Patent Description:
Storage tanks for storing fluids in vehicles may be designed in different ways depending on the specific needs for the vehicle. For example, it is known to design storage tanks for storing diesel, gasoline, liquid natural gas (LNG), washer fluids, etc..

A storage tank may be designed to store more than one fluid by providing sub-volumes in the storage tank.

Even though it is known to provide storage tanks for storing more than one fluid, there is still a strive to develop improved technology relating to storage tanks for storing more than one fluid. A storage tank for vehicles is known from <CIT>.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a storage tank for a vehicle for storing fluids, comprising:.

In some examples, the at least one wall is configured to be released from the inner envelope surface by moving the conical plate wall member in a direction away from the base plate wall member so that an extension of the conical plate wall member in the radial direction is reduced. A technical benefit may include that the at least one wall can thereby be easily released from the inner envelope surface so that it allows the at least one wall member to be moved inside the inner volume.

In some examples, the storage tank further comprises a sealing element attached to a radially outer edge of the at least one wall. A technical benefit may include an improved sealing function between the inner envelope surface and the at least one wall member, e.g., preventing any unwanted leakage of fluids. The sealing element may completely enclose the radially outer edge, i.e. it may enclose a complete perimeter of the at least one wall member.

In some examples, the sealing element is attached to a radially outer edge of the conical plate wall member and/or a radially outer edge of the base plate wall member. The sealing element may completely enclose the radially outer edge of the conical plate wall member and/or the radially outer edge of the base plate wall member.

In some examples, the sealing element comprises a fastening portion which protrudes radially inwardly of the at least one wall and is located in-between the second concave-shaped side and the first wall side when the base plate wall member and the conical plate wall member are attached to each other. A technical benefit may include an improved connection of the sealing element to the at least one wall, reducing e.g. a risk of detachment of the sealing element when moving the at least one wall inside the storage tank.

In some examples, a radially outer edge of the conical plate wall member comprises a cylindrically shaped outer surface facing towards the inner envelope surface. A technical benefit may include a more reliable attachment to the inner envelope surface, e.g., preventing the at least one wall from twisting when it is moved inside the storage tank.

In some examples, the at least one wall further comprises an attachment arrangement for pressing the conical plate wall member towards the base plate wall member.

In some examples, the attachment arrangement comprises at least one of a stud member, a screw member, a nut member, a spring member, such as a compression spring and/or a tension spring.

In some examples, the attachment arrangement is extending through a center point of the at least one wall. A technical benefit may include that it provides more uniform attachment forces for keeping the base plate wall member and the conical wall member pressed together. As such, a more reliable and robust attachment may be obtained.

In some examples, at least one of the at least one wall is an outer wall of the storage tank. A technical benefit may include that it allows the total storage volume of the storage tank to be adjusted.

In some examples, at least one of the at least one wall is a partition wall dividing the inner volume into at least two sub-volumes. A technical benefit may include that it allows sub-volumes of the storage tank to be adjusted.

In some examples, the at least one wall comprises at least one cover for covering a side of the at least one wall, such as one cover on each side of the at least one wall. A technical benefit may include that it prevents the base plate wall member and/or the conical plate wall member from coming into direct contact with any storage fluid. Thereby, the risk of contaminating any storage fluid and/or for damaging the wall members due to unwanted contact with storage fluid may be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vehicle comprising a storage tank according to any one of the examples of the first aspect of the disclosure. Advantages and effects of examples of the second aspect of the disclosure are analogous to advantages and effects of the first aspect of the disclosure, and vice versa. It shall also be noted that all examples of the first aspect of the disclosure are applicable to and combinable with all examples of the second aspect of the disclosure, and vice versa.

The drawings show diagrammatic exemplifying examples of the present disclosure and are thus not necessarily drawn to scale. It shall be understood that the examples shown and described are exemplifying and that the invention is not limited to these examples. It shall also be noted that some details in the drawings may be exaggerated in order to better describe and illustrate the disclosure.

An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a flexible storage tank for fluids which alleviates at least one drawback of the prior art, or which at least provides a suitable alternative. For example, by the provision of the present disclosure, a flexible storage tank for fluids is obtained in which the at least one wall is allowed to be attached to the inner envelope surface in a reliable, robust and facilitated manner. Furthermore, by the provision of the present disclosure, the at least one wall is allowed to be moved inside the inner volume in a reliable and facilitated manner. Still further, the configuration of the storage tank may provide a flexible storage tank in a cost-effective manner.

