Liquid feeding nozzle

Abstract

To provide a liquid feeding nozzle capable of recovering vapor and suppressing an increase in size.SOLUTION: An oil feed passage 28 is provided inside a nozzle body 22 of an oil feeding nozzle 21. A main valve 25 is provided in the oil feeding passage 28. The main valve 25 is opened by a nozzle lever 24. A periphery of a discharge pipe 23 is covered by a cover member 26. A vapor channel 52 for recovering the vapor inside the cover member 26 is provided inside the nozzle body 22, as a channel different from the oil feeding passage 28. The main valve 25 is accommodated inside the nozzle body 22, and an insertion hole 22A constituting a portion of the oil feeding passage 28 is provided. The main valve 25 is energized in a direction that cuts off the oil feed passage 28 by a valve spring 22C disposed between a lid body 22B that blocks one end side of the insertion hole 22A and the main valve 25. The vapor channel 52 is connected with the insertion hole 22A and is partitioned relative to the oil feeding passage 28.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid supply nozzle that supplies liquid (liquid fuel) to a tank (fuel tank) of a vehicle (automobile), for example. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a liquid supply nozzle in which a valve provided in an internal flow path is opened by operating a lever, thereby discharging liquid flowing inside the internal flow path from a discharge pipe. The liquid supply nozzle of Patent Document 1 has an insertion hole provided in the nozzle body, and a valve that opens and closes the internal flow path is housed inside this insertion hole. This valve is biased in the direction of closing the internal flow path by a valve spring that is arranged between the valve and a spring retainer (cover) that closes one end of the insertion hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-17372 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in order to collect vapor (fuel vapor, evaporated fuel) released from the fuel filler port (fuel filler port) during fuel supply (refueling) to a vehicle, it is conceivable to provide a cover member that covers the discharge pipe around the discharge pipe and to provide a vapor flow path along the nozzle body to collect the vapor inside this cover member. However, if the vapor flow path is provided along the nozzle body, it is necessary to provide a mechanism or the like on the nozzle body side for attaching the vapor flow path, which may result in the fuel supply nozzle becoming larger.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to prevent the liquid supply nozzle for recovering vapor from becoming too large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is preferably a liquid supply nozzle comprising: a nozzle body having a liquid flow path formed therein; a valve provided in the liquid flow path; a lever for opening the valve; a discharge pipe for discharging liquid flowing in the liquid flow path; a cover member for covering the periphery of the discharge pipe; and a vapor flow path formed within the nozzle body as a flow path separate from the liquid flow path and for recovering vapor within the cover member, wherein the nozzle body is provided with an insertion hole within which the valve is housed and which constitutes part of the liquid flow path, the valve is biased in a direction to block the liquid flow path by a valve spring arranged between the valve and a spring retainer that closes one end side of the insertion hole, and the vapor flow path is connected to the insertion hole and is partitioned from the liquid flow path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the liquid supply nozzle for recovering vapor from becoming large. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a partially cutaway configuration diagram showing a fuel supply device (fuel supply device) equipped with a liquid supply nozzle (fuel supply nozzle) according to an embodiment in a state where the device is refueling an automobile. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the liquid supply nozzle in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part (III) in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part (IV) in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cover as seen from below in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 4 is a simplified cross-sectional view taken in the same position as FIG. 3 and showing an insertion hole, a vapor flow path, a lid body, a valve spring, etc. according to the embodiment, a first modified example, and a second modified example. [Figure 8]10 is a simplified cross-sectional view taken in the same position as FIG. 3 and showing an insertion hole, a vapor flow path, a lid, a valve spring, etc. according to a third modified example, a fourth modified example, a fifth modified example, and a sixth modified example. [Figure 9] 10 is a simplified cross-sectional view taken in the same position as FIG. 3 and showing an insertion hole, a vapor flow path, a partition member, a valve spring, etc. according to a seventh modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a fuel supply nozzle of a fuel supply device provided at a gas station (gas station, service station) that supplies fuel to vehicles such as automobiles will be described as an example of a liquid supply nozzle according to the embodiments and modifications with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] 1 to 6 show an embodiment. (A) in FIG. 7 also shows an embodiment. In FIG. 1, a gas station serving as a fuel supply station is equipped with a metering machine 1 that supplies (refuels) fuel to a vehicle 100. At the gas station, the metering machine 1 can be used to refuel (replenish) fuel (liquid) such as regular gasoline, premium gasoline, or diesel to the vehicle 100. The metering machine 1, which is a fuel supply device (refueling device), is installed in a fueling lane (fueling booth) at the gas station. Note that, in order to avoid complicating the drawing, FIG. 1 shows one of multiple metering machines 1 installed at the gas station.

[0011] The aboveground-mounted measuring device 1 has a substantially rectangular housing 2. A display 17 and a setting device 18 are disposed on the front side of the housing 2. Inside the housing 2, there are disposed a liquid delivery pipeline 5, a fuel supply pump 14 as a supply pump, a flow meter 15, a control valve 16, a vapor recovery container 11, and the like. Meanwhile, underground at the gas station, a storage tank 3 (hereinafter referred to as an underground tank 3) for storing fuel such as regular gasoline, premium gasoline, or diesel is buried. The underground tank 3 is separated or divided into multiple tanks, and each tank stores a different type of fuel (e.g., regular gasoline, premium gasoline, or diesel). The liquid level 4 in the underground tank 3 is detected, for example, using a dedicated liquid level detector (not shown), thereby monitoring the remaining liquid amount in the underground tank 3.

[0012] Note that Figure 1 shows a simplified version of the internal structure of the metering device 1 (i.e., the piping structure of the liquid supply pipeline 5, fuel pump 14, flow meter 15, control valve 16, etc.). In reality, multiple liquid supply pipelines 5 are provided inside the housing 2, and one or more hoses 7 are provided on each of the left and right sides or the front and back of the housing 2. However, Figure 1 shows only one liquid supply pipeline 5 and hose 7, and omits other liquid supply pipelines and hoses. The same applies to the underground tank 3.

[0013] The liquid supply pipeline 5, together with a hose 7 also referred to as a supply hose or a fuel supply hose, constitutes a fuel supply path. The liquid supply pipeline 5 connects the underground tank 3 and the hose 7. That is, one end (lower end) of the liquid supply pipeline 5 extends downward from within the housing 2. One end of the liquid supply pipeline 5 forms a suction pipe 5A and is connected to the underground tank 3. Meanwhile, the other end (tip) of the liquid supply pipeline 5 is connected to a flexible hose 7 via, for example, a joint 6. As shown in FIG. 1 , the hose 7 has, for example, a double-pipe structure with a vapor suction tube 8 inserted therein. Note that the hose 7 and the vapor suction tube 8 do not necessarily have to have a double-pipe structure and may, for example, be configured to extend separately.

[0014] A fuel nozzle 21 is provided at the tip end of the hose 7 as a liquid supply nozzle that supplies liquid (fuel) to a supply object (liquid supply object, fuel supply object, liquid supply target, fuel supply target) such as a fuel tank 101 of the vehicle 100. The fuel nozzle 21, also called a supply nozzle, is hung on a nozzle hanger 13 when waiting for a refueling operation. For example, a refueler (including a self-service refueler) who will be refueling removes the refueling nozzle 21 from the nozzle hanger 13 and refuels the fuel tank 101 of the vehicle 100.

[0015] The fuel filler nozzle 21 includes a nozzle body 22, a discharge pipe 23 that forms the nozzle tip, and a nozzle lever 24 that is manually operated by the person filling the tank with fuel. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a main valve 25 is provided within the nozzle body 22 as a valve whose opening is adjusted by operating the nozzle lever 24. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 100 is provided with a fuel filler opening 102 (fuel filler opening, supply opening) for filling (replenishing) a fuel tank 101 with fuel. The fuel filler nozzle 21 can start filling the fuel tank 101 by operating the nozzle lever 24 with the discharge pipe 23 inserted into the fuel filler opening 102.

[0016] The fuel filler nozzle 21 is also provided with a vapor recovery nozzle cover 26 (hereinafter referred to as the cover member 26) at the base of the discharge pipe 23. The cover member 26, also called a recovery cover, is formed as a flexible, bellows-shaped cylinder made of an elastic material such as rubber. The cover member 26 covers and surrounds the outer periphery of the discharge pipe 23. The cover member 26 is pressed against the periphery of the fuel filler opening 102 of the vehicle 100 when the fuel filler nozzle 21 is used to fill fuel into the fuel tank 101 of the vehicle 100.

