Canister

Abstract

To reduce ventilation resistance of a canister while restraining a decrease in adsorption performance for fuel vapor.SOLUTION: A canister comprises at least one chamber in which an adsorbent for fuel vapor is arranged, an inflow port, an atmosphere port, an outflow port, and an adsorbent agglomeration. The adsorbent agglomeration is a fibrous adsorbent aggregation arranged in a specific chamber that is one of the at least one chamber. An outer surface of the adsorbent agglomeration is provided with first and second surfaces intersecting with a flow direction of fluid. The second surface is located on the side opposite to the first surface. At least one cavity extending along the flow direction to a bottom part located inside the adsorbent agglomeration is formed in the first surface and / or the second surface in the adsorbent agglomeration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a canister. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a technique has been proposed for reducing the air flow resistance by making the cross section of the adsorbent placed in an adsorption chamber provided with an atmospheric port open to the atmosphere wider than the cross sections of the adsorbents placed in other adsorption chambers. Note that the cross section of the adsorbent refers to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the fuel vapor.

[0003] Furthermore, as described in Patent Document 2, it has been proposed to use an activated carbon fiber sheet in a vehicle canister. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7244553 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6568328 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When using an activated carbon fiber sheet for a canister, the activated carbon fiber sheet may be processed into agglomerates of a specified shape, but such processing requires the density of the activated carbon fiber sheet to be increased, which may result in an increase in the airflow resistance of the canister. Here, it is conceivable to reduce the airflow resistance of the canister by increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the agglomerates, as in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, but even if such a configuration is adopted, there is a possibility that the airflow resistance will not be reduced sufficiently.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to reduce the airflow resistance of the canister while suppressing a decrease in the adsorption performance of the fuel vapor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a canister configured to be mounted on a vehicle having an engine, the canister comprising at least one chamber, an inlet port, an atmospheric port, an outlet port, and an adsorbent mass. An adsorbent for adsorbing fuel vapor is disposed in the at least one chamber. The inlet port is configured to allow fuel vapor to flow from a fuel tank of the vehicle into the at least one chamber. The atmospheric port is configured to be open to the atmosphere. The outlet port is configured to allow the fuel vapor adsorbed in the adsorbent to flow out toward the engine by the atmospheric air flowing in from the atmospheric port. The adsorbent mass is an assembly of fibrous adsorbents disposed in a specific chamber that is one of the at least one chamber. The outer surface of the adsorbent mass is provided with first and second faces that intersect with the flow direction of a fluid in the specific chamber, and the second face is located opposite to the first face. At least one void is formed in the first face and / or the second face of the adsorbent mass, extending along the flow direction to a bottom located inside the adsorbent mass.

[0008] According to the above-described configuration, at least one void is provided in the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerate, and the void does not penetrate the adsorbent agglomerate, thereby reducing the airflow resistance of the canister while suppressing a decrease in the adsorption performance of the fuel vapor.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one void may be formed across the first and / or second surface of the adsorbent mass. According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the airflow resistance of the canister while suppressing imbalance in the flow of fuel vapor.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one void may be formed on a first surface of the adsorbent mass and not on a second surface. According to the above-described configuration, the orientation of the adsorbent agglomerate can be easily grasped, which facilitates the task of arranging the adsorbent agglomerate in a specific chamber in the canister manufacturing process.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one chamber may include a chamber adjacent to the inlet port and the outlet port and a chamber adjacent to the atmospheric port, and a distance to the atmospheric port along the flow direction on the first surface may be greater than a distance to the atmospheric port along the flow direction on the second surface.

[0012] According to the above-described configuration, the first surface of the adsorbent mass in which at least one void is formed can be disposed at a position away from the port, thereby making it possible to prevent fuel vapor from leaking out of the canister through the port.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one void may be formed in the first and second surfaces of the adsorbent mass. According to the above-described configuration, the airflow resistance of the canister can be reduced.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, of the at least one chamber, a chamber adjacent to the atmospheric port may be configured as a specific chamber. According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the air flow resistance of the canister while suppressing the outflow of fuel vapor from the atmospheric port. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the canister of the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the adsorbent agglomerate of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a cross-sectional view including a central axis of an adsorbent agglomerate arranged in a second adsorption chamber of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 6 is a cross-sectional view including a central axis of an adsorbent agglomerate of a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 6 is a cross-sectional view including a central axis of an adsorbent agglomerate of a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view including a central axis of an adsorbent agglomerate of a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 11 is a front view of an adsorbent agglomerate according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a front view of an adsorbent agglomerate according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a front view of an adsorbent agglomerate according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an adsorbent agglomerate according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view including a central axis of an adsorbent agglomerate of a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an adsorbent agglomerate according to a modification of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view including a central axis of an adsorbent agglomerate of a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an adsorbent agglomerate according to a modification of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view including a central axis of an adsorbent agglomerate of a modified example of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the following embodiments, and various forms may be adopted as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0017] [1. First embodiment] [(1) Canister configuration] The canister 1 of the first embodiment is a device that is mounted on a vehicle and adsorbs and desorbs fuel vapor generated from a fuel tank that supplies fuel to the vehicle engine (see FIG. 1).

