Mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank, fuel tank and vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses a mechanical sealing assembly for a fuel tank, a fuel tank and a carrier, and the main design concept of the application is that the mechanical sealing is constructed by using mutually matched elastic members and rubber sealing members, the elastic members are nested in the rubber sealing members, the mechanical sealing assembly has a through hole for matching with external devices such as oil gun nozzles, funnels, flow guides and the like, so that the rubber sealing members nested on the elastic members can be expanded to form a compact sealing state by applying force to the elastic members through the external devices, correspondingly, the application provides the fuel tank and the traffic carrier which are provided with the mechanical sealing assembly. The application has simple structure, is convenient to implement, is firm and reliable, is low in cost, can significantly reduce the air carried in the oiling process and the fuel vapor overflowed from the fuel tank, can reduce the carbon can load of the fuel tank system, satisfies the normal working performance, and further achieves the expected emission reduction and environmental protection effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle fuel tanks, and more particularly to a mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank, a fuel tank, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] During vehicle refueling, negative pressure is generated in the fuel tank's refueling hose, which may cause some external gases to be drawn into the fuel tank along with the fuel, further increasing the amount of refueling vapor emissions. This puts pressure on the carbon canister and also poses a risk of refueling vapor overflowing into the external environment.

[0003] Generally speaking, most fuel tanks do not require a sealing structure due to their existing structure. However, in order to further reduce the introduction of outside air through the fuel nozzle during refueling and to prevent fuel vapor from overflowing during refueling, a few fuel tank manufacturers with high quality control standards and strict adherence to energy conservation and environmental protection requirements will add several sealing rings to the refueling components of the fuel tank to improve the sealing effect to 99%. The refueling components mainly refer to the fuel tank's refueling pipe, the funnel that cooperates with the fuel nozzle, and the guide that cooperates with the funnel.

[0004] However, the rubber sealing rings used are relatively simple and have a single structure. They need to be installed between the inner wall of the refueling pipe and the funnel, at the lower end of the funnel (for sealing the nozzle insertion), and at the connection between the funnel and the guide (or guide base). As the usage time increases, the sealing performance of the sealing rings in these locations will inevitably decrease. In particular, the sealing rings installed in some locations may be damaged due to repeated insertion and removal of the nozzle, making it difficult for them to meet the expected service life. This will result in poor sealing contact and failure to meet the expected high standards of emission reduction and environmental protection. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank, a fuel tank, and a carrier to solve the aforementioned technical problems.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank, comprising: a mutually cooperating elastic element and a rubber seal, the elastic element being nested in the rubber seal, the mechanical seal assembly having a through hole for cooperating with an external device;

[0008] By applying force to the elastic element through an external device, the rubber seal nested on the elastic element expands to form a seal.

[0009] In at least one of the possible implementations, the diameter of the through hole is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the external device.

[0010] In at least one possible implementation, a plurality of notches are formed on the elastic member, and the notches are connected by elastic connecting portions.

[0011] In at least one possible implementation, each of the notches is evenly distributed on the body of the elastic member.

[0012] In at least one possible implementation, the rubber seal has a plurality of positioning portions that engage with the notch.

[0013] In at least one possible implementation, the elastic element is a segmented structure, and the elastic element is composed of at least two elastic sub-elements joined together.

[0014] In at least one possible implementation, a slit with a preset angle is provided on the body of the elastic element.

[0015] In at least one of the possible implementations, the elastic element is made of a flexible metal or a flexible plastic.

[0016] Secondly, the present invention provides a fuel tank, wherein the aforementioned mechanical seal assembly is fitted between the inner wall of the fuel filling pipe and the funnel, and / or at the lower port of the funnel, and / or between the funnel and the guide tube, and / or between the funnel and the base of the guide tube.

[0017] Thirdly, the present invention provides a vehicle on which the aforementioned fuel tank is mounted.

[0018] The main design concept of this invention lies in using a mutually cooperating elastic element and a rubber seal to construct this mechanical seal. The elastic element is nested within the rubber seal, and the mechanical seal assembly has a through hole for engaging with external devices such as fuel nozzles, funnels, or deflectors. Thus, by applying force to the elastic element through an external device, the rubber seal nestled within the elastic element expands to form a tight seal. Accordingly, this invention provides a fuel tank and a vehicle equipped with the aforementioned mechanical seal assembly. This invention has a simple structure, is easy to implement, robust, reliable, and inexpensive. It can significantly reduce the air introduced during refueling and the fuel vapor overflowing from the fuel tank, while also reducing the carbon canister load on the fuel tank system to meet its normal operating performance, thereby achieving the expected emission reduction and environmental protection effects. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the structure of a mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 Another schematic diagram of a mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic diagram (a) of an elastic element with a notch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic diagram (II) of an elastic element with a notch provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0025] This invention provides an embodiment of a mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank, specifically, as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes: an elastic element 1 and a rubber seal 2 that cooperate with each other. The elastic element 1 is nested in the rubber seal 2. The mechanical seal assembly has a through hole 3, which is used to cooperate with an external device. By applying force to the elastic element 1 through the external device, the rubber seal 2 nested on the elastic element 1 expands, thereby forming a better sealing effect.

[0026] The external devices mentioned here refer to devices inserted into the through hole 3, such as the funnel, fuel nozzle, or guide (or its base) mentioned above. These external devices form a pressure relationship with the elastic element 1, causing the elastic element 1 to open the rubber seal 2, thereby ensuring that the rubber seal 2 achieves the expected sealing effect. At the same time, due to the presence of the elastic element 1, compared with the existing single rubber sealing ring, the wear on the rubber parts can be greatly reduced, thereby ensuring that the service life of this mechanical seal assembly is extended as much as possible during the life cycle of the vehicle fuel system.

