Vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure that can enhance exhaust performance without enhancing performance of a dust filter.SOLUTION: There is provided a vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 comprising: a fuel tank 110 having a tank filler port 111; a suction pipe 150 that discharges or takes in air when an air pressure inside the fuel tank 110 becomes positive or negative, respectively; and a first dust filter 160b that is provided at a tip of the suction pipe 150 and that, when air is being taken in, removes dust from the air being about to flow into the fuel tank 110. The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 further comprises an exhaust valve 155 that is provided on the suction pipe 150 and that is opened only when the air is discharged, so as to additionally discharge the air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel tank intake and exhaust structure for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] When the amount of fuel in a vehicle's fuel tank increases or decreases due to refueling or vehicle operation, the air inside the fuel tank is compressed or expanded, creating positive or negative pressure. Therefore, when positive pressure is reached, it is necessary to exhaust air from the fuel tank, and when negative pressure is reached, it is necessary to draw air into the fuel tank. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure that includes a fuel tank and an air cleaner that removes dust when drawing air into the fuel tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-138260 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, air cleaners can become clogged and deteriorate due to dust and other particles sucked in during intake, increasing pressure loss, which reduces not only the air cleaner's filtering function during intake but also its ventilation function during exhaust.

[0005] In particular, in fuel tanks equipped with an onboard refueling vapor recovery system, it is necessary to exhaust the air inside the fuel tank at a large flow rate when refueling, and pressure loss in the air cleaner (dust filter) becomes a problem.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a fuel tank intake and exhaust structure for a vehicle that can improve exhaust performance without improving the performance of the dust filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the present invention is a vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure comprising a fuel tank having a filler port, a suction pipe that exhausts air when the inside of the fuel tank becomes positive pressure and draws air when the inside of the fuel tank becomes negative pressure, and a first dust filter provided at the tip of the suction pipe that removes dust from air that attempts to flow into the fuel tank when air is drawn in, and the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure is further characterized by comprising an exhaust valve provided on the suction pipe that opens only when exhaust is being performed to allow additional exhaust. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, exhaust performance can be improved without improving the performance of the dust filter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention during exhaust. [Figure 2] 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of an exhaust valve of the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure of FIG. 1 and the configuration of an exhaust valve of a modified example. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure of FIG. 1 during intake. [Figure 4] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention is a fuel tank intake and exhaust structure for a vehicle comprising a fuel tank having a fuel filler port, a suction pipe that exhausts air when the inside of the fuel tank becomes positive pressure and draws air when the inside of the fuel tank becomes negative pressure, and a first dust filter provided at the tip of the suction pipe that removes dust from air that attempts to flow into the fuel tank when air is being drawn in, and the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure is further characterized by comprising an exhaust valve provided on the suction pipe that opens only when exhaust is being performed to allow additional exhaust.

[0011] According to the present invention, an exhaust valve, i.e., a check valve, is provided in the suction pipe. The check valve opens to allow additional exhaust only when positive pressure is created in the fuel tank, such as when fuel is being filled into the fuel tank through the filler opening. Therefore, even if the first dust filter is deteriorated and it becomes difficult for air to pass through, exhaust can be performed without any problems. Therefore, exhaust performance can be improved without increasing the performance of the first dust filter.

[0012] The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure may further include an additional pipe connected to the outside from the exhaust valve, and a second dust filter provided at the tip of the additional pipe to remove dust from air that attempts to flow into the fuel tank when air is being drawn in.

[0013] When air is being drawn in through the suction pipe, the exhaust valve is closed, and normally no air flows in through the exhaust valve. However, if the exhaust valve is not completely closed, a small amount of air will flow in through the exhaust valve. In this case, the additional pipe and the second dust filter at its end are installed, preventing dust from entering through the exhaust valve. In other words, even if the exhaust valve's closing performance is not particularly high, dust can be prevented from entering through the exhaust valve.

