IP Library Granted Patent US 12,654,544
Granted Patent B2
US 12,654,544 · App. 18/267,268 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Stiffening element for a liquid container, liquid container for a motor vehicle with a stiffening element and production method for a liquid container having a stiffening element

Inventors: Harald Lorenz (Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, DE); Daniel Marx (Bedburg, DE); Frank Quant (Königswinter, DE); Klaus Gebert (Willich, DE)
Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
B60K15/03177B60K2015/03032B60K2015/03493
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,654,544
App. No.
18/267,268
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a stiffening element for a liquid container for a motor vehicle and to a liquid container comprising such a stiffening element, wherein the stiffening element has a first connection area, a second connection area and a central area, wherein the first connection area and the second connection area are at least indirectly connected to one another by the central area, and wherein the first connection area and the second connection area have a different connection geometry. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the production of such a liquid container.

Claims (32)

1 . A stiffening element for a liquid container for a motor vehicle, wherein the stiffening element has a first connection area, a second connection area, and a central area, wherein the first connection area and the second connection area are at least indirectly connected to one another by the central area,

wherein the first connection area and the second connection area have a different connection geometry and wherein a first connection surface of the first connection area is larger than a second connection surface of the second connection area,

wherein

the first connection area is had by a first connection piece,

the second connection area is had by a second connection piece,

the central area is had by a central piece, wherein the central piece is connected to the first connection piece and the second connection piece in a force-fitting manner, and

the central piece has at least one through-opening.

2 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein an area ratio from the first connection surface to the second connection surface is in an area between 1.1 and 3.5.

3 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein the first connection surface is radially symmetrical.

4 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein the first connection area has welding pins.

5 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein the second connection surface has two symmetry axes, wherein the second connection area extends longer along a first symmetry axis than along a second symmetry axis.

6 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein the second connection surface has a recess with an undercut.

7 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein the central piece is made of PA (polyamide), PAI (polyamide imide), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PPA (polyphtalamide), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), POM (polyoxymethylene) or PPS (polyphenylene sulfide).

8 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element has a longitudinal extension greater than or equal to 100 mm.

9 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein a pull-off force between the central piece and the first connection piece and a pull-off force between the central piece and the second connection piece are greater than or equal to 7 kN.

10 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein a tensile strength of the central piece exceeds the tensile strength of the first connection piece and/or the second connection piece by a factor of 3 or less.

11 . A liquid container for a motor vehicle, comprising a stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element is arranged in an interior space of the liquid container.

12 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein an area ratio from the first connection surface to the second connection surface is in an area between 1.2 and 2.9.

13 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein an area ratio from the first connection surface to the second connection surface is in an area between 1.3 and 2.5.

14 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein the first connection piece, the second connection piece, and the central piece are separate pieces.

15 . The stiffening element according to claim 14 , wherein the central piece is connected to the first connection piece by a friction connection.

16 . The stiffening element according to claim 1 , wherein the central area and/or the central piece has a predetermined breaking point.

17 . The stiffening element according to claim 16 , wherein the predetermined breaking point is configured to fail at a predetermined load.

18 . The stiffening element according to claim 16 , wherein the predetermined breaking point comprises one or more openings the central piece configured to cause the central piece to break predictably.

19 . A stiffening element for a liquid container for a motor vehicle, wherein the stiffening element has a first connection area, a second connection area, and a central area, wherein the first connection area and the second connection area are at least indirectly connected to one another by the central area,

wherein the first connection area and the second connection area have a different connection geometry and wherein a first connection surface of the first connection area is larger than a second connection surface of the second connection area,

wherein

the first connection area is had by a first connection piece,

the second connection area is had by a second connection piece,

the central area is had by a central piece, wherein the central piece is connected to the first connection piece and the second connection piece in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, and

the central piece has at least one through-opening,

wherein the central area and/or the central piece has a predetermined breaking point.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2023
From: LORENZ, HARALD; MARX, DANIEL; QUANT, FRANK; GEBERT, KLAUS
To: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO KG
Reel/Frame 064340/0748 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2020 133 769.8 · Dec 16, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20260116180A1 · Apr 30, 2026
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