Canister

Abstract

To reduce ventilation resistance of a canister while restraining a decrease in adsorption performance for fuel vapor.SOLUTION: A canister comprises at least one chamber in which an adsorbent for fuel vapor is arranged, an inflow port, an atmosphere port, an outflow port, and an adsorbent agglomeration. The adsorbent agglomeration is a fibrous adsorbent aggregation arranged in a specific chamber that is one of the at least one chamber. An outer surface of the adsorbent agglomeration is provided with first and second surfaces intersecting with a flow direction of fluid. The second surface is located on the side opposite to the first surface. At least one cavity extending along the flow direction to a bottom part located inside the adsorbent agglomeration is formed in the first surface and / or the second surface in the adsorbent agglomeration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a canister.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a technique has been proposed to reduce the ventilation resistance by making the cross-section of the adsorbent disposed in the adsorption chamber provided with an atmosphere port open to the atmosphere wider than the cross-section of the adsorbent disposed in another adsorption chamber. Note that the cross-section of the adsorbent means a cross-section perpendicular to the flow direction of the fuel vapor.

[0003] Also, as described in Patent Document 2, it has been proposed to use an activated carbon fiber sheet for a vehicle canister.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When using an activated carbon fiber sheet for a canister, the activated carbon fiber sheet may be processed into an agglomerate having a predetermined shape. However, in order to perform such processing, it is necessary to increase the density of the activated carbon fiber sheet, and as a result, the ventilation resistance of the canister may increase. Here, it is conceivable to reduce the ventilation resistance of the canister by widening the cross-sectional area of the agglomerate as in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, even if such a configuration is adopted, the ventilation resistance may not be sufficiently reduced.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to reduce the ventilation resistance of the canister while suppressing a decrease in the adsorption performance of the fuel vapor.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a canister configured to be mounted on a vehicle having an engine, the canister including at least one chamber, an inlet port, an atmosphere port, an outlet port, and an adsorbent agglomerate. At least one chamber has an adsorbent for adsorbing fuel vapor disposed therein. The inlet port is configured to allow fuel vapor to flow into at least one chamber from a fuel tank of the vehicle. The atmosphere port is configured to be open to the atmosphere. The outlet port is configured to direct fuel vapor adsorbed by the adsorbent toward the engine by the atmosphere flowing in from the atmosphere port. The adsorbent agglomerate is an aggregate of fibrous adsorbents disposed in a specific chamber that is one of at least one chamber. On the outer surface of the adsorbent agglomerate, first and second surfaces intersecting the flow direction of the fluid in the specific chamber are provided, and the second surface is located on the opposite side of the first surface. At least one gap extending along the flow direction is formed on the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerate to reach the bottom located inside the adsorbent agglomerate.

[0008] According to the above configuration, at least one gap is provided on the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerate, and the gap does not penetrate the adsorbent agglomerate. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the ventilation resistance of the canister while suppressing a decrease in the adsorption performance of fuel vapor.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one gap may be formed over the entire area of the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerate. According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the ventilation resistance of the canister while suppressing the bias of the flow of fuel vapor.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one gap is formed on the first surface of the adsorbent agglomerate and may not be formed on the second surface. According to the above configuration, it becomes easier to grasp the orientation of the adsorbent agglomerate, and thus the work of arranging the adsorbent agglomerate in the specific chamber becomes easier in the manufacturing process of the canister.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a plurality of chambers may be provided, including a chamber adjacent to an inlet port and an outlet port, and a chamber adjacent to an atmosphere port, as at least one chamber. The distance to the atmosphere port along the flow direction on the first surface may be longer than the distance to the atmosphere port along the flow direction on the second surface.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the first surface of the adsorbent agglomerate in which at least one void is formed can be arranged at a position away from the port. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the fuel vapor from flowing out of the port to the outside of the canister.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one void may be formed on the first surface and the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerate. According to the above configuration, the ventilation resistance of the canister can be reduced.

[0014] In one aspect of the present disclosure, among at least one chamber, the chamber adjacent to the atmosphere port may be configured as a specific chamber. According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the ventilation resistance of the canister while suppressing the fuel vapor from flowing out of the atmosphere port.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the following embodiments, and various forms can be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0017] [1. First Embodiment] [(1) Configuration of Canister] The canister 1 of the first embodiment is a device that is mounted on a vehicle and adsorbs and desorbs fuel vapor generated from a fuel tank that supplies fuel to the engine of the vehicle (see FIG. 1).

