Abstract:
A fuel tank mounting system for a motor vehicle including an end plate, a sleeve, a fuel tank bracket, and a pin for coupling the fuel tank to a frame of the motor vehicle while allowing the fuel tank bracket to move axially with respect to the pin and to rotate about the pin to reduce stress on at least one fuel tank mount used to couple the fuel tank to the frame.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to fuel tanks for motor vehicles and more specifically to a fuel tank mount. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Fuel tanks are mounted to motor vehicles using a variety of different mounts. Traditionally, fuel tanks have been mounted to a vehicle using one or more fixed mounts. Fixed mounts do not allow the fuel tank to move relative to the vehicle which can lead to one or more of the fixed mounts breaking or cracking when subjected to impacts or extreme forces due to the vehicle flexing over rough surfaces. Various solutions have been suggested such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,661 which describes a fuel tank mount assembly including a fuel tank whose front end is pivotally attached to a body frame of a vehicle by means of a hinge member. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one embodiment a fuel tank mounting system includes an end plate having a first opening, the first opening having a first axis and a tank bracket having a second opening, the second opening having a second axis. The fuel tank mounting system further includes a sleeve disposed in the first opening and the second opening, the sleeve having a third opening and the third opening having a third axis; and a pin disposed in the third opening, the pin coupling the sleeve to the end plate and the tank bracket. 
         [0004]    Another embodiment is a method of mounting a fuel tank to a motor vehicle including providing a tank bracket having a first opening, the first opening having a first axis, the tank bracket being coupled to the fuel tank and placing the tank bracket proximate to a frame of the motor vehicle. The method also includes inserting a sleeve into the first opening, the sleeve having a second opening, the second opening having a second axis, inserting a pin into the second opening, and fixing the pin to at least one of the frame and the sleeve. 
         [0005]    Yet another embodiment is a motor vehicle having a frame, a prime mover coupled to the frame, and a fuel tank fluidly connected to the prime mover. The motor vehicle further includes a sleeve having a first opening, the first opening having a first axis and a tank bracket coupled to the fuel tank, the tank bracket having a second opening, the second opening having a second axis. In addition the motor vehicle includes a pin having a third axis, the pin being disposed in the first opening and the second opening, the pin coupling the tank bracket to the frame. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a motor vehicle having a fuel tank mounting system. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the fuel tank mounting system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a fuel tank mount of the fuel tank mount system illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the fuel tank mount shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a motor vehicle  20  having a frame  24 , a working end  28 , a prime mover  32 , a fuel tank  36 , and a fuel tank mounting system  40 . The frame  24  may be constructed of multiple pieces which are coupled together. In other embodiments the frame  24  may be a single piece. The working end  28  in the illustrated embodiment includes a bucket  44  for scooping dirt or the like, the bucket  44  being coupled to the frame  24 . The prime mover  32  in the illustrated embodiment is a diesel engine, although any internal combustion engine may be used. The prime mover  32  is coupled to the frame  24  and provides power to the vehicle  20  for moving and for operating the working end  28 . The fuel tank  36  is fluidly connected to the prime mover  32  using hose, piping, or the like. 
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame  24 , the fuel tank  36  and the fuel tank mounting system  40 . The frame  24  includes a first frame member  48  and a second frame member  52 . In the illustrated embodiment a third frame member  56  is coupled to the first frame member  48  and second frame member  52 . The first frame member  48 , second frame member  52  and third frame member  56  may each have one or more openings disposed thereon to allow various components, such as the fuel tank mounting system  40 , to be coupled to the frame  24 . The first frame member  48 , second frame member  52  and third frame member  56  cooperate to create a partially enclosed area. In one embodiment the fuel tank  36  is partially disposed in the enclosed area. The fuel tank  36  includes a fill neck  60  and cap  64 , the fill neck  60  being coupled to the fuel tank  36  to allow for fuel to enter an interior portion of the tank  36 . The fuel tank mounting system  40  includes a first isolation mount  68 , a second isolation mount  72  and an end mount  78 . In the illustrated embodiment the first isolation mount  68  couples the fuel tank  36  the first frame member  48 , the second isolation mount  72  couples the fuel tank  36  to the second frame member  52  and the end mount  78  couples the fuel tank  36  to the third frame member  56 . 
