Capless refueling assembly

Abstract

The capless refueling assembly (1) is attached to the leading end of a refueling pipe (2) that extends from a fuel tank. The capless refueling assembly (1) is provided with a main body (10), a flap valve (11), and a pair of stopper ribs (16). A refueling port (10a) into which the nozzle (30) of a refueling gun (3) is inserted is formed on the main body (10). The flap valve (11) is provided inside the main body (10) so as to be able to open and close and opens / closes the refueling port (10a). The stopper ribs (16) protrude inward from the inner surface of the liquid fuel flow channel formed inside the main body (10). The pair of stopper ribs (16) protrude inward toward each other and control the insertion depth of the nozzle (30). The shortest distance between the pair of stopper ribs (16) is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the leading end of the nozzle (30).

Description

Capless Fuel Assembly

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a capless fuel filler assembly for a vehicle.

[0002] In conventional vehicles, a cap is screwed onto a fuel filler opening at the top end of a fuel filler pipe extending from a fuel tank toward the side of the vehicle body to close the fuel filler opening. In recent years, vehicles with a capless fuel filler assembly attached to the top end of the fuel filler pipe have also become commercially available. Instead of a cap screwed onto the fuel filler opening, the capless fuel filler assembly has a flapper nozzle that can be pushed open by the nozzle of a fuel gun. Because it has a flap valve that can be opened by pushing the nozzle of a fuel gun, the capless fuel filler assembly is easy to use. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a capless fuel filler assembly.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-86748

[0004] Fuel guns have a function at their tip that automatically stops refueling. The automatic stop function detects the liquid fuel level in the fuel filler pipe and automatically stops refueling. The mechanism that realizes the automatic stop function uses the negative pressure generated by the Venturi effect due to the flow of liquid fuel during refueling to draw gas (air and evaporated fuel) through an intake hole located near the tip of the fuel filler gun's nozzle. When the liquid fuel level reaches this intake hole, the gas is no longer drawn in, and the resulting pressure change is used to stop refueling. However, depending on the internal shape of the fuel filler pipe or fuel filler assembly and the shape of the fuel filler gun, this intake hole may become blocked by liquid fuel leaking from the fuel filler gun's nozzle. In this case, the automatic stop function malfunctions due to liquid fuel leaking from the nozzle, rather than the normal automatic stop function triggered by the liquid level rising in the fuel filler pipe. This malfunction is extremely inconvenient at gas stations where vehicle users refuel themselves.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a capless fueling assembly that can prevent malfunction of the automatic shutoff function of a fueling aircraft.

[0006] A capless fuel filler assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention is attached to the tip of a fuel filler pipe extending from a fuel tank. The capless fuel filler assembly includes a main body, a flap valve, and a pair of stopper ribs. The main body is formed with a fuel filler opening into which a nozzle of a fuel gun is inserted. The flap valve is openably and closably provided inside the main body to open and close the fuel filler opening. The pair of stopper ribs protrude inward from the inner surface of a liquid fuel flow path formed inside the main body. The pair of stopper ribs protrude inward toward each other and regulate the insertion depth of the nozzle. The shortest distance between the pair of stopper ribs is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle.

[0007] A capless fuel filler assembly according to a second aspect of the present invention is attached to the tip of a fuel filler pipe extending from a fuel tank. The capless fuel filler assembly includes a main body, a flap valve, and at least one stopper rib. The main body is formed with a fuel filler opening into which a nozzle of a fuel gun is inserted. The flap valve is openably and closably provided inside the main body to open and close the fuel filler opening. The stopper rib protrudes inward from the inner surface of a liquid fuel flow path formed inside the main body and regulates the insertion depth of the nozzle. The shortest distance between the stopper rib and the inner surface of the flow path opposite the tip of the stopper rib is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle.

[0008] According to the above feature, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the automatic stop function of the fuel tanker.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a capless fuel filler assembly according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view (corresponding to Fig. 2) of a capless fuel filler assembly according to a second embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view (corresponding to Fig. 2) of a capless fuel filler assembly according to a modified example of the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view (corresponding to Fig. 2) of a capless fuel filler assembly according to a modified example of the second embodiment.

