Vehicle fluid filling device

Abstract

To reduce the weight of fluid-filling devices for vehicles. [Solution] A fluid filling device for vehicles comprising a housing 2 having a plurality of flow paths inside, and a switching valve assembled to the housing and at least a portion of which is interposed between the plurality of flow paths inside the housing, wherein the housing has a first section 21 and a second section 22 made of resin divided along the flow paths, and a cylindrical member 3 separate from the first section and the second section, each of the flow paths being formed by a first flow path section in the first section and a second flow path section in the second section, the first section having a first hole 23F, and the second section having a second hole 23S provided at a position corresponding to the first hole, and the housing being integrated by the first section and the second section being joined to each other, and the cylindrical member being press-fitted across the first hole and the second hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , , , , , , , , ,

[0006] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid encapsulation device mounted on a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] A fluid encapsulation device including a housing having a plurality of internal flow paths through which a fluid flows, and a switching valve for switching the connection of the plurality of flow paths has been conventionally known. In conventional fluid encapsulation devices, the switching valve and the housing are often made of metal in order to prevent leakage of fluid from the flow path to the outside.

[0003] In recent years, the demand for improving the fuel efficiency and power consumption of vehicles has been increasing. Along with this, in addition to considering the heat dissipation and heat transfer properties of fluids in vehicle-mounted products, the demand for weight reduction has been increasing. Among the above-described fluid encapsulation devices, a vehicle-mounted fluid encapsulation device mounted on a vehicle is also required to be lightweight.

[0004] In order to reduce the weight of the vehicle-mounted fluid encapsulation device, it is considered good to form the housing of the vehicle-mounted fluid encapsulation device from resin. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of using a housing made of resin for a fluid encapsulation device. By applying this technique, it is considered possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle-mounted fluid encapsulation device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Incidentally, in recent years, cooling media are used for a variety of purposes in vehicles. Accordingly, the number of flow channels in vehicle fluid sealing devices has increased, and the shape of the flow channels and the arrangement of the flow channels themselves have also become more complex. In vehicle fluid sealing devices with such complex flow channels, it is extremely difficult to integrally injection mold the housing that forms the flow channels, for example, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0007] In a vehicle fluid filling device having complex flow channels, it is considered preferable to form the housing that forms these flow channels as separate parts along the flow channels when resin molding the housing.

[0008] For example, if the housing is divided into a first section and a second section along the flow path, it becomes easy to mold each of these sections using resin material. Since the first section has part of the flow path and the second section has the other part of the flow path, the flow path is formed by combining the first and second sections.

[0009] By the way, as mentioned above, when the housing is divided into a first and second component, if the first and second components are not firmly integrated, there is a risk that the airtightness and liquid tightness between the first and second components will be insufficient, causing the fluid flowing through the channel to leak to the outside. Furthermore, since the vehicle fluid-filling device is mounted on the vehicle, it is subjected to external forces such as vibrations during driving and pressure from the fluid. Therefore, in a vehicle fluid-filling device, the first and second components must be firmly integrated in order to maintain their shape against such external forces and prevent fluid leakage from the housing.

[0010] One method for firmly integrating the first and second components is to fasten them together using fastening members such as bolts. For example, by providing a hole that connects the first and second components, inserting a nut into one end of the hole, and fastening a bolt inserted from the other end to the nut, it is believed that the first and second components can be firmly integrated.

[0011] Such fastening components require high rigidity and durability. Therefore, metal fastening components, i.e., bolts and nuts, are used. Furthermore, in this case, it is also necessary to attach reinforcing collar members to the housing to resist the external forces acting on the housing due to the fastening of the bolts and nuts. Since high rigidity and durability are also required for such collar members, metal collar members are used for these collar members as well.

[0012] Therefore, as mentioned above, even when the flow path is formed using a first and second resin component, a relatively large number of metal components are required, making it difficult to significantly reduce the overall weight of the vehicle fluid filling device.