         [0013]    The first and second isolation mounts  68 ,  72  are substantially similar, thus only the first isolation mount  68  will be described. The first isolation mount  68  includes a fuel tank bracket  76 , a bolt  80  and one or more rubber bushings  84 . The fuel tank bracket  76  may be mechanically coupled or welded to the fuel tank  36  or in some embodiments it may be integral to the fuel tank  36 . The fuel tank bracket  76  has an opening thereon. The fuel tank bracket  76  is coupled to the first frame member  48  using the bolt  80 . A rubber bushing  84  is placed on the bolt  80  between the fuel tank bracket  76  and the first frame member  48  to dampen vibrations that may be passed between the fuel tank  36  and the first frame member  48 . In some embodiments the rubber bushing  84  may be coupled to the fuel tank bracket  76 . 
         [0014]    The end mount  78  and a portion of the fuel tank  36  are shown in perspective view in  FIG. 3 . The end mount  78  includes an end plate  88 , a c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92 , a sleeve  96 , a pin  100 , a first washer  104  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and a second washer  108  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0015]    As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the end plate  88  may be coupled to the third frame member  56  or may be an integral part of the third frame member  56 . In one embodiment the end plate  88  is not coupled to the third frame member  56 , but rather, just touches the third frame  56  when the fuel tank mounting system  40  is assembled. The end plate  88  includes a first portion  112  extending away from the third frame member  56  and a second portion  116  that is substantially parallel to a first surface  120  of the third frame member  56 . The second portion  116  includes an opening disposed  124  thereon (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ), the opening  124  being sized and configured to allow the sleeve  96  to pass through the opening  124 . In an alternative embodiment the sleeve  96  may be welded to the end plate  88  or may be integral with the end plate  88 . An axis  128  passes through the opening  124 . 
         [0016]    The c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92  is best seen in perspective view in  FIG. 3 . The c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92  may be coupled or welded to the fuel tank  36  or in embodiments it may be integral to the fuel tank  36 . The c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92  includes an upper arm  132  and a lower arm  136 , the upper arm  132  and lower arm  136  being sized and configured to allow the c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92  to interface with the end plate  88 . In addition, the c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92  is of a thickness and configuration to allow it to be placed between the second portion  116  of the end plate  88  and the third frame member  56 . The c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92  includes an opening  140  disposed thereon, the opening  140  being sized and configured to allow the sleeve  96  to pass through the opening  140 . The axis  128  passes through the opening  140 . 
         [0017]    The sleeve  96  in the illustrated embodiment is cylindrical and hollow, forming an opening  144  therein. The exterior of the sleeve  96  is sized and configured to pass through the opening  124  of the end plate  88  and the opening  140  of the c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92 . In the illustrated embodiment an interior portion of the sleeve  96  has threads  148  disposed thereon to allow the sleeve  96  to be coupled to the pin  100 . The axis  128  passes through the opening  144 . 
         [0018]    In the illustrated embodiment the pin  100  is a bolt having a head  152  and a threaded portion  156 . The pin  100  is sized and configured to pass into the opening  144  of the sleeve  96 . In one embodiment the threads  148  of the sleeve  96  interface with the threaded portion  156 , thus coupling the pin  100  to the sleeve  96 . In an alternative embodiment, the pin  100  passes entirely through the sleeve  96  and nut is used to couple the pin  100  to the sleeve  96 . 
         [0019]    The first washer  104  is disposed on the pin  100  between the head  152  and the third frame member  56 . In the illustrated embodiment the third frame member  56  includes a recessed area and part of the first washer  104  may reside in the recessed area. In an alternative embodiment the third frame member  56  does not include a recessed area. The second washer  108  is disposed on the pin  100  between the sleeve  96  and the third frame member  56 . 
