Fuel valve for a fuel tank and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of vehicles, and particularly discloses a fuel valve (1) for a fuel tank, which fuel valve (1) comprises a tube body (11) comprising a fuel barrier structure formed of polyhexamethylene adipamide adapted to radially block the outward penetration of fuel, and an annular flange (12) protruding radially outward from the outer periphery of the tube body (11), the annular flange (12) having a flange body (121) and a welding structure (122) adapted to be welded to the shell (101) of the fuel tank (10), wherein the welding structure (122) is connected with the flange body (121) by being embedded in or coated on the flange body (121). The present application also discloses a corresponding manufacturing method. According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present application, the fuel valve (1) is simpler in structure, easier to manufacture, and can significantly reduce the cost, and even the performance is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicles, and more specifically, to a fuel valve for a vehicle's fuel tank and a method for manufacturing the same, the fuel valve being welded to the housing of the fuel tank and maintaining communication with the interior of the fuel tank. Background Technology

[0002] In a vehicle's fuel (e.g., gasoline) supply system, a fuel valve is typically used to balance the pressure inside and outside the fuel tank. This fuel valve is usually welded to the fuel tank housing. Currently, with increasing competition among automakers, there is a growing need to reduce the cost of various components while meeting performance requirements, and the fuel valve is a crucial component in this regard.

[0003] Therefore, corresponding improvements are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages and / or other possible disadvantages in the prior art that may not be mentioned herein, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved fuel valve for a fuel tank and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, a fuel valve for a fuel tank is provided, the fuel valve comprising: a tube body including a fuel blocking structure formed of polyhexamethylene lactone adapted to radially block fuel from permeating outward; and an annular flange projecting radially outward from the outer periphery of the tube body, the annular flange having a flange body and a welding structure adapted to be welded to a housing of the fuel tank, wherein the welding structure is connected to the flange body by being embedded in or covering the flange body.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the welded structure is configured as a welded structure formed of polyethylene.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the welded structure is configured as a welded structure formed of modified polyethylene.

[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the modified polyethylene is maleic anhydride-modified polyethylene.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tube body is configured as a tube body formed of polyhexamethylene hexalactam.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flange body is configured as a flange structure formed of polyhexamethylene hexalactam.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flange body is connected to the tube body by integral injection molding.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the welding structure is configured as an annular structure embedded in the flange body.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the welded structure is configured as a preform.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the welding structure includes an embedded portion embedded in the flange body and a protruding portion protruding from the flange body.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the welded structure is partially embedded in the flange body by a two-color injection molding process.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the protruding portion is radially outwardly skewed relative to the embedded portion.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a fuel valve for a fuel tank according to any of the above embodiments is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing a welded structure; and forming a flange body in conjunction with the welded structure using polyhexamethylene hexanolate molding.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the step of: forming a tube integrally with the flange body by means of the molding process.

[0019] According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the fuel valve structure of the present invention is simpler and easier to manufacture, and can significantly reduce costs and even improve performance. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments, which will provide a better understanding of the principles, features, and advantages of the invention. The drawings include:

[0021] Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view shows a fuel valve for a vehicle's fuel tank according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0023] Figure 1A partial cross-sectional view shows a fuel valve for a vehicle's fuel tank according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The fuel valve is particularly for venting the fuel tank to the outside environment.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a fuel valve 1 for a fuel tank is provided, the fuel valve 1 comprising: a tube body 11 including a fuel blocking structure adapted to prevent fuel from penetrating outward in a radial direction; and an annular flange 12 protruding radially outward from the outer periphery of the tube body 11, the annular flange 12 having a flange body 121 and a welding structure 122 adapted to be welded to a housing 101 of the fuel tank 10, wherein the welding structure 122 is connected to the flange body 121 by being embedded in or covering the flange body 121.

[0025] It should be noted that certain materials may be mentioned below, but these materials are all known materials. The purpose of this invention is not to improve the materials themselves, but to construct the fuel valve 1 using existing known materials.

[0026] Figure 1 The diagram shows an exemplary embodiment of fuel valve 1 as the refueling inlet valve of the fuel tank. Of course, fuel valve 1 can also be a refueling limit valve for limiting refueling, a gravity valve for allowing fuel to flow into the carburetor by its own weight, a breather valve for balancing the air pressure inside and outside the fuel tank to prevent excessive pressure inside the fuel tank from causing danger, a tipping valve for preventing fuel spillage and reducing fuel vapor contaminants, etc. Although these valves differ in function and structure, they all require a welded connection to the fuel tank, and all have a pipe body 11 in contact with the fuel. Therefore, Figure 1 This is just one example of a fuel valve.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fuel barrier structure is configured as a fuel barrier structure formed of polyhexamethylene hexalactam.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the welding structure 122 is configured as a welding structure 122 formed of polyethylene.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the welded structure 122 is configured as a welded structure 122 formed of modified polyethylene. In particular, the modified polyethylene is maleic anhydride-modified polyethylene.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tube 11 is configured as a tube formed of polyhexamethylene hexalactam.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flange body 121 is configured as a flange structure formed of polyhexamethylene hexalactam.

