JPH059600Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Field of industrial application] The present invention relates to a technology for preventing gas leakage from an LPG fuel tank containing liquefied petroleum gas (hereinafter referred to as LPG) as an automobile fuel. This invention relates to a half container mounting structure that partially covers installation areas such as fuel injection valves and extraction valves, which are areas where there is a high risk of gas leakage.

[Prior art]

As a conventional measure against gas leakage, a container structure is known in which the outer periphery of a cylinder 1 is completely covered with a container 2 that can be divided into two, as shown in FIG.

However, since the entire cylinder 1 is surrounded, there is a problem that, for example, when the cylinder 1 is placed in a trunk room, the space in the trunk room becomes narrower. In addition, the container 2 is larger than the cylinder 1 and is heavier, which causes the problem that the total weight of the vehicle increases accordingly. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 3 designates a saddle that is welded to the container 2, connected to the legs of the cylinder 1, and is attached to the floor F of the vehicle body.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, a half container 5 has been proposed in which only the peripheral parts of the fuel injection valve, the extraction valve, etc., which are likely to cause gas leakage, are partially covered. This is the 8th
As shown in the figure, a frame body 6 with a flange 6a is welded to the surface of the cylinder 1, and a cover 8 is assembled to the flange 6a via a packing 7. The reference numeral 3a is a saddle, the reference numeral 9 is a group of handles for operating a fuel injection valve, an extraction valve, etc., the reference numeral 10 is a sight glass for a fuel gauge, and the reference numeral 13 is a fuel injection hose.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, the structure of the half container described above has the following problems.

Reference numeral 6b in FIG. 7 indicates a welded portion, and the frame 6 is partially welded to the surface of the cylinder 1 in order to minimize the influence of welding heat distortion on the cylinder 1. A sealing material is filled in a portion of the frame body 6 other than the welded portion 6b to ensure an airtight state. However, the welded part is inevitably more rigid than the surrounding area, and when the internal pressure inside the cylinder 1 increases, stress tends to concentrate in parts other than the welded part, leaving concerns about long-term use.For example, water pressure of 30 kg/cm ²
In the permanent increase rate test, there is a problem that the deformation of parts other than the attachment part of the frame 6 becomes extremely high. Therefore, in order to avoid stress imbalance, there is a demand that welds should be avoided as much as possible in the cylinder 1 which is subject to high pressure.

Further, the cover 8 and the flange 6a are fastened together by bolts and nuts 12, and there are many fastening points, and it takes time to attach and detach the cover 8, which is inconvenient for repairs and inspections.

The present invention was devised in view of the problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide a half container mounting structure that has a simple structure, is easy to attach and detach, and can provide a sufficient airtight condition.

[Means for solving problems]

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention
In the mounting structure of the half container for an LPG fuel tank, the flange-shaped peripheral edge 32 of the vertical section hat-shaped container body 31 is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical LPG cylinder 20, and the fuel supply/discharge valve 35 provided on the LPG cylinder 20 is This is a mounting structure for a half-container for an LPG fuel tank, which is enclosed and sealed by a container body 31 having a communication passage 25 to the lower part of the vehicle floor F, in which the flange-like peripheral edge 32 of the half-container body 31 and the cylinder 20 are connected to each other. A seal member (packet 38) is interposed therebetween, and a band 40 wound around the cylinder body is tightened to hold the flange-shaped peripheral portion 32 against the cylinder surface.

[Effect]

By tightening the band 42, the flange-shaped peripheral portion 32 of the container body 31 presses the sealing member (packet 38) against the surface of the cylinder 20,
The area around the fuel supply/discharge valve is surrounded and sealed by the container body 31. Furthermore, even if fuel gas were to leak inside the container body 31, the leaked fuel gas would be exhausted below the vehicle floor via the communication passage 25. Further, the container body 31 can be easily attached and detached by attaching and detaching the band 42 around the trunk of the cylinder 20.

〔Example〕

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention.

