating bearing, etc.) the plural thereof is intended to be simultaneously included in the disclosure (e.g., the at least one pressure vessel, the at least one floating bearing, etc.).

[0055] The description of the present invention given above serves only for illustrative purposes and not for the purposes of limiting the invention. Various changes and modifications are possible within the context of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention and its equivalents.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0056] 1 Motor vehicle [0057] 4 Body [0058] 5, 6 Rocker panels [0059] 7 Intrusion space [0060] 10 Pressure vessel assembly [0061] 20 Pressure vessel [0062] 22 Angle [0063] 23 Pin [0064] 24 Connecting element [0065] 30 Fixed bearing [0066] 32 Connecting rail [0067] 34 Connecting webs [0068] 40 Floating bearing [0069] 42 Groove