TANK FILLER WITH LIQUID SEPARATOR

Description

[0001] According to the preamble of claim 1, the invention relates to a tank filler neck which has a liquid separator and is arranged at the upper end of a filler pipe leading to a fuel tank.

[0002] A fuel tank (also referred to as a motor vehicle tank) is used to store fuel, such as gasoline or diesel fuel, in a motor vehicle. Such a fuel tank is typically constructed from a fuel container (also referred to as a tank bladder), a filler pipe opening into the fuel container at its lower end, through which the fuel flows into the fuel container during refueling, and a tank filler neck arranged at the upper end of the filler pipe with an insertion opening for a fuel pump valve, which is typically designed as a fuel nozzle. Such a fuel tank is known, for example, from the patents DE 198 02 078 B4 and US 6,006,799 A.

[0003] The patent DE 10 2015 010 354 B4 (see also US 10,245,942 B2) describes a fuel tank assembly with a tank filler neck, which is considered the closest prior art for the present invention. A guide insert for guiding a dispensing device (dispensing valve) is arranged in the upper end of the filler pipe. The guide insert has a pivoting closure flap that is elastically deflected when the dispensing device is inserted. Furthermore, a liquid separator is provided. This serves to separate liquid fuel from a mixture of air, gaseous fuel, and liquid fuel. The liquid separator has a cup-shaped or pot-shaped separator housing that is attached to the filler pipe. The separator housing has a separation chamber, which is connected to the fuel tank via a vent line.On the other hand, the separation chamber is fluidically connected to a filter device. Furthermore, the liquid separator or the separation chamber is fluidically connected to the filler pipe, allowing separated liquid operating fluid to flow through the filler pipe toward the operating fluid tank. The liquid separator is designed as a labyrinth separator.

[0004] EP 3 738 810 A1, which represents the closest prior art, describes a venting device for venting a motor vehicle tank with a liquid separator installed in the upper end of the filler pipe for the operational venting of the motor vehicle tank.

[0005] Regarding the state of the art, reference is also made to the patent specifications WO 2014 / 030160 A1, DE 196 05 922 B4, DE 20 2008 001 586 U1 (see also EP 1 955 888 B1), US 4,926,914 A and US 4,630,749 A.

[0006] The present invention discloses a tank filler neck according to the features of claim 1.

[0007] The tank filler neck according to the invention of claim 1 comprises a compact and effective liquid separator. Advantageous developments of the tank filler neck according to the invention and additional features emerge from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention (which expressly includes features described as "for example," "preferred," "in particular," etc.), and the figures.

[0008] The tank filler neck according to the invention is arranged or can be arranged at the upper end of a filler pipe leading to a fuel tank and comprises a liquid separator fastened to the upper end of the filler pipe, which has a separation chamber (for separating liquid fuel or fuel droplets from an air-fuel mixture) that is in flow connection, in particular in direct flow connection, with the filler pipe. This separation chamber is fluidically connected to the filler pipe for the removal of separated fuel. A vent line of the fuel tank is also fluidically connected to this separation chamber, or in other words, this separation chamber is connected or can be connected to the fuel tank via a vent line.The tank filler neck according to the invention preferably also comprises a guide insert or the like arranged in the upper end of the filler pipe for receiving a filling valve.

[0009] According to the invention, it is provided that the separation chamber of the liquid separator is designed essentially in the shape of a circular ring cylinder and that a lateral off-center connection for the vent line is also provided, so that a vortex flow can form in the circular ring cylindrical separation chamber or such a vortex flow can be generated.

[0010] A circular-cylindrical separation chamber is understood to be a cylindrical cavity with a circular base area that extends along a cylinder axis or central axis. Preferably, the circular-cylindrical separation chamber has a substantially vertical orientation, meaning that the cylinder axis runs at least approximately vertically (for example, in a range of 0° to 10° from the vertical).

[0011] A lateral connection is preferably understood to mean that the vent line is not connected at the front or bottom or axially, but laterally or opens laterally into the annular-cylindrical separation chamber, in particular at a cylindrical casing wall (for example the outer casing wall of the separator housing; see below). A lateral eccentric connection is understood to mean that the connection axis of the lateral connection is offset with respect to the cylinder axis of the annular-cylindrical separation chamber. The lateral eccentric connection of the vent line results in the air-fuel mixture emerging from the vent line flowing into the annular-cylindrical separation chamber not radially, but tangentially or secant-like, thereby forming or generating a vortex flow in the annular-cylindrical separation chamber.