[0018] The canister 1 includes an inflow port 2, an outflow port 3, an atmosphere port 4, first to third adsorption chambers 10, 20, 30, and a connection passage 5. The inflow port 2 is connected to the fuel tank by a pipe and is configured to take in fuel vapor generated from the fuel tank into the canister 1.

[0019] The outflow port 3 is connected to the intake pipe of the engine via a purge valve (not shown). The outflow port 3 is configured to discharge the fuel vapor accumulated in each adsorption chamber of the canister 1 toward the engine during purging.

[0020] The atmosphere port 4 is open to the atmosphere. That is, the atmosphere port 4 communicates with the outside of the vehicle and is configured to release the air from which the fuel vapor has been removed into the atmosphere. Further, the atmosphere port 4 takes in the atmosphere (hereinafter referred to as purge air) during purging. As the purge air flows down inside the canister 1, the fuel vapor adsorbed to the adsorbent in each adsorption chamber of the canister 1 is desorbed and discharged through the outflow port 3.

[0021] The inflow port 2 and the outflow port 3 are provided at the ends of the flow path P of the fuel vapor and the purge air (in other words, the fluid) in the canister 1. On the other hand, the atmosphere port 4 is provided at the end of the flow path P opposite to the end where the inflow port 2 and the outflow port 3 are provided. The direction of the flow path P corresponds to the flow direction of the fluid in the canister 1.

[0022] Inside the canister 1, the second adsorption chamber 20, the first adsorption chamber 10, and the third adsorption chamber 30 are provided in order along the flow path P from the atmosphere port 4 side. The atmosphere port 4 is adjacent to the second adsorption chamber 20, and the inflow port 2 and the outflow port 3 are adjacent to the third adsorption chamber 30.

[0023] The first adsorption chamber 10 and the second adsorption chamber 20 are arranged side by side straight, and the flow path P in the first and second adsorption chambers 10 and 20 extends linearly. On the other hand, the first adsorption chamber 10 and the third adsorption chamber 30 are arranged so as to fold back via the connection passage 5, and the flow path P in the first and third adsorption chambers 10 and 30 is folded back in a U shape. Of course, it is not limited to this, and the first to third adsorption chambers 10 to 30 may be arranged side by side straight, and the flow path P may extend linearly from end to end.

[0024] The third adsorption chamber 30 is the main chamber with the largest volume among the plurality of adsorption chambers, and a third adsorbent 31 for adsorbing fuel vapor is disposed therein. The third adsorbent 31 may be, for example, activated carbon. More specifically, for example, it may be powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, activated carbon formed into a honeycomb shape, fibrous activated carbon formed into a sheet shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a cylindrical shape, a polygonal column shape, or the like.

[0025] On the other hand, both the first adsorption chamber 10 and the second adsorption chamber 20 are auxiliary chambers having a smaller volume than the third adsorption chamber 30 which is the main chamber. A first adsorbent 11 similar to the third adsorbent 31 is disposed in the first adsorption chamber 10. On the other hand, the second adsorption chamber 20 is configured as a specific chamber, and a second adsorbent configured as an adsorbent agglomerate 6 is disposed therein.

[0026] [(2) Adsorbent agglomerate] The adsorbent agglomerate 6 is configured to adsorb fuel vapor. As an example, it is a felt-like aggregate of fibrous activated carbon (see FIGS. 1 to 3). The adsorbent agglomerate 6 is formed, for example, by solidifying fibrous activated carbon with a binder or the like. The fibrous activated carbon may be formed, for example, by carbonizing a fibrous material such as a non-woven fabric. Further, the adsorbent agglomerate 6 may be formed by solidifying a fibrous adsorbent other than activated carbon.

[0027] The adsorbent agglomerate 6 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis A, and the length in the direction of the axis A is shorter than the diameter (in other words, the width) of the circular cross section (hereinafter simply referred to as the cross section) perpendicular to the axis A. Incidentally, it is noted that the axis A passes through the center of the cross section of the adsorbent agglomerate 6. Further, the adsorbent agglomerate 6 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a prismatic shape in which the length in the direction of the axis A is shorter than the width.

