Fuel filler neck

Abstract

Tank filling nozzle (1) designed as a capless system, comprising a housing (2) in which at least one flow aid (3) and a head part (4) are arranged, characterized in that the head part (4) has an insertion side (12) and an opposite outer side (18), between which a cylindrical wall (19) is arranged, wherein the head part (4) has on its insertion side (12) an insertion area (28) which on the outside has a stepped contact area (31) for contact with a corresponding counter-contact area (29) of the housing (2) and a circumferential groove (26) for receiving a sealing element (27), and which on the inside has a receiving area (32) for receiving the flow aid (3), wherein a flap (8) having a grounding lug (7) is snapped to the head part (4) before the head part (4) and the flow aid (3) are joined to form an insert element (6) by means of snap-fit ​​partners. (9,11) is assembled and can be inserted into the housing (2) by means of locking lugs (21) arranged on the cylindrical wall (19) of the head part (4) and by means of locking recesses (22) provided on the housing (2) corresponding to the locking lugs (21), wherein the head part (4) is provided with a thread (34) for receiving a tank cap.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tank filler neck having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] DE 103 04 556 A1 deals in particular with the dissipation of electrostatic charges, for which a corresponding metal tab is provided. As further elements, a hinge for a closure flap, made primarily of plastic, is molded onto the side of the plastic insert facing the tank. According to DE 103 04 556 A1, this known design of a filling nozzle is complex due to the different individual parts, namely, in particular, the closure flap mechanism on the one hand and the metal tab on the other.

[0003] DE 20 2006 006 201 U1 relates to a device for preventing fuel from splashing out of a fuel tank when the filler neck is open, i.e., when the lower part of the insert connected to the filler neck lacks a fuel cap. A sealing flap is provided, which is pivotally mounted on bearing plates of the insertion tube, for which purpose an axle is provided. The insertion tube is inserted into the filler neck from the outside through the lower part of the insert by spring-loaded clipping into the filler neck, whereby the locking lugs with their locking surfaces engage under the bearing edge of the filler neck, while the retaining edge of the insertion tube and the inserting lugs of the insertion tube rest with their undersides on the surface of the bearing edge.

[0004] DE 10 2007 003 516 A1 deals with the problem that a resettable FNR mechanism should have a simple design and be easily reset by the operator.

[0005] US Patent 6 945 290 B1 deals with a check valve designed to prevent fuel from flowing into a venting device.

[0006] DE 20 2005 008 327 U1 discloses a closure for a filler neck of a motor vehicle's fuel tank and for receiving a tank cap, comprising a filler neck pipe, a metallic end piece arranged on the filler neck pipe to at least partially form a filler neck end region, and a thread arranged on the inside of the filler neck pipe. The thread is formed by a threaded element, which is a component separate from the end piece.

[0007] DE 203 09 799 U1 discloses a capless filler neck of a fuel tank with a filler neck comprising an upper collector, designed as a hollow chamber enclosed by a wall, and an upper neck rim extending through the wall of the collector for receiving a dispensing nozzle, wherein the collector is connected to the fuel tank, and with an upper closure, which can be opened by inserting the dispensing nozzle, for closing the upper neck rim and which is automatically held in a sealing position by a return element when the dispensing nozzle is not inserted. The collector has a lower wall with a lower filling opening that connects the interior of the collector to a lower neck section connected to the fuel tank.The lower filling opening can be closed by a lower closure, which is opened by inserting the dispensing nozzle and, when the dispensing nozzle is not inserted, is automatically held in a sealing position by a second return mechanism.

[0008] According to the prior art, filling nozzles are known which can either be closed with a tank cap or a cap, i.e., are designed as a cap system, or which are sufficiently closed as a capless system without the use of a tank cap if no fuel nozzle is inserted into the filling nozzle.

