A metal adapter and a low emission fuel tank comprising the same

Abstract

The utility model discloses a metal adapter, including metal insert ring and with metal insert ring fixed connection's metal casing, the one end of metal casing is set up quick coupling away from metal insert ring, metal insert ring includes and inserts the structure and with the fixed connection of structure of inserting first connecting surface, first connecting surface is connected with metal casing, and metal casing is located respectively with the structure of inserting two sides of first connecting surface. Use this metal adapter can obviously reduce the carbon hydrogen penetration rate of oil tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of adapter assemblies, specifically to a metal adapter and a low-emission fuel tank containing the same. Background Technology

[0002] From an environmental perspective, fuel tanks need to meet the limits for evaporative emissions. With the introduction of the China VII emission standard (expected to be implemented in 2027), automotive fuel systems are facing unprecedentedly stringent requirements: the limit for evaporative emissions from the whole vehicle has been reduced from 700mg / test in China VI to 350mg / test (a reduction of 50%), and the limit for evaporative emissions allocated to the fuel system is expected to be reduced from 50mg / test to 25mg / test.

[0003] The fuel tank body is typically blow-molded from multi-layered plastic (HDPE / EVOH / LLDPE). This type of plastic is relatively soft and not suitable for directly fabricating precision threads or interfaces that require repeated insertion and removal. Therefore, fuel tanks are equipped with adapters, which have pre-fabricated quick-connect interfaces for easy and secure connection to various external pipelines. The adapters provide standardized interfaces to allow for quick and accurate assembly of fuel system components such as the fuel tank, carbon canister, valves, and pipelines.

[0004] Plastic fuel tanks that meet the China VI emission standard use a two-color injection-molded adapter that is welded to the tank body. The two colors are HDPE material that is welded to the fuel tank and modified PA material with good hydrocarbon emission performance. Although the area of ​​HDPE material at the welding position is greatly reduced, fuel molecules can still permeate out through HDPE material. Currently, the hydrocarbon permeability of this type of two-color injection-molded adapter reaches 10mg / 24h. Therefore, fuel tanks using this adapter cannot meet the requirements of the China VII emission standard. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a metal adapter and a low-emission fuel tank containing the same, which can significantly reduce the hydrocarbon permeability of the fuel tank.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a metal adapter, including a metal insert ring and a metal housing fixedly connected to the metal insert ring, wherein a quick connector is provided at the end of the metal housing away from the metal insert ring;

[0007] The metal insert includes an insert structure and a first connecting surface fixedly connected to the insert structure. The first connecting surface is connected to a metal shell, and the metal shell and the insert structure are located on opposite sides of the first connecting surface.

[0008] Preferably, the embedded structure includes a third connecting surface and a second connecting surface that is L-shaped to the first connecting surface and supports the first connecting surface. The third connecting surface and the second connecting surface are fixedly connected to improve the stability of the metal ring.

[0009] Preferably, the third connecting surface and the first connecting surface are located at opposite ends of the second connecting surface.

[0010] Preferably, the third connecting surface and the first connecting surface are located on both sides of the second connecting surface.

[0011] Preferably, the second connecting surface is provided with a rubber-coating hole.

[0012] Preferably, the first connecting surface extends obliquely outward to form a reinforcing member.

[0013] Preferably, the reinforcing member is provided with a plurality of first positioning grooves.

[0014] Preferably, the lower surface of the reinforcing member is higher than the lower edge of the overlay hole;

[0015] The height of the overmolded hole is the same as the height of the second connecting surface.

[0016] This utility model also provides a low-emission fuel tank including the aforementioned metal adapter, wherein the embedded structure is embedded in the fuel tank wall and the metal shell is located on the outside of the fuel tank wall.

[0017] A vent is provided at the connection between the metal ring and the tank wall, and the tank and the metal shell are connected through the vent.

[0018] According to the above technical solution, after the metal insert ring of this utility model is fixed to the blow molding mold, the insert structure is located in the cavity of the blow molding mold. During the blow molding process of the fuel tank, the molten plastic can wrap the insert structure. After the blow molding is completed, the insert structure is embedded in the fuel tank wall, thereby realizing the fusion of the metal insert ring and the fuel tank wall.

[0019] After the fuel tank is blow-molded, the embedded structure is fitted into the fuel tank wall, thus achieving a fixed connection between the metal insert ring and the fuel tank wall. The metal shell is fixedly connected to the metal insert ring; therefore, once the metal insert ring is fixed to the fuel tank wall, the metal shell is also fixedly connected to the fuel tank wall. Subsequently, the fuel tank can be quickly and accurately connected to other equipment such as carbon canisters using the quick-connect fittings on the metal shell.