[0017] At this time, the cover member 26 covers the periphery of the fuel filler opening 102 in a sealed state so as to prevent vaporized fuel in the fuel tank 101 (i.e., vapor as fuel vapor) from leaking out of the fuel tank 101. The inside of the cover member 26 is in communication with the vapor suction tube 8 via a vapor recovery valve 53 (FIG. 2) provided in the nozzle body 22 of the fuel filler nozzle 21. The configuration of the fuel filler nozzle 21 will be described in detail later.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the vapor suction tube 8 is inserted inside the hose 7. The vapor suction tube 8 extends inside the housing 2 of the weighing device 1 to the position of the joint 6. Inside the housing 2 of the weighing device 1, there are provided a vapor conduit 9 connected to the vapor suction tube 8 via the joint 6 etc., a suction compression pump 10, a vapor recovery container 11 (recovery tower), etc.

[0019] One end of the vapor conduit 9 is connected to the vapor suction tube 8, and the other end is connected to a vapor recovery container 11. A suction compression pump 10, which functions as a suction pump and a compression pump, is provided midway along the vapor conduit 9. The suction compression pump 10 sucks in vapor released from a fuel filler port 102 of a fuel tank 101 when fuel is filled using a fuel filler nozzle 21, and compresses the sucked vapor.

[0020] The suction compression pump 10 is driven and controlled by the control device 19. By driving the suction compression pump 10, vapor in the fuel tank 101 is sucked from the cover member 26 through the vapor recovery valve 53 (FIG. 2) of the nozzle body 22 and the vapor suction tube 8 into the vapor conduit 9. The vapor sucked into the vapor conduit 9 is compressed by the suction compression pump 10 and injected (i.e., released) into the vapor recovery container 11. In this way, the suction compression pump 10 prevents the evaporated fuel (vapor) in the fuel tank 101 from leaking out around the filler opening 102.

[0021] That is, when liquid fuel is being supplied to the fuel tank 101 of the vehicle 100 through the fuel filling nozzle 21, vapor (fuel vapor) is released from inside the fuel tank 101 into the cover member 26 of the fuel filling nozzle 21. The vapor is sucked in and compressed by the suction compression pump 10 via the cover member 26, the vapor recovery valve 53 (FIG. 2) of the nozzle body 22, the vapor suction tube 8, and the vapor conduit 9, and is released into the vapor recovery container 11. The vapor released into the vapor recovery container 11 is liquefied (dissolved) in the liquid fuel in the vapor recovery container 11.

[0022] The gas (mainly air contained in the fuel vapor) remaining after the vapor is dissolved in the liquid fuel in the vapor recovery container 11 floats upward within the vapor recovery container 11 and remains in the upper space of the vapor recovery container 11. The gas remaining in the upper space of the vapor recovery container 11 (for example, air with a reduced gas concentration) is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 11A via a pressure relief mechanism (not shown).

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 2 of the metering machine 1 is provided with a nozzle hanger 13 as a nozzle storage section. A fuel nozzle 21 is detachably hung on the nozzle hanger 13. That is, the fuel nozzle 21 is normally stored in the nozzle hanger 13. When the vehicle 100 arrives at a gas station, the fuel filler removes the fuel nozzle 21 from the nozzle hanger 13 and inserts the fuel nozzle 21 into the fuel filler opening 102 of the fuel tank 101 of the vehicle 100. A nozzle switch 13A is provided on the nozzle hanger 13. The nozzle switch 13A is connected to a control device 19.

[0024] The nozzle switch 13A detects whether or not the fueling nozzle 21 is hung on the nozzle hanger 13, and outputs a detection signal to the control device 19. While the fueling nozzle 21 is hung on the nozzle hanger 13, for example, an ON signal (energized) is output from the nozzle switch 13A to the control device 19. While the fueling nozzle 21 is removed from the nozzle hanger 13, the nozzle switch 13A outputs an OFF signal (de-energized) to the control device 19. Note that the nozzle switch 13A may output an ON signal (energized) while the fueling nozzle 21 is removed from the nozzle hanger 13, and output an OFF signal (de-energized) while the fueling nozzle 21 is hung on the nozzle hanger 13.

[0025] Located within the housing 2 along the liquid feed pipeline 5 are a fuel supply pump 14 (supply pump), a flow meter 15, and a control valve 16. The flow rate of the liquid fuel (e.g., regular gasoline) in the underground tank 3 sucked up through the suction pipe 5A by the fuel supply pump 14 is measured by the flow meter 15 as it flows through the liquid feed pipeline 5. The fuel supply pump 14 is driven to rotate by a pump motor 14A to supply the fuel in the underground tank 3 to the fuel supply nozzle 21 side.

[0026] The flow meter 15 is a flow rate detection device that measures the amount of liquid fuel supplied to each fuel nozzle 21 by the fuel supply pump 14 individually for each fuel nozzle 21. For example, the flow meter 15 is provided with a flow rate pulse transmitter 15A. The flow rate pulse transmitter 15A is connected to the control device 19. The flow rate pulse transmitter 15A outputs a flow rate pulse signal corresponding to the flow rate of the liquid fuel flowing through the liquid feed pipeline 5 to the control device 19.

[0027] The control valve 16 is configured as an electromagnetic flow control valve whose valve opening is variably controlled. The control valve 16 adjusts the flow rate of liquid fuel (e.g., oil liquid such as gasoline) supplied from the liquid supply pipeline 5 to the fueling nozzle 21 via the hose 7. The control valve 16 is connected to a control device 19. The valve opening rate of the control valve 16 is variably controlled, for example, by variably controlling the drive current supplied to the control valve 16 in accordance with the frequency and duty ratio of a control signal output from the control device 19. Note that the opening and closing of the control valve 16 may be controlled continuously by ON / OFF control (full open / full closed valve opening control) using pulse width modulation.

[0028] A display 17 is provided on the front side of the housing 2 as a display means for displaying necessary information such as the amount of fuel dispensed by the metering device 1. The display 17 is configured, for example, as a monitor device (display) such as an LCD screen. Also provided on the front side of the housing 2 is a setting device 18 as a setting means for setting the amount of fuel dispensed by manual operation by the fuel dispenser. By operating each switch of the setting device 18, the fuel dispenser can, for example, select full tank dispensing or set an arbitrary preset amount of fuel dispensed. Note that while FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the display 17 and the setting device 18 are provided separately, the display 17 and the setting device 18 may be configured as an integrated unit, for example, by configuring the display 17 as a touch panel monitor device.

[0029] A control device 19 is provided within the housing 2 of the metering device 1. The control device 19 corresponds to a control means that controls refueling based on the refueling amount set by the setting device 18. The control device 19 also corresponds to a display control means that displays the refueling amount measured by the flow meter 15 on the display 17 when fuel is refueled through the refueling nozzle 21. The control device 19 also has the function of recovering vapor within the fuel tank 101 and performing vapor recovery and regeneration control processing to liquefy (dissolve into liquid fuel) the recovered vapor and return it to liquid fuel.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the input side of the control device 19 is connected to the nozzle switch 13A of the nozzle hanger 13, the flow rate pulse generator 15A of the flowmeter 15, the setting device 18, etc. The output side of the control device 19 is connected to the pump motor 14A of the fuel supply pump 14, the control valve 16, the display 17, etc. When the fuel supply nozzle 21 is removed from the nozzle hanger 13 and an OFF signal is input from the nozzle switch 13A, the control device 19 starts the pump motor 14A of the fuel supply pump 14. This causes the fuel supply pump 14 to pump fuel from the underground tank 3 into the liquid supply pipeline 5. The control device 19 also controls the control valve 16 by outputting a drive signal of a predetermined frequency to the control valve 16. In this case, the control device 19 controls the control valve 16 to maintain a predetermined valve opening by changing the duty ratio of the drive signal.