[0012] A vortex flow is defined as a rotational flow in the annular cylindrical separation chamber, whereby the air-fuel mixture flowing in from the vent line flows completely through the annular cylindrical separation chamber in a specific rotational direction or circulates within the annular cylindrical separation chamber. Due to centrifugal forces, the liquid fuel contained in the air-fuel mixture is separated on the inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical jacket wall of the separation chamber and can then flow or drip into the filler pipe. This not only achieves extremely effective separation (which also meets high separation quality requirements) but also enables a compact or small-sized design of the liquid separator. The separation process can also be referred to as "drop formation."

[0013] According to the invention, the liquid separator has a separator housing attached to the filler pipe, in particular directed upwards, which comprises a cup-shaped or bowl-like outer housing with an (upper) base and a substantially cylindrical outer shell wall (outer wall), as well as an inner housing arranged concentrically within the outer housing with a substantially cylindrical inner shell wall (inner wall). The annular-cylindrical separation chamber extends between the outer shell wall and the inner shell wall. Preferably, the lateral, off-center connection for the vent line is located on the cylindrical outer shell wall of the separator housing.

[0014] The circular-cylindrical separation chamber arranged between the outer housing and the inner housing simultaneously forms an inlet chamber for the air-fuel mixture permeated with liquid fuel or fuel droplets. It is preferably provided that the inner housing forms an outlet chamber, enclosed (laterally) by the inner casing wall, for the air-fuel mixture freed of liquid fuel or fuel droplets. This outlet chamber is preferably connected or connectable (in terms of flow) to a filter device, in particular an activated carbon filter device, via a connection on the bottom (i.e. arranged at the bottom of the separator housing). In addition, this outlet chamber is preferably in flow connection, in particular in direct flow connection, with the filler pipe.

[0015] A rollover valve can be installed in the outlet chamber of the separator housing. This valve closes or blocks the connection leading to the filter device in the event of a rollover of the vehicle, preventing fuel from leaking to the filter device. The rollover valve can be installed in the outlet chamber of the separator housing without requiring any additional space.

[0016] The outlet chamber of the liquid separator can have an outlet area that encompasses the bottom connection (for the filter device) or leads to the bottom connection. This essentially represents an outlet chamber of the outlet chamber, which is located in particular in an upper or near-bottom area of ​​the outlet chamber. In other words, the outlet area is located in particular in the upper section of the outlet chamber, in which the bottom connection for the filter device is also located. The rollover valve is preferably also arranged in this outlet area.

[0017] The liquid separator or the separator housing preferably has a pivotally mounted closure cover with which the outlet area or the outlet chamber of the outlet space (see above) is closed or can be closed when the nozzle is inserted. (This pre-closing cover can also be understood as a blocking element.) This closure cover is also arranged in particular in the outlet space, i.e. within the outlet space, thereby achieving optimal use of installation space without requiring additional space. When the nozzle is inserted into the filler pipe or into the insertion opening at the upper end of the filler pipe, the closure cover is actuated or pivoted so that the outlet area of ​​the outlet space is automatically closed or blocked and the flow connection to the filter device is interrupted.This prevents refueling gases, and in particular, venting gases from the fuel tank ventilation system, from reaching the filter device during refueling, thereby relieving the strain on the filter device. Preferably, at least one spring element or the like is also present (in the separator housing), which preloads the closure cap into its open position, so that when the nozzle is pulled out, the outlet area of ​​the outlet chamber is automatically reopened, releasing the flow connection to the filter device. The pivoting closure cap thus implements a switching function that relieves the strain on the filter device.

[0018] The pivoting closure cover can be actuated directly by the nozzle when it is inserted, as explained in more detail below. However, it is preferably provided that the closure cover is movement-coupled to a pivotably mounted closure flap for the insertion opening of the nozzle, so that indirect actuation occurs through the closure flap when the nozzle is inserted, as explained in more detail below. The closure flap is preferably part of a guide insert. Spring elements or the like are then preferably also present, which preload the closure cover or the locking element into an open position and the closure flap into a closed position. As a result, when the nozzle is pulled out, the outlet area is automatically reopened and the insertion opening is closed again.

[0019] The components described above and / or below and possibly shown in the drawing, in particular the tank filler neck, the fuel tank, the filler pipe, the liquid separator, the vent line, the filter device and / or the guide insert, can form a so-called tank arrangement for a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle tank arrangement within the scope of the combinations described herein.

[0020] Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The features shown in the figures and / or explained below may, even independently of specific combinations of features, be general features of the invention and may further develop the invention accordingly. Fig. 1 shows a tank filler neck according to the invention and an inserted nozzle. Fig. 2 shows a sectional view (according to the Fig. 1 indicated section AA) a first embodiment of the tank filler neck without a nozzle. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view (according to the section in Fig. 1 indicated section AA) a second embodiment of the tank filler neck without nozzle. Fig. 4 shows the second embodiment of the Fig. 3 with inserted nozzle. Fig. 5 shows a sectional view analogous to Fig. 4 a third embodiment of the tank filler neck with inserted nozzle.