[0013] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to solve the problem of reducing the weight of fluid-filling devices for vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The vehicle fluid sealing device of the present invention, which solves the above problems, The device comprises a housing having multiple internal flow paths, and a switching valve assembled to the housing, with at least a portion of it interposed between the multiple flow paths inside the housing. The housing comprises a first and second resin section divided along the flow path, and a cylindrical member separate from the first and second sections. Each of the aforementioned flow channels is formed by a first flow channel section in the first section and a second flow channel section in the second section. The first part has a first hole, and the second part has a second hole located at a position corresponding to the first hole. The housing is a fluid-filling device for vehicles, in which the first and second parts are joined together and the cylindrical member is press-fitted across the first and second holes to form a single unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the technology of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the weight of a fluid encapsulation device for a vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory diagram schematically explaining a perspective view of the fluid encapsulation device for a vehicle of Example 1. [Figure 2] It is an explanatory diagram schematically explaining a view of the fluid encapsulation device for a vehicle of Example 1 seen from the front. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory diagram schematically explaining a view of the fluid encapsulation device for a vehicle of Example 1 seen from the right side. [Figure 4] It is an explanatory diagram schematically explaining a state where the fluid encapsulation device for a vehicle of Example 1 is cut at the A-A position in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory diagram schematically explaining a state of manufacturing the fluid encapsulation device for a vehicle of Example 1. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram schematically explaining a state of manufacturing the fluid encapsulation device for a vehicle of Example 1.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The inventor of the present invention aimed to further reduce the weight of a fluid encapsulation device for a vehicle in which a housing is formed by a first resin body and a second resin body as described above.

[0018] When using fastening members such as bolts, since metal ones are used as the fastening members and collar members, the overall weight of the fluid encapsulation device for a vehicle is not significantly reduced. However, instead of fastening the first resin body and the second resin body using the above-mentioned fastening members and collar members, if the first resin body and the second resin body are joined and integrated, it may be possible to suppress the increase in mass due to the fastening members and collar members.

[0019] Here, if the first resin body and the second resin body are simply joined and integrated, there is a risk that the airtightness and liquid tightness between the first resin body and the second resin body cannot be sufficiently ensured.

[0020] In order to integrate the first and second components in an airtight or liquid-tight manner, it is considered effective to integrate them while bringing them into close contact with each other. In other words, it is considered effective to integrate the first and second components while applying force to them in a direction that brings them closer together.

[0021] Therefore, in the vehicle fluid filling device of the present invention, a first resin component and a second resin component are joined together to form a single unit, and then a first hole and a second hole are provided at corresponding positions on the first and second components, and a cylindrical member separate from the first and second components is press-fitted across the first and second holes.

[0022] This makes it possible to integrate the first and second components by applying force to them in a direction that brings them closer together, and consequently, to firmly join and integrate the resin first and second components in an airtight or liquid-tight manner. Furthermore, since the fluid-filling device for vehicles according to the present invention does not require metal fastening members or collars as described above, it is possible to significantly reduce the overall weight of the fluid-filling device for vehicles.

[0023] Therefore, the vehicle fluid sealing device of the present invention can be described as a fully functional vehicle fluid sealing device that is also lightweight.

[0024] The fluid-filling device for vehicles according to the present invention will be described below, component by component.

[0025] Unless otherwise specified, the numerical range "x~y" described herein includes a lower limit x and an upper limit y. Furthermore, a numerical range can be constructed by arbitrarily combining these upper and lower limits, as well as the numerical values ​​listed in the embodiments. Additionally, any numerical values ​​arbitrarily selected from within the numerical range can be used as the upper and lower limits.

[0026] The fluid-filling device for vehicles according to the present invention comprises a housing and a switching valve.

[0027] Among these, the switching valve is interposed between multiple flow paths provided in the housing and switches the connection state between these flow paths. While a cylindrical shape is preferred for such a switching valve, it is not limited to this. Furthermore, the switching valve does not necessarily have to be made of resin; a general-purpose switching valve made of metal or hard resin and having a sealing mechanism such as elastomer can be used.

[0028] The switching valve in the vehicle fluid sealing device of the present invention is assembled in a housing and switches the connection state between flow paths inside the housing. In other words, the switching valve connects or disconnects two or more predetermined flow paths from each other. In other words, the switching valve can also be said to interpose between multiple flow paths and switch the connection state of those flow paths, thereby sealing a fluid in a specific flow path and isolating it from other specific flow paths.