[0020] This metal adapter uses a metal insert ring instead of the original two-color injection molded material to connect to the fuel tank wall. Compared to the two-color injection molded material, metal has superior performance in isolating hydrocarbon molecules. Therefore, using this metal adapter can significantly reduce the hydrocarbon permeability of the fuel tank. Theoretically, the hydrocarbon permeability of this metal adapter is 0.

[0021] The metal ring is provided with a vent hole, which is connected to the inner hole of the metal shell. The metal adapter is connected to other equipment through the vent hole so that fuel vapor can be discharged from the fuel tank through the metal adapter.

[0022] Other features and advantages of this invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the following detailed description to explain the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a metal adapter.

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view;

[0026] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a metal adapter;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a low-emission fuel tank;

[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Partial cross-sectional view of the metal adapter location.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0030] 1. Metal insert ring 2. Metal casing

[0031] 3 Quick Connector 11 First Connecting Surface

[0032] 12 Second connecting surface 13 Third connecting surface

[0033] 14. Glue-coating hole; 15. First positioning groove

[0034] 10 Metal Adapter 22 Flange Face

[0035] 16 Reinforcing Components, 20 Fuel Tanks

[0036] 4. Fuel tank wall Detailed Implementation

[0037] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0038] In this utility model, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "coaxial," "horizontal," "outer surface," and "front end" contained in the terminology only represent the orientation of the term in its normal use state, or are common terms understood by those skilled in the art, and should not be regarded as limitations on the term.

[0039] See Figure 1 The metal adapter 10 includes a metal insert ring 1 and a metal housing 2 fixedly connected to the metal insert ring 1. A quick connector 3 is provided at the end of the metal housing 2 away from the metal insert ring 1.

[0040] The metal ring 1 includes an embedding structure and a first connecting surface 11 fixedly connected to the embedding structure. The first connecting surface 11 is connected to the metal shell 2, and the metal shell 2 and the embedding structure are located on opposite sides of the first connecting surface 11.

[0041] Through the implementation of the above technical solution, the metal insert 1 is set as a ring. After the metal insert 1 is fixed to the blow molding mold, the insert structure is located in the cavity of the blow molding mold. During the blow molding process of the oil tank 20, the molten plastic can wrap the insert structure. After the blow molding is completed, the insert structure is embedded in the oil tank wall 4, thereby realizing the fusion of the metal insert 1 and the oil tank wall 4.

[0042] After the fuel tank 20 is blow-molded, the embedded structure is fitted into the fuel tank wall 4, thereby achieving a fixed connection between the metal insert ring 1 and the fuel tank wall 4. The metal shell 2 is fixedly connected to the metal insert ring 1. Therefore, when the metal insert ring 1 is fixed to the fuel tank wall 4, the metal shell 2 is also fixedly connected to the fuel tank wall 4. Afterwards, the fuel tank can be quickly and accurately connected to other equipment such as carbon canisters using the quick connector 3 located on the metal shell 2 outside the fuel tank wall 4.

[0043] The metal adapter 10 uses a metal insert ring 1 instead of the original two-color injection molding material to connect to the fuel tank wall 4. Compared to the two-color injection molding material, metal has a superior ability to isolate hydrocarbon molecules. Therefore, using this metal adapter 10 can significantly reduce the hydrocarbon permeability of the fuel tank 20. Theoretically, the hydrocarbon permeability of this metal adapter 10 is 0.

[0044] The metal ring 1 is provided with a vent hole, which is connected to the inner hole of the metal housing 2. The metal adapter 10 is connected to other equipment through the vent hole so that fuel vapor can be discharged from the fuel tank 20 through the metal adapter 10.

[0045] Preferably, the metal housing 2 is provided with a flange face 22, and the first connecting surface 11 is fixedly connected to the flange face 22 to achieve a reliable connection between the metal housing 2 and the metal insert ring 1. In one embodiment, the metal housing 2 and the metal insert ring 1 are welded and fixed.

[0046] In this embodiment, preferably, the embedded structure includes a third connecting surface 13 and a second connecting surface 12 that is L-shapedly connected to the first connecting surface 11 and supports the first connecting surface 11. The second connecting surface 12 and the third connecting surface 13 are fixedly connected to improve the stability of the metal ring 1.

