Full tank regulating valve

Abstract

To provide a full tank regulation valve which can enhance full tank detection accuracy by enhancing sealability of a housing body and a lower cap.SOLUTION: A full tank regulation valve 10 includes a housing 15 and a float valve 70. The housing 15 includes a housing body 20 which includes a body side peripheral wall 21 and a lower cap 40 which includes a cap side peripheral wall 41 and is attached to the bottom of a housing body via a junction. The junction comprises an annular groove 46 which is provided on an upper end part of the cap side peripheral wall 41, an insertion wall part 33 which is provided on the other lower end part of the body side peripheral wall 21, and an annular protrusion 35 which is formed on an outside surface 33a of the insertion wall part 33. The annular protrusion 35 is brought into contact between the annular groove 46 and the insertion wall part 33 by pressure in a state in which the insertion wall part 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a full-tank regulating valve that prevents overfilling of a fuel tank.

Background Art

[0002] A fuel tank may be provided with a full-tank regulating valve that detects fullness during fuel refueling, closes the valve, and prevents overfilling.

[0003] As this type of valve, for example, Patent Document 1 below describes a cylindrical upper structure having a passage inside that communicates the inside and outside of a fuel tank, a lower structure having a float support piece protruding from the inner peripheral surface and having the lower end portion of the upper structure fitted inside the upper end portion, and a float valve that is supported between the upper structure and the float support piece so as to be vertically movable and closes the passage. The upper structure has a plurality of first locking claws protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion fitted into the lower structure, and the lower structure has a plurality of first locking holes that engage with the plurality of first locking claws respectively, and describes an exhaust valve device for a fuel tank.

[0004] The lower structure has, in order from the upper end, a ring portion having a constant diameter, a tapered portion whose diameter decreases downward, and an intermediate portion having a constant diameter and formed with a first locking hole, and also has a skirt portion provided with a downward opening. Further, a fitting groove into which the lower end portion of the upper structure is fitted is formed on the inner periphery of the intermediate portion of the lower structure.

[0005] Then, when the first locking claw of the upper structure engages with the first locking hole of the lower structure and the lower end portion of the upper structure is fitted and inserted into the fitting groove of the lower structure, the upper structure and the lower structure are joined together. When the fuel liquid level is located at the downward opening of the skirt portion of the lower structure due to fuel supply in the fuel tank, the discharge of air in the fuel tank is restricted and full-tank regulation is performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5767947 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0007] In the exhaust valve device of the above Patent Document 1, the fitting portion between the lower end portion of the upper structure and the fitting groove of the lower structure is located above the lower opening of the skirt portion of the lower structure, which forms an opening for detecting full tank. Therefore, when the sealing performance of the fitting portion deteriorates and air leaks from this fitting portion, full tank regulation is not performed at a predetermined fuel liquid level, and there is a risk that the full tank detection accuracy may decrease.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a full tank regulation valve capable of enhancing the sealing performance between the housing main body and the lower cap and improving the full tank detection accuracy. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the full-tank regulating valve according to the present invention is provided with a valve chamber communicating downward into the fuel tank and a ventilation chamber communicating upward outside the fuel tank via a partition wall, and an opening for communicating the valve chamber and the ventilation chamber is formed in the partition wall. The full-tank regulating valve includes a housing and a float valve that is vertically movably accommodated in the valve chamber and closes the opening when the fuel liquid level rises to a predetermined height during fuel filling into the fuel tank. The housing has a housing body having a main body side peripheral wall and a lower cap having a cap side peripheral wall and attached below the housing body via a joint portion. The joint portion includes an annular groove provided on one of the upper end portion of the cap side peripheral wall or the lower end portion of the main body side peripheral wall, an insertion wall portion provided on the other of the upper end portion of the cap side peripheral wall or the lower end portion of the main body side peripheral wall and inserted into the annular groove, an annular protrusion formed on either the insertion wall portion or the annular groove, or an annular seal member disposed between the insertion wall portion and the annular groove. In a state where the insertion wall portion is inserted into the annular groove, the annular protrusion or the annular seal member is pressed between the annular groove and the insertion wall portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, in a state where an insertion wall portion provided on the other of the upper end portion of the cap side peripheral wall or the lower end portion of the main body side peripheral wall is inserted into an annular groove provided on one of the upper end portion of the cap side peripheral wall or the lower end portion of the main body side peripheral wall, an annular protrusion or an annular seal member is pressed between the annular groove and the insertion wall portion. Therefore, when the lower cap is attached to the housing body via the joint portion, the sealing performance between the housing body and the lower cap can be enhanced, and the full-tank detection accuracy can be enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] (One Embodiment of the Full-Tank Regulating Valve) Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, one embodiment of the full-tank regulating valve according to the present invention will be described.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the full-tank regulating valve 10 in this embodiment is provided with a valve chamber V communicating downward with the fuel tank via a partition wall 22 and a ventilation chamber R communicating upward outside the fuel tank. An opening 23 for communicating the valve chamber V and the ventilation chamber R is formed in the partition wall 22. The full-tank regulating valve 10 has a housing 15 and a float valve 70 that is accommodated in the valve chamber V so as to be able to move up and down. When the fuel liquid level rises to a predetermined height during fuel supply into the fuel tank, the float valve 70 closes the opening 23.