[0028] The adsorbent mass 6 is disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20 such that the direction of the axis A coincides with the direction of the flow path P (in other words, the flow direction of the fluid). Further, on the outer surface of the adsorbent mass 6, a first surface 60 and a second surface 61 located at both ends in the direction of the axis A are formed. The first surface 60 and the second surface 61 intersect at approximately 90° as an example with respect to the direction of the flow path P, and the second surface 61 is located on the opposite side of the first surface 60.

[0029] Further, the second surface 61 is located on the side of the atmosphere port 4 in the fluid flow direction, and the first surface 60 is located on the side of the inflow port 2 and the outflow port 3 (in other words, the first adsorption chamber 10 side). That is, the distance from the first surface 60 to the atmosphere port 4 along the fluid flow direction is longer than the distance on the second surface 61. In other words, the second surface 61 is closer to the atmosphere port 4 than the first surface 60, and the shortest port distance of the first surface 60 is longer than the shortest port distance of the second surface 61. Note that the shortest port distance means the shorter distance among the distance from each of the first surface 60 and the second surface 61 to the atmosphere port 4 along the fluid flow direction and the distance to the inflow port 2 and the outflow port 3 along the direction.

[0030] A plurality of holes 62 (in other words, voids) extending in a direction substantially coinciding with the direction of the axis A (in other words, the fluid flow direction) are formed in the first surface 60 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). As an example, the depth of each of these holes 62 is substantially the same, the bottom 63 of each hole 62 is located substantially at the center in the direction of the axis A in the adsorbent mass 6, and each hole 62 does not penetrate the adsorbent mass 6. On the other hand, no holes are formed in the second surface 61.

[0031] As an example, each hole 62 has a cylindrical shape. However, it is not limited to this, and the shape of each hole 62 can be determined as appropriate. Further, the diameter of the cross section of each hole 62 (in other words, the size of the hole 62) is substantially the same (as an example, about 2 mm in diameter).

[0032] Also, as an example, these holes 62 are each arranged over the entire first surface 60 at a substantially constant interval with respect to other adjacent holes 62. Also, it is desirable that the interval between two adjacent holes 62 is wider than the diameter (in other words, the width) of each hole 62.

[0033] Note that the plurality of holes 62 may be formed by a mold or the like during the molding of the adsorbent agglomerate 6, or may be formed by making holes in the first surface 60 after molding the adsorbent agglomerate 6. [(3) Modification example of adsorbent agglomerate] (1) Modification example 1 The depths of the plurality of holes 62 on the first surface 60 may be different. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the holes 62 may become deeper as they go from the center to the edge of the first surface 60. Generally, the flow of a fluid concentrates in the center of its flow path, and the flow velocity of the fluid decreases as it goes toward the edge of the flow path. Therefore, by making the holes 62 deeper as they go from the center to the edge of the first surface 60, the flow of the fluid passing through the adsorbent agglomerate 6 can be suitably promoted.

[0034] Also, for example, the adsorbent agglomerate 6 may have no holes formed in the first surface 60, and a plurality of holes 62 may be similarly formed in the second surface 61. Furthermore, a plurality of holes 62 may be formed in each of the first surface 60 and the second surface 61 of the adsorbent agglomerate 6 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

[0035] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the holes 62 on the first surface 60 and the holes 62 on the second surface 61 may be arranged such that the bottoms 63 face each other in the direction of the axis A. In other words, when the adsorbent agglomerate 6 is viewed in the direction of the axis A, they may be arranged so as to overlap each other. Thereby, the ventilation resistance of the adsorbent agglomerate 6 can be reduced.

[0036] Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the holes 62 on the first surface 60 and the holes 62 on the second surface 61 are arranged such that the bottoms 63 do not face each other in the direction of the axis A. In other words, when viewed in the direction of the axis A, they may be arranged so as not to overlap each other. Thereby, when the fuel vapor passes through the adsorbent agglomerate 6, it is possible to ensure the distance that the fuel vapor moves while contacting the adsorbent agglomerate 6, and it is possible to promote the adsorption of the fuel vapor to the adsorbent agglomerate 6.

[0037] (2) Modification 2 The plurality of holes 62 may be formed not over the entire first surface 60 and / or the second surface 61 of the adsorbent agglomerate 6, but at specific locations.

[0038] Specifically, the plurality of holes 62 may be formed, for example, at locations where the fluid flow stagnates. As an example, as shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of holes 62 may be formed in a row at substantially regular intervals along the outer periphery of the first surface 60. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of holes 62 may be formed over the entire area of one of the two semi-circular regions that divide the first surface 60 into two.

