Evaporated fuel processing device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an evaporated fuel processing apparatus. This evaporated fuel processing device is provided with an adsorbent, an inner case, an outer case, and an elastic member. And the adsorbent is blocky. The adsorbent is configured to adsorb the evaporated fuel. And the inner side shell is cylindrical. The inner case is configured so as to hold the adsorbent in a state in which at least a portion of the adsorbent is disposed inside the inner case. The outer case accommodates the adsorbent and the inner case. The elastic member is disposed between the outer surface of the inner housing and the inner surface of the outer housing. The elastic member surrounds both the inner housing and the adsorbent in a circumferential direction of the inner housing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an evaporated fuel treatment device. BACKGROUND

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-25546 describes an evaporated fuel treatment device that has a housing and activated carbon in a granular form. The activated carbon is configured to adsorb evaporated fuel. The activated carbon is filled in the housing. SUMMARY

[0003] On the other hand, the evaporated fuel treatment device sometimes has an adsorbent in a block form. The adsorbent in a block form is configured to adsorb evaporated fuel. The adsorbent in a block form is disposed inside the housing.

[0004] In the evaporated fuel treatment device of the above type, it can be considered that there is a case where, when the housing expands due to heat, a gap is formed between the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the adsorbent.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to suppress a case where a gap is formed between the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the adsorbent in the evaporated fuel treatment device that has an adsorbent in a block form.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is an evaporated fuel treatment device that has an adsorbent, an inner housing, an outer housing, and an elastic member. The adsorbent is in a block form. The adsorbent is configured to adsorb evaporated fuel. The inner housing is in a cylindrical shape. The inner housing is configured to hold the adsorbent in a state where at least a part of the adsorbent is disposed inside the inner housing. The outer housing accommodates the adsorbent and the inner housing. The elastic member is disposed between the outer surface of the inner housing and the inner surface of the outer housing. The elastic member surrounds both the inner housing and the adsorbent in the circumferential direction of the inner housing.

[0007] According to the above configuration, in the evaporated fuel treatment device that has an adsorbent in a block form, it is possible to suppress a case where a gap is formed between the inner surface of the inner housing and the outer surface of the adsorbent.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the inner housing can be compressed toward the radially inner side of the inner housing by the outer housing by accommodating the inner housing in the outer housing, and the elastic member can be disposed between the outer surface of the inner housing and the inner surface of the outer housing in the compressed state. According to the above configuration, it is possible to further suppress a case where a gap is formed between the inner surface of the inner housing and the outer surface of the adsorbent.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a groove portion can be provided on an outer surface of the inner housing. The elastic member can be a ring-shaped member disposed in the groove portion. According to the above configuration, the position of the elastic member with respect to the inner housing can be less likely to shift. Furthermore, the formation of a gap between the inner surface of the inner housing and the outer surface of the adsorbent can be further suppressed.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the elastic member can have a cylindrical portion and a flange portion. The cylindrical portion is a portion in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer surface of the inner housing. The flange portion is a portion that protrudes from the cylindrical portion toward the radial outside of the cylindrical portion, and the flange portion is connected to the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion along the circumferential direction. According to the above configuration, the position of the elastic member with respect to the outer housing can be less likely to shift. Furthermore, the formation of a gap between the inner surface of the inner housing and the outer surface of the adsorbent can be further suppressed.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the inner housing can be the same as or greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer housing. According to the above configuration, the formation of a gap between the inner surface of the inner housing and the outer surface of the adsorbent can be further suppressed.

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the length of the adsorbent along the gas flow direction can be smaller than the equivalent diameter of the cross section of the adsorbent perpendicular to the flow direction. According to the above configuration, both the ventilation resistance of the adsorbent and the formation of a gap between the inner surface of the inner housing and the outer surface of the adsorbent can be suppressed.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the outer housing can have an atmosphere port that is open to the atmosphere and an atmosphere-side adsorption chamber that is directly connected to the atmosphere port. The adsorbent and the elastic member can be housed in the atmosphere-side adsorption chamber. According to the above configuration, for the adsorbent adjacent to the atmosphere port, the formation of a gap between the inner surface of the inner housing and the outer surface of the adsorbent can be suppressed.

