Valve device

Abstract

To provide a valve device capable of enhancing re-opening reliability of a float valve.SOLUTION: A valve device 10 has a housing 15, a float valve 40, and a seal member 80. The float valve 40 has a mounting surface 70. The seal member 80 is mounted on the mounting surface 70, and supported so as to be movable by a predetermined distance with respect to the mounting surface 70. At least a portion of the mounting surface 70 covered with the sealing member 80 has a seal contact part 71 with which the seal member 80 is in contact, and a seal non-contact area where the seal member 80 does not contact. The seal non-contact area forms a ventilation path 75 that communicates with a valve chamber V when the seal member 80 is mounted on the mounting surface 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device that is attached to a fuel tank of an automobile or the like and is used as a fuel leakage prevention valve, a full tank restriction valve, or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a fuel tank for a vehicle such as an automobile is equipped with a valve device that prevents fuel from leaking out of the fuel tank when the vehicle tilts or rolls over. Such a valve device generally includes a housing with an upper vent chamber and a lower valve chamber separated by a partition wall with a vent hole, and a float valve arranged in the valve chamber so that it can move up and down. A seal made of rubber or the like may also be arranged above the float valve to improve sealing against the vent hole.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below describes a valve device having a housing with a valve chamber below and a vent chamber above, separated by a partition wall, and with a vent hole communicating with the partition wall, and a float valve housed in the valve chamber so that it can be raised and lowered, a valve seat is formed on the valve chamber side of the partition wall, and an opening is provided inside this valve seat, the opening having a first opening and a second opening extending in a slit shape from at least one point of the first opening, and an elastic seal member that opens and closes the first opening and the second opening is disposed above the float valve. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6898516 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the valve device is required to have the performance to enable the seal member to open from the opening and open the opening even when the tank internal pressure is high after the float valve rises and the seal member abuts against the opening to close it, i.e., a high valve reopening pressure.

[0006] Although the valve device of Patent Document 1 also aims to improve the valve reopening pressure, it is desirable to ensure that the seal member is opened firmly from the opening when the tank internal pressure is high, thereby ensuring reliable valve reopening.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a valve device that can increase the reliability of reopening of a float valve. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the valve device of the present invention comprises a housing having a valve chamber communicating with the inside of a fuel tank below and a vent chamber communicating with the outside of the fuel tank above, the partition wall being provided with an opening communicating the valve chamber with the vent chamber, a float valve housed in the valve chamber so as to be able to rise and fall, and a seal member arranged above the float valve and closing the opening, the float valve having a mounting surface for mounting the seal member, the seal member being mounted on the mounting surface and supported so as to be movable a predetermined distance relative to the mounting surface, at least a portion of the mounting surface covered by the seal member having a seal contact portion with which the seal member comes into contact and a seal non-contact area where the seal member does not come into contact, the seal non-contact area forming an air passage communicating with the valve chamber when the seal member is placed on the mounting surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, at least the portion of the mounting surface of the float valve that is covered by the seal member is provided with a seal contact portion and a seal non-contact area, and the seal non-contact area forms an air passage that communicates with the valve chamber when the seal member is mounted on the mounting surface. Therefore, when the seal member closes the opening and then reopens the valve, gas can pass through the air passage and enter between the back surface of the seal member and the mounting surface, preventing the entire back surface of the seal member from contacting the mounting surface and preventing the mounting surface from sticking to the seal member. As a result, the seal member can be reliably moved relative to the mounting surface and reliably opened from the opening, thereby increasing the reliability of reopening the float valve. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a valve device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a float valve and a seal member that constitute the valve device. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B show a seal support member that constitutes a float valve of the valve device, in which (a) is an enlarged perspective view and (b) is a plan view. [Figure 6] 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE in FIG. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B show a sealing member constituting the valve device, in which FIG. 1A is an enlarged perspective view and FIG. 1B is a plan view. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4. [Figure 9] 2 is a plan view showing a housing main body, a float valve, a seal support member, and a seal member that constitute the housing in the valve device. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the valve device in a state where the float valve is raised without tilting and closes the opening. FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve device in a state where the float valve is about to descend from a state where the float valve closes the opening. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the placement surface. [Figure 13] 10(a) is a plan view showing a first modified example of the air passage, (b) is a plan view showing a second modified example of the air passage, and (c) is a plan view showing a third modified example of the air passage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (One embodiment of the valve device) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the valve device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, "fuel" means liquid fuel (including fuel droplets), and "fuel vapor" means evaporated fuel.

[0012] 1 and 3, the valve device 10 in this embodiment comprises a housing 15 having a valve chamber V communicating with the inside of the fuel tank below and a vent chamber R communicating with the outside of the fuel tank above via a partition wall 23, with an opening 25 formed in the partition wall 23 connecting the valve chamber V and the vent chamber R, a float valve 40 housed in the valve chamber V so as to be able to rise and fall, a seal member 80 disposed above the float valve 40 and closing the opening 25, and a biasing spring S that biases the float valve 40. The float valve 40 also has a mounting surface 70 on which the seal member 80 is placed, and the seal member 80 is supported on the mounting surface 70 so as to be movable a predetermined distance relative to the mounting surface 70.

[0013] In addition, the housing 15 in this embodiment has a roughly cylindrical housing body 20 with a partition wall 23 at the top, a lower cap 30 attached to the bottom of the housing body 20, and an upper cover 35 attached to the top of the housing body 20.

