Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to internalizing components in automobile fuel tanks, and more particularly relates to attaching components to the inner wall of blow-molded fuel tanks.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Attaching a component internally within a blow-molded fuel tank is a complicated process. Generally, these internal components have been designed with weld feet on the appropriate portions for attachment to the inner wall of the tank. The component is placed on a blow pin and is inserted inside a molten plastic parison. The weld feet are then melted into the molten parison as the fuel tank mold is closed.  
         [0003]     Unfortunately, this method results in several drawbacks. For example, this process increases the manufacturing cycle time and destructive testing must be done to assure that the welding of the weld feet is secure to the tank shell. Finally, these internalized components are difficult to service. Accordingly, there exists a need to provide an improved method or structure for attaching a component internally within a blow-molded fuel tank.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention provides an assembly for internal placement of a component within a vehicle fuel tank. The assembly generally includes a first housing having a first projection form thereon and a second housing having a second projection form thereon. The second housing is adjustable relative to the first housing, and a spring biases the first and second housings apart. The fuel tank is defined in part by a first wall and a second wall. The first wall includes a first depression sized to receive the first projection and the second wall includes a second depression sized to receive the second projection. In this way, the first and second projections are biased into the first and second depressions to securely hold the component within the vehicle fuel tank.  
         [0005]     According to more detailed aspects, the component and the first and second housings are located entirely within the fuel tank. That is, the component does not utilize an access opening extending through the fuel tank wall to provide secure attachment. A pin may be attached to the first housing to limit the movement of the second housing relative to the first housing. Preferably, the first housing telescopically receives the second housing. The first housing may contain a grade vent valve, and a third housing may be positioned between the first and second housings. Here, the spring engages the second and third housings to bias the second housing away from the first and third housings. The third housing telescopically engages the second housing.  
         [0006]     The first and second projections are preferably tapered to promote seating of the projections within the depressions. The first and second projections may include a key member which corresponds to key holes defined by the first and second depressions. In order to prevent rotation of the housings and the component, the projections may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape. Preferably, the first and second projections have an oblong cross-sectional shape. The first and second depressions are preferably formed on first and second plateaus raised from the surface of the first and second walls. This helps the manufacturer to identify the location of attachment. Further, the first and second housings can define a rim from which the projection extends to promote seating on the plateau.  
         [0007]     In another embodiment of the present invention, a component is provided for internal placement within a vehicle fuel tank. The component generally includes a first housing and a second housing. A spring biases the first and second housings apart. A first connection member is attached to the first housing and a second connection member is attached to the second housing. The second housing is adjustable relative to the first housing to position the first and second connection members for selective engagement of the fuel tank. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a component for internal placement within a vehicle fuel tank;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an assembly having the component shown in  FIG. 1  internally attached-to a vehicle fuel tank; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken about the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a component  10  for internal placement within a vehicle fuel tank  12  ( FIG. 2 ). For purposes of illustrating the present invention, the component  10  has been shown as including a grade vent valve  14  which includes a first housing  16 . The details of the valve  14  will not be described here, but suffice it to say that a grade vent valve is a typical fuel tank component which closes off the flow of fuel from the tank based on the grade or angular position of the valve  14  and vehicle relative to the ground. Nonetheless, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that numerous other components that are desired to be located within the fuel tank  12  may be employed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0013]     The component  10  further includes a second housing  18  and a third housing  20 . While the first and second housings  16 ,  18  have been shown as separate elements connected by screws  22 , it will be recognized that the first and second housings  16 ,  18  may be integrally formed as a single housing member. The second and third housings  18 ,  20  are tubular in shape, and the second housing  18  telescopically receives the third housing  20 . It will be recognized that the third housing  20  could also telescopically receive the second housing  18 . In either case, the inner housing member could comprise a solid member, although the housing preferably has a tubular shape. It can be seen in  FIG. 2  that the first, second and third housings  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and more specifically the entire component  10  is located entirely within the fuel tank  12 . That is, the component  10  does not utilize an access opening into the tank  12  to secure the component  10  therein. Stated another way, the receiving members  50 ,  52  and their depressions  56 ,  60  are horizontally spaced from the access opening.  
         [0014]     As best seen in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3 , the second housing  18  telescopically receives the third housing  20 , and a spring  24  is interposed between the housings  18 ,  20 . More specifically, the spring  24  is positioned within the second housing  18  and engages a first end  26  of the first housing  16  and a first end  28  of the third housing  20 . The spring  24  biases the second and third housings  18 ,  20  away from each other, i.e., in opposing directions. A pin  19  extends through the second housing  18  and limits the distance which the third housing  20  may extend into the second housing  18 .  
         [0015]     The first housing  14  includes a first connection member  30  at its free end  32 , while the third housing  20  includes a second connection member  34  at its free end  36 . The first connection member  30  generally includes a projection  38  extending away from a flange  40 . Similarly, the second connection member  34  includes a projection  42  extending away from a flange  44 .  
         [0016]     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the connection members  30 ,  34  are structured to correspond with receiving members  50 ,  52  formed in the fuel tank  12 . More specifically, the fuel tank  12  is defined in part by a lower wall  46  and an opposing upper wall  48 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the receiving member  50  is integrally formed in the lower wall  46  and includes a raised portion or plateau  54  defining a depression  56 . Similarly, the upper tank wall  48  includes the receiving member  52  integrally formed therein, defined by a raised plateau  58  having a depression  60  formed therein. The depressions  56 ,  60  are sized and structured to correspond to the projections  38 ,  42  defined by the first and third housings  16 ,  20 . The flanges  40 ,  44  are structured to rest against the exposed surface of the plateaus  54 ,  58 .  
         [0017]     As shown in the figures, the projections  38 ,  42  are tapered, as are the corresponding depressions  56 ,  60 . This aids in the proper seating of the component  10  within the fuel tank  12 . As also shown, the projections  38 ,  42  have a circular cross-sectional shape. However, it will be recognized that the projections  38 ,  42  may have any desired shape. One preferred shape is a non-circular shape, such as a polygonal or oblong shape. Such non-circular cross-sectional shapes aid in restricting the motion of the component  10 , and more specifically the first and second housings  16 ,  20 . By virtue of the non-circular shape, the structural members (i.e., housings  16 ,  18 ,  20 ) will be prevented from rotating within the tank  12 . To the same end, the first and second projections  38 ,  42  could also include a radially extending key member (not shown) which corresponds with a key hole or key slot formed into the depressions  56 ,  60 .  
         [0018]     In operation, the fuel tank  12  is molded with the receiving members  50 ,  52  integrally formed therein. The component  10  is then inserted through an access opening, and the third housing  20  is displaced relative to the second housing  18  to shorten the overall length of the component  10 . The projections  38 ,  42  are then located within the depressions  56 ,  60 , and the biasing force provided by spring  24  presses the first housing  16  and its projection  38  into engagement with the depression  60  formed in the upper wall  48  of the tank  12 . Similarly, the third housing  20  is biased downwardly such that the projection  42  engages the depression  56  of the lower wall  46  of the fuel tank  12 . In this way, the relative positioning of the first and second connection members  30 ,  34  (biased apart from each other via spring  24 ) allows for selective engagement of the fuel tank  12 , and in turn such as the attachment of the component  10 . This provides easy servicing of the component  10  while being nondestructive of the fuel tank  12 .  
         [0019]     The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Numerous modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Technology Category: 4