[0029] Therefore, at least a portion of the switching valve is interposed between multiple flow paths inside the housing. In other words, at least a portion of the switching valve is located inside the housing. A sealing material, such as a gasket, may be interposed between the housing and the switching valve, particularly between the outer edge of a flow path provided in the housing and the switching valve, if necessary. The sealing material is preferably made of an elastically deformable material, and more specifically, it is preferably made of a resin or elastomer that is softer than the other parts constituting the housing, i.e., the first and second components.

[0030] The number of switching valves is not particularly limited; an appropriate number should be provided depending on the number of flow paths in the vehicle fluid filling device.

[0031] The housing has multiple internal flow channels and comprises a first and second resin component and one or more cylindrical members.

[0032] The casing may have multiple channels, and their shape and number are not particularly limited. For example, the channels may be straight, two-dimensionally bent or curved, or three-dimensionally bent or curved.

[0033] The housing has a first and second resin section divided along the aforementioned flow path. Each of the aforementioned flow paths is formed by a first flow path section in the first section and a second flow path section in the second section.

[0034] In this specification, "resin-based" means that the main component is resin material, and it may include reinforcing materials, fillers, additives, etc., other than resin. Here, "main component" means that the resin material accounts for 50% by mass or more. Examples of reinforcing materials included in the resin material used for the first and second components include glass fiber and carbon fiber. In this case, the resin material is what is known as FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic).

[0035] The first segment has a first channel section corresponding to the number of channels, and the second segment also has a second channel section corresponding to the number of channels. It can be said that a channel is formed when the first and second parts are joined together, with each first channel section in the first part and the corresponding second channel section in the second part being combined.

[0036] The method of joining the first and second parts is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected from various methods such as welding and bonding, depending on the materials and shapes of the first and second parts.

[0037] For example, if the first and second components are made of thermoplastic resins that are compatible with each other, and especially if their softening temperatures are close, it is preferable to weld the first and second components together. In this case, the portion of the first component that forms the periphery of the first channel and the portion of the second component that forms the periphery of the second channel may be directly welded together. Hereinafter, as necessary, the portion of the first component that forms the periphery of the first channel will be referred to as the first periphery, and the portion of the second component that forms the periphery of the second channel will be referred to as the second periphery.

[0038] When the first and second peripheral edges are directly welded together, there is the advantage of being able to integrate the first and second parts stably with fewer components.

[0039] Alternatively, a sealing material such as a gasket may be interposed between the first and second components, or more specifically, between the first and second peripheral edges. This sealing material may be interposed only between the first and second peripheral edges, or it may be interposed over a wide area between the first and second components. Furthermore, a portion of it may also be used as a sealing material interposed between the switching valve and the outer edge of the flow path as described above.

[0040] As described above, when a sealing material is interposed between the first and second peripheral edges, it is preferable that the location where the first and second components are welded together is further outside the first and second peripheral edges. This welding location may be on the outside of the sealing material, or a through hole may be provided in a part of the sealing material, and the first and second components may be brought into contact with each other through the through hole and welded together.

[0041] The method of welding the first and second parts together is not particularly limited, and various known methods such as laser welding, vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, and thermal welding can be employed.

[0042] Similarly, when bonding the first and second parts, the first and second peripheral edges may be directly bonded together, or the above-mentioned sealing material may be interposed between the first and second peripheral edges, and the first and second parts may be bonded together at a position further outside the first and second peripheral edges.

[0043] The adhesive used to bond the first and second components should be appropriately selected according to the materials of the first and second components and the environment in which they will be used.

[0044] The housing in the vehicle fluid filling device of the present invention is not limited to consisting only of a cylindrical member, a first section, and a second section, but may have other sections such as a third section as needed. In this case, the flow path may be formed only from the first flow path section in the first section and the second flow path section in the second section, or it may be formed from, for example, the first flow path section in the first section, the second flow path section in the second section, and the third flow path section in the third section. The third section may be the sealing material described above.

[0045] If the vehicle fluid filling device of the present invention has, for example, a third component in addition to the first and second components, the first component and the second component may be joined together, and at least one of the first and second components may be joined together with the third component. The method of joining the first and second components and the method of joining at least one of the first and second components with the third component may be the same or different. Furthermore, if at least one of the first and second components is joined to the third component, the sealing material may be the first or second component.