[0047] By setting the second connecting surface 12, the metal ring 1 can be connected to the tank wall 4 in the thickness direction. In addition, the third connecting surface 13 set at the other end of the second connecting surface 12 is also embedded in the tank wall 4, which makes the metal ring 1 and the tank wall 4 have better connection strength and improves the reliability of the connection between the metal adapter 10 and the tank wall 4.

[0048] The second connecting surface 12 connects with the first connecting surface 11 to form an L-shaped support, which enables the first connecting surface 11 to obtain better support strength and ensures the stability of the connection between the metal ring 1 and the tank wall 4.

[0049] Preferably, in order to provide better support to both ends of the first connecting surface 11, the position where the second connecting surface 12 connects to the first connecting surface 11 can be moved slightly closer to the middle of the first connecting surface 11. After the movement, the cantilever length of the first connecting surface 11 is reduced, which further improves the stability of the metal adapter 10.

[0050] In this embodiment, preferably, the third connecting surface (13) and the first connecting surface (11) are located at both ends of the second connecting surface (12).

[0051] By setting the third connecting surface 13 and the first connecting surface 11 at the two ends of the second connecting surface 12, the metal adapter can achieve better torsional strength while keeping the height of the second connecting surface 12 constant, thus ensuring the stability of the metal adapter during use. Correspondingly, while achieving the same torsional strength, the height of the metal adapter can also be minimized, thereby improving the strength of the tank wall 4 at the connection point with the metal adapter.

[0052] In this embodiment, preferably, the third connecting surface (13) and the first connecting surface (11) are located on both sides of the second connecting surface (12).

[0053] Preferably, in order to facilitate the expulsion of air near the metal insert 1 during the blow molding process, the cross-section of the metal insert 1 is set to a Z-shape, that is, the first connecting surface 11 and the third connecting surface 13 are located on both sides of the second connecting surface 12. Setting the cross-section of the metal insert 1 to a Z-shape makes it less likely for the metal insert 1 to form a closed cavity during the blow molding process, and the air around the metal insert 1 is more easily expelled, thereby avoiding the presence of air bubbles around the metal insert 1 after the oil tank blow molding is completed.

[0054] In this embodiment, preferably, the second connecting surface 12 is provided with a glue-coating hole 14.

[0055] By setting the overmolding hole 14, the air between the metal insert ring 1 and the molten plastic can be discharged outward through the overmolding hole 14 during the blow molding process, thereby solving the problem of air bubbles between the metal insert ring 1 and the tank wall 4.

[0056] The second connecting surface 12 is provided with a coating hole 14. During the blow molding process, the molten plastic can flow in the coating hole 14. After the oil tank is blow molded, the plastic will fill the coating hole 14. Therefore, by providing the coating hole 14, the second connecting surface 12 and the oil tank wall 4 have a better connection effect.

[0057] Preferably, providing multiple rubber-coated holes 14 along the second connecting surface 12 can achieve an integrated connection between the tank wall 4 and the metal insert ring 1, making the connection between the tank wall 4 and the metal insert ring 1 more reliable.

[0058] In this embodiment, preferably, the first connecting surface 11 extends obliquely outward to form a reinforcing member 16.

[0059] To increase the reliability of the connection between the first connecting surface 11 and the tank wall 4 after fusion, the first connecting surface 11 can be extended obliquely outward to form a reinforcing member 16. The reinforcing member 16 can increase the surface area of ​​the joint between the metal ring 1 and the tank wall 4, thereby improving the connection strength between the metal ring 1 and the tank wall 4.

[0060] Preferably, the direction from the inside of the fuel tank 20 towards the fuel tank wall 4 is the positive direction of height, and the second connecting surface 12 extends obliquely downward to form a reinforcing member 16, that is, the reinforcing member 16 extends towards the embedded structure. By setting the reinforcing member 16 that buckles downward along the depth direction of the fuel tank wall 4, the connection strength between the metal ring 1 and the fuel tank wall 4 can be further improved, thereby enhancing the stability of the first connecting surface 11. Moreover, setting the reinforcing member 16 to extend downward does not increase the height of the metal ring 1, ensuring that the fuel tank wall 4 has sufficient thickness at the connection point with the metal ring 1, thus improving the strength of the fuel tank wall 4 at the location of the metal ring 1.

[0061] In this embodiment, preferably, the reinforcing member 16 is provided with a plurality of first positioning grooves 15.