[0018] The canister 1 includes an inflow port 2, an outflow port 3, an atmospheric port 4, first to third adsorption chambers 10, 20, 30, and a connecting passage 5. The inflow port 2 is connected to a fuel tank by a pipe, and is configured to take in fuel vapor generated from the fuel tank into the canister 1.

[0019] The outlet port 3 is connected to an intake pipe of the engine via a purge valve (not shown). The outlet port 3 is configured to discharge fuel vapor accumulated in each adsorption chamber of the canister 1 toward the engine during purging.

[0020] The atmospheric port 4 is open to the atmosphere. In other words, the atmospheric port 4 is connected to the outside of the vehicle and is configured to release air from which fuel vapor has been removed into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the atmospheric port 4 takes in the atmosphere (hereinafter, referred to as purge air) during purging. As the purge air flows down inside the canister 1, the fuel vapor adsorbed by the adsorbent in each adsorption chamber inside the canister 1 is desorbed and discharged through the outlet port 3.

[0021] The inlet port 2 and the outlet port 3 are provided at an end of a flow path P for fuel vapor and purge air (in other words, fluid) in the canister 1. On the other hand, the atmospheric port 4 is provided at an end of the flow path P opposite to the end where the inlet port 2 and the outlet port 3 are provided. The direction of the flow path P corresponds to the flow direction of the fluid in the canister 1.

[0022] In the canister 1, a second adsorption chamber 20, a first adsorption chamber 10, and a third adsorption chamber 30 are provided in this order from the atmospheric port 4 side along the flow path P. The atmospheric port 4 is adjacent to the second adsorption chamber 20, and the inlet port 2 and the outlet port 3 are adjacent to the third adsorption chamber 30.

[0023] The first adsorption chamber 10 and the second adsorption chamber 20 are arranged in a straight line, and the flow path P in the first and second adsorption chambers 10, 20 extends linearly. On the other hand, the first adsorption chamber 10 and the third adsorption chamber 30 are arranged to bend back via the connecting passage 5, and the flow path P in the first and third adsorption chambers 10, 30 bends back in a U-shape. Of course, this is not a limitation, and the first to third adsorption chambers 10-30 may be arranged in a straight line, and the flow path P may extend linearly from one end to the other.

[0024] The third adsorption chamber 30 is a main chamber having the largest volume among the multiple adsorption chambers, and a third adsorbent 31 that adsorbs fuel vapor is disposed therein. The third adsorbent 31 may be, for example, activated carbon, and more specifically, may be, for example, powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, activated carbon formed into a honeycomb shape, or fibrous activated carbon formed into a sheet, rectangular parallelepiped, cylindrical, polygonal column, or the like.

[0025] Meanwhile, the first adsorption chamber 10 and the second adsorption chamber 20 are both sub-chambers having a smaller volume than the main chamber, the third adsorption chamber 30. A first adsorption material 11 similar to the third adsorption material 31 is disposed in the first adsorption chamber 10. Meanwhile, the second adsorption chamber 20 is configured as a specific chamber, in which a second adsorbent configured as an adsorbent agglomerate 6 is disposed.

[0026] [(2) Adsorbent agglomerates] The adsorbent agglomerates 6 are configured to adsorb fuel vapor, and are, for example, felt-like aggregates of fibrous activated carbon (see FIGS. 1 to 3). The adsorbent agglomerates 6 are, for example, formed by solidifying fibrous activated carbon with a binder or the like. The fibrous activated carbon may be formed, for example, by carbonizing a fibrous material such as a nonwoven fabric. The adsorbent agglomerates 6 may also be formed by solidifying a fibrous adsorbent other than activated carbon.

