U.S. patent application number 10/739258 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-08 for fuel tank with a carrier for carrying functional components and said carrier.
Invention is credited to Ankert, Detlef, Borchert, Matthias, Deindorfer, Rolf, Froitzheim, Thomas, Hager, Frank, Kolf, Walter, Mustafa, Mahmud Al-Haj, Schmitz, Dieter, Wolter, Gerd.
Application Number | 20040129708 10/739258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32602438 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040129708 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Borchert, Matthias ; et
al. |
July 8, 2004 |
Fuel tank with a carrier for carrying functional components and
said carrier
Abstract
In a fuel tank of plastic material with functional components
contained therein for implementing functions such as operational
venting, refuelling, refuelling venting and drawing off fuel, the
functional components are pre-mounted on a carrier which equipped
therewith was fitted into the tank or which was already integrated
into the tank upon shaping thereof. The carrier is in the form of a
hollow body through which fuel can circulate within the tank.
Inventors: |
Borchert, Matthias; (Bonn,
DE) ; Hager, Frank; (St. Augustin, DE) ;
Schmitz, Dieter; (Bonn, DE) ; Mustafa, Mahmud
Al-Haj; (Bornheim, DE) ; Wolter, Gerd;
(Konigswinter, DE) ; Froitzheim, Thomas; (St.
Augustin, DE) ; Deindorfer, Rolf; (Siegburg, DE)
; Kolf, Walter; (Konigswinter, DE) ; Ankert,
Detlef; (Bonn, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GROSSMAN, TUCKER, PERREALT & PFLEGER, PLLC
55 SOUTH COMMERICAL STREET
MANCHESTER
NH
03101
US
|
Family ID: |
32602438 |
Appl. No.: |
10/739258 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/562 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02D 33/003 20130101;
B29L 2031/7172 20130101; F02M 37/0094 20130101; B29C 2049/2008
20130101; B29C 49/20 20130101; B29C 49/04 20130101; B29C 2793/0009
20130101; B60K 15/03177 20130101; B60K 15/077 20130101; B29C
2791/001 20130101; B60K 2015/03118 20130101; F02M 37/0082 20130101;
F02M 37/103 20130101; B60K 2015/03453 20130101; B60K 2015/03111
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/562 |
International
Class: |
B65D 088/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2002 |
DE |
102 60 953.5 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fuel tank of plastic material comprising a tank body, a
carrier accommodated in the tank body, a plurality of functional
components for implementing operational functions of the tank, said
functional components being pre-mounted on the carrier, wherein
said functional component carrier is in the form of a hollow body
through which fuel can flow.
2. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 1 wherein the carrier equipped
with said functional components was introduced into the tank
body.
3. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 1 wherein the carrier equipped
with said functional components was integrated into said tank body
upon shaping thereof.
4. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 1 including means for
supporting said carrier yieldingly against the inside wall surface
of the tank body.
5. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 4 wherein said carrier has
resiliently yielding support feet formed integrally in the wall
thereof.
6. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 5 wherein said support feet
are bellows-shaped outwardly formed portions of said carrier.
7. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 1 wherein said carrier has a
wall including openings for receiving said functional
components.
8. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 7 wherein said openings are at
least partially turned out in a collar-like shape.
9. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 7 wherein said openings are
provided with fixing collars integrally formed thereon.
10. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 1 wherein said carrier has a
wall including orifices adapted to reduce the stiffness
thereof.
11. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tank body has
a free internal volume, and wherein said carrier forms a means for
dividing the free volume of the tank body into a plurality of
intercommunicating sub-volumes.
12. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 1 wherein said carrier is
produced from recycled material.
13. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 7 wherein said carrier is in
the form of an extrusion blow-molded container, the openings
thereof being produced after the molding operation.
14. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 10 wherein said carrier is in
the form of an extrusion blow-molded container, the orifices
thereof being produced after the molding operation.
15. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 1 wherein said carrier has
tubes which as an integral constituent part thereof are formed
integrally with said carrier.
16. A fuel tank as set forth in claim 1 wherein said carrier has
chambers which as an integral constituent part thereof are formed
integrally with said carrier.
17. A carrier for functional components for implementing
operational functions of a motor vehicle fuel tank which carrier is
in the form of an extrusion blow-molded hollow body with openings
therein.