[0062] The metal ring 1 is provided with a first positioning groove 15, and the third connecting surface 13 is set as a horizontal surface. When welding the metal ring 1 and the metal shell 2, the third connecting surface 13 can be used as a positioning surface. At the same time, the fixture is provided with a positioning structure that cooperates with the first positioning groove 15. Under the action of the positioning structure, the position of the metal ring 1 is fixed. The fixture is also provided with a positioning rod that passes through the metal ring 1 and cooperates with the center hole of the metal shell 2. Under the action of the positioning rod, the metal shell 2 and the metal ring 1 are coaxially set.

[0063] After the metal housing 2 and the metal insert ring 1 are positioned, welding begins. The first connecting surface 11 of the metal insert ring 1 is welded to the flange surface 22 of the metal housing 2, so that the metal insert ring 1 and the metal housing 2 are connected as a whole metal adapter 10.

[0064] After the metal adapter 10 is welded, it is fixed to the blow molding mold. In one embodiment, the mold is provided with a positioning shaft, which engages with a through hole in the metal housing 2 to restrict the degree of freedom of the metal adapter 10. Under the action of the positioning shaft, the metal adapter 10 can only rotate around the axis of the positioning shaft. Preferably, the metal blow molding mold can also be provided with at least one positioning protrusion that engages with the first positioning groove 15. Under the action of the positioning protrusion and the first positioning groove 15, the metal adapter 10 and the blow molding mold are kept in a fixed position, so that the metal adapter 10 can remain relatively stationary during the blow molding process.

[0065] Meanwhile, since the reinforcing member 16 is set at an angle downward, there is a certain gap between the reinforcing member 16 and the blow molding mold. The first positioning groove 15 is located on the reinforcing member 16. During the blow molding process, the molten plastic can flow from the first positioning groove 15 to the space between the reinforcing member 16 and the mold, and completely fill the gap between the reinforcing member 16 and the mold. After the blow molding is completed, the tank wall 4 can completely wrap the metal insert 1, so that the metal insert 1 and the tank wall 4 have a better connection effect.

[0066] Multiple first positioning grooves 15 are provided along the circumference of the reinforcing member 16. During the blow molding process, the molten plastic can enter the space between the reinforcing member 16 and the mold through the multiple first positioning grooves 15, ensuring the filling effect of the plastic on the gap between the reinforcing member 16 and the mold during the blow molding process, so that the space between the reinforcing member 16 and the mold can be reliably filled.

[0067] In this embodiment, preferably, the upper edge of the adhesive hole 14 is flush with the lower surface of the first connecting surface 11, and the lower surface of the reinforcing member 16 is higher than the lower edge of the adhesive hole 14.

[0068] The height of the rubber-coated hole 14 is the same as the height of the second connecting surface 12.

[0069] During the blow molding process, compressed air pushes the molten plastic toward the mold. As the plastic moves, it first contacts the third connecting surface 13. As it continues to move, some of the plastic crosses the third connecting surface 13 and enters the space between the third connecting surface 13 and the mold. Meanwhile, the plastic on the other side of the second connecting surface 12 continues to move toward the first connecting surface 11. During the movement of the plastic, the air that was originally located between the first connecting surface 11 and the plastic is discharged through the overmolding hole 14 or through the reinforcing member 16. The upper edge of the overmolding hole 14 is set to be flush with the lower surface of the first connecting surface 11 so that all the air located between the first connecting surface 11 and the plastic can be discharged, thereby avoiding the formation of air holes in the first connecting surface 11.

[0070] As the plastic moves towards the first connecting surface 11, after it contacts the reinforcing member 16, the air between the reinforcing member 16, the first connecting surface 11, and the plastic can only flow out through the overlay hole 14. By setting the lower surface height of the reinforcing member 16 to be higher than the lower edge of the overlay hole 14, the amount of air that needs to be discharged through the overlay hole 14 is reduced, thus decreasing the possibility of air pockets forming on the lower surface of the first connecting surface 11. Preferably, the reinforcing member 16 and the first connecting surface 11 are connected at an obtuse angle, which reliably avoids the problem of air pockets at the connection between the reinforcing member 16 and the first connecting surface 11.

[0071] The height of the overmolding hole 14 is the same as the height of the second connecting surface 12, allowing the plastic on both sides of the second connecting surface 12 to flow to each other. This ensures that the blow molding progress at the second connecting surface 12 remains consistent, allowing the plastic surfaces on both sides of the overmolding hole 14 to move continuously and stably toward the mold. Furthermore, the overmolding hole 14, being at the same height as the second connecting surface 12, provides a reliable venting channel for the first connecting surface 11, preventing air bubbles from remaining on the surface of the first connecting surface 11.