[0031] In this state, when the nozzle lever 24 of the fueling nozzle 21 is operated, refueling into the fuel tank 101 of the vehicle 100 begins. At this time, a flow rate pulse is output from the flow rate pulse transmitter 15A of the flow meter 15 to the control device 19. The control device 19 calculates the amount of fuel to be added by integrating the flow rate pulses output from the flow rate pulse transmitter 15A, and displays this calculated amount of fuel on the display device 17. The control device 19 also stops refueling when the amount of fuel to be added reaches the amount set by the setting device 18, for example, in preset refueling control, full tank refueling control, etc.

[0032] The control device 19 controls various devices of the metering device 1, such as the pump motor 14A, the control valve 16, the display 17, etc. For this purpose, the control device 19 is configured to include, for example, a microcomputer, a power supply circuit, a drive circuit, etc. The microcomputer of the control device 19 has a processing unit called a CPU, as well as a memory 19A consisting of a ROM, a RAM, and / or a non-volatile memory, etc. The memory 19A stores (contains) processing programs for controlling fuel supply, such as preset fuel supply control, and controlling vapor recovery and regeneration.

[0033] Next, the fuel supply nozzle 21 will be described.

[0034] 1 and 2, the fuel filler nozzle 21 is connected to the tip of the hose 7. As shown in Fig. 2, the fuel filler nozzle 21 includes a nozzle main body 22, a discharge pipe 23, and a nozzle lever 24. The nozzle main body 22 includes a fuel supply passage 28 as a liquid flow path through which fuel flows, a main valve 25 that is provided in the fuel supply passage 28 and opens in response to operation of the nozzle lever 24, and a negative pressure generating unit 29 that generates negative pressure when fuel flows through it.

[0035] The main valve 25 is displaced in a direction away from the main valve seat 31 by movement of the valve shaft member 30 (upward movement in Figures 2 and 3) based on operation of the nozzle lever 24, thereby opening the valve. As shown in Figure 1, the discharge pipe 23 serving as the nozzle tip is inserted into a fuel filler opening 102 of a fuel supply object (for example, a fuel tank 101 of a vehicle 100) when refueling. As shown in Figure 2, an opening 32 that serves as a detection hole (liquid level detection hole) is provided at the tip side of the discharge pipe 23. The nozzle lever 24 is manually operated by the person refueling when refueling.

[0036] 2, an oil supply passage 28 is formed in the nozzle body 22 so as to penetrate the nozzle body 22 in the length direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2). An open end 28A on one side (right side in FIG. 2) of the oil supply passage 28 is connected to the hose 7, and an open end 28B on the other side (left side in FIG. 2) is connected to the discharge pipe 23. The liquid (fuel) supplied to the fuel supply nozzle 21 flows through the oil supply passage 28 from the open end 28A on one side to the open end 28B on the other side. A main valve 25 is provided midway through the oil supply passage 28 in the nozzle body 22, for connecting and disconnecting the oil supply passage 28.

[0037] The main valve 25 opens and closes the oil supply passage 28 by coming into and out of contact with an annular main valve seat 31 formed on the inner circumferential wall of the oil supply passage 28. As shown in FIG. 3 , the main valve 25 is housed in an insertion hole 22A formed in the nozzle body 22. The main valve seat 31 is provided within the insertion hole 22A. The opening of the insertion hole 22A is closed by a cover body 22B. The main valve 25 includes a main valve element 25A that opens and closes the oil supply passage 28 by coming into and out of contact with the main valve seat 31, and a sub-valve element 25B that opens and closes a valve element passage 25C provided in the main valve element 25A by coming into and out of contact with the main valve element 25A.

[0038] The main valve element 25A is provided with a through-hole 25A1 extending in the axial direction of the main valve element 25A (the vertical direction in FIGS. 2 and 3). The base end of the sub-valve element 25B is inserted into the through-hole 25A1 of the main valve element 25A. That is, the base end of the sub-valve element 25B forms a valve stem 25B1. The sub-valve element 25B is located upstream of the main valve element 25A, and the valve stem 25B1 is inserted into the through-hole 25A1 of the main valve element 25A. The sub-valve element 25B moves axially relative to the main valve element 25A as the valve stem 25B1 is guided through the through-hole 25A1 of the main valve element 25A. The sub-valve element 25B opens and closes the valve element passage 25C by being seated on and lifted from a ring-shaped valve seat 25A2 provided on the main valve element 25A. The sub-valve body 25B is formed with a rod insertion hole 25B2 extending in the axial direction of the sub-valve body 25B.

[0039] A coil-shaped valve spring 22C is provided between the sub-valve element 25B and the cover element 22B. The valve spring 22C biases the sub-valve element 25B so that the sub-valve element 25B seats on the valve seat 25A2 of the main valve element 25A and the main valve element 25A seats on the main valve seat 31. A valve stem member 30 is connected to the main valve 25, which includes the main valve element 25A and the sub-valve element 25B. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve stem member 30 includes a valve stem sleeve 30A inserted into the rod insertion hole 25B2 of the sub-valve element 25B, and a valve stem rod 30B inserted into the sleeve hole 30A1 of the valve stem sleeve 30A so as to be able to advance and retreat.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 3, one axial side (upper side) of the stem sleeve 30A is an insertion rod portion 30A2 that is inserted into the rod insertion hole 25B2 of the sub-valve element 25B, and the other axial side (lower side) is a sleeve portion 30A3 that has a larger diameter than the insertion rod portion 30A2. The boundary step between the insertion rod portion 30A2 and the sleeve portion 30A3 forms a shoulder portion 30A4 that can abut against the main valve element 25A. The sleeve portion 30A3 is provided with a sleeve hole 30A1 that extends in the axial direction of the sleeve portion 30A3. As shown in Fig. 2, the sleeve hole 30A1 opens at the other end (lower end) of the stem sleeve 30A.

[0041] 3, the insertion rod portion 30A2 of the stem sleeve 30A is inserted into the rod insertion hole 25B2 formed in the stem portion 25B1 of the sub-valve element 25B, and its tip end abuts the bottom of the rod insertion hole 25B2. When the main valve element 25A is seated on the main valve seat 31 and the sub-valve element 25B is seated on the valve seat 25A2 of the main valve element 25A, the shoulder portion 30A4 of the stem sleeve 30A faces the main valve element 25A via a gap equivalent to the valve opening stroke of the sub-valve element 25B relative to the main valve element 25A. Therefore, the main valve element 25A of the main valve 25 opens after the sub-valve element 25B opens.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 2, the stem rod 30B is inserted into the sleeve hole 30A1 of the stem sleeve 30A so as to be movable in the axial direction. A spring member 30C is provided between one end (upper end) of the stem rod 30B and the bottom surface of the sleeve hole 30A1. The spring member 30C biases the stem rod 30B toward the opening of the sleeve hole 30A1. The stem sleeve 30A and the stem rod 30B are connected to each other by an engaging rod 45A of an automatic fuel supply stop mechanism 45, also known as an automatic valve closing mechanism, so as to be movable together in the axial direction. When the stem sleeve 30A and the stem rod 30B move together, the biasing force generated by the contraction of the spring member 30C is set to be smaller than the biasing force generated by the contraction of the valve spring 22C.

[0043] The other end (lower end) of the stem rod 30B protrudes from the nozzle body 22 through the opening of the sleeve hole 30A1 of the stem sleeve 30A, and this protruding end (lower end in FIG. 2) abuts against the nozzle lever 24. The nozzle lever 24 has a base end (left end in FIG. 2) rotatably supported by the nozzle body 22, and as the nozzle lever 24 rotates, its free end (right end in FIG. 2) moves toward or away from the grip portion 22D of the nozzle body 22. The other end (lower end) of the stem rod 30B abuts against the base end of the nozzle lever 24. When the stem sleeve 30A and the stem rod 30B are interlockingly engaged with each other via the engaging rod 45A of the automatic fuel supply stop mechanism 45, the stem member 30 (the stem sleeve 30A and the stem rod 30B) is displaced in the axial direction in response to rotation of the nozzle lever 24, thereby opening and closing the main valve 25.

[0044] Next, the negative pressure generating unit 29 that generates negative pressure by the flow of fuel and the automatic fuel supply stopping mechanism 45 that automatically stops fuel supply will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG.