[0014] The housing main body 20 has a generally cylindrical peripheral wall 21, above which a partition wall 23 is disposed. A plurality of through holes 21a and locking projections 21b are formed in the upper portion of the peripheral wall 21, and a locking hole 21c is formed in the lower portion. An opening 25 is formed in the center of the partition wall 23. A cylindrical wall 27 protrudes from the upper surface of the partition wall 23, outside the opening 25. A plurality of ribs 27a protrude from the upper outer periphery of the cylindrical wall 27. A flange 28 protrudes from the upper outer periphery of the peripheral wall 21. A ring mounting groove 28a is formed between the flange 28 and the cylindrical wall 27, and an annular seal ring 29 is mounted in the ring mounting groove 28a (see FIG. 3).

[0015] 9, opening 25 has a first region 25a and a second region 25b extending in a slit shape from first region 25a and forming an end portion of opening 25. Opening 25 in this embodiment has first region 25a in the shape of a substantially circular hole and a plurality (four in this case) of second regions 25b extending in a slit shape outward from the outer periphery of first region 25 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, forming a substantially cross-shaped opening with a larger diameter at the center.

[0016] 3, the opening 25 has a valve seat 26 that protrudes downward from the periphery of its back side (on the valve chamber V side). A seal member 80 comes into contact with and separates from the lower end of the valve seat 26, thereby opening and closing the opening 25.

[0017] On the other hand, the lower cap 30 has a bottom wall 31 in the shape of a substantially circular plate and a peripheral wall 33 extending from the periphery of the bottom wall 31. A spring support protrusion 31a that supports the lower end of the biasing spring S is provided at the radial center of the bottom wall 31. The bottom wall 31 is also formed with a plurality of vent holes 31b, and is also formed with a flexible elastic piece 34 that suppresses the impact noise when the float valve 40 descends. Furthermore, the peripheral wall 33 is formed with a plurality of locking claws 33a.

[0018] Then, the locking claws 33a of the lower cap 30 are engaged with the locking holes 21c of the housing body 20, thereby attaching the lower cap 30 to the lower part of the housing body 20. As a result, a valve chamber V is formed below the housing through the partition wall 23, which communicates with the inside of a fuel tank (not shown) (see FIG. 3).

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper cover 35 has a peripheral wall 36 extending to a predetermined height, a ceiling wall 37 closing the upper portion of the peripheral wall 36, and a flange portion 36a expanding into an annular shape from the middle of the extension direction of the peripheral wall 36. A vent hole (not shown) is formed in a predetermined location of the peripheral wall 36, and a substantially cylindrical fuel vapor pipe 38 extends outward from the outer periphery of the vent hole. A tube (not shown) that communicates with a canister or the like disposed outside the fuel tank (not shown) is connected to the fuel vapor pipe 38. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, a frame-shaped locking piece 39 that locks onto the locking protrusion 21b of the housing body 20 hangs down from the lower end surface of the peripheral wall 36.

[0020] 3, by engaging the locking pieces 39 of the upper cover 35 with the corresponding locking projections 21b of the housing main body 20, the upper cover 35 is attached to the upper side of the housing main body 20 with the seal ring 29 attached to the ring attachment groove 28a abutting against the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 36 of the upper cover 35. As a result, a vent chamber R communicating with the outside of the fuel tank is formed above the partition wall 23 (see FIG. 3).

[0021] Next, the float valve 40 will be described in detail.

[0022] The float valve 40 of this embodiment has a float body 50 and a seal support member 60 that is arranged above the float body 50, is held rockably relative to the float body 50, and supports the seal member 80 so that it can move a predetermined distance. In this embodiment, the seal support member 60 that constitutes the float valve 40 is provided with the mounting surface 70 for mounting the seal member 80.

[0023] The float body 50 has a peripheral wall 51 that extends vertically for a predetermined length and a ceiling wall 53 disposed above the peripheral wall 51, and is generally cylindrical in shape with an open bottom and a closed top.

[0024] Furthermore, a pair of guide grooves 51a, 51a are formed at two opposing circumferential locations on the peripheral wall 51, extending axially from the ceiling wall 53 downward along the peripheral wall. Guide protrusions (not shown) provided on the inner periphery of the housing body 20 are inserted into these guide grooves 51a, 51a to guide the lifting and lowering movement of the float valve 40. Furthermore, a plurality of guide ribs 51b extending radially along the axial direction are provided on the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 51. These guide ribs 51b are disposed opposite the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 21 of the housing body 20 to guide the lifting and lowering movement of the float valve 40.

[0025] The surface of the ceiling wall 53 forms a mounting surface 54 on which the seal support member 60 is placed and which supports the seal support member 60, and a support protrusion 53a having a curved outer surface protrudes from the center of the mounting surface 54. The plate-shaped portion 61 of the seal support member 60 is placed on this support protrusion 53a, which supports the seal support member 60 so that it can swing. Furthermore, a plurality of (four in this example) protrusions 55 protrude from the outer circumferential edge of the ceiling wall 53 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0026] Furthermore, on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the peripheral wall 51 near the ceiling wall 53, at two radially opposing locations, there are provided retaining projections 57, 57 for holding the seal support member 60 so as to be able to swing and not come off relative to the float body 50. Each retaining projection 57 is inserted into a retaining hole 67a (described later) provided in the seal support member 60 so as to be slidable along the axial direction Z (see FIG. 4) of the float valve 40 and movable along the width direction Y (see FIG. 4) of the float valve 40.

[0027] The float body 50 is formed with a spring accommodating recess 59 that is open downward (see FIG. 3), and a biasing spring S is accommodated in the spring accommodating recess 59. The float valve 40 is accommodated and arranged in the valve chamber V, with the biasing spring S interposed between it and the lower cap 30, so that it can move up and down; 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.

