Another aim of the invention is to provide a plastic tank for a motor vehicle comprising an assembly for a plastic tank for a motor vehicle according to the invention.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a plastic tank for a motor vehicle.

According to one advantageous implementation of the method for manufacturing a plastic tank for a motor vehicle according to the invention, said method comprises a step of attaching an internal reinforcing element according to the invention to a reinforcement for a plastic tank for a motor vehicle according to the invention.

5. LIST OF FIGURES

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of simple, illustrative and non-limiting example, and from the appended drawings, among which:

FIG. 1 shows an assembly for a plastic tank for a motor vehicle according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a means for attaching an internal reinforcing element of a reinforcement according to the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the connection between an internal reinforcing element and a reinforcement according to the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a means for attaching an internal reinforcing element of the tank to a reinforcement according to one alternative embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a connection between an internal reinforcing element and a reinforcement according to one alternative embodiment of the invention forming part of the assembly for a plastic tank for a motor vehicle.

6. DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, one embodiment of an assembly 4 for a plastic tank for a motor vehicle according to the invention, comprising a reinforcement 1 and internal reinforcing elements 2, is shown. The reinforcement 1 for a plastic tank for a motor vehicle comprises at least one means 10 for attaching an internal reinforcing element 2 to the tank. The reinforcement 1 comprises a deformable connection 11 connecting the reinforcement 1 and the means 10 for attaching the internal reinforcing element 2, said connection 10 being capable of deforming in order to allow a relative movement of the reinforcement 1 and of the means 10 for attaching the internal reinforcing element 2 with respect to one another when subjected to a mechanical load external to the reinforcement 1. The reinforcement 1 also comprises a receiving member 12 designed to receive an insertion means, such as an insertion rod for example, for inserting the assembly 4 into a parison during the manufacture of the tank. Said receiving member 12 is advantageously provided in the form of a hole or a blind hole. The reinforcement 1 is based on a material selected from the group of materials consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA), polyphthalamide (PPA) and polyketone (PK). The reinforcement 1 also comprises support means 3 for components of the fuel tank such as a pump, a level sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a valve such as a rollover valve (ROV) or a fill limit vent valve (FLVV), or for allowing the attachment of vent and fuel lines. The reinforcement 1 also comprises a plurality of through-holes 13. Preferentially, the reinforcement 1 is also provided with stiffening means such as ribs not shown. Preferentially, the internal reinforcing elements 2 take the form of a pillar 21 in the shape of a column, which is preferentially cylindrical, or in the shape of a diabolo. The internal reinforcing elements 2 can also be in the form of a retaining member 20 comprising a wall provided with a central recess, a part of the wall comprising reinforcing ribs. The wall of the retaining member can be planar or curved. Said reinforcing elements 2 preferentially comprise, at their two ends, two parts overmolded in a material suitable for being welded to the walls of the tank. The internal reinforcing elements 2 preferentially consist of a central part based on polyoxymethylene (POM), polyphthalamide (PPA), polyketone (PK), polyamide (PA), metal and two overmolded parts made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The internal reinforcing elements preferentially comprise a region of mechanical weakness capable of causing said elements to break when the elements are subjected to high stresses resulting from the forces exerted on the tank.

FIG. 2 shows a means 10 for attaching an internal reinforcing element of the tank to a reinforcement 1. Said means 10 comprises at least a first structure 100 designed to at least partially clamp around a first external part of the internal reinforcing element and at least a second structure 101 designed to at least partially surround a second external part of the internal reinforcing element. The first structure 100 designed to at least partially clamp around a first external part of the internal reinforcing element comprises two arms 1000 that are designed to be inserted between two projections of the internal reinforcing element, the two arms 1000 taking the shape of a circular arc and each comprising a protrusion 1002 at their end, said protrusion 1002 being oriented on the internal part of the arms 1000. The two arms 1000 in the shape of a circular arc have an angle of at most 180° when they are located in the same clamping plane. The second structure 101 designed to at least partially surround a second external part of the internal reinforcing element comprises at least one arm 1010 in the shape of a circular arc attached to an extension 1011 in the shape of a rod 10110. The arm 1010 in the shape of a circular arc has an angle greater than 180°. It is noted that the first structure 100 designed to clamp around a first external part of the internal reinforcing element has an internal circumference that is larger than the internal circumference of the second structure 101 designed to at least partially surround a second external part of the internal reinforcing element.

FIG. 3 shows the connection between an internal reinforcing element 2 and a reinforcement 1 according to the invention forming part of the assembly 4 for a plastic tank for a motor vehicle. The connection is made using a means 10 comprising at least a first structure 100 designed to at least partially clamp around a first external part of the internal reinforcing element and at least a second structure 101 designed to at least partially surround a second external part of the internal reinforcing element 2. The first structure 100 designed to at least partially clamp around a first external part of the internal reinforcing element comprises two arms 1000 that are designed to be inserted between two projections 20 of the internal reinforcing element 2, the two arms 1000 taking the shape of a circular arc and each comprising a protrusion at their end, said protrusion being oriented on the internal part of the arms