[0014] The exhaust valve may be arranged in parallel with the first dust filter at the tip of the suction pipe. With this configuration, the exhaust valve is arranged in parallel with the first dust filter at the tip of the suction pipe, thereby simplifying and downsizing the suction pipe. Furthermore, the exhaust valve arranged in parallel with the first dust filter is inevitably protected from rainwater and dust, preventing the exhaust valve from becoming clogged due to water intrusion or dust buildup. This means that there is no need to separately select a location for the exhaust valve that is protected from rainwater and dust, increasing the flexibility of the suction pipe layout. [Example]

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0016] (First Example) Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention during exhaust. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 includes a fuel tank 110. The fuel tank 110 is a container for storing fuel (gasoline). The fuel tank 110 has a fuel filler opening (hereinafter referred to as a tank filler opening 111) and openings 112 and 113. A fuel pump 115 and a cut-off valve 116 are arranged inside the fuel tank 110.

[0017] The fuel pump 115 is a pump for sending fuel from the fuel tank 110 to the engine through the fuel feed line 114. The cut-off valve 116 is used to prevent an increase in air pressure by venting air that is produced when the temperature inside the fuel tank 110 rises and the fuel vaporizes.

[0018] 1, the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 also includes a fuel filler pipe 121. One end 121a of the fuel filler pipe 121 is inserted into the tank fuel filler opening 111, and the other end, a pipe fuel filler opening 121b, is open to the outside when refueling. The fuel filler pipe 121 is used to send fuel from the pipe fuel filler opening 121b to the fuel tank 110. One end 121a is also provided with a valve 121c that is opened only when refueling.

[0019] 1, the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 also includes a recirculation pipe 122. One end 122a of the recirculation pipe 122 is inserted into the opening 112, and the other end 122b is connected to the fuel filler pipe 121. The recirculation pipe 122 is used to prevent fuel from returning to the pipe fuel filler port 121b even if the pressure inside the fuel tank 110 becomes high.

[0020] 1, the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 also includes an evaporative pipe 123. One end 123a of the evaporative pipe 123 is inserted into the opening 113, and the other end 123b is connected to an opening 140c of the canister 140.

[0021] The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 includes a canister 140. The canister 140 has a housing 140a and activated carbon 140b provided inside the housing 140a. The canister 140 also has openings 140c and 140d. The canister 140 purifies the air obtained by vaporizing fuel inside the fuel tank 110 and the air passing through the insides of the pipes connected to the fuel tank 110 (the fuel filler pipe 121, the recirculation pipe 122, and the evaporation pipe 123).

[0022] The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 includes a suction pipe 150. The suction pipe 150 is a pipe that exhausts air when the inside of the fuel tank 110 becomes positive pressure and takes in air when the inside of the fuel tank 110 becomes negative pressure. One end 150a of the suction pipe 150 is connected to an opening 140d of the canister 140, and the other end 150b is connected to a filter device 160.

[0023] The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 includes a filter device 160. The filter device 160 is provided at the tip of the suction pipe 150. The filter device 160 has a housing 160a and a first dust filter 160b inside the housing 160a. The first dust filter 160b removes dust from the air that attempts to flow into the fuel tank 110 when air is being drawn in.

[0024] The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 is equipped with an exhaust valve 155. The exhaust valve 155 is provided at the opening 150c of the suction pipe 150. The exhaust valve 155 is a check valve that opens only when exhaust is being performed to perform additional exhaust. The additional exhaust here refers to exhaust performed by the exhaust valve 155 in addition to the exhaust performed by the first dust filter 160b. The exhaust valve 155 is adjusted to open under positive pressure during refueling and to close under atmospheric pressure and negative pressure.

[0025] Fig. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the exhaust valve 155 of the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 of Fig. 1. The exhaust valve 155 is formed of a leaf spring, and opens and closes the opening 150c of the suction pipe 150.

