Outlet pipe assembly for a filling nozzle

Abstract

The invention relates to an outlet pipe assembly for a filling nozzle (14) for dispensing a fluid into a container. The outlet pipe assembly comprises an outlet pipe (16) having an inlet end (21) that can be connected to a housing of the filling nozzle (14) and an outlet end (22) opposite the inlet end (21), and a sealing unit (17) that encloses an outer side of the outlet pipe (16), which can be brought into sealing contact with an opening environment of the container after the outlet pipe (16) has been inserted into an opening (23) of the container, such that a return channel (41) for returning fluid vapours escaping from the opening (23) is formed between the sealing unit (17) and the outlet pipe (16). The outlet pipe assembly also has a valve device (34) connected to the outlet pipe (16) for closing the return channel (41) and a sensor device (35) for controlling the valve device (34). The sensor device (35) is designed to switch the valve device (34) into a closed position when a pressure threshold value is fallen below in the return channel (41). As a result of the arrangement of the valve unit on the outlet pipe, the latter can be replaced as a whole or can be used for retrofitting a filling nozzle.

Description

[0001] 15.12.2025 / BS / LE

[0002] Outlet pipe assembly for a dispensing valve

[0003]

[0001] The invention relates to a discharge pipe assembly for a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluid into a container and a dispensing valve with such a discharge pipe assembly.

[0004]

[0002] Dispensing nozzles with a discharge pipe are used particularly for refueling vehicles. The discharge pipe is inserted into a filler neck of the vehicle to dispense the fuel into the vehicle's tank. During this process, fuel vapors already present in the tank are displaced. To prevent the fuel vapors from escaping into the environment, it is known in the prior art to extract the vapors with the aid of a recirculation pump via a recirculation channel and, for example, to direct them to an underground fuel reservoir.

[0005]

[0003] For this purpose, it is generally known from the prior art (see US 6,095,204) to install a bellows surrounding the outlet pipe on the dispensing nozzle, which can be sealed against a circumferential surface of an opening of the vehicle being refueled. The user can press a sealing surface of the bellows against the circumferential surface and thus substantially seal the opening. The escaping fuel vapors are then captured by the bellows and can be pumped out via a return channel opening into the area between the bellows and an outer surface of the outlet pipe. A separate return pump is usually connected to the return channel for this purpose. Such a procedure is hereinafter also referred to as "active recirculation".

[0006]

[0004] An alternative solution to prevent the escape of fuel vapors is to equip the vehicle itself with a system for capturing fuel vapors. Such systems are also called "Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery" systems (systems for the vehicle-side recovery of refueling vapors, hereinafter also referred to as ORVR systems). In a vehicle with such an ORVR system, the displaced fuel vapors are captured inside the vehicle and, for example, fed to an activated carbon container for separation.

[0007]

[0005] When a vehicle equipped with an ORVR system is refueled via a dispensing system with active recirculation, the active recirculation must be deactivated, since the fuel vapors, or at least a large portion of them, are already captured by the ORVR system. Additional active recirculation would create an undesirable negative pressure, which would impair the functionality of the ORVR system in the vehicle and / or the functionality of an automatic shut-off device for the dispensing nozzle. Furthermore, there would be a risk of outside air being drawn in and introduced into the fuel reservoir. The latter would cause problems, as the drawn-in air would mix with the gas vapors in the fuel reservoir and cause a pressure increase.For physical reasons, a significantly larger volume of the air-gas vapor mixture would escape through the fuel reservoir's venting system compared to the volume of air introduced, which is detrimental to both the environment and fuel efficiency. Therefore, when refueling a vehicle with an ORVR system, additional active recirculation must be avoided under all circumstances. To ensure that active recirculation is deactivated, it is known in the art to equip the dispensing nozzle with a sensor that detects whether the vehicle being refueled has an ORVR system or not (see US 6,095,204). A disadvantage of these known systems is their unreliability and their complex design.

[0008]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing pipe assembly and a dispensing valve with such a dispensing pipe assembly, in which the aforementioned disadvantages are reduced. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009]

[0007] Accordingly, the invention relates to a discharge pipe assembly for a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluid into a container, comprising a discharge pipe that has an inlet end connectable to the dispensing valve and an outlet end opposite the inlet end. The discharge pipe assembly further comprises a sealing unit enclosing the outside of the discharge pipe, which, after the discharge pipe has been inserted into an opening of the container, can be brought into sealing contact with an opening environment of the container, so that a return channel for returning fluid vapors exiting the opening is formed between the sealing unit and the discharge pipe. The discharge pipe assembly further comprises a valve device connected to the discharge pipe for closing the return channel and a sensor device for actuating the valve device.