[0021] The Fig. 1 The filler neck 100 shown is arranged at the upper end of a filler pipe 110, which leads to a fuel tank. A collar 120, particularly designed as a threaded ring, is attached to the filler pipe 110 and surrounds an insertion opening 125 for a partially shown fuel nozzle 200. A multi-part guide insert 130 (see Fig. 2 ) for receiving and guiding the nozzle 200. A liquid separator 140 is also attached to the filler pipe 110. The liquid separator 140 has two connections 141 and 142 designed as connection nipples or connection pieces, which function as inlet and outlet (see arrows in Fig. 1 ). A fuel tank vent line (so-called fuel tank vent or tank vent) is connected to the side connection 141 of the liquid separator 140. A preferably externally arranged filter device, in particular an activated carbon filter device, is connected to the upper bottom connection 142 by means of a connecting line or the like. The guide insert 130 and the separator housing of the liquid separator 140 are preferably made of plastic, in particular injection-molded plastic parts. The attachment sleeve 120 is preferably made of metal for the purpose of dissipating electrostatic charges.

[0022] As can be seen from all figures, the separator housing of the liquid separator 140, which is fastened to the filler pipe 110 with a substantially vertical orientation (see central axis Z), comprises a cup-shaped outer housing with a base 143 and a cylindrical outer shell wall 144, as well as an inner housing arranged concentrically in the outer housing with a cylindrical inner shell wall 145. The inner shell wall 145 is longer in the axial direction Z than the outer shell wall 144 and projects (downward) into the filler pipe 110.

[0023] Extending between the outer casing wall 144 and the inner casing wall 145 is a circular-cylindrical separation chamber 146, designed as an annular space. This circular-cylindrical separation chamber 146 is a first sub-chamber that simultaneously functions as an inlet chamber for the air-fuel mixture flowing in from the vent line through the lateral connection 141. In this separation chamber 146, liquid fuel or fuel droplets are then separated from the incoming air-fuel mixture, as explained in more detail below. The inner housing forms a substantially cylindrical second sub-chamber 147, laterally enclosed by the inner casing wall 145, which functions as an outlet chamber and is connected to the filter device via the bottom connection 142. The second sub-chamber or outlet chamber 147 is virtually surrounded in the radial direction by the first sub-chamber or separation chamber 146.The outlet space 147 has an upper outlet region or upper outlet chamber 147a, which is located directly below the connection or outlet 142. A roll-over valve 150 is arranged in this outlet region 147a. Both the annular-cylindrical separation space 146 and the outlet chamber 147 are open downwards, i.e., at their lower ends with respect to their axial orientation Z, and are thus in direct flow connection with the filler pipe 110.

[0024] The air-fuel mixture from the fuel tank vent, permeated with liquid fuel or fuel droplets, flows through the lateral connection or inlet 141 into the circular-cylindrical separation chamber 146 and can circulate therein. The connection 141 is arranged off-center, i.e., the connection axis is offset with respect to the vertical cylinder axis or center axis Z (see arrow V in Fig. 2 ). This creates a vortex flow T in the circular cylindrical separation chamber 146, as shown in Fig. 2 illustrated by flow arrows. Due to centrifugal forces, the liquid fuel contained in the air-fuel mixture is essentially separated on the inner circumferential surface of the outer casing wall 144 and can then flow or drip downwards into the filler pipe 110. As the air-fuel mixture enters the much larger space of the filler pipe 110, its flow velocity decreases, which promotes the further separation (dropout) of any remaining liquid fuel components, which drip downwards (into the filler pipe 110) as droplets. The air-fuel mixture, thus freed of liquid fuel components and thus essentially containing only gas components, can then flow from below into the outlet chamber 147 (see flow arrows) and flow past the roll-over valve 150 through the connection or outlet 142 to the filter device.

[0025] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 In the second embodiment shown, a pivotally mounted closure cover or a pivotally movable blocking element 160 is arranged in the outlet chamber 147 of the liquid separator 140, with which the upper outlet area 147a can be closed or blocked. The closure cover 160 can have sealing rings or the like. This closure cover 160 is coupled in motion to a closure flap 170, pivotally mounted on the guide insert 130, for the insertion opening 125 of the nozzle 200, such that the outlet area or the outlet chamber 147a is automatically closed upon insertion of the nozzle 200, as shown in Fig. 4 shown. The closure lid 160 has a bracket or lever 162 or the like for indirect actuation by the closure flap 170. Furthermore, spring elements 161, 171 are provided, which form a spring mechanism that biases the closure lid 160 into the open position and the closure flap 170 into the closed position (as in Fig. 3 shown), so that when the nozzle 200 is pulled out, the closure cover 160 opens and the closure flap 170 closes.

