Patent Description:
Within a fluid tank, especially a fuel tank or a tank for ammonia, a baffle is used as a divider. In a vehicle, the baffle constrains the motion of the fluid within the tank and prevents it from sloshing. The tank may be required to be inclined at an angle. The effect of gravity then causes the fluid to travel to one end of the tank, where it may be difficult to capture. A fluid transfer line is used, which can reach the fluid at an extremity of the tank and draw it out. The fluid tank also contains internal vapors that are necessary to transfer between valves or other internal connection points. Vapor lines may be used internal to the fuel tank to transfer this vapor. The document <CIT> discloses an example of fuel tank comprising such a fluid transfer line.

The difficulty lies in the installation of the baffle and fluid transfer line within the tank. Once the tank has been molded, the baffle and fluid transfer line must both be inserted into the tank through a small opening.

A known solution for fitting the baffle through the opening is by using a baffle equipped with springs, which allow the baffle to be temporarily compressed in order to facilitate its insertion through the small opening into the tank. Usually the fluid transfer line is fixed to the baffle after the baffle has been inserted into the tank. However, the manipulation of the fluid transfer line in the tank to connect it to the baffle is difficult because the baffle is only accessible through the small opening. When the fluid transfer line is connected after the baffle is installed in the tank, internal testing is required to ensure a proper connection.

Another solution is, before inserting the baffle into the tank, pre-installing the fluid transfer line to the baffle with a rigid connection. However, with the fluid transfer line and baffle being rigidly connected, the fluid transfer line must be severely bent to fit through the opening in the tank which may cause damages.

The invention aims to insert a pre-assembled fluid transfer line and baffle through an opening in a tank without bending the fluid transfer line and without requiring internal testing.

Hence, the invention relates to an assembly for a fluid tank according to claim <NUM>.

This allows for the fluid transfer line to be linked to the baffle prior to insertion into the tank. Thus, the fluid transfer line is easily and correctly connected to the baffle. Moreover, the fluid transfer line does not have to be bent in order to limit the footprint of the assembly and can be easily rotated simultaneously towards the surface comprising one of the deflecting surfaces of the baffle in order to limit the footprint of the assembly. This also prevents damage to the assembly components, such as kinking or tearing of the fluid transfer line. By the term "fluid", we intend to mean a liquid, a gas or a mixture thereof. During its introduction into the tank, the fluid transfer line can thus be rotated simultaneously on both sides of the baffle and folded down against the baffle. The rotation is operated around an axis corresponding to the means of linkage and generally perpendicular to the axis of the fluid transfer line so that the fluid transfer line is rotating in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the baffle. The rotation angle is between <NUM> and <NUM>°. This range for the angle allows a considerable saving of hinderance and allows for an easy insertion of the preassembly (baffle and fluid transfer line) in the tank.

The assembly for a tank according to the invention can further comprise the following optional features :
The fluid transfer line is linked to an internal peripheral edge of the baffle defining a passing hole extending between the two deflecting surfaces of the baffle, the fluid transfer line passing through the passing hole in the baffle.

Thus, the fluid transfer line can be easily rotated towards a surface comprising one of the deflecting surfaces of the baffle in order to limit the footprint of the assembly.

Thus, the fluid transfer line can alternatively be easily rotated towards a surface comprising one of the deflecting surfaces of the baffle in order to limit the footprint of the assembly.

Either of these linkages allows for rotation of the fluid transfer line. The means of linkage also restricts the degree of freedom of the fluid transfer line in order to facilitate the use of the assembly during the manufacturing of the vehicle tank. This ensures that the fluid transfer line moves only as desired and does have any other motion which may interfere with its function of drawing fluid from the tank or transferring vapors between internal component connection points.

Thus, the post provides a location for the bearing to rotate about. The bearing being connected to the fluid transfer line allows for the fluid transfer line to be rotated about the post.

The hollow cylindrical element allows for the bearing to be connected to both the upstream tube part and downstream tube part, hence they can both be rotated about the post. The hollow cylindrical element does not inhibit the flow of fluid through the fluid transfer line.

Thus, the post provides a location for the bearing to rotate about. The bearing being connected to the baffle allows for the fluid transfer line to be rotated about the post.

The hollow cylindrical element allows for the post to be connected to both the upstream tube part and downstream tube part; hence the baffle can be rotated about the fluid transfer line. The hollow cylindrical element does not inhibit the flow of fluid through the fluid transfer line.

The barbs allow for both the upstream tube part and the downstream tube part to be easily and securely connected to the hollow cylindrical element. The barbs also prevent both the upstream tube part and the downstream tube part from detaching from the hollow cylindrical element. Moreover, the barbs ensure a watertight connection between the upstream tube part and upstream end, and between the downstream tube part and downstream end.

Thus, the upstream tube part and downstream tube part can be both rigid enough to ensure they are in the proper location inside the tank and/or flexible enough to be easily handled.

Corrugated sections provide more flexibility to the upstream tube part and downstream tube part.

This orientation of the post ensures that the fluid transfer line is able to rotate towards a surface comprising one of the deflecting surfaces of the baffle. Moreover, this orientation allows for the fluid transfer line to pass through the passing hole in the baffle or through for example an indentation located on the edge of the baffle.

Thus, the locking means ensures that the bearing is securely connected to the post and cannot slip off.

Thus, the snap fit tab alternatively ensures that the bearing is securely connected to the post and cannot slip off.

The radially deformable tip of the post allows for the bearing to be easily inserted over the post. The snap fit tabs ensure that the bearing is securely connected to the post and cannot slip off.

The invention also relates to a tank for a vehicle comprising an assembly according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing of a vehicle tank, comprising the following steps:.

Thus, using this method of manufacturing, the connection between the baffle and the fluid transfer line does not need to be severely bent. The method of manufacturing is more ergonomic, since the fluid transfer line can be linked to the baffle outside the tank and easily inserted into the tank through the opening.

The term "plastic" is understood to mean any material comprising at least one synthetic polymer resin.

The term "thermoplastic" is understood to mean any thermoplastic polymer, including thermoplastic elastomers, and also blend thereof.

The term "polymer" is understood to mean both homopolymers and copolymers (especially binary or ternary copolymers). Examples of such copolymers are, non-limitingly: random copolymers, linear block copolymers, other block copolymers and graft copolymers.

For a fuller understanding of the present invention, the following description is based on figures, in which:.

<FIG> illustrates a vehicle fluid tank <NUM> according to the invention. The vehicle fluid tank <NUM> comprises an assembly <NUM>.

The tank <NUM> is delimited by a wall <NUM> embodying a sealed enclosure intended for example to contain fuel, a fuel additive, an exhaust gas treatment additive, or any other fluid contained in a vehicle. The fuel additive may for example be chosen from those required to reduce the combustion temperature of the particles retained on the particle filters of the diesel engines. The exhaust gas treatment additive can be, for example, urea or any other ammonia precursor conventionally used in SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) equipment.

Advantageously, the tank wall <NUM> is made of plastic in a manner known per se.

Any type of plastic may be suitable. Particularly suitable plastics belong to the category of thermoplastics.

Any type of thermoplastic polymer or copolymer, the melting point of which is below the decomposition temperature, is suitable. Synthetic thermoplastics having a melting range spread over at least <NUM> degrees Celsius are particularly suitable. Examples of such materials include those that exhibit polydispersion in their molecular weight.

In particular, it is possible to use polyolefins, thermoplastic polyesters, polyketones, polyamides and copolymers thereof. A blend of polymers or copolymers may also be used. Similarly it is also possible to use a blend of polymeric materials with inorganic, organic and/or natural fillers such as, for example, but non-limitingly: carbon, salts and other inorganic derivatives, natural or polymeric fibers. It is also possible to use multilayer structures composed of stacked and joined layers comprising at least one of the polymers or copolymers described above. One polymer that is often used is polyethylene. Excellent results have been obtained with high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

The tank <NUM> comprises an opening for inner tank access (not illustrated) to insert accessories into the tank <NUM>, and particularly to insert the assembly <NUM> according to the invention into the tank <NUM>. The assembly <NUM> is secured in the tank <NUM> in a known manner.

The assembly <NUM> comprises a baffle <NUM> and a fluid transfer line <NUM>. The baffle <NUM> is linked to the fluid transfer line <NUM> by a means of linkage <NUM> supported by the assembly <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the means of linkage <NUM> is a pivot linkage. The means of linkage <NUM> restricts the degree of freedom of the fluid transfer line to <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the baffle <NUM> comprises a lower carrier L and an upper sliding part U which can slide relative to the carrier thanks to compression means S, for example springs. Thus, the upper part U can slide by compression of springs S towards the lower carrier L in order to reduce the footprint of the baffle <NUM> and facilitate the insertion of the assembly <NUM> into the tank <NUM> through the opening for inner tank access. Moreover, once the assembly <NUM> is in the tank <NUM>, springs S decompress and can allow for the lower carrier L and the upper sliding part U to remain in place against the tank wall <NUM>.

In a variant (not illustrated), the means of linkage <NUM> is a sliding pivot linkage. In this variant, the means of linkage <NUM> restricts the degree of freedom of the fluid transfer line to <NUM>.

