Deformation Inhibiting Device for Fuel Tank, and Fuel Tank Device Incorporating the Deformation Inhibiting Device

• US 20180335002A1
• Filed: 05/16/2018
• Published: 11/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: IKEYA, Masaki
• Granted Patent: US 10,641,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03 Fuel tanks chassis frame comprising fluid storage compartment B62D21/16 ; Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank F02M37/0076
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03217 Fuel level sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03243 characterised by special pumps, the mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03328 Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0011 Constructional details; Manufacturing or assembly of elements of fuel systems; Materials therefor

Abstract

A deformation inhibiting device for inhibiting deformation of a fuel tank includes a strut member. The strut member includes a bottom support portion and a top support portion configured to support a bottom wall portion and a top wall portion, respectively, of the fuel tank when the strut member is disposed within the fuel tank. The strut member is deformable or movable between an arrangement state for arrangement within the fuel tank and an insertion enabled state configured to be inserted into the fuel tank via the opening.

Claims

1. A deformation inhibiting device for inhibiting deformation of a fuel tank having a top wall portion, a bottom wall portion, and an opening formed in the top wall portion, the deformation inhibiting device comprising:

a strut member including a bottom support portion and a top support portion configured to support the bottom wall portion and the top wall portion, respectively, of the fuel tank when the strut member is positioned within the fuel tank;

wherein the strut member is configured to deform between an arrangement state for arrangement within the fuel tank and an insertion enabled state for insertion into the fuel tank via the opening.

2. The deformation inhibiting device according to claim 1, wherein:

the strut member comprises a plurality of strut members; and

the deformation inhibiting device further comprises a joint member configured to join the plurality of strut members to each other.

3. The deformation inhibiting device according to claim 1, wherein:

the top support portion includes an engaging portion configured to contact an inner peripheral surface of the opening of the fuel tank.

4. The deformation inhibiting device according to claim 1, wherein:

the top support portion includes a projection extending horizontally from the strut member; and

a guide portion is disposed between the projection and a part of an outer peripheral surface of the strut member on a lower side of the projection, wherein the guide portion connects the projection to the part of the outer peripheral surface.

5. The deformation inhibiting device according to claim 1, wherein:

the strut member is configured such that an in-tank component for arrangement within the fuel tank is capable of being disposed at the strut member.

6. A fuel tank device comprising:

a fuel tank having a top wall portion, a bottom wall portion, and an opening formed in the top wall portion;

an attaching member for attaching to an opening edge portion of the opening of the fuel tank; and

a deformation inhibiting device configured to inhibit deformation of a fuel tank, the deformation inhibiting device comprising;

a strut member including a bottom support portion and a top support portion configured to support the bottom wall portion and the top wall portion, respectively, of the fuel tank when the strut member is disposed within the fuel tank;

wherein the strut member is configured to deform between an arrangement state for arrangement within the fuel tank and an insertion enabled state for insertion into the fuel tank via the opening; and

wherein the attachment member includes a restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the top support portion of the strut member in a direction inward with respect to the opening.

7. The fuel tank device according to claim 6, further comprising:

a fixing device fixedly coupling the deformation inhibiting device to the bottom wall portion of the fuel tank; and

a connection device connecting the deformation inhibiting device and the attachment member relative to each other so as to be movable in a vertical direction within a predetermined range.

8. The fuel tank device according to claim 6, further comprising:

a cup member configured to temporarily store a part of the fuel within the fuel tank;

wherein the cup member is configured to restrict movement of the strut member inwardly with respect to the opening.

9. The fuel tank device according to claim 6, wherein:

the strut member comprises a plurality of strut members;

the fuel tank device further comprises a fuel pump unit configured to feed fuel from within the fuel tank to an outside of the fuel tank; and

the fuel pump unit is disposed within a space surrounded by the plurality of strut members.

10. The fuel tank device according to claim 6, wherein:

the strut member of the deformation inhibiting device comprises a plurality of strut members; and

the deformation inhibiting device further comprises a joint member configured to join the plurality of strut members to each other.

11. The fuel tank device according to claim 6, wherein:

the top support portion of the strut member of the deformation inhibiting device is formed with an engaging portion configured to contact an inner peripheral surface of the opening of the fuel tank.

12. The fuel tank device according to claim 6, wherein:

the top support portion of the strut member of the deformation inhibiting device includes a projection extending horizontally outward from the strut member; and

a guide portion between the projection and a part of an outer peripheral surface of the strut member on a lower side of the projection, wherein the guide portion connects the projection to the part of the outer peripheral surface.

13. The fuel tank device according to claim 6, wherein:

the strut member of the deformation inhibiting device is configured such that an in-tank component for arrangement within the fuel tank is capable of being disposed at the strut member.

14. A deformation inhibiting device for inhibiting deformation of a fuel tank having a top wall portion, a bottom wall portion, and an opening formed in the top wall portion, the deformation inhibiting device comprising:

a strut device configured to selectively transition between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein;

the strut device in the first configuration is configured to be inserted from an outer side of the fuel tank into the fuel tank via the opening;

the first configuration is configured to transition to the second configuration after insertion of the strut device into the fuel tank; and

the strut device in the second configuration within the fuel tank is interposed between the top wall portion and the bottom wall portion of the fuel tank.

15. The deformation inhibiting device according to claim 14, wherein:

the strut device comprises a plurality of strut members; and

the deformation inhibiting device further comprises a joint plate coupling the plurality of strut members from each other.

16. The deformation inhibiting device according to claim 15, wherein:

each of the strut members includes a top support portion and a bottom support portion configured to face the top wall portion and the bottom wall portion, respectively, of the fuel tank in a vertical direction when the strut device is inserted into the fuel tank and has the second configuration.

17. The deformation inhibiting device according to claim 16, wherein:

the plurality of strut members are joined to each other by the joint plate at the bottom support portions;

the joint plate is configured to contact the bottom wall portion of the fuel tank and is sized to be capable of being inserted into the opening of the fuel tank; and

each of the plurality of strut members is configured to change the position of the top support member relative to the joint plate.

18. The deformation inhibiting device according to claim 17, wherein:

the plurality of strut members are elastically deformable to move the top support portions toward and away from each other;

in the first configuration, the plurality of strut members are deformed to move the top support portions toward each other; and

in the second configuration, the plurality of strut members are released from the elastic deformation.