[0014] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the outer housing can have a peripheral wall portion, a first closing wall portion, and a second closing wall portion, and can have at least one of a first support portion and a second support portion. The peripheral wall portion is a portion in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the adsorbent and the inner housing. The peripheral wall portion has a first opening on one side of the peripheral wall portion in the axial direction and a second opening on the other side of the peripheral wall portion in the axial direction. The first closing wall portion is a portion in a plate shape that partially closes the first opening. The second closing wall portion is a portion in a plate shape that partially closes the second opening. The first support portion is a portion that protrudes from the first closing wall portion toward the side of the second closing wall portion. The second support portion is a portion that protrudes from the second closing wall portion toward the side of the first closing wall portion. According to the above configuration, the movement of the adsorbent in the axial direction of the peripheral wall portion can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the evaporated fuel treatment device of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the evaporated fuel treatment device of the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3A is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the outer shell is expanded by heat in the evaporated fuel treatment device of the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3B is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the inner shell is expanded by heat in the evaporated fuel treatment device of the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the evaporated fuel treatment device of the second embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 is a side view of the elastic member of the second embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the evaporated fuel treatment device of the third embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the evaporated fuel treatment device of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] [1. First Embodiment]

[0025] [1-1. Configuration]

[0026] Figure 1 The evaporated fuel treatment device 1 shown in the figure is fitted in a vehicle. The evaporated fuel treatment device 1 is configured as a filter can that adsorbs and desorbs evaporated fuel generated from a fuel tank of the vehicle. The evaporated fuel treatment device 1 is provided with a first adsorbent 2, a second adsorbent 3, a third adsorbent 4, an outer shell 5, an inner shell 6, and an elastic member 7.

[0027] The first adsorbent 2, the second adsorbent 3, and the third adsorbent 4 are configured to adsorb evaporated fuel. Among the first adsorbent 2, the second adsorbent 3, and the third adsorbent 4, at least the third adsorbent 4 is in a block shape. As a specific example of an adsorbent in a block shape, a formed body in which fibrous activated carbon is formed into a block shape can be cited. The third adsorbent 4 has a columnar shape. The first adsorbent 2 and the second adsorbent 3 may, for example, be in a block shape or in a granular shape. As a specific example of an adsorbent in a granular shape, an agglomerate of granular activated carbon can be cited.

[0028] The outer case 5 is a member that defines an internal space. The outer case 5 has an inner surface. The inner surface of the outer case 5 is a surface that faces the space on the inner side of the outer case 5. The outer case 5 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. As a specific example of a synthetic resin, a polyamide-based resin such as PA66 (nylon 66) can be cited. The outer case 5 is provided with a charging port 51, a purge port 52, an atmosphere port 53, a first adsorption chamber 54, a second adsorption chamber 55, a third adsorption chamber 56, and a connection passage 57. The inner surface of the first adsorption chamber 54, the inner surface of the second adsorption chamber 55, and the inner surface of the third adsorption chamber 56 are each a part of the inner surface of the outer case 5.

[0029] The charging port 51 is connected to a fuel tank of a vehicle via a pipe. The charging port 51 is configured to introduce evaporated fuel generated in the fuel tank into the evaporated fuel processing device 1. The charging port 51 functions as an inlet for gas containing evaporated fuel.

[0030] The purge port 52 is connected to an intake pipe of an engine of a vehicle via a purge valve. The purge port 52 is configured to supply evaporated fuel in the evaporated fuel processing device 1 to the engine.

[0031] The atmosphere port 53 is open to the atmosphere. The atmosphere port 53 is configured to discharge gas from which evaporated fuel has been removed to the atmosphere. The atmosphere port 53 is further configured to introduce outside air (i.e., purge air). By introducing outside air from the atmosphere port 53, evaporated fuel adsorbed by the evaporated fuel processing device 1 is desorbed and supplied to the engine via the purge port 52.

[0032] The first adsorption chamber 54 is a portion that houses the first adsorbent 2. The first adsorption chamber 54 is directly connected to the charging port 51 and the purge port 52. Directly connected to a port means connected to the port without passing through another chamber. The same applies hereinafter. The first adsorption chamber 54 corresponds to a main chamber that is the largest in volume among the plurality of adsorption chambers 54, 55, 56.

[0033] The second adsorption chamber 55 is a portion that houses the second adsorbent 3. The second adsorption chamber 55 corresponds to a sub-chamber having a smaller volume than the first adsorption chamber 54. The second adsorption chamber 55 communicates with the first adsorption chamber 54 via the connection passage 57. The second adsorption chamber 55 communicates with the third adsorption chamber 56 on the opposite side of the connection passage 57.

[0034] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the evaporative fuel processing device 1 including the third adsorption chamber 56. As shown in Figure 2 , the third adsorption chamber 56 is a portion that houses the third adsorbent 4. Like the second adsorption chamber 55, the third adsorption chamber 56 is also a sub-chamber having a smaller volume than the first adsorption chamber 54. The third adsorption chamber 56 has a main body portion 561, a lid portion 562, at least one bottom-side pillar portion 563, and at least one lid-side pillar portion 564.