[0045] Negative pressure generating unit 29 is provided in the fuel supply passage 28, more specifically, downstream of main valve 25. Negative pressure generating unit 29 is configured as an ejector valve that generates negative pressure by the flow of liquid (fuel). That is, as shown in Fig. 4, negative pressure generating unit 29 has a valve seat member 33 having a tapered valve seat 33A, a valve element 34 that closes the valve seat member 33 from the discharge side, a spring 35 that biases the valve element 34 in the valve closing direction, and a guide member 36 that guides the movement of the valve element 34 in the opening and closing directions.

[0046] When the main valve 25 opens based on the operation of the nozzle lever 24 and the supply of the liquid (fuel) begins, the valve element 34 of the negative pressure generating unit 29 opens due to the discharge pressure of the liquid (fuel). As a result, the liquid (fuel) passes between the valve seat 33A of the valve seat member 33 and the tapered portion 34A of the valve element 34 and is delivered to the discharge pipe 23. At this time, negative pressure is generated by the flow rate of the liquid (fuel) passing between the valve seat 33A of the valve seat member 33 and the tapered portion 34A of the valve element 34. The valve seat member 33 has a passage 33B that connects the valve seat 33A on the inner circumferential side with the annular passage 37 on the outer circumferential side.

[0047] The fueling nozzle 21 also includes a liquid level detector 38 for detecting whether the liquid level of the liquid (fuel) in the fuel supply object has reached the tip of the discharge pipe 23. The liquid level detector 38 has an opening 32 provided on the outer periphery of the tip of the discharge pipe 23, an air introduction pipe 39 communicating with the opening 32, an air introduction pipe opening / closing mechanism 40 as an opening / closing mechanism communicating with the air introduction pipe 39, and a communication passage 41 having one end communicating with the air introduction pipe 39 via the air introduction pipe opening / closing mechanism 40 and the other end penetrating the inside of the guide member 36 and communicating with the annular passage 37.

[0048] When negative pressure is generated in negative pressure generating section 29, air from opening 32 is sucked into the inside of valve seat 33A of valve seat member 33 via air inlet conduit 39, air inlet conduit opening and closing mechanism 40, communication passage 41, annular passage 37, and passage 33B of valve seat member 33. Air inlet conduit opening and closing mechanism 40 has a cylindrical coupling member 42 connected to guide member 36, a valve seat 43 provided inside coupling member 42, and a closing ball 44 serving as a valve made of a metal ball that moves to a position that closes valve seat 43 when fuel filler nozzle 21 is facing upward (for example, when hung on nozzle hanger 13).

[0049] The coupling member 42 is disposed between the guide member 36 and the air inlet conduit 39, and its interior forms a connecting passage 42A that connects the air inlet conduit 39 and the communication passage 41 of the guide member 36. The closing ball 44 rolls to a lower position due to gravity. Therefore, when the fuel filler nozzle 21 is positioned approximately horizontally so that the tip of the discharge pipe 23 extends downward in order to insert the discharge pipe 23 into the fuel filler opening 102 of the vehicle's fuel tank, the closing ball 44 moves away from the valve seat 43, opening the air inlet conduit 39. On the other hand, when the discharge pipe 23 is removed from the fuel filler opening 102 of the vehicle's fuel tank and the fuel filler nozzle 21 is positioned upward so that the tip of the discharge pipe 23 extends upward, the closing ball 44 closes the valve seat 43 and shuts off the air inlet conduit 39.

[0050] Furthermore, the annular passage 37 on the outer periphery of the guide member 36 is connected to an automatic fuel supply stop mechanism 45 that detects when the liquid level in the fuel tank has risen to the opening 32 of the discharge pipe 23 and stops the fuel supply. Therefore, when the opening 32 of the discharge pipe 23 is blocked by the liquid (fuel) supplied to the fuel tank, the air supply to the negative pressure generating unit 29 is stopped and the negative pressure generated in the negative pressure generating unit 29 is introduced into the automatic fuel supply stop mechanism 45 via the annular passage 37. The automatic fuel supply stop mechanism 45 has, for example, a diaphragm (not shown), which is displaced by the negative pressure.

[0051] The automatic fuel supply stop mechanism 45 disengages the nozzle lever 24 (more specifically, the stem rod 30B) from the main valve 25 (more specifically, the stem sleeve 30A) based on the displacement of the diaphragm. This allows the automatic fuel supply stop mechanism 45 to close the main valve 25 even when the nozzle lever 24 (more specifically, the stem rod 30B) is in a position that opens the main valve 25. That is, when the diaphragm of the automatic fuel supply stop mechanism 45 is displaced by negative pressure, the engagement of the engaging rod 45A between the stem sleeve 30A and the stem rod 30B is released based on this displacement. The stem sleeve 30A is displaced together with the main valve 25 in the direction that closes the main valve 25 (downward in FIGS. 2 and 3) based on the biasing force of the valve spring 22C, while the position of the stem rod 30B remains unchanged. As a result, regardless of the position of the nozzle lever 24 (valve stem rod 30B), the main valve 25 closes and the supply of fuel to the fuel tank 101 can be stopped.

[0052] The fuel filler nozzle 21 is provided with an air intake conduit opening / closing mechanism 40 that switches between opening and closing the air intake conduit 39 depending on the vertical orientation of the fuel filler nozzle 21. Therefore, when the discharge pipe 23 of the fuel filler nozzle 21 is positioned approximately horizontally, the closing ball 44 moves away from the valve seat 43, opening the air intake conduit 39. As a result, when the discharge pipe 23 is inserted into the fuel filler opening 102 of the vehicle's fuel tank, the automatic refueling stop mechanism 45 does not operate, allowing refueling to occur in the vehicle's fuel tank. On the other hand, when the discharge pipe 23 of the fuel filler nozzle 21 is oriented upward, the closing ball 44 seats on the valve seat 43, blocking the air intake conduit 39. As a result, the automatic refueling stop mechanism 45 operates, and refueling is automatically stopped.

[0053] Next, the vapor recovery mechanism 51 provided in the fuel supply nozzle 21 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. In Figure 2, the flow of liquid (oil liquid, fuel) in the fuel supply passage 28 is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow of vapor in the vapor flow path 52 is indicated by dashed arrows.

[0054] The vapor recovery mechanism 51 recovers vapor within the cover member 26 that covers the outer periphery of the discharge pipe 23. The vapor recovery mechanism 51 includes a vapor flow path 52 and a vapor recovery valve 53. The vapor flow path 52 is formed within the nozzle main body 22. The vapor recovery valve 53 is provided in the nozzle main body 22. The vapor flow path 52 is a flow path that allows vapor within the cover member 26 that covers the outer periphery of the discharge pipe 23 to flow to the vapor suction tube 8. In other words, the vapor flow path 52 connects the inside of the cover member 26 to the vapor suction tube 8.

[0055] Here, a cover mounting portion 22E is provided on the tip side (left end side in FIGS. 2 and 4) of the nozzle body 22. The base end side (right end side in FIGS. 2 and 4) of the cover member 26 is attached to the outer periphery side of the cover mounting portion 22E. The discharge pipe 23 is inserted into the inside of the cover mounting portion 22E. The upstream side of the vapor flow path 52 forms an annular flow path 52A that is configured by the inner circumferential surface of the cover mounting portion 22E and the outer circumferential surface of the discharge pipe 23.

[0056] The vapor flow path 52 includes an annular flow path 52A, a first upstream flow path 52B, a second upstream flow path 52C, and a downstream flow path 52D. The first upstream flow path 52B extends in the length direction of the nozzle body 22 (the left-right direction in FIGS. 2 and 4). The upstream end of the first upstream flow path 52B opens into the inner circumferential surface of the cover mounting portion 22E. The downstream end of the first upstream flow path 52B opens into the inner circumferential surface of the recovery valve insertion hole 22F into which the vapor recovery valve 53 is inserted. The first upstream flow path 52B connects the annular flow path 52A and the recovery valve insertion hole 22F.

[0057] The second upstream flow path 52C also extends in the length direction of the nozzle body 22. The upstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C opens into the inner circumferential surface of the recovery valve insertion hole 22F. The downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C opens into the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A, into which the main valve 25 is inserted. The second upstream flow path 52C connects the recovery valve insertion hole 22F and the insertion hole 22A. The downstream flow path 52D also extends in the length direction of the nozzle body 22. The upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D opens into the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A. The upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D is connected to the upstream end of the vapor suction tube 8. Here, the grip portion 22D of the nozzle body 22 forms a cylindrical hose coupling portion 22G to which the hose 7 and the vapor suction tube 8 are connected.