[0028] On the other hand, the seal support member 60 constituting this float valve 40 is disposed between the float body 50 and the seal member 80, and has a plate-like portion 61 formed with a predetermined thickness.

[0029] Explaining this seal support member 60 with reference to Figures 5, 6, and 8, etc., the plate-shaped portion 61 has a central portion 63 and multiple extension portions 65 extending outward from the central portion 63. In this embodiment, the plate-shaped portion 61 is shaped to fit the seal member 80, which has a generally cross-like shape overall, so that it can receive and support the seal member 80. That is, the plate-shaped portion 61 has four extension portions 65 extending radially outward from the central portion 63, and adjacent extension portions 65, 65 in the circumferential direction are perpendicular to each other, forming a generally cross-like shape overall. It can also be said that the extension portions 65 are adjacently arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the outer periphery of the central portion 63.

[0030] Furthermore, a pair of extension portions 65, 65 are arranged opposite each other with the center portion 63 in between, and retaining pieces 67, 67 hang down from the back side (float body 50 side) of the tip of each of these extension portions 65, 65. Each retaining piece 67 is formed with a long retaining hole 67a extending along the axial direction of the float valve 40. This retaining hole 67a is longer than the axial length of the retaining protrusion 57 provided on the float body 50 side, and is formed with a substantially rectangular shape that is wider than the circumferential width of the retaining protrusion 57.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, each anti-slip protrusion 57 is inserted from the inside into the anti-slip hole 67a of each anti-slip piece 67, so that the seal support member 60 is held in place relative to the float body 50 so that it can swing.

[0032] Furthermore, when the anti-slip protrusion 57 is inserted into the anti-slip hole 67a, a predetermined gap is formed between both widthwise sides of the anti-slip hole 67a and both widthwise sides of the anti-slip protrusion 57, and a predetermined gap is also formed between both axial ends of the anti-slip hole 67a and both axial ends of the anti-slip protrusion 57.

[0033] Therefore, as indicated by the symbols X, Y, and Z in Figure 4, the seal support member 60 can move a predetermined distance relative to the float body 50 along the width direction Y, which is perpendicular to the radial direction X of the float valve 40, and can also move a predetermined distance along the axial direction Z of the float valve 40, and further, the seal support member 60 can swing relative to the float body 50.

[0034] Furthermore, when the seal support member 60 moves to its maximum extent relative to the float body 50 (1) along the axial direction Z, the anti-slip protrusion 57 engages with the inner surfaces of both longitudinal ends of the anti-slip hole 67a, and (2) when it moves to its maximum extent along the width direction Y, the anti-slip protrusion 57 engages with the inner surfaces of both widthwise ends of the anti-slip hole 67a, thereby preventing the seal support member 60 from slipping out relative to the float body 50.

[0035] Furthermore, each extension 65 has a retaining hook 69 protruding from the front side (seal member 80 side) of the tip end thereof, which hook is inserted into a support hole 85a of the seal member 80 (see FIG. 6).

[0036] Each retaining hook 69 has a generally inverted L-shape, with a shaft 69a loosely fitted into the support hole 85a and a protruding portion 69b extending from the upper end of the shaft 69a beyond the inner peripheral edge of the support hole 85a. The shaft 69a is inserted into the support hole 85a of the seal member 80 so as to be movable along the radial direction X of the float valve 40 and along the width direction Y of the float valve 40.

[0037] The surface of the plate-like portion 61, i.e., the surface opposite to the back surface facing the mounting surface 54 of the ceiling wall 53 of the float valve 40, forms a mounting surface 70 for mounting a seal member 80. The seal member 80 is mounted on this mounting surface 70, and is supported so as to be movable a predetermined distance relative to the mounting surface 70 (see FIG. 8). In the present invention, the "mounting surface" provided on the float valve means the area above which the seal member is placed and which is covered by the seal member.

[0038] 6, at least the portion of the mounting surface 70 that is covered by the seal member 80 is provided with a seal contact portion 71 with which the seal member 80 comes into contact, and a seal non-contact region that is lower than the seal contact portion 71 and with which the seal member 80 does not come into contact. Furthermore, the seal non-contact region forms an air passage 75 that communicates with the valve chamber V when the seal member 80 is placed on the mounting surface 70. As shown in FIG. 8, the air passage 75 in this embodiment communicates with the valve chamber V at the outer circumferential edge portion 70a of the mounting surface 70, and is also exposed from the outer circumferential edge portion 80a of the seal member 80, thereby communicating with the valve chamber V.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, etc., the seal non-contact region forming the vent path 75 has the following structure. That is, this seal non-contact region is exposed from the outer peripheral edge 80a of the seal member 80 when the seal member 80 is placed on the mounting surface 70. The seal non-contact region is formed to reach the outer peripheral edge 70a of the mounting surface 70. The seal non-contact region forms a groove extending from the center of the mounting surface 70 toward the outer periphery. The vent path 75 has multiple portions at the outer peripheral edge 70a of the mounting surface 70 that communicate with the valve chamber V. The grooves have a portion (first groove 76 in this example) that intersects at the center of the mounting surface 70 and portions (second grooves 77 in this example) that extend in multiple directions from this intersecting portion toward the outer periphery of the mounting surface 70.

[0040] More specifically, in this embodiment, the air passage 75 is a groove consisting of a first groove 76, which is a circular recessed groove located in the center of the support surface 70 and formed by cutting out a predetermined depth from the support surface 70, and a plurality of (here, four) second grooves 77, which are arranged at equal intervals circumferentially on the outer periphery of the first groove 76 and extend linearly with a constant width radially from the outer periphery of the first groove 76 toward the outer peripheral edge 70a of the support surface 70.

