Search

BR-102025013833-A2 - IMPROVED LOAD SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

BR102025013833A2BR 102025013833 A2BR102025013833 A2BR 102025013833A2BR-102025013833-A2

Abstract

Support system (6) for supporting at least one pair of tank assemblies (3) of a vehicle (1), the support system (6) comprising at least one stabilizer bar (7) and a support structure (8), said stabilizer bar (7) being configured to connect the tank assemblies (3) in a fixed manner, the support structure (8) being configured to connect the stabilizer bar (7) to the chassis (2) in a movable manner.

Inventors

  • THIAGO MALAQUIAS DOMINGOS DE SA
  • BERNARDO DA COSTA LIMA NETO

Assignees

  • ON-HIGHWAY BRASIL LTDA

Dates

Publication Date
20260310
Application Date
20250703
Priority Date
20240703

Claims (12)

  1. 1. Support system (6) for supporting at least one pair of tank assemblies (3) of a vehicle (1), characterized in that said support system (6) comprises at least one stabilizer bar (7) and a support structure (8), said stabilizer bar (7) being configured to connect together fixedly said tank assemblies (3), said support structure (8) being configured to connect in a movable manner said stabilizer bar (7) to said chassis (2).
  2. 2. Support system, according to claim 1, characterized in that said stabilizer bar (7) comprises a central portion (7’) movably connected to said support structure (8) and at least one pair of terminal portions (7’’) extending from said central portion (7’) along a first axis direction (B).
  3. 3. Support system, according to claim 2, characterized in that said terminal portions (7’’) are not coaxial to said central portion (7’).
  4. 4. Support system, according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said end portions (7’’) are respectively placed forward and backward in relation to said central portion (7’) in relation to said direction of the first axis (B).
  5. 5. Support system, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stabilizer bar (7) has a continuous circular cross-section.
  6. 6. Support system, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support structure (8) comprises a central portion (8’) and a pair of supports (8’’), said supports (8’) defining said mobile connection with said stabilizer bar (7) and being configured to fix said central portion (8’) to said chassis (2).
  7. 7. Support system, according to claim 6, characterized in that said supports (8’) define an articulated connection with said stabilizer bar (7).
  8. 8. Support system, according to claim 7, characterized in that said hinge connection comprises a seat (9) provided with a bushing carried by said supports (8’).
  9. 9. Support system, according to any of the preceding claims depending on claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a coupling portion (11) rigidly carried by said terminal portions (7’’) and configured to allow rigid connection to said tank assembly (3).
  10. 10. Vehicle (1) characterized in that it comprises a chassis (2) extending along a second axle (A) and at least one pair of tank assemblies (3) connected to each other and to said chassis (2) via a support system (6) as defined in any of the preceding claims.
  11. 11. Vehicle according to claim 10, when depending on claim 6, characterized in that said chassis (2) comprises a pair of side members (2’, 2’’) and a plurality of cross members (2’’’) connecting said side members (2’, 2’’), said tank assemblies (3) being connected laterally outside said side members (2’, 2’’) by supports (5), said central portion (8’) being comprised laterally between said side members (2’, 2’’), said supports (8’’) being fixed laterally outside said side members (2’, 2’’).
  12. 12. Vehicle, according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said stabilizer bar (7) is placed above said chassis (2), said central portion (7’) is placed between said side members (2’, 2’’), said terminal portions (7’’) being placed outside said side members (2’, 2’’) along said direction of the first axle (B).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS [001] This patent application claims priority over Italian patent application no. 102024000015334 filed on July 3, 2024, full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [002] The present invention relates to a load support system for a vehicle, such as a heavy vehicle. [003] The present invention finds its preferred, though not exclusive, application in supporting loads that cantilever over the chassis of a heavy vehicle, such as a truck. Reference will be made to this application by way of example below. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION [004] Heavy vehicles, such as trucks, may be supplied with one or more sets of tanks, each comprising at least one tank configured to store operating fluids, such as pressurized gas, for example, air for a braking operating system, or fuel for operating an internal combustion engine, or hydrogen in the case of a fuel cell vehicle. [005] Typically, such tank assemblies are transported directly by the chassis via supports that securely connect the tanks to one of the chassis' side members. [006] As is known, side members are generally two and extend along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and are connected by cross members. [007] Clearly, the aforementioned tank assemblies are particularly heavy and, moreover, each one usually comprises more tanks that are generally connected to each other by a connecting structure and fixed by the aforementioned supports to the vehicle. [008] In addition, such a tank assembly is usually transported in cantilever by its side members, in particular laterally cantilevered outside the side member to which it is attached. [009] Consequently, large stresses are transmitted to the chassis, in particular to the side members close to the support attachment points and, if present, to the cross member positioned in the vicinity of the supports. [010] Such high stresses lead to a reduction in the lifespan of the chassis and increase the possibility of failures that could cause heavy damage to the vehicle and possible fatal injuries to the driver and people/goods in the vicinity of the vehicle. [011] Furthermore, such loads can vary according to the amount of fluid contained in the tank, thus providing imbalances to the vehicle that could affect its drivability. [012] Known solutions involve increasing the chassis thickness or increasing the number of cross members. However, this solution increases the vehicle's weight, costs, and fuel consumption, and also reduces its usable space. [013] Therefore, there is a need to improve the attachment of a tank assembly to a vehicle chassis in order to reduce the stresses transmitted to the chassis elements, without increasing costs and reducing usable space in the vehicle. [014] One objective of the present invention is to satisfy the aforementioned needs in an economical and optimized manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [015] The above-mentioned objective is achieved by a support system and a vehicle, as claimed in the attached claims, which are an integral part of this description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [016] For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [017] Figure 1 is a perspective view with parts removed for clarity of a vehicle comprising a support system according to the invention; [018] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a support system according to the invention; and [019] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the support system of Figure 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [020] Figure 1 shows a heavy vehicle 1, such as a truck comprising a chassis 2 that is mobile on the ground, for example, by means of wheels, and that extends along a longitudinal axis A. [021] As is known, chassis 2 comprises a pair of side members 2’, 2’’, that is, a right side member and a left side member 2’, 2’’ that extend spaced along the longitudinal axis A and preferably parallel to each other. [022] Chassis 2 further comprises a plurality of cross members 2’’’ extending along a transverse axis B perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A and connecting together the side members 2’, 2’’. As is known, the cross member is laterally contained between the side members along the transverse axis B. [023] Vehicle 1 further comprises at least one tank assembly 3 comprising one or more tanks 3’ and carried between the first and second side members 2’, 2’’. [024] The plurality of tanks 3’ is connected together by a connection system 4, for example, comprising bands or other rigid connection means for transporting the tanks 3’ together. [025] Tank assembly 3 is connected to the respective side member 2’, 2’’ by means of at least one pair of supports 5 that extend in cantilever from side member 2’, 2’’ and configured to directly support tanks 3’ or the aforementioned connection system 4. [026] In the embodiment disclosed,