[0046] Incidentally, in the vehicle fluid filling device of the present invention, the first and second components have holes provided at corresponding positions to each other. Specifically, the first component has a first hole and the second component has a second hole. Then, when joining the first and second parts, the cylindrical member is press-fitted across the first and second holes. Hereinafter, the first hole and its corresponding second hole may be collectively referred to simply as the hole.

[0047] When the cylindrical member is pressed into the hole, a force is applied to the first and second parts in a direction that brings them closer together. As a result, the first and second parts are joined in a tightly fitted state.

[0048] Such a cylindrical member should have an outer diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of the hole and possess sufficient rigidity to withstand the external forces acting during press-fitting. While it is preferable that the cylindrical member be more rigid than the first and second components, its material and shape are not particularly limited. For example, the cylindrical member may be made of metal or a hard resin.

[0049] To improve the workability of press-fitting a cylindrical member into a hole, it is particularly preferable to select a thermoplastic resin as the material for the first and second components, and to press-fit a heated cylindrical member into the holes provided in the first and second components. Suitable materials for such cylindrical members include metals such as carbon steel and stainless steel, thermosetting resins, and thermoplastic resins with excellent heat resistance and rigidity, such as engineering plastics and super engineering plastics.

[0050] Furthermore, since the cylindrical member is literally cylindrical and hollow, its mass is relatively small. For this reason, even when a metal cylindrical member is used, the fluid-filling device for vehicles of the present invention can be said to be sufficiently lightweight.

[0051] The number of holes and the number and arrangement of cylindrical members pressed into the holes are not particularly limited, and an appropriate number, size, and position may be provided as appropriate depending on the location, number, and size of the flow channels formed in the housing. In other words, in the vehicle fluid sealing device of the present invention, the first component may have a plurality of first holes, and the second component may have a plurality of second holes.

[0052] Here, each hole formed by combining the first hole and the corresponding second hole may be a through-hole that penetrates both the first and second parts, or it may be a dead-end hole that penetrates one of the first and second parts but not the other. In other words, the first hole and the corresponding second hole may both be through holes, or one may be a through hole and the other a dead end.

[0053] For example, when a heated cylindrical member is pressed into a hole, the heating of the cylindrical member during the press-fitting process causes the peripheral edges of the first and second components of the hole to soften. These softened peripheral edges of the hole are pushed by the cylindrical member and flow through the inside of the hole toward the front side in the direction of the press-fitting of the cylindrical member.

[0054] If the hole is a through-hole as described above, the flowing resin material may reach the outside of the housing through the hole, harden, and form an unnecessary portion of the housing called excess material. In some cases, when the fluid-filling device for vehicles of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle, this excess material may interfere with mating components, etc., and in such cases, a step to remove the excess material is required in the manufacturing process of the fluid-filling device for vehicles.

[0055] If the hole is a dead-end hole as described above, the flowing resin material will not reach the outside of the housing through the hole, which has the advantage of simplifying the manufacturing process of the fluid-filling device for vehicles.

[0056] On the other hand, for example, when pressing an unheated cylindrical member into a hole, the operating force required to press in the cylindrical member is large. In this case, if the hole is a dead-end hole, the operating force will be excessive, and the work of pressing in the cylindrical member into the hole may become a great burden on the worker.

[0057] If the hole is a through-hole as described above, the operating load is reduced, which has the advantage of improving the workability of the process of pressing the cylindrical member into the hole.

[0058] The fluid filling device for vehicles according to the present invention will be described below with specific examples.

[0059] (Example 1) The fluid-filling device for vehicles in Example 1 is mounted on a vehicle and constitutes part of the coolant flow path for the radiator. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the vehicle fluid filling device of Example 1. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a view of the vehicle fluid filling device of Example 1 from the front. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a view of the vehicle fluid filling device of Example 1 from the right side. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section of the vehicle fluid filling device of Example 1 at position AA in Figure 1. Figures 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating the manufacturing process of the vehicle fluid filling device of Example 1. Figures 5 and 6 schematically illustrate a cross-section of the vehicle fluid filling device of Example 1 at the same position as in Figure 4. Hereafter, "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "front," and "back" refer to the top, bottom, left, right, front, and back as shown in each diagram.