[0058] A flow path forming member 22H that forms a downstream flow path 52D of the vapor flow path 52 and the oil supply path 28 is inserted inside the hose coupling 22G. On the hose 7 side of the flow path forming member 22H, the inner side forms the downstream flow path 52D of the vapor flow path 52, and the outer peripheral side is provided with a plurality of grooves (not shown) extending in the axial direction of the flow path forming member 22H (left-right direction in FIG. 2). These grooves form the oil supply path 28 between themselves and the inner peripheral surface of the hose coupling 22G. On the main valve 25 side (discharge pipe 23 side) of the hose coupling 22G, the inner side forms the oil supply path 28, and the outer peripheral side forms the downstream flow path 52D of the vapor flow path 52 between themselves and the inner peripheral surface of the hose coupling 22G. An axially intermediate portion of the hose coupling 22G forms a radial flow path 52D1 that guides the downstream flow path 52D from the outer diameter side to the inner diameter side of the hose coupling 22G.

[0059] 2 and 4, the vapor recovery valve 53 is provided in the recovery valve insertion hole 22F. The vapor recovery valve 53 is provided midway through the vapor flow path 52, i.e., between the first upstream flow path 52B and the second upstream flow path 52C. A communication passage 22J that communicates with the oil supply passage 28 is provided at the bottom of the recovery valve insertion hole 22F. As shown in FIG. 4, the vapor recovery valve 53 includes a valve seat member 53A, a valve element 53B, a piston 53C, a spring 53D, and a diaphragm 53E. The valve seat member 53A is formed in a cylindrical shape and fits into the recovery valve insertion hole 22F.

[0060] A valve seat 53A1 that protrudes radially inward along its entire periphery is provided inside the valve seat member 53A. The valve disc 53B is formed in the shape of a flanged cylinder and is inserted inside the valve seat member 53A so as to be movable in the axial direction. One axial side (the upper side in Figures 2 and 4) of the valve disc 53B is provided with a flange portion 53B1 that protrudes radially outward along its entire periphery. The flange portion 53B1 of the valve disc 53B is seated on and separated from the valve seat 53A1 of the valve seat member 53A. This allows the vapor recovery valve 53 to open and close.

[0061] The piston 53C is disposed on the bottom side of the recovery valve insertion hole 22F. The piston 53C is provided within the valve seat member 53A so as to be movable in the axial direction. The piston 53C is connected to the valve element 53B. The piston 53C also abuts against the diaphragm 53E. The diaphragm 53E forms a valve chamber 53F, which communicates with the communication passage 22J, on the bottom side of the recovery valve insertion hole 22F. When liquid (fuel) from the oil supply passage 28 is supplied to the valve chamber 53F defined by the diaphragm 53E via the communication passage 22J, the piston 53C is displaced in a direction that opens the valve element 53B. A spring 53D is provided between the valve seat member 53A and the piston 53C. The spring 53D presses the piston 53 in a direction that reduces the size of the valve chamber 53F.

[0062] When liquid (fuel) flows through the oil supply passage 28 and is supplied from the oil supply passage 28 into the recovery valve insertion hole 22F (valve chamber 53F) via the communicating passage 22J, the piston 53C is displaced via the diaphragm 53E in a direction that opens the valve body 53B against the biasing force of the spring 53D. As a result, the flange 53B1 of the valve body 53B is displaced in a direction away from the valve seat 53A1 of the valve seat member 53A, and the vapor recovery valve 53 opens.

[0063] When the vapor recovery valve 53 opens, the first upstream flow path 52B and the second upstream flow path 52C are connected to each other. This allows vapor to flow from the first upstream flow path 52B to the second upstream flow path 52C. Note that the basic configuration of the fueling nozzle 21 is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 and JP-A-2000-103500, and therefore further description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] Incidentally, the nozzle body of the fuel filler nozzle is provided with an insertion hole that houses the main valve. Liquid (fuel) flows through the insertion hole. Therefore, when a vapor flow path is provided in the nozzle body, the vapor flow path and the insertion hole must be separated. However, if the vapor flow path is provided at a position away from the insertion hole, the fuel filler nozzle becomes larger.

[0065] That is, the vapor flow path provided in the fuel filler nozzle needs to connect the cover member that covers the discharge pipe to the hose (more specifically, the vapor suction tube inside the hose). In this case, in order to connect the vapor flow path from the cover member side to the hose (vapor suction tube) side through the main valve (insertion hole) of the nozzle body, it is conceivable to configure the vapor flow path using, for example, a pipe (conduit) attached externally to the nozzle body. However, in this case, the fuel filler nozzle becomes larger.

[0066] Another possible configuration is to provide a thick-walled portion in the nozzle body, machine a hole in the thick-walled portion, and connect the cover member and the hose through the hole. However, this configuration also increases costs due to the increased size of the fuel filler nozzle, the increased volume of the nozzle body, the increased material costs, the increased number of machining locations, and the increased machining time. Furthermore, there is a risk of leakage due to machining. In other words, forming a machined hole for a vapor flow path in the wall of the fuel filler passage inside the nozzle body thins the wall, and vapor or liquid (fuel) may leak from this thinned portion.

[0067] In any case, increasing the size of the fuel filler nozzle is undesirable because it reduces the ease of handling of the fuel filler nozzle. Furthermore, if the vapor flow path is formed using an external pipe (pipe), there is a risk that the external pipe (pipe) may be damaged if the fuel filler nozzle is dropped, for example. Therefore, in this embodiment, a circumferential (annular) sealed space is provided around the lid (cover member) that closes the insertion hole in which the main valve of the nozzle body is housed. This sealed space serves as the vapor flow path, connecting the cover member and the hose.

[0068] That is, in this embodiment, by providing protrusions (flanges, convex portions) with sealing portions on the top and bottom of the lid body, a space that is sealed from both the fuel supply passage inside the nozzle body and the outside of the nozzle body is formed between the lid body and the insertion hole. Then, the cover member and the hose are connected through this sealed space. This makes it possible to prevent the fuel filler nozzle from becoming too large. These points will be explained in detail below.

[0069] 1, a fuel supply nozzle 21 serving as a liquid supply nozzle supplies a liquid (for example, a liquid fuel such as gasoline, diesel, or kerosene) to a fuel tank 101 of a vehicle through a discharge pipe 23 inserted into a fuel filler opening 102. The fuel filler opening 102 corresponds to a liquid supply opening (supply opening) provided in a container (supply object, liquid supply object) such as the fuel tank 101 or a plastic tank.

[0070] 1 to 4, the fuel filler nozzle 21 includes a nozzle body 22, a main valve 25 as a valve, a nozzle lever 24 as a lever, a discharge pipe 23, a cover member 26 also called a nozzle cover, and a vapor flow path 52. The nozzle body 22 has a fuel supply passage 28 formed therein. The fuel supply passage 28 is a liquid flow path through which a liquid (fuel) flows.

[0071] The main valve 25 is provided midway through the fuel supply passage 28. The nozzle lever 24 opens the main valve 25. The discharge pipe 23 discharges the liquid (fuel) flowing through the fuel supply passage 28. The cover member 26 covers the periphery of the discharge pipe 23. The vapor flow path 52 is provided in the nozzle body 22 as a flow path separate from the fuel supply passage 28. The vapor flow path 52 is formed within the nozzle body 22. The vapor flow path 52 collects the vapor within the cover member 26. That is, the vapor, which is fuel vapor (vaporized fuel), flows through the vapor flow path 52.

[0072] Further, an insertion hole 22A is provided in the nozzle main body 22. A main valve 25 is housed inside the insertion hole 22A. The insertion hole 22A also constitutes a part of the oil supply passage 28. The main valve 25 is biased in a direction to block the oil supply passage 28 by a valve spring 22C that is arranged between the main valve 25 and a cover body 22B serving as a spring retainer that closes one end side (the upper side in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the insertion hole 22A. The insertion hole 22A that houses the main valve 25 extends, for example, in a direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 2) that intersects with an axis AA that extends in the length direction of the nozzle main body 22 (the left-right direction in FIG. 2).