[0009] Both systems have proven their worth in practice for their respective applications, with either the capped or capless system being used in individual markets depending on global market requirements. However, some countries use non-standardized dispensing nozzles, which limits the applicability of the capless system in particular. If, for example, a vehicle manufacturer were to choose the capless system for its vehicles, significant sales difficulties could arise, as only a capped system would likely be suitable for that specific market. The two systems are so differently constructed and feature such individual designs that switching between a capped and a capped system presents considerable challenges.

[0010] Therefore, the invention is based on the objective of providing a filling nozzle of the type mentioned above as a modular system which can be manufactured with simple means, cost-effectively and individually adaptable either as a cap system or as a capless system.

[0011] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a filling nozzle with the features of claim 1.

[0012] A tank filling nozzle designed as a capless system is shown, which has a housing in which at least a flow aid and a head part are arranged.According to the invention, the head part has an insertion side and an opposite outer side, between which a cylindrical wall is arranged, wherein the head part has an insertion area on its insertion side, which on the outside has a stepped contact area for contact with a corresponding counter-contact area of ​​the housing and a circumferential groove for receiving a sealing element, and which on the inside has a receiving area for receiving the flow aid, wherein a flap having a grounding lug is snapped to the head part before the head part and the flow aid are assembled to form an insert element by means of snap partners and can be inserted into the housing by means of snap lugs arranged on the cylindrical wall of the head part and by means of snap recesses provided on the housing corresponding to the snap lugs, wherein the head part is designed with a thread for receiving a tank cap.

[0013] The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0014] The invention provides a modular design for capless and cap-using filler necks or filler pipe systems, in which the filler pipe itself, starting from the filler tube or its filler pipe head, can remain unchanged for capless systems. The modular insert element, assembled according to market requirements, is simply inserted into this system. Thus, if a vehicle is manufactured, for example, for a consumer market where the fuel nozzle is not standardized, the originally intended capless system can be easily replaced by a capped system in which a modified head section is connected or locked to the flow aid and inserted into the housing as an insert element.

[0015] To lock the flow aid to the head element, the flow aid has locking hooks around its outer circumference that engage in locking lugs located on the head. The locking lugs are positioned on one insertion side of the head. It is advantageous to have several locking lugs, for example, two, arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction. Naturally, the flow aid is provided with a corresponding number of locking hooks to match the number of locking lugs.

[0016] The head section has an insertion side and an opposite outer surface, and is designed with a cylindrical wall. To connect or lock the insert element to the housing, it is advantageous to arrange locking lugs on the outer circumference of the wall, which can be engaged with locking recesses arranged on the housing. The locking lugs are arranged to match the locking recesses on the wall, preferably with several, for example, two locking lugs and two locking recesses, arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction as described above.

[0017] The head section has a circumferential groove on its outer circumference, i.e., in the wall, into which a sealing element can be arranged. The sealing element is preferably designed as an O-ring seal. In a further advantageous embodiment, the sealing element has a circumferential, V-shaped, preferably frustoconical, cutout on its outer circumference, forming two spaced-apart sealing lips. The sealing element, with its outer circumference or sealing lips, forms a medium-tight seal against an inner circumference of the housing when the insert element, i.e., the unit composed of the separate head section and the separate flow aid, is inserted into the housing and locked into place. The sealing element rests against the housing and prevents unwanted leakage of fuel or fuel vapors into the environment.

[0018] As mentioned above, the head section has a stepped contact area at its insertion point, or rather on its outer circumference, which corresponds to a counter-contact area on the housing. Viewed vertically from the head section, this contact area is preferably located between the locking lugs and the circumferential groove. Inside, the insertion area has a receiving area for the flow aid, specifically for receiving its head end.

[0019] Inside, the head section has a filling opening for inserting a dispensing nozzle, positioned eccentrically to the center. The filling opening is surrounded by a separating element that connects to the inner circumference or inner wall of the head section and extends radially into its interior. The separating element may incorporate at least one circular segment-shaped vent slot, which forms a recess adjacent to the inner wall of the head section. It is advantageous to have two vent slots positioned opposite each other in the circumferential direction.