[0014] Further, the housing 15 of this embodiment includes a housing body 20 having a main body side peripheral wall 21, a lower cap 40 having a cap side peripheral wall 41 and attached below the housing body 20 via a joint portion, and an upper cover 60 to which the housing body 20 is attached. Furthermore, this full - tank regulating valve 10 has a biasing spring S that biases the float valve 70 between the lower cap 40 and the float valve 70.

[0015] Also, in this embodiment, the joint portion for attaching the lower cap 40 below the housing body 20 is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, an annular groove 46 provided at the upper end of the cap side peripheral wall 41, an insertion wall portion 33 provided at the lower end of the main body side peripheral wall 21 and inserted into the annular groove 46, and an annular protrusion 35 formed on the outer surface 33a of the insertion wall portion 33. And in a state where the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46, the annular protrusion 35 is pressed between the annular groove 46 and the insertion wall portion 33.

[0016] In the following description, "fuel" means liquid fuel (including fuel droplets), and "fuel vapor" means evaporated fuel.

[0017] First, the housing body 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 5, etc.

[0018] This housing body 20 has a main body side peripheral wall 21 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and a partition wall 22 having a substantially disc - like shape is arranged above it. An opening 23 is formed at the radial center of the partition wall 22. A plurality of ribs 23a are formed inside the opening 23, and the opening 23 forms a lattice - hole shape by these ribs 23a. Also, a flange portion 24 projects from the upper outer periphery of the main body side peripheral wall 21. An annular seal ring mounting groove 25a is formed inside this flange portion 24, and an annular seal ring 25 is mounted in this annular seal ring mounting groove 25a (see FIG. 4).

[0019] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a first annular protrusion 26 projects from the outer periphery of the main body side peripheral wall 21 at an intermediate position in the axial direction. Further, a second annular protrusion 27 projects from the outer periphery of the main body side peripheral wall 21 at a position closer to the lower end in the axial direction than the first annular protrusion 26 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 7(a), in a state where the housing main body 20 and the lower cap 40 are mounted, the first annular protrusion 26 is disposed with a predetermined gap with respect to the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 44 provided at the upper end portion of the cap side peripheral wall 41, and the second annular protrusion 27 is disposed adjacent to the inside of the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 44.

[0020] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a plurality of cap side engaging protrusions 28 project from the outer periphery of the main body side peripheral wall 21 at intervals equal in the circumferential direction from a position below the second annular protrusion 27. Further, a plurality of cover side engaging protrusions 29 project from a position above the first annular protrusion 26 on the outer periphery of the main body side peripheral wall 21 and aligned with the plurality of cap side engaging protrusions 28.

[0021] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a pair of positioning protrusions 30, 30 project from a part of the outer periphery of the second annular protrusion 27.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, at two locations on the upper end portion side of the main body side peripheral wall 21 facing each other in the radial direction, communication holes 31 for communicating the inside of the fuel tank and the inside of the valve chamber V with each other are formed. These communication holes 31 are maintained in a non-submerged state at all times except when the vehicle rolls over or turns over, and serve as a portion for allowing air in the fuel tank to flow into the valve chamber V.

[0023] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, guide ribs 32 extending in the axial direction are provided on the inner periphery of the main body side peripheral wall 21 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The lifting and lowering operations of the float valve 70 are guided by these guide ribs 32.

[0024] And an insertion wall portion 33 is provided at the axially lower end of the main body side peripheral wall 21 and is inserted into an annular groove 46 provided at the upper end of the cap side peripheral wall 41.

[0025] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), a stepped portion 33c having a stepped shape is formed inside the axially lower end of the main body side peripheral wall 21. The insertion wall portion 33 is displaced radially outward with respect to the main body side peripheral wall 21 via this stepped portion 33c and extends downward. This insertion wall portion 33 is substantially cylindrical like the main body side peripheral wall 21, and its wall thickness (the length between the outer surface 33a on the outer diameter side and the outer surface 33b on the inner diameter side) is formed smaller than the groove width of the annular groove 46 (the length between the inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side and the inner surface 46b on the inner diameter side).

[0026] Also, a rounded R-shaped portion 34 is provided on the outer periphery of the lowermost end of the insertion wall portion 33 (see FIG. 7(b)), enhancing the insertability of the insertion wall portion 33 into the annular groove 46.

[0027] And an annular protrusion 35 that extends continuously in an annular shape (a shape that is not interrupted in the circumferential direction) along the outer periphery of the insertion wall portion 33 is provided above the lowermost R-shaped portion 34 on the outer surface 33a (the outer surface 33a on the outer diameter side) located radially outside the insertion wall portion 33. As shown in FIG. 7(b), this annular protrusion 35 has a cross-section that is a rounded curved surface shape, and its top is in pressure contact with the inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46.

[0028] Also, in a state where the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46, a gap G1 is formed between the outer surface 33a of the insertion wall portion 33 and the annular groove 46 at a position above the annular protrusion 35. It should be noted that the gap G1 is formed at a position above the pressure contact portion (the portion where the top of the annular protrusion 35 and the inner surface 46a of the annular groove 46 are in pressure contact) in a state where the annular protrusion 35 is in pressure contact with the inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46. More specifically, the gap G1 is formed between the inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46 and the outer surface 33a on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion 33, at a position above the annular protrusion 35 (above the pressure contact portion between the top of the annular protrusion 35 and the inner surface 46a of the annular groove 46). The liquid fuel that has swung in the fuel tank accumulates in this gap G1 (see Fig. 7(a)).

