Abstract:
A filler neck an actuation ring ( 16 ) having a slot ( 18 ) and an entrance portion which is conically narrowed towards the tank, the most narrow cross-section of the entrance portion being smaller than the diameter of a diesel-nozzle and larger than that of an otto-nozzle the actuation ring ( 16 ) has an actuation portion at the end facing the tank at least on one side of the slot a closing mechanism is associated with the end of the actuation ring facing the tank and designed such that in closing position thereof it stops the otto nozzle inserted into the actuation ring and the actuation portion of the actuation ring engages the closing mechanism, whereby the closing mechanism is moved from the closing position into an opened position by the actuation portion if the actuation ring is radially expanded by the diesel-nozzle inserted into the actuation ring.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a National Phase application based on International Application Number PCT/IB2005/000084, filed Jan. 14, 2005, which claims priority from, German Application Number 10 2004 002 994.6, filed Jan. 19, 2004 and European Application Number 04018518.3, filed Aug. 5, 2004, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     The invention relates to a filler neck to fill fuel into a vehicle tank. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known to provide nozzles with different diameters for petrol fuel on the one hand and diesel fuel on the other hand. These measures were introduced following the need to differentiate unleaded petrol fuel from leaded fuel. The nozzles for unleaded petrol fuel have a smaller external diameter than the nozzles for leaded fuel and for diesel fuel. Misfueling a diesel vehicle with petrol fuel is however not ruled out if special precautions are not made for this. It is known from DE 101 26 207 to lock a flap which can be pivoted about a transverse axis in the insertion path of the nozzle in the closed state. The locking is formed by a plurality of radially arranged, circumferentially spaced segments which form a conical entrance portion. If a petrol nozzle is inserted the segments remain in their resting position and the nozzle strikes against the locked flap. The diesel nozzle, however, radially displaces the locking segments and thereby unlocks the flap so that the nozzle can open the flap. Misfuelling by handling the petrol nozzle to remove the locking is not ruled out. 
     In DE 101 39 665 and DE 101 26 209 filler necks for diesel fuel are known which are designed such that when inserting a diesel nozzle a filling valve opens. When inserting an petrol nozzle, however, the valve is either not actuated so that the petrol fuel remains in the front region of the filler neck or the flow is throttled to such an extent that the nozzle automatically cuts out. The nozzles are known to contain a mechanism which closes the valve in the nozzle as soon as a certain back pressure is generated. As a result, the priority is to avoid overfilling the tank. 
     The known filler necks require a relatively large amount of space to be constructed and are relatively expensive. Furthermore they cannot be used for so-called capless filling systems. By this is understood filling systems which allow the tank to be automatically refuelled. The filler neck is no longer sealed by a specific cap but the nozzle can be directly inserted. In this connection it is known from FR 2761934 to provide a closure cap on the end of a filler neck. It opens inwardly and is provided with a seal which cooperates with a sealing edge in the interior of the pipe. When refueling the flap is pivoted open by the nozzle against the force of a spring. The object of the flap is to prevent contaminants from entering the tank. Opening the flap requires a relatively large amount of force as the spring has to prevent pressurised spray water, for example, from inadvertently opening the flap. 
     The object of the invention is to produce a filler neck for filling fuel into a vehicle tank which requires very little space for its construction and few components to prevent misfueling and which is also suitable for use in connection with capless filling systems and offers protection against the penetration of undesirable media into the tank. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This object is achieved by the features of claims  1  and  2 . 
     In the invention an actuation ring is provided which consists of a resiliently flexible material and/or is radially inwardly biased by means of a spring and is split via a preferably axially parallel slit. The actuation ring comprises a conically narrowing entrance portion. In the solution according to claim  1  the narrowest cross-section of the entrance portion is smaller than the cross-section of a diesel nozzle and the same or larger than the cross-section of a petrol fuel nozzle. In other words, the diesel nozzle cannot be readily guided through the narrowest cross-section which is possible for the petrol nozzle. The actuation ring comprises an actuation portion on the end facing the tank on at least one face of the slit. The actuation ring is floatingly accommodated in a preferably cup-shaped housing, i.e. it has restricted lateral movement, the external diameter of the actuation ring being smaller in the non-actuated state that the inner dimensions of the housing. A closing mechanism is associated with the end of the actuation ring facing the tank, which according to claim  1  is constructed such that in the closing position it defines a stop for an inserted nozzle. If in the invention an petrol nozzle is inserted, it can readily pass through the actuation ring but strikes against the closing mechanism and can therefore not be inserted further. This can be readily determined by the person wishing to fill up the tank, so that the mistake can be corrected. If the mistake is not noticed, opening the nozzle would lead to an immediate closure of the valve in the nozzle, as a flow blockage is immediately generated due to the closing mechanism. The closing mechanism does not have to seal the through-going opening tightly. Sufficient throttling of the fuel flow is adequate for it to function. 
