Fuel filler port device

A fuel filler port device includes a fuel filler port, a main flap which is disposed in the fuel filler port and is configured to be rotated to an open position by introducing a fuel filler nozzle to open the fuel filler port, a drain opening disposed in the fuel filler port at an outer side of the main flap, and a closure mechanism which closes the drain opening in a fuel filling state.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an improvement of a fuel filler port device which allows introduction of a fuel filler nozzle by opening a fuel filler port through the introduction of the fuel filler nozzle and can achieve fuel filling.

BACKGROUND ART

As a device which is provided in an upper end of a filler pipe (which may be also called as an inlet pipe), and can achieve fuel filling by being opened with an insertion of a fuel filler nozzle in a fuel filler gun, there is a structure shown in Japanese Patent No. 5907028.

The structure in the Japanese Patent has an insertion side opening and closing mechanism which is pushed open by the fuel filler nozzle, and an injection port opening and closing mechanism which is positioned at the back thereof, thereby making a threaded type fuel filler port cap unnecessary. A drainage passage is provided between the insertion side opening and closing mechanism and the injection port opening and closing mechanism, and the fuel remaining between the insertion side opening and closing mechanism and the injection port opening and closing mechanism is adapted to flow out through the drainage passage.

In the meantime, a fuel filler gun is of a type which is additionally provided with a fuel evaporative gas recovery mechanism. The fuel evaporative gas recovery mechanism is a mechanism which sucks the fuel evaporative gas within the fuel filler port at the fuel filling time so as to make the fuel evaporative gas leak to an external portion as little as possible. However, in the case that the drainage passage (the drain opening) as mentioned above is provided within the fuel filler port, the fuel evaporative gas recovery mechanism sucks the outside air therethrough. As a result, there may be generated a situation that the control system side erroneously recognizes the fuel filler gun is not introduced appropriately to the fuel filler port device and stops filling the fuel.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a fuel filler port device which is provided with a function of flowing a drain staying in a near side of a main flap in the fuel filler port device from the fuel filler port device, and preventing a false recognition in a control system of a fuel filler gun provided with a fuel evaporative gas recovery mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the object mentioned above, according to the invention, a fuel filler port device includes a drain opening disposed in a near side of a main flap which is rotated to an open position by introducing a fuel filler nozzle and opens a fuel filler port, wherein the fuel filler port device includes a closure mechanism which closes the drain opening in the fuel filling state.

According to one of aspects of the invention, the closure mechanism is a movable valve element which comes into contact with a part of the introduced fuel filler nozzle, and moves against biasing to a closure position closing the drain opening.

Further, according to one of the aspects of the invention, the closure mechanism is constructed by a movable body which comes into contact with a part of the introduced fuel filler nozzle and is moved against biasing from a reference position, and a movable valve element which is pressed to the moved movable body and moves against biasing to the closure position closing the drain opening.

Further, according to one of the aspects of the invention, the closure mechanism is a movable valve element which comes into contact with a part of the introduced fuel filler nozzle, slides against biasing in a direction of introducing the fuel filler nozzle, and moves to a closure position of closing the drain opening.

Further, according to one of the aspects of the invention, the closure mechanism is constructed by a constant force spring which comes into contact with a part of the introduced fuel filler nozzle and is drawn out against biasing in the direction of introducing the fuel filler nozzle, and a sealing body which is provided in the constant force spring and closes the drain opening at the predetermined pull-out position.

Further, according to one of the aspects of the invention, the closure mechanism is a movable valve element which is biased to a closure position of closing the drain opening, and moves against biasing due to a weight of a drain subject caused by the staying of the drain subject to a near side of the main flap so as to open the drain opening.

Further, according to one of the aspects of the invention, a sub flap is provided in a near side of the main flap, the sub flap being rotated to an open position by introduction of the fuel filler nozzle, and the drain opening is provided in a side portion which is positioned between the main flap and the sub flap.

According to the invention, while including the function of allowing the drain subject staying in the near side of the main flap within the fuel filler port device to flow out of the fuel filler port device or spilling out the drain subject, it is possible to prevent false recognition in the control system of the fuel filler gun provided with the fuel evaporative gas recovery mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description will be given below for typical embodiments of the invention with reference toFIGS. 1 to 9. A fuel filler port device according to the embodiment is adapted to be attached to a filler pipe (an illustration thereof will be omitted) and construct a fuel filler port1, and is adapted to open the fuel filler port1through introduction of a fuel filler nozzle N so as to allow the introduction, and automatically close the fuel filler port1when the introduced fuel filler nozzle N is extracted.