[0029] Also, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the dimension L1 from a predetermined position P of the valve chamber V (here, the position that aligns with the inner surface 46b on the inner diameter side of the annular groove 46) to the top of the annular protrusion 35 is formed to be larger than the dimension L2 from the predetermined position P of the valve chamber V to the inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46. As a result, when inserting the insertion wall portion 33 into the annular groove 46, the annular protrusion 35 is pressed against the inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46, and the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46 while being slightly bent and deformed inward in the radial direction of the valve chamber V.

[0030] Also, in a state where the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46, the lower end of the insertion wall portion 33 is configured not to contact the bottom surface 46c of the annular groove 46 (see Fig. 7(a)).

[0031] Also, as shown in Fig. 7(a), a concave groove 37 communicating with the gap G1 is formed on the outer surface 21a of the main body side peripheral wall 21 at a position above the gap G1. In the case of this embodiment, the concave groove 37 is formed on the outer surface 21a (the outer surface 21a on the outer diameter side) located radially outside at the axial lower end portion of the main body side peripheral wall 21. Further, the concave groove 37 is a groove that extends continuously in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the main body side peripheral wall 21 with a constant width and a constant depth.

[0032] Next, the lower cap 40 attached below the housing body 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 6, and the like.

[0033] This lower cap 40 has a bottomed cap shape having a cap side peripheral wall 41 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and a spring support plate 53 disposed at its lower bottom. As shown in FIG. 7, an annular wall 43 that extends annularly in the outer diameter direction is provided at the upper end portion of the cap side peripheral wall 41. An outer peripheral wall 44 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape stands upright from the outer peripheral edge portion of this annular wall 43, and an inner peripheral wall 45 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape also stands upright inward in the radial direction of this outer peripheral wall 44, forming a double cylindrical wall. An annular groove 46 is provided between these outer peripheral wall 44 and inner peripheral wall 45. Further, the annular groove 46 has an inner surface 46a (inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side) located on the outer side in the radial direction of the cap side peripheral wall 41, an inner surface 46b (inner surface 46b on the inner diameter side) located on the inner side in the radial direction of the cap side peripheral wall 41, and a bottom surface 46c.

[0034] Also, as described above, the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into this annular groove 46, and the annular protrusion 35 is pressed against the inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46. In this state, between the inner surface 46b on the inner diameter side of the annular groove 46 and the outer surface 33b (outer surface 33b on the inner diameter side) located on the inner side in the radial direction of the insertion wall portion 33, between the bottom surface 46c of the annular groove 46 and the lower end of the insertion wall portion 33, and between the inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46 and the outer surface 33a on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion 33, a gap G2 is formed at a position lower than the pressure contact portion between the top of the annular protrusion 35 and the inner surface 46a of the annular groove 46 (see FIG. 7(a)). Even when liquid fuel accumulates in the gap G1, the top of the annular protrusion 35 and the inner surface 46a of the annular groove 46 are in pressure contact, and the outer surface 33a of the insertion wall portion 33 and the inner surface 46a of the annular groove 46 are sealed, so that liquid fuel does not flow into the gap G2.

[0035] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer peripheral wall 44 provided at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall 41 is thicker than the inner peripheral wall 45 and extends longer upward. Further, the outer peripheral wall 44 has a base portion 44a erected substantially parallel to the inner peripheral wall 45, and an extension portion 44b that extends upward while expanding in the outer diameter direction via tapered portions 47 and 48 from the upper end of the base portion 44a. Note that the tapered portion 47 located on the radially inner side of the outer peripheral wall 44 is formed at a position that aligns with the concave groove 37 provided in the main body-side peripheral wall 21 in a state where the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, on the inner surface of the upper end portion of the cap-side peripheral wall 41, at a position above the annular groove 46, a diameter-expanding portion 49 is formed to widen the gap between the cap-side peripheral wall 41 and the main body-side peripheral wall 21. Also, this diameter-expanding portion 49 is formed so as to face the concave groove 37 (see FIG. 7a). In this embodiment, the diameter-expanding portion 49 is formed at a position above the annular groove 46 and facing the concave groove 37 on the inner surface of the upper end portion of the cap-side peripheral wall 41 (here, the inner surface of the portion of the outer peripheral wall 44 above the tapered portion 47). More specifically, the diameter-expanding portion 49 is formed on the inner surface of the extension portion 44b that constitutes the outer peripheral wall 44 provided at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall 41.

[0037] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall 41, an engagement hole 50 is formed to engage with the cap-side engagement protrusion 28 provided on the housing main body 20. In the case of this embodiment, a plurality of engagement holes 50 having a long hole shape are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 44. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, by engaging each corresponding cap-side engagement protrusion 28 of the housing main body 20 with each engagement hole 50 of the lower cap 40, the lower cap 40 is attached below the housing main body 20. As a result, a valve chamber V that communicates with a fuel tank (not shown) below the housing is formed via the partition wall 22 (see FIG. 4).

[0038] As described above, in this full-tank regulating valve, the lower cap 40 is attached to the housing body 20 not only via the joining part (the annular groove 46, the insertion wall part 33, and the annular protrusion 35), but also via the engaging part (the cap-side engaging protrusion 28 and the engaging hole 50). That is, the lower cap 40 is attached to the housing body 20 via the joining part and the engaging part.