     If, however, according to claim  1  a diesel nozzle with a larger diameter is inserted, it causes the actuation ring to expand. Thus the ends of the actuation ring facing the slit are moved apart from one another. This movement can additionally be used to move the normally closed closing mechanism into the open position. 
     The solution of claim  2  is for the use of the invention on a capless filler neck. The nozzle diameter is in any case larger than the diameter of the narrowest cross-section when the closing mechanism is to open. The closing mechanism has a movable closing element which substantially tightly seals the through-going opening. 
     A gear system which is necessary to translate the movement of the actuation portion of the actuation ring when a nozzle is inserted, into an opening movement of the closing mechanism, can conceivably be easily produced with the invention. A beneficial embodiment of this is described in further detail below. As the actuation ring is floatingly mounted, when a nozzle with a smaller external diameter is inserted, the ring is not expanded but lets the nozzle readily pass. The closing mechanism then remains in the closed position. 
     The closing mechanism is preferably constructed such that the through-passage to the tank is substantially tightly closed. As a result the filler neck according to the invention acts as a protection against the penetration of dust, foreign bodies, dirty water, etc when a closure cap is not provided. 
     In a particular embodiment of the invention it is provided that the conical entrance portion in the actuation ring is formed from radially circumferentially spaced ribs or segments. The ribs or segments prevent the actuation ring from expanding due, for example, to pressurised spray water. The actuation ring can be integrally formed from plastics which embodies sufficient resilient properties. Alternatively or additionally an annular spring can surround the actuation ring which radially inwardly biases the actuation ring. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the closing mechanism comprises closing flap to which a lateral arm is connected which is rotatably mounted about an axis and which extends approximately parallel to the axis of the cup-shaped housing. The arm comprises a slot into which the first actuation portion of the actuation ring engages, whilst a second actuation portion is restrictedly movably arranged in a slightly larger fixed recess. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the actuation portions comprise pins, one pin engaging in a slot of the closing flap and the other pin in a hole of a support portion. The support portion bearing the closing flap can be formed from a stationary fastened support disc which comprises a through-going hole for filling the tank which is approximately coaxial to the closing flap in the closed position. The support disc further comprises an arcuate slot through which a fastening pin is guided to engage in the slot of the arm of the closing flap. 
     The embodiment according to the invention of a fuel filler neck is also suitable for capless filler necks, as on the one hand protection is available against misfuelling and on the other hand sufficient protection is ensured by the closing flap against the penetration of foreign bodies, contaminants, etc into the vehicle tank. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention the closing mechanism comprises a closing flap which is rotatably mounted about an axis which is transverse to the axis of the actuation ring. It is preferably mounted on the actuation ring itself and in the region of the slit comprises an actuation portion which grips over a radial shoulder or projection of the closing flap, when it is in the closing position. A spring biases the closing flap into this closing position. When opening the closing mechanism via a nozzle, the flap similarly has to be pivoted open against a spring preload, the spring preload can however be kept very low. It must be sufficient to displace the closing flap into the closing position. It does not have to withstand larger forces, for example pressurised spray water, as in the closing position the flap is locked via the actuation portion of the actuation ring. 
     The invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings, in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is an angled perspective view from above of the front part of a filler neck according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the tank filler neck according to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is the part  3  of the exploded view according to  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a part of the filler neck according to the invention with a closing flap. 