The baffle <NUM> comprises a first deflecting surface <NUM> intended to define a first part <NUM> of the tank <NUM> and a second deflecting surface <NUM> intended to define a second part <NUM> of the tank <NUM>.

Both deflecting surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are intended to cooperate with the fluid contained in the tank <NUM> in order to limit sloshing noise and both deflecting surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> comprise at least one hole <NUM> allowing the passage of fluid.

The fluid transfer line <NUM> extends from the first part <NUM> to the second part <NUM> of the tank <NUM>.

The fluid transfer line <NUM> is linked to an internal peripheral edge <NUM> of the baffle <NUM>. In a variant, the fluid transfer line <NUM> can be linked close to the internal peripheral edge <NUM> of the baffle <NUM>.

The internal peripheral edge <NUM> of the baffle <NUM> defines a passing hole <NUM> extending between the first deflecting surface <NUM> and the second deflecting surface <NUM> of the baffle <NUM>. The fluid transfer line <NUM> passes through the passing hole <NUM> in the baffle <NUM>, thus, the fluid transfer line <NUM> passes through the baffle13.

The means of linkage <NUM> allows for rotation of the fluid transfer line <NUM> towards a surface comprising one of the deflecting surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid transfer line <NUM>. The fluid transfer line <NUM> comprises an upstream tube part <NUM> and a downstream tube part <NUM> connected by a hollow cylindrical element <NUM>.

The upstream tube part <NUM> and the downstream tube part <NUM> are made of a semi-rigid material and advantageously comprise corrugated sections in order to provide more flexibility to the upstream tube part <NUM> and the downstream tube part <NUM>. The upstream tube part <NUM> and the downstream tube part <NUM> can also be made in a flexible or a rigid material.

The end of the upstream tube part <NUM> is intended to be in contact with the fluid in the tank <NUM> whereas the end of the downstream tube part <NUM> is intended to be linked to a device, for example a fuel pump.

Furthermore, a bearing <NUM> is molded to the hollow cylindrical element <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the means of linkage <NUM> comprising the bearing <NUM>, a post <NUM> and the hollow cylindrical element <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the means of linkage <NUM> before the post <NUM> receives the bearing <NUM>.

The post <NUM> is supported by the baffle <NUM>. The hollow cylindrical element <NUM> being molded with the bearing part <NUM>, the bearing <NUM> is connected to the fluid transfer line <NUM>. The hollow cylindrical element <NUM> allows fluid intended to flow in the upstream <NUM> and downstream <NUM> parts to flow through the means of linkage <NUM>.

The hollow cylindrical element <NUM> comprises an upstream end <NUM> and a downstream end <NUM>. Both ends <NUM> and <NUM> have an outer surface comprising barbs <NUM>. The upstream end <NUM> of the hollow cylindrical element <NUM> is connected to the upstream tube part <NUM>. The downstream end <NUM> of the hollow cylindrical element <NUM> is connected to downstream tube part <NUM>. The upstream tube part <NUM> and the downstream tube part <NUM> are easily and securely connected to the hollow cylindrical element thanks to the barbs <NUM>. Thus, the barbs <NUM> prevent the upstream tube part <NUM> and the downstream tube part <NUM> from detaching from the hollow cylindrical element <NUM>. Moreover the barbs <NUM> ensure a watertight connection between the upstream tube part <NUM> and upstream end <NUM> of the hollow cylindrical element <NUM>, and between the downstream tube part <NUM> and downstream end <NUM> of the hollow cylindrical element <NUM>.

The post <NUM> is protruding in an orthogonal direction to the intended flow of fluid through the hollow cylindrical part <NUM> of the means of linkage <NUM>.

The post <NUM> comprises a locking means <NUM> allowing the bearing <NUM> to be securely connected to the post <NUM> and preventing the bearing <NUM> from slipping off.

The locking means <NUM> is located on the post <NUM> comprising at least one snap fit tab <NUM> configured to cooperate with the bearing <NUM>. As can be seen on <FIG>, the post <NUM> comprises a tip split into two parts. Thus, the tip is radially deformable and each part of the post <NUM> forms a snap fit tab <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the fluid transfer line <NUM> linked to an internal peripheral edge <NUM> of the baffle <NUM>. The bearing <NUM> is restrained around the post <NUM> thanks to the snap fit tabs <NUM>.

The internal peripheral edge <NUM> of the baffle <NUM> defines the passing hole <NUM>. The fluid transfer line <NUM> passes through the passing hole <NUM> in the baffle <NUM>. The post <NUM> provides a location for the bearing <NUM> to rotate about. Thus, the bearing <NUM> being connected to the baffle <NUM> allows for the fluid transfer line <NUM> to be rotated about the post <NUM> and the fluid transfer line <NUM> can be easily rotated towards a surface comprising one of the deflecting surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the baffle <NUM>. When the fluid transfer line <NUM> rotates towards a surface comprising one of the deflecting surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, the footprint of the assembly <NUM> is limited.