[0035] The main body portion 561 is a portion that is a bottomed cylinder. For example, the main body portion 561 can be a bottomed circular cylinder or a bottomed square cylinder. The main body portion 561 has a peripheral wall 5611 and a bottom wall 5612. The peripheral wall 5611 is a portion that is a cylinder. The third adsorbent 4 is disposed in a space surrounded by the peripheral wall 5611. The peripheral wall 5611 corresponds to one example of an outer peripheral wall. The bottom wall 5612 is a portion that is a plate. The bottom wall 5612 partially closes an opening on the side of the second adsorption chamber 55 among the two openings in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 5611. A through-hole 565 is formed in a central portion of the bottom wall 5612, and the through-hole 565 communicates with the second adsorption chamber 55. The bottom wall 5612 corresponds to one example of a first closing wall portion.

[0036] The lid portion 562 is configured to partially close an opening of the bottomed cylinder-shaped main body portion 561. The opening of the main body portion 561 can also be understood as an opening on the opposite side of the opening partially closed by the bottom wall 5612 among the two openings in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 5611. The lid portion 562 is fixed to the main body portion 561 in a state of partially closing the opening of the main body portion 561. The lid portion 562 corresponds to one example of a second closing wall portion.

[0037] The atmospheric port 53 is provided on the lid portion 562. That is, the third adsorption chamber 56 is directly connected to the atmospheric port 53. The third adsorption chamber 56 corresponds to one example of a gas-atmosphere-side adsorption chamber. The flow direction of the gas in the third adsorption chamber 56 coincides with the axial direction of the main body portion 561.

[0038] The bottom-side pillar portion 563 is a portion protruding from the bottom wall 5612 toward the lid portion 562 side. The lid-side pillar portion 564 is a portion protruding from the lid portion 562 toward the bottom wall 5612 side. The bottom-side pillar portion 563 and the lid-side pillar portion 564 are, for example, columnar. The bottom-side pillar portion 563 and the lid-side pillar portion 564 are configured to suppress movement of the third adsorbent 4 in the axial direction of the main body portion 561 in a state where the third adsorbent 4 is accommodated in the main body portion 561. The bottom-side pillar portion 563 corresponds to one example of the first pillar portion. The lid-side pillar portion 564 corresponds to one example of the second pillar portion. In Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the drawings of Figure 3A and Figure 3B a partial cross-sectional view of the third adsorption chamber 56 in a state where the third adsorbent 4 is accommodated is shown.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1 , in the evaporated fuel processor 1, a flow path F of a gas containing evaporated fuel is formed by the first adsorption chamber 54, the connection passage 57, the second adsorption chamber 55, and the third adsorption chamber 56. In the present embodiment, the flow path F is a substantially U-shaped flow path that is folded back at the connection passage 57. The second adsorption chamber 55 and the third adsorption chamber 56 are arranged in series in the gas flow direction. As one example, the second adsorption chamber 55 and the third adsorption chamber 56 are arranged on the same straight line. The first adsorption chamber 54 is arranged side by side with the second adsorption chamber 55 and the third adsorption chamber 56. The respective gas flow directions of the first adsorption chamber 54, the second adsorption chamber 55, and the third adsorption chamber 56 are parallel to each other. The respective gas flow directions of the first adsorption chamber 54, the second adsorption chamber 55, and the third adsorption chamber 56 correspond to the left-right direction on the paper of the drawing.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2 , the inner-side housing 6 is a member in a cylindrical shape. For example, the inner-side housing 6 can be a circular cylinder or a square cylinder. The inner-side housing 6 is, for example, made of synthetic resin. For example, the material of the inner-side housing 6 can be the same as or different from that of the outer-side housing 5. It is preferable that the coefficient of thermal expansion (linear expansion coefficient) of the inner-side housing 6 be the same as or greater than that of the outer-side housing 5, and it is more preferable that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the inner-side housing 6 be greater than that of the outer-side housing 5.

[0041] The inner-side housing 6 has a peripheral wall 61 and a groove portion 62.

[0042] The peripheral wall 61 is a portion in a cylindrical shape. The peripheral wall 61 has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the peripheral wall 61 is a surface facing a space on the inner side of the peripheral wall 61. The inner surface of the peripheral wall 61 surrounds the central axis of the peripheral wall 61. The outer surface of the peripheral wall 61 is a surface surrounding the central axis of the peripheral wall 61 at a position on the radially outer side than the inner surface of the peripheral wall 61.

[0043] The groove portion 62 is a recess provided at the outer surface of the peripheral wall 61. The groove portion 62 is continuous over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. As described later, at least a portion of the third adsorbent 4 is arranged in the space surrounded by the peripheral wall 61. The groove portion 62 is provided at the peripheral wall 61 so as to surround a portion of the third adsorbent 4 in the circumferential direction. As one example, the groove portion 62 is provided at the central portion of the peripheral wall 61 in the axial direction thereof.

