Gas-liquid separation device

Abstract

To provide a gas-liquid separation device of a novel structure, capable of preventing foreign matter from moving from a canister side to a fuel tank side, which is promoted inside the device.SOLUTION: A gas-liquid separation device 10 is provided on a fuel gas flow path 3 that interconnects a fuel tank 1 and a canister 2. The gas-liquid separation device is provided with a gas passage space 14 comprising a gas inlet 30 that is an opening on the fuel tank 1 side and a gas outlet 32 that is an opening on the canister 2 side, where the gas passage space 14 forms a part of the fuel gas flow path 3. The gas-liquid separation device is provided with regulation units 34, 60 that regulate the movement of foreign matter from the gas outlet 32 to the gas inlet 30 within the gas passage space 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separation device provided on a fuel gas flow path that interconnects a fuel tank and a canister.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in an automobile, a canister is provided for the purpose of preventing fuel gas vaporized from liquid fuel in a fuel tank from leaking to the outside. The canister is communicated with the fuel tank through a fuel gas flow path, and suppresses the release of fuel gas from the fuel tank to the outside by the adsorption action of activated carbon housed therein.

[0003] By the way, in a fuel gas flow path that interconnects a fuel tank and a canister, a gas-liquid separation device for suppressing the flow of liquid fuel from the fuel tank to the canister may be arranged. As shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-336495 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-529543 (Patent Document 2), the gas-liquid separation device has a gas passage space that constitutes the fuel gas flow path inside, and prevents liquid fuel that has entered the gas passage space from the fuel tank from flowing out directly to the canister side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, gas-liquid separation devices such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 tend to suppress the movement of fuel from the fuel tank to the canister while promoting the movement of foreign matter from the canister to the fuel tank. Therefore, for example, if foreign matter such as activated carbon particles in the canister moves to the fuel tank side for some reason and enters the gas passage space of the gas-liquid separation device, there is a risk that the movement of the foreign matter to the fuel tank side will be promoted by the gradient or the like inside the gas-liquid separation device.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a gas-liquid separation device with a novel structure that can prevent the movement of foreign matter from the canister side to the fuel tank side that is promoted inside.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for understanding the present invention will be described. However, each of the embodiments described below is described by way of example, and not only can they be adopted in appropriate combinations with each other, but also with respect to the plurality of components described in each embodiment, they can be recognized and adopted independently as much as possible, and can also be adopted in combination with any of the components described in other embodiments as appropriate. As a result, in the present invention, various other embodiments can be realized without being limited to the embodiments described below.

[0008] A first aspect is a gas-liquid separation device provided on a fuel gas flow path that mutually communicates a fuel tank and a canister, and is provided with a gas passage space including a gas inlet that is an opening on the fuel tank side and a gas outlet that is an opening on the canister side, and a part of the fuel gas flow path is constituted by the gas passage space, and a restricting portion is provided in the gas passage space to restrict the movement of foreign matter from the gas outlet to the gas inlet.

[0009] According to the gas-liquid separator structured according to this aspect, for example, when foreign matters such as activated carbon particles stored in the canister attempt to move from the canister to the fuel tank side, the foreign matters that enter the gas passage space of the gas-liquid separator from the canister side are restricted from moving to the fuel tank side by the restricting portion. As a result, it becomes difficult for the foreign matters that have entered the gas passage space to flow out to the fuel tank side, and problems caused by the intrusion of foreign matters into the fuel tank are reduced or avoided.

[0010] A second aspect is the gas-liquid separator described in the first aspect, wherein a protruding wall extending in the width direction intersecting the flow path length direction of the fuel gas flow path is provided in the gas passage space, the restricting portion is configured to include the protruding wall, and a restricting rib protruding from the surface on the gas outlet side is formed on the protruding wall.

[0011] According to the gas-liquid separator structured according to this aspect, since the restricting portion is configured to include a protruding wall protruding into the gas passage space, the movement of foreign matters can be restricted by a simple structure as compared with the case where the movement of foreign matters is restricted by separate components such as a filter or a valve.

[0012] Further, since the restricting rib is provided on the surface on the gas outlet side of the protruding wall, even if the foreign matters that have entered the gas passage space through the gas outlet move along the protruding wall and attempt to move in the width direction and go around the protruding wall after being restricted by the protruding wall, the intrusion in the width direction is restricted by the restricting rib. As a result, the foreign matters are captured by the protruding wall and the restricting rib, and the outflow of foreign matters from the gas passage space to the fuel tank side is efficiently suppressed.

[0013] A third aspect is the gas-liquid separator described in the first or second aspect, wherein a protruding wall extending in the width direction intersecting the flow path length direction of the fuel gas flow path is provided in the gas passage space, the restricting portion is configured to include the end portion of the protruding wall, and the protruding wall has a restricting inclined wall portion inclined so as to approach the gas outlet as it approaches the end portion in the width direction of the fuel gas flow path.

[0014] According to the gas-liquid separator structured according to this aspect, since the restricting part includes a protruding wall that protrudes into the gas passage space, the movement of foreign matter can be restricted by a simple structure as compared with the case where the movement of foreign matter is restricted by separate components such as filters and valves.

[0015] Further, since the protruding wall includes a restricting inclined wall part, foreign matter that has entered the gas passage space through the gas outlet is restricted from moving by the protruding wall and then has difficulty moving along the protruding wall toward the end part side in the width direction of the protruding wall. Therefore, it is difficult for the foreign matter whose movement is restricted by contact with the protruding wall to go around the end part of the protruding wall and move toward the gas inlet side, and the outflow of foreign matter from the gas passage space to the fuel tank side is efficiently suppressed.