[0027] It should be noted that the use of the elastic element 1 and the rubber seal 2 in a nested manner does not mean that they are fixedly connected. Since the mechanical seal assembly is squeezed by other external devices during use, the elastic element 1 and the rubber seal 2 may not have a fixed connection structure, and the connection between the two can still be guaranteed during use.

[0028] Furthermore, the diameter of the through hole 3 is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the external device, thereby ensuring a better effect of compressing the elastic element 1 and making the rubber seal 2 form a tighter seal.

[0029] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the different embodiments shown, to improve the extensibility of the elastic element 1, a plurality of notches 11 can be formed on the elastic element 1, and the notches 11 are connected by elastic connecting parts 12. This can improve its extensibility and elastic deformation performance when pressure is applied. Based on this concept, two points can be added: First, the notches 11 are evenly distributed, that is, the spacing is consistent. This can ensure that the outward expansion deformation of the elastic element 1 is uniform when under force, thereby making the rubber seal 2 uniformly stressed and obtaining a reliable sealing effect. Second, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 A plurality of positioning portions 21 are formed on the rubber seal 2. The positioning portions 21 cooperate with the notch 11, which facilitates the insertion of the elastic element 1 into the rubber seal 2 and ensures that the elastic element 1 does not tilt relative to the rubber seal 2 during use, thereby improving the stability of the mechanical seal assembly.

[0030] Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that in the foregoing embodiments, the elastic element 1 is an integral structure, but this is not limiting. In some other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the elastic element 1 can be a segmented structure, that is, the elastic element 1 is composed of at least two elastic sub-components joined together; or, in some other preferred embodiments, the body of the elastic element 1 has a cut with a preset slope, for example, it can be understood as a non-closed annular structure. Regardless of whether the above-mentioned notch structure, multi-segment splicing structure, or non-closed cut structure is adopted, it is all to ensure that the elastic element 1 has a certain extension space, that is, to provide expansion margin, so as to realize the core concept of the present invention.

[0031] Finally, it can be added that, in actual implementation, the elastic element can be made of flexible metal or elastic plastic, which can ensure its strength while having elastic properties.

[0032] Based on the above embodiments, the present invention also provides an embodiment of a fuel tank, wherein the aforementioned mechanical seal assembly is assembled between the inner wall of the fuel filling pipe and the funnel, and / or at the lower port of the funnel, and / or between the funnel and the guide, and / or between the funnel and the base of the guide.

[0033] Therefore, the present invention also provides a vehicle that is equipped with the aforementioned fuel tank fitted with a mechanical seal assembly.

[0034] In summary, the main design concept of this invention lies in using mutually cooperating elastic elements and rubber seals to construct this mechanical seal. The elastic element is nested within the rubber seal, and the mechanical seal assembly has a through hole for engaging with external devices such as fuel nozzles, funnels, or deflectors. Thus, by applying force to the elastic element through an external device, the rubber seal nestled within the elastic element expands to form a tight seal. Accordingly, this invention provides a fuel tank and a vehicle equipped with the aforementioned mechanical seal assembly. This invention has a simple structure, is easy to implement, robust, reliable, and inexpensive. It can significantly reduce the air introduced during refueling and the fuel vapor overflowing from the fuel tank, while also reducing the carbon canister load on the fuel tank system to meet its normal operating performance, thereby achieving the expected emission reduction and environmental protection effects.

[0035] In this embodiment of the invention, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the existence of A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" and similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0036] The above description of the structure, features, and effects of the present invention is based on the embodiments shown in the figures. However, the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the technical features involved in the above embodiments and their preferred methods can be reasonably combined and matched by those skilled in the art to form a variety of equivalent solutions without departing from or changing the design concept and technical effects of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the scope of implementation shown in the figures. Any changes made in accordance with the concept of the present invention, or modifications to equivalent embodiments, that do not exceed the spirit covered by the specification and figures, should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank, characterized in that, The refueling pipe, which is installed on the inner wall of the fuel tank, includes: a cooperating elastic element and a rubber seal. The elastic element is nested in the rubber seal to ensure that the elastic element will not shift relative to the rubber seal during use. The mechanical seal assembly has a through hole for cooperating with an external device. Wherein, the diameter of the through hole is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the external device. When the external device comes into contact with the elastic element, the external device applies force to the elastic element, forming a pressure relationship between the external device and the elastic element, causing the elastic element to expand the rubber seal, so that the rubber seal nested on the elastic element expands to form a sealing effect. Due to the presence of the elastic element, the wear on the rubber element can be greatly reduced compared to the existing single rubber sealing ring. The elastic element is an integral structure with several notches formed on it, and the notches are connected by elastic connecting parts. This is used to improve the stretching space and elastic deformation performance of the elastic element made of flexible metal or elastic plastic when it is pressed by an external device.

2. The mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The notches are evenly distributed on the body of the elastic element.

3. The mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rubber seal has a plurality of positioning portions formed thereon, and the positioning portions cooperate with the notch.

4. The mechanical seal assembly for a fuel tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element has a slit with a preset angle on its body.

5. A fuel tank, characterized in that, The mechanical seal assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is assembled between the inner wall of the refueling pipe of the fuel tank and the funnel, and / or at the lower port of the funnel, and / or between the funnel and the guide tube, and / or between the funnel and the base of the guide tube.

6. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle is equipped with the fuel tank as described in claim 5.

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