LIQUID TANK ARRANGEMENT FOR A VEHICLE AND A VEHICLE COMPRISING THE LIQUID TANK ARRANGEMENT

The disclosure relates to liquid tank arrangement for a vehicle. The liquid tank arrangement includes at least a first tank volume and a second tank volume fluidly connectable to each other. The at least first and second tank volumes form a single combined tank volume when fluidly connected to each other. The at least first and second tank volumes form fluidly separate first and second tank volumes when fluidly disconnected from each other. The disclosure also relates to vehicle including the liquid tank arrangement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 23154316.6, filed on Jan. 31, 2023, the disclosure and content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to liquid tanks for vehicles. In particular aspects, the disclosure relates to a liquid tank arrangement for a vehicle and a vehicle comprising the liquid tank arrangement. The disclosure can be applied in heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment. Although the disclosure may be described with respect to a particular vehicle, the disclosure is not restricted to any particular vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In automotive industry, production of vehicles involves manufacturing and assembly of a wide range of components, parts and systems. Some of these are intended for a specific purpose in a particular vehicle model. However, other vehicle models comprise similar components for similar purpose. Significant gains may be made if components may be standardized to function in more than one vehicle model without modification, or with only minimal modification. Therefore, there is a strive to develop improved technology relating to liquid tanks in which at least the above issues are considered.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a liquid tank arrangement for a vehicle. The liquid tank arrangement comprises at least a first tank volume and a second tank volume fluidly connectable to each other. The at least first and second tank volumes form a single combined tank volume when fluidly connected to each other. The at least first and second tank volumes form fluidly separate first and second tank volumes when fluidly disconnected from each other. The liquid tank arrangement comprising at least a first and second tank volume may thereby be manufactured and used for different kinds of vehicles. Depending on an intended use of the liquid tank arrangement, the tank volumes may either be installed as fluidly connected, such as if only one single liquid is to be contained in the tank, or fluidly disconnected, such as if each tank volume is intended for a particular liquid and purpose. If fluidly connected, the at least two connected tanks offer a larger volume for the single liquid.

In some examples, the at least first and second tank volumes are fluidly connectable to each other via a liquid connection, where the liquid connection is configured to be permanently open when the at least first and second tank volumes form a single combined tank volume and wherein the liquid connection is permanently sealed when the at least first and second tank volumes form fluidly separate first and second tank volumes. The liquid connection between the at least two tank volumes is configured as open or as sealed when the liquid tank arrangement is installed in a vehicle.

In some examples, each of the at least first and second tank volumes comprises a liquid inlet for filling liquid in the first volume and in the second volume, respectively, and a liquid outlet for dispensing liquid from the first volume and from the second volume, respectively. Only one of the liquid inlets and only one of the liquid outlets are in use. Other liquid inlets and liquid outlets are permanently sealed when the at least first and second tank volumes are fluidly connected to form the single combined tank volume. As such, when the liquid connection is configured as open to accommodate a single liquid in the at least first and second tank volumes, a liquid inlet of the first tank volume may be configured as open and a liquid inlet of the second tank volume is consequently configured as permanently scaled. Likewise, a liquid outlet of one of the first and second tank volumes is configured as open and the liquid outlet of the other first and second tank volumes is configured as sealed. Thereby, only one liquid inlet and one liquid outlet of the liquid tank arrangement is in use when the liquid tank arrangement is used for a single liquid. The sealed liquid inlet and outlet may be permanently sealed by glue or by welding. The sealed liquid inlet and outlet may not be visible or accessible to a user of a vehicle in which the liquid tank arrangement is installed.

In some examples, the at least first and second tank volumes are shaped to accommodate each other in a space-saving configuration. In this manner, the at least first and second tank volumes are shaped to fit in a predetermined space of a predetermined range of vehicles. Space is saved in that the at least first and second tank volumes are shaped to accommodate each other since all available space between the first and second tank volumes is used for the liquid tank arrangement.

In some examples, one of the at least first and second tank volumes, in use, is arranged vertically above the other of the at least first and second tank volumes. In certain compact vehicles, such as construction vehicles for road work, it is preferable to assemble/install components vertically rather than horizontally in order to limit a width and a length of the vehicle. Especially, prior art tank volumes that contain different liquids may by the present disclosure be assembled together in a space-saving configuration.

In some examples, at least two sides of each of the at least first and second tank volumes are adjacent two sides of at least one other of the at least first and second tank volumes. The first and second tank volumes are thereby shaped so as to abut each other. The adjacent sides may further provide mutual mechanical support and reinforcement to the first and second tank volumes.