[0016] A fourth aspect is the gas-liquid separator described in the third aspect, wherein the protruding wall includes an intermediate wall part that protrudes from at least one of the bottom surface and the top surface of the gas passage space in the middle in the width direction of the gas passage space, and the intermediate wall part has the restricting inclined wall part that inclines so as to approach the gas outlet toward both outer end parts in the width direction.

[0017] According to the gas-liquid separator structured according to this aspect, in the intermediate wall part having end parts on both outer sides in the width direction, since the restricting inclined wall part that inclines so as to approach the gas outlet toward both outer end parts in the width direction is provided, it is difficult for foreign matter to go around both end parts in the width direction of the intermediate wall part and move toward the gas inlet side. Moreover, foreign matter is easily trapped between the restricting inclined wall parts on both sides in the width direction, and the outflow of foreign matter from the gas passage space to the fuel tank side is efficiently suppressed.

[0018] A fifth aspect is the gas-liquid separator described in the third or fourth aspect, wherein the protruding wall includes a side end wall part that protrudes from the side surface of the gas passage space at the end in the width direction of the gas passage space, the side end wall part inclines so as to approach the gas outlet toward the end part on the inner side in the width direction, and the restricting part is configured to include the side end wall part.

[0019] According to the gas-liquid separator structured according to this aspect, in the side end wall portion that protrudes from the side surface of the gas passage space and has an end portion on the inner side in the width direction, a regulating inclined wall portion that inclines so as to approach the gas outlet toward the end portion on the inner side in the width direction is provided, making it difficult for foreign matter to go around the end portion on the inner side in the width direction of the side end wall portion and move toward the gas inlet side. Moreover, since foreign matter is likely to be guided and trapped between the side end wall portion and the peripheral wall (side surface) of the gas passage space, the outflow of foreign matter from the gas passage space to the fuel tank side is efficiently suppressed.

[0020] A sixth aspect is the gas-liquid separator according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the gas passage space has a regulating inclined bottom surface that inclines downward from the gas inlet toward the gas outlet, and the regulating portion is configured to include the regulating inclined bottom surface.

[0021] According to the gas-liquid separator structured according to this aspect, since the regulating portion is configured to include the regulating inclined bottom surface of the gas passage space, the movement of foreign matter can be regulated by a simple structure as compared with the case where the movement of foreign matter is regulated by separate components such as a filter or a valve.

[0022] Since foreign matter is likely to be guided to the gas outlet side by the gradient of the regulating inclined bottom surface, it becomes difficult for the foreign matter in the gas passage space to move toward the gas inlet side, and the outflow of foreign matter from the gas passage space to the fuel tank side is effectively regulated.

[0023] A seventh aspect is the gas-liquid separator according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein a protruding wall extending in the width direction intersecting the flow path length direction of the fuel gas flow path is provided in the gas passage space, the regulating portion is configured to include the protruding wall, the gas passage space has a return inclined bottom surface that inclines downward from the gas outlet toward the gas inlet, and through holes having a size capable of blocking the passage of the foreign matter are formed in a lower portion of the protruding wall.

[0024] According to the gas-liquid separation device structured according to this aspect, since the regulating portion includes a protruding wall protruding into the gas passage space, the movement of foreign matter can be regulated by a simple structure as compared with the case where the movement of foreign matter is regulated by separate components such as a filter or a valve.

[0025] Since a return inclined bottom surface is set on the bottom surface of the gas passage space, the liquid fuel that has entered the gas passage space from the fuel tank easily flows toward the fuel tank side by the guiding action toward the fuel tank side due to the gradient of the return inclined bottom surface, and it is difficult to flow out from the gas passage space toward the canister side. Since the protruding wall protruding into the gas passage space has through holes formed in the lower part, the flow (return) of the liquid fuel toward the fuel tank side is allowed by the through holes, and it is difficult for the protruding wall to prevent the flow of the liquid fuel toward the fuel tank side.

[0026] Although foreign matter is also easily guided toward the fuel tank side by the guiding action of the return inclined bottom surface, the movement of the foreign matter toward the fuel tank side (gas inlet side) is restricted by the presence of the protruding wall. Although through holes for allowing the liquid fuel to pass through are formed in the protruding wall, since the through holes are sized to block the passage of foreign matter, the movement of the foreign matter toward the fuel tank side through the through holes is suppressed by the protruding wall.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, the movement of foreign matter from the canister side to the fuel tank side can be suppressed by using the gas-liquid separation device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 6C

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a gas-liquid separator 10 as a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the gas-liquid separator 10 is arranged on a fuel gas flow path 3 that communicates the fuel tank 1 and the canister 2 with each other, and while allowing the movement of fuel gas from the fuel tank 1 to the canister 2, it has a gas-liquid separation function that makes it difficult for liquid fuels such as gasoline and light oil in the fuel tank 1 to reach the canister 2. In the following description, in principle, the vertical direction refers to the vertical direction in FIG. 2, the front-rear direction refers to the vertical direction in FIG. 1, and the left-right direction refers to the left-right direction in FIG. 2. Also, the fuel tank 1 side refers to the left side in FIG. 2, and the canister 2 side refers to the right side in FIG. 2.

[0031] The gas-liquid separator 10 includes a hollow housing 12, and the internal space of the housing 12 is a gas passage space 14 that constitutes a part of the fuel gas flow path 3. The housing 12 is configured by assembling a main body member 16 and a lid member 18 that are overlapped in the vertical direction.

[0032] As shown also in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body member 16 integrally includes a bottomed cylindrical gas-liquid separation part 20, a tank-side connection part 22 extending from the gas-liquid separation part 20 toward the fuel tank 1 side, and a canister-side connection part 24 extending from the gas-liquid separation part 20 toward the canister 2 side.