[0039] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a positioning recess 51 into which a positioning protrusion 30 provided on the housing body 20 is fitted is formed at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall 41. In the case of this embodiment, the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 44 is notched at two locations facing each other in the radial direction, and the positioning recesses 51, 51 having a concave groove shape are formed. When the positioning protrusion 30 is fitted into one of these positioning recesses 51, the lower cap 40 is positioned below the housing body 20 and is attached in a state where rotation is restricted.

[0040] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the cap-side peripheral wall 41 has a full-tank detection opening 52 formed at a position below the joining part (that is, the pressure contact part between the annular protrusion 35 and the inner surface 46a of the annular groove 46) to communicate the inside of the fuel tank with the inside of the valve chamber V. In the case of this embodiment, it is formed at the lower end in the axial direction of the cap-side peripheral wall 41 and has a substantially long hole shape extending along the circumferential direction for a predetermined length. Further, the full-tank detection openings 52 are formed at two locations facing each other in the radial direction of the cap-side peripheral wall 41, respectively.

[0041] The above full-tank detection opening 52 communicates the inside of the fuel tank with the inside of the valve chamber V in a state where it is not submerged (in a state where it is open without being blocked by liquid fuel), enabling continuous fuel supply from a fuel supply nozzle (not shown). In a submerged state (a state where it is blocked by liquid fuel), the fuel liquid level in the valve chamber V rises, the float valve 70 closes the opening 23, and it is configured to stop continuous fuel supply from a fuel supply nozzle (not shown).

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the lower cap 40 has a spring support plate 53 that supports the biasing spring S. As shown in FIG. 6, this spring support plate 53 is in the shape of a substantially circular plate and is disposed inside the lower end portion of the cap-side peripheral wall 41 via a plurality of support protrusions 53a that project radially inward from the inner circumference of the lower end portion of the cap-side peripheral wall 41.

[0043] Also, between the outer circumference of the spring support plate 53 and the inner circumference of the cap-side peripheral wall 41, a plurality of through-holes 54 are formed that communicate the inside of the fuel tank and the valve chamber V (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, a spring support protrusion 55 that is substantially cross-shaped and supports the base end portion of the biasing spring S projects from the center of the upper surface of the spring support plate 53.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the cap-side peripheral wall 41 has a guide rib 56 that guides the lifting operation of the float valve 70. In this embodiment, a plurality of guide ribs 56 are provided on the inner surface of the cap-side peripheral wall 41 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0045] Also, the base end portion of each guide rib 56 is located at the lower end portion of the cap-side peripheral wall 41 (more specifically, at the support protrusion 53a that supports the spring support plate 53), and is in the shape of a substantially long plate that extends along the axial direction of the cap-side peripheral wall 41. And among the plurality of guide ribs 56, a predetermined guide rib 56 is arranged so as to divide the full-tank detection opening 52 into a plurality of regions. In the case of this embodiment, two guide ribs 56, 56 are arranged so as to extend from the lower bottom surface to the upper ceiling surface of the full-tank detection opening 52, and when the full-tank regulating valve 10 is viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 3, the full-tank detection opening 52 is divided into three regions.

[0046] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of sound suppression pieces 57 that can be elastically deformed extend from the inner periphery of the lower end portion of the cap-side peripheral wall 41. A protrusion 57a protrudes from the tip of each sound suppression piece 57 in the extending direction. When the float valve 70 descends, the protrusion 57a abuts against the lower end surface of the float valve 70 and the sound suppression piece 57 is elastically deformed (see FIG. 4), so that the sound generated when the float valve 70 descends is suppressed.

[0047] Next, the upper cover 60 mounted above the housing body 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 and the like.

[0048] This upper cover 60 has a substantially hat shape, including a peripheral wall 61 with a substantially circular outer periphery, a ceiling wall 63 disposed above it, and a flange portion 65 that extends outward from the lower side of the peripheral wall 61. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a fuel vapor discharge port 67a is formed in the peripheral wall 61, and a fuel vapor discharge pipe 67 extends in the outer diameter direction from the outer peripheral edge of the front side thereof. A tube (not shown) connected to the canister is connected to this fuel vapor discharge pipe 67.

[0049] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of engaging pieces 69 extend downward from a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the flange portion 65. An engaging hole 69a is formed in each engaging piece 69. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, by engaging the corresponding cover-side engaging protrusions 29 of the housing body 20 with the engaging holes 69a of the respective engaging pieces 69 of the upper cover 60, as shown in FIG. 4, the seal ring 25 mounted in the ring mounting groove 25a abuts against the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 61 of the upper cover 60, and the upper cover 60 is mounted above the housing body 20. As a result, a ventilation chamber R communicating with the outside of the fuel tank is formed above it via the partition wall 22 (see FIG. 4).

[0050] Next, the float valve 70 that is vertically movably accommodated in the valve chamber V will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 and the like.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the float valve 70 of this embodiment includes a float body 71 having a non-circular outer periphery that generates buoyancy when immersed in fuel, and a seal member 73 that is mounted above the float body 71 and moves up and down relative to the float body 71 to contact and separate from the opening 23.

[0052] Also, above the seal member 73, a seal valve body 75 made of an elastic material such as rubber or an elastic elastomer is mounted. A vent hole 75a that is open at both the upper and lower sides penetrates through the center of the seal valve body 75. By the seal valve body 75 contacting and separating from the back peripheral edge of the opening 23 to open and close the opening 23 (see FIGS. 4 and 8), the float valve 70 functions as a full-tank regulating valve. Note that a spring housing recess 71a that is open at the bottom is formed in the float body 71, and a biasing spring S is housed in the spring housing recess 71a.

