A fuel-filling aperture open-closing device is provided in one end of a filler pipe communicating with a fuel tank. The open-closing device includes a tube member internally forming a pathway, and connected to one end of the filler pipe; a first valve device provided inside the pathway, and opening a valve by being pressed by a fuel-filling nozzle inserted from an outer end side of the pathway; and a second valve device provided on an outer end side more than the first valve device inside the pathway, and opening a valve by being pressed by the fuel-filling nozzle inserted from the outer end side of the pathway so as to allow the fuel-filling nozzle to pass through. The first valve device opens by a load smaller than that of the second valve device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is National Phase of International Application No. PCT/JP2012/000032 filed Jan. 5, 2012, and claims priority from Japanese Application No. 2011-023552, filed Feb. 7, 2011.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to a fuel-filling aperture opening-closing device which opens and closes a fuel-filling aperture of an automobile and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in the automobile and the like, there is a fuel-filling aperture opening-closing device which blocks the fuel-filling aperture formed in one end of a filler pipe by a screw type filler cap. In such fuel-filling aperture, at each fuel filling, the filler cap has to be removed and put on so as to require additional work. Also, sometimes there occurs a mistake of forgetting to put the removed filler cap. In order to solve the aforementioned problem of the fuel-filling aperture, there is a fuel-filling aperture opening-closing device which openably and closably blocks the fuel-filling aperture by a flap valve, which can be opened by inserting a fuel-filling nozzle (for example, Patent Document 1).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the fuel-filling aperture opening-closing device described in the Patent Document 1, however, the flap valve is exteriorly exposed, so that foreign matters such as rainwater, dust, and the like easily remain on an outer surface (a face facing an opening end side of the fuel-filling aperture) of the flap valve, and in a case of push-opening the flap valve disposed inside a pathway by an end of the fuel-filling nozzle, the flap valve opens, and the foreign matters fall into the filler pipe, and are attached to the end of the fuel-filling nozzle, so that there is a possibility that the foreign matters are washed into the filler pipe together with a fuel injection.

As for a method for solving the aforementioned problem, it is thought that providing two flap valves in series makes the foreign matters more difficult to enter into the filler pipe. However, in that case, an insertion resistance of the fuel-filling nozzle increases, so that there might be a problem that a smoothly inserting operation becomes difficult, or a problem that filling a fuel accidentally starts in a state wherein the flap valve on a back side is closed due to a miscalculation of an insertion depth of the fuel-filling nozzle.

The present invention is made in view of the aforementioned background, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate an insertion of the fuel-filling nozzle, and to reliably open two valve bodies by inserting the fuel-filling nozzle in a fuel-filling aperture opening-closing device which opens the two valve bodies by inserting the fuel-filling nozzle.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to obtain the aforementioned object, the present invention is a fuel-filling aperture open-closing device (1) provided in one end of a filler pipe (2) and communicating with a fuel tank. The fuel-filling aperture open-closing device (1) comprises a tube member (3) internally forming a pathway (4), and connected to one end of the filler pipe; a first valve device (13) provided inside the pathway, and opening a valve by being pressed by a fuel-filling nozzle (100) inserted from an outer end side of the pathway; and a second valve body (14) provided on an outer end side more than the first valve device inside the pathway, and opening a valve by being pressed by the fuel-filling nozzle inserted from the outer end side of the pathway so as to allow the fuel-filling nozzle to pass through. The first valve device opens the valve by a load smaller than that of the second valve device.

According to the configuration, due to a force (an inertia in an insertion direction) of the fuel-filling nozzle when a second valve body is pushed to open by the fuel-filling nozzle, continuously, a first valve body can be easily pushed to open. Thereby, a condition, wherein though the second valve body is opened, the first valve body remains closed, is difficult to occur.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the first valve device and the second valve device are disposed closely in an axis line direction of the pathway within a range not disturbing a valve-opening movement and a valve-closing movement.