[0033] The gas-liquid separation part 20 has a substantially rounded rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction, and includes a cylindrical peripheral wall 26 linearly extending in the vertical direction and a bottom wall 28 closing the lower opening of the peripheral wall 26. A flange-like part 29 protruding to the outer periphery is continuously provided over the entire circumference at the upper end of the peripheral wall 26. A gas inlet 30 penetrating the lower end part on the fuel tank 1 side and a gas outlet 32 penetrating the lower end part on the canister 2 side are formed in the peripheral wall 26. The gas inlet 30 and the gas outlet 32 each have a circular hole cross-sectional shape and open to a gas passage space 14 described later provided on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 26. In the present embodiment, the gas inlet 30 has a smaller diameter than the gas outlet 32, but the size relationship between the gas inlet 30 and the gas outlet 32 is not particularly limited and may be substantially the same or the gas inlet 30 may have a larger diameter.

[0034] The upper surface of the bottom wall 28 is a regulating inclined bottom surface 34 constituting a regulating part. As shown in FIG. 4, the regulating inclined bottom surface 34 is inclined with respect to the lower surface of the bottom wall 28 that extends substantially horizontally in the normal vehicle posture, and inclines downward from the gas inlet 30 side (fuel tank 1 side) toward the gas outlet 32 side (canister 2 side). The regulating inclined bottom surface 34 of the present embodiment inclines at a substantially constant inclination angle, but the inclination angle may change gradually or stepwise. Further, in the present embodiment, the entire upper surface of the bottom wall 28 is the regulating inclined bottom surface 34. The bottom wall 28 becomes thinner from the gas inlet 30 side toward the gas outlet 32 side by the setting of the regulating inclined bottom surface 34. Note that the upper surface (regulating inclined bottom surface 34) of the bottom wall 28 may be inclined or curved in the width direction orthogonal to the flow path direction connecting the gas inlet 30 and the gas outlet 32, but in the present embodiment, it has a flat shape extending horizontally in the width direction.

[0035] The gas-liquid separation unit 20 is provided with a lower regulating wall 36 that protrudes upward from the bottom wall 28. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a first lower regulating wall 36a, a pair of second lower regulating walls 36b, 36b, and a third lower regulating wall 36c are provided.

[0036] The first lower regulating wall 36a is disposed substantially at the center in the front-rear direction and is in the shape of a flat plate that extends substantially orthogonally to the left-right direction, which is the flow path length direction of the fuel gas flow path 3. The first lower regulating wall 36a is disposed at a position closer to the gas outlet 32 than the center in the left-right direction, and it is desirable that the distance from the gas outlet 32 to the first lower regulating wall 36a is smaller than the front-rear width dimension of the first lower regulating wall 36a. The front-rear width dimension of the first lower regulating wall 36a is made larger than the front-rear inner dimension of the gas outlet 32, and preferably is 1.5 times or more the front-rear inner dimension of the gas outlet 32. Therefore, the gas outlet 32 entirely overlaps the first lower regulating wall 36a in the projection in the left-right direction. It is desirable that the front-rear width dimension of the first lower regulating wall 36a is within the range of 1 / 2 times or more and 3 / 4 times or less the front-rear inner dimension of the gas-liquid separation unit 20 (the front-rear inner dimension of the gas passage space 14 described later) at the left-right position where the first lower regulating wall 36a is disposed.

[0037] The outer end portion of the second lower regulating wall 36b in the front-rear width direction is integrally continuous with the peripheral wall 26, and it is a side end wall portion that protrudes inward in the width direction from the side surface in the width direction, which is the inner surface of the peripheral wall 26. The second lower regulating wall 36b is a regulating inclined wall portion that extends obliquely so as to approach the gas outlet 32 from the outside to the inside in the front-rear width direction, and the corner 38 formed by the second lower regulating wall 36b and the peripheral wall 26 on the gas outlet 32 side is an acute angle in the vertical view. It is desirable that the inclination angle α of the second lower regulating wall 36b with respect to the left-right direction is within the range of 30° or more and 60° or less. In the second lower regulating wall 36b of the present embodiment, the inclination angle with respect to the left-right direction is substantially constant throughout, but the inclination angle of the second lower regulating wall 36b with respect to the left-right direction may gradually or stepwise change.

[0038] The pair of second lower restricting walls 36b, 36b in the front and rear are of a symmetric shape with respect to each other. And, the pair of second lower restricting walls 36b, 36b have inner ends in the front-rear direction separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and the separation distance between these inner ends is made smaller than the front-rear width dimension of the first lower restricting wall 36a. Accordingly, the front-rear central portion of the first lower restricting wall 36a and the front-rear inner end portions of the second lower restricting walls 36b, 36b overlap each other in the left-right direction projection.

[0039] A restricting rib 40 protruding toward the gas outlet 32 side is integrally formed on the second lower restricting wall 36b. The restricting rib 40 is provided near the end portion on the center side in the width direction of the second lower restricting wall 36b and protrudes in a direction substantially orthogonal to the second lower restricting wall 36b. The restricting rib 40 is provided at a position where the whole thereof overlaps the first lower restricting wall 36a in the left-right direction projection. The protruding dimension of the restricting rib 40 from the second lower restricting wall 36b is not particularly limited, but for example, it is set larger than the outer dimension of a foreign object to be captured (activated carbon particles 6 described later in this embodiment), and preferably it is set to be three times or more the outer dimension of the foreign object. Note that the protruding dimension of the restricting rib 40 can be set based on the maximum value, minimum value, average value, etc. of the outer dimension when the outer surface of the foreign object is not spherical, and can be set based on the average particle diameter of the foreign object if the foreign object is particulate.