[0010] A capless fuel supply assembly (hereinafter simply referred to as an assembly) according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] First, let us explain fuel guns. The shape of a fuel gun nozzle is roughly specified by the international ISO standards (ISO 9158, ISO 9159). The nozzle is curved midway and has a straight section at its tip. The outer diameter of the nozzle appears to be standardized globally at 21 mm for gasoline and 24 mm for diesel fuel. The standards also specify the range of curvature of the curved section and the length of the straight section. Regarding the automatic shutoff mechanism, the standards also specify that the aforementioned intake port must be located within 22 mm of the nozzle tip. The intake port is located inside the curve of the nozzle, but may be located at the end of the nozzle (see Figure 1) or on the outer periphery of the nozzle. National standards are determined based on the ISO standards (e.g., SAE in the US and JIS in Japan).

[0012] 1 and 2, an assembly 1 according to a first embodiment will be described. The assembly 1 is attached to the end of a fuel filler pipe 2 extending upward from a fuel tank (not shown). Liquid fuel supplied by a fuel gun 3 through the assembly 1 flows down inside the fuel filler pipe 2 and is stored in the fuel tank. At this time, to facilitate filling with liquid fuel, gas within the fuel tank is returned to the vicinity of the end of the fuel filler pipe 2 by a breather pipe 20. The lower end of the fuel filler pipe 2 is connected to the bottom of the fuel tank and is equipped with a check valve. The lower end of the breather pipe 20 is connected to the top of the fuel tank.

[0013] The assembly 1 includes a resin body 10. Although FIG. 1 depicts the body 10 as a single component, it is actually composed of multiple resin components. The body 10 is a cylindrical member that is tapered toward the fuel tank. In this embodiment, the body 10 has a double-cylinder structure including an outer cylinder 13 and an inner cylinder 14. A fuel filler opening 10a into which the nozzle 30 of the fuel gun 3 is inserted is formed at one end of the body 10. An outer flap valve 11 that closes the fuel filler opening 10a is provided inside the body 10. The outer flap valve 11 is swingably attached to the body 10 so as to be able to open and close, and is constantly biased by a torsion coil spring to close the fuel filler opening 10a.

[0014] The assembly 1 of this embodiment has an inner flap valve 12 inside the main body 10 in addition to the outer flap valve 11. The inner flap valve 12 is positioned closer to the fuel tank than the outer flap valve 11. The inner flap valve 12 is also swingably attached to the main body 10 by a torsion coil spring, and is constantly biased so as to close the intermediate hole 10b inside the main body 10. When the nozzle 30 of the fuel gun 3 is inserted into the main body 10 through the fuel filler opening 10a, the outer flap valve 11 and the inner flap valve 12 are each pushed open by the nozzle 30. When the nozzle 30 is pulled out of the main body 10, the outer flap valve 11 and the inner flap valve 12 are each closed by the torsion coil spring, and the fuel filler opening 10a and the intermediate hole 10b are closed.

[0015] As described above, the portion of the main body 10 closer to the fuel tank than the intermediate hole 10b has a double-cylinder structure including an outer cylinder 13 and an inner cylinder 14. The inner cylinder 14 is also called a flow guide. The inner diameter of the outer cylinder 13 gradually decreases toward the discharge port 10c formed at its tip. The inner cylinder 14 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 13. The inner diameter of the inner cylinder 14 also gradually decreases toward the discharge port 14a formed at its tip. The ranges of gradual change in the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 13 and the ranges of gradual change in the inner diameter of the inner cylinder 14 approximately coincide with each other along the liquid fuel flow path formed inside the main body 10.

[0016] When the assembly 1 is installed in a vehicle, an opening 14b is formed in the upper part of the inner cylinder 14 to avoid interference with the open inner flap valve 12. Meanwhile, a notch 14c continuing from the discharge port 14a is formed in the lower part of the inner cylinder 14. A pair of guide ribs 15 is formed in the lower part of the inner cylinder 14 from its upper edge to the notch 14c. The guide ribs 15 guide the insertion of the nozzle 30 and extend parallel to the liquid fuel flow path. A liquid fuel flow path 31 is formed inside the nozzle 30, and as shown in FIG. 1 , an intake passage 32 for automatic refueling stop is further formed inside the liquid fuel flow path 31. The tip of the intake passage 32 is an intake hole 32a, and in this embodiment, the intake hole 32a opens at the tip of the nozzle 30.

[0017] A pair of stopper ribs 16 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 14, i.e., extending inward from the inner surface of the liquid fuel flow path. The pair of stopper ribs 16 protrude inward toward each other from the inner side surface of the inner cylinder 14 when the assembly 1 is installed in a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2 , the shortest distance between the pair of stopper ribs 16 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle 30. The pair of stopper ribs 16 abut against the nozzle 30 to regulate the insertion depth of the nozzle 30. The edge of the stopper rib 16 abutting against the tip of the nozzle 30 is located within the aforementioned range of gradual change in the inner diameter of the inner cylinder 14. The stopper ribs 16 extend to the discharge port 14a. Note that FIG. 2 shows only the cross section of the main body 10, and does not show the fuel filler pipe 2.

[0018] The relationship between the assembly 1 and the inserted nozzle 30, and how to avoid malfunction of the automatic fuel supply stop function will be described below.

[0019] When refueling, the nozzle 30 is inserted into the main body 10 through the fuel filler opening 10a. The nozzle 30 sequentially pushes open the outer flap valve 11 and the inner flap valve 12, and the tip of the nozzle 30 is inserted into the inner tube 14. The nozzle 30 of the fuel gun 3 is curved downward, and the tip of the nozzle 30 is inserted further into the inner tube 14 while being guided by the upper edges of the pair of guide ribs 15. Because the tip of the nozzle 30 is guided by the pair of guide ribs 15, it reliably abuts against the pair of stopper ribs 16. Note that the shortest distance between the pair of stopper ribs 16 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle 30. Therefore, even if the guide ribs 15 do not effectively function as guides, the tip of the nozzle 30 reliably abuts against at least one of the stopper ribs 16. As a result, the insertion depth of the nozzle 30 is restricted.

[0020] When the tip of the nozzle 30 abuts against the stopper rib 16, the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the nozzle 30 is sufficiently separated from the inner peripheral surfaces of the inner tube 14 and the outer tube 13. Therefore, the air intake hole 32a opened at the tip of the nozzle 30 is also sufficiently separated from these inner peripheral surfaces. Even if the fuel gun 3 is rotated slightly around the axis of the nozzle 30 when inserting the nozzle 30, the air intake hole 32a remains sufficiently separated from the inner peripheral surfaces. If the distance between the air intake hole 32a and the inner peripheral surface were short, the liquid fuel discharged through the flow path 31 of the nozzle 30 would collide with the inner peripheral surface, disrupting the flow of the liquid fuel. This could result in the liquid fuel blocking the air intake hole 32a and causing a malfunction of the automatic shutoff mechanism. In this case, the air intake hole 32a is sufficiently separated from the inner peripheral surface, preventing a malfunction.

[0021] If the nozzle 30 were inserted too far without restricting its insertion depth, the curvature of the nozzle 30 would cause the intake hole 32a to come into contact with the inner circumferential surface or the distance from the inner circumferential surface to become very short. In this embodiment, the insertion depth of the nozzle 30 is restricted, so the intake hole 32a can be sufficiently spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface. In particular, in this embodiment, a pair of guide ribs 15 are formed, so the intake hole 32a can be reliably spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface. Furthermore, a notch 14c is formed at the back of the guide rib 15, so the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube 14 is not located below the tip of the nozzle 30, and a sufficient distance is ensured between the nozzle 30 and the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 13. Even if the intake hole 32a is not located at the tip of the nozzle 30 as in this embodiment but is located on the outer circumferential surface near the tip of the nozzle 30, automatic stop malfunction can be similarly avoided.

[0022] Next, an assembly 1X according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Only the configurations different from the first embodiment will be described below. The same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0023] In the first embodiment described above, a pair of opposing stopper ribs 16 are formed. In the present embodiment, a single stopper rib 16 is formed. The shortest distance between the stopper rib 16 and the inner surface of the liquid fuel flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14) facing the tip of the stopper rib 16 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle 30. The insertion of the nozzle 30 is guided by the pair of guide ribs 15, but the tip of the nozzle 30 abuts against the stopper rib 16, restricting the insertion depth of the nozzle 30. Note that the shortest distance between the stopper rib 16 and the inner surface of the liquid fuel flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14) facing the tip of the stopper rib 16 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle 30. Therefore, even if the tip of the nozzle 30 is displaced radially as shown in FIG. 3 , the tip of the nozzle 30 reliably abuts against the stopper rib 16. As a result, the insertion depth of the nozzle 30 is restricted, and the intake hole 32 a is sufficiently spaced from the inner circumferential surface, preventing malfunction.

[0024] Next, an assembly 1Y according to a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Only the configurations different from the first embodiment will be described below. The same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] In the first embodiment described above, the guide rib 15 and the notch 14c are formed, but in this embodiment, these are not formed. Forming the guide rib 15 and the notch 14c is preferable because it allows the intake hole 32a to be more reliably separated from the inner circumferential surface. However, the guide rib 15 and the notch 14c do not have to be formed as in this embodiment. Because the shortest distance between the pair of stopper ribs 16 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle 30, the tip of the nozzle 30 reliably abuts against at least one of the stopper ribs 16 even without guidance by the guide rib 15. As a result, the insertion depth of the nozzle 30 is restricted, and the intake hole 32a is sufficiently separated from the inner circumferential surface, thereby avoiding malfunction.

[0026] Next, an assembly 1Z according to a modified example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Only the configurations different from the second embodiment will be described below. The same or equivalent configurations as those in the second embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] In the second embodiment described above, the guide rib 15 and the notch 14c are formed, but in this embodiment, these are not formed. The guide rib 15 and the notch 14c are preferably formed because they enable the intake hole 32a to be more reliably spaced from the inner circumferential surface, but they are not necessarily formed. The tip of the nozzle 30 abuts against the stopper rib 16, thereby restricting the insertion depth of the nozzle 30. The shortest distance between the stopper rib 16 and the inner surface of the liquid fuel flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14) facing the tip of the stopper rib 16 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle 30. Therefore, even if the tip of the nozzle 30 is displaced radially as shown in FIG. 5 , the tip of the nozzle 30 reliably abuts against the stopper rib 16. As a result, the insertion depth of the nozzle 30 is restricted, and the intake hole 32a is sufficiently spaced from the inner circumferential surface, thereby avoiding malfunction.

[0028] In all of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the end of the stopper rib 16 is located within the gradually changing range of the inner diameter of the outer tube 13 and the inner tube 14. The intake hole 32a is located near the tip of the nozzle 30 on the inside of the curve. However, when the nozzle 30 is inserted all the way, the nozzle 30 is likely to be fixed with the intake hole 32a in contact with the inner circumferential surface due to the curvature of the nozzle 30 and the reduction in the inner diameter of the flow path. However, when the end of the stopper rib 16 is located within the gradually changing range, the insertion depth of the nozzle 30 is restricted, making it easier to prevent the intake hole 32a from maintaining contact with the inner circumferential surface. Furthermore, because the nozzle 30 is not inserted too far, the reduction in the inner diameter of the flow path does not affect the position of the nozzle 30, and the nozzle 30 is not fixed even when the nozzle 30 is curved. Therefore, even when the tip of the nozzle 30 abuts against the stopper rib 16, the tip of the nozzle 30 can be shifted radially to move the intake hole 32a away from the inner circumferential surface, more reliably avoiding malfunction.

[0029] Furthermore, in all of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the pair of stopper ribs 16 protrude inward from the side wall surface, not from the bottom wall surface, of the inner cylinder 14 when the assembly 1 (1X to 1Z) is attached to the vehicle. Therefore, when the nozzle 30 is inserted, the stopper ribs 16 are not positioned near the intake hole 32a located below, and the stopper ribs 16 do not obstruct the flow of liquid fuel, causing the liquid fuel to block the intake hole 32a.

[0030] The assembly 1 of the first embodiment and the assembly 1Y of its modified example include a pair of stopper ribs 16 protruding inward from the inner surface of the liquid fuel flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14) formed inside the main body 10. The pair of stopper ribs 16 protrude toward each other. The shortest distance between the pair of stopper ribs 16 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle 30. Therefore, the pair of opposing stopper ribs 16 restricts the insertion depth of the nozzle 30, thereby ensuring sufficient separation between the intake hole 32a of the nozzle 30 and the inner surface of the flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14). As a result, liquid fuel discharged from the flow path 31 of the nozzle 30 is reliably prevented from bouncing off the inner surface of the flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14) and blocking the intake hole 32a. This reliably prevents malfunction of the automatic stop function of the fuel tanker.

[0031] According to the assembly 1X of the second embodiment and the assembly 1Z of its modified example, at least one stopper rib 16 protrudes inward from the inner surface of the liquid fuel flow path formed inside the main body 10 (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14). The shortest distance between the stopper rib 16 and the inner surface of the flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14) facing the tip of the stopper rib 16 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle 30. Therefore, the stopper rib 16 restricts the insertion depth of the nozzle 30, ensuring sufficient separation between the intake hole 32a and the inner surface of the flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14). As a result, liquid fuel discharged from the flow path 31 of the nozzle 30 is reliably prevented from bouncing off the inner surface of the flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14) and blocking the intake hole 32a. This prevents malfunction of the automatic stop function of the fuel tanker.

[0032] In particular, according to the assembly 1 of the first embodiment and the assembly 1X of the second embodiment, a pair of guide ribs 15 that are parallel to the flow path and guide the insertion of the nozzle 30 are formed on the inner surface of the flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14). Because the guide ribs 15 guide the insertion of the nozzle 30, the tip of the nozzle 30 can more reliably abut against the stopper rib 16, making it possible to more reliably prevent malfunction of the automatic stop function of the fuel tanker. Furthermore, because the guide ribs 15 can reliably separate the intake hole 32a of the nozzle 30 from the inner surface of the flow path (the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 14), it is also possible to more reliably prevent malfunction of the automatic stop function of the fuel tanker.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, at least one stopper rib 16 may be provided. Two stopper ribs 16 may be provided as in the first embodiment and its modified examples, or three or more stopper ribs 16 may be provided. When two stopper ribs 16 are provided, arranging them facing each other as in the first embodiment and its modified examples provides the above-described advantages. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in addition to the outer flap valve 11 that opens and closes the fuel filler opening 10a, the inner flap valve 12 is also provided. Providing two flap valves is preferable because it more reliably prevents the release of evaporated fuel in the fuel tank into the atmosphere. However, the inner flap valve 12 may be omitted and only the outer flap valve 11 that opens and closes the fuel filler opening 10a may be provided. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the main body 10 has a double-cylinder structure formed by an outer cylinder 13 and an inner cylinder 14. However, the main body 10 may have a short-cylinder structure instead of the double-cylinder structure.

[0034] 1, 1X to 1Z Capless fuel filler assembly 2 Fuel filler pipe 3 Fuel filler gun 10 Main body 10a Fuel filler port 11 Outer flap valve 15 Guide rib 16 Stopper rib 30 Nozzle (of fuel filler gun 3) 32a Intake hole (of nozzle 30)

Claims

1. A capless fueling assembly attached to the tip of a fuel supply pipe extending from a fuel tank, comprising: a main body having a fueling port into which the nozzle of a fueling gun is inserted; a flap valve provided inside the main body so as to be openable and closable for opening and closing the fueling port; a pair of stopper ribs protruding inward from the inner surface of a flow path for liquid fuel formed inside the main body to regulate the insertion depth of the nozzle; the pair of stopper ribs protruding inward toward each other; the shortest distance between the pair of stopper ribs being set smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle; on the inner surface of the flow path, guide ribs parallel to the flow path and protruding in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the pair of stopper ribs for guiding the insertion of the nozzle are formed; in the insertion direction of the nozzle, the front edge of the guide rib is located in front of the rear edge of the pair of stopper ribs; the height of the guide rib from the inner surface is formed to guide the insertion of the nozzle such that the tip of the nozzle abuts against each of the pair of stopper ribs at a portion of the tip having the maximum width in the protruding direction. A capless fueling assembly.

2. A capless fueling assembly attached to the tip of a fuel supply pipe extending from a fuel tank, comprising: a main body having a fueling port into which the nozzle of a fueling gun is inserted; a flap valve provided inside the main body so as to be openable and closable for opening and closing the fueling port; at least one stopper rib protruding inward from the inner surface of a flow path for liquid fuel formed inside the main body to regulate the insertion depth of the nozzle; the shortest distance between the stopper rib and the inner surface of the flow path facing the tip of the stopper rib being set smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the nozzle; on the inner surface of the flow path, guide ribs parallel to the flow path and protruding in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the stopper rib for guiding the insertion of the nozzle are formed; in the insertion direction of the nozzle, the front edge of the guide rib is located in front of the rear edge of the stopper rib; the height of the guide rib from the inner surface is formed to guide the insertion of the nozzle such that the tip of the nozzle abuts against the stopper rib at a portion of the tip having the maximum width in the protruding direction. A capless fueling assembly.