[0053] Furthermore, an intermediate valve body 77 is supported between the float body 71 and the seal member 73 so as to be tiltable (see FIG. 4). This intermediate valve body 77 normally contacts the lower end of the seal valve body 75 to close the vent hole 75a (see FIG. 4), and when the float body 71 descends relative to the seal member 73, it opens the vent hole 75a.

[0054] Note that the float valve 70 is housed in the valve chamber V so as to be vertically movable with the biasing spring S interposed between it and the lower cap 40. When immersed in fuel, it rises by its own buoyancy and the biasing force of the biasing spring S, and when not immersed in fuel, it descends by its own weight.

[0055] (Modification) The shapes and structures of the housing, float valve, housing body that constitutes the housing, lower cap, upper cover, joint portion, etc. that constitute the present invention are not limited to the above-described aspects.

[0056] Also, the housing 15 in the above-described embodiment is composed of a housing body 20, a lower cap 40, and an upper cover 60, but as long as the housing has at least a housing body and a lower cap.

[0057] Furthermore, the main body side peripheral wall 21 of the housing main body 20 and the cap side peripheral wall 41 of the lower cap 40 in this embodiment are substantially cylindrical, but may be, for example, elliptical cylindrical or rectangular cylindrical.

[0058] Also, the float valve 70 in this embodiment has a multi-component structure including a float main body 71, a seal member 73, an intermediate valve body 77, etc. However, as the float valve, for example, a float valve with a seal member made of an elastic material attached thereto may be used, as long as it can open and close the opening 23.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one float valve 70 is accommodated and arranged in one valve chamber V formed in the housing 15. However, for example, a plurality of float valves may be accommodated and arranged in one valve chamber (functioning as a full-tank regulating valve, a fuel cut valve, a pressure regulating valve, etc.), or a plurality of valve chambers may be defined in the housing, and float valves may be accommodated and arranged in each valve chamber.

[0060] Also, the joint portion in this embodiment includes an annular groove 46 provided at the upper end portion of the cap side peripheral wall 41, an insertion wall portion 33 provided at the lower end portion of the main body side peripheral wall 21, and an annular protrusion 35 formed on the outer side surface 33a on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion 33. When the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46, the annular protrusion 35 is pressed against the inner side surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46 (see FIG. 7(b)). However, the joint portion is not limited to this mode.

[0061] For example, the joint portion (1) consists of an annular groove provided at the lower end portion of the main body side peripheral wall, an insertion wall portion provided at the upper end portion of the cap side peripheral wall, and an annular protrusion formed on the outer side surface on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion. In a state where the insertion wall portion is inserted into the annular groove, the annular protrusion is pressed between the inner side surface on the outer diameter side of the annular groove and the outer side surface on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion, (2) It consists of an annular groove provided at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall, an insertion wall portion provided at the lower end of the main body-side peripheral wall, and an annular protrusion formed on the outer surface on the inner diameter side of the insertion wall portion. In a state where the insertion wall portion is inserted into the annular groove, the annular protrusion is pressed between the inner surface on the inner diameter side of the annular groove and the outer surface on the inner diameter side of the insertion wall portion, or (3) It consists of an annular groove provided at the lower end of the main body-side peripheral wall, an insertion wall portion provided at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall, and an annular protrusion formed on the outer surface on the inner diameter side of the insertion wall portion. In a state where the insertion wall portion is inserted into the annular groove, the annular protrusion is pressed between the inner surface on the inner diameter side of the annular groove and the outer surface on the inner diameter side of the insertion wall portion, or (4) It consists of an annular groove provided at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall, an insertion wall portion provided at the lower end of the main body-side peripheral wall, and an annular protrusion formed on the inner surface on the outer diameter side of the annular groove. In a state where the insertion wall portion is inserted into the annular groove, the annular protrusion is pressed between the outer surface on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion and the inner surface on the outer diameter side of the annular groove, or (5) It consists of an annular groove provided at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall, an insertion wall portion provided at the lower end of the main body-side peripheral wall, and an annular protrusion formed on the inner surface on the inner diameter side of the annular groove. In a state where the insertion wall portion is inserted into the annular groove, the annular protrusion is pressed between the outer surface on the inner diameter side of the insertion wall portion and the inner surface on the inner diameter side of the annular groove, or (6) It consists of an annular groove provided at the lower end of the main body-side peripheral wall, an insertion wall portion provided at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall, and an annular protrusion formed on the inner surface on the outer diameter side of the annular groove. In a state where the insertion wall portion is inserted into the annular groove, the annular protrusion is pressed between the outer surface on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion and the inner surface on the outer diameter side of the annular groove, or (7) It consists of an annular groove provided at the lower end of the main body-side peripheral wall, an insertion wall portion provided at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall, and an annular protrusion formed on the inner surface on the inner diameter side of the annular groove. In a state where the insertion wall portion is inserted into the annular groove, the annular protrusion may be pressed between the outer surface on the inner diameter side of the insertion wall portion and the inner surface on the inner diameter side of the annular groove.

[0062] Fig. 9(a) shows the structure of the above (1). That is, in this modification, an annular groove 46 is provided at the lower end of the main body side peripheral wall 21, while an insertion wall portion 33 is provided at the upper end of the cap side peripheral wall 41. An annular protrusion 35 is formed on the outer surface 33a on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion 33. In a state where the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46, the annular protrusion 35 is pressed between the inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46 and the outer surface 33a on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion 33.