[0073] 2, the axis AA of the nozzle body 22 extends in the length direction of the nozzle body 22. The axis AA corresponds to, for example, an imaginary line AA connecting the downstream end of the hose 7 and the upstream end of the discharge pipe 23. The central axis BB of the insertion hole 22A intersects with the axis AA of the nozzle body 22. In other words, the axis AA of the nozzle body 22 and the central axis BB of the insertion hole 22A intersect at point O in FIG. 2, i.e., the position of the main valve 25. The central axis BB of the insertion hole 22A corresponds to the axial direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 2) of the main valve 25 (main valve element 25A, sub-valve element 25B), i.e., the direction in which the main valve 25 (main valve element 25A, sub-valve element 25B) is displaced (opened or closed).

[0074] The axis AA of the nozzle body 22 is bent in the vertical direction in Fig. 2 at or near point O in Fig. 2. That is, the axis AA includes a base end axis AO that extends in the flow direction of the liquid that flows through the oil supply passage 28 in the hose coupling portion 22G from the hose 7 side toward the upstream side of the main valve 25, and a tip end axis OA that extends in the flow direction of the liquid that flows from the downstream side of the main valve 25 toward the discharge pipe 23 (the valve element 34 of the negative pressure generating portion 29).

[0075] The base end axis AO and the tip end axis OA intersect at or near the position (point O) of the main valve 25. In this case, the angle AOA is an obtuse angle. Furthermore, the central axis BB of the insertion hole 22A intersects with the axis AA (tip end axis OA and / or base end axis AO) of the nozzle body 22 at an angle. In other words, the central axis BB of the insertion hole 22A is not coaxial with the axis AA (tip end axis OA and / or base end axis AO) of the nozzle body 22.

[0076] The vapor flow path 52 is connected to the insertion hole 22A and is separated from the fuel supply path 28. That is, the second upstream flow path 52C and the downstream flow path 52D of the vapor flow path 52 are connected to the insertion hole 22A by opening to the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A. In this case, the downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C opens to the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A on the discharge pipe 23 side (the vapor recovery valve 53 side). The upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D opens to the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A on the hose 7 side (the grip portion 22D side). The downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C and the upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D face each other in the radial direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) within the insertion hole 22A.

[0077] One axial end (the upper end in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the insertion hole 22A serves as a spring retainer to which one end of the valve spring 22C is attached. In this case, a cover 22B serving as the spring retainer is attached to the opening at one end of the insertion hole 22A. One axial end of the valve spring 22C is attached to the cover 22B, and the other axial end (the lower end in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the valve spring 22C is attached to the main valve 25 (sub-valve element 25B). As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6 , the cover 22B has a tubular (e.g., cylindrical) extension 22B1 extending toward the main valve 25 (the lower side in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6 ) and a bottom 22B2 closing the opening at one end (the upper end in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6 ) of the extension 22B1.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the extension portion 22B1 separates the vapor flow path 52 from the oil supply path 28. That is, the cover 22B is a partition member that separates the vapor flow path 52 from the oil supply path 28. In this case, the extension portion 22B1 is provided with a convex portion 22B3 that protrudes toward the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A around the entire circumference. That is, on the other end side (the lower end side in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6) of the extension portion 22B1, in other words, on the liquid flow path side (oil supply path 28 side) of the extension portion 22B1, a flange-shaped convex portion 22B3 that protrudes radially outward from the extension portion 22B1 around the entire circumference is provided. The outer diameter of the convex portion 22B3 is the same as (or slightly smaller than) the inner diameter of the insertion hole 22A. The portion of the extending portion 22B1 between the protruding portion 22B3 and the bottom portion 22B2 is a small-diameter portion 22B4 having an outer diameter dimension smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the insertion hole 22A. An annular (e.g., annular) space is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 22B4 and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22A, and this annular (annular) space serves as the vapor flow path 52, i.e., an annular (annular) connecting flow path 52E that connects the downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C and the upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D.

[0079] The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 22B3 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22A over the entire circumference. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 22B3 is provided with a seal groove 22B5 that is recessed radially inward from the outer peripheral surface over the entire circumference. A seal member 54, such as an O-ring, is attached to the seal groove 22B5. The extension 22B1 is thus provided with the seal member 54 that seals between the cover 22B and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22A. The seal member 54 seals between the vapor flow path 52 (connection flow path 52E) and the oil supply path 28.

[0080] The bottom portion 22B2 of the cover 22B has an outer diameter side that protrudes radially outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the extension portion 22B1. That is, the outer diameter side of the bottom portion 22B2 forms a flange portion 22B7 that protrudes radially outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the extension portion 22B1. The flange portion 22B7 is provided with a screw insertion hole 22B8 through which a set screw 55 is inserted to secure the cover 22B to the nozzle body 22. A cylindrical spring seat 22B9 (FIG. 3) that protrudes toward the valve spring 22C is provided on the inner diameter side of the bottom portion 22B2, on the inner surface facing the valve spring 22C. One axial end (upper end) of the valve spring 22C is attached to the spring seat 22B9.

[0081] Furthermore, an annular (e.g., circular) seal groove 22K is provided on the surface of the nozzle body 22 facing the flange 22B7 of the cover 22B. A seal ring 56, such as an O-ring, is attached to the seal groove 22K. The seal ring 56 provides a seal between the vapor flow path 52 (connection flow path 52E) and the outside of the nozzle body 22.

[0082] Thus, according to the embodiment, the cover 22B, which also serves as a spring receiver (spring retainer) for the valve spring 22C, has the extending portion 22B1, which is a cylindrical (e.g., cylindrical) portion that protrudes in the axial direction, and the flange portion 22B7, which is a polygonal (substantially hexagonal) portion that protrudes in the radial direction. Furthermore, a seal member 54, which serves as a cylindrical seal, is provided between the lower portion (protrusion 22B3) of the extending portion 22B1 and the inner surface of the insertion hole 22A, and a seal ring 56, which serves as a flat seal, is attached between the flange portion 22B7 and the nozzle body 22.

[0083] An annular sealed space serving as a connecting flow path 52E of the vapor flow path 52 is formed between the cover body 22B and the nozzle main body 22 and between the seal member 54 and the seal ring 56. This sealed space (connecting flow path 52E) connects the downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C and the upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D. That is, the sealed space (connecting flow path 52E) is connected to the cover member 26 via the second upstream flow path 52C, the vapor recovery valve 53, the first upstream flow path 52B, and the annular flow path 52A. The sealed space (connecting flow path 52E) is also connected to the vapor suction tube 8 via the downstream flow path 52D.

[0084] Therefore, according to the embodiment, the vapor flow path 52 can be provided in the nozzle body 22 by forming the portion where the seal (seal member 54, seal ring 56) is provided between the nozzle body 22 and the flange portion 22B7 as a processed portion. This reduces the amount of processing, the processing time, and the risk of porosity leakage. Furthermore, by providing the vapor flow path 52 inside the nozzle body 22, robustness can be improved compared to a configuration in which an external pipe (pipe) for the vapor flow path is provided. Furthermore, the size of the fuel filler nozzle 21 can be prevented from increasing, and the handleability of the fuel filler nozzle 21 can be improved.

[0085] That is, in this embodiment, an insertion hole 22A is provided inside the nozzle main body 22. The insertion hole 22A is a space (accommodation space) that accommodates the main valve 25 (main valve element 25A, sub-valve element 25B), a member for responsive movement of the main valve 25 (valve stem member 30), etc. The insertion hole 22A opens to the upper side of the nozzle main body 22, and this opening is closed by a cover body 22B. The cover body 22B includes a bottom portion 22B2 that closes the opening of the insertion hole 22A, an extension portion 22B1 that extends from the bottom portion 22B2 along the inner wall (inner surface) of the insertion hole 22A, and a protrusion 22B3 that extends from the extension portion 22B1 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the extension portion 22B1.

[0086] A seal groove 22B5 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 22B3, and a seal member 54 is attached to the seal groove 22B5. The extension 22B1 is formed in a tubular (cylindrical) shape, and the protrusion 22B3 is formed in an annular (ring-shaped) shape. When the cover 22B is attached to the insertion hole 22A so as to close the opening of the insertion hole 22A, a predetermined gap is formed between "a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22A where the vapor flow path 52 (second upstream flow path 52C, downstream flow path 52D) opens" and "the outer peripheral surface of the extension 22B1 of the cover 22B."

