Tank device for storing a liquid medium that reduces pollutant levels

• US 8,956,043 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2012
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH (INA-Holding Schaeffler GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Grass, Philippe, Heinrich, Stephan
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): AHMED, NASIR UDDIN
• Application Number:
  US13/398,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20120285857A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 174/151
• US Class Current: 374/210
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 13/04 concerning exhaust collecting exhaust gases with central suction systems not forming part of vehicles, e.g. in workshops or tunnels B08B15/002, otherwise along carriageways E01C1/005; extensions for melting snow on roads E01H5/00, E01H6/00; exhaust or silencing apparatus for internal combustion engines per se F01N; pipes, joints or supports therefor F16L
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03177 made of non-metallic material, e.g. plastics, or of a combination of non-metallic and metallic material B60K15/03006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03032 Manufacturing of fuel tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0321 characterised by special sensors, the mounting thereof

Abstract

A tank device for storing a liquid medium for reducing pollutant levels in exhaust gases includes a container for storing the liquid medium, having a container wall, which is a first plastic at least in a first contact area. The tank device furthermore includes a support element, which is arranged in an aperture in the container wall and has an overmolding which is a second plastic at least in a second contact area. The second contact area is coupled to the first contact area of the container wall in a substantially liquid-tight manner.

Claims

1. A tank device for storing a liquid medium that reduces pollutant levels in exhaust gases, comprising:

a container configured to store the liquid medium, the container having a container wall that comprises a first plastic at least in a first contact area; and

a support element arranged in an aperture in the container wall and having a coating comprising a second plastic at least in a second contact area, wherein the second plastic of the second contact area is coupled to the first plastic of the first contact area of the container wall in a liquid-tight manner.

2. The tank device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plastic and the second plastic comprise polyethylene.

3. The tank device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support element comprises a sensor device.

4. The tank device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sensor device comprises a temperature sensor element.

5. The tank device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature sensor element has an electrical resistor with a negative temperature coefficient.

6. The tank device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature sensor element is arranged at an end of the support element that points into the container.

7. The tank device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture is arranged in spatial proximity to a discharge opening of the tank device.

8. The tank device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support element comprises a locking device for at least one of mechanical coupling and electrical coupling of at least one further subassembly.

9. The tank device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support element has electrical connections at a second end pointing outward out of the container, that are coupled electrically to at least one of a sensor device and the locking device.

10. The tank device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one further subassembly comprises an ultrasonic sensor.