In some examples, the at least first and second tank volumes are arranged in abutment with each other. The first and second tank volumes abut each other to minimize, or reduce, empty space between the tank volumes.

In some examples, the at least first and second tank volumes are together shaped as a seat for a user of a vehicle in which the tank arrangement is configured to be installed. Thereby, space is saved further in that a space usually occupied by a conventional seat in the vehicle may be used by the tank arrangement to store a liquid, or multiple liquids.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vehicle comprising the liquid tank arrangement according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure. The liquid tank arrangement is designed to fit a certain range of vehicle models. The whole range of vehicle models may use the same liquid tank arrangement.

In some examples, the at least first and second tank volumes are fluidly connected to each other or fluidly disconnected from each other. Some of the aforementioned vehicle models require at least two separate tank volumes, fluidly disconnected, accommodating at least two different liquids for different purposes, whereas other vehicle models require a single liquid and a single fluidly connected tank volume, i.e. where the at least first and second tank volumes are fluidly connected to each other.

The above aspects, accompanying claims, and/or examples disclosed herein above and later below may be suitably combined with each other as would be apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art.

Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the following description, claims, and drawings, and in part will be readily apparent therefrom to those skilled in the art or recognized by practicing the disclosure as described herein. There are also disclosed herein control units, computer readable media, and computer program products associated with the above discussed technical benefits.

The drawings show diagrammatic exemplifying embodiments of the present disclosure and are thus not necessarily drawn to scale. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout the description, unless expressed otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

In the following, an improved liquid tank arrangement is disclosed which alleviates at least one drawback of the prior art, or which at least provides a suitable alternative. The liquid tank arrangement comprising at least a first and second tank volume may be manufactured and used for different kinds of vehicles. Depending on an intended use of the liquid tank arrangement, the tank volumes may either be installed as fluidly connected, such as if only one single liquid is to be contained in the tank, or fluidly disconnected, such as if each tank volume is intended for a particular liquid and purpose. If fluidly connected, the at least two connected tanks offer a larger volume for the single liquid. Liquid volume is important for end-users, especially in small compact vehicles, where space is limited.

FIG.1is an exemplary vehicle2according to a second aspect of the disclosure. The vehicle2comprises a liquid tank arrangement1according to a first aspect of the disclosure. The liquid tank arrangement1comprises at least a first tank volume12and a second tank volume14fluidly connectable to each other. The at least first and second tank volumes12,14form a single combined tank volume16when fluidly connected to each other, to be described more in detail in conjunction withFIG.3below. The at least first and second tank volumes12,14form fluidly separate first and second tank volumes12,14when fluidly disconnected from each other, which is described more in detail in conjunction withFIG.4below.

In the vehicle2, the at least first and second tank volumes12,14may be fluidly connected to each other or fluidly disconnected from each other. The liquid tank arrangement1is designed to fit a certain range of vehicle models. The whole range of vehicle models may use the same liquid tank arrangement1. Some of the vehicle models require at least two separate tank volumes, fluidly disconnected, accommodating at least two different liquids for different purposes, whereas other vehicle models require a single liquid and a single fluidly connected tank volume, i.e. where the at least first and second tank volumes12,14are fluidly connected to each other, such as the combined tank volume16.

One example of a vehicle2requiring a first and second tank volumes12,14, each holding a different liquid is shown inFIG.1as a combination roller. The combination roller has a front carriage24and rear carriage26which are connected by an articulated joint28. The front carriage24comprises a steel drum30, used for compaction. The rear carriage26comprises wheels having rubber tires32, used for propulsion. During road work, e.g., compaction of asphalt, water is sprayed on the steel drum30to avoid asphalt sticking to the drum. The rubber tires32, however, need to be sprayed with an emulsion to prevent asphalt from sticking to the tires32. Therefore, at least a first and a second tank volumes12,14are needed. A second example of a vehicle2is a double drum roller (not shown), which comprises an additional steel drum30instead of rubber tires. The double drum roller only requires water for spraying on the steel drums30. By the present disclosure, the same liquid tank arrangement may be manufactured for both vehicle models. During installation and assembly, the at least first and second tank volumes12,14are either configured as fluidly separate first and second tank volumes12,14, such as for the combination roller or as a single combined tank volume16when fluidly connected to each other, such as for the double drum roller.