[0020] It is advantageous if a flap retainer is also arranged on the separating element. In a preferred embodiment, the flap retainer is arranged between the two ventilation slots in a holding area of ​​the separating element and, in a preferred embodiment, has a detent slot with which a detent lug of the flap can interact, so that the flap is locked in place within the head section. The design and function of the flap or spring-loaded flap are discussed in more detail below.

[0021] To accommodate a tank cap, the head section has a thread on its inner circumference or inner wall, which, in a preferred embodiment, has an upper thread and a lower thread when viewed vertically. To enable the tank cap to spring back automatically from its closed position to a removal position, it is advantageous for the lower thread to have two sections with different pitches, with both sections preferably arranged at an obtuse angle to each other. An obtuse angle, as defined in the invention, is an angle greater than 90° but less than 180°, with the two sections arranged in a longitudinal section in an almost Z-shape relative to each other. This means that, viewed vertically, one of the sections is offset above the other.If the tank cap, which of course has a corresponding counter-thread, is preferably manually turned from its closed position to the removal position, the lower thread causes the tank cap to pop out of the head part.

[0022] The flow aid is designed in a practical, funnel-like shape, tapering from its head end to an outlet end. The head end of the flow aid can be inserted into the head section or its receiving area, so that the head end is gripped by the insertion side of the head section, and the locking hooks of the flow aid can engage in the locking lugs of the head section.

[0023] In its assembled state, the flap is positioned on the head section such that its grounding lug projects outwards beyond the head section itself. It is therefore advantageous if the flow aid has a cutout on its head side to allow the grounding lug to protrude and rest against the inner wall of the housing when the insert element, i.e., the unit composed of the separate head section and the separate flow aid, is inserted into the housing and locked into place. In a preferred embodiment, the cutout can be segmented circular, with its zenith oriented towards the outflow side.

[0024] In a suitable embodiment, the flow aid may have guiding elements on its outer circumference, which in a preferred embodiment are designed to be quasi-fin-like and protrude from the flow aid.

[0025] In a practical design, the flap is formed in one piece with a locking element, a spring bar attached to it, and a grounding lug attached to the spring bar. The detent is located on the spring bar and can be engaged with the detent slot in the separating element. In the closed position of the flap, the locking element closes the filling opening and moves aside when a dispensing nozzle is inserted. When the dispensing nozzle is removed from the filling opening, the locking element is returned to its closed position by spring force.

[0026] The spring bar has several, preferably four, spring sections. A first spring section is bent out of the plane of the locking element and transitions into a second spring section, which extends back towards the plane of the locking element but projects beyond it. The second spring section transitions into a third spring section, which also extends back towards the plane of the locking element. The transition between the second and third spring sections is rounded, with the third spring section having a shorter axial extent than the second spring section. The third spring section transitions into a fourth spring section, which is arranged virtually parallel to the plane of the locking element. The grounding tab is attached to the fourth spring section. The locking tab is located at the transition between the second and third spring sections.

[0027] The grounding lug is essentially U-shaped with two U-shaped legs and a base rib. Its connecting leg is attached to the fourth spring section of the spring rib, with the connecting leg merging into the base rib. The base rib transitions into a contact leg featuring a raised section. This raised section, relative to the base rib, is a protrusion or indentation. The contact leg has a shorter axial extension than the connecting leg. The contact leg, or rather the raised section on it, allows contact with the housing when the insert element—the unit consisting of the separate head and the separate flow aid—is inserted into the housing and locked into place.

[0028] The insert can be placed into the filler neck or filler pipe head. A tank cap can then be screwed onto the head. The modular system can thus be easily adapted to the specific market requirements of the respective sales market. It is therefore conceivable to install a cap system instead of the capless system. This is possible because the interfaces of the cap system have been advantageously adapted to the design of the filler pipe used for a capless system. Of course, a capless system can still be installed in the filler pipe or filler pipe head. Both systems now feature a standardized interface to the filler pipe head. This allows for individual adaptability depending on market requirements.