[0010]

[0008] To connect the outlet pipe assembly to the housing of the dispensing valve, the inlet end of the outlet pipe can, for example, be screwed to the housing or inserted into a receptacle in the housing and, if necessary, secured with fasteners. The inlet end is the end into which the fluid to be dispensed enters before it flows through the outlet pipe. The outlet pipe can have a retaining anchor that allows the outlet pipe to be hooked into a filler neck. The container can, in particular, be a tank of a vehicle. An opening environment of the container can, for example, be a surface formed on a filler neck of the tank that enables a fluid-tight seal of the opening. The filler neck can be designed according to one of the standards ISO 13331 or SAE 1140 and, in particular, have a recess into which the retaining anchor of the outlet pipe can be hooked.The fluid can be a liquid, in particular a liquid fuel.

[0011]

[0009] The switchable valve assembly of the outlet pipe assembly makes it possible to use the outlet pipe or a dispensing nozzle equipped with it both for refueling vehicles equipped with an ORVR system and for refueling vehicles in which active vapor recovery is provided by an external return pump. If the sealing unit is properly placed on a contact surface surrounding the opening of the tank of a vehicle with an ORVR system, a vacuum is created within the return channel during refueling, caused by the additional suction exerted by the ORVR system. The vacuum can be detected by the sensor assembly, and the valve assembly can be switched to the closed position when a pressure threshold is undershot.In vehicles without an ORVR system, despite a tight seal between the sealing unit and the opening environment, the pressure threshold is usually not undershot, so the valve remains in the open position and active vapor recirculation can take place. Vehicles without any preparation for vapor recirculation (such as motorcycles that have neither an ORVR system nor a suitable opening environment around the filler neck to which the sealing unit can be pressed tightly) can also be refueled. In this case, the switchable valve remains open despite the potentially less-than-ideal seal, allowing at least a large portion of the fuel vapors escaping from the tank to be extracted.

[0012]

[0010] By incorporating the valve assembly and the sensor assembly into the outlet pipe assembly, it is particularly possible to equip a dispensing nozzle known from the prior art, which has a conventional outlet pipe, with an outlet pipe assembly and thereby retrofit the dispensing nozzle for refueling vehicles with ORVR systems. This is a significant advantage over dispensing nozzles known from the prior art, in which the valve assembly for closing the return channel is integrated into the housing. With these dispensing nozzles, retrofitting by simply replacing the outlet pipe is not possible.

[0013]

[0011] Furthermore, the outlet pipe assembly also enables easy repair of the dispensing valve in the event of a defect in the valve device or the sensor device, by allowing the outlet pipe assembly to be replaced as a whole.

[0014]

[0012] The valve assembly can be designed, in particular, to close a section of the return channel running through the outlet pipe. For this purpose, the valve assembly can, for example, be positioned radially (i.e., perpendicular to an axis of the outlet pipe) next to the outlet pipe.

[0015]

[0013] The sensor device can include a diaphragm that is exposed to the pressure prevailing within the return channel. The diaphragm can be configured in a generally known manner to switch the valve device when a pressure threshold is undershot in the return channel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the outlet pipe has a sensor line extending to the outlet, which is configured to connect to a vacuum source of an automatic shut-off device of the dispensing valve, so that a gas flow can be drawn in via the sensor line when the outlet pipe assembly is connected to the dispensing valve. The sensor line can include a safety valve configured to close the sensor line.Furthermore, the sealing unit can have an actuating section that interacts with the safety valve. This section can be moved upstream relative to the outlet pipe from a first position to a second position by a force exerted by pressing the sealing unit against the opening environment, thus enabling the safety valve to move into the open position. The term "upstream" describes a direction opposite to the flow direction of the fluid being filled into the container.

[0016]

[0015] This embodiment described above may have independent inventive content, without the outlet pipe assembly having a valve device connected to the outlet pipe for closing the return channel and a sensor device for controlling the valve device. In particular, the disclosure thus comprises an outlet pipe assembly with the features described above or a dispensing valve equipped with the outlet pipe assembly, wherein the valve device and the sensor device are not positioned on the outlet pipe, but are, for example, integrated into the dispensing valve and thus do not constitute part of the outlet pipe assembly.

[0017]

[0016] Dispensing valves with an automatic shut-off device, which can in particular serve to cause the main valve to close automatically when a liquid level reaches or exceeds the end region of the sensor line, are generally known from the prior art (see, e.g., EP 2 386 520 A1). If the sensor line is blocked by the liquid level, a pressure change occurs, which can be used to trigger the automatic shut-off device. It can be provided that, by triggering the automatic shut-off device, a main valve of the dispensing valve is moved into a closed position, independent of the position of a switching lever of the dispensing valve. The vacuum source of the automatic shut-off device can in particular have a constriction of the main channel, at which a vacuum is generated with the aid of the Venturi effect.

[0018]

[0017] By providing a safety valve in the sensor line that interacts with the actuating section of the sealing unit, the operational reliability of the outlet pipe assembly or a dispensing valve equipped with it can be significantly increased in a structurally simple manner. A closure of the sensor line by the safety valve triggers the automatic shut-off device during fluid dispensing. Whether the safety valve actually moves into the closed position depends, in this case, on the position of the actuating section and the position-dependent interaction between the actuating section and the safety valve.By causing the actuating section to move from the first position to the second position through the force exerted when establishing the sealing contact, it can be ensured that fluid is only released if the user has previously pressed the sealing unit with sufficient force or properly engaged any retaining anchor present on the outlet pipe into a recess located on the filling nozzle, so that the actuating section has been moved into the second position and remains there to allow the safety valve to move into the open position.

[0019]

[0018] In one embodiment, it is provided that the safety valve is forced into a closed position by a restoring force during the discharge of the fluid. Furthermore, it can be provided that in the second position, the actuating section holds the safety valve in the open position against the restoring force, while in the first position, the actuating section releases the safety valve to move into the closed position. The restoring force can be exerted by a restoring element and / or by the gas flow drawn in via the end of the sensor line (33). A valve body of the safety valve can, in particular, be movable within the sensor line and designed such that the gas flow generated by the vacuum source during operation is sufficient to move the valve body into the closed position. To achieve this, the mass and cross-section of the valve body can be suitably adapted.The valve body can be freely movable, particularly between a valve seat and a stop.

[0020]

[0019] The safety valve may comprise a valve body, a first valve seat positioned upstream of the valve body, and a stop for the valve body positioned downstream of the valve body in the sensor line. When, after filling the container, a fluid level reaches the sensor line, a certain amount of fluid may enter the sensor line due to the vacuum required for the operation of the automatic shut-off device. For this reason, the aforementioned stop may form a second valve seat for the valve body, which may be positioned downstream of the valve body (i.e., in the direction of the outlet end of the discharge pipe) in the sensor line. The valve body may be designed to close the sensor line by moving into the second valve seat.In particular, the valve body can be moved downwards by gravity into the second valve seat by means of a downward tilt of the outlet pipe, thus sealing off the sensor line. The second valve seat seals the sensor line, preventing the unwanted leakage of fluid that entered the sensor line when the automatic shut-off device was triggered. It can also slightly reduce the amount of fluid entering the sensor line. In this configuration, the safety valve performs a dual function: firstly, it reduces the amount of fluid exiting the sensor line, and secondly, through interaction with the actuating section, it prevents fluid from escaping if a sufficient seal is not present.The above-mentioned design eliminates the need for a separate sensor line valve at the outlet end of the discharge pipe, as is known, for example, from EP 4 163 249 Al.

[0021]

[0020] In another embodiment, the actuating section holds the safety valve in a closed position in the first position. In the second position, the actuating section can also release the safety valve to move into an open position and / or hold the safety valve in the open position. Furthermore, the safety valve can comprise a valve body, a valve seat positioned downstream of the valve body, and a stop for the valve body positioned upstream of the valve body in the sensor line. In this embodiment as well, the valve seat positioned downstream of the valve body prevents the escape of any fluid that previously entered the sensor line when the automatic shut-off device was triggered.

[0022]

[0021] It can be provided that the actuating section is biased downstream in the direction of the first position by a return element. The term "downstream" describes a direction that is in the same direction as the flow direction of the fluid being filled into the container. If the actuating section is biased downstream in the direction of the first position by a return element, the user must continuously press the sealing unit with sufficient force against a surface surrounding the opening during a refueling process, or it must be ensured that a retaining anchor, if present on the outlet pipe, is continuously engaged in a recess of the filling nozzle during the refueling process in order to hold the actuating section in the second position against the return force. This ensures that the sealing unit is in a sealing position against the opening throughout the entire refueling process.If a user-applied pressure decreases and falls below a threshold value, or if the user has not correctly engaged the retaining anchor in the return position, or if the retaining anchor pops out of the return position during the refueling process, for example due to vibrations or accidental movements, the actuating section is moved by the return element into the first position, in which the safety valve is, for example, actively moved into the closed position by the interaction, or, if the interaction ceases, is no longer held in the open position but moves into the closed position due to the return force.

[0023] The unit can be moved into the closed position. Moving it into the closed position triggers the automatic shut-off device. This ensures that the fluid can only be dispensed when the sealing unit is sufficiently sealed against the circumferential surface surrounding the opening.

[0024]

[0022] In one embodiment, the interaction between the actuating section and the safety valve is magnetic. For example, the valve body of the safety valve can be made of a ferromagnetic material, while the actuating section has a permanent magnet. Magnetic actuation has the advantage that structurally complex mechanical coupling elements between the actuating section and the safety valve can be dispensed with.

[0025]

[0023] The sealing unit can have a contact element that can be pressed against the opening environment and a sliding element connected to the contact element and guided on the outlet pipe, wherein the sliding element comprises the actuating section. When the sliding element is guided together with the actuating section, a defined and guided movement of the actuating section relative to the outlet pipe takes place during the pressing of the contact element. This ensures that the interaction between the actuating section and the safety valve occurs in a defined and reliable manner.

[0026]

[0024] If a discharge pipe with a bellows known from the prior art (see US 6,095,204) is pressed against the opening environment at an angular misalignment, a leak can occur between the bellows and the opening environment, which can lead to an undesirable intake of ambient air. Against this background, one embodiment provides that the sealing unit comprises a contact element that can be pressed against the opening environment and a sliding element connected to the contact element and guided on the discharge pipe. The contact element can be configured to exert an upstream force on the sliding element when pressed against the opening environment by establishing sealing contact with the container and to move the sliding element upstream.By having, in addition to the contact element, a defined sliding element guided along the outlet pipe, which moves along the outlet pipe when the contact element is pressed against it, unevenness of the contact surface or angular misalignments during pressing can be compensated for in a defined manner. The embodiment described above may have an independent inventive character, even without the outlet pipe assembly having a valve device connected to the outlet pipe for closing the return channel and a sensor device for controlling the valve device. In particular, the disclosure thus comprises an outlet pipe assembly with the features described above.a dispensing valve equipped with the outlet pipe assembly, wherein the valve device and the sensor device are not positioned on the outlet pipe, but are, for example, integrated into the dispensing valve and thus do not constitute part of the outlet pipe assembly.

[0027]

[0025] In one embodiment, the sliding element is biased downstream by a return element. In this case, a defined return force is exerted on the sliding element. This allows misalignments and unevenness to be compensated for even better. In addition, the return force provides the user with sensory feedback about the pressing process when the contact element is pressed against the surface surrounding the opening.

[0026] It can be provided that the sealing unit has a bellows section, wherein the contact element is connected to the sliding element by the bellows section. The bellows section allows radial movements of the sealing unit, i.e., movements that have a component perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the outlet pipe, to be better compensated, while at the same time forces along the outlet pipe are transmitted from the contact element to the sliding element in a damped manner.

[0028]

[0027] In one embodiment, the outlet pipe assembly includes an indicator element for displaying the displacement state of the sliding element. It is possible that the indicator element is concealed in a downstream position of the sliding element and is released by an upstream movement of the sliding element. In particular, the indicator element can be released when the sliding element has been displaced to such an extent that a contact force sufficient for a reliable seal is exerted via the contact element.

[0029]

[0028] In one embodiment, the upward movement of the sliding element is limited by a stop element. This provides the user with tactile feedback when the stop element reaches a defined stop position, ensuring a reliable seal.

[0030]

[0029] The invention further relates to a dispensing valve for dispensing a fluid into a container, comprising a housing and an outlet pipe assembly according to the invention connected to the housing. The disclosure includes embodiments of the dispensing valve, which are further developed by the features already described above in connection with the outlet pipe assembly according to the invention. In particular, the dispensing valve can have a fluid inlet for connection to a fluid supply line and a main channel extending from the fluid inlet to the outlet end of the outlet pipe. Furthermore, the dispensing valve can have a main valve for closing the main channel and a switching lever for actuating the main valve. In one embodiment, the dispensing valve includes an automatic shut-off device configured to move the main valve into a closed position independently of the position of the switching lever.The automatic shut-off device may in particular have a vacuum source connected to the sensor line of the outlet pipe assembly, so that a gas flow is drawn in via the sensor line when a fluid is dispensed.

[0031]

[0030] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0032] Figure 1: a dispensing valve according to the invention in a three-dimensional view from an oblique angle above;

[0033] Figure 2: a partially cut-away side view of the tap valve of Figure 1;

[0034] Figure 3: the section A shown in Figure 2 in an enlarged view in a first state;

[0035] Figure 4: the section A shown in Figure 2 in a second state;

[0036] Figure 5: the section A shown in Figure 2 in a third state;

[0037] Figure 6: the section A shown in Figure 2 in a fourth state; Figure 7: a partially cut-away side view of another embodiment of a dispensing valve according to the invention.

[0038] Figure 8: a partially cut-away side view of another embodiment of a dispensing valve according to the invention

[0039] Figure 9: an enlarged view of a section of the

[0040] Figure 8 .

[0041]

[0031] Figure 1 shows a dispensing valve according to the invention in a three-dimensional overview view. The dispensing valve serves to dispense fuel into a vehicle tank, of which only a filler neck 15 is shown in Figure 1. The fuel can be supplied to the dispensing valve via a fluid inlet 11. The dispensing valve comprises a housing 20 into which a discharge pipe assembly 13 according to the invention is inserted. A handle section 18, which can be gripped by the user with one hand, is connected to the housing 20. In addition, a switching lever 19 is pivotably mounted on the housing 20. The switching lever 19 can be pulled upwards by the user towards the handle element 18 in order to actuate a main valve of the dispensing valve, which is not visible in Figure 1. After opening the main valve, the fuel can be discharged through a main channel 12, which extends from the fluid inlet 11 to an outlet end 22.

[0042]

[0032] The outlet pipe assembly 13 comprises an outlet pipe 16, a sealing unit 17 connected to the outlet pipe 16, and a valve device 34 positioned radially next to the outlet pipe 16. The term "radial direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the axis of the outlet pipe, which intersects the longitudinal axis of the outlet pipe.

[0043]

[0033] The filling nozzle 15 comprises an opening 23. The outlet end 22 of the discharge pipe can be inserted into the opening 23 to fill the tank. A sealing lip 24 located at the front end of the sealing unit 17 can be brought into contact with the opening environment of the opening 23, so that a return channel for fuel vapors exiting the opening 23 is formed between the discharge pipe 16 and the sealing unit 17. The sealing lip 24 forms a contact element as described in this disclosure.

[0044]

[0034] Figure 2 shows a partially cutaway side view of the dispensing valve and the filler neck 15 of Figure 1. In this view, it can be seen that the housing 20 includes a receptacle 44 into which an inlet end 21 of the outlet pipe 16 is inserted. A sensor line 33 runs through the outlet pipe. The sensor line 33 is connected to a vacuum source (not shown in Figure 2) of an automatic shut-off device for the dispensing valve. During fuel dispensing, a vacuum is generated by the vacuum source, which, in a generally known manner, is applied on one side to a trigger unit of the automatic shut-off device and on the other side to the sensor line 33, so that a gas flow is drawn in through the sensor line 33 via the outlet end 22.When the liquid level inside the tank reaches or exceeds the outlet 22, a pressure change occurs, which is detected by the triggering unit and triggers the automatic shut-off device. The operation of the automatic shut-off device is generally known, so it is not described in detail here. A sensor line valve is located in the area of ​​the outlet 22, the operation of which is generally known from EP 4 163 249 A1.

[0045]

[0035] When the outlet pipe 16 is properly inserted into the filler neck 15, a front end of the sealing unit 17 can be pressed against the opening environment of the opening 23 in such a way that a return channel 41 is formed between the outside of the outlet pipe 16 and an inner surface of the sealing unit 17. The return channel 41 is connected to a return pump (not shown in Figure 2). During fuel dispensing, the return pump is activated so that fuel vapors exiting the opening can be returned via the return channel 41 and directed to a reservoir.

[0046]

[0036] However, active recirculation of fuel vapors is only necessary if the vehicle does not have its own ORVR system. An ORVR system is itself designed to prevent fuel vapors from escaping from the tank opening, so that additional active recirculation would create the risk of drawing in outside air. To enable the dispensing nozzle to be used for filling the tank of a vehicle with an ORVR system, the valve assembly 34 is designed to close the recirculation channel 41. Furthermore, the outlet pipe assembly 13 includes a sensor unit for detecting pressure within the recirculation channel 41 and for triggering the valve assembly 34. This will be explained in more detail below in conjunction with Figures 3-5.

[0047]

[0037] The outlet pipe 16 is fixed to the housing 20 by a fastening element 45. It is possible to loosen the fastening element 45 in order to remove the outlet pipe assembly 13 as a whole from the housing 20. The outlet pipe assembly thus forms a complete modular unit together with its sealing unit 17, the valve assembly 34 and the sensor assembly.

[0048]

[0038] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the section A represented by a dashed rectangle in Figure 2. In this view, it can be seen that the sealing unit 17 comprises a sealing lip 24 which is held by a support module. The support module comprises an inner support ring 37, an outer support ring 30, and a connecting ring 25. The sealing unit further comprises a bellows section 26 and a sliding element 27. The sliding element 27 represents an actuating section as defined in this disclosure.

[0049]

[0039] An upstream section of the sealing lip 24 is held between the connecting ring 25 and the inner support ring 37. The outer support ring 30 is located in a cavity of the sealing lip 24. The connecting ring 25, the bellows 26, the inner support ring 37, and the outer support ring 30 each have aligned through-holes through which a connecting element 46 is passed to connect the sealing lip 24 to the support module and to the bellows section 26. The through-opening in the bellows section 26 is located at a downstream end of the bellows section 26, while an upstream end of the bellows section is connected to the sliding element 27.

[0050]

[0040] After the outlet pipe 16 is inserted into the opening 23, the sealing lip 24 can be pressed against the surrounding area of ​​the opening to create a sealing seal with the opening 23. A force is exerted from the sealing lip 24 via the support module 25, 30, 37 onto the bellows section 26 and transmitted from there to the sliding element 27. The sliding element 27 is biased downstream by a spring element 36 and is slidably mounted on an outer surface of the outlet pipe 16. The force generated when pressing against the surrounding area, which is transmitted to the sliding element 27, allows the sliding element 27 to be displaced upstream against the restoring force of the spring element 36. By means of the sliding element 27, a defined counterforce is built up when the sealing lip 24 is pressed against it, which effectively compensates for any misalignment of the sealing lip 24 relative to a surface of the opening environment.This allows a tight seal to be reliably created with the opening 23.

[0051]

[0041] A safety valve is located within the sensor line 33. This safety valve comprises a valve body 31, in this case formed by a metal ball, and a valve seat 32. The safety valve also has a stop 38 for the valve body 31. Within the sensor line 33, the valve body 31 can move freely between the stop 38 and the valve seat 32. In the state shown in Figure 3, in which the outlet pipe 16 is inclined downwards at the outlet end, and no fuel is yet being dispensed, the ball moves due to gravity towards the outlet and rests against the stop 38.

[0052]

[0042] Figure 3 further shows that a permanent magnet 28 is inserted into the sliding element 27. When the sliding element 27 is moved along the longitudinal axis of the outlet pipe, the permanent magnet 28, together with the sliding element 27, changes its position along the longitudinal axis of the outlet pipe 16. This allows the permanent magnet 28 to interact with the valve body 31. In the state shown in Figure 3, the sliding element 27 is in a release position in which the valve body 31 can move freely between the stop 38 and the valve seat 32. In particular, the distance between the permanent magnet 28 and the valve body 31 in the release position is so large that the permanent magnet 28 does not exert a sufficient holding force on the valve body 31.By moving the sliding element 27 upstream into a holding position, the distance between the permanent magnet 28 and the valve body 31 can be reduced, so that the valve body 31 is held in an open position by the permanent magnet 28. This is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0053]

[0043] Figure 4 shows the section A illustrated in Figure 2 in a different state of the dispensing valve. In the state of Figure 4, the outlet pipe 16 has been inserted into the opening 23 of the filler neck 15. However, in Figure 4, the sealing lip 24 of the sealing unit 17 is not pressed against a surface surrounding the opening 23 with sufficient force by the user, so that the retaining anchor 48 cannot engage with the recess 49. For this reason, a gap 42 exists between a sealing surface 40 of the sealing lip 24 and the surface surrounding the opening 23. Due to the insufficient force, the sliding element 27 in Figure 4 (as well as in Figure 3) is in the release position.

[0054]

[0044] Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 4, the switching lever 19 was actuated to open the main valve of the dispensing valve. By opening the main valve, the fuel can flow past a constriction formed in the main channel 12, thereby applying a vacuum to the sensor line in the manner already described above. Since the sliding element 27 is in the release position, in which the permanent magnet 28 does not exert a sufficient holding force on the valve body 31, the valve body is moved by the vacuum or the gas flow drawn in by the vacuum from the opening position shown in Figure 3 to the closed position shown in Figure 4, so that the sensor line 33 is closed.Closing the sensor line triggers the automatic shut-off device, which moves the main valve to the closed position regardless of the position of the switching lever and prevents fuel dispensing. This ensures that no fuel can be dispensed as long as the sealing lip 24 is not pressed against the filler neck 15 with sufficient force. The minimal fuel flow that occurs briefly when the main valve opens can be essentially stopped by the optional drip-stop valve 10 shown in Figure 2, so that no fuel or only a very small amount of fuel can escape from the dispensing nozzle. The drip-stop valve 10 is designed in a generally known manner (see Figure 2).EP 4 065 908 Al ) , to allow fluid flow only when sufficient fluid pressure has built up upstream of the drip protection valve 10 .

[0055]

[0045] Figure 5 shows the section A of the dispensing valve illustrated in Figure 2 in a state in which the sealing surface 40 of the sealing lip 24 has been properly placed on the surface surrounding the opening 23 and in which the sealing unit 17 is pressed against the filling nozzle 15 with sufficient contact force. The force generated by the sufficient contact force is transmitted from the sealing lip 24 via the support module and the bellows section 26 to the sliding element 27, whereby the sliding element 27 is moved upstream until it comes to rest against a stop formed on the outlet pipe 16. The position of the sliding element 27 reached in this way is also referred to here as the second position. In the second position of the sliding element 27, an interaction occurs between the permanent magnet 28 and the valve body 31, so that the valve body 31 is held in the opening position shown in Figure 5.The shift lever 19 can now be operated without the valve body 31 being moved into the closed position due to the vacuum created by the fuel flow.

[0056]

[0046] During the dispensing of the fuel, the return pump, which is connected to the return channel 41, is activated. In this way, fuel vapors escaping from the opening 23 can be carried away along the return channel 41, which is shown by dashed arrows in Figure 5, and introduced into the reservoir.

[0057]

[0047] The valve assembly 34 comprises a poppet valve 39, which is in the open position in Figure 5. The poppet valve 39 is connected to a pressure-sensitive diaphragm 35. The pressure-sensitive diaphragm 35 constitutes a sensor device within the meaning of this description. The pressure-sensitive diaphragm 35 is designed to trigger when a pressure threshold prevailing in the return channel 41 is undershot. Upon triggering the pressure-sensitive diaphragm 35, it moves towards the outlet pipe 16, thereby moving the poppet valve 39 into a closed position. In the refueling process illustrated in Figure 5, a vehicle is being refueled that is not equipped with an ORVR system.The volume flow rate of the fuel vapors exiting the opening (which can essentially correspond to the volume flow rate of the dispensed fuel) and the suction capacity of the return pump are set such that a pressure above the pressure threshold is established in the return channel 41 and the pressure-sensitive diaphragm 35 does not trigger. The poppet valve 39 thus remains in the open position, so that the fuel vapors can be reliably discharged.

[0058]

[0048] Figure 6 shows the section A of the dispensing nozzle illustrated in Figure 2, wherein in Figure 6, compared to the state in Figure 5, a vehicle equipped with an ORVR system is being refueled. Due to the ORVR system, fuel vapors are separated inside the vehicle during the refueling process. The sealing of the return channel 41 achieved by means of the sealing unit 17 therefore causes a pressure drop within the return channel 41, which causes the pressure to fall below the pressure threshold. For this reason, the pressure-sensitive diaphragm 35 has been triggered in the state of Figure 6 and has moved the poppet valve 39 into a closed position. The return channel 41 is therefore closed in the state of Figure 6. This prevents the ORVR function in the vehicle from being impaired and / or the automatic shut-off device in the dispensing nozzle from being disturbed and / or ambient air from being drawn in via the return channel 41.

[0059]

[0049] Figure 7 shows a partially cutaway side view of another embodiment of a dispensing valve according to the invention. Elements of the dispensing valve already described in connection with the first embodiment are provided with the same reference numerals in Figure 7. In contrast to the embodiment of Figures 1-6, the dispensing valve of Figure 7 does not have a sensor line valve positioned in the area of ​​the outlet 22 of the outlet pipe 16. Instead of the stop 38 shown in Figure 4, the embodiment of Figure 7 includes a valve seat 47. The valve body 31 is designed to close the valve seat 47 when the dispensing valve is tilted downwards on the outlet side, as shown in Figure 7. In this case, the valve body 31 is moved into the valve seat 47 by gravity. The valve body 31 therefore forms a sensor line valve together with the valve seat 47, as is already known in principle from EP 4 163 249 Al.By using the valve body 31 for both the function of the safety valve and the function of the sensor line valve, both functions can be realized in a structurally simple way.

[0060]

[0050] Figure 8 shows a partially cutaway side view of another embodiment of a dispensing valve according to the invention. Features already explained in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7 bear the same reference numerals in Figure 8. The embodiment of Figure 8 has a safety valve 31, 32', 38' in which, unlike the embodiments of Figures 1 to 7, only a single valve seat is positioned downstream of the valve body 31. Upstream of the valve seat, within the sensor line 33, there is a stop 38' which limits upstream movement of the valve body 31. In the state shown in Figure 8, the sealing unit 17 or 38' is whose sealing lip is not pressed against an opening environment of the filling nozzle 15, so that the sliding element 27 is in the first position.In this position, the permanent magnet 28 connected to the sliding element 27 interacts with the valve body 31 in such a way that the valve body 31 is drawn into the sealing seat by the magnetic interaction. The sensor line is closed in this state, so that the automatic shut-off device is activated when the...

[0061] The switching lever 19 is triggered instantly, thus preventing fuel from being discharged.

[0051] Figure 9 shows an enlarged section of Figure 8 after the outlet pipe has been inserted into the opening of the filler neck. In the state shown, the sealing unit is pressed against the opening surrounding the filler neck with sufficient contact force. To produce this state, the sealing unit 17, and in particular the sliding element 27 together with the permanent magnet attached to it, was moved upstream against the restoring force. Due to the interaction between the permanent magnet 28 and the valve body 31, the valve body 31 was lifted out of the valve seat 32' during the movement of the sliding element 27 relative to the outlet pipe. The safety valve 31 , 32 ' is thus in the state of figure 9 in an open position in which a gas flow can be drawn in via the end of the sensor line 33 .This prevents the safety shutdown from being triggered and allows fuel to be introduced into the tank by actuating the main valve.