[0063] Also, the annular protrusion 35 in this embodiment has a curved surface shape with a rounded cross-section and is integrally formed on the outer surface 33a on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion 33 (see Fig. 7(b)). However, as the annular protrusion, for example, it may have a trapezoidal cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, or a substantially triangular mountain-shaped cross-section.

[0064] Furthermore, as the joint portion, it may have a structure having an annular seal portion provided separately from the insertion wall portion and the annular groove and disposed between the insertion wall portion and the annular groove. The joint portion of the modification shown in Fig. 9(b) has an annular seal member 35A separate from the insertion wall portion 33 and the annular groove 46. In a state where the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46, the annular seal member 35A is pressed between the outer surface 33b on the inner diameter side of the insertion wall portion 33 and the inner surface 46b on the inner diameter side of the annular groove 46.

[0065] (Function and effect) Next, the function and effect of the full-tank regulating valve 10 having the above structure will be described. Each member constituting the full-tank regulating valve 10 can be assembled as follows, for example. First, after accommodating the float valve 70 in the valve chamber V of the housing body 20, the biasing spring S is accommodated in the spring accommodation recess 71a of the float valve 70.

[0066] Thereafter, a plurality of engagement holes 50 of the lower cap 40 and corresponding cap-side engagement protrusions 28 of the housing body 20 are aligned, and an annular groove 46 at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall 41 and an insertion wall portion 33 at the lower end of the main body-side peripheral wall 21 are aligned. Then, the lower cap 40 is disposed in a state of being positioned below the housing body 20. In this state, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the insertion wall portion 33 is disposed above the annular groove 46. Then, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7(b), the housing body 20 is pushed into the lower cap 40, or the lower cap 40 is pushed into the housing body 20.

[0067] Then, the top of the annular protrusion 35 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 44 at the upper end of the cap-side peripheral wall 41, and the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46 while being slightly bent and deformed inward in the radial direction of the valve chamber V. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the top of the annular protrusion 35 is in pressure contact with the inner side surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46. Note that since the bent and deformed insertion wall portion 33 tends to elastically return outward in the radial direction of the valve chamber V, the annular protrusion 35 is strongly in pressure contact with the inner side surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46. At the same time, each cap-side engagement protrusion 28 of the housing body 20 engages with each engagement hole 50 of the lower cap 40, so that the lower cap 40 is attached below the housing body 20 via a joint portion (the annular groove 46, the insertion wall portion 33, and the annular protrusion 35) and an engagement portion (the cap-side engagement protrusion 28 and the engagement hole 50) (see FIGS. 2 to 4). Note that in a state where the annular protrusion 35 is in pressure contact with the inner side surface 46a of the annular groove 46, a gap G1 is formed above this pressure contact portion (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0068] Also, as described above, when the upper cover 60 is attached above the housing body 20, each cover-side engagement protrusion 29 of the housing body 20 is engaged with an engagement hole 69a of each engagement piece 69 of the upper cover 60, so that the upper cover 60 is attached above the housing body 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0069] And, as shown in FIG. 4, when the fuel tank is not sufficiently refueled and the float valve 70 is not immersed in the fuel, the float valve 70 descends by its own weight, opening the opening 23. Thus, the valve chamber V and the ventilation chamber R communicate with each other through the opening 23.

[0070] When fuel is refueled into the fuel tank in this state, mainly, the air in the fuel tank flows into the valve chamber V from the through-hole 54 of the lower cap 40, passes through the gap between the float valve 70 and the cap-side peripheral wall 41 and the main body-side peripheral wall 21, and flows upward, then flows into the ventilation chamber R from the opening 23, and is discharged to the canister outside the fuel tank. In this way, by discharging the air in the fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank, it becomes possible to refuel the fuel tank with fuel.

[0071] When fuel is refueled into the fuel tank from the state shown in FIG. 4 above, the fuel flows into the valve chamber V from the through-hole 54 of the lower cap 40, and the fuel immerses the float body 71 of the float valve 70. Then, when the fuel liquid level in the fuel tank reaches the full-tank liquid level set, that is, when the full-tank detection opening 52 is blocked and submerged, the float valve 70 rises due to the biasing force of the biasing spring S and the buoyancy of the float body 71 of the float valve 70 itself, and its seal valve body 75 abuts against the back peripheral edge of the opening 23, closing the opening 23. As a result, the air flow between the valve chamber V and the ventilation chamber R through the opening 23 is blocked. Then, the fuel in the fuel tank rises through the fuel supply pipe provided in the fuel tank, contacts the full-tank detection sensor of the fuel nozzle inserted into the fuel filler opening, and detects full-tank, so that the refueling into the fuel tank is stopped and full-tank regulation can be achieved.

[0072] And in this full-tank regulating valve 10, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, with the insertion wall portion 33 provided at the lower end of the main body side peripheral wall 21 inserted into the annular groove 46 provided at the upper end of the cap side peripheral wall 41, the annular protrusion 35 is pressed between the inner surface 46a on the outer diameter side of the annular groove 46 and the outer surface 33a on the outer diameter side of the insertion wall portion 33. Therefore, when the lower cap 40 is attached to the housing main body 20 via the joint portion, the sealing performance between the housing main body 20 and the lower cap 40 can be enhanced, and the full-tank detection accuracy can be improved. Note that the joint portion is composed of an annular groove provided at the lower end of the main body side peripheral wall, an insertion wall portion provided at the upper end of the cap side peripheral wall, an annular protrusion formed on one of the outer surface of the insertion wall portion or the inner surface of the annular groove, or an annular seal member disposed between the insertion wall portion and the annular groove. In the case of a structure where the annular protrusion or the seal member is pressed between the annular groove and the insertion wall portion with the insertion wall portion inserted into the annular groove, the same effect can be obtained.