[0044] At least a portion (for example, the entire) of the third adsorbent 4 is arranged in the space surrounded by the peripheral wall 61. That is, at least a portion (for example, the entire) of the third adsorbent 4 is arranged inside the inner side housing 6. The inner side housing 6 is configured to hold the third adsorbent 4 in a state where at least a portion of the third adsorbent 4 is arranged inside the inner side housing 6. As one example, the inner side housing 6 holds the third adsorbent 4 in a state where at least a portion of the third adsorbent 4 is pressed into the inside of the inner side housing 6. The inner surface of the peripheral wall 61 is in contact with the surface of the third adsorbent 4 opposite to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 61 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0045] The inner side housing 6 is housed in the third adsorption chamber 56 in a state where the third adsorbent 4 is held. That is, both the inner side housing 6 and the third adsorbent 4 are housed in the third adsorption chamber 56. The central axis of the inner side housing 6 coincides with the central axis of the main body portion 561. The gas flowing into the third adsorption chamber 56 passes through the inside of the inner side housing 6 along the axial direction of the inner side housing 6, thereby passing through the third adsorbent 4.

[0046] In a state where the third adsorbent 4 is held by the inner side housing 6, the length LI [mm] of the third adsorbent 4 is smaller than the equivalent diameter Dl [mm] of the cross section of the third adsorbent 4. More specifically, the length LI of the third adsorbent 4 refers to the length LI of the third adsorbent 4 in the direction of the gas flow in the third adsorption chamber 56. More specifically, the equivalent diameter Dl of the cross section of the third adsorbent 4 refers to the equivalent diameter Dl of the cross section of the third adsorbent 4 perpendicular to the direction of the gas flow in the third adsorption chamber 56. The equivalent diameter of the cross section indicates the average value taken in the direction of the gas flow of the diameter (D = (S / π) 1 / 2 × 2) of a circle having the same area S as the cross section. In this regard, the same applies hereinafter.

[0047] The elastic member 7 is an annular member having elasticity. The annular shape referred to herein means a shape that is continuous over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. The annular shape referred to herein includes a shape that is circular in outer shape when viewed in the axial direction and a shape that is polygonal in outer shape when viewed in the axial direction. The elastic member 7 is configured to not allow the evaporated fuel to pass through the elastic member 7. The elastic member 7 is made of, for example, an elastomer. As a specific example of the elastic member 7, an O-ring can be cited.

[0048] The elastic member 7 is disposed in the groove portion 62. In a state before the inner side housing 6 is housed in the outer side housing 5, the elastic member 7 disposed in the groove portion 62 protrudes radially outward from the peripheral wall 61. In other words, in a state before the inner side housing 6 is housed in the outer side housing 5, the dimension from the center axis of the peripheral wall 61 to the radially outward edge portion of the elastic member 7 is greater than the dimension from the center axis of the peripheral wall 61 to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 61. Thus, in a state where the elastic member 7 is disposed in the groove portion 62, by housing the inner side housing 6 in the outer side housing 5, the elastic member 7 is disposed between the outer surface of the inner side housing 6 and the inner surface of the outer side housing 5 in a state where the elastic member 7 is compressed radially inward by the outer side housing 5. As described above, the groove portion 62 is provided at a position that surrounds the third adsorbent 4 in the circumferential direction of the inner side housing 6. Thus, the elastic member 7 surrounds both the inner side housing 6 and the third adsorbent 4 in the circumferential direction of the inner side housing 6. The elastic member 7 covers a part of the inner side housing 6 in the axial direction thereof from the radially outward side of the inner side housing 6. The elastic member 7 covers a part of the third adsorbent 4 in the axial direction of the inner side housing 6 from the radially outward side of the inner side housing 6.

[0049] The inner side housing 6 is sized such that, in a state where the inner side housing 6 is housed in the outer side housing 5, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the peripheral wall 61 and the inner surface of the main body portion 561. However, due to dimensional errors of the inner side housing 6 or the outer side housing 5, for example, the outer surface of the peripheral wall 61 can partially contact the inner surface of the main body portion 561.

[0050] [1-2. Action]

[0051] For example, a heat source such as a muffler of a vehicle is disposed around the evaporated fuel treatment device 1. In this case, heat from the heat source can be transferred to the evaporated fuel treatment device 1. Specifically, heat from the heat source can be transferred from the outside to the inside of the evaporated fuel treatment device 1. For example, it is conceivable that heat is transferred in the order of the outer side housing 5, the inner side housing 6, and the third adsorbent 4.

[0052] If heat is transferred to the outer side housing 5, as Figure 3AAs indicated by the hollow arrow, the outer shell 5 may expand due to heat. If the coefficients of thermal expansion of the outer shell 5 and the inner shell 6 are approximately the same, the outer shell 5, which is closer to the heat source, will expand more easily than the inner shell 6. This is because the outer shell 5 is closer to the heat source than the inner shell 6, and heat from the heat source is more easily transferred to the outer shell 5.