In these figures, reference numeral 20 is an LPG cylinder, a cylindrical part 20a is longitudinally welded 21a (see Fig. 2), and end plate parts 2 are attached to both ends of this cylindrical part 20a.
0b is welded 21b and integrated. A connector section 24 containing a fuel gauge 22 and a fuel injection/removal valve is installed on the side surface of the cylindrical section 20a. 4 for cylinder 20
Two saddles 26 are attached by welding, and the cylinder 20 is fixed to the vehicle body floor F via these saddles 26. Note that the reference numeral 26a is a bolt hole.

Reference numeral 30 indicates a half container, which includes a container body 31 and a cylinder 20
It is composed of a band mechanism 40 that is closely fixed to the belt.

The container body 31 has a viewing window 3 at a position corresponding to the fuel gauge 22 provided on the cylinder 20.
3 is formed, and the scale of the fuel gauge 22 can be read through this viewing window 33 to confirm the amount of fuel in the cylinder 20. Further, a handle group 35 protected by a cover 34 with a handle 34a is provided at a position corresponding to the connector portion 24 of the container body 31, and the handle group 35 is operated to inject fuel into the cylinder 20 and from the cylinder 20. It is designed to control the opening and closing of a valve that controls the removal of fuel.

The container main body 31 is shaped like a metal container in which the width of both ends in the direction of winding around the cylinder 20 is narrower than the width of the center part, and the outer peripheral edge 32 of the container main body 31 is connected to the cylindrical part 20a of the cylinder 20. It is curved to match the shape of the outer circumferential surface. The outer peripheral edge 32 of the container body 31 has a wave-shaped cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 3, and a wave-shaped groove 32a formed on the side facing the cylinder 20 extends continuously along the outer peripheral edge 32. . An endless round gasket 38 is installed in this wave-shaped groove 32a to bring the container body 31 into close contact with the cylinder surface. The seal 38 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin that has a sealing property, and it is sufficient to maintain an airtightness of about 0.2 kg/cm ² as a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container body 31. It is not limited to these materials as long as they have the performance.

The container body 31 is attached in close contact with the cylinder surface by a band mechanism 40 as shown in FIG. . The band mechanism 40 includes a pair of metal bands 42, 42 and a horizontal frame member 44 installed horizontally between the bands 42, 42.
The distance between the bands 42, 42 is the distance l ₁ at the center position between the horizontal frame members 44, 44.
The distance L ₂ is wider than the distance l 2 at the four adjacent positions, and the size is formed to match the outer peripheral edge 32 of the container body 31. The band 42 has a U-shaped cross section, and a connecting flange 43 is formed at the end of the band. A bolt insertion hole 43a is formed in the connecting flange 43, and by tightening the opposing connecting flange 43 with a bolt nut 43b, the band 42 presses the outer peripheral edge 32 of the container body 31 against the cylinder 20. . cylinder 2
A positioning flange 23 is protruded at a position near the longitudinal joint weld line 21a of 0, and the connecting flanges 43, 43 are connected with this positioning flange 23 in between.

Although the horizontal frame member 44 also has a U-shaped cross section,
The height h ₁ of the central part in the longitudinal direction of the member is larger than the height h ₂ of both ends, and the member is formed in a so-called chevron shape. The horizontal frame member 44 is not deformed even if the horizontal frame member 44 is acted on, and the horizontal center portion of the container body 31 is not lifted up.
That is, the adhesiveness at the end position of the container body 31 in the winding direction is ensured.

In addition, in FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numerals 24a and 24
b is a pipe for taking out fuel, and 24c is a hose for fuel injection. Code 25 is the container body 3
This is a communication path for opening the inside of the container body 31 to below the vehicle body floor F, and even if gas leaks into the container body 31, it is safe because the gas is discharged below the vehicle body floor F via this communication path 25. Reference numeral 28 is a dust cover that shields dust from below the outdoor floor.