[0027] As one example, the adsorbent clumps 6 are formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis A, and the length in the direction of the axis A is shorter than the diameter (in other words, the width) of a circular cross section (hereinafter also simply referred to as the cross section) perpendicular to the axis A. It should be noted that the axis A passes through the center of the cross section of the adsorbent clumps 6. In addition, the adsorbent clumps 6 are not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a prismatic shape in which the length in the direction of the axis A is shorter than the width.

[0028] The adsorbent clump 6 is disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20 such that the direction of the axis A coincides with the direction of the flow path P (in other words, the fluid flow direction). Further, a first surface 60 and a second surface 61 are formed on the outer surface of the adsorbent clump 6, the first surface 60 and the second surface 61 being located at both ends in the direction of the axis A. The first surface 60 and the second surface 61 intersect with the direction of the flow path P at an angle of approximately 90°, for example, and the second surface 61 is located on the opposite side of the first surface 60.

[0029] Further, the second surface 61 is located on the atmospheric port 4 side in the fluid flow direction, and the first surface 60 is located on the inlet port 2 and outlet port 3 side (in other words, on the first adsorption chamber 10 side). That is, the distance to the atmospheric port 4 on the first surface 60 along the fluid flow direction is longer than the same distance on the second surface 61. In other words, the second surface 61 is closer to the atmospheric port 4 than the first surface 60, and the shortest port distance on the first surface 60 is longer than the shortest port distance on the second surface 61. The shortest port distance means the shorter of the distance to the atmospheric port 4 along the fluid flow direction and the distance to the inlet port 2 and outlet port 3 along the same direction on each of the first surface 60 and the second surface 61.

[0030] The first surface 60 has a plurality of holes 62 (in other words, voids) formed therein that extend in a direction generally consistent with the direction of the axis A (in other words, the direction of fluid flow) (see FIGS. 2 and 3). As an example, each of these holes 62 has a generally uniform depth, a bottom 63 of each hole 62 is located approximately in the center of the adsorbent agglomerate 6 in the direction of the axis A, and each hole 62 does not penetrate the adsorbent agglomerate 6. On the other hand, no holes are formed in the second surface 61.

[0031] As an example, each hole 62 is cylindrical. However, the shape of each hole 62 is not limited thereto and can be determined appropriately. Furthermore, the cross-sectional diameter of each hole 62 (in other words, the size of the hole 62) is approximately the same (as an example, a diameter of about 2 mm).

[0032] Also, as an example, these holes 62 are arranged across the first surface 60 at approximately constant intervals from each other adjacent holes 62. Also, it is desirable that the interval between two adjacent holes 62 be wider than the diameter (in other words, the width) of each hole 62.

[0033] The plurality of holes 62 may be formed by using a mold or the like when molding the adsorbent agglomerate 6, or may be formed by drilling holes in the first surface 60 after the adsorbent agglomerate 6 has been molded. [(3) Modification of adsorbent agglomerates] (1) Variation 1 The depth of the multiple holes 62 in the first surface 60 may vary. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the holes 62 may become deeper from the center of the first surface 60 toward the edges. In general, the flow of a fluid concentrates at the center of the flow path, and the flow rate of the fluid decreases toward the edges of the flow path. For this reason, by making the holes 62 deeper from the center of the first surface 60 toward the edges, the flow of the fluid passing through the adsorbent agglomerates 6 can be favorably promoted.

[0034] Also, for example, the adsorbent agglomerate 6 may have no holes formed on the first surface 60, and a plurality of holes 62 formed on the second surface 61 in a similar manner. Furthermore, a plurality of holes 62 may be formed in each of the first surface 60 and the second surface 61 of the adsorbent agglomerate 6 in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0035] 5, for example, holes 62 on first surface 60 and holes 62 on second surface 61 may be arranged such that their bottoms 63 face each other in the direction of axis A, in other words, so as to overlap each other when adsorbent agglomerate 6 is viewed in the direction of axis A. This can reduce the airflow resistance of adsorbent agglomerate 6.

[0036] 6, for example, holes 62 on first surface 60 and holes 62 on second surface 61 may be arranged so that bottoms 63 do not face each other in the direction of axis A, in other words, so that they do not overlap when viewed in the direction of axis A. This makes it possible to ensure the distance that the fuel vapor travels while in contact with adsorbent agglomerates 6 as it passes through, and promotes adsorption of the fuel vapor into the adsorbent agglomerates 6.