According to the configuration, when the fuel-filling nozzle pushes to open the second valve body, continuously, the first valve body can be easily pushed to open further.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to the aforementioned configuration, the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device, which opens two valve bodies by inserting the fuel-filling nozzle, facilitates the insertion of the fuel-filling nozzle, and reliably opens the two valve bodies by inserting the fuel-filling nozzle.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, with reference to drawings, embodiments of the present invention applied to a fuel-filling aperture open-closing device provided in a fuel-filling aperture of an automobile will be explained in detail. In the following explanation, an up-and-down direction represents a direction along a vertical line V shown inFIG. 2.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1is provided in an outer end of a filler pipe2connected to a fuel tank which is not shown in the figures; blocks the outer end of the filler pipe2at a normal time; and opens the outer end of the filler pipe2when a fuel-filling nozzle100having an appropriate diameter is inserted. In the filler pipe2, as a standard of a longitudinal direction, an end portion side, which becomes the fuel-filling aperture, is made as an outer end side, and an end portion side connected to the fuel tank is made as an inner end side. As shown inFIG. 1, the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1includes a tube portion (a tube member)3forming the outer end of the filler pipe2; and a valve device assembly body5inserted into an opening end of the tube portion3, and openably and closably blocking a pathway4formed inside the tube portion3.

The filler pipe2is a metallic pipe material, and includes an expanding diameter portion8having a circular truncated cone shape gradually expanding a diameter as moving to the outer end side. The tube portion3continues to the outer end side of the expanding diameter portion8. The tube portion3has a cylindrical shape, and there is formed the opening end on the outer end side. In the opening end of the tube portion3, there is formed an outward flange portion9. In the present embodiment, although the tube portion3is configured as one portion of the filler-pipe2, in another embodiment, the tube portion3may be configured in a separate member from the filler pipe2, and the tube portion3may be combined with the filler pipe2. In that case, the tube portion3may be formed by a resin material.

As shown inFIG. 2, given that an axis line of the tube portion3is Z, the tube portion3is attached to an auto body panel11in such a way that an angle θ between the vertical line V and the axis line Z becomes larger than 0 degree. The angle θ is preferred to be, for example, 30 to 80 degrees. Also, for the sake of explanation, a line of intersection between a planar surface (a horizontal cross-sectional surface of the tube portion3) orthogonal to the axis line Z and a planar surface including the axis line Z and the vertical line V is made as an axis line X; and a line of intersection between a planar surface orthogonal to the axis line X and a planar surface orthogonal to the axis line Z is made as an axis line Y.

In the valve device assembly body5, a first valve device13and a second valve device14, which are respectively a flap type valve, are disposed in series. In a state wherein the valve device assembly body5has been inserted into the opening end of the tube portion3, the second valve device14is disposed on an outer end side rather than the first valve device13.

The first valve device13includes a base member21, and a first valve body22rotatably supported in the base member21, as main elements. The base member21has a disk shape with a thickness, and an outer circumferential portion23thereof is formed in a shape that can be engaged with an inner circumferential surface of a border portion24between the tube portion3and the expanding diameter portion8. Namely, the outer circumferential portion23of the base member21includes a tapered portion (a circular truncated cone portion) fitting into an inner surface of the expanding diameter portion8, and the tapered portion fits into the expanding diameter portion8so as to be positioned inside the filler pipe2. Also, in the outer circumferential portion23of the base member21, there is formed an annular seal groove26(seeFIG. 5) extending in a circumferential direction, and in the seal groove26, there is installed an annular seal member27. The seal member27seals a gap between the base member21and an inner surface of the filler pipe2closely.