[0060] The vehicle fluid filling device 1 of Example 1 comprises a housing 2 and four switching valves 5.

[0061] The housing 2 comprises a first section 21, a second section 22, and two cylindrical members 3.

[0062] The housing 2 is box-shaped with an internal hollow structure, as shown in Figures 4 to 6. The housing 2 is formed by injection molding two parts, each divided into two sections along the vertical and horizontal directions as shown in Figure 1, and then joined together to form a single unit. The part closer to the front is referred to as the first part 21, and the part further back is referred to as the second part 22.

[0063] As shown in Figure 1, the housing 2 has a plurality of cylindrical sections 25, 26, and 27. Each of the cylindrical sections 25, 26, and 27 is substantially cylindrical in shape. The four cylindrical sections 25 are bottomless cylinders extending in the left-right direction and penetrate the housing 2 in the left-right direction. These four cylindrical sections 25 are referred to as the first sealing cylindrical section 25F to the fourth sealing cylindrical section 25FO.

[0064] As shown in Figure 3, the first sealing cylinder portion 25F and the third sealing cylinder portion 25T are located in the first segment 21, and the second sealing cylinder portion 25S and the fourth sealing cylinder portion 25FO are located in the second segment 22.

[0065] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the two cylindrical sections 26 extend in a front-to-back direction and penetrate the housing 2 in a front-to-back direction. One of the two cylindrical sections 26 is referred to as the first flow path cylindrical section 26F, and the other as the second flow path cylindrical section 26S. The first flow path cylindrical section 26F and the second flow path cylindrical section 26S can be said to extend in a direction that intersects with the first sealing cylindrical section 25F to the fourth sealing cylindrical section 25FO. The first flow path cylindrical section 26F and the second flow path cylindrical section 26S are fluid flow paths 20. Furthermore, of the first flow path cylindrical section 26F and the second flow path cylindrical section 26S, the portion located in the first sub-section 21 is the first flow path section 20F, and the portion located in the second sub-section 22 is the second flow path section 20S.

[0066] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first flow channel section 26F and the second flow channel section 26S are diagonally opposite each other. As shown in Figure 4, a portion of the first flow channel section 26F and a portion of the second flow channel section 26S are in the first section 21, and the remaining portion of the first flow channel section 26F and the remaining portion of the second flow channel section 26S are in the second section 22.

[0067] In the vehicle fluid filling device 1 of Embodiment 1, the peripheral wall of the portion of the first flow channel cylindrical portion 26F located in the first sub-body 21, and the peripheral wall of the portion of the second flow channel cylindrical portion 26S located in the first sub-body 21, are the peripheral edges of the flow channel 20 in the first sub-body 21, i.e., the first peripheral edge portion 29F.

[0068] Furthermore, the peripheral wall of the portion of the first flow channel cylinder 26F located in the second segment 22, and the peripheral wall of the portion of the second flow channel cylinder 26S located in the second segment 22, are the peripheral edges of the flow channel 20 in the second segment 22, i.e., the second peripheral edge 29S.

[0069] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, one end of the first flow channel section 26F and one end of the second flow channel section 26S are exposed to the outside of the housing 2 on the first section 21 side. The other end of the first flow channel section 26F and the other end of the second flow channel section 26S are exposed to the outside of the housing 2 on the second section 22 side. The remaining portions of the first flow channel section 26F and the second flow channel section 26S extend in a curved manner within the hollow interior of the housing 2, and are connected to each other.

[0070] Furthermore, the first sealing cylinder portion 25F is connected to one end of the second flow channel cylinder portion 26S inside the first section 21, and the third sealing cylinder portion 25T is connected to one end of the first flow channel cylinder portion 26F inside the first section 21. The second sealing cylinder portion 25S is connected to the other end of the second flow channel cylinder portion 26S inside the second section 22, and the fourth sealing cylinder portion 25FO is connected to the other end of the first flow channel cylinder portion 26F inside the second section 22.

[0071] The two cylindrical sections 27 are bottomless cylinders extending in the front-to-back direction and penetrate the housing 2 in the front-to-back direction. These two cylindrical sections 27 are referred to as the first assembled cylindrical section 23 and the second assembled cylindrical section 24. The first assembled cylindrical section 23 and the second assembled cylindrical section 24 extend substantially parallel to the first flow channel cylindrical section 26F and the second flow channel cylindrical section 26S.