[0026] Next, the operation of the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 during exhaust will be described. When a user refuels, the user attaches the fuel gun 500 to the pipe filler port 121b of the fuel filler pipe 121 and fills the fuel. Fuel flows into the fuel tank 110. Air obtained by vaporizing the fuel passes through the evaporation pipe 123, whose cutoff valve 116 is open, and is purified by passing through activated carbon 140b in the canister 140. This air then passes through the suction pipe 150 and is exhausted to the outside from the opening 150c, whose exhaust valve 155 is open. The remaining air passes through the first dust filter 160b of the filter device 160 and is exhausted to the outside.

[0027] Next, the operation of vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 during air intake will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 100 of Figure 1 during air intake. When the user has completed refueling, he or she attaches cap 600 to pipe fuel filler opening 121b. While the user is driving the vehicle, fuel and air inside fuel tank 110 are sent from fuel pump 115 to an engine (not shown). Air flows into fuel tank 110 through filter device 160, suction pipe 150 with exhaust valve 155 closing opening 150c, canister 140, and evaporation pipe 123.

[0028] According to the configuration of this embodiment, the suction pipe 150 is provided with an exhaust valve 155, i.e., a check valve, which opens to perform additional exhaust only when positive pressure is created inside the fuel tank 110 and exhaust is performed, such as when fuel is filled into the fuel tank 110 through the fuel filler opening. Therefore, even if the first dust filter 160b has deteriorated and it is difficult for air to pass through, exhaust is performed without any problems. Therefore, exhaust performance can be improved without improving the performance of the first dust filter 160b.

[0029] Note that instead of the exhaust valve 155 and the suction pipe 150, the exhaust valve 255 and the suction pipe 250 of Modification 1 in Fig. 2(b) or the exhaust valve 355 and the suction pipe 350 of Modification 2 in Fig. 2(c) may be used. The exhaust valve 255 is a rubber spring and is configured to be able to open and close the opening 250c of the suction pipe 250. The exhaust valve 255 is an umbrella valve and is configured to be able to open and close the opening 350c of the suction pipe 350.

[0030] (Second Example) Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 700 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 4, the same components as those already described in the above embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and explanations of these components will be omitted. Furthermore, in the following description, components with the same names as those already described will have the same functions unless otherwise specified, even if they are assigned different reference numerals.

[0031] 4, the vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 700 includes an additional pipe 171. The additional pipe 171 is connected from the exhaust valve 155 to the outside.

[0032] The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 200 includes a filter device 172. The filter device 172 is provided at the tip of the additional pipe 171. The filter device 172 has a housing 172a and a second dust filter 172b arranged inside the housing 172a. The second dust filter 172b removes dust from the air that attempts to flow into the fuel tank 110 when air is being drawn in.

[0033] Next, we will explain the operation of vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 700. When the internal pressure of fuel tank 110 rises during refueling, air passes through suction pipe 150, passes through opening 150c opened by exhaust valve 155, passes through additional pipe 171, and passes through second dust filter 172b to be exhausted. The remaining air passes through first dust filter 160b to be exhausted.

[0034] When the internal pressure of the fuel tank 110 drops, the air passes through the first dust filter 160b to remove dust G, passes through the suction pipe 150, and heads toward the fuel tank 110. However, because the exhaust valve 155 is closed when air is being drawn in, the air does not pass through the second dust filter 172b and is not drawn into the suction pipe 150 from the exhaust valve 155.

[0035] According to the configuration described above, when air is drawn in through the suction pipe 150, the exhaust valve 155 is closed, and normally, no air flows in through the exhaust valve 155. However, if the exhaust valve 155 is not completely closed, a small amount of air flows in through the exhaust valve 155. At this time, the additional pipe 171 and the second dust filter 172b at its tip are provided, preventing dust G from entering through the exhaust valve 155. In other words, even if the closing performance of the exhaust valve 155 is not particularly high, it is possible to prevent dust G from entering through the exhaust valve 155 (improving sealing performance).

[0036] (Third Example) Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 800 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 5, the same components as those already described in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and explanations of these components will be omitted. Furthermore, in the following description, components with the same names as those already described will have the same functions unless otherwise specified, even if they are given different reference numerals.