[0029] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and the following description of the figures. These show Fig. 1 a filling nozzle in a longitudinal section, Fig. 2. An insert element in a perspective view, Fig. 3 a headboard in a longitudinal section, Fig. 4 a view from a header side into the header Fig. 3 inside, Fig. 5. an excerpt of a flow aid as a detail, and Fig. 6. A flap in perspective view as a detail.

[0030] In the different figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols, which is why they are usually only described once.

[0031] Fig. Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a fuel filler neck 1 or a filler pipe head 1. A motor vehicle's fuel tank can be filled with suitable fuels via the fuel filler neck 1. The connection between the fuel filler neck 1 and the fuel tank, as well as any corresponding vent lines, are not shown.

[0032] The tank filler neck 1 has a housing 2 in which at least one flow aid 3 and a head part 4 are arranged. The head part 4 can also be referred to as an adapter 4.

[0033] The advantage is that the flow aid 3 and the head part 4 form an insert element 6 ( Fig. 2) are connected or locked in place. The insert element 6, composed of the separate flow aid 3 and the separate head section 4, can be inserted into or locked into the housing 2. A flap 8, having a grounding lug 7, is lockably arranged on the head section 4.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 shows the insert element 6 in detail, with the flow aid 3, with its attached locking hooks 9, engaging in locking lugs 11 arranged on the head part 4. Fig. Due to the chosen perspective, only one locking hook 9 and one locking eyelet 11 are visible in Figure 2. Diametrically opposite the visible locking partners 9 and 11, further locking partners 9 and 11, designed accordingly, are arranged.

[0035] The respective locking eyelet 11 is arranged on an insertion side 12 or on its insertion edge 13, and has a substantially U-shaped design with two U-legs 14, 16 and a base web 17. The legs 14 and 16 are connected on one side to the base web 17 and on the other side to the insertion edge 13, so that the fully enclosed locking eyelet 11 is formed.

[0036] Opposite the insertion side 12, the head part 4 has an outer surface 18, between which a cylindrical wall 19 is arranged. Locking lugs 21 are arranged on the outer circumference of the wall 19, which interact with corresponding locking recesses 22 on the housing 2 to engage the component. Fig. 1) Examples are in Fig. 2 two locking lugs 21 are visible, which are arranged diametrically opposite each other on the outer circumference of the housing 2.

[0037] The locking lugs 21 are triangular in cross-section, with a contact surface 23 oriented towards the outside 18. The contact surface 23 extends perpendicularly from the outer circumference of the wall 19. A sliding surface 24 extends from the free end of the contact surface 23 inclined towards the outer circumference of the housing 2 and towards the insertion side 12.

[0038] The headboard 4 is in Fig. 3 is shown as a detail in a longitudinal section. The head section 4 has a circumferential groove 26 in the wall 19 in which a sealing element 27 ( Fig. 2) is included. An insertion area 28 is arranged on the insertion side 12. The insertion area 28 has on its outer side a contact area 31, preferably stepped, corresponding to a counter-contact area 29 arranged on the housing 2. A receiving area 32 for receiving the flow aid 3 is arranged on the inner side of the insertion area 28.

[0039] The sealing element 27 ( Fig. 2) is designed as an O-ring seal 27, which has a V-shaped or frustoconical cutout on its surface, so that two sealing lips 33 arranged at a distance from each other are formed.

[0040] Inside the head section 4, a thread 34 is arranged with an upper thread 36 and a lower thread 37. The lower thread 37 has two sections 38 and 39, which have different pitches. A first section 38 transitions into a second section 39. Both sections 38 and 39 are arranged at an obtuse angle to each other. As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the working section 39 is offset upwards relative to the first section 38, i.e., towards the outer side 18 of the head part 4. The thread 34 serves to receive a tank cap (not shown), which has a corresponding mating thread. In its closed position, the tank cap closes the tank filler neck 1. When the tank cap is turned into its removal position, the working section 39 of the lower thread 37 causes the tank cap to spring out of the head part 4.