[0040] The third lower regulating wall 36c, similar to the first lower regulating wall 36a, has both left and right ends spaced away from the peripheral wall 26 towards the inner peripheral side in the left - right direction, and is an intermediate wall portion provided in the middle in the left - right direction. The third lower regulating wall 36c is disposed at a position closer to the gas inlet 30 than the center in the left - right direction. Preferably, the separation distance between the third lower regulating wall 36c and the gas inlet 30 is smaller than the front - rear width dimension of the third lower regulating wall 36c. The front - rear width dimension of the third lower regulating wall 36c is larger than the front - rear inner dimension of the gas inlet 30, and preferably is 1.5 times or more the front - rear inner dimension of the gas inlet 30. Therefore, the entire gas inlet 30 overlaps with the third lower regulating wall 36c in the left - right direction projection. It is desirable that the front - rear width dimension of the third lower regulating wall 36c is within the range of 1 / 2 times or more and 3 / 4 times or less the front - rear inner dimension of the gas - liquid separation part 20 at the left - right position where the third lower regulating wall 36c is disposed. In the present embodiment, the front - rear width dimensions of the first lower regulating wall 36a and the third lower regulating wall 36c are made substantially the same as each other.

[0041] The third lower regulating wall 36c is a regulating inclined wall portion that slopes and spreads towards the gas outlet 32 side from the center in the front - rear width direction towards both outer sides, and is in a V - shape in the vertical view with the center in the width direction being closest to the gas inlet 30. It is desirable that the central angle β formed by both side portions in the width direction of the third lower regulating wall 36c is within the range of 80° or more and 160° or less. The third lower regulating wall 36c of the present embodiment slopes at a substantially constant inclination angle from the center in the front - rear direction towards the outside, but the magnitude of the inclination angle may gradually or step - by - step change. Also, the absolute values of the inclination angles may be different from each other in both side portions in the width direction of the front side and the rear side with respect to the center in the front - rear direction of the third lower regulating wall 36c.

[0042] The front - rear width dimension of the third lower regulating wall 36c is made larger than the separation distance between the inner ends in the front - rear direction of the pair of second lower regulating walls 36b, 36b. Therefore, the outer ends in the front - rear direction of the third lower regulating wall 36c overlap with the inner ends in the front - rear direction of the pair of second lower regulating walls 36b, 36b in the left - right direction projection.

[0043] On the third lower regulating wall 36c, regulating ribs 42 protruding toward the gas outlet 32 side are integrally formed. The regulating ribs 42 are provided near both outer ends in the width direction of the third lower regulating wall 36c and protrude in a direction substantially orthogonal to the third lower regulating wall 36c. The regulating ribs 42 are provided at positions that entirely overlap the second lower regulating walls 36b, 36b in the left-right direction projection. Note that the protruding dimension of the regulating ribs 42 provided on the third lower regulating wall 36c is set in consideration of the outer dimensions of foreign matter to be captured, etc., similar to the regulating ribs 40 provided on the second lower regulating wall 36b.

[0044] By providing such first to third lower regulating walls 36a, 36b, 36b, 36c, the gas inlet 30 and the gas outlet 32 are not linearly communicated in the left-right direction, but are communicated through a meandering path.

[0045] On the opening peripheral edge of the gas inlet 30 in the peripheral wall 26 of the gas-liquid separation section 20, a tank-side connection portion 22 is integrally formed. The tank-side connection portion 22 has a generally small-diameter substantially cylindrical shape as a whole and linearly extends leftward from the opening peripheral edge of the gas inlet 30 to the outer peripheral side of the peripheral wall 26. Therefore, a gas passage space 14 (described later), which is a space on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall 26, and the inner hole of the tank-side connection portion 22 are mutually communicated through the gas inlet 30.

[0046] The extending distal end portion of the tank-side connection portion 22 from the peripheral wall 26 is a tube mounting portion 44 having a larger diameter than the proximal end portion, and a tank-side tube 4 for connecting the gas-liquid separation device 10 and the fuel tank 1 is attached to the tube mounting portion 44 in an externally inserted state. A flange-like portion 46 protruding to the outer periphery is provided at the proximal end of the tube mounting portion 44, and the attachment position of the tank-side tube 4 to the tube mounting portion 44 is defined by abutting against the flange-like portion 46 of the tank-side tube 4. Further, a return-shaped retaining projection 48 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the tube mounting portion 44, and the retaining projection 48 bites into the inner peripheral surface of the tank-side tube 4 externally inserted into the tube mounting portion 44, thereby preventing the tank-side tube 4 from coming off.

[0047] On the opening peripheral edge of the gas outlet 32 in the peripheral wall 26 of the gas-liquid separation section 20, a canister-side connection section 24 is integrally formed. The canister-side connection section 24 has a generally small-diameter substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and linearly extends rightward from the opening peripheral edge of the gas outlet 32 toward the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 26. Accordingly, a gas passage space 14 (described later), which is a space on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall 26, and the inner hole of the canister-side connection section 24 communicate with each other through the gas outlet 32. A canister-side tube 5 for connecting the gas-liquid separation device 10 and the canister 2 to each other is attached to the canister-side connection section 24 in an externally inserted state.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, the lid member 18 is a plate-like member having a substantially rounded rectangular shape corresponding to the peripheral wall 26 of the main body member 16 in a vertical view. As shown in FIG. 2, a fitting portion 50 protruding downward is continuously and integrally provided over the entire circumference. The lid member 18 is attached to the main body member 16 with the fitting portion 50 inserted into the upper opening of the peripheral wall 26. The lid member 18 is positioned in the vertical direction with respect to the main body member 16 by a positioning portion 52 protruding to the outer periphery from the fitting portion 50 being overlapped with the flange-like portion 29 of the main body member 16 from above. The lid member 18 is preferably fixed to the main body member 16 by means such as adhesion or welding. It is desirable that the space between the lid member 18 and the main body member 16 be fluid-tightly sealed to suppress leakage of liquid fuel or fuel gas.