As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, in a state wherein the base member21is attached to the filler pipe2, in a portion between a lower half portion and a center portion in an axis line X direction of the base member21, there is formed a first pathway28passing through the base member21in a thickness direction (an axis line Z direction). In an upper half portion in the axis line X direction of the base member21, there are provided a positive pressure valve31and a negative pressure valve32. The positive pressure valve31and the negative pressure valve32respectively include a pathway communicating an inner end side with an outer end side of the base member21; a valve seat provided inside the pathway; a valve body seated in the valve seat and blocking the pathway; and a compression coil spring urging the valve body to a valve seat side. In the positive pressure valve31, in a case wherein the inner end side of the base member21has become a positive pressure with a predetermined value or above, the pressure moves the valve body in a direction separating from the valve seat against an urging force of the compression coil spring to open the pathway so as to decrease the pressure on the inner end side of the base member21. On the other hand, in the negative pressure valve32, in a case wherein the inner end side of the base member21has become a negative pressure with a predetermined value or less, the pressure moves the valve body in the direction separating from the valve seat against the urging force of the compression coil spring to open the pathway so as to increase the pressure on the inner end side of the base member21. Due to operations of the positive pressure valve31and the negative pressure valve32, the inner end side of the base member21is prevented from becoming a high pressure with a predetermined value or above, or a low pressure with a predetermined value or less.

The first valve body22is used for blocking the first pathway28; and is formed by mutually overlapping and combining a first circular plate34with a second circular plate35. Between the first circular plate34and the second circular plate35, there is clamped an annular seal member36whose outer diameter is larger than that of the first circular plate34. An outer circumferential portion of the seal member36protrudes outward in a radial direction from circumferential edge portions of the first circular plate34and the second circular plate35so as to form an annular lip piece having flexibility. Given that each direction is set up as shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4as a standard state wherein the first valve body22has blocked the first pathway28, in one circumferential edge portion in an axis line X direction of the second circular plate35, a pair of bearings37project. In the other circumferential edge portion, there is projected a stopper38which is a projecting piece. In the pair of bearings37, respective axis lines are parallel to the axis line Y direction, and the pair of bearings37has the same axis, respectively.

In a portion which is the inner end side of the base member21, and which is positioned on an upper side in an axis line X direction of the first pathway28, there is provided a support axis39extending in the axis line Y direction. The pair of bearings37is pivotally supported at the support axis39, so that the first valve body22is rotatably supported relative to the base member21. The first valve body22rotates as a rotation axis of the support axis39so as to block the first pathway28. In a state of a closed position wherein the first valve body22blocks the first pathway28, the first circular plate34is disposed on an outer end side, and enters into the first pathway28. Also, the second circular plate35is disposed on an inner end side of the first circular plate34, and the seal member36abuts against a circumferential edge portion on an inner end side of the first pathway28so as to seal a gap between the first circular plate34and the first pathway28. At that time, the stopper38of the second circular plate35abuts against an inner end side portion of the first pathway28. Also, the first circular plate34abuts against a claw portion40projecting on a wall surface of the first pathway28so as to set the closed position of the first valve body22. A first torsion spring50is installed between the second circular plate35and the base member21, and the first valve body22is constantly urged to the closed position.

As shown inFIG. 4, a surface41of the first circular plate34has a concave surface which increases (protrudes to the outer end side) a thickness as moving to both sides in the axis line Y direction from a center portion. Also, on the surface41of the first circular plate34, there is formed a plurality of discharge grooves42extending in the axis line X direction. Each discharge groove42is communicated with an end surface of the first circular plate34on a side (i.e., a downside in the axis line X direction of the first valve body22) wherein the stopper38is provided in the axis line X direction. In each discharge groove42, a side (i.e., an upside in the axis line X direction of the first valve body22) wherein the bearings37are provided in the axis line X direction may be communicated with the end surface of the first circular plate34, or as shown inFIG. 4, may form a terminal end in the center portion of the first circular plate34. On both end surfaces in the axis line Y direction of the first circular plate34, there are respectively formed engagement holes43concaved to a center side of the first circular plate34.

In an outer end side portion of the base member21, there is formed a pair of guide grooves44communicating in such a way as to sandwich from the axis line Y direction in an outer end side portion of the first pathway28. In the guide groove44, a lock member45is slidably provided along the guide groove44. In the axis line Y direction, the lock member45can slide between a position wherein one portion of the lock member45protrudes into the first pathway28and a position wherein the whole lock member45enters into the guide groove44. Also, inside the guide groove44, there is provided a compression coil spring46, and the lock member45is constantly urged to a first pathway28side by the compression coil spring46.