[0073] Also, in this embodiment, an annular groove 46 is provided at the upper end of the cap side peripheral wall 41, an insertion wall portion 33 is provided at the lower end of the main body side peripheral wall 21, an annular protrusion 35 is disposed on the outer surface 33a of the insertion wall portion 33, and a gap G1 is formed above the annular protrusion 35 in a state where the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46 (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0074] According to the above aspect, since a gap G1 is formed above the annular protrusion 35 in a state where the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46, as shown in FIG. 7(a), liquid fuel can be stored in this gap G1 due to the sloshing of the fuel or the like. And since the fuel accumulated in the gap G1 can function as a so-called liquid seal (sealing by liquid), the sealing performance between the housing main body 20 and the lower cap 40 can be further improved. Note that the same effect can be obtained even when an annular seal member is disposed on the outer surface of the insertion wall portion.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(a), a concave groove 37 communicating with the gap G1 is formed on the outer surface 21a of the main body side peripheral wall 21 at a position above the gap G1.

[0076] According to the above aspect, since the concave groove 37 having the above structure is formed, not only the gap G1 but also the concave groove 37 can store the liquid fuel, and the amount of the stored liquid fuel can be increased. As a result, the liquid breakage of the liquid fuel stored in the gap G1 is suppressed, and the liquid seal function can be easily maintained, so that the sealing performance between the housing main body 20 and the lower cap 40 can be improved over a long period.

[0077] Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(a), on the inner surface of the upper end portion of the cap side peripheral wall 41, at a position above the annular groove 46, a diameter-expanded portion 49 for widening the distance between the cap side peripheral wall 41 and the main body side peripheral wall 21 is formed.

[0078] According to the above aspect, since the diameter-expanded portion 49 having the above structure is formed, in addition to the gap G1, the diameter-expanded portion 49 can also store the liquid fuel. As a result, the amount of the stored liquid fuel can be further increased, and the liquid seal function can be more easily maintained. Further, by providing the diameter-expanded portion 49, when the insertion wall portion 33 is inserted into the annular groove 46, the insertion wall portion 33 is less likely to interfere with the inner surface of the upper end portion of the cap side peripheral wall 41, so that the insertion wall portion 33 can be easily inserted into the annular groove 46.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(a), a concave groove 37 communicating with the gap G1 is formed on the outer surface 21a of the main body side peripheral wall 21 at a position above the gap G1, and the diameter-expanded portion 49 is formed so as to face the concave groove 37.

[0080] According to the above aspect, since the diameter-expanded portion 49 is formed so as to face the concave groove 37, the concave shape of the concave groove 37 can expand the diameter-expanded portion 49 more greatly. As a result, the amount of accumulated liquid fuel can be further increased, so that the liquid seal function can be easily maintained for a long time.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cap-side peripheral wall 41 has a full-tank detection opening 52 that communicates the inside of the fuel tank and the inside of the valve chamber V, which is formed at a position lower than the pressure contact portion between the annular protrusion 35 and the inner surface 46a of the annular groove 46, and a guide rib 56 that guides the lifting and lowering operation of the float valve 70. The guide ribs 56 are arranged in a plurality on the inner circumference of the cap-side peripheral wall 41 so as to partition the full-tank detection opening 52 into a plurality of regions (see FIGS. 3 and 6).

[0082] According to the above aspect, since the guide ribs 56 are arranged in a plurality on the inner circumference of the cap-side peripheral wall 41 so as to partition the full-tank detection opening 52 into a plurality of regions, when gas such as air or fuel vapor tries to flow from the full-tank detection opening 52 into the valve chamber V during fueling of the fuel tank or when the pressure in the fuel tank rises, it can be made difficult to flow in by the plurality of guide ribs 56, and the floating up of the float valve 70 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the float valve 70 from rising and closing the opening 23 at a pressure lower than the set valve closing pressure.

[0083] (Another embodiment of the full-tank regulating valve) FIGS. 10 and 11 show another embodiment of the full-tank regulating valve according to the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to substantially the same parts as those in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. will be described.

[0084] In the full-tank regulating valve 10A in this embodiment, the housing 15 has an upper cover 60, and a first engaging piece extends downward from the upper cover 60. In this embodiment, the engaging piece 69 forms the "first engaging piece" in the present invention. This engaging piece 69 engages with a cover-side engaging protrusion 29 (forming the "first engaging protrusion" in the present invention) provided on the housing body 20.

[0085] Also, a second engaging piece is formed on the lower cap 40. In the case of this embodiment, the upper end portion of the outer peripheral wall 44 of the outer peripheral wall 41 of the cap-side forms a plurality of positioning recesses 51, which form the second engaging piece 44c. An engaging hole 50 is formed in each second engaging piece 44c. And this second engaging piece 44c engages with a cap-side engaging protrusion 28 (forming the "second engaging protrusion" in the present invention) provided on the housing body 20, and is arranged outside the engaging piece 69 forming the first engaging piece. Note that a pair of protrusions 44e, 44e project from the outer peripheral surface of the upper side portion 44d of the second engaging piece 44c, and the rigidity of the upper side portion 44d of the second engaging piece 44c is improved.

