Assembly for mounting at least one component in a tank of a motor vehicle

Abstract

An assembly for mounting at least one component in a tank for a motor vehicle, the tank including a wall portion and an attachment portion projecting outward from the wall portion, the attachment portion defining an opening in the wall portion, the assembly including: a mounting module configured to carry the at least one component and to close the opening in the wall portion; the mounting module including an outer side configured to be accessible from outside the tank; at least one connector arranged on the outer side of the mounting module, the at least one connector being connected to the at least one component; a clamp configured to clamp the mounting module to the attachment portion; and a cover attached to the clamp and covering at least partially the at least one connector.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An assembly for mounting at least one component in a tank for a motor vehicle, the tank including a wall portion and an attachment portion projecting outward from the wall portion, the attachment portion defining an opening in the wall portion, the assembly comprising:
 a mounting module configured to carry the at least one component and to close the opening in the wall portion;   the mounting module including an outer side configured to be accessible from outside the tank;   at least one connector arranged on an outer side of the mounting module, the at least one connector being connected to the at least one component;   a clamp configured to clamp the mounting module to the attachment portion;   a cover attached to the clamp and covering at least partially the at least one connector.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the mounting module includes a mounting flange at an outer circumference thereof, and wherein the clamp is configured to engage around the mounting flange and around a corresponding flange of the attachment portion of the tank. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one connector comprises any one of the following connectors, or a combination thereof: a hydraulic connector, an electrical connector. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the clamp includes a plurality of fixation points for attaching the cover. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein in the mounted position the clamp is substantially circular and fixation points are provided in a form of outwardly protruding ears. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising an electronic control unit mounted on the outer side of the mounting module, and the cover at least partially covers the electronic control unit. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the clamp is a plastic clamp. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the clamp includes at least a first clamp shell and a second clamp shell,
 the first clamp shell including a first end pivotally connected to a first end of the second clamp shell;   wherein the first clamp shell includes a second end configured to be connected to a second end of the second clamp shell.   
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the second end of the first clamp shell is connected to the second end of the second clamp shell through a snap-fit connection. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the clamp comprises at least one attachment strip including a first end including a toothed portion; and a second end including at least one head,
 the head comprising a complementary toothed portion, the head being configured to receive and lock the strip by the complementary toothed portion;   wherein the clamp engages and is closed onto the mounting module and the attachment portion by pulling tight the strip through the head.   
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the clamp comprises at an inner surface thereof at least one internal mouth configured to receive a mounting flange of the mounting module and a corresponding flange of the attachment portion of the tank. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the or each internal mouth includes a tapered inner surface; and/or wherein the clamp comprises a plurality of strengthening ribs extending radially between the or each internal mouth and an outer surface of the clamp. 
     
     
         28 . A tank assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a tank and an assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the tank is a fuel tank or an ammonia precursor tank. 
     
     
         29 . The tank assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the tank comprises an attachment portion in which a ring-shaped member is partially embedded; the ring shaped member comprising a top flange, a bottom flange and a side wall connecting the top flange and the bottom flange; the bottom flange and a portion of the side wall being embedded in the attachment portion;
 wherein the ring shaped member comprises a plurality of tabs extending outwardly from the top flange or created in the top flange;   wherein the clamp comprises a plurality of engaging claw parts, each engaging claw part being configured to engage one of the plurality of peripheral tabs and to press the mounting module against the attachment portion.   
     
     
         30 . The tank assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the clamp is an annular lock plate comprising the plurality of engaging claw parts.