Claims

26 Patent claims 1. Outlet pipe assembly for a dispensing valve (14) for dispensing a fluid into a container, comprising an outlet pipe (16) having an inlet end (21) connectable to a housing of the dispensing valve (14) and an outlet end (22) opposite the inlet end (21), and a sealing unit (17) enclosing an outer surface of the outlet pipe (16), which, after the outlet pipe (16) has been inserted into an opening (23) of the container, can be brought into sealing contact with an opening environment of the container, so that a return channel (41) for returning fluid vapors exiting the opening (23) is formed between the sealing unit (17) and the outlet pipe (16), wherein the outlet pipe assembly further comprises a valve device (34) connected to the outlet pipe (16) for closing the return channel (41) and a sensor device. (35) for controlling the valve device (34), wherein the sensor device (35) is configured toto switch the valve assembly (34) to a closed position when a pressure threshold is undershot in the return channel (41).

2. Outlet pipe assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve device (34) is designed to close a section of the return channel (41) running through the outlet pipe (16).

3. Outlet pipe assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outlet pipe (16) has a sensor line (33) extending to the outlet, which is designed for connection to a vacuum source of an automatic shut-off device of the dispensing valve, so that the sensor- a gas flow can be drawn into the line (33) when the outlet pipe assembly is connected to the dispensing valve, wherein the sensor line (33) has a safety valve (31, 32, 32', 38, 38') designed to close the sensor line (33), wherein the sealing unit (17) has an actuating section interacting with the safety valve (31, 32, 32', 38, 38'), which can be displaced upstream relative to the outlet pipe from a first position to a second position by a force caused by pressing the sealing unit against the opening environment, in order to allow movement of the safety valve (31, 32, 32', 38, 38') into the opening position.

4. Outlet pipe assembly according to claim 3, wherein the safety valve (31, 32, 38) is forced into a closed position by a restoring force during the discharge of the fluid, wherein the actuating section in the second position holds the safety valve (31, 32, 38) in the open position against the restoring force, and wherein the actuating section in the first position releases a movement of the safety valve (31, 32, 38) into the closed position.

5. Outlet pipe assembly according to claim 4, wherein the restoring force is exerted by a restoring element and / or by the gas flow drawn in via the end of the sensor line (33).

6. Outlet pipe assembly according to claim 5, wherein the safety valve (31, 32, 38) comprises a valve body (31), a first valve seat (32) positioned upstream of the valve body (31), and a stop (38) positioned downstream of the valve body in the sensor line (33) for the The valve body (31) comprises the stop (38) preferably being designed as a second valve seat (47) for the valve body (31), the valve body (31) further preferably being designed to close the sensor line (33) by moving into the second valve seat (47), the valve body (31) further preferably being movable into the second valve seat (47) by gravity through an inclination of the outlet pipe (16) downwards on the outlet side.

7. Outlet pipe assembly according to claim 3, wherein the actuating section in the first position holds the safety valve (31, 32', 38') in a closed position, and wherein the actuating section in the second position releases a movement of the safety valve (31, 32', 38') into an open position and / or holds the safety valve (31, 32', 38') in the open position, wherein the safety valve (31, 32') preferably comprises a valve body (31), a valve seat (32') positioned downstream of the valve body (31) and a stop (38') for the valve body (31) positioned upstream of the valve body in the sensor line (33).

8. Outlet pipe assembly according to claims 3 to 7, wherein the actuating section is biased downstream in the direction of the first position by a return element (36).

9. Outlet pipe assembly according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the interaction between the actuating section and the safety valve (31, 32, 32', 38, 38') is magnetic. 29 10. Outlet pipe assembly according to one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the sealing unit (17) comprises a contact element (24) that can be pressed against the opening environment and a sliding element (27) connected to the contact element (24) and guided on the outlet pipe (16), wherein the sliding element (27) has the actuating section.

11. Outlet pipe assembly according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sealing unit (17) has a contact element (24) that can be pressed against the opening environment and a sliding element (27) connected to the contact element (24) and guided on the outlet pipe (16), wherein the contact element (24) is designed to exert an upstream force on the sliding element (27) when pressed against the opening environment and to move the sliding element (27) upstream, wherein the sliding element (27) is preferably biased downstream by a return element (36).

12. Outlet pipe assembly according to claim 11, wherein the sealing unit (17) has a bellows section (26), the contact element (24) being connected to the sliding element (27) through the bellows section (26).

13. Outlet pipe assembly according to one of claims 11 to 12, which further comprises a display element for indicating a displacement state of the sliding element (27).

14. Outlet pipe assembly according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the movement of the sliding element (27) in the upstream direction is limited by a stop element.

15. Dispensing valve for dispensing a fluid into a container, comprising a housing (20) and a connection with the housing (20) 30 connectable outlet pipe assembly (13) according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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