         [0020]    In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel tank mounting system  40  provides a method of coupling the fuel tank  36  to the frame  24  of the motor vehicle  20 . A first isolation mount  68  couples the fuel tank  36  to the first frame member  48 . A second isolation mount  72  couples the fuel tank  36  to the second frame member  52 . The c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92  is then placed between the end plate  88  and the third frame member  56 . The second washer  108  is placed between the c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92  and the third frame member  56 . Then the sleeve  96  is placed into the opening  124  of the end plate  88  and the opening  140  of the c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92 . The first washer  104  is placed on the pin  100 . The pin  100  is then inserted through an opening  160  on the third frame member  56  into the sleeve  96 . In the illustrated embodiment the pin  100  is a bolt such that the threaded portion  156  engages with the threads  148  on the sleeve  96 . The fuel tank  36  is thus coupled to the frame  24 . 
         [0021]    In an alternative embodiment, the fuel tank mounting system  40  provides a method of coupling the fuel tank  36  to the frame  24  of the motor vehicle  20 . A first isolation mount  68  couples the fuel tank  36  to the first frame member  48 . A second isolation mount  72  couples the fuel tank  36  to the second frame member  52 . The c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92  is then placed proximate to the third frame member  56 . The second washer  108  is placed between the c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92  and the third frame member  56 . The sleeve  96  and end plate  88  are welded together, or alternatively, may be integral. Then the sleeve  96  is placed into the opening  140  of the c-shaped fuel tank bracket  92 . The first washer  104  is placed on the pin  100 . The pin  100  is then inserted through an opening  160  on the third frame member  56  into the sleeve  96 . In the illustrated embodiment the pin  100  is a bolt such that the threaded portion  156  engages with the threads  148  on the sleeve  96 . The fuel tank  36  is thus coupled to the frame  24 . 
         [0022]    As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. 
         [0023]    It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
         [0024]    The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. 
         [0025]    It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
         [0026]    It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the systems and methods for providing the crowd machinery guard as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0027]    The fuel tank mounting system  40  is used to couple the fuel tank  36  to the frame  24  of the motor vehicle  20 . In the illustrated embodiment the motor vehicle  20  is a wheel loader, but the fuel tank mounting system  40  may be used with other motor vehicles such as track-type tractors, articulated trucks, backhoe loaders, compactors, drills, motor graders, off-highway trucks, on-highway trucks, telehandlers, wheel excavators and passenger vehicles. The frame  24  of the motor vehicle  20  will flex or deform when the motor vehicle  20  passes over rough terrain and/or is heavily loaded, resulting in stresses on the fuel tank mounting system  40 . 
         [0028]    Prior art fuel tank mounting systems may have shorter service lives due to the stresses resulting from the frame  24  flexing or deforming In particular, prior art fuel tank mounting systems may fail due to fatigue on the fuel tank mounting system. The fuel tank mounting system  40  described herein allows the fuel tank  36  to move with respect to the frame  24  when the frame  24  flexes or deforms, thus reducing the stresses on the fuel tank mounting system  40 . In particular, as the first and second frame members  48 ,  52  move or deform in relation to one another, the end mount  78  allows the fuel tank  36  to rotate with respect to the third frame member  56 . In addition, the end mount  78  allows the fuel tank  36  to move closer to and further away (along the axis  128 ) from the third frame member  56 . Allowing the fuel tank  36  to have some freedom of movement with respect to the third frame member  56  thus decreases stresses on the first and second isolations mounts  68 ,  72 , thus prolonging the life of the fuel tank mounting system  40 . 
         [0029]    The fuel tank mounting system  40  protects the frame  24  and provides for ease of assembly. Stresses on the frame  24  are reduced because the fuel tank mount system  40  allows the fuel tank  36  to have some freedom of movement with respect to the frame  24 , as has been described herein. The second washer  108  protects the third frame member  56  from deformations that may occur when the pin  100  is coupled to the sleeve  96 . In addition, the fuel tank mounting system  40  is easy to assembly because the head  152  of the pin  100  is generally accessible making it easy to apply a wrench to the head  152 . In one embodiment the upper arm  132  and lower arm  136  cooperate with the end plate  88  to inhibit rotation of the sleeve  96 , thus reducing the need for a second wrench when the pin  100  is being coupled to the sleeve  96 . The features described herein and other features protect the frame  24  and provide for ease in coupling the fuel tank  36  to the frame  24 .