[0039] Also, the diameters (in other words, the sizes) of the plurality of holes 62 formed in the first surface 60 and / or the second surface 61 may be different. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the holes 62 may be made larger as they go from the center to the outer periphery of the first surface 60. As described above, the fluid velocity decreases as it approaches the edge of the flow path. Therefore, by making the holes 62 larger as they go from the center to the outer periphery of the first surface 60, the flow of the fluid passing through the adsorbent agglomerate 6 can be suitably promoted.

[0040] Furthermore, one hole 62 may be formed in the first surface 60 and / or the second surface 61. [2. Second Embodiment] [(1) Adsorbent Agglomerate] The canister 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the adsorbent agglomerate 7, which is the second adsorbent disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20. Hereinafter, the configuration of the adsorbent agglomerate 7, which is the difference from the first embodiment, will be described.

[0041] The adsorbent aggregate 7 includes a main body portion 72 and a plurality of first protruding portions 73 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). The main body portion 72 is, for example, formed in a columnar shape extending along the axis A, and the length in the direction of the axis A is shorter than the diameter (in other words, the width) of the cross section of the axis A. Incidentally, it is added for good measure that the axis A passes through the center of the cross section of the main body portion 72. Further, the main body portion 72 is not limited to a columnar shape, and may be, for example, a prismatic shape in which the length in the direction of the axis A is shorter than the width.

[0042] The plurality of first protruding portions 73 are columnar portions protruding in the direction of the axis A from the end portion of the main body portion 72 in the direction of the axis A. Each of the first protruding portions 73 has approximately the same height, and the top portions of the first protruding portions 73 form the first surface 70 of the adsorbent aggregate 7. Further, each of the first protruding portions 73 becomes thinner toward its top portion, whereby when the adsorbent aggregate 7 is molded, it becomes easier to remove the mold from the plurality of first protruding portions 73.

[0043] The plurality of first protruding portions 73 are provided close to each other, and at least one gap 74 is formed by the gaps between the adjacent first protruding portions 73, extending along the direction of the axis A (in other words, the fluid flow direction) from the first surface 70 and spreading over the entire area of the first surface 70. At least one gap 74 reaches the main body portion 72 or its vicinity (hereinafter, the bottom). In other words, the bottom of at least one gap 74 corresponds to the portion around the base of the plurality of first protruding portions 73 in the adsorbent aggregate 7. Note that one continuous gap 74 may be formed by the gaps between the plurality of first protruding portions 73, or a plurality of separated gaps 74 may be formed.

[0044] On the other hand, the end portion of the main body portion 72 where the plurality of first protruding portions 73 are not formed forms the second surface 71. That is, no gap is formed in the second surface 71. Then, like in the above-described embodiment, the adsorbent agglomerate 7 is arranged in the second adsorption chamber 20 such that the direction of the axis A coincides with the fluid flow direction. Further, the second surface 71 is located on the side of the atmosphere port 4 in the fluid flow direction, and the first surface 70 is located on the side of the inflow port 2 and the outflow port 3 (in other words, the first adsorption chamber 10 side). That is, the distance from the first surface 70 to the atmosphere port 4 along the fluid flow direction is longer than the distance on the second surface 71. In other words, the shortest port distance of the first surface 70 is longer than the shortest port distance of the second surface 71.

[0045] Note that no voids may be formed on the first surface 70 of the adsorbent agglomerate 7, and at least one void may be formed on the second surface 71 by forming a plurality of protrusions in the same manner. [(2) Modification Example] In the adsorbent agglomerate 7 of the modification example, at least one void 74, 76 is formed on each of the first surface 70 and the second surface 71 (see FIGS. 12 to 15). That is, the adsorbent agglomerate 7 includes a main body portion 72, a plurality of first protrusions 73, and a plurality of second protrusions 75.

[0046] The main body portion 72 and the plurality of first protrusions 73 are configured in the same manner as in Modification Example 3. On the other hand, the plurality of second protrusions 75 are formed in the same manner as the plurality of first protrusions 73 at the end of the main body portion 72 opposite to the end where the plurality of first protrusions 73 are provided, and the second surface 71 of the adsorbent agglomerate 7 is formed by the tops of the respective second protrusions 75. Also, like the plurality of first protrusions 73, each second protrusion 75 becomes thinner as it goes toward its top, and at least one void 76 that spreads over the entire area of the second surface 71 is formed by the gap between adjacent second protrusions 75.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each first protruding portion 73 and each second protruding portion 75 may be arranged so as to face each other in the direction of the axis A. In other words, when the adsorbent agglomerate 7 is visually recognized in the direction of the axis A, they may be arranged so as to overlap each other. Thereby, since the bottom of at least one gap 74 on the first surface 70 and the bottom of at least one gap 76 on the second surface 71 are urged to overlap in the direction of the axis A, the ventilation resistance of the adsorbent agglomerate 7 can be reduced.