[0087] This gap is formed in an annular (circular) shape around the extension portion 22B1 of the cover 22B, and serves as a connecting passage 52E of the vapor passage 52. A seal member 54 is attached to a position below the vapor passage 52 (connecting passage 52E), i.e., to the protrusion 22B3 of the cover 22B. The seal member 54 seals between the cover 22B and the insertion hole 22A.

[0088] The vapor in the vapor flow path 52 flows into the annular connecting flow path 52E from the opening at the downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C. The vapor that has flowed into the annular connecting flow path 52E flows around and along the extension portion 22B1 of the lid body 22B, and then flows into the downstream flow path 52D through the opening at the upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D.

[0089] The insertion hole 22A and the cover 22B are partitioned (sealed) by the contact between the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A and the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 22B3 of the extending portion 22B1. This prevents vapor from the vapor flow path 52 (connecting flow path 52E) from flowing into the oil supply path 28 inside the insertion hole 22A. In addition, the seal member 54 is attached to the protrusion 22B3, which also prevents vapor from the vapor flow path 52 (connecting flow path 52E) from flowing into the oil supply path 28 inside the insertion hole 22A. Note that when sealing is performed using the seal member 54, the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A does not need to contact the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 22B3 of the extending portion 22B1.

[0090] The fuel supply nozzle 21 according to the embodiment has the above-described configuration, and its operation will now be described.

[0091] When refueling the fuel tank 101 of the vehicle 100, the refueler removes the refueling nozzle 21 of the metering device 1 from the nozzle hanger 13 and inserts the discharge pipe 23 of the refueling nozzle 21 into the filler opening 102 of the fuel tank 101. This activates the refueling pump 14, and liquid fuel in the underground tank 3 is supplied to the refueling nozzle 21 through the liquid feed pipeline 5 and the hose 7. In this state, when the refueler operates the nozzle lever 24 of the refueling nozzle 21, the main valve 25 of the nozzle body 22 opens, and the liquid fuel discharged from the discharge pipe 23 is supplied to the fuel tank 101 of the vehicle 100. At this time, the flow rate of the liquid fuel flowing through the liquid feed pipeline 5 is measured by the flow meter 15, and the measured flow rate of the liquid fuel is displayed on the display 17 provided on the outer surface of the housing 2.

[0092] When the liquid (fuel) dispensed into the fuel tank from the fuel nozzle 21 approaches full capacity and the opening 32 of the discharge pipe 23 of the fuel nozzle 21 is blocked by the liquid (fuel), the supply of air to the negative pressure generator 29 is stopped. As a result, the negative pressure generated in the negative pressure generator 29 is introduced into the automatic refueling stop mechanism 45 via the annular passage 37. At this time, the automatic refueling stop mechanism 45 disengages the nozzle lever 24 (valve stem rod 30B) from the main valve 25 (valve stem sleeve 30A) using the engagement rod 45A based on the displacement of the diaphragm caused by the negative pressure, and closes the main valve 25. This stops refueling into the fuel tank 101. When refueling is stopped, the refueler returns the fuel nozzle 21 to the nozzle hook 13, completing the refueling operation.

[0093] During refueling, vapor recovery is performed. That is, when the fuel filler nozzle 21 is removed from the nozzle hanger 13, or when the fuel filler pump 14 is driven and fuel supply through the fuel filler nozzle 21 begins, the suction compression pump 10 is driven. As a result, vapor around the fuel filler port 102 of the fuel tank 101 and the discharge pipe 23 is sucked in by the suction compression pump 10. At this time, the vapor recovery valve 53 opens as liquid (fuel) flowing through the fuel supply passage 28 is supplied into the recovery valve insertion hole 22F (valve chamber 53F) via the communication passage 22J. This connects the first upstream flow passage 52B and the second upstream flow passage 52C, and vapor in the cover member 26 is recovered into the vapor recovery container 11 via the vapor flow passage 52 of the nozzle body 22, the vapor suction tube 8, the vapor conduit 9, and the suction compression pump 10.

[0094] The vapor in the cover member 26 flows through the vapor flow path 52 of the nozzle body 22, that is, from the annular flow path 52A through the first upstream flow path 52B, the vapor recovery valve 53, the second upstream flow path 52C, the connecting flow path 52E, and the downstream flow path 52D to the vapor suction tube 8. The vapor is sucked into the suction compression pump 10 from the vapor suction tube 8 via the vapor conduit 9, compressed by the suction compression pump 10, and injected into the liquid fuel in the vapor recovery container 11. When the vapor is released into the liquid fuel in the vapor recovery container 11, the vapor (gasoline vapor) is absorbed into the liquid fuel so as to be liquefied.

[0095] According to the embodiment, the vapor flow path 52 of the nozzle body 22 is connected to the insertion hole 22A, which houses the main valve 25 of the fuel supply passage 28, and is partitioned from the fuel supply passage 28. This allows the fuel filler nozzle 21 to be made smaller than in a configuration in which the vapor flow path is provided at a position away from the insertion hole. This makes it possible to collect vapor through the fuel filler nozzle 21 and prevent the fuel filler nozzle 21 from becoming larger.

[0096] According to the embodiment, the vapor flow path 52 is connected to the insertion hole 22A by opening on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A. The spring retainer that retains the valve spring 22C is the cover 22B attached to the opening on one end side of the insertion hole 22A. The cover 22B has a cylindrical extension 22B1 that extends toward the valve spring 22C, and this extension 22B1 separates the vapor flow path 52 from the fuel supply path 28. This allows the vapor flow path 52 to be connected to the insertion hole 22A, and the cover 22B (cylindrical extension 22B1) separates the vapor flow path 52 in the insertion hole 22A from the fuel supply path 28.

[0097] According to the embodiment, the extension portion 22B1 is provided with a protrusion 22B3 that protrudes toward the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A around the entire circumference. Therefore, the annular space formed by the "inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A," the "outer circumferential surface of the extension portion 22B1," and the "side surface of the protrusion 22B3" can be used as the vapor flow path 52 (connection flow path 52E). Furthermore, the "inside of the extension portion 22B1" can be used as the oil supply path 28 and as a space for accommodating the valve spring 22C.

[0098] According to the embodiment, the extending portion 22B1 is provided with a seal member 54 that seals between the extending portion 22B1 and the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A. Therefore, the seal member 54 can seal between the vapor flow path 52 and the oil supply path 28.

[0099] In the embodiment, the case where the extension portion 22B1 is provided with the protrusion 22B3 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7A has been described as an example. However, this is not limiting. For example, as in a first modified example shown in FIG. 7B, the extension portion 22B1 may not be provided with the protrusion 22B3. That is, the small diameter portion 22B4 may be omitted, and the outer peripheral surface of the extension portion 22B1 may be a circumferential surface that extends linearly in the axial direction. In this case, a seal groove 22B5 may be provided in the outer peripheral surface of the extension portion 22B1, and a seal member 54 may be attached to this seal groove 22B5.

[0100] In the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7A, a case has been described in which a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A closer to the opening than the protrusion 22B3 of the cover 22B (a portion where the downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C and the upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D open, and a portion facing the small diameter portion 22B4 of the cover 22B) is formed as a large diameter portion 22L having a larger inner diameter than the other portions. However, this is not limiting, and for example, as in a second modified example shown in FIG. 7C, the insertion hole 22A may not be provided with the large diameter portion 22L. That is, the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A may be formed as a circumferential surface extending linearly in the axial direction, and the downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C and the upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D may open onto this inner circumferential surface.

[0101] In the embodiment, the case where the protrusion 22B3 that protrudes radially outward (toward the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A) around the entire circumference is provided on the tip side of the extension portion 22B1 has been described as an example. However, this is not limiting. For example, as in a third modified example shown in FIG. 8D , in addition to providing the protrusion 22B3 on the tip side of the extension portion 22B1, a protrusion 22B10 that protrudes radially outward (toward the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 22A) around the entire circumference may also be provided on the base end side of the extension portion 22B1. That is, the extension portion 22B1 may be provided with a pair of protrusions 22B3 and 22B10 that are spaced apart in the axial direction and that axially sandwich the opening at the downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C and the opening at the upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D.