[0086] As described above, in the full-tank regulating valve 10A of this embodiment, the housing 15 further has an upper cover 60 mounted above the housing body 20, a first engaging piece (engaging piece 69) is formed on this upper cover 60, a second engaging piece 44c is formed on the lower cap 40, and on the housing body 20, there are provided a first engaging protrusion (cover-side engaging protrusion 29) that engages with the engaging piece 69 which is the first engaging piece, and a second engaging protrusion (cap-side engaging protrusion 28) that engages with the second engaging piece 44c. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the second engaging piece 44c is configured to engage with the cap-side engaging protrusion 28 which is the second engaging protrusion in a state of being arranged outside the engaging piece 69 which is the first engaging piece.

[0087] The full-tank regulating valve 10A having the above configuration has the following effects.

[0088] That is, when the lower cap 40 and the upper cover 60 are attached to the lower and upper sides of the housing body 20, the first engaging protrusion (cover-side engaging protrusion 29) of the housing body 20 is engaged with the first engaging piece (engaging piece 69) of the upper cover 60, and the second engaging protrusion (cap-side engaging protrusion 28) of the housing body 20 is engaged with the second engaging piece 44c of the lower cap 40.

[0089] At this time, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the second engaging piece 44c of the lower cap 40 is engaged with the second engaging protrusion (cap-side engaging protrusion 28) of the housing body 20 while being disposed outside the first engaging piece (engaging piece 69) of the upper cover 60. Therefore, the outward deformation of the engaging piece 69, which is the first engaging piece, can be restricted by the second engaging piece 44c. As a result, it is possible to prevent the engaging piece 69, which is the first engaging piece, from coming off from the cover-side engaging protrusion 29, which is the first engaging protrusion, and the mounting strength between the housing body 20 and the upper cover 60 can be improved.

[0090] Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0091] 10, 10A Full Tank Regulation Valve 15 Housing 20 Housing Body 21 Body-Side Peripheral Wall 22 Partition Wall 23 Opening 33 Insertion Wall Portion 35, 35A Annular Protrusion 37 Concave Groove 40 Lower Cap 41 Cap-Side Peripheral Wall 46 Annular Groove 49 Diameter-Expanded Portion 52 Full Tank Detection Opening 53 Spring Support Plate 56 Guide Rib 70 Float Valve R Ventilation Chamber V Valve Chamber S Biasing Spring

Claims

1. A housing provided with a valve chamber communicating downward into a fuel tank via a partition wall and a ventilation chamber communicating upward outside the fuel tank, and an opening formed in the partition wall to communicate the valve chamber and the ventilation chamber; and A float valve that is accommodated in the valve chamber so as to be movable up and down, and closes the opening when the fuel liquid level rises to a predetermined height during fuel supply into the fuel tank; The housing includes A housing body having a peripheral wall on the body side; and A lower cap having a peripheral wall on the cap side and attached below the housing body via a joint portion; The joint portion includes An annular groove provided at one of the upper end of the peripheral wall on the cap side or the lower end of the peripheral wall on the body side; An insertion wall portion provided at the other of the upper end of the peripheral wall on the cap side or the lower end of the peripheral wall on the body side and inserted into the annular groove; An annular protrusion formed on either the insertion wall portion or the annular groove, or an annular seal member disposed between the insertion wall portion and the annular groove; A full-tank regulating valve, characterized in that in a state where the insertion wall portion is inserted into the annular groove, the annular protrusion or the annular seal member is pressed between the annular groove and the insertion wall portion.

2. The annular groove is provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall on the cap side, and the insertion wall portion is provided at the lower end of the peripheral wall on the body side; The annular protrusion or the annular seal member is disposed on the outer surface of the insertion wall portion; The full-tank regulating valve according to claim 1, wherein in a state where the insertion wall portion is inserted into the annular groove, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the insertion wall portion and the annular groove at a position above the annular protrusion or the annular seal member.

3. The full-tank regulating valve according to claim 2, wherein a concave groove communicating with the gap is formed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall on the body side at a position above the gap.

4. The full-tank regulating valve according to claim 2, wherein a diameter-expanded portion for widening the distance between the peripheral wall on the cap side and the peripheral wall on the body side is formed on the inner surface of the upper end of the peripheral wall on the cap side at a position above the annular groove.

5. A concave groove communicating with the gap is formed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall on the body side at a position above the gap; The full-tank regulating valve according to claim 4, wherein the diameter-expanded portion is formed so as to face the concave groove.

6. The cap-side peripheral wall has a full-tank detection opening that is formed at a position below the joint portion and communicates the inside of the fuel tank with the valve chamber, and a guide rib that guides the lifting operation of the float valve. The full-tank regulating valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of the guide ribs are arranged on the inner periphery of the cap-side peripheral wall so as to partition the full-tank detection opening into a plurality of regions.

7. The housing further has an upper cover mounted above the housing body, and a first engaging piece is formed on the upper cover. A second engaging piece is formed on the lower cap. The housing body is provided with a first engaging protrusion that engages with the first engaging piece and a second engaging protrusion that engages with the second engaging piece. The full-tank regulating valve according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second engaging piece is configured to engage with the second engaging protrusion while being disposed outside the first engaging piece.

Images