[0048] Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, each first protruding portion 73 and each second protruding portion 75 may be arranged so as not to face each other in the direction of the axis A. In other words, when the adsorbent agglomerate 7 is visually recognized in the direction of the axis A, they may be arranged so as not to overlap each other. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the bottom of at least one gap 74 on the first surface 70 and the bottom of at least one gap 76 on the second surface 71 from overlapping in the direction of the axis A. Thereby, when the fuel vapor passes through the adsorbent agglomerate 7, it is possible to secure the distance for the fuel vapor to move while contacting the adsorbent agglomerate 7, and it is possible to promote the adsorption of the fuel vapor to the adsorbent agglomerate 7.

[0049] [5. Effects] (1) According to the above embodiment, at least one gap is provided in the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7. Further, since the gap does not penetrate the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7, the fluid that has entered the second adsorption chamber 20 is urged to pass through the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7. Therefore, while suppressing a decrease in the adsorption performance of the fuel vapor, the ventilation resistance of the canister 1 can be reduced.

[0050] (2) Further, at least one gap is formed over the entire area of the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7. Therefore, while suppressing the deviation of the flow of the fuel vapor, the ventilation resistance of the canister can be reduced.

[0051] (3) Further, by forming at least one gap only in the first surface of the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7, it becomes easier to grasp the orientation of the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the canister 1, the operation of arranging the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 in the second adsorption chamber 20 becomes easier.

[0052] (4) Further, the first surface of the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 in which at least one void is formed is disposed on the side of the atmosphere port 4, and the second surface is disposed on the side of the first adsorption chamber 10. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the fuel vapor from flowing out of the atmosphere port 4 to the outside of the canister 1.

[0053] (5) Also, by providing at least one void on the first and second surfaces of the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7, the ventilation resistance of the canister can be further reduced. (6) Further, the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 are disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20 adjacent to the atmosphere port 4. Therefore, while suppressing the fuel vapor from flowing out of the atmosphere port 4, the ventilation resistance of the canister 1 can be reduced.

[0054] [6. Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 are disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20. However, the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 may be disposed in the first adsorption chamber 10 or the third adsorption chamber 30 such that the direction of the axis A and the direction of the flow path P substantially coincide. In this case, the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 are formed in a shape corresponding to the first adsorption chamber 10 or the third adsorption chamber 30, and may be disposed over the entire area of the first adsorption chamber 10 or the third adsorption chamber 30, or may be disposed in a partial area of the first adsorption chamber 10 or the third adsorption chamber 30.

[0055] Also, in this case, as an example, the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 in which at least one void (in other words, at least one hole) is formed only on the first surface may be disposed in the first adsorption chamber 10 such that the second surface is located on the side of the atmosphere port 4. Further, as an example, the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 may be disposed in the third adsorption chamber 30 such that the second surface is located on the side of the inflow port 2 and the outflow port 3.

[0056] (2) In the above embodiment, the direction of the axis A of the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20 substantially coincides with the direction in which the first and second adsorption chambers 10 and 20 are arranged. In other words, it substantially coincides with the direction of the flow path P in the first adsorption chamber 10 (see FIG. 1). Since the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 have a horizontally long shape, the second adsorption chamber 20 protrudes laterally more than the first adsorption chamber 10.

[0057] However, the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 may be disposed in the second adsorption chamber 20 such that the direction of the axis A intersects the direction in which the first and second adsorption chambers 10 and 20 are arranged at a predetermined angle (for example, 90°). Then, the direction of the flow path P in the second adsorption chamber 20 may be appropriately adjusted so that the direction of the axis A substantially coincides with the direction of the section passing through the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 in the flow path P. Thereby, the length by which the second adsorption chamber 20 protrudes laterally can be suppressed, and the mountability of the canister 1 on the vehicle is improved.