<FIG> illustrates a variant in which the fluid transfer line <NUM> is linked to an external peripheral edge <NUM> of the baffle <NUM>. In this variant, the external peripheral edge <NUM> defines an indentation <NUM> located on an edge <NUM> of the baffle <NUM>. Thus, the fluid transfer line <NUM> rotates easily towards a surface comprising one of the deflecting surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, the footprint of the assembly <NUM> is limited.

<FIG> illustrates another variant in which the post <NUM> is hollow and comprises a locking means <NUM>. The locking means <NUM> comprises two snap fit tabs <NUM> opposite each other configured to cooperate with the bearing <NUM>. Thus, the bearing <NUM> is securely connected to the post <NUM> and cannot slip off. Moreover, the bearing <NUM> is restrained around the post <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the bearing <NUM> and the post <NUM> are arranged as a ball joint in order to allow a smooth movement in all directions. The post <NUM> is provided with a central slot <NUM> and is configured to cooperate with the bearing <NUM>. The slot will allow the insertion of the bearing <NUM> that will then remain locked on the post <NUM>. The advantage of this embodiment is that the transfer line can be folded down very efficiently against the baffle <NUM>; this is particularly useful in case of complex geometry of the tank opening. According to another preferred embodiment not depicted on the figures, the post <NUM> is plain (unslotted) and the bearing periphery is provided with a slot to allow the insertion of the bearing <NUM> that will then remain locked on the post <NUM>.

We will describe a method of manufacturing a vehicle tank comprising an assembly <NUM> according to the invention.

Firstly, a plastic vehicle tank <NUM> is fabricated. The wall <NUM> of the plastic tank <NUM> comprises an opening for inner tank access.

Secondly, an assembly <NUM> according to the invention is manufactured prior to being inserted into the tank <NUM>, that is to say the baffle <NUM> is linked to the fluid transfer line <NUM> by connecting the post <NUM> to the bearing <NUM>. Thus, the fluid transfer line <NUM> is easily and correctly connected to the baffle <NUM>.

Then, the upstream tube part <NUM> and the downstream tube part <NUM> of the fluid transfer line <NUM> are rotated towards a surface comprising one of the deflecting surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the baffle <NUM>. Thus, the footprint of the assembly <NUM> is limited.

The next step is to insert the assembly <NUM> into the tank <NUM> through the opening. The limited footprint of the assembly <NUM> facilitates its insertion <NUM> through the opening in the tank wall <NUM> and prevents damage to the assembly <NUM>, such as kinking or tearing the fluid transfer line <NUM>. Advantageously, springs S are compressed towards the lower carrier L of the baffle <NUM> in order to reduce the footprint of the baffle <NUM> and further facilitate the insertion of the assembly <NUM> into the tank <NUM> through the opening for inner tank access.

Finally the assembly <NUM> is mounted in the tank <NUM>, that is to say, for example, that the baffle <NUM> is hung in the tank <NUM> and that the end of the downstream tube part <NUM> is linked to a device, for example a fuel pump. In the case of a vapor line, the internal line may connect to an internal active or passive component, for example a venting valve, liquid vapor separator, or vent port.

The following detailed description and examples are provided for the purpose of non-exhaustively describing some, but not necessarily all, examples or embodiments of the invention, and shall not limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Claim 1:
Assembly (<NUM>) for a fluid tank (<NUM>) comprising:
- a baffle (<NUM>), comprising a first deflecting surface (<NUM>) intended to define a first part (<NUM>) of the tank (<NUM>) and a second deflecting surface (<NUM>) intended to define a second part (<NUM>) of the tank (<NUM>),
- a fluid transfer line (<NUM>) intended to extend from the first part (<NUM>) to the second part (<NUM>) and being linked to the baffle (<NUM>) by a means of linkage (<NUM>) supported by the assembly (<NUM>), wherein the extension of the fluid transfer line (<NUM>) in the first part (<NUM>) defines a first portion of the fluid transfer line (<NUM>) and wherein the extension of the fluid transfer line (<NUM>) in the second part (<NUM>) defines a second portion of the fluid transfer line (<NUM>),
wherein the means of linkage (<NUM>) allows for simultaneous rotation of the first portion and the second portion of the fluid transfer line (<NUM>) towards a surface comprising one of the deflecting surfaces (<NUM>,<NUM>),
characterized in a rotation angle of the simultaneous rotation is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>°.