In a portion facing the first pathway28side of the lock member45, there is formed an engagement convex portion47which can enter into the engagement hole43of the first circular plate34. Also, in portions facing the first pathway28side of the lock member45, and on an outer end side and an inner end side of the engagement convex portion47, there are formed cam portions48and49which have tapered surfaces. In a case wherein the first valve body22is in the closed position, the lock member45engages with the engagement hole43of the first valve body22in the engagement convex portion47so as to control the first valve body22in the closed position. On the other hand, when the lock member45receives a load to the inner end side in the cam portion48, the lock member45moves backward in a direction entering into the guide groove44to release an engagement between the engagement convex portion47and the engagement hole43so as to allow a rotation of the first valve body22.

In an outer end side portion of the base member21, there is formed a discharge pathway51extending in the axis line X direction to communicate a lower portion in the axis line X direction of the first pathway28with the outer circumferential portion23of the base member21. The discharge pathway51is formed in a groove shape wherein a portion communicating with the first pathway28is open to the outer end side. As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, in a portion opposed to the discharge pathway51of the filler pipe2, there is formed a discharge hole52which is a through-hole. Due to the aforementioned configuration, inside the filler pipe2, a liquid, which has entered up to an outer end side surface of the base member21, flows downward in the axis line X direction due to an inclination of the base member21, and is collected in the discharge pathway51so as to be discharged to an outside of the filler pipe2through the discharge hole52. The first pathway28blocked by the first valve body22forms a concave portion in the outer end side portion of the base member21. However, the discharge pathway51is communicated with the first pathway28, so that the liquid collected in the first pathway28can be reliably discharged through the discharge pathway51as well.

The second valve device14includes a second valve body55, and a casing57including a second pathway56blocked by the second valve body55. The casing57includes a cylindrical portion58formed in a size that can be inserted in the same axis as the tube portion3of the filler pipe2. An inner end side edge portion of the cylindrical portion58is combined with an outer end side portion of the outer circumferential portion23of the base member21, and in an outer end side edge portion, there is formed a bulkhead portion59forming the second pathway56. The bulkhead portion59has a disk shape extending along a surface orthogonal to the axis line Z, and a circumferential edge portion thereof protrudes outward in a radial direction more than an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion58, and abuts against the flange portion9on the outer end of the filler pipe2. The second pathway56is a circular through-hole formed in a protruding end of a guide portion61bulged in a circular truncated cone shape from the bulkhead portion59to an inner end side, and is disposed in a position which becomes the same axis as the first pathway28from a view in a direction along the axis line Z. A diameter of the second pathway56is set smaller than a diameter of the first pathway28. The guide portion61has a function guiding the fuel-filling nozzle100inserted from the outside of the filler pipe2to the second pathway56.

The second valve body55is a disk-shaped member comprising a bearing63in a circumferential edge portion, and the bearing63is pivotally supported at a support axis64provided in an inner end side portion of the bulkhead portion59so as to be rotatably supported in the casing57. The second valve body55can rotate between a closed position blocking the second pathway56by abutting against a circumferential edge portion on the inner end side of the second pathway56, and an open position which does not overlap with the second pathway56from the view in the direction along the axis line Z. Also, a second torsion spring65is installed between the second valve body55and the bulkhead portion59, and the second valve body55is constantly urged to the closed position.

On an outer end side of the bulkhead portion59, there is attached an annular garnish66whose inner diameter roughly corresponds to an outer diameter of the guide portion61, and whose outer diameter roughly corresponds to an outer diameter of the bulkhead portion59. The garnish66enhances a design property of the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1, and protects the bulkhead portion59.

In the present embodiment, the first valve device13and the second valve device14are formed by a resin material except for the compression coil springs46, a first torsion spring50, and the second torsion spring65. The first valve device13and the second valve device14form the valve device assembly body5as one unit combined beforehand, and the valve device assembly body5is inserted into the tube portion3of the filler pipe2so as to form the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1. In another embodiment, the tube portion3may be configured as a resin molded article of the separate member from the filler pipe2, and the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1may be configured by combining the first valve device13, the second valve device14, and the tube portion3beforehand, so that the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1may be connected to the outer end of the filler pipe2.

