Inlet end piece for the tank inlet of a motor vehicle

Disclosed is an inlet end piece for the tank inlet of a motor vehicle, having a closure insert arranged in an upper area of a pipe inlet, having a filling opening and a sealing flap which counter to the force of a closure spring by way of a gas pump nozzle is capable of being opened by pivoting, and is held in the closed state by the closure spring. The inlet end piece has an indicator means having an indicator area, wherein the indicator means in the case of a closed sealing flap is located in an inactive position in which an indicator area of the indicator means is not visible to the user, and in the case of the sealing flap being at least partially opened, the indicator means is displaced into a signal position in which the indicator area becomes visible.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/DE2016/100464 having an international filing date 6 Oct. 2016, which PCT application claimed the benefit of German Patent Application No. 202015105342 filed 8 Oct. 2015, the entire disclosure of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The invention relates to an inlet end piece for the tank inlet of a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

An inlet end piece of this type has, for example, a pipe inlet and a closure insert arranged in the upper area of the pipe inlet, for closing the pipe inlet in relation to the environment. The closure insert preferably has a filling opening for introducing the filler pipe of a gas pump nozzle and a sealing flap pivotable about a pivot axis, which in particular can be opened by pivoting counter to the force of a closing force that counteracts the opening movement by the filler pipe when the latter is being inserted. This closing force is preferably formed by a closure spring that is tensioned by opening the closure flap. In the closed state of the closure flap, the closing force holds the closure flap so as to bear on a detent which is formed in particular by a seal.

An inlet end piece of this type is known from DE 10 2010 036 970 A1. This herein is a so-called lid-free inlet end piece which has an upper protection mechanism against erroneous fueling and the lower sealing flap that is disposed at a spacing from said protection mechanism. These lid-free inlet end pieces have the advantage that they can prevent both an erroneous refueling of a diesel vehicle with gasoline, as well as conversely an erroneous refueling of a vehicle having a gasoline engine with diesel fuel. However, the applicability of the present invention is not limited to this special aspect or to a lid-free inlet end piece.

On account of the sealing flap in the case of the known inlet end piece being disposed so as to be spaced apart from the upper entry flap of the protection mechanism, the user either when pulling the gas pump nozzle out of the inlet end piece, or else by way of an insufficient introduction depth, can fill a minor quantity of fuel into the area between the sealing flap and the upper protection mechanism. Said fuel by way of a discharge line then runs out of this upper area.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to improve the inlet end piece such that the user is able to identify whether the fuel that is introduced by him/her actually does still run through the sealing flap into the tank.

This object is achieved as claimed in the invention by an inlet end piece as claimed in claim1.

In the case of one preferred design embodiment of the invention, the inlet end piece is configured in such a manner that the latter has at least one indicator means having an indicator area, said indicator means being held in a receptacle so as to move reciprocally from an inactive position to a signal position. In the case of a closed sealing flap, the indicator means is then located in the inactive position and is disposed in the receptacle in such a manner that the indicator area is not visible to the user. By sliding the filler pipe up to an insertion depth in which the sealing flap is at least partially opened, the indicator means is then forcibly displaced into the signal position in which the indicator area is then preferably clearly visible to the user.

By way of the design embodiment as claimed in the invention of the inlet end piece, it is now indicated to the user by way of the indicator means whether the lower sealing flap is opened and refueled fuel thus runs into the tank, or said fuel on account of the closed sealing flap remains in the space between the sealing flap and the upper closure mechanism. In general, the invention is always advantageously applicable when an inlet end piece in which fuel could accumulate is available above the sealing sealing flap.

In particular when a double-flap mechanism is used, the user could otherwise be convinced that the opening of the upper flap is sufficient in order for the motor vehicle to be refueled. Moreover, many motorists have a tendency to allow the fuel that after refueling remains in the hose of the gas pump to run into the tank. However, the gas pump nozzle herein is often already withdrawn such that the fuel runs only into the upper annular space above the lower sealing flap (closed in a sealing manner), but from there is discharged again, dripping from the tank system.

As claimed in the invention, the indicator means which when sliding the filler pipe of the gas pump nozzle in up to a required depth is forcibly transferred from the inactive position to the signal position is now provided. In principle, this can be performed in various ways. For example, this can take place by a component that forms said indicator means, said component being rotated or displaced either by sliding the filler pipe in or by the opening movement of the sealing flap being, wherein the indicator area becomes visible on account of the movement of the indicator means.

