STORAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

A motor vehicle storage tank includes a tank wall having an inner tank wall and an outer tank wall which collectively define a closed interior space to receive a liquid, at least one baffle arranged in the closed interior space, and a heating element integrated in the baffle to heat the liquid received in the closed interior space.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle storage tank, comprising: a tank wall that includes an inner tank wall and an outer tank wall which collectively define a closed interior space to receive a liquid; at least one baffle arranged in the closed interior space; and a heating element integrated in the baffle to heat the liquid received in the closed interior space.

2. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector for electrical connection to the heating element, the electrical connection being arranged outside of the tank wall to extend through the inner tank wall and the outer tank wall and into the baffle.

3. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector for electrical connection to the heating element, the electrical connection being arranged outside of and at least partially encapsulated by the tank wall to extend through the inner tank wall and the outer tank wall and into the baffle.

4. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector plug for electrical connection to the heating element, the electrical connection being arranged outside of and encapsulated by the tank wall to extend through the inner tank wall and the outer tank wall and into the baffle.

5. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 1, wherein the baffle is at least partially composed of thermally conductive material.

6. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 1, wherein the baffle is at least partially composed of the same material as the tank wall.

7. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 1, wherein the baffle and the tank wall are composed of a same composite thermally conductive injection-moulded material.

8. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 1, wherein the electrical heating element comprises a heating mat which is embedded in the baffle.

9. A motor vehicle storage tank, comprising: a tank wall which defines a closed interior space to receive a liquid; at least one baffle arranged in the closed interior space, the at least one baffle having a heating element integrated therein to heat the liquid received in the closed interior space.

10. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 9, further comprising an electrical connector for electrical connection to the heating element, the electrical connection being arranged outside of the tank wall to extend through the tank wall and into the baffle.

11. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 9, further comprising an electrical connector for electrical connection to the heating element, the electrical connection being arranged outside of and at least partially encapsulated by the tank wall to extend through the tank wall and into the baffle.

12. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 9, further comprising an electrical connector plug for electrical connection to the heating element, the electrical connection being arranged outside of and encapsulated by the tank wall to extend through the tank wall and into the baffle.

13. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 9, wherein the baffle is at least partially composed of thermally conductive material.

14. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 9, wherein the baffle is at least partially composed of the same material as the tank wall.

15. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 9, wherein the baffle and the tank wall are composed of a same composite thermally conductive injection-moulded material.

16. The motor vehicle storage tank of claim 9, wherein the electrical heating element comprises a heating mat which is embedded in the baffle.

17. A method of manufacturing a storage tank for a motor vehicle, the method comprising: injection moulding a tank wall which defines a closed interior space to receive a liquid, and at least one baffle arranged in the closed interior space, the at least one baffle having an, electrical heating element integrated therein to heat the liquid received in the closed interior space, wherein, during the injection moulding of the tank wall and the baffle, the electrical heating element is injection-moulded therein and therewith.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments will be illustrated by way of example in the drawing and explained in the description below.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a storage tank, in accordance with embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a storage tank 10 for liquids comprises a tank wall 11 that defines a closed interior space 11a to receive the liquid. The tank wall 11 may comprise an outer tank wall and an inner tank wall. The tank wall 11 may be composed, for example, of a plastic material.

[0025] Moreover, in the closed interior space 11a of the storage tank 10 is arranged at least one baffle 12 which in the example shown is arranged vertically in the storage tank in the installation direction. The baffle 12 substantially forms a partition having through-openings for flow of the liquid therethrough. The baffle 12 is, therefore, a two-dimensional planar component.

[0026] The storage tank 10 additionally comprises an electrical heating element 13 to heat the liquid in the closed interior space 11a of the storage tank 10. The heating element 13 may comprise a heating mat. The electrical heating element 13 may be integrated into the structure of the baffle 12 so as to be covered by the structural walls of the baffle 12. The baffle 12 may be composed of a composite material having good thermally conductivity. The baffle 12 may be composed of the same material as the tank wall 11, in particular, in a two-component injection-moulding method.

[0027] During the course of the production of the tank wall 11 and the baffle 12, the electrical heating element 13 may be injection-moulded therein and therewith or inserted from outside into the baffle 12 and subsequently sealingly welded therein.

[0028] An electrical connection 14 for the electrical heating element 13 is passed from outside the tank through the tank wall 11, particularly, through the outer tank wall, the inner tank wall, and into the baffle 12. The electrical connection 14 for the electrical heating element 13 may be partially encapsulated by injection-moulding via the tank wall 11. The electrical connection 14 for the electrical heating element 13 may comprise a connection plug 15 arranged on the outer tank wall of the tank wall 11, which may also be encapsulated by injection-moulding via the tank wall 11.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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 SIGNS

[0031] 10 Storage tank [0032] 11 Tank wall [0033] 12 Baffle [0034] 13 Electrical heating element [0035] 14 Electrical connection [0036] 15 Connection plug