[0053] For example, when the third adsorption chamber 56 in the outer shell 5 expands due to heat, the elastic member 7 expands radially outward accordingly. This is because the compressive force acting on the elastic member 7 from the outer shell 5 is reduced. As the elastic member 7 expands radially outward, the positions of the inner shell 6 and the third adsorbent 4 relative to the third adsorption chamber 56 are less likely to change.

[0054] When heat is transferred to the outer shell 5 and then to the inner shell 6, the inner shell 6 may attempt to expand due to the heat. If the inner shell 6 expands due to heat, voids may form between the inner surface of the inner shell 6 and the outer surface of the third adsorbent 4. When voids form, some of the evaporated fuel may pass through the voids without passing through the third adsorbent 4, which may reduce the adsorption performance of the evaporated fuel processing device 1. Furthermore, the position of the third adsorbent 4 relative to the inner shell 6 may shift.

[0055] However, when the inner shell 6 attempts to expand, as Figure 3B As shown, a compressive force Y1 acts from the inner shell 6 onto the elastic member 7. Subsequently, a reaction force Y2 acts from the elastic member 7 onto the inner shell 6. The reaction force Y2 is a force that presses the inner shell 6 radially inward, i.e., towards the third adsorbent 4. The reaction force Y2 acts particularly on the portion of the inner shell 6 whose inner surface faces the outer surface of the third adsorbent 4. This is because the elastic member 7 surrounds both the inner shell 6 and the third adsorbent 4 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, due to the reaction force Y2, the radially outward expansion of the portion of the inner shell 6 whose inner surface faces the outer surface of the third adsorbent 4 is particularly suppressed. Thus, the formation of a gap between the inner surface of the inner shell 6 and the outer surface of the third adsorbent 4 is suppressed.

[0056] [1-3. Effects]

[0057] According to the first embodiment detailed above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0058] (1a) The evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 includes an elastic member 7. The elastic member 7 is disposed between the outer surface of the inner housing 6 and the inner surface of the outer housing 5. Specifically, the elastic member 7 is disposed between the outer surface of the peripheral wall 61 and the inner surface of the main body 561. The elastic member 7 surrounds both the inner housing 6 and the third adsorbent 4 in the circumferential direction of the inner housing 6.

[0059] According to the above configuration, even if the inner case 6 tries to expand due to heat, a reaction force Y2 is applied to the inner case 6 in conjunction with the compression force Yl acting on the elastic member 7. Therefore, the expansion of the inner case 6 due to heat can be suppressed. In particular, the expansion of the portion of the inner case 6 whose inner surface faces the outer surface of the third adsorbent 4 can be suppressed. Therefore, the case where a gap is formed between the inner surface of the inner case 6 and the outer surface of the third adsorbent 4 can be suppressed. This contributes to both the prevention of the decrease in the adsorption performance of the evaporation fuel treatment device 1 to adsorb the evaporation fuel and the prevention of the shift in the position of the third adsorbent 4 relative to the inner case 6.

[0060] (1b) For example, the thermal expansion coefficient of the inner case 6 is the same as or greater than that of the outer case 5. According to the above configuration, the outer case 5 is relatively less likely to expand relative to the inner case 6. Therefore, when heat is transferred to the outer case 5 and the inner case 6, and the outer case 5 and the inner case 6 try to expand, a greater compression force Yl can be applied to the elastic member 7. Therefore, a greater reaction force Y2 can be applied to the inner case 6. Further, the case where a gap is formed between the inner surface of the inner case 6 and the outer surface of the third adsorbent 4 can be further suppressed.

[0061] (1c) For example, at least a portion of the third adsorbent 4 is pressed into the inner case 6. In other words, at least a portion of the third adsorbent 4 is disposed inside the inner case 6 in a state where it is compressed toward the radially inner side by the inner case 6, for example. According to the above configuration, even if the inner case 6 expands due to heat, the third adsorbent 4 expands correspondingly toward the radially outer side. Therefore, the case where a gap is formed between the inner surface of the inner case 6 and the outer surface of the third adsorbent 4 can be further suppressed.

[0062] (1d) The inner case 6 has a groove portion 62. The elastic member 7 is disposed in the groove portion 62. According to the above configuration, the displacement of the elastic member 7 in the axial direction of the inner case 6 can be suppressed. Therefore, the effect of the above (1a) can be further easily obtained.

[0063] (1e) The length Ll of the third adsorbent 4 is smaller than the equivalent diameter Dl of the cross section of the third adsorbent 4. According to the above configuration, the ventilation resistance of the third adsorbent 4 can be reduced, and the effect of the above (1a) can be obtained.

[0064] (1f) The third adsorbent 4 and the elastic member 7 are housed in the third adsorption chamber 56. The third adsorption chamber 56 is directly connected to the atmosphere port 53. According to the above configuration, the effect of the above (1a) can be obtained for the third adsorbent 4 adjacent to the atmosphere port 53.