<FIG> is a side view of a vehicle <NUM> according to one example. The example vehicle <NUM> is herein a truck, more particularly a towing truck for towing one or more trailers (not shown). Even though a truck <NUM> is shown, in this case a heavy-duty truck, it shall be noted that the present disclosure is not only applicable to trucks, but also to other vehicles, such as buses, construction equipment and passenger cars. The vehicle may also for example be in the form of a vessel, such as a marine vessel. Construction equipment for example comprises dump trucks, wheel loaders, excavators etc..

The vehicle <NUM> comprises a storage tank <NUM> for storing fluids. The storage tank <NUM> may be configured for storing a fuel, such as diesel, gasoline, LNG and hydrogen. The fuel may for example be used by any one of a combustion engine (not shown) and a fuel cell (not shown) for propelling the vehicle <NUM>. The storage tank <NUM> may additionally or alternatively be used for storing other fluids, such as fluids for an exhaust aftertreatment system (EATS) and washer fluids.

With reference to e.g. <FIG>, an example of a storage tank <NUM> for storing fluids will be described. The storage tank <NUM> may for example be the storage tank <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the storage tank <NUM> is shown in perspective and cross-sectional view. In <FIG>, the storage tank <NUM> is shown in schematic and cross-sectional view. The cross-sections correspond to a plane which is defined by a center axis A of the storage tank <NUM> which extends in a longitudinal direction L of the storage tank <NUM> and by a radial direction r of the storage tank <NUM> which orthogonally intersects the center axis A.

The storage tank <NUM> comprises an inner envelope surface <NUM> defining an inner volume <NUM> for storing fluids. The storage tank <NUM> further comprises at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴ which is releasably attached to the inner envelope surface <NUM> and defines a fluid barrier for fluid in the inner volume <NUM>. In the shown example, there are four walls <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>"'. Accordingly, in the shown example, the storage tank <NUM> is configured for storing more than one fluid. It shall however be noted that the storage tank <NUM> may have any number of such walls, for example one, two, three or more walls which are configured according to any one of the examples of the first aspect of the disclosure. <FIG> depicts a cross-sectional view of such a wall, in this example the wall <NUM> shown in <FIG> It shall however be noted that any of the other walls <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴ may be configured in a similar manner.

The inner envelope surface <NUM> is cylinder-formed and the at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴ is associated with a radial plane of the cylinder-formed inner envelope surface <NUM>. The cylinder-formed inner envelope surface <NUM> may for example be a circular cylinder-form, but any other cylinder-form is also applicable, such as with a base which is more square-formed or oval-formed.

The at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴ is configured to be moved inside the inner volume <NUM> to change a volume size of the inner volume <NUM> and/or to change volume sizes of sub-volumes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the inner volume <NUM>. The sub-volumes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be used for storing fluids of different kinds. As such, each sub-volume <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be associated with a respective opening (not shown) for allowing fluid to be inserted therein and/or to be taken out therefrom.

As may be gleaned from e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>, the at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>''' comprises a base plate wall member <NUM> and a conical plate wall member <NUM> which are attached to each other. The conical plate wall member <NUM> has a first convex-shaped side <NUM> and a second concave-shaped side <NUM>.

The second concave-shaped side <NUM> is facing a first wall side <NUM> of the base plate wall member <NUM> when the base plate wall member <NUM> and the conical plate wall member <NUM> are attached to each other. The at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴ is configured to be attached to the inner envelope surface <NUM> by pressing the conical plate wall member <NUM> towards the base plate wall member <NUM> so that the conical plate wall member <NUM> is expanded in a radial direction r thereof. Accordingly, by way of example, by pressing the conical plate wall member <NUM> towards the base plate wall member <NUM>, a diameter of the conical plate wall member <NUM> may be increased, thereby providing an attachment force between the at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>''' and the inner envelope surface <NUM>.

The at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>''' may be configured to be released from the inner envelope surface <NUM> by moving the conical plate wall member <NUM> in a direction away from the base plate wall member <NUM> so that an extension of the conical plate wall member <NUM> in the radial direction r is reduced.

<FIG> show enlarged views of the wall <NUM> in <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a center portion of the wall <NUM> and <FIG> is an enlarged view of a peripheral portion of the wall <NUM>.

