canister

Abstract

To provide a canister that exhibits an adsorption effect on evaporation fuel of a wide range of concentrations.SOLUTION: One embodiment of this disclosure is a canister that adsorbs and desorbs evaporation fuel generated in a fuel tank of a vehicle. The canister includes: a charge port; a purge port; an atmospheric port; a first adsorption chamber and a second adsorption chamber that are connected to the charge port and the purge port directly or via another chamber; a first adsorption member accommodated in the first adsorption chamber; and a second adsorption member accommodated in the second adsorption chamber. The first adsorption member has: an adsorption sheet formed of fiber having a property of adsorbing the evaporation fuel; and granular bodies dispersed on the surface or inside of the adsorption sheet and having a property of adsorbing the evaporation fuel. The adsorption sheet is wound or folded so as to constitute a plurality of layers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a canister. [Background technology]

[0002] A canister is attached to a vehicle's fuel tank to prevent evaporated fuel from being released into the atmosphere. The canister adsorbs the evaporated fuel onto an adsorbent material, draws in air to desorb the fuel from the adsorbent, and then supplies the fuel to the engine.

[0003] As an adsorption member for such a canister, a stack of adsorption sheets is known (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7250145 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, in an adsorption member made of stacked adsorption sheets, the pore size of the adsorption sheets is constant, so the adsorption and desorption performance of the adsorption member is effective only for fuel vapor of a certain concentration. Therefore, when the concentration of fuel vapor varies widely, there is a possibility that the adsorption performance may not be sufficient.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a canister that exhibits an adsorption effect for a wide range of concentrations of evaporated fuel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a canister for adsorbing and desorbing evaporated fuel generated in a vehicle fuel tank. The canister includes a charge port for taking in evaporated fuel, a purge port for discharging evaporated fuel, an atmospheric port open to the atmosphere, a first adsorption chamber and a second adsorption chamber connected to the charge port and the purge port directly or via another chamber, a first adsorption member housed in the first adsorption chamber, and a second adsorption member housed in the second adsorption chamber. The first adsorption member includes an adsorption sheet formed of fibers capable of adsorbing evaporated fuel, and particles capable of adsorbing evaporated fuel distributed on or within the adsorption sheet. The adsorption sheet is wound or folded to form multiple layers.

[0008] With this configuration, the combination of the adsorption capacity of the adsorption sheet and the adsorption capacity of the granules allows the first adsorption member to adsorb a wide range of evaporated fuel concentrations. In other words, the adsorption performance of the first adsorption member can be adjusted by selecting the granules. Furthermore, because the first adsorption member can be formed by winding or folding the granules entangled with the adsorption sheet, there is no need to use a binder to hold the granules and bond them together.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first adsorption member may have first and second granules that are different from each other. The adsorption sheet may have a first region in which the first granules are arranged and a second region in which the second granules are arranged. This configuration allows the first adsorption member to have an adsorption effect over a wider range of evaporated fuel.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the adsorption sheet may have a third region in which the granules are arranged and a fourth region in which the granules are not arranged, which also allows the first adsorption member to have an adsorption effect on a wider range of evaporated fuel.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the suction sheet may be wound to form a plurality of layers, which facilitates the formation of a first suction member having a plurality of layers.

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first adsorption member may further include a core material. The adsorption sheet may be wound around the core material. With this configuration, the core material can enhance adhesion between adjacent layers. This reduces gaps in the first adsorption member, thereby suppressing the passage of evaporated fuel.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first adsorption chamber may be directly connected to the atmospheric port, which reduces the amount of evaporated fuel leaking from the atmospheric port. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a canister according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2A is a schematic perspective view of a first adsorption member in the canister of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a schematic plan view of the first adsorption member of FIG. 2A. [Figure 3] FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view of a first suction member in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view of the first suction member in FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic development view of the suction sheet of the first suction member of FIG. 2A. [Figure 5] 5A is a schematic development view of an adsorption sheet in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view of a first adsorption member having the adsorption sheet of FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] 6A is a schematic development view of an adsorption sheet in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view of a first adsorption member having the adsorption sheet of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7] 7A is a schematic development view of an adsorption sheet in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective view of a first adsorption member having the adsorption sheet of FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a first adsorption member in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a first adsorption member in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present disclosure is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. First embodiment] [1-1.Configuration] A canister 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an evaporated fuel treatment device that adsorbs and desorbs evaporated fuel generated in a fuel tank of a vehicle.