For example, the indicator means can thus protrude through a small viewing window, wherein said indicator means in the inactive position initially terminates so as to be substantially flush with the window, while said indicator means in the active signal position protrudes upward from the window. The protruding area then forms the indicator area. The latter can be identified by color, so as to make the function additionally visible to the user in an obvious manner.

An alternative design embodiment can, for example, be that the indicator means below the window is displaced laterally in relation to the window, such that the user can in each case see an area of the indicator means in another color through the window. This design embodiment will be described in more detail further below.

First, a preferred design embodiment of the invention in which the indicator means is formed by an indicator pin is described, said indicator pin being mounted so as to be displaceable substantially parallel with the pushing-in direction of the filler pipe in the closure insert of the inlet end piece. In the inactive position, the upper end of the indicator pin terminates so as to be flush with a passage window. With the exception of a thin encircling gap, the user in this case can initially thus barely identify the indicator pin.

The indicator pin, when pushing in the filler pipe, will first remain in its position, and will only be moved once the filler pipe reaches the area of the sealing flap. This preferably takes place only once the sealing flap has been opened by at least an opening angle which is sufficiently large so as to allow the fuel to run into the inlet.

In the case of one potential design embodiment, the indicator pin is attracted to the sealing flap by way of a magnet. This can be performed either in that the sealing flap is provided with a magnet, or is magnetic per se, or in that the magnet, or the magnetic area, respectively, is provided on the indicator pin. A counterpart, either in the form of another magnet of opposite polarity or in the form of a ferromagnetic area, that is attracted by the magnet is in this instance provided on the respective other component.

If the sealing flap is now opened by pivoting in a downward manner on account of the intrusion of the filler pipe into the inlet end piece, the magnet moves away from the magnetic counterpart. On account thereof, the attractive force is increasingly reduced. In the case of this design embodiment, a setting spring which urges the indicator pin upward to the signal position is simultaneously provided. The spring force of this setting spring is lower than the magnetic force in the case of a closed sealing flap.

The magnetic force is now continuously reduced on account of the opening of the sealing flap, until the spring force of the setting spring exceeds the magnetic force. This leads to the indicator pin being moved upward until the latter impacts on an upper detent and by way of its upper indicator area protrudes from the passage opening. In this case, the user can readily perceive the indicator area, in particular when the latter is marked by colors, or leaps from a colored surrounding. On account of the indicator pin with the magnetic counterpart thereof moving further away from the magnet at the moment at which the spring force exceeds the magnetic force, the effect is further amplified, and the indicator pin is moved abruptly into the signal position.

The opening angle which has to be achieved in order for the change in position of the indicator pin from the inactive position into the signal position to be triggered can be set by selecting a suitable spring rate. This means that the signal position is reached not already when the filler pipe of the gas pump nozzle comes close to the closure flap, but only once the closure flap has actually been opened by a suitable angle. This is advantageous in particular when the user in the reversed movement withdraws the filler pipe again. Here too, the indicator pin is already retracted when the sealing flap has not yet been completely closed. This leads to the user being able to be sure that the fuel which still exits from the filler pipe is also able to run into the tank whenever the indicator pin is in the signal position.

Of course, the indicator pin does not mandatorily have to be displaceable parallel with the pushing-in direction of the filler pipe. Only the fact that said indicator pin by way of an indicator area can jump to a position which can be perceived by the user is important. However, for space reasons, it will be preferable for the indicator pin to be disposed so as to be as parallel as possible with the pipe inlet. The indicator pin here in can be mounted both within the closure insert, as well as beside the closure insert, so as to be separately displaceable between the pipe inlet and the closure insert.

The indicator pin per se can have any shape possible, in particular be configured so as to be cylindrical or else having a rectangular cross-section, or also be composed of a combination of dissimilar shapes. Ultimately, a pin in the context of the function is any component which by way of the spatial displacement thereof is capable of rendering the indicator area optically visible to the user by displacement.

A further possibility for implementing the concept as claimed in the invention lies in that the indicator means is coupled to the movement of the sealing flap. This can be achieved, for example, in that the sealing flap that is pivotably mounted in the closure insert is extended in length beyond the pivot axis by way of an setting section. This setting section, when pivoted, is then moved in a direction counter to the sealing flap, that is to say that the setting section pivots upward when the sealing flap is pivoted downward. An indicator means that is mounted so as to be displaceable in this area can then interact with the setting section such that said indicator means is pushed upward by the sealing flap. To this end, said indicator means can be connected to the setting section either by way of a lever mechanism, or by way of a direct articulated connection.