[0037] (2) Variation 2 The plurality of holes 62 may be formed in specific locations on the first surface 60 and / or the second surface 61 of the adsorbent mass 6 rather than over the entire area thereof.

[0038] Specifically, the plurality of holes 62 may be formed, for example, in a location where the flow of the fluid is stagnant, and as one example, the plurality of holes 62 may be formed so as to be aligned in a line at approximately regular intervals along the outer periphery of the first surface 60 as shown in Fig. 7. Also, for example, the plurality of holes 62 may be formed in the entire area of ​​one of two semicircular regions that divide the first surface 60 into two as shown in Fig. 8.

[0039] Furthermore, the diameters (in other words, sizes) of the multiple holes 62 formed in the first surface 60 and / or the second surface 61 may be different. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 9, the holes 62 may be made larger from the center of the first surface 60 toward the periphery. As described above, the flow rate of the fluid decreases toward the edge of the flow path. For this reason, by making the holes 62 larger from the center of the first surface 60 toward the periphery, the flow of the fluid passing through the adsorbent agglomerates 6 can be favorably promoted.

[0040] Furthermore, one hole 62 may be formed in the first surface 60 and / or the second surface 61 . [2. Second embodiment] [(1) Adsorbent agglomerates] The canister 1 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the configuration of the adsorbent agglomerate 7, which is the second adsorbent disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20. The configuration of the adsorbent agglomerate 7, which is the difference from the first embodiment, will be described below.

[0041] The adsorbent agglomerate 7 comprises a main body portion 72 and a plurality of first protrusions 73 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). As one example, the main body 72 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis A, and the length in the direction of the axis A is shorter than the diameter (in other words, the width) of a cross section of the axis A. It should be noted that the axis A passes through the center of the cross section of the main body 72. Furthermore, the main body 72 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a prismatic shape in which the length in the direction of the axis A is shorter than the width.

[0042] The plurality of first protrusions 73 are cylindrical portions protruding in the axis A direction from an end of the main body 72 in that direction. Each of the first protrusions 73 has approximately the same height, and the top of each first protrusion 73 forms the first surface 70 of the adsorbent agglomerate 7. Each first protrusion 73 also becomes thinner towards its top, which makes it easier to remove the mold from the plurality of first protrusions 73 when molding the adsorbent agglomerate 7.

[0043] The first protrusions 73 are provided close to each other, and a gap between adjacent first protrusions 73 forms at least one void 74 extending from the first surface 70 along the direction of the axis A (in other words, the fluid flow direction) and spreading across the entire area of ​​the first surface 70. The at least one void 74 reaches the main body 72 or its vicinity (hereinafter, the bottom). In other words, the bottom of the at least one void 74 corresponds to a portion around the roots of the first protrusions 73 in the adsorbent agglomerate 7. The gaps between the first protrusions 73 may form one connected void 74, or may form multiple separated voids 74.

[0044] On the other hand, an end portion of the main body portion 72 where the multiple first protrusions 73 are not formed forms the second surface 71. In other words, the second surface 71 does not have any gaps. As in the above embodiment, the adsorbent agglomerate 7 is disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20 such that the direction of the axis A coincides with the fluid flow direction. The second surface 71 is located on the atmospheric port 4 side in the fluid flow direction, and the first surface 70 is located on the inlet port 2 and outlet port 3 side (in other words, on the first adsorption chamber 10 side). That is, the distance to the atmospheric port 4 in the fluid flow direction on the first surface 70 is longer than the same distance on the second surface 71. In other words, the shortest port distance on the first surface 70 is longer than the shortest port distance on the second surface 71.

[0045] It is also possible to form no voids on the first surface 70 of the adsorbent agglomerate 7, but to form at least one void on the second surface 71 by forming a plurality of protrusions in a similar manner. [(2) Modifications] The adsorbent clump 7 of the modified example has at least one gap 74, 76 formed on each of the first surface 70 and the second surface 71 (see FIGS. 12 to 15).

[0046] The main body portion 72 and the multiple first protrusions 73 are configured in the same manner as in the third modification. Meanwhile, the second protrusions 75 are formed in the same manner as the first protrusions 73 at the end of the main body 72 opposite the end at which the first protrusions 73 are provided, and the tops of the second protrusions 75 form the second surface 71 of the adsorbent agglomerate 7. Similarly to the first protrusions 73, each second protrusion 75 becomes thinner toward its top, and at least one void 76 extending across the entire area of ​​the second surface 71 is formed by the gap between adjacent second protrusions 75.