More specifically, the fuel filler port device is adapted to allow introduction of a fuel filler nozzle N by rotating a sub flap2band a main flap5amentioned later to an open position so as to enable fuel filling when the fuel filler nozzle N (refer toFIG. 4) of a fuel filler gun is introduced to the fuel filler port1, and return the sub flap2band the main flap5amentioned later to a closed position so as to automatically close the fuel filler port1when the introduced fuel filler nozzle N is extracted. As a result, the fuel filler port device mentioned above does not require a cap of the thread type fuel filler port1.

The fuel filler port device mentioned above is adapted to be attached to an upper end portion of a filler pipe (a fuel injection pipe) which is not illustrated.

In the illustrated example, the fuel filler port device mentioned above is constructed by a cover body2and a tubular main body portion3.

The tubular main body portion3(a part of a main body4) includes a seal member5and a guide member6. The seal member5is fitted into the main body4, and the guide member6is adapted to be fitted into the seal member5. The cover body2is adapted to be attached to the tubular main body portion3while accommodating a tube upper end3aof the tubular main body portion3in an inner side thereof.

In the illustrated example, the cover body2attached to the tubular main body portion3is adapted to engage an engagement convex portion3bformed in an outer side of the tubular main body portion3with a window hole shown by reference symbol2ainFIG. 1.

More specifically, in the embodiment, a guide member6for the fuel filler nozzle N is provided away from the sub flap2bprovided in the cover body2and mentioned later, and a seal member5having the main flap5awhich is opened and closed by the fuel filler nozzle N is provided in a far side of the guide member6.

The tubular main body portion3is substantially formed into a cylindrical shape, and has openings at both the tube upper end3aand the tube lower end3c. In the illustrated example, the tubular main body portion3is adapted to be attached to a filler pipe by fitting the tube lower end3cside thereof into the filler pipe.

The seal member5is provided with a cylindrical main body5cand the main flap5a. The cylindrical main body5cis open in both of its upper end and its lower end, and is substantially formed into a cylindrical shape. Between the upper end and the lower end, an internal space of the cylindrical main body5cis separated into upper and lower sections by a partition wall5d. An outer diameter of the cylindrical main body5cis adapted to be substantially equal to an inner diameter of the main body.

A circular passage port5eallowing the fuel filler nozzle N to pass is formed in the partition wall5d. InFIG. 3, the main flap5ais combined with the cylindrical main body so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis denoted by reference symbol5b. The main flap5acloses the passage port5eby coming into pressure contact with the partition wall5dfrom a lower side on the basis of biasing of a biasing means (illustration thereof will be omitted) at a closed position, thereby maintaining the closed state of the fuel filler port1until the fuel filler nozzle N is introduced.

The cover body2is provided with a cylindrical main body2cand the sub flap2b. The cylindrical main body2cis open in its lower end, is provided in its upper end with an inner collar2dwhich is formed into a cylindrical shape, and is adapted to form a passage port of the fuel filler nozzle N by throttling the upper end opening by the inner collar2d. Hereinafter, the passage port mentioned above of the cover body2is called as a near side passage port2e.

In the illustrated example, the cylindrical main body2cis substantially formed into a cylindrical shape. An inner diameter of the cylindrical main body2cis substantially equal to an outer diameter of the tubular main body portion3in the tube upper end3aside. The cover body2and the tubular main body portion3are adapted to be combined in a state of covering the side portion3dof the tubular main body portion3in the tube upper end3aside from the outer side with the cylindrical main body2cof the cover body2, by fitting the tube upper end3aof the tubular main body portion3into the cover body2from the lower end of the cylindrical main body2cof the cover body2.

The sub flap2bis combined with the cylindrical main body so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis denoted by reference symbol2finFIG. 3. The sub flap2bcloses the near side passage port2eby pressure contact with the inner collar2dfrom the lower side at the closed portion on the basis of biasing of the biasing means which is not illustrated, thereby maintaining the closed state of the fuel filler port1until the fuel filler nozzle N is introduced.

The guide member6is adapted to be fitted between an upper end of the seal member5and the partition wall5dfrom an upper end side of the seal member5. A passage port6ais formed in the guide member6, the passage port6abeing positioned on the passage port5eof the seal member5in the fitted state.

In the illustrated example shown inFIG. 3, a far side passage port7of the fuel filler nozzle N is formed in a far side of the sub flap2bby the passage port5eof the seal member5, and the passage port6aof the guide member6.

The guide member6has a side portion6crunning through a lower portion6bwhich is in contact with the seal member5, is provided with the passage port6ain the lower portion6b, and is provided with a guide inclined surface6dof the fuel filler nozzle N in an upper surface of the lower portion6b.

On the basis of the introducing operation of the fuel filler nozzle N of the fuel filler gun into the fuel filler port1, the sub flap2bis first rotated to an open position, and the fuel filler nozzle N is allowed to move forward to the farther side of the near side passage port2e. When the fuel filler nozzle N moves forward to the farther side than the near side passage port2e, a leading end of the fuel filler nozzle N can be guided to the far side passage port7by the guide inclined surface6dof the guide member6. When the fuel filler nozzle N of the fuel filler gun is guided to the far side passage port7, the main flap5ais rotated to the open position, and the fuel filler nozzle N is allowed to move forward to the far side of the far side passage port7.

The fuel filler port device according to the embodiment shown in Fi.3is provided with a drain opening8in a near side of the main flap5awhich is rotated to the open position by the introduction of the fuel filler nozzle N and opens the fuel filler port1.

More specifically, the embodiment is provided in the near side of the main flap5awith the sub flap2bwhich is rotated to the open position by the introduction of the fuel filler nozzle N and allows the introduction of the fuel filler nozzle N, and is provided in the side portion positioned between the main flap5aand the sub flap2bwith drain opening8.

In the illustrated example shown inFIG. 3, the drain opening8is constructed by aligning the through hole6ewhich is formed in the guide member6, a through hole2gwhich is formed in a side portion of the cover body2, and a through hole9awhich is formed in the seal body9lied between the guide member6and the cover body2.

As shown inFIG. 3, in the fuel filler port device, a center axis x thereof is inclined relative to a vertical line such that the drain opening8is positioned at a lower side, and the drain opening8is formed in an inclined surface6finclined greater than the center axis x.

Therefore, in the near side of the main flap5a, the liquid such as water and the fuel and drain subject such as dust entering into the fuel filler port device flow out of the drain opening8to an external side, or spill out, thereby making them enter into the far side of the main flap5a, that is, into the fuel tank as little as possible.

Further, the fuel filler port device according to the embodiment is provided with a closure mechanism10which closes the drain opening8in the fuel filling state.

The fuel filler gun may be additionally provided with a fuel evaporative gas recovery mechanism (illustration thereof will be omitted). The fuel evaporative gas recovery mechanism removes fuel evaporative gas within the fuel filler port device during fueling, preventing leaks to the exterior of the device to the maximum extent possible. However, in the case that the drain opening8is provided in the fuel filler port device, the fuel evaporative gas recovery mechanism sucks the outside air through the drain opening. As a result, there is a possibility that the control system erroneously recognizes that the fuel filler gun is not appropriately introduced into the fuel filler port device and stops filling the fuel. In the fuel filler port device according to the embodiment, the event mentioned above can be prevented as much as possible by the closure mechanism10.

In a first example shown inFIGS. 1 to 5, a second example shown inFIG. 6, a third example shown inFIG. 7, and a fourth example shown inFIG. 8, the drain opening8is opened in a state in which the operation for introducing the fuel filler nozzle N of the fuel filler gun into the fuel filler port1is not carried out. In the meantime, when the operation for introducing the fuel filler nozzle N of the fuel filler gun into the fuel filler port1is carried out, the drain opening8is closed.

Further, in a fifth example shown inFIG. 9, the closed state of the drain opening8by the closure mechanism10is cancelled when the drain entering into the fuel filler port device reaches a fixed amount on the main flap5a. In the meanwhile, in the case that the operation for introducing the fuel filler nozzle N of the fuel filler gun into the fuel filler port1is carried out, the closed state of the drain opening8by the closure mechanism10is not cancelled due to the fact that the fuel filler port device comes to a lower pressure than the external portion on the basis of the action of the fuel filler gun which is additionally provided with the fuel evaporative gas recovery mechanism.

First Example

In the first example, the closure mechanism10is formed as a movable valve element11which comes into contact with a part of the introduced fuel filler nozzle N and moves against biasing to the closure position of closing the drain opening8.

In the illustrated example, the movable valve element11is constructed by a spring body12, a sealing body13and a fastening body14.

The spring body12is structured by bending a band body made of metal in a rectangular shape. The spring body12is provided with a first portion12awhich is positioned in an outer side of the guide member6, a second portion12bwhich is positioned in an inner side of the guide member6, and a third portion12cwhich connects an upper end of the first portion12aand an upper end of the second portion12b. The second portion12bis formed in such a manner as to increase a distance in a lateral direction in relation to the first portion12astep by step when it comes closer to a lower end of the second portion12b. The spring body12is combined with the guide member6by attaching an upper portion side thereof to the side portion6cof the guide member6in such a manner as to position the third portion12cat an upper end of the side portion6cof the guide member6(FIG. 5).

The sealing body13is attached to a side which is directed to an inner surface of the side portion6cof the guide member6in the second portion12bof the spring body12.

In the illustrated example inFIG. 3, the fastening body14has a shaft portion14awhich passes through a hole formed in the second portion12bof the spring body12, and the sealing body13is attached to the spring body12by passing the shaft portion14ato a hole which is formed in the base plate portion13aof the sealing body13, and fitting and attaching a washer15to a leading end of the shaft portion14a.

The sealing body13is provided with a cylindrical protruding portion13bwhich rises up from an edge portion of the base plate portion13ain a side facing the inner surface of the side portion6cof the guide member6in the base plate portion13a.

In a state in which the fuel filler nozzle N is not introduced, the sealing body13is positioned by the spring body12at a position which does not bring the cylindrical protruding portion13binto contact with the inner surface of the side portion6cof the guide member6in the vicinity of the drain opening8, and the drain opening8is opened (FIG. 3). Reference symbol2hinFIG. 3denotes a positioning portion of the spring body which is formed in a member constructing a part of the cover body2, and is adapted to come into contact with a part of the fastening body14.

When the fuel filler nozzle N is introduced, the fuel filler nozzle N comes into contact with a lower end side of the second portion12bof the spring body12, the second portion12bof the spring body12is moved to an outer side on the basis of an elastic deformation, the cylindrical protruding portion13bof the sealing body13comes into contact with the inner surface of the guide member6, and the drain opening8is closed (FIGS. 4 and 5). In the illustrated example as shown inFIG. 3, the lower end side of the spring body12is curved in such a manner as to set the center axis x side of the fuel filler port device to an outer side of the curve, and is adapted to come into contact with the fuel filler nozzle N in the curved portion12d.

Second Example

In the second example, the closure mechanism10is constructed by a movable body16which comes into contact with a part of the introduced fuel filler nozzle N and is moved against biasing from the reference position, and a movable valve element17which is pressed by the moved movable body16and moves against biasing to the closure position of closing the drain opening8.

The movable body16is formed as a spring body16awhich is structured by bending a band body made of metal. The spring body16ais provided with a first portion16bwhich is positioned in an outer side of the guide member6, a second portion16cwhich is positioned in an inner side of the guide member6, and a third portion16dwhich connects an upper end of the first portion16band an upper end of the second portion16c. The second portion16cis formed such that as a distance from the first portion16bis increased, a distance in the lateral direction from the guide member6is increased. The spring body16ais combined with the guide member6by connecting an upper portion side thereof to the side portion6cof the guide member6in such a manner as to position the third portion16dat an upper end of the side portion6cof the guide member6. The second portion16cis adapted to serve as the movable body16.

The movable valve element17has a sealing portion17awhich is positioned within a through hole6eof the guide member6forming a part of the drain opening8, and a contact portion17bwhich protrudes out toward an inner side of the guide member6from the through hole6e.

A bush18is fitted and attached to a front side of the sealing portion17aof the movable valve element17. An inner portion of the bush18forms a passage which communicates inner and outer sides of the guide member6. A flange18aformed on a side directed to the inner side of the guide member6in the bush18is adapted to serve as a valve seat in relation to the contact portion17bof the movable valve element17. An element shown by reference numeral19in the drawing is a spring which biases the movable valve element17in a valve releasing direction.

In a state in which the fuel filler nozzle N is not introduced, the movable body16is at a reference position, the movable valve element17brings its contact portion17binto contact with the movable body16at the reference position, and a sealing portion17ais positioned at a valve release position which does not bring the sealing portion17ainto contact with the flange18aserving as the valve seat (shown by a two-dot chain line inFIG. 6), and the drain opening8is opened.

When the fuel filler nozzle N is introduced, the fuel filler nozzle N comes into contact with a lower end side of the second portion16cof the spring body16aconstructing the movable body16, the second portion16cof the spring body16ais moved to an outer side on the basis of an elastic deformation, and presses the contact portion17bof the movable valve element17, the movable valve element17moves against biasing of the spring19to a position which makes the sealing portion17aseat on the flange18aserving as the valve seat, and the drain opening8is closed (FIG. 6). In the illustrated example inFIG. 6, the lower end side of the spring body16ais curved so as to make the center axis x side of the fuel filler port device to the outer side of the curve, and is adapted to come into contact with the fuel filler nozzle N in the curved portion16e.

In this second example, it is possible to securely move the movable valve element17to the position of closing the drain opening8when the movable body16moves at a predetermined amount from the reference position.

Third Example

In the third example, the closure mechanism10is formed as a movable valve element20which comes into contact with a part of the introduced fuel filler nozzle N and slides against biasing in a direction of introducing the fuel filler nozzle N so as to move to a closure position of closing the drain opening8.

In this third example, the movable valve element20has a sealing portion21in its lower end, and is adapted to be positioned at a reference position which does not bring the sealing portion21into contact with an inner surface of the guide member6running through the drain opening8positioned just below the sealing portion21, in a state in which the fuel filler nozzle N is not introduced, by a biasing means which is not illustrated (shown by a two-dot chain line inFIG. 7). In a state in which the movable valve element20is at the reference position, the drain opening8is opened.

When the fuel filler nozzle N is introduced, the fuel filler nozzle N comes into contact with the upper end side of the movable valve element20, the movable valve element20is moved against the biasing of the biasing means in a direction of introducing the fuel filler nozzle N, and the drain opening8is closed by bringing the sealing portion21into close contact with the inner surface of the guide member6(FIG. 7).

In this third example, a blank space23is formed in an upper end side of the movable valve element20, the blank space23being open in the center axis x side of the fuel filler port device which forms an elastic piece22in the upper end side. On the basis of the blank space23, the elastic piece22is adapted to set the center axis x side to a free end22a. In the illustrated example, a flange Na formed on an outer surface of the fuel filler nozzle N comes into contact with the free end22aof the elastic piece22at a predetermined introduction position and is adapted to move the movable valve element20to the position of closing the drain opening8while elastically deforming the elastic piece22.

Fourth Example

In the fourth example, the closure mechanism10is constructed by a constant force spring24which comes into contact with a part of the introduced fuel filler nozzle N and is pulled out against the biasing in the direction of introducing the fuel filler nozzle N, and a sealing body25which is provided in the constant force spring24and closes the drain opening8at the predetermined pull-out position.

In this fourth example, the constant force spring24is provided with the sealing body25in a side facing the inner surface of the guide member6closer to the pull-out end portion24aside of the winding portion. Further, the winding portion of the constant force spring24is fixed at its end portion24bopposite to the pull-out end portion24aside to the tubular main body portion3in an upstream side of the drain opening8, and is wound in such a manner as to have the opposite end portion24bas the center of winding.

In a state in which the constant force spring24is completely taken up, the sealing body25is away from the inner surface of the guide member6, and is positioned at a position of opening the drain opening8(shown by a two-dot chain line inFIG. 8).

When the fuel filler nozzle N is introduced, the fuel filler nozzle N comes into contact with the pull-out end portion24aof the constant force spring24, and the constant force spring24is pulled out to a predetermined position. When the constant force spring24is pulled out to the predetermined position, the sealing body25comes into close contact with the inner surface of the guide member6and the drain opening8is closed (FIG. 8).

Fifth Example

In the fifth example, the closure mechanism10is formed as a movable valve element26which is biased to the closure position of closing the drain opening8and moves against biasing on the basis of the weight of the drain subject due to staying of the drain subject in the near side of the main flap5aso as to open the drain opening8.

In the illustrated example, the movable valve element26is constructed by an elastically deformable plate body27which is fastened at its upper end to an outer surface of the side portion of the cover body2, sets its lower end to a free end27a, and comes into close contact with an outer surface in the side portion of the cover body2as a whole in a state in which the drain subject does not stay at a predetermined amount so as to close the drain opening8.

As a matter of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but includes all the embodiments which can achieve the object of the present invention.

The present invention claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-125226 filed Jun. 27, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated as a reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST