Vehicle fuel tank assembly
AssigneeRobert Bosch GmbH
InventorsPaul Mason, David P. Toutant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank and an electrically conductive top plate that closes and seals a fuel-fill opening in the fuel tank. The top plate includes electrical dissipation structures and features that allow for electrical charge dissipation of the fuel tank to an external structure such as the vehicle chassis. The dissipation structures include an electrically insulative carrier that is partially embedded in the top plate using an overmolding process, and an electrical conductor that is supported by the carrier. The electrical conductor provides an electrical connection between the top plate and the chassis that is independent of the fuel tank and the fuel tank mounting structure.
Claims20
A top plate that is configured to seal a fuel fill opening of a fuel tank, the top plate comprising:
- a body comprising a first material that is electrically conductive;
- a carrier comprising a second material that is electrically insulative, the carrier being partially embedded in the body;
- and
- a first electrical conductor that is supported by the carrier in such a way that a portion of the first electrical conductor is electrically connected to the body,
- wherein the portion of the first electrical conductor is electrically connected to the body via direct contact with the body.
A fuel tank assembly that includes a fuel tank having a fuel fill opening and top plate that is configured to seal the fuel fill opening, the top plate comprising:
- a body comprising a first material that is electrically conductive;
- a carrier comprising a second material that is electrically insulative, the carrier being partially embedded in the body;
- and
- a first electrical conductor that is supported by the carrier in such a way that a portion of the first electrical conductor is electrically connected to the body,
- wherein the portion of the first electrical conductor is electrically connected to the body via direct contact with the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.