[0041] The head part 4 has inside, below the thread 34, a separating element 41 in which an eccentrically placed filling opening 42 is arranged ( Fig. 4) The separating element 41 is in contact with the inner wall of the head section, with two ventilation slots 43 preferably being provided in the separating element 41 adjacent to the inner wall. The ventilation slots 43 are designed in the form of circular segments.

[0042] A flap retainer 44 is arranged on the separating element 41, which is located in a holding area 46 between the two illustrated ventilation slots. A locking slot 47 for receiving a locking tab 48 is arranged on the holding area 46, the locking tab 48 being attached to the flap 8 ( Fig. 6) is arranged, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0043] The flow aid 3 is funnel-shaped ( Fig. 5) and tapers from a head side 49 towards an outflow side 51 ( Fig. 2) The flow aid 3 can be inserted into the insertion area 28 or the receiving area 32 with the head side 49, so that the head side 49 is encompassed by the head part 4.

[0044] The locking hooks 9 are trapezoidal in shape and have a locking surface 52 oriented towards the outflow side 51, to which a sliding surface 53 extending inclined towards the head side 49 is attached, transitioning into an upper surface 54 running parallel to the locking surface 52. The locking surface 52, for example, projects perpendicularly from the flow aid 3 and has a longer extension than the upper surface 54.

[0045] On its head side 49, the flow aid has a circular segment-shaped cutout 56, so that the grounding lug 7 of the flap 8 can be led out of the insert element 6 ( Fig. 2), and can come into contact with the housing 2. The cutout 56 is oriented with its curvature or its zenith 60 towards the outflow side 51.

[0046] Guide elements 57 are arranged on the outside of the flow aid 3.

[0047] The flap 8 ( Fig. 6) is formed in one piece with a locking element 58, a spring bar 59 arranged thereon, and the grounding lug 7 arranged on the spring bar 59. The flap 8 can, for example, be made of stainless steel. The housing 2 can be made of metal. The head 4 and the flow aid 3 can be made of a plastic, for example, an impact-modified acetylate copolymer (impact-modified POM).

[0048] The locking bar 48 is arranged on the spring bar 59. In a closed position, the flap 8, or rather its locking element 58, closes the filling opening 42 and moves aside when a dispensing nozzle is inserted. The locking element 58 is returned to the closed position by spring force when the dispensing nozzle is removed.

[0049] The spring bar 59 has several, for example four, spring sections 61 to 64. A first spring section 61 extends or is bent out of the plane of the locking element 59 and transitions into a second spring section 62, which is bent away from it. The second spring section 62 extends back towards the locking plane and projects beyond it. The second spring section 62 transitions via a rounded transition 66 into the third spring section 63, which extends back towards the locking element plane. The third spring section 63 transitions into the fourth spring section 64, which runs virtually parallel to the locking element plane and is oriented away from the locking element 59.

[0050] The locking bar 48 is arranged at the rounded transition 66, which is inclined with its free edge 67 towards the fourth spring section 64.

[0051] The grounding lug 7 is essentially U-shaped with two U-shaped legs 68 and 69 and a base rib 71. A connecting leg 68 connects to the spring bar 59, or more precisely to its fourth spring section 64, and transitions into the base rib 71. A contact leg 69, on which a bulge 72 is arranged, connects to the base rib 71. Relative to the base rib 71, the bulge 72 projects outwards as a raised or dented surface.

[0052] Again Fig. Once the separate flow aid 3 can be removed from the head section 4, it can first be connected to the head section 4 using the corresponding locking partners 9 and 11, thus forming the insert element 6. The grounding lug 7 of the flap 8 protrudes from this. The flap 8 was previously connected or locked to the head section 4 using the corresponding locking partners 47 and 48.

[0053] The insert element 6 can thus be inserted into the housing 2 and connected or locked to the housing 2 by means of the corresponding locking partners 21 and 22.

[0054] The respective locking connections can be designed to be permanent once the respective locking action has been established. Of course, the locking components can also be designed to be intentionally releasable.