Next, the means for attaching the half container 30 according to this embodiment to the cylinder 20 will be explained.

First, the round packing 38 is installed in the groove 32a formed in the outer peripheral edge 32 of the container body, and then the container body 31 is set in a predetermined position on the cylinder 20. Then, the band mechanism 40 is attached to the container body 3.
1, the ends of the band 42 are turned from above and below the cylinder 20 to the back, and the flanges 43, 43 facing each other with the positioning flange 23 in between are fastened with bolts and nuts 43b.

On the other hand, if it is desired to remove the container body 31, it can be easily separated by removing the bolt nut 43b and removing the band 42 from the cylinder 20.

In this way, according to this embodiment, the number of welded parts of the cylinder is overwhelmingly smaller than that of the conventional example, so that the cylinder
There is almost no effect of welding thermal distortion on the
Stress balance due to LPG internal pressure can be maintained. Also, since the container body 31 can be attached to the cylinder 20 by fastening two bolts and nuts,
It is very easy to attach and detach the container. Of course,
The inside of the container main body 31 is airtightly isolated from the outside by the gasket 38, and is open to the lower part of the floor F via the communication passage 25, so that gas does not fill up in the cylinder installation room such as the trunk room. You are not at risk.

In the above embodiment, the container body 31 is made of metal, but the container body 31 may be made of a composite material of metal and resin or a resin alone. When the container body is made of resin, a gasket 38 interposed between the container body 31 and the cylinder 20 may be integrally formed on the outer peripheral edge of the container body 31.

Furthermore, although the band 42 is made of metal in the embodiment described above, it may be made of a composite material of metal and resin.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment in which the container body is made of resin. In this figure, a glass plate 33a is assembled into a frame 33b, and a viewing window 33 is formed integrally with the container body 31. It has the advantage of being simple. Furthermore, since the two round gaskets 38 are arranged in parallel between the outer peripheral edge 32 of the container body 31 and the cylinder surface, the airtightness within the container body 31 can be further improved.

[Effect of idea]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the container body can be attached and fixed to the cylinder at a position surrounding the fuel supply/discharge valve by tightening the band wrapped around the body of the LPG cylinder. Therefore, there is no need to perform any welding on the cylinder as a means of attaching the container body, so there is no need to worry about welding heat distortion of the cylinder, and LPG
Good stress balance due to internal pressure.

Furthermore, since the container body can be attached and detached by attaching and detaching the band, it is easy to attach and detach the container body.

Furthermore, since the container body only needs to be large enough to cover the fuel supply/discharge valve, it can be compact and lightweight.

Further, since the sealing member interposed between the peripheral edge of the container body and the cylinder surface provides a high sealing degree within the container body, there is no risk of gas leaking to the outside of the container body. Furthermore, even if fuel gas leaks around the fuel supply/discharge valve, the fuel gas is exhausted to the lower part of the vehicle floor via the communication path, which provides excellent safety.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
A perspective view showing the half container assembled to the cylinder, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line shown in Fig. 1. A perspective view of a belt mechanism for assembling a container, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of main parts of another embodiment, FIG. 6 is a side view of a conventional container attached to a cylinder, and FIG. 7 is a conventional half container. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cylinder attached to the cylinder, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part thereof. 20...Cylinder, 30...Half container, 3
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Container body, 32... Container main body outer periphery, 38... Packing, 40... Band mechanism,
42...Metal band.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] The flange-shaped peripheral edge of the vertical section hat-shaped container body is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical LPG cylinder,
This is a mounting structure for a half container for an LPG fuel tank, in which a fuel supply/discharge valve provided on an LPG cylinder is enclosed and sealed by a container body having a communication path to the lower part of the vehicle body floor, and the flange-shaped peripheral edge of the half container body and A mounting structure for a half-container for an LPG fuel tank, characterized in that a seal member is interposed between the cylinder and the flange-shaped peripheral portion is pressed and held against the cylinder surface by tightening a band wrapped around the cylinder body. .