A distance in an axis line Z direction between the first valve device13and the second valve device14is arranged by being approached within a range wherein a rotation of the second valve body55is not disturbed by the first valve device13(i.e., there is no first valve device13inside a rotation trajectory of the second valve body55).

Next, with reference toFIG. 5toFIG. 8, a movement of the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1will be explained. As shown inFIG. 5(FIGS. 1 and 2), in a normal state wherein filling a fuel is not carried out by the fuel-filling nozzle100, the first valve body22is urged by the first torsion spring50so as to block the first pathway28, and the second valve body55is urged by the second torsion spring65so as to block the second pathway56. Also, the pair of lock members45is urged by the compression coil springs46, and is engaged with the first valve body22so as to control the rotation of the first valve body22.

From the aforementioned normal state, in a case of injecting a fuel, i.e., filling a fuel into the filler pipe2using the fuel-filling nozzle100, the cylindrical fuel-filling nozzle100is inserted into the second pathway56and the first pathway28of the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1. At first, the second valve body55is pressed by an end of the fuel-filling nozzle100, and is rotated against an urging force of the second torsion spring65, and while opening the second pathway56, the fuel-filling nozzle100is inserted to pass through the second pathway56. At that time, the second pathway56is set in a predetermined diameter so as to prevent an insertion of the fuel-filling nozzle100whose outer diameter is larger than that of the second pathway56.

When the fuel-filling nozzle100is further inserted into an inner end side, the end of the fuel-filling nozzle100abuts against the cam portion48of the pair of lock members45. From this state, when the fuel-filling nozzle100is further inserted into the inner end side, as shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, the lock member45receives a load in the direction entering into the guide groove44from the fuel-filling nozzle100through the cam portion48so as to slide into the guide groove44against an urging force of the compression coil spring46. Thereby, the engagement between the engagement convex portion47and the engagement hole43, i.e., an engagement between the lock member45and the first valve body22is released so as to allow the rotation of the first valve body22. Incidentally, in a case wherein the outer diameter of the fuel-filling nozzle100is smaller than a predetermined value, both of the pair of lock members45cannot move backward into the guide groove44, so that a lock of the first valve body22by the lock member45cannot be released. The diameter of the fuel-filling nozzle100is controlled to a certain size or less by the second pathway56, and is controlled to a certain size or above by the pair of lock members45, so that only the fuel-filling nozzle100having a predetermined diameter can open the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1.

After the engagement between the pair of lock members45and the first valve body22is released, when the fuel-filling nozzle100is further inserted into the inner end side, as shown inFIG. 8, the fuel-filling nozzle100presses the first valve body22by the end thereof, rotates the first valve body22against an urging force of the first torsion spring50, and while opening the first pathway28, the fuel-filling nozzle100enters into the first pathway28. At that time, an extending direction of the discharge groove42and a sliding direction of the fuel-filling nozzle100on the surface41of the first valve body22correspond, so that the fuel-filling nozzle100smoothly slides on the surface41without being caught in the discharge groove42. In a state wherein the end of the fuel-filling nozzle100has passed the first pathway28, filling a fuel is carried out from the fuel-filling nozzle100.

When the fuel-filling nozzle100is pulled out of the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1, accompanied by a displacement of the fuel-filling nozzle100to an outer end side, the first valve body22is urged by the first torsion spring50, moves to the closed position, and closes the first. pathway28. Also, the pair of lock members45receives an urging force of the compression coil spring46so as to protrude to the first pathway28side, and the engagement convex portion47engages with the engagement hole43so as to lock the first valve body22. Then, the second valve body55is urged by the second torsion spring65, moves to the closed position, and closes the second pathway56so as to return to the normal state. Incidentally, in a case wherein the fuel-filling nozzle100is pulled out quickly, before the first valve body22reaches the closed position, the pair of lock members45could come to a state protruding into the first pathway28. However, in that case, the first valve body22presses the cam portion49of each lock member45, and moves to the closed position while moving each lock member45backward into the guide groove44. After that, each lock member45protrudes again, and the engagement convex portion47engages the engagement hole43.