The setting section can thus have the shape of a fork, for example, the pin-type indicator means protruding into the slot of said fork. The indicator means in this instance can have protrusions above and below the fork, said protrusions serving for transmitting force.

A further possibility for implementing the invention lies in that a separate lever protrudes into the displacement path of the filler pipe in the area of the closure flap, such that said lever is pivoted by the intruding filler pipe. The lever can have an angled area which in turn interacts with the indicator means, wherein the pivoting of the lever displaces the angled area upward. The indicator means that is coupled to said angled area is likewise displaced upward such that the indicator area can exit through the passage opening to the outside, so as to indicate the opening of the sealing flap to the user.

A further possibility, already mentioned above, lies in that the indicator area does not enter through the passage opening to the outside, but is visible through a viewing window and, for example, a lateral displacement of the indicator means indicates the opening state of the sealing flap to the user. The intruding filler pipe, or the sealing flap that pivots downward, can thus laterally displace an indicator means that is disposed in the pipe inlet, for example, wherein this indicator means is routed upward along the pipe inlet and at the top is angled by, for example, 90°. This angled area in the case of this design embodiment lies below the viewing window and in the inactive position by way of a red part-area is disposed below the viewing window, for example.

If the filler pipe is now inserted into the pipe inlet, said filler pipe at a certain intrusion depth, the opening of the sealing flap corresponding thereto, comes into lateral contact with the indicator means and laterally displaces the latter. On account thereof, the area of the indicator means that is routed upward is likewise laterally displaced, and the red area is displaced in favor of an adjacent area that is colored green, for example. The user can then identify the green part of the indicator means through the viewing window, said green part indicating the sufficient intrusion depth to the user.

In the case of a corresponding configuration of the gas station, in particular of the pump control of the gas pump and of the gas pump nozzle, the displacement of the indicator means can also be utilized for activating the pump. To this end, the gas pump nozzle has a lower push button, for example, which is activated by the projecting indicator area when the gas pump nozzle is inserted. The pump is only activated once the indicator area has impinged the indicator area with a switching pressure, so that it is ensured that the closure flap has been opened.

Finally, the movement of the indicator means can also trigger an acoustic or an optic signal, the latter being disposed so as to be remote from the inlet end piece. The indicator means can thus be utilized as a switching element which triggers said signal when the inactive and/or the signal position is reached. This can be performed as an alternative to the visualization of the indicator area, or as an addition to said position. An acoustic signal can be, for example, a brief activation of the horn of the motor vehicle, such as is known from alarm systems. An optical display can be the short flashing of the direction indicators. A control lamp in the interior can also continuously indicate the closed state of the sealing flap or else the open state which, with the exception of refueling, is caused by a fault. In this case, the function of the vehicle can also be closed down or restricted by way of an immobilizer.

The embodiments described above represent examples which implement the concept as claimed in the invention, without the scope of the present application being limited thereto. The dependent claims relate to advantageous design embodiments of the invention, wherein the individual features of the dependent claims are also considered to be the subject matter of the present invention in any combination, independently of the dependency references stated.

Further features and advantages of the invention are derived from the description hereunder of a preferred exemplary embodiment by means of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred design embodiment of the invention is illustrated inFIG. 1. The external pipe inlet is not illustrated here,FIG. 1for improved clarity of the substantial details showing only the closure insert1.FIG. 2shows the closure insert1in a sectional lateral view.

This closure insert1is inserted into the upper part of a pipe inlet for refueling the tank of a motor vehicle. The closure insert in the lower area has the actual sealing flap3which counter to the force of a restoring spring (not visible here) can be opened in the direction of the arrow by way of the filler pipe of a gas pump nozzle that is pushed in along the inlet axis A of the pipe inlet.

An upper flap, the function of the latter not being essential to the invention, is provided in the area of the filling opening2. This upper flap is preferably to be opened only by the filler pipe of a gas pump nozzle for dispensing suitable fuel. This function, that is not essential to the present invention, is described in detail, for example, in DE 10 2010 036 970 A1, the content of which by way of this reference is explicitly intended to be incorporated in the present description.

The closure insert1in the front area has an indicator pin4. The indicator pin4here at two locations in the area of which said indicator pin4is cylindrically configured, is mounted so as to be displaceable and parallel with the inlet axis A of the pipe inlet. A setting spring5which urges the indicator pin4upward is provided in the lower area. The upper end of the indicator pin4is configured as an indicator area7and in the inactive position shown received in a round receptacle in the upper face of the closure insert1. From above, the user thus only sees the upper side of the indicator area7.