[0049] The lid member 18 is provided with an upper regulating wall 54 protruding downward. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper regulating wall 54 is constituted by a first upper regulating wall 54a, a pair of second upper regulating walls 54b, 54b, and a third upper regulating wall 54c.

[0050] The first upper regulating wall 54a has a shape corresponding to the first lower regulating wall 36a in a vertical view, and the lower end abuts against the first lower regulating wall 36a in the vertical direction in a state where the lid member 18 is attached to the main body member 16.

[0051] The second upper restricting wall 54b has a shape corresponding to that of the second lower restricting wall 36b in a vertical view, and is a side end wall portion provided with a restricting inclined wall portion. In a state where the lid member 18 is attached to the main body member 16, the lower end of the second upper restricting wall 54b abuts against the upper end of the second lower restricting wall 36b in the vertical direction. The second upper restricting wall 54b is provided with a restricting rib 56 corresponding to the restricting rib 40 of the second lower restricting wall 36b. The restricting rib 56 protruding from the second upper restricting wall 54b toward the gas outlet 32 side has its lower end abutted against the upper end of the restricting rib 40, and is provided so as to be continuous upward with respect to the restricting rib 40.

[0052] The third upper restricting wall 54c has a shape corresponding to that of the third lower restricting wall 36c in a vertical view, and is an intermediate wall portion provided with a restricting inclined wall portion. In a state where the lid member 18 is attached to the main body member 16, the lower end of the third upper restricting wall 54c abuts against the upper end of the third lower restricting wall 36c in the vertical direction. The third upper restricting wall 54c is provided with a restricting rib 58 corresponding to the restricting rib 42 of the third lower restricting wall 36c. The restricting rib 58 protruding from the third upper restricting wall 54c toward the gas outlet 32 side has its lower end abutted against the upper end of the restricting rib 42, and is continuously provided upward with respect to the restricting rib 42.

[0053] When the main body member 16 and the lid member 18 having such a structure are combined with each other, a housing 12 having a hollow structure is formed. And a gas passage space 14 is formed between the main body member 16 and the lid member 18 in the housing 12. The gas passage space 14 communicates with the inner hole of the tank side connection portion 22 and the inner hole of the canister side connection portion 24, and constitutes a part of the fuel gas flow path 3 that mutually communicates the fuel tank 1 and the canister 2.

[0054] In the gas passage space 14, a protruding wall 60 that constitutes a regulating portion is disposed. The protruding wall 60 of the present embodiment includes a first protruding wall 60a composed of a first lower regulating wall 36a and a first upper regulating wall 54a that are butted against each other in the vertical direction, second protruding walls 60b, 60b composed of second lower regulating walls 36b, 36b and second upper regulating walls 54b, 54b that are butted against each other in the vertical direction, and a third protruding wall 60c composed of a third lower regulating wall 36c and a third upper regulating wall 54c that are butted against each other in the vertical direction. The first to third protruding walls 60a, 60b, 60b, 60c all extend in the width direction that intersects the left-right direction, which is the flow path length direction of the fuel gas flow path 3, and the path in the gas passage space 14 connecting the gas inlet 30 and the gas outlet 32 is set to be meandering and bent by the first to third protruding walls 60a, 60b, 60b, 60c.

[0055] In this way, since the gas inlet 30 and the gas outlet 32 are communicated by a meandering path formed by the first to third protruding walls 60a, 60b, 60b, 60c, the liquid fuel that has entered the gas passage space 14 from the gas inlet 30 is inhibited from flowing by the first to third protruding walls 60a, 60b, 60b, 60c without reaching the gas outlet 32 linearly in the left-right direction. As a result, it becomes difficult for the liquid fuel that has entered the gas passage space 14 to flow out to the canister 2 side, and it is possible to prevent the liquid fuel from flowing into the canister 2 while allowing the fuel gas to flow into the canister 2.

[0056]

[0057] ​That is, in the gas-liquid separator 10, since the upper surface of the bottom wall 28 of the main body member 16 is a regulating inclined bottom surface 34 that slopes downward from the gas inlet 30 toward the gas outlet 32, the activated carbon particles 6 on the bottom wall 28 are guided toward the gas outlet 32 side and it is difficult for them to move toward the gas inlet 30 side. Therefore, it is difficult for the activated carbon particles 6 to flow out from the gas passage space 14 to the fuel tank 1 side, and it is difficult for the activated carbon particles 6 to enter the fuel tank 1.

[0058] Further, when the activated carbon particles 6 enter the gas passage space 14 as foreign matter through the gas outlet 32 from the canister 2 side, as shown in FIG. 6A, the movement of the activated carbon particles 6 toward the gas inlet 30 side is restricted by contact with the first protruding wall 60a. The first protruding wall 60a is provided at a position close to the gas outlet 32 in the left-right direction and overlaps with the entire gas outlet 32 in the left-right direction projection. Therefore, the movement of the activated carbon particles 6 that have entered the gas passage space 14 from the gas outlet 32 can be more reliably restricted. In FIG. 6, the illustration of the lid member 18 is omitted to show the state inside the gas passage space 14 into which the activated carbon particles 6 have entered. Also, in FIG. 6, the flow path of the fluid (such as fuel gas) from the canister 2 side to the fuel tank 1 side is shown by a dashed-dotted line. The activated carbon particles 6 are assumed to move along the flow path of the fluid shown by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 6.