Conventionally, for a combination roller, a water tank is installed in the front carriage24for spraying on the steel drum30of the front carriage. An emulsion tank is installed in the rear carriage for spraying emulsion on the rubber tires32. By the present disclosure, the liquid tank arrangement1may be assembled in the rear carriage for both types of vehicles2of the example above. One of the at least first and second tank volumes12,14, may in use, be arranged vertically above the other of the at least first and second tank volumes12,14. The first and second tank volumes12,14may be installed in the same carriage of the example vehicle models. The first and second tank volumes12,14may further be shaped to accommodate each other in a space-saving configuration. Thereby space may be saved and the same liquid tank arrangement1may be used for both vehicle models.

As shown inFIG.2, at least two sides12a,12b,14a,14bof each of the at least first and second tank volumes12,14are adjacent two sides12a,12b,14a,14bof at least one other of the at least first and second tank volumes. The first and second tank volumes are thereby shaped so as to abut each other and save space. The adjacent sides may provide mutual mechanical support and reinforcement to the first and second tank volumes12,14. In the illustrated example, first sides12a,14aare considered adjacent to each other and second sides12b,14bare considered adjacent to each other.

The at least first and second tank volumes12,14may be arranged in abutment with each other. The first and second tank volumes12,14abut each other to minimize, or reduce, empty space between the first and second tank volumes12,14. InFIGS.2-4, space between the first and second tank volumes12,14is exaggerated for illustrative purposes. In practice, the space may be minimized by abutting the first and second tank volumes12,14against each other.

FIG.2exemplifies the liquid tank arrangement1and how the at least first and second tank volumes12,14may be fluidly connectable to each other via a liquid connection18. The liquid connection18may be configured to be permanently open when the at least first and second tank volumes12,14form the single combined tank volume16. The liquid connection18may be permanently sealed when the at least first and second tank volumes12,14form fluidly separate first and second tank volumes12,14. The liquid connection18between the at least first and second tank volumes12,14is configured as open or as sealed when the liquid tank arrangement1is installed in a vehicle2. The liquid connection18may be open and comprise a hose, as exemplified inFIG.2andFIG.3.

Each of the at least first and second tank volumes12,14may comprise a liquid inlet20for filling liquid in the first tank volume12and in the second tank volume14, respectively, and a liquid outlet22for dispensing liquid from the first tank volume12and from the second tank volume14, respectively.FIG.3illustrates a combined tank volume16. As exemplified inFIG.3, only one of the liquid inlets20and only one of the liquid outlets22are in use, and other liquid inlets20and liquid outlets22are permanently sealed when the at least first and second tank volumes12,14are fluidly connected to form the single combined tank volume16. The sealed liquid inlets20and liquid outlets22are blacked inFIG.3. The liquid inlets20and liquid outlets22may be closed and sealed during installation using sealing elements34, such as lids, plugs or covers, to be permanently sealed. The scaling elements34, may be permanently glued or welded to the respective liquid inlets20and liquid outlets22.

FIG.4shows an example of fluidly separate first and second tank volumes12,14. During installation, the liquid connection18, may be closed. The exemplified hose may be removed and replaced by seals. The removed hose is illustrated by a dashed outline inFIG.4. Respective connecting openings of the at least first and second tank volumes12,14may be closed using sealing elements34, such as lids, plugs or covers, to permanently seal and separate the at least first and second tank volumes12,14from each other. The sealing elements34, may be permanently glued or welded to the respective first and second tank volumes12,14. In the example ofFIG.4, the first and second tank volumes12,14may contain different liquids for different purposes. Each of the first and second tank volumes12,14has a usable liquid inlet20and a liquid outlet22.

FIG.5shows an exploded perspective view of an exemplary liquid tank arrangement1according to the first aspect of the disclosure. The at least first and second tank volumes12,14may together be shaped as a seat36for a user of the vehicle2in which the tank arrangement1is configured to be installed. Thereby, space is saved further in that a space usually occupied by a conventional seat in the vehicle2may be used by the tank arrangement1to store a liquid, or multiple liquids. The second tank volume14may be shaped to be accommodated by the first tank volume12, as shown inFIG.6.

In the illustrated example ofFIG.5andFIG.6, a liquid inlet20of each tank is shown to be accessible to a user of the liquid tank arrangement1. It may therefore be concluded that the illustrated first and second tank volumes12,14are fluidly disconnected from each other. Otherwise, only one liquid inlet20would be accessible.

The first and second tank volumes12,14may be made of plastic, which is casy to shape and to adapt to available space in vehicles2.