[0058] (3) The canister 1 of the above embodiment includes three adsorption chambers 10 to 30, but the number of adsorption chambers provided in the canister 1 may be one or two, or may be four or more. Even in such a case, the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 can be disposed in any one of the adsorption chambers in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Further, the adsorbent agglomerates 6 and 7 may be disposed in a plurality of adsorption chambers in the canister 1.

[0059] (4) A plurality of functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by a plurality of components, or one function of one component may be realized by a plurality of components. Also, a plurality of functions of a plurality of components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by a plurality of components may be realized by one component. Also, a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configuration of another above embodiment.

[0060] [7. Technical Ideas Disclosed in this Specification] [Item 1] A canister configured to be mounted on a vehicle having an engine, at least one chamber in which an adsorbent for adsorbing fuel vapor is disposed, an inflow port configured to allow fuel vapor to flow from a fuel tank of the vehicle into the at least one chamber, an atmosphere port configured to be open to the atmosphere, an outflow port configured to cause the fuel vapor adsorbed by the adsorbent to flow out toward the engine by the atmosphere flowing in from the atmosphere port, an adsorbent mass which is an aggregate of fibrous adsorbents and is disposed in a specific chamber which is one of the at least one chamber, a first surface and a second surface intersecting the flow direction of the fluid in the specific chamber are provided on an outer surface of the adsorbent mass, and the second surface is located on the opposite side of the first surface, at least one gap extending along the flow direction to a bottom located inside the adsorbent mass is formed on the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent mass. A canister.

[0061] [Item 2] The canister according to Item 1, wherein the at least one gap is formed over the entire area of the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent mass. A canister.

[0062] [Item 3] The canister according to Item 1 or Item 2, wherein the at least one gap is formed on the first surface of the adsorbent mass and not formed on the second surface. A canister.

[0063] [Item 4] The canister according to Item 3, wherein a plurality of chambers including a chamber adjacent to the inflow port and the outflow port and a chamber adjacent to the atmosphere port are provided as the at least one chamber. The distance along the flow direction to the atmosphere port on the first surface is longer than the distance along the flow direction to the atmosphere port on the second surface. Canister.

[0064] [Item 5] The canister according to Item 1 or Item 2, wherein the at least one void is formed in the first surface and the second surface of the adsorbent agglomerate. Canister.

[0065] [Item 6] The canister according to any one of Items 1 to 5, wherein among the at least one chamber, the chamber adjacent to the atmosphere port is configured as the specific chamber. Canister.

Explanation of Signs

[0066] 1... Canister, 2... Inflow port, 3... Outflow port, 4... Atmosphere port, 10... First adsorption chamber, 20... Second adsorption chamber, 30... Third adsorption chamber, 6... Adsorbent agglomerate, 60... First surface, 61... Second surface, 62... Hole, 63... Bottom, 7... Adsorbent agglomerate, 70... First surface, 71... Second surface, 72... Main body portion, 73... First protrusion, 74... Void, 75... Second protrusion, 76... Void, A... Axis, P... Flow path.

Claims

**Claim 1** A canister configured to be mounted on a vehicle having an engine, comprising: at least one chamber in which an adsorbent for adsorbing fuel vapor is disposed; an inflow port configured to allow fuel vapor to flow from a fuel tank of the vehicle into the at least one chamber; an air port configured to be open to the atmosphere; an outflow port configured to allow the fuel vapor adsorbed by the adsorbent to flow out toward the engine by the air flowing in from the air port; an adsorbent mass which is an aggregate of fibrous adsorbents and is disposed in a specific chamber which is one of the at least one chamber; and on an outer surface of the adsorbent mass, first and second surfaces intersecting a flow direction of fluid in the specific chamber are provided, and the second surface is located on the opposite side of the first surface; in the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent mass, at least one void extending along the flow direction to a bottom located inside the adsorbent mass is formed; the at least one void is formed in the first surface of the adsorbent mass and not in the second surface. A canister. **Claim 2** The canister according to claim 1, wherein as the at least one chamber, a plurality of chambers including a chamber adjacent to the inflow port and the outflow port and a chamber adjacent to the air port are provided; and a distance from the first surface along the flow direction to the air port is longer than a distance from the second surface along the flow direction to the air port. A canister. **Claim 3** The canister according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one void is formed over the entire area of the first surface and / or the second surface of the adsorbent mass. A canister. **Claim 4** The canister according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein among the at least one chamber, the chamber adjacent to the air port is configured as the specific chamber. A canister.

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