With reference to e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>, it may be gleaned that the storage tank <NUM> may further comprise a sealing element <NUM> attached to a radially outer edge <NUM> of the at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>"'. The sealing element <NUM> may for example be made of rubber or any other suitable polymer, or any combination of different polymers. As shown, the sealing element <NUM> may comprise one or more sealing lips <NUM> which is/are configured to contact the inner envelope surface <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the sealing element <NUM> may be attached to a radially outer edge <NUM> of the conical plate wall member <NUM> and/or a radially outer edge <NUM> of the base plate wall member <NUM>. In the shown example, the sealing element <NUM> is attached to the radially outer edge <NUM> of the conical plate wall member <NUM> and to the radially outer edge <NUM> of the base plate wall member <NUM>.

As further shown, the sealing element <NUM> may comprise a fastening portion <NUM> which protrudes radially inwardly of the at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>''' and is located in-between the second concave-shaped side <NUM> and the first wall side <NUM> when the base plate wall member <NUM> and the conical plate wall member <NUM> are attached to each other. Thereby, a more robust attachment to the wall <NUM> may be provided, e.g., preventing the sealing element <NUM> from being released from the wall <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the radially outer edge <NUM> of the conical plate wall member <NUM> may comprise a cylindrically shaped outer surface <NUM> facing towards the inner envelope surface <NUM>. The cylindrically shaped outer surface <NUM> extends in the longitudinal direction L, thereby forming an outer peripheral surface <NUM> facing the inner envelope surface <NUM>. The cylindrically shaped outer surface <NUM> may imply improved stability and attachment interface to the inner envelope surface <NUM>, e.g., reducing the risk of twisting of the wall <NUM> and/or improving sealing.

With reference to e.g. <FIG>, it may be gleaned that the at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>''' may further comprise an attachment arrangement <NUM> for pressing the conical plate wall member <NUM> towards the base plate wall member <NUM>. In the shown example, the attachment arrangement <NUM> is extending through a center portion, or center point, of the wall <NUM>, i.e. along the center axis A. The attachment arrangement <NUM> may as shown comprise at least one of a stud member <NUM> and a nut member <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment arrangement <NUM> may comprise a screw member, a spring member, such as a compression spring and/or a tension spring.

In the shown example, the stud member <NUM> is welded to the base plate wall member <NUM>, implying a cost-effective and robust attachment.

The stud member <NUM> comprises threads for receiving the nut member <NUM>, whereby rotating the nut member <NUM> relative the stud member <NUM> in one direction presses the conical plate member <NUM> towards the base plate wall member <NUM>.

The at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴ may be an outer wall <NUM>, <NUM>''' of the storage tank <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>''' may be a partition wall <NUM>', <NUM>" dividing the inner volume <NUM> into at least two sub-volumes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In the shown example, there are three sub-volumes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>''' may comprise at least one cover <NUM> for covering a side of the at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>'''. In the shown example, the cover <NUM> is covering the convex-shaped side <NUM> of the conical plate wall member <NUM>. A second cover (not shown) may additionally or alternatively be provided on the other side of the at least one wall <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>''', i.e. outside of the base plate wall member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A storage tank (<NUM>) for a vehicle (<NUM>) for storing fluids, comprising:
- an inner envelope surface (<NUM>) defining an inner volume (<NUM>) for storing fluids,
- at least one wall (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴) which is releasably attached to the inner envelope surface (<NUM>) and defines a fluid barrier for fluid in the inner volume (<NUM>), wherein the inner envelope surface (<NUM>) is cylinder-formed and wherein the at least one wall (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴) is associated with a radial plane of the cylinder-formed inner envelope surface (<NUM>),
wherein the at least one wall (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴) is configured to be moved inside the inner volume (<NUM>) to change a volume size of the inner volume (<NUM>) and/or to change volume sizes of sub-volumes (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the inner volume (<NUM>),
wherein the at least one wall (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'', <NUM>''') comprises a base plate wall member (<NUM>) and a conical plate wall member (<NUM>) which are attached to each other, the conical plate wall member (<NUM>) having a first convex-shaped side (<NUM>) and a second concave-shaped side (<NUM>),
wherein the second concave-shaped side (<NUM>) is facing a first wall side (<NUM>) of the base plate wall member (<NUM>) when the base plate wall member (<NUM>) and the conical plate wall member (<NUM>) are attached to each other,
wherein the at least one wall (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴) is configured to be attached to the inner envelope surface (<NUM>) by pressing the conical plate wall member (<NUM>) towards the base plate wall member (<NUM>) so that the conical plate wall member (<NUM>) is expanded in a radial direction thereof.