A magnet6is provided on the sealing flap3. Said magnet6is disposed so as to be spaced apart to the pivot axis of the sealing flap3such that said magnet6, conjointly with the sealing flap3, is pivoted downward when a filler pipe of a gas pump nozzle intrudes. The lower end of the indicator pin4is configured in such a manner that said lower end interacts with the magnet6such that the magnet6is capable of attracting the indicator pin4. Referring toFIG. 3, the sealing flap3is provided with a magnet6, or is magnetic per se, or in that the magnet6, or the magnetic area, respectively, is provided on the indicator pin4as shown inFIG. 4.

The indicator pin4in the exemplary embodiment shown is thickened in the upper area that forms the indicator area7, and here is received by an annular receptacle10of the upper part of the closure insert1. The annular receptacle10by way of a detent engages below said thickened area and thus forms a lower detent4′ such that the indicator pin4cannot be displaced further downward.

If the sealing flap3is now forced open downward in the direction of the arrow, the indicator pin4by virtue of the lower detent4′ cannot be drawn downward by the magnetic force. Instead, the magnet6is increasingly moved away from the magnetic area of the indicator pin4, on account of which the attractive force of the magnet6is increasingly reduced.

The force of the setting spring5which attempts to push the indicator pin4upward, will now exceed the magnetic force at specific opening angle. The magnetic force is now continuously reduced on account of the opening of the sealing flap, until the spring force of the setting spring5exceeds the magnetic force. This leads to the indicator pin4being moved upward until the latter impacts on an upper detent4″ and by way of its upper indicator area protrudes from the passage opening. At this moment, the setting spring5pushes the indicator pin4upward such that the indicator area7protrudes from the receptacle and is identifiable to the user. The external shell face of the thickened upper area is preferably provided with a significant signal color such that the projection of the indicator area7from the receptacle is visually particularly obvious.

The design embodiment having the magnet6and the force of the setting spring5that is directed counter to the magnetic force, has the particular advantage that the indicator area7is not already moved upward in the case of the first movement of the sealing flap3, but abruptly springs upward only once a particular opening angle has been reached, in the case of which, after an equilibrium between the magnetic force and the spring force has been passed, the spring force prevails. It is ensured on account thereof that the sealing flap3in the case of the indicator area7protruding from the receptacle is opened, and fuel is able to run into the tank through the open sealing flap3.

It is thus excluded that the user by slowly withdrawing the filler pipe creates a state in which the indicator area7indeed still protrudes from the receptacle upward, but the sealing flap3is already closed, on the other hand. This would specifically be a critical area in which it could be attempted, for example, to allow gas that is located in the hose of the gas pump to still run into the tank.

If the user now withdraws the filler pipe from the closure insert along the inlet axis A, the magnet6moves closer to the indicator pin4again. When a specific closing angle is reached, the magnetic force will again exceed the spring force of the setting spring5, and pull the indicator pin4downward again. This closing angle which is required for moving the indicator pin4to the inactive position will be somewhat smaller than the opening movement that is required for moving the indicator pin4in the opposite direction. The reason therefore is that the indicator pin4when closing is displaced by that path which has led said indicator pin4from the inactive position to the signal position. The magnet6has now to be additionally moved toward the closing position by said distance in order for the magnetic force that is required for overcoming the spring force to be reached.

The forces of the setting spring5and of the magnet6are preferably mutually adapted such that the indicator pin4when closing is already displaced to the inactive position prior to the closure flap3has been closed. This not only provides the user with the opportunity for the post-fueling by allowing the hose of the gas pump to run empty, as has already been described, but also makes available sufficient time to allow the quantity of fuel that is located in the intermediate space between the upper flap and the lower sealing flap3to run off.

A further possibility for implementing the concept as claimed in the invention lies in that the indicator means4is coupled to the movement of the sealing flap3. This can be achieved, for example, in that the sealing flap3that is pivotably mounted in the closure insert is extended in length beyond the pivot axis by way of a setting section8. This setting section8, when pivoted, is then moved in a direction counter to the sealing flap3, that is to say that the setting section8pivots upward when the sealing flap3is pivoted downward. An indicator means4that is mounted so as to be displaceable in this area can then interact with the setting section8such that said indicator means4is pushed upward by the sealing flap3. To this end, said indicator means4can be connected to the setting section8either by way of a lever mechanism, or by way of a direct articulated connection.

The setting section8can thus have the shape of a fork, for example, the pin-type indicator means4protruding into the slot of said fork. The indicator means4in this instance can have protrusions above and below the fork, said protrusions serving for transmitting force.