[0016] The canister 1 includes a charge port 2A, a purge port 2B, an atmospheric port 2C, a first adsorption chamber 3, a second adsorption chamber 4, a third adsorption chamber 5, a first adsorption member 7, a second adsorption member 8, and a third adsorption member 9.

[0017] <Charge port> The charge port 2A is connected to a fuel tank of the vehicle by a pipe and is configured to take in evaporated fuel generated in the fuel tank into the canister 1.

[0018] <Purge port> The purge port 2B is connected to an intake pipe of a vehicle engine via a purge valve, and is configured to discharge evaporated fuel from the canister 1 and supply it to the engine.

[0019] <Atmospheric port> The atmospheric port 2C is open to the atmosphere. The atmospheric port 2C releases gas from which evaporated fuel has been removed into the atmosphere. The atmospheric port 2C also takes in outside air (i.e., purge air) to desorb (i.e., purge) the evaporated fuel adsorbed by the canister 1.

[0020] <1st adsorption chamber> The first adsorption chamber 3 houses a first adsorption member 7. The atmospheric port 2C is directly connected to the first adsorption chamber 3 without passing through another adsorption chamber. The first adsorption chamber 3 communicates with the atmospheric port 2C and the third adsorption chamber 5. The first adsorption chamber 3 discharges the gas that has adsorbed the evaporated fuel from the atmospheric port 2C.

[0021] <Second adsorption chamber> The second adsorption chamber 4 houses a second adsorption member 8. The charge port 2A and the purge port 2B are directly connected to the second adsorption chamber 4 without going through another adsorption chamber. The second adsorption chamber 4 is in communication with the charge port 2A, the purge port 2B, and the third adsorption chamber 5. The second adsorption chamber 4 adsorbs evaporated fuel taken in through the charge port 2A. The second adsorption chamber 4 also discharges the adsorbed evaporated fuel from the purge port 2B.

[0022] <3rd adsorption chamber> The third adsorption chamber 5 houses a third adsorption member 9. The third adsorption chamber 5 is disposed between the first adsorption chamber 3 and the second adsorption chamber 4 in the flow path of the evaporated fuel.

[0023] The evaporated fuel taken in from the charge port 2A is adsorbed by the second adsorption member 8 in the second adsorption chamber 4. The evaporated fuel that cannot be adsorbed in the second adsorption chamber 4 moves to the third adsorption chamber 5, where it is adsorbed by the third adsorption member 9.

[0024] Furthermore, the evaporated fuel that cannot be adsorbed in the third adsorption chamber 5 moves to the first adsorption chamber 3, where it is adsorbed by the first adsorption member 7. The gas with the adsorbed evaporated fuel is released from the atmospheric port 2C.

[0025] Furthermore, by drawing air in through the atmospheric port 2C, the evaporated fuel that has been adsorbed by the adsorption members in the first adsorption chamber 3, the second adsorption chamber 4, and the third adsorption chamber 5 is discharged to the engine through the purge port 2B, and as a result, air containing evaporated fuel is supplied to the engine.

[0026] <First suction member> The first adsorption member 7 is housed in the first adsorption chamber 3. As shown in FIG.

[0027] <Core material> The core material 71 is a rod-shaped member that is air-impermeable. The core material 71 is made of a material that is substantially air-impermeable, and has a structure that does not allow gas to pass through (i.e., does not have any communicating holes or spaces).

[0028] The first adsorption member 7 is disposed so that the axial direction of the core material 71 is parallel to the flow direction G of the evaporated fuel in the first adsorption chamber 3. That is, in the first adsorption chamber 3, the evaporated fuel flows along the axial direction of the core material 71.

[0029] 2B, the cross-sectional shape (hereinafter referred to as the "first shape") S1 of the outer peripheral surface of the core material 71, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the core material 71, is similar to the cross-sectional shape (hereinafter referred to as the "second shape") S2 of the inner peripheral surface of the first adsorption chamber 3, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the core material 71. For example, if the second shape S2 of the first adsorption chamber 3 is circular (i.e., if the internal space of the first adsorption chamber 3 is cylindrical), the first shape S1 of the core material 71 is also circular (i.e., the core material 71 is cylindrical).