[0047] 12 and 13 , the first protrusions 73 and the second protrusions 75 may be arranged so as to face each other in the direction of axis A, in other words so as to overlap each other when the adsorbent clump 7 is viewed in the direction of axis A. This encourages the bottom of at least one void 74 in first surface 70 and the bottom of at least one void 76 in second surface 71 to overlap in the direction of axis A, thereby reducing the airflow resistance of the adsorbent clump 7.

[0048] 14 and 15 , the first protrusions 73 and the second protrusions 75 may be arranged so as not to face each other in the direction of axis A, in other words so as not to overlap each other when the adsorbent clumps 7 are viewed in the direction of axis A. This prevents the bottom of at least one void 74 in the first surface 70 and the bottom of at least one void 76 in the second surface 71 from overlapping in the direction of axis A. This ensures that the distance over which the fuel vapor travels while in contact with the adsorbent clumps 7 as the fuel vapor passes through the adsorbent clumps 7 is sufficient, thereby promoting adsorption of the fuel vapor into the adsorbent clumps 7.

[0049] [5. Effects] (1) According to the above embodiment, at least one void is provided in the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerates 6, 7. Moreover, since the void does not penetrate the adsorbent agglomerates 6, 7, the fluid that has entered the second adsorption chamber 20 is forced to pass through the adsorbent agglomerates 6, 7. This makes it possible to reduce the airflow resistance of the canister 1 while suppressing a decrease in the adsorption performance of the fuel vapor.

[0050] (2) At least one void is formed across the entire area of ​​the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerates 6, 7. This makes it possible to reduce the airflow resistance of the canister while suppressing bias in the flow of fuel vapor.

[0051] (3) Furthermore, by forming at least one gap only on the first surface of the adsorbent agglomerates 6, 7, it is easy to grasp the orientation of the adsorbent agglomerates 6, 7. This facilitates the task of placing the adsorbent agglomerates 6, 7 in the second adsorption chamber 20 in the process of manufacturing the canister 1.

[0052] (4) Furthermore, the first surface of the adsorbent agglomerates 6, 7 in which at least one void is formed is disposed on the atmospheric port 4 side, and the second surface is disposed on the first adsorption chamber 10 side. This makes it possible to prevent fuel vapor from leaking out of the canister 1 from the atmospheric port 4.

[0053] (5) Furthermore, by providing at least one gap on the first and second faces of the adsorbent agglomerates 6, 7, the airflow resistance of the canister can be further reduced. (6) In addition, the adsorbent agglomerates 6, 7 are disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20 adjacent to the atmospheric port 4. This makes it possible to reduce the flow resistance of the canister 1 while suppressing the outflow of fuel vapor from the atmospheric port 4.

[0054] 6. Other embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 are disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20. However, the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 may be disposed in the first adsorption chamber 10 or the third adsorption chamber 30 such that the direction of the axis A and the direction of the flow path P substantially coincide with each other. In this case, the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 are formed in a shape corresponding to the first adsorption chamber 10 or the third adsorption chamber 30 and may be disposed over the entire area of ​​the first adsorption chamber 10 or the third adsorption chamber 30, or may be disposed in a partial area of ​​the first adsorption chamber 10 or the third adsorption chamber 30.

[0055] In this case, for example, the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 having at least one void (in other words, at least one hole) formed only on their first surfaces may be disposed in the first adsorption chamber 10 such that their second surfaces are positioned on the atmospheric port 4 side. Furthermore, the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 may be disposed in the third adsorption chamber 30 such that their second surfaces are positioned on the inlet port 2 and outlet port 3 side.

[0056] (2) In the above embodiment, the direction of the axis A of the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 arranged in the second adsorption chamber 20 is substantially aligned with the direction in which the first and second adsorption chambers 10, 20 are arranged, in other words, the direction of the flow path P in the first adsorption chamber 10 (see FIG. 1 ). Since the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 have a horizontally elongated shape, the second adsorption chamber 20 protrudes laterally further than the first adsorption chamber 10.

[0057] However, the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 may be disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20 so that the direction of the axis A intersects at a predetermined angle (for example, 90°) with the direction in which the first and second adsorption chambers 10, 20 are aligned. The direction of the flow path P within the second adsorption chamber 20 may then be appropriately adjusted so that the direction of the axis A and the direction of the section of the flow path P that passes through the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 approximately coincide with each other. This makes it possible to reduce the length by which the second adsorption chamber 20 protrudes laterally, improving the mountability of the canister 1 in a vehicle.