[0041] The base ends 77a of the second grooves 77 in the extension direction intersect with each other via the first groove 76 (extension lines of the multiple second grooves 77 intersect at the center C1 of the mounting surface 70), and extend from the outer periphery of the first groove 76 toward the connecting portion (boundary portion) between the base ends 65a, 65a of the extending portions 65, 65 that make up the plate-shaped portion 61 (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, the tip ends 77b of the second grooves 77 in the extension direction extend to the outer circumferential edge 70a of the mounting surface 70 to communicate with the valve chamber V, and are exposed from the outer circumferential edge 80a of the seal member 80 to also communicate with the valve chamber V (see FIG. 8).

[0042] The groove consisting of the first groove 76 and the multiple second grooves 77 as described above has a groove shape that is open overall at the top (towards the sealing member 80) and at the side (towards the outer peripheral edge portion 70a of the mounting surface 70).

[0043] Furthermore, the width (length in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction) of each second groove 77 is narrower than the maximum inner dimension (inner diameter) of the first groove 76 with which it intersects. In other words, the first groove 76 is wider than the second groove 77. Furthermore, these circular recessed groove-shaped first grooves 76 and each second groove 77, which extends linearly with a constant width, communicate with each other.

[0044] The first groove 76 and the plurality of second grooves 77 form the "groove" of the present invention and also form the ventilation path 75 for gases such as air and fuel vapor, and these ventilation paths 75 form the "seal non-contact area" of the present invention, which does not come into contact with the back surface 80b of the sealing member 80. Furthermore, the part of the mounting surface 70 other than the seal non-contact area forming the ventilation path 75 forms the seal contact portion 71 with which the back surface 80b of the sealing member 80 comes into contact.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, when the seal member 80 is placed on the mounting surface 70 of the seal support member 60, the back surface 80b of the seal member 80 comes into contact with the seal contact portion 71 of the mounting surface 70, while the back surface 80b of the seal member 80 does not come into contact with the seal non-contact area of ​​the mounting surface 70 (no contact due to the air passage 75).

[0046] Furthermore, by providing the grooves 76, 77 as described above, the back surface 80b of the seal member 80 comes into contact with the seal contact portion 71 of the mounting surface 70, as shown in Figure 8, and when the seal member 80 is placed on the mounting surface 70, an air passage 75 through which gas flows is secured between the mounting surface 70 and the back surface 80b of the seal member 80 (a structure is formed in which the air passage 75 is interposed between the mounting surface 70 and the back surface 80b of the seal member 80).

[0047] 5(b) and 8, when gas flows in from an opening on the tip end 77b side of a predetermined second groove 77 (an opening on the outer peripheral edge 70a side of the mounting surface 70) among the second grooves 77 constituting the ventilation path 75 (see arrow F1), the gas flows through the second groove 77 and reaches the first groove 76 located in the center of the mounting surface 70, then branches from the first groove 76 to the other second grooves 77, flows through each second groove 77, and flows out from the opening on the tip end 77b side (an opening on the outer peripheral edge 70a side of the mounting surface 70) (see arrow F2). In other words, by providing the ventilation path 75 in the mounting surface 70, gas can flow between the mounting surface 70 and the back surface 80b of the sealing member 80 even when the sealing member 80 is placed on the mounting surface 70.

[0048] The first groove 76 forms the "intersecting portion at the center of the mounting surface" in the present invention. Furthermore, the second groove 77 forms the "portion extending in multiple directions from the intersecting portion toward the outer periphery of the mounting surface" in the present invention.

[0049] The groove forming the air passage 75 can also be said to be configured as follows: This groove is made up of a plurality of second grooves 77 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the central portion 63 of the plate-shaped portion 61 and extend from the outer peripheral edge of the connecting portion between the base ends 65 a, 65 a of the extending portions 65, 65 toward the center C1 of the mounting surface 70, and a first groove 76 that is arranged in the central portion of the mounting surface 70 and connects one end of each second groove 77 in the extending direction to one another.

[0050] The seal support member 60 described above has all of its components, such as the plate-shaped portion, the central portion and multiple extension portions that make up the plate-shaped portion, the anti-slip pieces, the anti-slip hooks, the mounting surface, the seal contact portion, the seal non-contact area, and the ventilation path, formed as a single unit.

[0051] Next, the seal member 80 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 6. FIG.

[0052] This seal member 80 is positioned above the seal support member 60 and is supported relative to the seal support member 60 so that it can move a predetermined distance and is prevented from coming off, and it moves toward and away from the valve seat 26 provided in the opening 25 to open and close the opening 25.

[0053] 6, this seal member 80 has a first cover portion 81 that covers a first region 25a of the opening 25, and a second cover portion 83 that covers a second region 25b of the opening 25. More specifically, in this embodiment, the seal member 80 has four second cover portions 83 that extend radially outward (extending in four directions) from the outer periphery of the first cover portion 81 in correspondence with the opening 25 that has a substantially cross-shaped opening, and the second cover portions 83, 83 that are adjacent in the circumferential direction are perpendicular to each other, so that the seal member 80 has a substantially cross shape as a whole.

[0054] In addition, each second cover portion 83 has a support portion 85 that supports the sealing member 80 against the float valve 40 to prevent it from coming loose, a wide portion 87 provided at the portion where the tip of the second region 25b of the opening 25 is located, and a narrow portion 89 that is provided at a position closer to the first region 25a of the opening 25 than the wide portion 87 and is formed narrower than the wide portion 87.