[0030] Also, for example, when the second shape S2 of the first adsorption chamber 3 is rectangular (i.e., when the internal space of the first adsorption chamber 3 is a rectangular prism) as shown in FIG. 3A, the first shape S1 of the core material 71 is also rectangular (i.e., the core material 71 is a rectangular prism as shown in FIG. 3B).

[0031] <Adsorption sheet> 2A, the adsorption sheet 72 is wound around the core material 71. The adsorption sheet 72 has the ability to adsorb evaporated fuel. That is, the adsorption sheet 72 adsorbs evaporated fuel and butane supplied to the canister 1 together with air and the like. The adsorption sheet 72 also desorbs the evaporated fuel and butane when external air is introduced.

[0032] Specifically, the adsorption sheet 72 is made of fibers that have the ability to adsorb fuel vapor. For example, woven, knitted, or nonwoven carbon fiber fabrics can be suitably used as the adsorption sheet 72.

[0033] 4, granules 73 are dispersed on the surface of or inside the adsorption sheet 72. The granules 73 have the ability to adsorb evaporated fuel. That is, the first adsorption member 7 has granules 73 dispersed on the surface of or inside the adsorption sheet 72, which have the ability to adsorb evaporated fuel.

[0034] Examples of the granules 73 include activated carbon and zeolite. The granules 73 are held by the adsorbent sheet 72 by getting into the gaps between the fibers that make up the adsorbent sheet 72 (i.e., by becoming entangled in the fibers). The adsorbent sheet 72 is wrapped around the core material 71 with the granules 73 disposed thereon. The granules 73 are disposed on the adsorbent sheet 72 by, for example, scattering or coating.

[0035] The adsorption performance of the adsorption sheet 72 and the adsorption performance of the granules 73 are different from each other. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5A, the adsorption sheet 72 may have first granules 73A and second granules 73B arranged as granules 73, which are different from each other. In this case, the adsorption sheet 72 has a first region 721 in which the first granules 73A are arranged and a second region 722 in which the second granules 73B are arranged. This allows the first adsorption member 7 to have an adsorption effect over a wider range of fuel vapor. Note that "different from each other" means that the adsorption capabilities and / or desorption capabilities are different from each other.

[0036] 5A, a first region 721 and a second region 722 are defined in the direction along the winding axis of the adsorption sheet 72 (i.e., the axial direction of the core material 71). As shown in Fig. 5B, the first region 721 is located downstream of the second region 722 in the direction F in which the gas in the first adsorption chamber 3 flows toward the atmosphere port 2C.

[0037] An example of a combination of the first granules 73A and the second granules 73B is one in which the first granules 73A have a higher desorption capacity for evaporated fuel than the second granules 73B, and the second granules 73B have a higher adsorption capacity than the first granules 73A. Alternatively, a combination in which the first granules 73A have a higher adsorption capacity than the second granules 73B may be used.

[0038] 6A, the adsorption sheet 72 may be provided with a third region 723 in which the granules 73 are arranged and a fourth region 724 in which the granules 73 are not arranged. This allows the first adsorption member 7 to have an adsorption effect on a wider range of evaporated fuel.

[0039] 6A, a third region 723 and a fourth region 724 are defined in the direction along the winding axis of the adsorption sheet 72 (i.e., the axial direction of the core material 71). As shown in Fig. 6B, the third region 723 is located downstream of the fourth region 724 in the direction F in which the gas in the first adsorption chamber 3 flows toward the atmosphere port 2C.

[0040] 7A and 7B, the third region 723 may be located upstream of the fourth region 724 in the direction F in which the gas in the first adsorption chamber 3 flows toward the atmospheric port 2C.

[0041] Furthermore, multiple types of particles 73 may be arranged in the third region 723. That is, the third region 723 may be provided with a first region 721 and a second region 722 in which different types of particles 73 are arranged.

[0042] The suction sheet 72 is wound around the core material 71 to form multiple cylindrical layers. That is, the wound suction sheet 72 has multiple layers stacked in the radial direction. The outer circumferential surface of the inner layer of the suction sheet 72 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer layer. Therefore, within the wound suction sheet 72, there is essentially no path for air to pass in the axial direction of the core material 71.

[0043] <Second suction member and third suction member> The second adsorption member 8 and the third adsorption member 9 respectively adsorb the evaporated fuel and butane supplied to the canister 1 together with air, etc. Furthermore, the second adsorption member 8 and the third adsorption member 9 desorb the evaporated fuel and butane by introducing external air.