[0058] (3) Although the canister 1 in the above embodiment has three adsorption chambers 10-30, the number of adsorption chambers provided in the canister 1 may be one or two, or may be four or more. Even in such a case, the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 may be disposed in any one of the adsorption chambers in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Furthermore, the adsorbent clumps 6, 7 may be disposed in multiple adsorption chambers in the canister 1.

[0059] (4) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0060] [7. Technical Concepts Disclosed in This Specification] [Item 1] A canister configured to be mounted on a vehicle having an engine, at least one chamber having an adsorbent disposed therein for adsorbing fuel vapor; an inlet port configured to admit fuel vapor from a fuel tank of the vehicle into the at least one chamber; an atmospheric port configured to be open to the atmosphere; an outlet port configured to allow the fuel vapor adsorbed in the adsorbent to flow out toward the engine by the atmospheric air flowing in from the atmospheric air port; an adsorbent agglomerate, which is an aggregate of fibrous adsorbent, disposed in a specific chamber that is one of the at least one chamber; an outer surface of the adsorbent mass has first and second surfaces that intersect with a flow direction of a fluid in the specific chamber, the second surface being located on the opposite side to the first surface; At least one void is formed in the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerate, the void extending along the flow direction to a bottom portion located inside the adsorbent agglomerate. Canister.

[0061] [Item 2] Item 1. A canister according to item 1, The at least one void is formed throughout the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent mass. Canister.

[0062] [Item 3] The canister according to item 1 or 2, The at least one void is formed on the first surface of the adsorbent mass and is not formed on the second surface of the adsorbent mass. Canister.

[0063] [Item 4] Item 3. The canister according to item 3, The at least one chamber includes a chamber adjacent to the inlet port and the outlet port, and a chamber adjacent to the atmospheric port; A distance to the atmospheric port along the flow direction on the first surface is greater than a distance to the atmospheric port along the flow direction on the second surface. Canister.

[0064] [Item 5] The canister according to item 1 or 2, The at least one void is formed on the first surface and the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerate. Canister.

[0065] [Item 6] A canister according to any one of items 1 to 5, Among the at least one chamber, a chamber adjacent to the atmospheric port is configured as the specific chamber. Canister. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1...canister, 2...inlet port, 3...outlet port, 4...atmospheric port, 10...first adsorption chamber, 20...second adsorption chamber, 30...third adsorption chamber, 6...adsorbent mass, 60...first surface, 61...second surface, 62...hole, 63...bottom, 7...adsorbent mass, 70...first surface, 71...second surface, 72...main body, 73...first protrusion, 74...void, 75...second protrusion, 76...void, A...axis, P...flow path.

Claims

1. A canister configured to be mounted on a vehicle having an engine, at least one chamber having an adsorbent disposed therein for adsorbing fuel vapor; an inlet port configured to admit fuel vapor from a fuel tank of the vehicle into the at least one chamber; an atmospheric port configured to be open to the atmosphere; an outlet port configured to allow the fuel vapor adsorbed in the adsorbent to flow out toward the engine by the atmospheric air flowing in from the atmospheric air port; an adsorbent agglomerate, which is an aggregate of fibrous adsorbent, disposed in a specific chamber that is one of the at least one chamber; an outer surface of the adsorbent mass has first and second surfaces that intersect with a direction of fluid flow in the specific chamber, the second surface being located on the opposite side to the first surface; At least one void is formed in the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerate, the void extending along the flow direction to a bottom portion located inside the adsorbent agglomerate. Canister.

2. 2. The canister of claim 1, The at least one void is formed throughout the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent mass. Canister.

3. 3. The canister according to claim 1 or 2, The at least one void is formed on the first surface of the adsorbent mass and is not formed on the second surface of the adsorbent mass. Canister.

4. 4. The canister according to claim 3, the at least one chamber includes a chamber adjacent to the inlet port and the outlet port, and a chamber adjacent to the atmospheric port; A distance to the atmospheric port along the flow direction on the first surface is greater than a distance to the atmospheric port along the flow direction on the second surface. Canister.

5. 3. The canister according to claim 1 or 2, The at least one void is formed in the first surface and the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerate. Canister.

6. 3. The canister according to claim 1 or 2, Among the at least one chamber, a chamber adjacent to the atmospheric port is configured as the specific chamber. Canister.

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