[0026] In the Fig. 5 In the third embodiment shown, a pivotally mounted closure cover 160 is also provided, which is automatically closed upon insertion of the nozzle 200, but by the nozzle 200 pressing against a bracket or lever 163 or the like of the closure cover 160. The closure cover 160 is actuated here almost directly by the nozzle 200. The closure cover 160 is pretensioned into the open position by the spring element 161, so that the outlet area 147a (see Fig. 3 ) is opened again when the nozzle 200 is pulled out.

[0027] The closure cap or the blocking element 160 of the second and third embodiments equip the tank filler neck 100 with a switching function to realize both operational venting and refueling venting. In the operating state (see Fig. 3 ) the cover 160 is open. The operational ventilation of the fuel tank takes place in the manner described above via the liquid separator 140 to the filter device. In the refueling state (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 ) the closure cap 160 is closed, whereby the path to the filter device is completely blocked or the flow connection between the filler pipe 110 and the filter device is interrupted. Despite this interrupted flow connection to the filter device, the air-fuel mixture from the fuel tank ventilation in the annular-cylindrical separation chamber 146 can be unhindered to remove liquid fuel components, as explained above. For refueling ventilation during the refueling process, the vent gases from the fuel tank ventilation (freed of liquid fuel components) and the gases also released during the refueling process (refueling gases) can escape into the atmosphere through the inlet opening 125 or are sucked off, in particular, via the nozzle 200 (so-called vapor pendulum process).During a refueling process, the filter system is therefore not exposed to either refueling gases or venting gases and is thus relieved of pressure.

[0028] The liquid separator 140, together with the roll-over valve 150 and, if applicable, the closure cover 160 (in particular including the spring element 161), forms a compact, prefabricated unit (including the separator housing) that can be easily attached to the appropriately prepared filler pipe 110. Attachment is preferably achieved by clip elements, gluing, or welding. Bezugszeichenliste

[0029] 100Tank filler neck 110Filling pipe 120Cuff 125Inlet opening 130Guide insert 140Liquid separator 141Connection (inlet) 142Connection (outlet) 143Bottom 144Outer casing wall 145Inner casing wall 146Separator chamber (inlet chamber) 147Outlet chamber 147aOutlet area (outlet chamber) 150Roll-over valve 160Closing cover (blocking element) 161Spring element 162Bail (lever) 163Bail (lever) 170Closing flap 171Spring element 200Temp valve TVortex flow VOffset ZZCylinder axis, center axis

Claims

1. Fuel-tank filler neck (100), which is arranged at the upper end of a filling pipe (110) leading to a fuel tank, the filler neck comprising a liquid separator (140) fastened to the upper end of the filling pipe (110), which separator has a separating chamber (146) in flow connection with the filling pipe (110), to which chamber a vent line of the fuel tank is connected, the separating chamber (146) of the liquid separator (140) being annular cylindrical and having a lateral off-center connection (141) for the vent line, so that a vortex flow (T) can form in the annular cylindrical separating chamber (146), characterized in that the liquid separator (140) has a separator housing which is fastened to the filling pipe (110) and which comprises a cup-shaped outer housing having a base (143) and a cylindrical outer casing wall (144) and an inner housing that is arranged concentrically in the outer housing and has a cylindrical inner casing wall (145), the annular cylindrical separating chamber (146) extending between the outer casing wall (144) and the inner casing wall (145).

2. Fuel-tank filler neck (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylinder axis (Z) of the annular cylindrical separating chamber (146) has a vertical orientation.

3. Fuel-tank filler neck (100) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the inner housing forms an outlet chamber (147) which is enclosed by the inner casing wall (145), is in flow connection with the filling pipe (110) and is connected to a filter device via a base-side connection (142).

4. Fuel-tank filler neck (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that a roll-over valve (150) is arranged in the outlet chamber (147).

5. Fuel-tank filler neck (100) according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that the outlet chamber (147) has an outlet region (147a) comprising the base-side connection (142), a pivotably mounted closure cover (160) being provided, with which cover this outlet region (147a) is closed when a nozzle (200) is inserted.

6. Fuel-tank filler neck (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that a spring element (161) is provided which preloads the closure cover (160) into the open position.

7. Fuel-tank filler neck (100) according to either claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the closure cover (160) is motion-coupled to a pivotably mounted closure flap (170) for the insertion opening (125) of the nozzle (200).

8. Fuel-tank filler neck (100) according to claim 4 and any of claims 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the liquid separator (140) together with the roll-over valve (150) and the closure cover (160) forms a structural unit.