[0065] [2. Second Embodiment]

[0066] [2-1. Configuration]

[0067] The second embodiment is basically configured the same as the first embodiment, and hereinafter, the different points will be described. In addition, the same symbols as in the first embodiment indicate the same configuration, and reference is made to the previous description.

[0068] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the evaporated fuel treatment device 1A of the second embodiment including the third adsorption chamber 56. As shown in Figure 4 the evaporated fuel treatment device 1A of the second embodiment differs from the evaporated fuel treatment device 1 of the first embodiment in that the evaporated fuel treatment device 1A has an inner housing 6A and an elastic member 7A in place of the above-described inner housing 6 and elastic member 7.

[0069] The inner housing 6A is configured substantially the same as the above-described inner housing 6. However, a groove portion 62 is not provided on the inner housing 6A.

[0070] The elastic member 7A is a member having elasticity in a cylindrical shape. As shown in Figure 5 the elastic member 7A has a cylindrical portion 71 and at least one (three in the example shown in Figure 5 the cylindrical portion 71 is a portion in a cylindrical shape. The flange portion 72 is a portion protruding toward the radially outer side from the cylindrical portion 71, and the flange portion 72 is connected to the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 71 along the circumferential direction.

[0071] As shown in Figure 4 the elastic member 7A is disposed between the outer surface of the inner housing 6A and the inner surface of the outer housing 5 in a state of being compressed toward the radially inner side. Specifically, the elastic member 7A is disposed between the outer surface of the inner housing 6A and the inner surface of the main body portion 561 in a state of being compressed toward the radially inner side. The elastic member 7A surrounds both the inner housing 6A and the third adsorbent 4 in the circumferential direction of the inner housing 6A. The elastic member 7A covers the entire range of the inner housing 6A in the axial direction thereof from the radially outer side of the inner housing 6A. The elastic member 7A covers the entire range of the third adsorbent 4 in the axial direction of the inner housing 6A from the radially outer side of the inner housing 6A.

[0072] As one example, Figure 4 a configuration in which the flange portion 72 is embedded in the circumferential wall 5611 of the main body portion 561 is shown. However, for example, the elastic member 7A can be accommodated in the main body portion 561 in a state in which the flange portion 72 is not embedded in the circumferential wall 5611 by bending the flange portion 72 toward the radially inner side.

[0073] [2-2. Effects]

[0074] According to the above-described second embodiment, the same effects as those of (1a) to (1c), (1e), and (1f) described above can be obtained, and the following effects can also be obtained.

[0075] (2a) The elastic member 7A covers the entire range of the inner case 6A in the axial direction from the radially outer side of the inner case 6A. According to the above-described configuration, when the inner case 6A attempts to expand due to heat, a reaction force can be applied to the entire range of the inner case 6A in the axial direction. Thus, expansion of the inner case 6A due to heat can be further suppressed. Furthermore, the case where a gap is formed between the inner surface of the inner case 6A and the outer surface of the third adsorbent 4 can be further suppressed.

[0076] (2b) At least one flange portion 72 is provided on the elastic member 7A. According to the above-described configuration, compared to a configuration in which the flange portion 72 is not provided, the position of the elastic member 7A with respect to the outer case 5 is less likely to be shifted. Thus, the effect of (2a) described above can be further easily obtained.

[0077] [3. Third Embodiment]

[0078] [3-1. Configuration]

[0079] The third embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, and hereinafter, only the different points will be described. In addition, the same symbols as in the first embodiment indicate the same configuration, and reference is made to the previous description.

[0080] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an evaporated fuel treatment device 1B of the third embodiment including a second adsorption chamber 55. As shown in Figure 6 , the evaporated fuel treatment device 1B is provided with a second adsorbent 3B instead of the second adsorbent 3. In addition, the evaporated fuel treatment device 1B is also provided with an inner case 6B and an elastic member 7B.

[0081] Like the above-described second adsorbent 3, the second adsorbent 3B is configured to adsorb evaporated fuel. The second adsorbent 3B is in a block shape. The outer shape of the second adsorbent 3B is in a columnar shape.

[0082] The inner case 6B is a portion in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The inner case 6B has a peripheral wall 61B, a bottom wall 63, an annular portion 64, and a groove portion 62B.

[0083] The peripheral wall 61B is a portion in a cylindrical shape.

[0084] The bottom wall 63 is, for example, in a plate shape. A plurality of through holes 65 are formed in the bottom wall 63. The bottom wall 63 partially closes the opening of the peripheral wall 61B on one side in the axial direction.