[0037] Vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 800 includes exhaust valve 180 instead of exhaust valve 155, as shown in Fig. 5. Exhaust valve 180 is disposed inside housing 160a of filter device 160 at the tip of suction pipe 150, and is arranged in parallel with first dust filter 160b, as shown in Fig. 5. As exhaust valve 180, for example, an umbrella valve is used.

[0038] Exhaust valve 180 has a valve seat 181 and a valve body 182 that opens and closes an opening 181c of valve seat 181. Valve body 182 has an opening opening / closing portion 182a. When opening opening / closing portion 182a is inserted into opening 181c, opening 181c is closed. When opening opening / closing portion 182a is removed from opening 181c, opening 181c is opened.

[0039] Next, we will explain the operation of vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure 800. When the internal pressure of fuel tank 110 rises during refueling, air passes through suction pipe 150 and is exhausted through opening 181c of exhaust valve 180, which is opened inside housing 160a of filter device 160. The remaining air is exhausted through first dust filter 160b.

[0040] When the internal pressure of the fuel tank 110 drops, air passes through the first dust filter 160b and the suction pipe 150, and heads toward the fuel tank 110. However, because the exhaust valve 180 is closed when air is being drawn in, the air does not pass through the opening 181c and is drawn into the suction pipe 150.

[0041] According to the configuration described above, the exhaust valve 180 is arranged in parallel with the first dust filter 160b at the tip of the suction pipe 150, thereby simplifying and making the suction pipe 150 more compact. Furthermore, since the exhaust valve 180 arranged in parallel with the first dust filter 160b is inevitably not exposed to rainwater or dust, the exhaust valve 180 is not blocked by water intrusion or dust adhesion. In other words, there is no need to separately select a location for the exhaust valve 180 that is not exposed to rainwater or dust, which increases the flexibility of the layout of the suction pipe 150. Furthermore, this configuration improves the sealing performance when the exhaust valve 180 is closed.

[0042] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention can be practiced by freely combining inventions described in claims and examples, regardless of the dependent relationships of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0044] The present invention can be used in a fuel tank intake and exhaust structure for a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 100... vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure, 110... fuel tank, 111... tank filler port (filler port), 112... opening, 113... opening, 115... fuel pump, 116... cut-off valve, 121... fuel filler pipe, 121a... one end, 121b... pipe filler port, 121c... valve, 122... recirculation pipe, 122a... one end, 122b... other end, 123... evaporative pipe, 123a... one end, 123b... other end, 140... canister, 140a... housing, 140b... activated carbon, 140c... opening, 140d... opening, 150... suction pipe, 150a... one end, 150b... etc. one end, 150c...opening, 155...exhaust valve, 155c...opening, 160...filter device, 160a...housing, 160b...first dust filter, 171...additional pipe, 172...filter device, 172a...housing, 172b...second dust filter, 180...exhaust valve, 181...valve seat 181, 181c...opening, 182...valve body, 182a...opening opening / closing portion, 250...suction pipe, 250c...opening, 255...exhaust valve, 350...suction pipe, 350c...opening, 355...exhaust valve, 500...fuel gun, 600...cap, 700...fuel tank intake and exhaust structure for vehicle, 800...fuel tank intake and exhaust structure for vehicle, G...dust

Claims

1. a fuel tank having a filler port; a suction pipe that exhausts air when the inside of the fuel tank becomes positive pressure and takes in air when the inside of the fuel tank becomes negative pressure; a first dust filter that is provided at a tip of the suction pipe and that removes dust from air that is about to flow into the fuel tank when the air is taken in, The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure further comprises an exhaust valve provided in the suction pipe and opened only when the exhaust is being performed to perform additional exhaust.

2. The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure further comprises: an additional pipe connected to the outside from the exhaust valve; a second dust filter provided at a tip of the additional pipe for removing dust from air that is about to flow into the fuel tank when the intake air is performed; 2. The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. 2. The vehicle fuel tank intake and exhaust structure according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust valve is arranged in parallel with the first dust filter at the tip of the suction pipe.

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