[0055] 6(b), the tip end of each second cover portion 83 in the extension direction forms the support portion 85. A support hole 85a having a generally elongated shape is formed in this support portion 85, extending long along the extension direction of the second cover portion 83. A shaft portion 69a of a retaining hook 69 provided on the seal support member 60 is loosely inserted into each support hole 85a.

[0056] Then, as shown in Figure 4, by inserting the shaft portion 69a of each anti-slip hook 69 into each support hole 85a and positioning the protruding portion 69b on the outer periphery of each support hole 85a, the seal member 80 is supported and prevented from slipping out relative to the seal support member 60 so that it can move a predetermined distance.

[0057] Furthermore, when the shaft portion 69a is inserted into the support hole 85a, a predetermined gap is formed between both axial ends of the support hole 85a and the shaft portion 69a, and a predetermined gap is also formed between both widthwise ends of the support hole 85a and the shaft portion 69a.

[0058] Therefore, as indicated by the symbols X, Y, and Z in Figure 4, the seal member 80 is movable a predetermined distance relative to the seal support member 60 along the radial direction X of the float valve 40, and also along the width direction Y of the float valve 40, and further along the axial direction Z of the float valve 40 relative to the mounting surface 70 of the float valve 40.

[0059] Furthermore, when the seal member 80 moves to its maximum extent relative to the seal support member 60 in the radial direction X, the shaft portion 69a engages with the inner surfaces of the support hole 85a at both axial ends, when the seal member 80 moves to its maximum extent along the width direction Y, the shaft portion 69a engages with the inner surfaces of the support hole 85a at both widthwise ends, and when the seal member 80 moves to its maximum extent in the axial direction Z, the protrusion portion 69b engages with the outer peripheral edge of the support hole 85a, thereby preventing the seal member 80 from slipping out of the seal support member 60.

[0060] 6, the wide portion 87 is provided on the base end side in the extension direction of the second cover portion 83. The width of the wide portion 87 (the length between both sides arranged perpendicular to the extension direction) is formed to be larger than the width of the support portion 85 and the width of the narrow portion 89.

[0061] In addition, a notch 91 is formed between the base ends of the second cover parts 83, 83 that extend from the outer periphery of the first cover part 81 and are adjacent in the circumferential direction, cutting out toward the center C2 of the first cover part 81, and a narrow width part 89 is provided through the notch 91.

[0062] In this embodiment, a notch 91 of a constant width is formed in the outer peripheral edge 80a of the seal member 80 at a connecting portion (a boundary portion where the base ends of adjacent second cover portions 83 are connected to each other) between the base ends of circumferentially adjacent second cover portions 83, 83 of the second cover portions 83 extending in four directions from the outer periphery of the first cover portion 81. The notch 91 is cut diagonally inward toward the center C2 of the first cover portion 81. A narrow width portion 89 having a width smaller than the width of the wide width portion 87 is formed at the base end of each second cover portion 83 in the extension direction, via a pair of notches 91, 91 formed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the first cover portion 81.

[0063] The seal non-contact area is exposed from a notch 91 provided in the outer peripheral edge 80a of the seal member 80. That is, as shown in Fig. 9, when the float valve 40 and the seal member 80 are viewed from the valve axis direction (the direction along the axis of the float valve 40), the tip end 77b in the extension direction of the second groove 77 that constitutes the vent path 75 of the seal support member 60, which constitutes the seal non-contact area, can be seen from the notch 91 of the seal member 80. As a result, the vent path 75 provided in the mounting surface 70 of the float valve 40 is structured to communicate with the valve chest V at the outer peripheral edge 80a of the seal member 80. That is, as shown in Fig. 8, the upper opening on the tip end 77b side of the second groove 77 that constitutes the vent path 75 communicates with the valve chest V via the notch 91.

[0064] The sealing member 80 described above has all of its components, such as the first cover portion, second cover portion, support portion, wide portion, and narrow portion, integrally formed from an elastic material such as rubber or elastic elastomer.

[0065] (Variation) The shapes and structures of the housing constituting the present invention, the housing body constituting the housing body, the lower cap, the upper cover, the float valve, the float body, the seal support member, the float valve mounting surface, the seal contact portion, the seal non-contact area, the air passage which is the seal non-contact area, the first groove and second groove constituting the air passage, the seal member, etc. are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0066] Furthermore, although the housing 15 in the above embodiment is composed of the housing body 20, the lower cap 30, and the upper cover 35, the housing may have any structure that includes at least a partition wall and an opening.

[0067] Furthermore, the opening 25 in this embodiment is an approximately cross-shaped opening with a widened central portion, but the opening may have a first region and a second region that extends in a slit-like manner from the first region and forms the end of the opening.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, the peripheral wall 21 of the housing body 20, the peripheral wall 33 of the lower cap 30, and the peripheral wall 36 of the upper cover 35 are approximately cylindrical, but these peripheral walls may also be, for example, elliptical or rectangular cylindrical.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one float valve 40 is housed and arranged in one valve chamber V formed in the housing 15, but, for example, multiple float valves may be housed and arranged in one valve chamber (functioning as a full tank limiting valve, a fuel cut valve, a pressure regulating valve, etc.), or multiple valve chambers may be defined in the housing and a float valve may be housed and arranged in each valve chamber.