[0059] When the activated carbon particles 6 further move toward the gas inlet 30 side from both outer sides in the width direction of the first protruding wall 60a, as shown in FIG. 6B, the movement of the activated carbon particles 6 toward the gas inlet 30 side is restricted by contact with the second protruding walls 60b, 60b provided at both end portions in the width direction of the gas passage space 14. Since the inner ends in the width direction of the second protruding walls 60b, 60b overlap with the first protruding wall 60a in the left-right direction projection, the activated carbon particles 6 that move to the outer side in the width direction from the first protruding wall 60a are more reliably captured by the second protruding walls 60b, 60b.

[0060] Since the second protruding walls 60b, 60b are inclined toward the gas outlet 32 side in the width direction, the activated carbon particles 6 that come into contact with the second protruding walls 60b, 60b are easily guided outward in the width direction along the inclination of the second protruding walls 60b, 60b and are captured at the corner portions 38, thereby preventing movement toward the gas inlet 30 side.

[0061] Particularly in this embodiment, the inclination angle α of the second protruding wall 60b with respect to the left - right direction is set within the range of 30 to 60°. Thereby, without requiring an excessive increase in size in the left - right direction, the width dimension of the second protruding wall 60b can be ensured, the activated carbon particles 6 can be efficiently captured by the second protruding wall 60b, and the activated carbon particles 6 captured by the second protruding wall 60b can be stably retained at the corner portions 38.

[0062] Even if the activated carbon particles 6 move inward in the width direction along the second protruding walls 60b, 60b, the regulating ribs 40, 56 provided on each second protruding wall 60b make it difficult for the activated carbon particles 6 to wrap around inward in the width direction of the second protruding wall 60b, preventing the activated carbon particles 6 from moving toward the gas inlet 30 side.

[0063] When the activated carbon particles 6 further move toward the gas inlet 30 side through between the inner ends in the width direction of the second protruding walls 60b, 60b, as shown in FIG. 6C, the movement of the activated carbon particles 6 toward the gas inlet 30 side is restricted by contact with the third protruding wall 60c. Since the outer end in the width direction of the third protruding wall 60c overlaps the second protruding walls 60b, 60b in the left - right direction projection, the activated carbon particles 6 moving between the inner ends in the width direction of the second protruding walls 60b, 60b are more reliably captured by the third protruding wall 60c.

[0064] The third protruding wall 60c is inclined toward the gas inlet 30 side in the width direction and is in a V - shape that expands toward the gas outlet 32 side when viewed in the up - down direction. Therefore, the activated carbon particles 6 that come into contact with the third protruding wall 60c are easily guided inward in the width direction along the inclination of the third protruding wall 60c, and the movement of the activated carbon particles 6 toward the gas inlet 30 side is blocked by the third protruding wall 60c.

[0065] Particularly in this embodiment, the central angle β of the third protruding wall 60c is set within the range of 80 to 160°. Thereby, without requiring excessive enlargement in the left - right direction, the width dimension of the third protruding wall 60c can be ensured, the activated carbon particles 6 can be efficiently captured by the third protruding wall 60c, and the activated carbon particles 6 captured by the third protruding wall 60c can be stably retained in the central portion in the width direction.

[0066] Even if the activated carbon particles 6 move outward in the width direction along the third protruding wall 60c, the regulating ribs 42 and 58 provided on the third protruding wall 60c make it difficult for the activated carbon particles 6 to wrap around to the outside in the width direction of the third protruding wall 60c, preventing the movement of the activated carbon particles 6 toward the gas inlet 30 side.

[0067] As described above, the activated carbon particles 6 that enter the gas passage space 14 from the gas outlet 32 are restricted from moving toward the gas inlet 30 side by the regulating inclined bottom surface 34, and are restricted from moving toward the gas inlet 30 side in multiple stages by the first to third protruding walls 60a, 60b, 60b, 60c. Therefore, it is difficult for the activated carbon particles 6 to flow out to the fuel tank 1 side through the gas inlet 30, preventing problems caused by the activated carbon particles 6 entering the fuel tank 1. As is also clear from this, in this embodiment, the regulating portion that restricts the movement of the activated carbon particles 6 toward the gas inlet 30 side is constituted by the regulating inclined bottom surface 34 and the first to third protruding walls 60a, 60b, 60b, 60c.

[0068] Moreover, since the first to third protruding walls 60a, 60b, 60b, 60c are shaped and arranged such that it is particularly easy to restrict the movement of particulate foreign matter from the gas outlet 32 toward the gas inlet 30 within the gas passage space 14, the movement of the activated carbon particles 6 from the canister 2 side to the fuel tank 1 side is effectively restricted.

[0069] FIG. 7 shows a gas-liquid separator 70 as a second embodiment of the present invention. The gas-liquid separator 70 includes a hollow housing 72, and the housing 72 is composed of a main body member 74 and a lid member 18. In the following description, members and parts that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0070] The main body member 74 integrally includes a gas-liquid separation part 76, a tank-side connection part 22, and a canister-side connection part 24. The gas-liquid separation part 76 includes a peripheral wall 26 and a bottom wall 78, and the upper surface of the bottom wall 78 is a return inclined bottom surface 80 that slopes downward from the gas outlet 32 toward the gas inlet 30. The return inclined bottom surface 80 has an inclination direction opposite to that of the regulating inclined bottom surface 34 of the first embodiment, and guides the fluid and particles in the gas passage space 14 toward the gas inlet 30 side.