[0085] The annular portion 64 is a portion in the shape of a ring. The annular portion 64 protrudes from the peripheral wall 61B toward the radially outer side and is continuous with the entire circumference of the peripheral wall 61B in the circumferential direction. As described later, at least a portion of the second adsorbent 3B is disposed in the space surrounded by the peripheral wall 61B. The annular portion 64 is provided in the peripheral wall 61B at a portion that surrounds the second adsorbent 3B in the circumferential direction.

[0086] The groove portion 62B is a groove provided on the end surface of the annular portion 64. The end surface of the annular portion 64 refers to the surface of the annular portion 64 located on the radially outer side. The groove portion 62B is continuous with the entire circumference of the peripheral wall 61B in the circumferential direction.

[0087] At least a portion (for example, the entire portion) of the second adsorbent 3B is disposed in the space surrounded by the peripheral wall 61B. That is, at least a portion (for example, the entire portion) of the second adsorbent 3B is disposed inside the inner side housing 6B. The inner side housing 6B is configured to hold the second adsorbent 3B in a state in which at least a portion of the second adsorbent 3B is disposed inside the inner side housing 6B. As one example, the inner side housing 6B holds the second adsorbent 3B in a state in which at least a portion of the second adsorbent 3B is pressed into the inside of the inner side housing 6B.

[0088] The inner side housing 6B is housed in the second adsorption chamber 55 in a state in which the second adsorbent 3B is held. That is, the inner side housing 6B is housed in the second adsorption chamber 55 together with the second adsorbent 3B. The inner side housing 6B is housed in the second adsorption chamber 55 with the bottom wall 63 facing the third adsorption chamber 56 side. A gas flowing into the second adsorption chamber 55 passes through the inside of the inner side housing 6B along the axial direction of the inner side housing 6B, and thus passes through the second adsorbent 3B.

[0089] In a state in which the second adsorbent 3B is held by the inner side housing 6B, the length L2 [mm] of the second adsorbent 3B is greater than the equivalent diameter D2 [mm] of the cross section of the second adsorbent 3B. More specifically, the length L2 of the second adsorbent 3B is the length L2 of the second adsorbent 3B in the direction of gas flow in the second adsorption chamber 55. More specifically, the equivalent diameter D2 of the cross section of the second adsorbent 3B is the equivalent diameter D2 of the cross section of the second adsorbent 3B that is perpendicular to the direction of gas flow in the second adsorption chamber 55.

[0090] The elastic member 7B is configured substantially the same as the above-described elastic member 7. However, the elastic member 7B is disposed between the outer surface of the inner case 6B and the inner surface of the 2nd adsorption chamber 55. Specifically, the elastic member 7B is disposed in the groove portion 62B in a state of being compressed toward the radially inner side. The elastic member 7B surrounds both the inner case 6B and the 2nd adsorbent 3B in the circumferential direction of the inner case 6B. The elastic member 7B covers a portion of the inner case 6B in the axial direction thereof from the radially outer side of the inner case 6B. The elastic member 7B covers a range of a portion of the 2nd adsorbent 3B in the axial direction of the inner case 6B from the radially outer side of the inner case 6B.

[0091] [3-2. Effects]

[0092] According to the above-described 3rd embodiment, the same effects as the above (1a) to (1d) can be obtained.

[0093] [4. 4th Embodiment]

[0094] [4-1. Configuration]

[0095] The 4th embodiment is the same as the basic configuration of the 3rd embodiment, and hereinafter, the different points will be described. In addition, the same symbols as the 3rd embodiment indicate the same configuration, and refer to the previous description.

[0096] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the evaporative fuel processing device 1C of the 4th embodiment including the 2nd adsorption chamber 55. As shown in Figure 7 , the evaporative fuel processing device 1C is provided with an inner case 6C instead of the above-described inner case 6B. The evaporative fuel processing device 1C is provided with two elastic members 7B.

[0097] The inner case 6C is configured substantially the same as the above-described inner case 6B. However, the inner case 6C has two annular portions 64 and two groove portions 62B. One groove portion 62B is provided on each of the two annular portions 64. The elastic member 7B is disposed in each of the groove portions 62B.

[0098] [4-2. Effects]

[0099] According to the above-described 4th embodiment, the same effects as the 3rd embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can also be obtained.

[0100] In the evaporated fuel treatment device 1C of the fourth embodiment, two elastic members 7B are arranged between the outer surface of the inner housing 6C and the inner surface of the second adsorption chamber 55. According to the above-described configuration, when the inner housing 6C tries to expand due to heat, the two elastic members 7B can respectively apply a reaction force to the inner housing 6C. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the case where the inner housing 6C tries to expand due to heat. Thus, it is possible to further suppress the case where a gap is formed between the inner surface of the inner housing 6C and the outer surface of the second adsorbent 3B.

[0101] [5. Other Embodiments]

[0102] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take various forms.