[0072] The first cylindrical assembly 23 and the second cylindrical assembly 24 are diagonally opposite each other. The first cylindrical assembly 23 and the second cylindrical assembly 24 form a cylindrical shape that extends in a straight line. A portion of the first assembled cylindrical section 23 and a portion of the second assembled cylindrical section 24 are located in the first component 21, while the remaining portion of the first assembled cylindrical section 23 and the remaining portion of the second assembled cylindrical section 24 are located in the second component 22.

[0073] Holes are formed inside the first cylindrical assembly portion 23 and the second cylindrical assembly portion 24, respectively.

[0074] The first hole 23F, which is formed inside the portion of the first assembled cylindrical part 23 that is on the side of the first segment 21, and the second hole 23S, which is formed inside the portion of the first assembled cylindrical part 23 that is on the side of the second segment 22, are located in corresponding positions to each other.

[0075] Furthermore, the hole formed inside the portion of the second assembled cylindrical part 24 that is on the side of the first segment 21, i.e., the first hole 24F (not shown), and the hole formed inside the portion of the second assembled cylindrical part 24 that is on the side of the second segment 22, i.e., the second hole 24S (not shown), are located in corresponding positions to each other.

[0076] A cylindrical member 3 is inserted into the holes (first hole 23F, second hole 23S) of the first assembled cylindrical section 23 and the holes (first hole 24F, second hole 24S) of the second assembled cylindrical section 24, respectively. Each cylindrical member 3 is made of SWCH10R, a type of carbon steel.

[0077] More specifically, one cylindrical member 3 is inserted through a first hole 23F located on the first segment 21 side of the first assembled cylindrical portion 23, and a second hole 23S located on the second segment 22 side of the first assembled cylindrical portion 23.

[0078] The other cylindrical member 3 is inserted through the first hole 24F, which is located on the side of the first component 21 of the second assembled cylindrical portion 24, and the second hole 24S, which is located on the side of the second component 22 of the second assembled cylindrical portion 24.

[0079] Each of the switching valves 5 is attached to a power supply and control device (not shown), and operates in response to a control signal from the control device.

[0080] One of the switching valves 5, the first switching valve 5, is inserted into the first sealing cylinder 25F. Another of the switching valves 5, the second switching valve 5, is inserted into the second sealing cylinder 25S. Another of the switching valves 5, the third switching valve 5, is inserted into the third sealing cylinder 25T. Another of the switching valves 5, the fourth switching valve 5, is inserted into the fourth sealing cylinder 25FO.

[0081] As described above, since the first sealing cylinder portion 25F is connected to one end of the second flow path cylinder portion 26S inside the first split 21, the first switching valve 5 opens and closes one end of the second flow path cylinder portion 26S. Since the third sealing cylinder portion 25T is connected to one end of the first flow path cylinder portion 26F inside the first segment 21, the third switching valve 5 opens and closes one end of the first flow path cylinder portion 26F. Since the second sealing cylinder portion 25S is connected to the other end of the second flow path cylinder portion 26S inside the second division 22, the second switching valve 5 opens and closes the other end of the second flow path cylinder portion 26S. Since the fourth sealing cylinder 25FO is connected to the other end of the first flow path cylinder 26F inside the second division 22, the fourth switching valve 5 opens and closes the other end of the first flow path cylinder 26F. This switches the flow path 20 formed inside the housing 2.

[0082] The manufacturing method for the vehicle fluid filling device 1 of Example 1 is described below.

[0083] First, a first part 21 and a second part 22 were obtained by injection molding. As shown in Figure 5, the first component 21 and the second component 22 were positioned so that their internal hollow sides faced each other. Then, while the first component 21 and the second component 22 were in contact with each other, laser light was irradiated onto the opening side of the first peripheral edge 29F and the second peripheral edge 29S to soften them.

[0084] Then, as shown in Figure 6, the heated cylindrical member 3 was inserted into the first hole 23F and the second hole 23S of the first assembled cylindrical portion 23, and into the first hole 24F and the second hole 24S of the second assembled cylindrical portion 24.