[0044] The second adsorption member 8 and the third adsorption member 9 can be made of materials such as activated carbon and zeolite. Examples of activated carbon include aggregates of granular adsorbents, activated carbon formed into a honeycomb shape, and fibrous activated carbon formed into a sheet, rectangular parallelepiped, cylindrical, or prismatic shape. The second adsorption member 8 and the third adsorption member 9 may be made of the same type of adsorbent, or different types of adsorbents. Furthermore, the second adsorption member 8 and the third adsorption member 9 may have a core material and an adsorption sheet wound around the core material, similar to the first adsorption member 7.

[0045] [1-2.Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The combination of the adsorption capacity of the adsorption sheet 72 and the adsorption capacity of the granules 73 allows the first adsorption member 7 to be effective in adsorbing a wide range of concentrations of evaporated fuel. In other words, the adsorption performance of the first adsorption member 7 can be adjusted by selecting the granules 73. Furthermore, since the first adsorption member 7 can be formed by winding the adsorption sheet 72 with the granules 73 entangled therewith, there is no need to use a binder to hold the granules 73 in place or to bond the layers together.

[0046] (1b) By rolling the suction sheet 72, it is easy to form the first suction member 7 having multiple layers.

[0047] (1c) By winding the adsorption sheet 72 around the core material 71, the adhesion between adjacent layers can be increased by the core material 71. This reduces the gaps in the first adsorption member 7, making it possible to suppress the passage of evaporated fuel.

[0048] (1d) By accommodating the first adsorption member 7 in the first adsorption chamber 3 connected to the atmospheric port 2C, the amount of evaporated fuel leaking from the atmospheric port 2C can be reduced.

[0049] 2. Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take on various forms.

[0050] (2a) In the canister of the above embodiment, the evaporated fuel does not necessarily flow along the axial direction of the core material in the first adsorption chamber. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the first adsorption member 7 may be arranged so that the axial direction of the core material 71 intersects with the flow direction G of the evaporated fuel in the first adsorption chamber. In this case, the core material 71 may be hollow (i.e., cylindrical).

[0051] (2b) In the canister of the above embodiment, the first adsorption member does not necessarily have to have a core material. Furthermore, the adsorption sheet does not necessarily have to be rolled up. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, the adsorption sheet 72 may be folded to form multiple layers.

[0052] (2c) In the canister of the above embodiment, the first adsorption member does not necessarily have to be housed in an adsorption chamber connected to the atmospheric port. For example, the first adsorption member may be housed in an adsorption chamber connected to the charge port and the purge port.

[0053] (2d) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. All aspects included in the technical idea identified by the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...Canister, 2A...Charge port, 2B...Purge port, 2C...Atmospheric port, 3...first adsorption chamber, 4...second adsorption chamber, 5...third adsorption chamber, 7...first adsorption member, 8... second adsorption member, 9... third adsorption member, 71... core material, 72... adsorption sheet, 73... granules, 73A...first grain, 73B...second grain, 721...first region, 722...second region, 723...Third area, 724...Fourth area.

Claims

1. A canister that adsorbs and desorbs evaporated fuel generated in a fuel tank of a vehicle, a charge port that takes in the evaporated fuel; a purge port for discharging the evaporated fuel; an atmospheric port open to the atmosphere; a first adsorption chamber directly connected to the atmospheric port; a second adsorption chamber directly connected to the charge port and the purge port and having a larger volume than the first adsorption chamber; a first adsorption member housed in the first adsorption chamber; a second adsorption member that is housed in the second adsorption chamber and is a different type from the first adsorption member; Equipped with The first adsorption member is an adsorption sheet formed of fibers having adsorption properties for the evaporated fuel; particles having adsorption properties for the evaporated fuel, which are dispersed and arranged on the surface or inside of the adsorption sheet; and The adsorbent sheet is rolled or folded to form multiple layers, The adsorption sheet is a third region in which the particles are arranged; a fourth region in which the particles are not disposed, The canister, wherein the third region and the fourth region are aligned along a flow direction of the evaporated fuel.

2. 2. The canister of claim 1, The adsorbent sheet is wound to form a plurality of layers.

3. A canister according to claim 2, The first suction member further includes a core material, The canister, wherein the suction sheet is wound around the core material.

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