[0071] A protruding wall 82 that constitutes a regulating part is arranged in the gas passage space 14. The protruding wall 82 of the present embodiment is composed of a first protruding wall 82a, second protruding walls 82b, 82b, and a third protruding wall 82c. The first to third protruding walls 82a, 82b, 82b, 82c of the present embodiment basically have the same shape and structure as the first to third protruding walls 60a, 60b, 60b, 60c of the first embodiment, and extend intersecting the left-right direction, which is the flow path length direction of the fuel gas flow path 3.

[0072] Through holes 84 are formed in the lower parts of the first to third protruding walls 82a, 82b, 82b, 82c, respectively. The through holes 84 are formed by penetrating the lower ends of the lower regulating walls 86 (the first lower regulating wall 86a, the second lower regulating walls 86b, 86b, the third lower regulating wall 86c) provided in the main body member 74 in the left-right direction.

[0073] The through hole 84 is sized to prevent the passage of the activated carbon particles 6. It is desirable that the through hole 84 be sized to capture 90% or more of the foreign matter (activated carbon particles 6) assumed to be the capture target. For example, the maximum inner dimension of the through hole 84 is made smaller than the maximum outer dimension of the activated carbon particles 6. The inner dimension of the through hole 84 can be appropriately set in consideration of the particle diameter of the activated carbon particles 6, but in practical use, it is desirably, for example, 0.2 mm or less. The cross-sectional shape of the hole of the through hole 84 is not particularly limited, but by making it, for example, a flat cross-sectional shape, it is possible to prevent the passage of the activated carbon particles 6 while securing the cross-sectional area of the hole.

[0074] According to such a gas-liquid separator 70 of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the movement of the activated carbon particles 6 from the gas outlet 32 to the gas inlet 30 is restricted by the first to third protruding walls 82a, 82b, 82b, 82c, making it difficult for the activated carbon particles 6 to enter the fuel tank 1. In the present embodiment, through holes 84 are formed in the first to third protruding walls 82a, 82b, 82b, 82c, respectively. Since the through holes 84 are sized to prevent the passage of the activated carbon particles 6, the through holes 84 hardly affect the performance of the first to third protruding walls 82a, 82b, 82b, 82c in capturing the activated carbon particles 6.

[0075] Further, in the gas-liquid separator 70 of the present embodiment, when the liquid fuel enters the gas passage space 14 from the fuel tank 1, it is difficult for the liquid fuel to flow out of the gas passage space 14 to the canister 2 side and also difficult to remain in the gas passage space 14. That is, since the upper surface of the bottom wall 78 of the gas-liquid separation section 76 is a return inclined bottom surface 80 that slopes downward from the canister 2 side toward the fuel tank 1 side, the liquid fuel that has entered the gas passage space 14 easily flows toward the fuel tank 1 side due to the inclination of the return inclined bottom surface 80 and hardly flows toward the canister 2 side. Furthermore, since through holes 84 are formed at the lower ends of the first to third protruding walls 82a, 82b, 82b, 82c, the flow of the liquid fuel toward the fuel tank 1 side is hardly inhibited by the first to third protruding walls 82a, 82b, 82b, 82c, and the liquid fuel easily returns to the fuel tank 1 side through the through holes 84.

[0076] Thus, according to the gas-liquid separator 70 of the present embodiment, by the return action of the liquid fuel to the fuel tank 1 side by the return inclined bottom surface 80 and the through holes 84, while preventing the intrusion of the liquid fuel into the canister 2, the capture action of the activated carbon particles 6 by the first to third protruding walls 82a, 82b, 82b, 82c can effectively suppress the intrusion of the activated carbon particles 6 into the fuel tank 1.

[0077] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited by its specific description. For example, the restricting portion that restricts the movement of foreign matter to the fuel tank 1 side is not necessarily limited to the combination of the protruding wall and the restricting inclined bottom surface as shown in the above embodiment. That is, the restricting portion may be constituted by only one of the protruding wall and the restricting inclined bottom surface, or may be constituted by other components than the protruding wall and the restricting inclined bottom surface. Specifically, for example, the restricting portion can be provided by imparting adhesiveness to the inner surface of the gas passage space 14 so that foreign matter can be captured by adhesion, or by partitioning the gas passage space 14 with a mesh-like member.

[0078] The specific configuration of the protruding wall is not limitedly interpreted by the first to third protruding walls 60a, 60b, 60b, 60c of the above embodiment. The protruding wall may be constituted by, for example, only the first protruding wall 60a and the second protruding walls 60b, 60b without the third protruding wall 60c. Also, for example, a restricting inclined wall portion or a restricting rib like the third protruding wall 60c can be set on the first protruding wall 60a.

[0079] The protruding wall is not limited to protruding in the vertical direction. For example, a partial inclined surface that inclines downward toward the gas outlet 32 side is provided on the bottom wall 78 of the gas passage space 14, and a wall that protrudes toward the gas outlet 32 side in the left-right direction from the inclined surface is provided, so that the activated carbon particles 6 moving along the upper surface of the bottom wall 78 can be captured by the wall.

[0080] The protruding wall protruding in the vertical direction may be composed of, for example, only the lower restricting wall 36 protruding upward from the bottom wall 28 of the main body member 16, or only the upper restricting wall 54 protruding downward from the lid member 18, and it is not necessarily required to form the upper and lower restricting walls 36 and 54 by butting them together. When the protruding wall protrudes in the vertical direction, it is not necessary to be continuously provided over the entire upper and lower portions of the gas passage space 14. For example, the protruding wall composed of the lower restricting wall 36 protruding from the bottom wall 28 may be spaced downward from the lid member 18.

[0081] In the protruding wall 60 of the first and second embodiments, both the wall surface on the gas inlet 30 side and the wall surface on the gas outlet 32 side are inclined, and it is a restricting inclined wall portion that spreads with a substantially constant thickness. However, for the restricting inclined wall portion, for example, it is sufficient that the wall surface on the gas outlet 32 side is inclined with respect to the left - right direction, and the shape of the wall surface on the gas inlet 30 side is not limited. Therefore, the restricting inclined wall portion is not necessarily limited to spreading with a constant thickness dimension, and the thickness dimension may vary in the width direction.

[0082] In the above - mentioned embodiment, the protruding wall 60 that is entirely a restricting inclined wall portion is exemplified. However, the protruding wall may be, for example, partially a restricting inclined wall portion at the end or the middle portion in the width direction. Specifically, for example, the third protruding wall 60c as the intermediate wall portion shown in the above - mentioned embodiment has a V - shape that is entirely a restricting inclined wall portion, but both end portions in the width direction may be restricting inclined planes that expand toward the gas outlet 32 side, and the central portion in the width direction may expand substantially orthogonally to the left - right direction.

[0083] Also, the inclination angle of the restricting inclined wall portion does not have to be constant, and the restricting inclined wall portion may be curved or refracted. Specifically, for example, an intermediate wall portion that is curved in an arc shape and expands toward the gas outlet 32 side can also be adopted as the restricting portion.

[0084] The regulating inclined bottom surface 34 shown in the first embodiment and the return inclined bottom surface 80 shown in the second embodiment may be partially provided on the bottom wall 28 (78) of the gas passage space 14. Further, the regulating inclined bottom surface 34 and the return inclined bottom surface 80 may have a varying inclination angle and may be, for example, a curved surface. For example, on the upper surface of the bottom wall 78 of the gas passage space 14, the regulating inclined bottom surface 34 may be provided on the gas outlet 32 side, and the return inclined bottom surface 80 may be provided on the gas inlet 30 side. Thus, the regulating inclined bottom surface 34 and the return inclined bottom surface 80 can be adopted in combination.

[0085] The specific shape of the gas passage space 14 is not limited to the rounded rectangular shape as in the above embodiment and is set as appropriate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0086] 10 Gas-liquid separator (first embodiment) 12 Housing 14 Gas passage space 16 Body member 18 Cover member 20 Gas-liquid separation section 22 Tank side connection portion 24 Canister side connection portion 26 Peripheral wall 28 Bottom wall 29 Flange-like portion 30 Gas inlet 32 Gas outlet 34 Regulating inclined bottom surface (regulating portion) 36 Lower regulating wall 36a First lower regulating wall 36b Second lower regulating wall 36c Third lower regulating wall 38 Corner 40 Regulating rib 42 Regulating rib 44 Tube mounting portion 46 Flange-like portion 48 Retaining projection 50 Fitting portion 52 Positioning portion 54 Upper regulating wall 54a First upper regulating wall 54b Second upper regulating wall 54c Third upper regulating wall 56 Regulating rib 58 Regulating rib 60 Protruding wall (regulating part) 60a First protruding wall 60b Second protruding wall (side end wall part) 60c Third protruding wall (intermediate wall part) 70 Gas-liquid separator (second embodiment) 72 Housing 74 Body member 76 Gas-liquid separation part 78 Bottom wall 80 Return inclined bottom surface 82 Protruding wall (regulating part) 82a First protruding wall 82b Second protruding wall (side end wall part) 82c Third protruding wall (intermediate wall part) 84 Through hole 86 Lower regulating wall 86a First lower regulating wall 86b Second lower regulating wall 86c Third lower regulating wall 1 Fuel tank 2 Canister 3 Fuel gas flow path 4 Tank side tube 5 Canister side tube 6 Activated carbon particles

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator provided on a fuel gas flow path that interconnects a fuel tank and a canister, having a gas passage space provided with a gas inlet that is an opening on the fuel tank side and a gas outlet that is an opening on the canister side, and a part of the fuel gas flow path is constituted by the gas passage space, and a regulating portion for regulating the movement of foreign matter in the gas passage space from the gas outlet to the gas inlet is provided. A gas-liquid separator.

2. A protruding wall extending in a width direction intersecting the flow path length direction of the fuel gas flow path is provided in the gas passage space, and the regulating portion is configured to include the protruding wall, The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein a regulating rib protruding from a surface on the gas outlet side is formed on the protruding wall.

3. A protruding wall extending in a width direction intersecting the flow path length direction of the fuel gas flow path is provided in the gas passage space, and the regulating portion is configured to include the protruding wall, The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protruding wall has a regulating inclined wall portion that inclines so as to approach the gas outlet as it approaches an end in the width direction of the fuel gas flow path.

4. The protruding wall includes an intermediate wall portion protruding from at least one of a bottom surface and a top surface of the gas passage space in the middle of the width direction in the gas passage space, The gas-liquid separator according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate wall portion has the regulating inclined wall portion that inclines so as to approach the gas outlet toward both outer ends in the width direction.

5. The protruding wall includes a side end wall portion protruding from a side surface of the gas passage space at an end in the width direction in the gas passage space, The gas-liquid separator according to claim 3, wherein the side end wall portion has the regulating inclined wall portion that inclines so as to approach the gas outlet toward an end on the inner side in the width direction.

6. The gas passage space has a regulating inclined bottom surface that slopes downward from the gas inlet toward the gas outlet, and the regulating portion is configured to include the regulating inclined bottom surface. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A protruding wall extending in the width direction intersecting the flow path length direction of the fuel gas flow path is provided in the gas passage space, and the regulating portion is configured to include the protruding wall. The gas passage space has a return inclined bottom surface that slopes downward from the gas outlet toward the gas inlet. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein through holes having a size capable of preventing the passage of the foreign matter are formed in a lower portion of the protruding wall.

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