[0072] In this embodiment, preferably, the third connecting surface 13 is set as a horizontal annular surface.

[0073] The third connecting surface 13 is set as a horizontal annular surface. After blow molding, the third connecting surface 13 can increase the connection area between the metal insert ring 1 and the tank wall 4. At the same time, the interaction between the third connecting surface 13 and the tank wall can improve the stress situation of the first connecting surface 11.

[0074] In addition, during the process of fixing the metal ring 1 to the metal housing 2, the horizontal third connecting surface 13 can be used as the positioning surface of the metal ring 1, which facilitates fixing the metal ring 1 during the welding process.

[0075] In this embodiment, preferably, a quick connector 3 is provided on the metal housing 2, which is connected to the fuel system pipeline and is used to connect the fuel tank to the carbon canister or other fuel system equipment.

[0076] This utility model also provides a low-emission fuel tank 20 including a metal adapter 10, wherein a metal ring 1 is embedded in the fuel tank wall 4, and a metal shell 2 is located on the outside of the fuel tank wall 4.

[0077] A vent hole is provided at the connection between the metal ring 1 and the tank wall 4, and the tank 20 and the metal shell 2 are connected through the vent hole.

[0078] By fixing the metal insert 1 in the blow molding mold, the molten plastic will wrap the insert structure of the metal insert 1 during the blow molding process. After the blow molding is completed, the metal insert 1 will be fused with the tank wall 4 to form a whole. The metal shell 2 is fixedly connected to the metal insert 1, thereby realizing the fixation of the metal adapter 10 to the tank wall.

[0079] The metal housing 2 is coaxially arranged with the metal insert ring 1, and a vent is provided at the connection between the metal insert ring 1 and the tank wall 4. Fuel gas in the tank 20 can enter other gas fuel system equipment connected to the metal adapter 10 through the vent.

[0080] The metal adapter 10 connects to the fuel system pipeline, which is equipped with a valve. When the valve is closed, the fuel tank 20 is sealed. The metal material reliably isolates hydrocarbon molecules, thus achieving a reliable seal for fuel vapors. Specifically, the metal adapter 10 is fused to the fuel tank wall 4 using a metal ring 1. Therefore, the metal adapter 10 and the fuel tank wall 4 are connected by metal. Because metal has a very good barrier effect on hydrocarbon molecules, the connection effectively blocks fuel molecules, preventing fuel molecule penetration and helping the fuel system meet the limits for evaporative pollutants.

[0081] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present invention, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0082] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable way without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, this utility model will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

[0083] Furthermore, various different embodiments of this utility model can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this utility model, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed by this utility model.

Claims

1. A metal adapter, characterized in that, It includes a metal insert (1) and a metal housing (2) fixedly connected to the metal insert (1), and a quick connector (3) is provided at the end of the metal housing (2) away from the metal insert (1). The metal insert (1) includes an insert structure and a first connecting surface (11) fixedly connected to the insert structure. The first connecting surface (11) is connected to the metal shell (2). The metal shell (2) and the insert structure are located on opposite sides of the first connecting surface (11). The embedded structure includes a third connecting surface (13) and a second connecting surface (12) that is L-shapedly connected to the first connecting surface (11) and supports the first connecting surface (11). The third connecting surface (13) and the second connecting surface (12) are fixedly connected to improve the stability of the metal ring (1).

2. The metal adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third connecting surface (13) and the first connecting surface (11) are located at the two ends of the second connecting surface (12).

3. The metal adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third connecting surface (13) and the first connecting surface (11) are located on both sides of the second connecting surface (12).

4. The metal adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second connecting surface (12) is provided with a rubber-coating hole (14).

5. The metal adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first connecting surface (11) extends obliquely outward to form a reinforcing member (16).

6. The metal adapter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The reinforcing member (16) is provided with multiple first positioning grooves (15).

7. The metal adapter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lower surface of the reinforcing member (16) is higher than the lower edge of the overmolding hole (14); The height of the rubber-coated hole (14) is the same as the height of the second connecting surface (12).

8. A low-emission fuel tank comprising a metal adapter as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The embedded structure is embedded in the tank wall (4), and the metal shell (2) is located on the outside of the tank wall (4); A vent is provided at the connection between the metal ring (1) and the tank wall (4), and the tank and the metal shell (2) are connected through the vent.

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