[0032] Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flange body 121 is connected to the tube body 11 by integral injection molding. In this case, the flange body 121 can be constructed as a single unit with the tube body 11.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the welded structure 122 is configured as an annular structure embedded in the flange body 121. Those skilled in the art will understand that the welded structure 122 can be configured as a preform.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the welded structure 122 includes an embedded portion 1221 embedded in the flange body 121 and a protruding portion 1222 protruding from the flange body 121. This means that a portion of the welded structure 122 is exposed.

[0035] Preferably, the welded structure 122 is partially embedded in the flange body 121 through a two-color injection molding process.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the protruding portion 1222 is radially outwardly biased relative to the embedded portion 1221.

[0037] In addition to the structural improvements mentioned above, using polyhexacrylamide instead of polydodecanoic acid to construct the flange body 121 results in a higher bonding strength between the flange body 121 and the welded structure 122. This is because polyhexacrylamide has a relatively higher extrusion or molding temperature of 270°C-290°C, while polydodecanoic acid has an extrusion or molding temperature of 250°C-270°C. It is also because polyhexacrylamide may have a greater number of bonding sites within its molecular chain.

[0038] Furthermore, the production of polyhexalactam produces lower CO2 emissions, at 3.6 kg per kilogram, compared to 5.8 kg per kilogram for polydodecanolactam. This represents a reduction of 38%.

[0039] Moreover, polyhexamethylene hexanoic acid has a lower cost, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of fuel valves.

[0040] Below, a simple combination Figure 1A method for manufacturing a fuel valve according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described. Further details of the manufacturing method can be found in the above description of the structure. The method includes: providing a welded structure 122, which may be a preformed part, for example, pre-formed by molding; and forming a flange body 121 bonded to the welded structure 122 using polyhexamethylene hexamethylenetetramine molding. Preferably, the entire tube body 11 is integrally formed with the flange body 121 during the molding process. After molding, the welded structure 122 is partially embedded in the flange body 121 as an embedded part. The entire manufacturing process is very simple.

[0041] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, they are given for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A fuel valve for a fuel tank, the fuel valve (1) comprising: A tube body (11) comprising a fuel barrier structure made of polyhexamethylene lactone suitable for radially blocking fuel from penetrating outward; and An annular flange (12) protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the tube body (11), the annular flange (12) having a flange body (121) and a welding structure (122) suitable for welding to the shell (101) of the fuel tank (10). The welding structure (122) is connected to the flange body (121) by being embedded in or covering the flange body (121).

2. The fuel valve for a fuel tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The welded structure (122) is configured as a welded structure (122) formed of polyethylene.

3. The fuel valve for a fuel tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The welded structure (122) is configured as a welded structure (122) formed of modified polyethylene.

4. The fuel valve for a fuel tank according to claim 3, characterized in that, The modified polyethylene is polyethylene modified with maleic anhydride.

5. A fuel valve for a fuel tank according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The tube (11) is configured as a tube formed of polyhexamethylene hexalactam; and / or The flange body (121) is configured as a flange structure formed of polyhexamethylene hexalactam.

6. The fuel valve for a fuel tank according to claim 5, characterized in that, The flange body (121) is integrally injection molded to be connected to the tube body (11); and / or The welded structure (122) is configured as an annular structure embedded in the flange body (121).

7. The fuel valve for a fuel tank according to claim 6, characterized in that, The welded structure (122) is configured as a preform.

8. The fuel valve for a fuel tank according to any one of claims 1-4 and 6-7, characterized in that, The welded structure (122) includes an embedded portion (1221) embedded in the flange body (121) and a protruding portion (1222) protruding from the flange body (121).

9. The fuel valve for a fuel tank according to claim 8, characterized in that, The welded structure (122) is partially embedded in the flange body (121) by a two-color injection molding process; and / or The protruding portion (1222) is radially outward relative to the embedded portion (1221).

10. A method for manufacturing a fuel valve for a fuel tank according to any one of claims 1-9, the method comprising the steps of: Provides welded structure (122); and The flange body (121) is formed by molding with polyhexamethylene hexanolide to bond with the welded structure (122).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes the following steps: The tube (11) is integrally formed with the flange body (121) through the molding process.

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