[0055] The key point is that the invention provides a modular system that enables a motor vehicle manufacturer to respond to different market demands without changing its established series production strategy regarding the design of the filler neck as a capped or capless system. This is because the proposed insert element 6 can be used in a filler neck that is actually designed for a capless system. Despite the respective modifications to the head part 4 (whose outer geometry is adapted to the design of the filler tube head 1), the flap 8 (whose grounding tab is adapted to the design of the head part 4), and the flow aid 3, economic advantages result, since a filler tube 1 or...Both systems (capless system and cap system) can be used in the filler neck 1, allowing the vehicle manufacturer to individually decide which system is installed in each vehicle produced for a specific market. Naturally, both systems can be designed to prevent misfueling with the wrong fuel (Misfueling Inhibitor MFI).

Claims

[1] Tank filling nozzle (1) designed as a capless system comprising a housing (2) in which at least a flow aid (3) and a head part (4) are arranged, characterized by, that the head part (4) has an insertion side (12) and an opposite outer side (18), between which a cylindrical wall (19) is arranged, wherein the head part (4) has an insertion area (28) on its insertion side (12), which on the outside has a stepped contact area (31) for contact with a corresponding counter-contact area (29) of the housing (2) and a circumferential groove (26) for receiving a sealing element (27), and which on the inside has a receiving area (32) for receiving the flow aid (3), wherein a flap (8) having a grounding lug (7) is snapped to the head part (4) before the head part (4) and the flow aid (3) are joined to form an insert element (6) by means of snap partners (9,11) is assembled and can be inserted into the housing (2) by means of locking lugs (21) arranged on the cylindrical wall (19) of the head part (4) and by means of locking recesses (22) provided on the housing (2) corresponding to the locking lugs (21), wherein the head part (4) is provided with a thread (34) for receiving a tank cap. [2] Tank filler neck (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the respective connections are designed as latch connections, with latch partners (9,11; 21,22; 47,48) provided in each case. [3] Tank filler neck (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the flow aid (3) has locking hooks (9) which can be locked with locking lugs (11) arranged on the head part. [4] Fuel filler neck (1) F ar pke infill plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the head part (4) has a filling opening (42) which is surrounded by a separating element (41) which has at least one vent slot and which has a locking slot (47) for receiving the flap (8) or for receiving its locking bar (48). [5] Tank filler neck (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the thread (34) has two sections (38,39) on its lower thread pitch (37) which are arranged at an obtuse angle to each other such that one execution section (39) is offset upwards in the direction of an outer side (18) of the head part (4). [6] Tank filler neck (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the flow aid (3) is funnel-shaped and has a cutout (56) at its head end (49) so that the grounding lug (7) can be led out of the insert element (6). [7] Tank filler neck (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the flap (8) is formed in one piece from a locking element (58), a spring bar (59) adjoining it and the grounding lug (7) adjoining it, wherein the spring bar (59) is formed from spring sections (61, 62, 63, 64), and wherein the grounding lug (7) is U-shaped and has a bulge (71) on a contact leg (69). [8] Use of an insert element (6) for insertion into a tank filler neck (1) designed as a capless system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the head part (4) has an insertion side (12) and an opposite outer side (18) between which a cylindrical wall (19) is arranged, wherein the head part (4) has an insertion area (28) on its insertion side (12) which has on the outside a stepped contact area (31) for contact with a corresponding counter contact area (29) of the housing (2) and a circumferential groove (26) for receiving a sealing element (27), and which has on the inside a receiving area (32) for receiving the flow aid (3), wherein a flap (8) having a grounding lug (7) is snapped to the head part (4) before the head part (4) and the flow aid (3) are joined to form an insert element (6) by means of snap partners (9,11) is assembled and can be inserted into the housing (2) by means of locking lugs (21) arranged on the cylindrical wall (19) of the head part (4) and by means of locking recesses (22) provided on the housing (2) corresponding to the locking lugs (21), wherein the head part (4) is provided with a thread (34) for receiving a tank cap.

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