[0085] The inner diameters of the first assembled cylindrical portion 23 and the second assembled cylindrical portion 24, that is, the diameters of the first hole 23F, the second hole 23S, the first hole 24F, and the second hole 24S, are slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical member 3. Therefore, at this time, the cylindrical member 3 was press-fitted into the first hole 23F and the second hole 23S of the first assembled cylindrical portion 23, and into the first hole 24F and the second hole 24S of the second assembled cylindrical portion 24.

[0086] A portion of the first assembled cylindrical section 23 is located in the first subsection 21, and the remainder is located in the second subsection 22. Similarly, a portion of the second assembled cylindrical section 24 is located in the first subsection 21, and the remainder is located in the second subsection 22. Therefore, the first part 21 and the second part 22 were pressed together by press-fitting the cylindrical member 3 into the first hole 23F and the second hole 23S of the first assembled cylindrical part 23, and into the first hole 24F and the second hole 24S of the second assembled cylindrical part 24.

[0087] In this state, the first peripheral portion 29F and the second peripheral portion 29S harden, causing the first peripheral portion 29F and the second peripheral portion 29S to be firmly and airtightly joined, and the first component 21 and the second component 22 to be firmly and airtightly integrated.

[0088] Furthermore, the cylindrical member 3 was press-fitted into the first hole 23F and the second hole 23S of the first assembled cylindrical portion 23, and into the first hole 24F and the second hole 24S of the second assembled cylindrical portion 24, respectively, while heated. Consequently, the first assembled cylindrical portion 23 and the second assembled cylindrical portion 24 softened when the cylindrical member 3 was press-fitted. Furthermore, the first hole 23F and the second hole 23S into which the cylindrical member 3 is press-fitted, and the first hole 24F and the second hole 24S, were both through holes.

[0089] As a result, the cylindrical member 3 could be pressed in with a relatively small load, and the press-fitting operation of the cylindrical member 3 was relatively easy.

[0090] In the vehicle fluid filling device 1 of Example 1, the first resin component 21 and the second resin component 22 are joined together without the need for fastening members such as bolts. Therefore, the vehicle fluid filling device 1 of Example 1 is lightweight.

[0091] Furthermore, in the vehicle fluid filling device 1 of Example 1, the cylindrical member 3 is press-fitted into the first hole 23F and the second hole 23S of the first assembled cylindrical portion 23, and into the first hole 24F and the second hole 24S of the second assembled cylindrical portion 24, thereby integrating the first component 21 and the second component 22 while keeping them in close contact with each other.

[0092] Therefore, according to the vehicle fluid sealing device 1 of Example 1, it is possible to firmly join and integrate the resin first component 21 and the second component 22 in a liquid-tight manner. Therefore, the vehicle fluid filling device 1 of Example 1 can be said to be a sufficiently functional vehicle fluid filling device 1 that is also lightweight.

[0093] Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is possible to implement the invention by appropriately extracting and combining the elements described in the embodiments, and to make various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the specification of this invention discloses not only the reference relationships of each claim as initially filed, but also a technical concept that appropriately combines the matters described in each claim. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0094] 1: Fluid-filling device for vehicles 2: Cabinet 20: Flow path 21: First division 22: Second division 20F: First channel section 20S: Second flow channel section 23F: 1st hole 23S: 2nd hole 24F: 1st hole 24S: 2nd hole 3: Cylindrical member 5: Switching valve

Claims

1. The device comprises a housing having multiple internal flow paths, and a switching valve assembled to the housing, with at least a portion of it interposed between the multiple flow paths inside the housing. The housing comprises a first and second resin section divided along the flow path, and a cylindrical member separate from the first and second sections. Each of the aforementioned flow paths is formed by a first flow path portion in the first section and a second flow path portion in the second section. The first part has a first hole, and the second part has a second hole located at a position corresponding to the first hole. The housing is a fluid-filling device for vehicles, wherein the first part and the second part are joined together, and the cylindrical member is press-fitted across the first and second holes to form a single unit.

2. The vehicle fluid filling device according to claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are welded together.

3. The vehicle fluid sealing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first hole and the second hole are in the shape of through holes.

4. The vehicle fluid filling device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one of the first hole and the second hole is a through hole and the other is a dead-end hole.

Images