[0102] 3 and 7A, the embodiment has been described with reference to an example in which a seal groove 22K is provided on a surface of the nozzle body 22 facing the flange portion 22B7 of the cover body 22B, and a seal ring 56 is attached to this seal groove 22K to seal between the vapor flow path 52 (connection flow path 52E) and the outside of the nozzle body 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as in a third modified example shown in FIG. 8D, a seal groove 22B11 may be provided on the flange portion 22B7 of the cover body 22B, and a seal ring 56 may be attached to this seal groove 22B11 to seal between the vapor flow path 52 (connection flow path 52E) and the outside of the nozzle body 22.

[0103] 8(D), a third modified example has been described in which a seal groove 22B11 is provided in the flange portion 22B7 of the lid body 22B and a seal ring 56 is attached to this seal groove 22B11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as in a fourth modified example shown in FIG. 8(E), a seal groove 22B12 may be provided in the protruding portion 22B10 on the base end side of the extension portion 22B1 and a seal ring 57 may be attached to this seal groove 22B12 to seal the vapor flow path 52 (connection flow path 52E) and the outside of the nozzle main body 22.

[0104] In the embodiment, the case where the large diameter portion 22L of the insertion hole 22A is configured to reach the opening of the insertion hole 22A as shown in Figures 3 and 7(A) has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the large diameter portion 22L of the insertion hole 22A may be configured not to reach the opening of the insertion hole 22A, for example, as in a fifth modified example shown in Figure 8(F).

[0105] In the embodiment and the first to fifth modified examples, the case where the seal member 54 and the seal rings 56, 57 are provided has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as in a sixth modified example shown in FIG. 8(G), the seal member 54 and the seal rings 56, 57 may not be provided. Furthermore, although not shown, one of the seal member 54 and the seal rings 56, 57 may be omitted. When the seal member 54 and / or the seal rings 56, 57 are omitted, for example, the vapor flow path is sealed from the fuel supply passage and the outside of the nozzle main body by abutting the lid (the outer peripheral surface of the extension portion and / or the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion) against the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole.

[0106] In the embodiment and the first to sixth modified examples, the opening of the insertion hole 22A is closed by the cover 22B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a seventh modified example shown in FIG. 9H, the insertion hole 22A may be a bottomed insertion hole that is closed by the nozzle main body 22. In this case, a partition member 58 that separates the vapor flow path 52 (connection flow path 52E) and the fuel supply path 28 may be provided on the bottom side of the insertion hole 22A. The partition member 58 is formed, for example, in a bottomed cylindrical shape and includes a cylindrical portion 58A and a bottom portion 58B that closes the opening of the cylindrical portion 58A. In addition, the cylindrical portion 58A is provided with notches 58C that communicate between the outer peripheral surface side and the inner peripheral surface side of the cylindrical portion 58A at positions corresponding to the opening of the downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C and the opening of the upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D. The space between the bottom (bottom surface) of the insertion hole 22A and the inner surface of the partition member 58 (bottom portion 58B) forms a connecting flow path 52E that connects the downstream end of the second upstream flow path 52C and the upstream end of the downstream flow path 52D. In the seventh modified example, the sealing member 59 is provided on the bottom portion 58B of the partition member 58, but the sealing member 59 may be omitted.

[0107] In the case of the seventh modified example, as in the embodiment, the vapor flow path 52 (the second upstream flow path 52C and the downstream flow path 52D) can be connected to the insertion hole 22A, and the vapor flow path 52 can be separated from the fuel supply passage 28. That is, the insertion hole 22A may be open to the upper side of the nozzle main body 22 as in the embodiment and the first to sixth modified examples, or may be a bottomed insertion hole provided inside the nozzle main body 22 (configured so that the periphery is covered by the nozzle main body 22) as in the seventh modified example. When the insertion hole 22A is open to the upper side of the nozzle main body 22, for example, this opening can be closed with a cover body 22B. Furthermore, when the insertion hole 22A is a bottomed insertion hole, for example, a partition member 58 can be provided on the bottom side of the insertion hole 22A.

[0108] In the embodiment, a ground-mounted fuel supply device (fuel supply device) has been described as an example of the metering device 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a suspended fuel supply device that raises and lowers a fuel supply nozzle may be used as the metering device. This also applies to the first to seventh modified examples.

[0109] In the embodiment, the fuel tank 101 of the vehicle 100 has been described as an example of a fuel supply object (supply target, supply object) to which the metering device 1 supplies fuel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the metering device serving as a fuel supply device may supply fuel to a fuel supply object other than the fuel tank of a vehicle, such as a gasoline can or a plastic container. This also applies to the first to seventh modified examples.

[0110] In the embodiment, the description has been given taking as an example the weighing machine 1 installed at a gas station (service station). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the weighing machine serving as a fuel supply device may be installed at a filling station (fuel supply station) other than a gas station (service station), such as a factory, a store, or a home improvement store. This also applies to the first to seventh modified examples.

[0111] In the embodiment, the fuel supply nozzle 21 that supplies liquid fuel such as gasoline or diesel has been described as an example of the liquid supply nozzle. However, the liquid supply nozzle is not limited to liquid fuel, and can be used to supply various liquids, including liquids other than fuel. This also applies to the first to seventh modified examples.

[0112] Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications are merely examples, and it goes without saying that partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments and modifications is possible.

[0113] According to the above-described embodiments and / or modified examples (hereinafter simply referred to as "embodiments"), the vapor flow path that collects vapor is connected to the insertion hole that houses the valve of the liquid flow path, and is partitioned from the liquid flow path. Therefore, the liquid supply nozzle can be made smaller than in a configuration in which the vapor flow path is provided at a position away from the insertion hole. This makes it possible to collect vapor through the liquid supply nozzle, and prevents the liquid supply nozzle from becoming larger.

[0114] According to an embodiment, the vapor flow path is connected to the insertion hole by opening on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole. The spring retainer is a lid attached to the opening on one end side of the insertion hole. The lid has a cylindrical extension extending toward the valve, and this extension separates the vapor flow path from the liquid flow path. This allows the vapor flow path to be connected to the insertion hole, and the lid (cylindrical extension) separates the vapor flow path from the liquid flow path inside the insertion hole.

[0115] According to the embodiment, the extension portion has a protrusion that protrudes toward the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole around the entire circumference. Therefore, the annular space formed by the "inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole," the "outer circumferential surface of the extension portion," and the "side surface of the protrusion" can be used as a vapor flow path. Furthermore, the "inside of the extension portion" can be used as a liquid flow path and a space for accommodating the valve spring.

[0116] According to the embodiment, the extension portion is provided with a seal member that seals between the extension portion and the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole, so that the seal member can seal between the vapor flow path and the liquid flow path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 21 Fuel supply nozzle (liquid supply nozzle) 22 Nozzle body 22A Insertion hole 22B Lid (spring retainer) 22B1 Extension 22B2 bottom 22B3 convex part 22B6 Sealing material 22C valve spring 23 Discharge pipe 24 Nozzle lever (lever) 25 Main valve (valve) 26 Cover member 28 Oil supply passage (liquid flow passage) 52 Vapor flow path

Claims

1. a nozzle body having a liquid flow path therein; a valve provided in the liquid flow path; a lever for opening the valve; a discharge pipe that discharges the liquid flowing through the liquid flow path; a cover member that covers the periphery of the discharge pipe; a vapor flow path formed in the nozzle body as a flow path separate from the liquid flow path, and configured to recover vapor within the cover member, the nozzle body is provided with an insertion hole that accommodates the valve therein and that constitutes a part of the liquid flow path, the valve is biased in a direction to block the liquid flow path by a valve spring disposed between the valve and a spring retainer that closes one end side of the insertion hole, The liquid supply nozzle is characterized in that the vapor flow path is connected to the insertion hole and is partitioned from the liquid flow path.

2. the vapor flow path is connected to the insertion hole by opening to an inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole, the spring retainer is a cover attached to an opening on one end side of the insertion hole, the lid body has a cylindrical extension portion extending toward the valve side and a bottom portion closing an opening on one end side of the extension portion, 2. The liquid supply nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion separates the vapor flow path from the liquid flow path.

3. 3. The liquid supply nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the extension portion is provided with a convex portion that projects toward an inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole over the entire periphery.

4. 3. The liquid supply nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the extension portion is provided with a seal member for sealing between the extension portion and an inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole.

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