[0070] In this embodiment, the mounting surface 70 provided with the seal contact portion 71, the seal non-contact area, and the ventilation path 75 is provided on the seal support member 60 constituting the float valve 40, but as the mounting surface, for example, as shown in Fig. 12, the surface of the ceiling wall 53 of the float body 50A constituting the float valve 40 may be used as the mounting surface 54, and the ventilation path 75 consisting of the seal contact portion, the seal non-contact area, the first groove 76, and multiple second grooves 77 may be provided on this mounting surface 54. In the modified example shown in Fig. 12, since the seal support member 60 is not present, multiple anti-detachment hooks 69 are protruded directly from the mounting surface 54 of the float body 50A to support and prevent the seal member 80 from coming off (see Fig. 12).

[0071] Furthermore, the seal contact portion may have any shape or structure as long as it is provided on the mounting surface and contacts the seal member, and similarly, the seal non-contact area may have any shape or structure as long as it is provided on the mounting surface and does not contact the seal member.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 8, the air passage 75 in this embodiment is structured so as to communicate with the valve chamber V at the outer peripheral edge 70a of the mounting surface 70 (the side opening on the tip 77b side of the second groove 77 communicates with the valve chamber V), and also to communicate with the valve chamber V by being exposed from the outer peripheral edge 80a of the sealing member 80 (the upper opening on the tip 77b side of the second groove 77 is exposed from the cutout 91 and communicates with the valve chamber V). However, the non-contact seal region may be structured so as to communicate with the valve chamber at the outer peripheral edge of the mounting surface, or to be exposed from the outer peripheral edge of the sealing member and communicate with the valve chamber, and any shape or structure may be used as long as it allows gas to flow through and communicates with the valve chamber when the sealing member is placed on the mounting surface.

[0073] 13(a), for example, the central portion of the mounting surface 70 of the seal support member 60A forms the seal contact portion 71 (the circular recessed first groove 76 is not formed), and the ventilation path 75A has a groove shape consisting of four grooves 78 that extend linearly with a constant width radially from the central portion toward the outer peripheral edge portion 70a of the mounting surface 70. In other words, this ventilation path 75A has a structure in which the first groove 76 does not exist, unlike the ventilation path 75 shown in FIG.

[0074] 13(b) has the following structure: When the extension portions constituting the seal support member 60B are extension portion 65A, extension portion 65B, extension portion 65C, and extension portion 65D arranged circumferentially around the central portion 63, one groove 78 is formed extending in an arc from the outer circumferential edge of the connection between base ends 65a of extension portions 65A and 65B to the outer circumferential edge of the connection between base ends 65a of extension portions 65B and 65C. Also, one groove 78 is formed extending in an arc from the outer circumferential edge of the connection between base ends 65a of extension portions 65C and 65D to the outer circumferential edge of the connection between base ends 65a of extension portions 65D and 65A.

[0075] The pair of grooves 78, 78 forms the ventilation path 75B. The pair of grooves 78, 78 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line segment L that passes through the center of the pair of extending portions 65A, 65C and the central portion 63. Only one such arc-shaped groove 78 may be arranged on the mounting surface 70. The extension shape of the groove may be a curved shape, a bow-like shape, or a combination of multiple linearly extending portions, other than the arc shape described above.

[0076] 13(c) has the following structure: That is, the air passage 75C has a groove shape consisting of a single groove 78 that extends linearly from the outer peripheral edge of the connecting portion between the base ends 65a, 65a of the extension portions 65B, 65C toward the outer peripheral edge of the connecting portion between the base ends 65a, 65a of the extension portions 65D, 65A (it can also be said that the single groove 78 extends on a diagonal line that passes through the center C1 of the mounting surface 70).

[0077] 13(c), another groove 78 may be provided that extends linearly from the outer periphery of the connecting portion between the base ends 65a of the extension portions 65C and 65D to the outer periphery of the connecting portion between the base ends 65a of the extension portions 65A and 65B. In this case, the pair of diagonally extending grooves 78 intersect at the center C1 of the mounting surface 70 to form a groove-shaped ventilation path that is substantially cross-shaped.

[0078] Furthermore, in all of the above-described air vent paths, the opening at the end of the groove located on the outer peripheral edge of the mounting surface is open to the side (a structure having a side opening), and the groove is connected to the valve chamber via this side opening, but, for example, it is also possible to have a structure in which such a side opening is not provided, and only the upper part of the end of the groove located on the outer peripheral edge of the mounting surface is open (a structure having only an upper opening).

[0079] Furthermore, the mounting surface may have a plurality of circular, elliptical or angular protrusions arranged at predetermined intervals, with the tip surfaces of the protrusions serving as seal contact areas and the portions between the plurality of protrusions serving as air passages, which may be used as seal non-contact areas, as long as the seal member can be mounted thereon and gas can flow through.

[0080] Furthermore, the sealing member 80 in this embodiment has four second cover portions 83 and is generally cross-shaped overall, but it may also be, for example, a generally elongated plate-like shape, a circular plate-like shape, an oval plate-like shape, a rectangular plate-like shape, or the like, as long as it is capable of closing the opening.

[0081] (Action and effect) Next, the function and effect of the valve device 10 having the above structure will be described.

[0082] 3, when the fuel level in the fuel tank is not rising and the float valve 40 is not immersed in fuel, the float valve 40 descends within the valve chamber V, the seal member 80 moves away from the valve seat 26, the opening 25 is open, and the valve chamber V and the vent chamber R communicate through the opening 25. In this state, if the fuel vapor in the fuel tank increases due to driving the vehicle or the like, and the tank internal pressure rises, the fuel vapor flows into the valve chamber V from the opening 31b of the lower cap 30 and the opening 21a of the housing body 20, passes through the opening 25, flows into the vent chamber R, and is sent to a canister (not shown) via the fuel vapor piping 38, thereby suppressing the increase in pressure within the fuel tank.