An operational-effect of the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1according to the present embodiment will be explained. The fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1does not include a screw type filler cap such as a conventional fuel-filling aperture, and can open the fuel-filling aperture only by inserting the fuel-filling nozzle100, so that a fuel-filling operation can be easily carried out. Also, two valves of the first valve device13and the second valve device14are disposed in series so as to prevent foreign matters such as dust, rainwater, and the like from an outside from entering into the filler pipe2. Also, the axis line Z of the tube portion3of the filler pipe2is inclined relative to the vertical line V, and in a portion facing a lower side of a lateral circumferential portion, and corresponding to the outer end side of the base member21, there are provided the discharge pathway51and the discharge hole52so as to discharge the foreign matters, which have passed the second valve body55and have remained in an outer end side portion of the first valve device13, to the outside of the filler pipe2from the discharge hole52. Especially, the first valve body22includes the discharge groove42on the surface41, so that the foreign matters are appropriately guided to the discharge pathway51and a discharge hole52side. Due to the aforementioned configurations, the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1can open the second valve body55so as to wash the outer end side portion of the first valve device13by a water flow and the like.

Also, the first valve body22includes the discharge groove42on the surface41, so that when the fuel-filling nozzle100opens the first valve body22, an area wherein the end of the fuel-filling nozzle100slidingly contacts with the surface41of the first valve body22is reduced. Consequently, a possibility that the fuel-filling nozzle100completely takes out the foreign matters attached to the surface41of the first valve body22is reduced so as to prevent the foreign matters from being brought into the inner end side of the first pathway28by the fuel-filling nozzle100.

FIG. 9is a graph showing loads where the fuel-filling nozzle100receives from the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1when the fuel-filling nozzle100is inserted into the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1. As shown inFIG. 9, when the fuel-filling nozzle100is inserted into the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1, given that the loads, where the fuel-filling nozzle100receives toward the outer end side in the axis line Z direction from the second valve body55, the pair of lock members45, and the first valve body22, are F1, F2, and F3, ease of opening the second valve body55, the pair of lock members45, and the first valve body22is set to become F1>F2and F1>F3. The amounts of the loads, provided to the fuel-filling nozzle100from the second valve body55, the pair of lock members45, and the first valve body22, are set mainly by changing spring constants of the second torsion spring65, the compression coil spring46, and the first torsion spring50. By satisfying the aforementioned relationship of the loads F1, F2, and F3, a user (a fuel-filler) can move the pair of lock members45backward, and at the same time, can open the first valve body22, with a time when the fuel-filling nozzle100is inserted to open the second valve body55. Namely, a user becomes difficult to sense a resistance of the pair of lock members45and the first valve body22, and by a single inserting operation, the fuel-filling nozzle100can be easily opened up to the first valve body.22. Thereby, when a user inserts the fuel-filling nozzle100, it is difficult to become a condition, wherein the first valve body22has not been opened though the second valve body55has been opened. Accordingly, it is difficult for filling a fuel, while the first valve body22has been closed, i.e., in a state wherein the fuel-filling nozzle100has not passed the first pathway28.

It is preferred that the loads F2and F3are one-half or less of the load F1, and it is furthermore preferred that the loads F2and F3are one-third or less of the load F1. For example, the load F1is 20 to 30 N, and the loads F2and F3are approximately 10 N.

When the fuel-filling nozzle100is inserted into the fuel-filling aperture open-closing device1, in order to easily open up to the first valve body22at once when the second valve body55is opened, shorter strokes (moving distances) L of the fuel-filling nozzle100, up to a position wherein the load F3is applied from a position wherein the load F1is applied, are preferred. Also, further preferably, shapes and relative positions of the second valve body55and the lock members45may be set in such a way that the pair of lock members45start to move backward before the second valve body55is completely opened.

The explanation of the specific embodiments has been completed here; however, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described hereinabove, and can be widely modified. For example, the lock members45may be omitted in another embodiment.

Explanation Of Symbols