         FIG. 5  is a similar view to  FIG. 4  but with the addition of the support disc attached on the view according to  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is an amplification of the part according to  FIG. 5  with an actuation ring. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the rear face of the support ring according to  FIG. 5  with the closing flap. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective top view of the actuation ring according to  FIG. 6  with the closing flap located therebelow. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the entire filler neck according to the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an actuation ring of a further embodiment according to the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an underside view of the view according to  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is the actuation ring according to  FIGS. 10 and 11  in connection with a housing insert. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an external cup-shaped housing which is pushed over the arrangement according to  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is an underside view of the view according to  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is an underside view of the view according to  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In  FIGS. 2 and 3  a cup-shaped housing  10  is shown with an entrance aperture  12  at one end and a lateral shoulder  14  at the other end. The other end faces the tank, not shown, of a motor vehicle. Below the cup-shaped housing  10  an actuation ring  16  is shown which is split at  18 . In  FIGS. 2 and 3  on each face of the slit  18  at the lower end, a segment  20  or  22  is respectively formed which protrudes approximately radially and which respectively comprises a pin  24  or  26  on the lower face. The pins  24 ,  26  extend axially parallel. 
     In the interior of the actuation ring a plurality of radial ribs  28  is provided which are circumferentially spaced at regular intervals. The ribs form an entrance portion which tapers away from the cap-shaped housing  10 . The actuation ring  16  is inserted into the cap-shaped housing  10 . In the non-actuated state the external diameter of the actuation ring  16  is markedly smaller than the internal diameter of the cup-shaped housing  10 . 
     With the aid of three screws  30  a support ring  32  is screwed to a counter ring  34 , at the same time it is screwed to a housing  36 , which comprises a capless filling system, not shown, which will not be described in further detail. Such a system was already described in detail above with reference to a French publication. It allows the introduction of a nozzle by opening a closing flap automatically, where the nozzle opens the closing flap and clears the way for the fuel. This part is shown in  FIG. 2  at the left of the 3 group. However it is not to be described in detail. 
     By connecting the discs  32 ,  34  to the housing  36 , these parts are also fixedly attached in a suitable manner to the bodywork of the motor vehicle, which is not shown in detail. A closing flap  38  is shown between the discs  32 ,  34 . It comprises an approximately circular closing plate  40 , a radial arm  42  and a bearing eye  44 . The bearing eye cooperates with an axially parallel pin  46  on the face of the support disc  32  facing the closing flap  38 . The support disc has a through-going hole  48  which is arranged approximately axially to the aperture  12  and is also coaxial to an aperture  50  in the disc  34 . 
     In the support disc  32  an arcuate slot  52  is formed through which the pin  26  extends. An approximately radial elongate hole  54  receives the second pin  24 . The pin  26  engages in a radial elongate slot  56  of the arm  42 . 
     In  FIG. 4  the disc  34  can be seen which can be connected to the housing  36  by the screw connection (not shown). Moreover the closing plate  40  is visible which closes the through-going hole  50  ( FIG. 3 ), the bearing eye  44  cooperating with an axially parallel pin  58  of the disc  34 . The pin  58  is hollow to receive the pin  46  of the support disc  32 . 
     In  FIG. 5  it is shown how the support disc  32  is assembled with the disc  34  and the closing flap  38 . In  FIG. 6  it is shown how additionally the actuation ring  16  is placed on the support disc  32 . In contrast to the view according to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the actuation ring  16  has no ribs but sector-shaped segments  28   a  which together form an entrance portion tapering toward the tank. This is slightly more clearly shown in  FIG. 8 . The narrow cross-section is indicated by  60 . The diameter of the narrow cross-section is slightly larger than the diameter for the petrol nozzle, however markedly smaller than the diameter for the diesel nozzle. If therefore a diesel nozzle is inserted into the actuation ring, it has to widen the actuation ring  16  in order to be driven further. As a result the slit  18  is enlarged and the segments  20 ,  22  are moved apart from one another. 
     In  FIG. 7  the face facing the tank of the support disc  32  with the closing flap  38  is shown. It can be seen how the actuation pin  26  extends through the arcuate slot  52  of the support disc  32  in engagement with the slot  56 . The second pin  24  is located in the elongate slot  54 . Moving the pins  24 ,  26  apart therefore leads to a clockwise pivoting of the closing flap  38 , whereby the through-going hole  48  of the support disc  32  is opened. As a result the nozzle can be further guided forward in the direction of the tank to actuate the filling system which is located in the housing  36 . 
     As previously mentioned the parts  32 ,  34  and the housing  36  are screwed to one another via the screws  30 . The attachment of the housing  36  to the bodywork is not shown in detail. The attachment of the cup-shaped housing  10 , which receives the actuation ring  16  on the support disc  32  is not shown. In this case a screw fixing, adhesive fixing or the like can also be carried out. 