[0083] When the vehicle turns a corner, travels on an uneven road or a slope, or overturns in an accident, causing the fuel in the fuel tank to sway violently, the fuel level to rise, and the float valve 40 becomes immersed in the fuel, the float valve 40 rises due to the buoyancy of the float valve 40 itself and the biasing force of the biasing spring S. As a result, as shown in Figure 10, the first cover portion 81 and the second cover portion 83 of the seal member 80 come into contact with the valve seat 26 and close the first region 25a and the second region 25b of the opening 25, thereby preventing fuel from flowing into the ventilation chamber R through the opening 25.

[0084] 10 above shows the case where the float valve 40 rises straight up without tilting relative to the axial direction of the housing 15, but there are also cases where the float valve 40 rises at an angle relative to the axial direction of the housing 15. In this case, since the seal support member 60 is able to swing relative to the float body 50, when the float valve 40 rises at an angle and the seal member 80 abuts against the valve seat 26 in an angled state, the seal support member 60 swings appropriately relative to the float body 50, correcting the tilt of the seal member 80, so that the seal member 80 abuts against the valve seat 26 without tilting, and the opening 25 can be tightly closed.

[0085] In the above state, when the sloshing of the fuel subsides and the buoyancy of the fuel no longer acts on the float valve 40, or when the pressure inside the fuel tank drops, the float valve 40 will descend under its own weight. Then, as shown in Figure 11, the seal support member 60 will attempt to descend a predetermined distance relative to the seal member 80 that is in contact with and attached to the valve seat 26, but the mounting surface 70 of the seal support member 60 may stick to the back surface 80b of the seal member 80, preventing it from peeling off from the seal member 80.

[0086] In this case, in this valve device 10, at least the portion of the mounting surface 70 of the float valve 40 that is covered by the seal member 80 is provided with a seal contact portion 71 and a seal non-contact area, and the seal non-contact area forms an air passage 75 that communicates with the valve chamber V when the seal member 80 is mounted on the mounting surface 70 (see Figure 8).

[0087] Therefore, as described above, when the seal member 80 closes the opening 25 and then reopens the valve by attempting to open the opening 25, gas such as air that has flowed into the valve chamber V passes through the outer peripheral edge 70a of the mounting surface 70 or the outer peripheral edge 80a of the seal member 80, passes through the ventilation path 75, and enters between the rear surface 80b of the seal member 80 and the mounting surface 70. In this embodiment, for example, as shown by arrow F1 in Figures 5(b) and 8, gas that has flowed in from an opening on the tip end 77b side of a given second groove 77 flows through the second groove 77 and reaches the first groove 76, then branches into other second grooves 77, flows through each second groove 77, and flows out from the opening on the tip end 77b side of each branched second groove 77, as shown by arrow F2.

[0088] Then, gas enters between the back surface 80b of the sealing member 80 and the mounting surface 70 and becomes interposed therebetween, thereby preventing the entire back surface 80b of the sealing member 80 from contacting the mounting surface 70, suppressing the mounting surface 70 from being adsorbed to the sealing member 80 and preventing the mounting surface 70 from sticking to the back surface 80b of the sealing member 80. As a result, the sealing member 80 can be reliably moved relative to the mounting surface 70, and the sealing member 80 can be reliably opened from the opening 25, thereby increasing the reliability of the reopening operation of the float valve 40.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the non-contact seal region forming the vent passage 75 is exposed from the outer peripheral edge 80a of the seal member 80 when the seal member 80 is placed on the mounting surface 70 (see FIGS. 5, 7, 8, etc.). According to this aspect, the size of the portion of the non-contact seal region forming the vent passage 75 that communicates with the valve chamber V can be ensured to be large, which makes it easier for gas that has flowed into the valve chamber V to flow into the vent passage 75 and more reliably prevents the mounting surface 70 from sticking to the back surface 80b of the seal member 80.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the seal non-contact area is formed to extend to the outer peripheral edge 70a of the mounting surface 70 (see FIGS. 5, 7, 8, etc.). According to this aspect, gas that has flowed into the valve chamber V can easily flow into the ventilation path 75 through the outer peripheral edge 70a of the mounting surface 70, which more reliably prevents the mounting surface 70 from sticking to the back surface 80b of the seal member 80.

[0091] 5, the seal non-contact area is a groove extending from the center of the mounting surface 70 toward the outer periphery of the mounting surface 70. According to this aspect, the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber V is more likely to uniformly enter the seal non-contact area from the outer periphery 70a of the mounting surface 70, the outer periphery 80a of the seal member 80, etc., and this more reliably prevents the mounting surface 70 from sticking to the back surface 80b of the seal member 80.

[0092] 5, the grooves in this embodiment have a structure including a portion (first groove 76) that intersects at the center of the mounting surface 70 and portions (second grooves 77) that extend in multiple directions from this intersecting portion toward the outer periphery of the mounting surface 70. According to this aspect, the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber V quickly flows from the outer peripheral edge 70a of the mounting surface 70 or the outer peripheral edge 80a of the sealing member 80 toward the center of the mounting surface 70, thereby more reliably preventing the mounting surface 70 from sticking to the back surface 80b of the sealing member 80.

[0093] 5, the intersecting portion of the grooves (first groove 76) is wider than the portion extending from the intersecting portion. This configuration allows the central portion of the mounting surface 70 to be easily and quickly peeled off from the back surface 80b of the sealing member 80, thereby more effectively preventing the mounting surface 70 from sticking to the back surface 80b of the sealing member 80.