[0103] (5a) In the third adsorption chamber 56, at least a part of the third adsorbent 4 is arranged inside the inner housing 6. That is, as in the above-described embodiments, the third adsorbent 4 can be arranged entirely inside the inner housing 6, or only a part of the third adsorbent 4 can be arranged inside the inner housing 6. If only a part of the third adsorbent 4 is arranged inside the inner housing 6, the remaining part of the third adsorbent 4 is exposed from the inner housing 6. The same applies to the inner housing 6B of the third embodiment and the inner housing 6C of the fourth embodiment described above.

[0104] (5b) In the above-described embodiments, the length LI of the third adsorbent 4 is smaller than the equivalent diameter Dl of the cross section of the third adsorbent 4. However, the size of the equivalent diameter of the cross section of the third adsorbent with respect to the length of the third adsorbent is not particularly limited. For example, the length of the third adsorbent can be the same as the equivalent diameter of the cross section of the third adsorbent, or can be larger than the equivalent diameter. The same applies to the first adsorbent and the second adsorbent.

[0105] (5c) In the above-described embodiments, the third adsorption chamber 56 has the bottom side pillar portion 563 and the lid side pillar portion 564. However, the third adsorption chamber can not have at least one of the bottom side pillar portion and the lid side pillar portion, for example. Even if the third adsorption chamber does not have the pillar portion, the position of the inner housing with respect to the third adsorption chamber can be maintained by the elastic member.

[0106] (5d) In the above-described embodiments, the evaporated fuel treatment device 1, 1A, 1B, 1C has the first adsorption chamber 54, the second adsorption chamber 55, and the third adsorption chamber 56. However, the number of adsorption chambers provided in the evaporated fuel treatment device is not limited, and can be one or a plurality, for example.

[0107] (5e) The functions of one component in the above-described embodiments can be shared or integrated into another component. Furthermore, a part of the functions of the above-described components can be omitted. Moreover, at least a part of the functions of the above-described components can be added to another component of the above-described embodiments or a component of another embodiment. Furthermore, a plurality of components of the above-described embodiments can be combined to constitute one component, or a part of the components can be omitted. Furthermore, at least a part of the components of the above-described embodiments or a part of the components of another embodiment can be added to the components of the above-described embodiments or the components of another embodiment, or the components of the above-described embodiments or the components of another embodiment can be replaced with the components of the above-described embodiments or the components of another embodiment.

Claims

1. A fuel vapor processing device characterized by comprising: Possessing: an adsorbent that is in a block shape and configured to adsorb evaporated fuel; an inner case that is in a cylindrical shape and configured to hold the adsorbent in a state where at least a part of the adsorbent is disposed inside the inner case; an outer case that accommodates the adsorbent and the inner case; and an elastic member that is disposed between an outer surface of the inner case and an inner surface of the outer case, and the elastic member surrounds both the inner case and the adsorbent in a circumferential direction of the inner case.

2. The evaporated fuel treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the inner case is compressed toward a radially inner side of the inner case by the outer case by being accommodated in the outer case, and the elastic member is disposed between the outer surface of the inner case and the inner surface of the outer case in a state where the inner case is compressed.

3. The evaporated fuel treatment device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a groove portion is provided on the outer surface of the inner case, the elastic member is a ring-shaped member that is disposed in the groove portion.

4. The evaporated fuel treatment device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the elastic member has: a cylindrical portion that is a portion in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer surface of the inner case; and a flange portion that is a portion protruding from the cylindrical portion toward a radially outer side of the cylindrical portion, and that is connected to an entire circumference of the cylindrical portion along a circumferential direction.

5. The evaporated fuel treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion of the inner case is the same as or greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer case.

6. The evaporated fuel treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a length of the adsorbent along a gas flow direction is smaller than an equivalent diameter of a cross section of the adsorbent perpendicular to the flow direction.

7. The evaporated fuel treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer case has an atmosphere port that is open to an atmosphere and an atmosphere-side adsorption chamber that is directly connected to the atmosphere port, the adsorbent and the elastic member are accommodated in the atmosphere-side adsorption chamber.

8. The evaporated fuel treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outer case has: a peripheral wall portion that is in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the adsorbent and the inner case, and that has a first opening on one side in an axial direction of the peripheral wall portion and a second opening on the other side in the axial direction of the peripheral wall portion; a first closing wall portion that is in a plate shape that partially closes the first opening; and a second closing wall portion that is in a plate shape that partially closes the second opening, the elastic member is disposed between the outer surface of the inner case and the inner surface of the outer case in a state where the inner case is compressed toward a radially inner side of the inner case by the outer case. ​ The outer case also has at least one of a first pillar portion and a second pillar portion, wherein the first pillar portion protrudes from the first closed wall portion toward the side of the second closed wall portion, and the second pillar portion protrudes from the second closed wall portion toward the side of the first closed wall portion.

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