18. A carrier as set forth in claim including means for supporting
said carrier yieldingly against an inside wall surface of a
tank.
19. A carrier as set forth in claim 17 wherein said carrier has
resiliently yielding support feet formed integrally in the wall
thereof.
20. A carrier as set forth in claim 19 wherein said support feet
are bellows-shaped outwardly formed portions of said carrier.
21. A carrier as set forth in claim 17 wherein said carrier has a
wall with openings for receiving said functional components.
22. A carrier as set forth in claim 21 wherein said openings are at
least partially turned out in a collar-like shape.
23. A carrier as set forth in claim 21 wherein said openings are
provided with fixing collars integrally formed thereon.
24. A carrier as set forth in claim 17 wherein said carrier has a
wall with orifices adapted to reduce the stiffness thereof.
25. A carrier as set forth in claim 17 wherein said carrier is
adapted to divide the internal volume of the tank into a plurality
of intercommunicating sub-volumes.
26. A carrier as set forth in claim 17 produced from recycled
material.
27. A carrier as set forth in claim 21 in the form of an extrusion
blow-molded container, the openings thereof being produced after
the molding operation.
28. A carrier as set forth in claim 24 in the form of an extrusion
blow-molded container, the orifices thereof being produced after
the molding operation.
29. A carrier as set forth in claim 17 including tubes which as an
integral constituent part thereof are formed integrally with said
carrier.
30. A carrier as set forth in claim 17 including chambers which as
an integral constituent part thereof are formed integrally with
said carrier.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of German patent
application Serial No 102 60 953.5 filed Dec. 20th 2002, the
subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention concerns a fuel tank, for example for a motor
vehicle, comprising various functional components contained therein
for implementing operational functions of the tank.
[0003] The invention further concerns a carrier for functional
components of a motor vehicle fuel tank.
[0004] In this specification the term functional component is used
to denote any component which is involved in operation of the tank
in its various aspects, such components including for example
devices for operational venting of the tank for venting it during
operation of a motor vehicle in which the tank is disposed,
refuelling, refuelling venting for venting the tank during a
refuelling procedure, and drawing off fuel from the tank, valves,
pumps, senders and conduits.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Particularly in the case of fuel tanks for motor vehicles,
which are produced in one piece from plastic material for example
by an extrusion blow molding procedure, many functional components
such as for example pumps, senders, operational and refuelling
venting valves, conduits and the like, are introduced into the tank
after the tank has been finally manufactured. One reason for this
is that many components have to assume a given position or
arrangement within the tank and accordingly have to be fixed in
that position. Such functional components are therefore frequently
only disposed in the tank after it has been finished. To do that
however it is often necessary for comparatively large openings to
be provided in the fuel tank. In the case of complicated tank
geometries, for example when dealing with saddle tanks which are
comparatively frequently encountered in rear wheel-drive motor
vehicles, it is frequently necessary for mounting or final
adjustment and inspection openings to be provided in each of the
two halves of the saddle tank, to ensure that the functional
components are properly disposed therein. Finally, in most cases it
is necessary to provide openings for operational and refuelling
venting valves and optionally for a roll-over valve and venting
conduits. The venting conduits are then usually routed or fixed at
the outside of the tank.
[0006] It will be appreciated that openings in the wall of the fuel
tank represent potential emission sources for hydrocarbons. The
wall of the tank is usually in the form of a multi-layer
co-extrudate which includes hydrocarbon barrier layers so that the
outer skin of the fuel tank is very substantially impermeable in
relation to hydrocarbons. However, in the region of passages and
openings through the wall of the tank, which are welded closed by
means of cover caps, it is not always possible to guarantee that a
completely gas-impermeable sealing integrity is achieved. It will
be appreciated that connection nipples and hoses on the tank are
also potential emission sources.
[0007] The endeavour therefore is for the wall of the fuel tank to
have as few openings as possible and for as many functional
components as possible to be disposed in the interior of the
tank.
[0008] In terms of hydrocarbon permeation, a complex tank geometry
such as a saddle tank with only one single opening, apart that is
from the filler pipe, is viewed as being the ideal.