[0094] 9, in this embodiment, a notch 91 is provided in the outer peripheral edge portion 80a of the seal member 80, and the seal non-contact region is exposed from the notch 91. This aspect makes it easier to provide an exposed portion of the seal non-contact region from the outer periphery of the seal member 80. Furthermore, the seal member 80 can be easily bent via the notch 91, which makes it easier to peel the seal member 80 from the opening 25.

[0095] When the mounting surface 70 peels off from the back surface 80b of the seal member 80, the seal support member 60 descends a predetermined distance relative to the seal member 80 that is in contact with and attached to the valve seat 26, and the anti-slip protrusion 57 of the float body 50 engages with the inner surface of the lower end of the anti-slip hole 67a of the seal support member 60.

[0096] As a result, the load of the float body 50 acts on the seal support member 60, causing the shaft 69a of the retaining hook 69 of the seal support member 60 to descend within the support hole 85a of the seal member 80, and the protruding portion 69b of the retaining hook 69 to engage with the outer periphery of the support hole 85a. As a result, the load of the float body 50 and the seal support member 60 acts on the second cover portion 83 of the seal member 80 via the seal support member 60.

[0097] Then, the second cover portion 83 of the seal member 80 elastically deforms so as to be pulled diagonally downward, and the second cover portion 83 moves along the axial direction Z and radial direction X of the float valve 40. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11 , the second cover portion 83 gradually moves away from the valve seat 26 from the base end of the wide portion 87 and the narrow portion 89 side, opening the second region 25b of the opening 25, and then the first cover portion 81 is peeled off from the valve seat 26, opening the first region 25a of the opening 25 and allowing the entire opening 25 to be completely opened. As a result, the reopening pressure of the float valve 40 can be improved. Note that "improving the reopening pressure" refers to the ability to make it easier to peel the float valve off the valve seat provided in the opening and open the opening even when the tank internal pressure is high.

[0098] Furthermore, 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 symbols]

[0099] 10 Valve gear 15 Housing 20 Housing body 23 Partition Wall 25 Opening 30 Bottom Cap 35 Upper cover 40 Float valve 50 Float body 54 Placement surface 60, 60A, 60B Seal support member 70 Placement surface 70a Outer edge 75, 75A, 75B, 75C ventilation passage 76 First groove 77 Second groove 80 sealing material 80a Outer edge S bias spring R ventilation chamber V valve chamber

Claims

1. a housing, the housing having a valve chamber communicating with the inside of the fuel tank at its lower end and a vent chamber communicating with the outside of the fuel tank at its upper end, the partition wall being formed with an opening for communicating the valve chamber with the vent chamber; a float valve housed in the valve chamber so as to be able to rise and fall; a seal member disposed above the float valve and closing the opening, the opening has a valve seat; The float valve has a mounting surface on which the seal member is mounted, the sealing member is placed on the placement surface and supported so as to be movable a predetermined distance relative to the placement surface; a valve device characterized in that at least a portion of the mounting surface that is covered by the seal member is provided with a seal contact portion with which the seal member comes into contact when the seal member abuts against the valve seat to close the opening, and a seal non-contact area with which the seal member does not come into contact, and the seal non-contact area forms an air passage that communicates with the valve chamber when the seal member is placed on the mounting surface.

2. 2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the seal non-contact area is exposed from an outer peripheral edge of the seal member when the seal member is placed on the placement surface.

3. a housing, the housing having a valve chamber communicating with the inside of the fuel tank at its lower end and a vent chamber communicating with the outside of the fuel tank at its upper end, the partition wall being formed with an opening for communicating the valve chamber with the vent chamber; a float valve housed in the valve chamber so as to be able to rise and fall; a seal member disposed above the float valve and closing the opening, The float valve has a mounting surface on which the seal member is mounted, the sealing member is placed on the placement surface and supported so as to be movable a predetermined distance relative to the placement surface; a seal contact portion with which the seal member comes into contact and a seal non-contact area with which the seal member does not come into contact are provided in at least a portion of the mounting surface that is covered by the seal member, and the seal non-contact area forms an air passage that communicates with the valve chamber when the seal member is placed on the mounting surface, The valve device is characterized in that the seal non-contact area is formed so as to extend to an outer peripheral edge of the mounting surface.

4. a housing, the housing having a valve chamber communicating with the inside of the fuel tank at its lower end and a vent chamber communicating with the outside of the fuel tank at its upper end, the partition wall being formed with an opening for communicating the valve chamber with the vent chamber; a float valve housed in the valve chamber so as to be able to rise and fall; a seal member disposed above the float valve and closing the opening, The float valve has a mounting surface on which the seal member is mounted, the sealing member is placed on the placement surface and supported so as to be movable a predetermined distance relative to the placement surface; a seal contact portion with which the seal member comes into contact and a seal non-contact area with which the seal member does not come into contact are provided in at least a portion of the mounting surface that is covered by the seal member, and the seal non-contact area forms an air passage that communicates with the valve chamber when the seal member is placed on the mounting surface, The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the seal non-contact area is a groove extending from a center of the mounting surface toward an outer periphery of the mounting surface.

5. 5. The valve device according to claim 4, wherein the groove has a portion that intersects at a center of the mounting surface and portions that extend in a plurality of directions from the intersecting portion toward the outer periphery of the mounting surface.

6. 6. The valve device according to claim 5, wherein the intersecting portion of the groove is wider than the portion extending from the intersecting portion.

7. 7. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein a notch is provided in an outer peripheral edge portion of the seal member, and the seal non-contact area is exposed through the notch.

Images