     Like the actuation ring  16  the remaining parts of the filling system shown can be produced from a suitable plastics material. 
     If an arrangement according to part  3  in  FIG. 2  is used without the further system, it forms a filler neck with a cap (not shown) which forms a protection for diesel engines against misfuelling with petrol fuel. If on the other hand the complete system of  FIG. 2  is used, a capless filler neck is produced, without protection against misfuelling being required, for example when used for petrol engines. 
     In  FIGS. 10 to 15  a further embodiment of a filler neck for filling with diesel fuel is shown. In  FIGS. 10 and 11  an actuation ring  60  can be seen which is similarly constructed to the actuation ring  16  according to the preceding Figures. On the inner face it comprises a row of segments  62  spaced apart by a slot which in  FIG. 11  form an entrance portion tapering from top to bottom for a fuel nozzle not shown. The actuation ring  60  is split by an axially parallel slit  64  and on each face of the slit  64  the ring comprises axially parallel shoulders  66 ,  68  which have opposing notches. In  FIG. 10  a notch is referred to by  70 . 
     On the face opposing the slit  64  the actuation ring  60  comprises two circumferentially spaced bearing shoulders  72 ,  74 . A closing flap  76  is provided with a fork-shaped radial shoulder  76  which is rotatably mounted with the aid of a bearing pin  80  in the bearing shoulders  72 ,  74 . Within the fork-shaped shoulder  78  a coil spring  82  is located with an extended arm  84  at one end which rests against the upper face of the closing flap  76 . As a result the closing flap  76  is biased in the closing position. 
     Opposite the fork-shaped shoulder  78  a radial projection  86  is formed on the closing flap  76 . It engages laterally in the opposing notches  70  of the shoulders  66 ,  68 . As a result the closing flap  76  is locked in the closing position shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     In  FIG. 12  a conical annular body or insert  90  is shown which in  FIG. 12  flares out from top to bottom. The actuation ring  60  is placed on the upwardly facing front face  92 . On the opposing end the conical insert  90  comprises two radial flanges  94 ,  96 . Furthermore the conical insert  90  comprises latching lugs  98  spaced apart on its outer face. In  FIG. 13  a cup-shaped housing  100  is shown which comprises a lower conical housing part  102  and a cylindrical housing part  104  added above thereto. The housing part  104  is provided with a base  106  which comprises a through-hole  108  through which the actuation ring  60  can be seen with the closing flap  76 . The cup-shaped housing  100  is provided on the exterior with circumferentially spaced reinforcement ribs  110  and at the lower end with two diametrically opposing flanges  112 ,  114  formed on the lower end in  FIG. 13 . In the conical housing part  102  locking apertures  112  are moreover seen. 
     The actuation ring  60  is positioned from the inside against the base  106  of the housing  100 , as is seen in  FIG. 14 , between the exterior of the ring  60  and the inner face of the housing part  104  there being space so that the actuation ring can restrictedly but freely move laterally within the housing part  104 . In the assembly the conical insert  90  is subsequently inserted into the housing  100 , the external dimensions of the conical insert  90  corresponding approximately to the internal dimensions of the housing part  102  and the latching lugs  98  engaging in the locking apertures  112  as is shown in  FIG. 13 . As is seen in  FIG. 15 , the flanges  94 ,  96  of the conical insert  90  engage in the gaps of the flanges  112 ,  114  almost exactly, so that a complete circle is produced. The insert  90  is therefore fastened in the housing  100  and in turn axially secures the actuation ring  60  in the housing  100 . The actuation ring can, however, as mentioned above, move with restricted radial movement. 
     If a petrol fuel nozzle is inserted into the arrangement according to  FIGS. 13 and 15 , the segments  62  remain without radial impingement. The closing flap  76  thus remains in the closing position shown in the Figures and it is not possible for the operator to insert the nozzle further. If, on the other hand, the diesel fuel nozzle of larger diameter is inserted, the actuation ring  60  is expanded and to such an extent that the closing position of the closing flap  76  shown in the Figures can be relinquished, as with the aid of the nozzle the closing flap  76  is pivoted open. At this point the filling process can begin. If the nozzle is withdrawn again, the flap immediately returns to the closing position shown in the Figures and the actuation ring  60  closes up again to lock the closing flap  76  again in the closing position.