[0009] A fuel tank of plastic material comprising various
functional components, which is optimised in regard to the
above-indicated problems, is described for example in DE 101 07 075
A1. That disclosure constitutes a fuel tank with functional
components which are disposed in the interior of the tank and which
are integrated into the tank when the tank is produced as by a
molding process. The functional components are disposed on a
carrier element and are introduced together with the carrier
element into a preform which subsequently, to form the fuel tank,
is shaped around the carrier element and the functional components
disposed thereon. That fuel tank structure provides that all
connecting lines and conduits which extend out of the tank are
passed through a single opening in the wall of the tank in order
thereby to minimise the number of openings in the body of the
tank.
[0010] The carrier element in that arrangement is in the form of a
flat element extending substantially transversely with respect to
the longitudinal extent of the tank, with the functional components
being fixed thereto displaceably in a dovetail-shaped guide
arrangement. The carrier element is welded to the inside surface of
the wall of the fuel tank and serves at the same time as an element
for breaking up the surge movements of fuel within the tank. For
that reason it is preferable for the carrier element also to be
arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent of
the tank.
[0011] It will be noted here however that the structure described
in DE 101 07 075 A1 is disadvantageous in regard to the stiffness
of the tank. More specifically the carrier structure introduced
into the fuel tank may under some circumstances stiffen the fuel
tank to such a degree that the resistance thereof to impact-induced
shocks thereon is adversely affected. On the other hand, it is
desirable for the carrier element to be in a fixed position within
the fuel tank in order to be able to guarantee suitable positional
accuracy in terms of mounting of the functional components within
the tank.
[0012] Depending on the material of which the carrier element
consists, generally involving an injection molding, the operation
of fitting it during the procedure for shaping the tank may also
give rise to problems due to shrinkage stresses which may occur
upon cooling of the fuel tank in the mold. In general the material
of the carrier, due to the method of manufacture thereof, for
example by injection molding, will differ in respect of its
properties from that of the fuel tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank
of plastic material and including various functional components,
which affords improved load-carrying capacity in relation to shock
loadings thereon and thus in relation to impact against the
tank.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
fuel tank for example for a motor vehicle which includes a
plurality of functional components, the design being such that the
functional components are capable of being arranged within the tank
in a flexible fashion.
[0015] In accordance with the principles of the present invention
the foregoing and other objects are attained by a fuel tank of
plastic material comprising a plurality of functional components
contained therein, for implementing operational functions of the
tank. The functional components are pre-mounted on a carrier which,
equipped therewith, was introduced into the tank or was already
integrated into the tank upon shaping thereof, for example by
molding. The functional component carrier is in the form of a
hollow body through which fuel can flow within the tank.
[0016] As will be apparent from the description hereinafter of
preferred embodiments of a fuel tank and a carrier according to the
invention, the hollow body constituting the functional component
carrier can be of a comparatively thin-walled structure and can be
easily produced in a spatially complex contour so that the tank
enjoys a high degree of flexibility in terms of the arrangement of
the functional components in the tank and the fixing of the carrier
within the tank.
[0017] In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention the
functional component carrier is supported yieldingly in relation to
the inside wall surface of the tank body, thus affording a
comparatively high load-carrying capacity for the tank in relation
to impact-induced shock loadings. This already arises out of the
fact that the carrier itself is in the form of a hollow body, thus
giving a certain degree of flexibility and yielding resilience due
to the nature and structure of the carrier. It is particularly
advantageous in this respect however if the component has
resiliently yielding support feet or legs which are formed
integrally in the wall of the carrier.
[0018] In a preferred feature of the invention the support legs can
be for example in the form of bellows-shaped outwardly formed
portions of the carrier.
[0019] By virtue of the fact that the carrier extends in the form
of a hollow body within the tank, it is possible for those
outwardly formed portions of the carrier to be provided at any
appropriate location at the periphery of the carrier, thus making
it possible to particularly advantageously adapt the position of
the carrier fixing points to the geometry of the tank.
[0020] It will be appreciated that the carrier will comprise a
material which is compatible in terms of weldability with the
inside wall surface of the tank and that, in the region of the
support feet, a weld can be produced between the carrier and the
inside wall surface of the tank in the operation of shaping the
tank.
[0021] In a preferred feature of the invention, the wall of the
functional component carrier is provided with openings for
receiving the functional components.
[0022] Preferably, the openings are at least partially turned out
in a collar-like shape or they are provided with fixing collars
which are formed integrally thereon. That makes it easily possible
for valve housings or other functional devices to be inserted into
and welded in such openings. The openings can be provided for
example in manufacture of the carrier in the form of generally
dome-shaped outwardly pressed portions or raised portions in the
external contour of the carrier. Cutting open the `bumps` produced
by the outwardly pressed or raised portions on the carrier makes it
easily possible to provide fixing and mounting seats for valves or
other devices.
[0023] In addition, in a preferred feature of the invention, the
wall of the carrier can be provided with one or more orifices
operable to reduce the stiffness thereof.
[0024] Another preferred feature of the invention provides that the
carrier advantageously forms a means for dividing the free volume
of the interior of the tank into a plurality of intercommunicating
sub-volumes. That provides that fuel surge movements produced in
the tank as a consequence of a motor vehicle in which the tank is
fitted assuming different positions or operating conditions are
suitably damped and restrained within the tank.
[0025] In accordance with another preferred feature of the
invention the carrier is produced from recycled material from the
production of the fuel tank, such material usually being referred
to as re-grind. That automatically guarantees that the carrier
material can be welded to the wall of the tank.
[0026] The carrier can be produced for example by a deep drawing
process, but it is particularly preferable for it to be in the form
of a hollow body produced by an extrusion blow molding procedure,
with the above-mentioned openings and/or orifices thereof being
produced after it has been shaped.
[0027] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the description hereinafter of preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the manufacture of a
functional component carrier in accordance with the invention by
extrusion blow molding,
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a view of the functional component carrier in
FIG. 1, in which the wall of the hollow body forming the carrier
has been partially opened to accommodate functional components,
[0030] FIG. 3 shows the carrier equipped with functional
components,
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic view illustrating the
introduction of the functional component carrier into a preform for
a fuel tank to be produced by extrusion blow molding,
[0032] FIG. 5 shows the finally shaped fuel tank according to the
invention,
[0033] FIG. 6 shows a further view of the finished fuel tank
according to the invention,
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative form of the
functional component carrier before being equipped with functional
components, and
[0035] FIG. 8 shows an alternative form of the fuel tank according
to the invention with the functional component carrier shown in
FIG. 6, accommodated within the tank.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Reference will firstly be made to FIGS. 1 and 2 to
illustrate the manner of manufacture of the functional component
carrier 1 according to the invention. This involves a member which,
as described above, is designed to receive and exactly position
various functional components of a fuel tank as generally indicated
at 2 for example in FIG. 5. Reference will be made thereto in
greater detail hereinafter.
[0037] The functional component carrier 1 illustrated herein is in
the form of a hollow plastic body produced by extrusion blow
molding. As is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 which illustrates
the procedure involved in shaping the hollow body from a suitable
preform, the procedure firstly involves extruding a tubular preform
of plasticised material between two halves 3a, 3b of a blow molding
mold 3, the mold thus being in the opened condition as shown. The
preform is then expanded in the mold 3 by means of a blowing pipe 4
inserted therein, to constitute the finished component. It will be
appreciated that the carrier 1 can also be produced by a deep
drawing process but the extrusion blow molding procedure is
preferred here for various reasons. That manner of manufacture has
proven to be particularly advantageous from the cost point of view,
especially as the fuel tank 2 which is to be described hereinafter
is generally also produced by extrusion blow molding. In this case
the carrier 1 can be produced from the recycled material or
re-grind which is produced in manufacture of the fuel tank 2. In
that case, this ensures at the same time that the plastic material
of the carrier 1 is compatible in terms of weldability with the
plastic material of the fuel tank 2.
[0038] As is readily apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, the blank for
producing the functional component carrier 1 is produced with
hump-shaped or domed raised portions indicated for example at 5 in
FIG. 7 and recessed portions 6 in the form of circular rings.
[0039] In a further working operation which is indicated in FIG. 2,
the functional component carrier 1 is then provided with mounting
openings 7 and apertures 7a for example for receiving functional
components to be mounted thereto.
[0040] Cutting off the top of the domed raised portions 5 affords
for example outwardly shaped portions 8 in the form of collars
which can serve as fixing seats for receiving for example valve
housings. It is possible for example for the valve housings to be
welded in position against the end face of each respective portion
8. The portions 8 are particularly suitable for carrying the
contact pressure forces required for welding the valve seats in
position thereon, without experiencing serious deformation.
[0041] In a further working operation the carrier 1 is equipped
with the appropriate functional components. Looking at FIG. 3,
provided here as the functional components in this arrangement are
a fuel delivery unit 9 consisting of a surge or swirl pot and a
fuel pump, a filling level sender 10, an operational venting valve
11 for venting of the tank during ordinary operation thereof, a
refuelling venting valve 12 for venting of the tank during a
refuelling operation, and lines 13 connecting same. The term line
13 in accordance with the invention is used herein to denote both
electrical lines, fuel-carrying lines and also air-infeed and
venting lines. Further functional components such as for example
suction jet pumps, roll-over valves and bead removal containers can
also be mounted on the carrier 1. Reference 14 in FIG. 3 denotes
partitioning wall elements which are fitted into the carrier 1 as
surge-prevention components. They extend substantially transversely
with respect to the longitudinal extent of the carrier 1 and in the
position of installation within the fuel tank 2 also substantially
transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent thereof, as
will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
[0042] Reference will now be made to FIG. 4 showing production of
the fuel tank 2 according to the invention. FIG. 4 shows the
production procedure in the phase in which a preform 16 which has
been expelled from an extrusion head diagrammatically indicated at
15 has been extruded to its full length which approximately
corresponds to the length of the desired finished fuel tank 2. In
that phase the preform 16 which subsequently forms the external
contour of the finished fuel tank 2 is possibly stabilised from
below by the use of supporting air. The functional component
carrier 1 equipped with the functional components mounted thereto
is now introduced from below into the opened preform 16 which is
extruded between the open mold halves, by way of a holding bar 17.
The mold halves of the mold 3 then close around the entire
arrangement consisting of the fuel tank 2 and the carrier 1 with
its functional components thereon. The preform 16 is expanded by
means of blowing air in the mold 3 to its definitive contour which
is predetermined by the mold cavity defined by the mold 3. In that
procedure the material of the carrier 1 is welded in the region of
pad-shaped support feet 18 to the inside wall surface 19 of the
fuel tank 2. The support feet 18 have a certain degree of
elasticity, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. In
addition, by virtue of the fact that the carrier 1 is in the form
of a thin-walled hollow plastic body, the carrier 1 is elastic in
itself, thereby overall providing a comparatively yielding
arrangement for the carrier 1 in the fuel tank 2. The carrier is
thus supported yieldingly against the inside wall surface of the
tank body by virtue of the resiliently yielding support feet 18
formed integrally in the wall thereof.
[0043] It should be emphasised once again at this juncture that the
carrier 1 does not involve a completely closed external contour so
that, in the position of installation thereof in the fuel tank 2,
fuel essentially flows or can flow through the hollow body
constituting the carrier 1. By means of the generally
bellows-shaped outwardly formed portions on the carrier, which
constitute the support feet 18, the carrier 1 can be positioned in
a non-rotatably, slip-free and non-tilting condition in the fuel
tank 2, such as to ensure exact positioning of the functional
components in their definitive position of installation within the
tank, this being something which is generally important in terms of
operational reliability of the fuel tank 2, more specifically in
extreme travel situations of a motor vehicle in which the fuel tank
2 is fitted such as the position adopted by the vehicle when
negotiating an extreme bend, or under extreme acceleration or
extreme deceleration.
[0044] Reference will now be made to FIG. 6 showing the carrier 1
in its installation position in a fuel tank 2, wherein reference 20
denotes the filler pipe which opens at its end within the tank 2
immediately in the interior of the carrier 1.
[0045] It will be appreciated that, in the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 1 through 6, the geometry of the fuel tank 2 and also that
of the carrier 1 are comparatively simple. In addition it is
assumed that the functional component carrier 1 fills approximately
the entire internal volume of the fuel tank 2 so that the fuel tank
2 ultimately only forms a peripheral surface or outer casing which
embraces the carrier 1.
[0046] The invention however is to be interpreted in such a way
that both the fuel tank 2 and also the carrier 1 can involve a
comparatively complex contour, which is quite frequently the case
in a practical context. It is precisely then that it is
particularly important that the carrier 1 is adapted yieldingly
within certain limits precisely to the internal contour of the fuel
tank 2 and is exactly and reliably placed within the tank 2, in the
sense of affording the above-described operational reliability
under extreme travel conditions.
[0047] Attention will now be directed to FIGS. 7 and 8 to describe
a further embodiment of the fuel tank according to the invention,
which is in the form of a saddle tank. This alternative form of the
fuel tank 2 is encountered comparatively frequently in motor
vehicles which have rear wheel drive. The relatively complicated
contour of the saddle tank takes account of the positioning of the
rear drive shaft of the motor vehicle in the region of the position
of installation of the tank.
[0048] The fuel tank which is shown generally in FIG. 8, like
moreover also the fuel tank 2 illustrated in the other Figures, has
only one adjustment and inspection opening 21, referred to as a
service flange opening, more specifically by virtue of the
configuration and arrangement of the carrier 1, in accordance with
the invention. The carrier 1 is shown in FIG. 7.
[0049] In particular the benefit of the carrier 1 according to the
invention will be clearly apparent by reference to the example of
the saddle tank. It can easily be envisaged that functional
components must be provided in the two intercommunicating chambers
indicated at 22 in FIG. 8 of the fuel tank 2. For example, the
chambers 22 must communicate with each other by way of at least one
communicating duct or conduit. Usually, a suction jet pump will be
arranged in that chamber 22 in which the fuel delivery unit 9 with
fuel pump is not disposed. In addition, the two chambers 22 will
usually communicate with each other by way of a kind of balancing
line or conduit, so as to ensure equalisation of the filling levels
in the two chambers 22. The relatively severely curved spatial
arrangement and the greatly increased height of the saddle portion
23 of the fuel tank 2 means that it is not possible for all
functional components to be fitted into the fuel tank 2 by way of
an opening as indicated at 21. For that reason, openings 21 are
provided in each of the communicating chambers 22 in conventional
fuel tanks 2 of this kind.
[0050] Now, by virtue of the configuration and fitment of the
carrier 1 according to the invention within the fuel tank 2, the
fuel tank 2 as shown in FIG. 8 has only one opening 21 and the two
chambers 22 communicate with each other substantially by way of the
carrier 1 which is thus in the form of a hollow body. By virtue of
the fact that the carrier 1 is desirably in the form of an
extrusion blow-molded member, tubes and chambers of the carrier 1
can be in the form of an integral constituent part thereof. The
carrier 1 was fitted into the fuel tank 2 in the operation of
shaping same, in the manner described hereinbefore. By way of a
total of five pad-shaped support feet 18, of which only three are
visible in FIG. 8, the functional component carrier 1 is supported
yieldingly in relation to the inside wall surface 19 of the fuel
tank 2, in the chamber 22 which is at the left in FIG. 8 and in the
region of the saddle portion 23 of the fuel tank 2, with the
support feet 18 being welded to the inside wall surface 19 of the
fuel tank body in that region. In that region in which it is of a
comparatively large volume, the carrier 1 is additionally provided
with a fitment or mounting opening 24 through which for example a
filling level sender indicated at 25 in FIG. 8 was fitted into the
carrier 1. The domed raised portions 5 of the carrier 1, which are
shown in FIG. 7, have been cut open by trimming off the top
thereof, and fitted with the valves indicated at 26a, 26b and 26c
in FIG. 8. Reference numeral 27 in FIG. 8 denotes a suction jet
pump which is arranged in the left-hand chamber 22 in FIG. 8 within
the carrier 1 and which is connected to the fuel delivery unit 9 by
way of a connecting conduit or line 28. In this embodiment the
carrier 1 in part performs the function of the balancing duct which
is otherwise required, by way of the end thereof which is open and
curved in a tubular configuration and which communicates with the
right-hand chamber 22 of the fuel tank 2 in FIG. 8.
[0051] As has been noted hereinbefore the support feet 18 are
outwardly extending portions of a pad-shaped or cushion-shaped
configuration. The wall of the carrier 1 is of a concentrically
wavy configuration at the edges around the support feet 18, so that
this configuration provides that the support feet 18 are of a
resiliently yielding nature with a bellows-like capacity for
resilient movement, thereby ultimately ensuring that the carrier 1
when fitted into the fuel tank 2 does not damagingly stabilise the
fuel tank 2, which would be harmful in particular in the case of
impact-induced shock loadings on the fuel tank 2.
[0052] It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments
of the fuel tanks 2 and the carriers 1 in accordance with the
principles of the present invention have been set forth solely by
way of example and illustration thereof and that various
modifications and alterations may be made therein without thereby
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *