Patent Publication Number: US-11655781-B2

Title: Canister

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-069775 filed on Apr. 16, 2021 with the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a canister. 
     There is a known canister having an adsorbent such as activated carbon placed therein. Japanese Patent No. 6591955 (JP6591955B2) discloses a canister including an adjusting member placed together with an adsorbent. The adjusting member includes elongated rod-shaped portions and a single coupling portion. The single coupling portion is arranged so as to couple respective one ends of the rod-shaped portions to one another. The rod-shaped portions smooth, in the vicinity thereof, a flow of a fuel vapor flowing into the canister and a purge air. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the canister, the higher the degree of uniformity of gas flow velocity in an extending direction (that is, a direction orthogonal to a flow direction of gas) of a chamber to be filled with the adsorbent, the adsorbent exhibits better adsorption performance. This is because since an adsorbent placed in an area of a higher gas flow velocity adsorbs a large amount of fuel vapor at an earlier stage, a capacity of such an adsorbent to adsorb the fuel vapor becomes smaller at an earlier stage. For this reason, the fuel vapor is not adsorbed in the area of the higher gas flow velocity and breakthrough the fuel vapor occurs even if an adsorbent placed in another location has an enough capacity for adsorption. The higher the rate of the adjusting member occupying a cross-section in the extending direction, the degree of uniformity of the gas flow velocity becomes lower. The canister of JP6591955B2 has two or more rod-shaped portions arranged and thus ventilation resistance is sufficiently reduced. However, it is also desired that fuel adsorption and desorption is advantageously performed by reducing breakthrough of fuel vapor. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to provide a technique to reduce ventilation resistance of a canister while reducing breakthrough of a fuel vapor. 
     One aspect of the present disclosure is a canister mounted in a vehicle with an engine and including one or more chambers. The canister comprises adsorbents, an inflow port, an atmosphere port, an outflow port, and an adjusting member. The inflow port flows a fuel vapor into the one or more chambers from a fuel tank of the vehicle. The adsorbents adsorb the fuel vapor. Each adsorbent is placed in a corresponding chamber of the one or more chambers. The atmosphere port flows an atmosphere into the one or more chambers from an outside of the vehicle. The outflow port releases the fuel vapor adsorbed by the adsorbents to the engine using the atmosphere flowing in from the atmosphere port. The adjusting member includes two or more rod-shaped portions having an elongated shape. At least one chamber of the one or more chambers is a target chamber coupled to at least one port of the inflow port, the atmosphere port, or the outflow port. The adjusting member is placed in the target chamber together with corresponding one adsorbent of the adsorbents. The target chamber is provided with a cushioning area at a side adjacent to the at least one port. The two or more rod-shaped portions have first and second cross-sections orthogonal to a flow direction of the atmosphere and the fuel vapor. The first cross-section is formed in the cushioning area and the second cross-section is formed at a position distanced from the at least one port relative to the cushioning area. The first cross-section has a smaller area than an area of the second cross-section. 
     In the above configuration, the adjusting member has a smaller volume in the cushioning area at the side adjacent to the at least one port. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a high degree of uniformity of a flow of the atmosphere and the fuel vapor in the cushioning area. If this degree of uniformity is low and a larger amount of the fuel vapor flows in the vicinity of the adjusting member relative to other locations, an adsorbent in the vicinity of the adjusting member reaches to a state of having no more capacity for adsorption, at relatively earlier stage, due to occurrence of breakthrough. 
     In the configuration above, however, it is possible to advantageously reduce an amount of fuel vapor passing through the cushioning area without being adsorbed by the adsorbent. When the cushioning area is situated at a side of a chamber communicating with a port, as compared to a configuration to situate the same at a side of the chamber not communicating with the port, it is possible to further reduce breakthrough of the fuel vapor. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce ventilation resistance of the canister while reducing breakthrough of the fuel vapor. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cushioning area may be an area not to arrange the adjusting member. In such a configuration, since the adjusting member is not arranged in the cushioning area, it is possible to advantageously inhibit the two or more rod-shaped portions from decreasing the degree of uniformity. Accordingly, it is possible to more advantageously reduce breakthrough of the fuel vapor. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, the adjusting member may be provided with a first abutting portion. A side wall of the target chamber may be provided with a second abutting portion. The second abutting portion abuts the first abutting portion, to thereby fix a position of the adjusting member inside the target chamber. In such a configuration, the adjusting member can be fixed in a specified position by bringing the first and second abutting portions into abutment with each other. Thus, it is possible to prevent the adjusting member from being displaced toward a port side. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent reduction in size of the cushioning area. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, a side wall of the target chamber may be provided with an abutting surface. The abutting surface abuts the adjusting member, to thereby prevent the adjusting member from being displaced toward the at least one port. In such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the adjusting member from being displaced toward the port side. Since the adjusting member is not displaced toward the portside, it is possible to prevent reduction in size of the cushioning area. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, the adjusting member may be pressed into the target chamber. In such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the adjusting member from being displaced from a position, to which the adjusting member is mounted. Accordingly, since the adjusting member is not displaced toward the port side, it is possible to prevent reduction in size of the cushioning area. Furthermore, the configuration to press the adjusting member into the target chamber makes it easy to fix the adjusting member by merely inserting of the same. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, the target chamber may be a chamber coupled to the atmosphere port. In such a configuration, the cushioning area is provided in proximity to the atmosphere port. Thus, it is possible to inhibit the fuel vapor from passing through the target chamber without being adsorbed by the adsorbent and being released from the atmosphere port to the atmosphere. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a cross-section of a canister of an embodiment as viewed laterally; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a diagram for explaining a second abutting portion; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a diagram for explaining a first abutting portion; 
         FIG.  2 C  is a diagram for explaining the first and second abutting portions; 
         FIG.  3 A  is a perspective view of an adjusting member according to a modified example; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a perspective view of the adjusting member according to the modified example; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view of the adjusting member according to the modified example; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a perspective view of the adjusting member according to the modified example; 
         FIG.  4 C  is a perspective view of the adjusting member according to the modified example; 
         FIG.  4 D  is a perspective view of the adjusting member according to the modified example; 
         FIG.  4 E  is a perspective view of the adjusting member according to the modified example; 
         FIG.  4 F  is a perspective view of the adjusting member according to the modified example; 
         FIG.  4 G  is a perspective view of a pellet; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-section, along a line V-V in  FIG.  1   , schematically illustrating an internal space of a second chamber of the canister according to the embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-section of a canister according to the modified example as viewed laterally; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a schematic diagram of a second abutting portion according to the modified example; and 
         FIG.  7 B  enlarges the schematic view of the second abutting portion according to the modified example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     1. Embodiment 
     1-1. Configuration 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , there is provided a canister  1  in an embodiment. The canister  1  is mounted in a vehicle with an engine (not shown). The canister  1  includes a casing  10  made of synthetic resin. The casing  10  comprises first and second chambers  20 ,  30 . Each of the first and second chambers  20 ,  30  includes an internal space. In the internal spaces of the first and second chambers  20 ,  30 , respectively, first and second adsorbents  60 ,  62  to adsorb a fuel vapor are placed. The first and second adsorbents  60 ,  62  are an aggregate of two or more substances in powdered or granular forms. Examples of the two or more substances may include activated carbon and substances generated from activated carbon. Furthermore, examples of the two or more substances are not limited to activated carbon and may be any substances that can adsorb a fuel vapor. The first and second adsorbents  60 ,  62  may be of the same kind or different kinds. 
     The casing  10  has an end provided with an inflow port  11 , an outflow port  12 , and an atmosphere port  13 . The internal space of the first chamber  20  communicates with the outside of the casing  10  via the inflow port  11  and the outflow port  12 . Furthermore, the internal space of the second chamber  30  communicates with the outside of the casing  10  via the atmosphere port  13 . 
     The inflow port  11  is coupled to a fuel tank (illustration omitted) of the vehicle, to thereby flow a fuel vapor into each chamber of the canister  1 . The fuel tank stores a fuel to be supplied to the vehicle. The fuel vapor generated from the fuel flows into the canister  1  via the inflow port  11  and is then adsorbed by the first and second adsorbents  60 ,  62  placed in the first and second chambers  20 ,  30 , respectively. Consequently, the fuel is accumulated inside the canister  1 . 
     The outflow port  12  is coupled to an intake pipe (illustration omitted) of the engine of the vehicle. The outflow port  12  releases the fuel vapor adsorbed by the first and second adsorbents  60 ,  62  to the engine using an atmosphere flowing in from the atmosphere port  13 . The atmosphere port  13  communicates with the outside of the vehicle. The atmosphere port  13  flows the atmosphere (hereinafter, referred to as “purge air”) into each chamber the canister  1  using engine intake manifold vacuum. Due to an inflow of the purge air, the fuel vapor adsorbed by the first and second adsorbents  60 ,  62  (hereinafter, referred to as “desorbed fuel vapor”) is desorbed. The desorbed fuel vapor is released with the purge air through the outflow port  12  toward the intake pipe. Consequently, the fuel vapor adsorbed by the activated carbon is removed, and the activated carbon is regenerated. Regenerating activated carbon in such a manner is referred to as “purge”. 
     Detailed descriptions are given to a configuration of the canister  1 . The casing  10  of the canister  1  includes first and second sides. Hereinafter, the first side, at which the inflow port  11 , the outflow port  12 , and the atmosphere port  13  are provided, is referred to as “port side”. The casing  10  includes an opening  64  at the second side opposite to the port side. The opening  64  is closed with a lid member  14 . Hereinafter, the second side (that is, the side, at which the lid member  14  is provided) opposite to the port side is referred to as “lid side”. 
     In one example, the first chamber  20  is formed into an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape or a cylindrical shape. The first chamber  20  is defined by a port side end communicating with the inflow port  11  and the outflow port  12 . The port side end of the first chamber  20  is provided with a filter  21 . The first chamber  20  is defined by a lid side end provided with a filter  22 . The filters  21 ,  22  interpose the first adsorbent  60  therebetween. Although the first adsorbent  60  is filled in the entire space between the filters  21 ,  22 , only a part of the adsorbent  60  filled is illustrated. The same applies to the second chamber  30 . 
     The lid side end of the first chamber  20  communicates with a communication passage  15 . The communication passage  15  extends along the lid member  14  and allows the first and second chambers  20 ,  30  to communicate with each other. The filter  22  and the communication passage  15  interpose a porous plate  23  having permeability to pass the fuel vapor and the purge air therethrough. Furthermore, the porous plate  23  and the lid member  14  interpose a coil spring  16 . The coil spring  16  presses the porous plate  23  toward the port side. Fluid can travel between the first and second chambers  20 ,  30  inside the canister  1  through the communication passage  15 . 
     The second chamber  30  has an elongated shape extending from the communication passage  15  to the atmosphere port  13 . In the present embodiment, in one example, the second chamber  30  is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape. However, the second chamber  30  may have a different shape. In one example, the second chamber  30  may be formed into a cylindrical shape. 
     The second chamber  30  includes a port side end and a lid side end. The port side end of the second chamber  30  communicates with the atmosphere port  13 . Furthermore, the lid side end of the second chamber  30  is provided with a filter  31 . The port side end of the second chamber  30  is provided with a filter  41 . The filters  31 ,  41  in the second chamber  30  interpose the second adsorbent  62  therebetween. 
     Furthermore, there is provided a porous plate  32 , having permeability to pass the fuel vapor and the purge air, between the filter  31  placed at the lid side end of the second chamber  30  and the communication passage  15 . The porous plate  32  and the lid member  14  interpose a coil spring  17  therebetween. The coil spring  17  presses the porous plate  32  toward the port side. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , there is provided a second abutting portion  91  on a side wall  44  defining the second chamber  30 . The side wall  44  is a wall portion defining a lateral (or side) area of the internal space (hereinafter, referred to as “second space  42 ”) of the second chamber  30 . In  FIGS.  2 A,  2 C , the upper side is the lid side, and the lower side is the port side. The second abutting portion  91  is provided to the side wall  44  defining the second chamber  30  at a position closer to the lid side relative to the port side. The second abutting portion  91  abuts a first abutting portion  90  to be described later, to thereby set a position of an adjusting member  50  to be described later. In the present embodiment, the second abutting portion  91  is provided with a slit. 
     1-2. Adjusting Member 
     In the present disclosure, there is at least one target chamber in one or more chambers provided to the canister  1 . The target chamber is provided with the adjusting member  50  together with the second adsorbent  62 . Furthermore, the target chamber is coupled to at least one port of the inflow port  11 , the outflow port  12 , or the atmosphere port  13 . In the present embodiment, the second chamber  30  is the target chamber in one example, and the target chamber is coupled to the atmosphere port  13 . Needless to say, the first chamber  20  may be the target chamber in place of the second chamber  30 . Both of the first and second chambers  20 ,  30  may be the target chamber. Hereinafter, descriptions are given to the adjusting member  50  placed in the second chamber  30 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the adjusting member  50  is placed with the second adsorbent  62  in the second space  42 , which is an internal space of the second chamber  30 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2 B , the adjusting member  50  includes two or more rod-shaped portions  51  having an elongated shape, and two or more coupling portions  52 . 
     The two or more rod-shaped portions  51  extend linearly or approximately linearly. The term “approximately linearly” means that a whole of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  is in the form of an approximately straight line. For example, a part of or the whole of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  may be bent at a small curvature. In other words, examples of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  include those in which the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  appear to be a straight line. Furthermore, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  extend in the same direction or approximately the same direction. More specifically, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  extend in a direction from the port side to the lid side of the second chamber  30  (port-to-lid direction), or a direction approximately the same as the port-to-lid direction. In other words, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  are arranged along a direction in which the purge air and the fuel vapor flow (hereinafter, simply referred to as “flow direction”), or a direction approximately the same as the flow direction. That is, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  have a longitudinal axis that may be the same as the flow direction, or that may have a small angle with respect to the flow direction. 
     In one example, each rod-shaped portion  51  (hereinafter, simply referred to as “rod-shaped portion  51 ”) of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  is formed into a columnar shape as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 B . However, the rod-shaped portion  51  may be formed into a different shape from the cylindrical shape. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B , the rod-shaped portion  51  may be formed to have a diameter gradually decreasing toward a leading end thereof. Furthermore, example shapes of the rod-shaped portion  51  may include a polygonal columnar shape and more specifically, a triangular prism shape as illustrated in  FIG.  4 A  and a quadrangular prism shape having a square or a rectangular shape in a cross-section as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 B,  4 C . Furthermore, example cross-sectional shapes of the rod-shaped portion  51  may include an oval shape as illustrated in  FIG.  4 D . Still further, example shapes of the rod-shaped portion  51  may include a band-like shape as illustrated in  FIG.  4 E  and a tapered shape as illustrated in  FIG.  4 F . 
     On the other hand, the two or more coupling portions  52  are provided to the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  in a state of being separated from one another. The two or more coupling portions  52  couple the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  to one another, to form as one integral member. In the present embodiment, the two or more coupling portions  52  are arranged to be distributed to two distinctive positions in the flow direction. The adjusting member  50  may include the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  having an elongated shape, and a single coupling portion  52 . 
     Furthermore, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  have surrounding spaces (in other words, lateral spaces) communicating with one another. Specifically, adjacent rod-shaped portions  51  of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  are placed with a given distance or more provided from each other. Since there is no area enclosed by the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  in the second space  42 , there is no area isolated from other areas in the second space  42 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  are arranged in a manner to be spread uniformly or approximately uniformly along a cross-section orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the second chamber  30 . Furthermore, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  are placed with a given distance or more provided from the side wall  44  defining the lateral area of the second space  42 . Still further, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  are placed in a manner to pass through a center of the second space  42  in a width axis and its surrounding area. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2 B , the adjusting member  50  is provided with the first abutting portion  90 . In the present embodiment, the first abutting portion  90  is a plate-shaped portion protruding from a specific rod-shaped portion of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51 . The first abutting portion  90  is provided to the adjusting member  50  at two specific locations. As illustrated in  FIG.  2 C , the first abutting portion  90  is pressed into the slit of the second abutting portion  91 , whereby the position of the first abutting portion  90  is set. The term “press(ed) into” here means to insert an object into a space having a smaller width relative to a width of the object. Alternatively, the term “press(ed) into” means to insert an object into a space having the same width as the object. Such insertion generates a friction between an inserting body to be inserted into a space and a receiving body defining the space. As a result, the inserting body is prevented from falling off the receiving body. In the present embodiment, the adjusting member  50 , which is slightly larger than a width of the second space  42 , is pressed into the second chamber  30 . Also, the first abutting portion  90 , which has a width larger than a width of the slit, is fitted and pressed into the slit. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the first abutting portion  90  from falling off the slit of the second abutting portion  91 . Furthermore, due to the first abutting portion  90  being fitted into the slit, the position of the adjusting member  50  is set.  FIG.  2 B  illustrates a configuration to provide one first abutting portion  90  to one rod-shaped portion. However, example configurations may include one illustrated in  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B  in which two plates protruding from two rod-shaped portions  51  merge into one to have an approximately Y-shape in a cross-section orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the adjusting member  50 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the second chamber  30  includes a cushioning area  93  in an area of the second space  42  at the port side. In the present embodiment, the cushioning area  93  is an area not to arrange the two or more rod-shaped portions  51 . In one example, the adjusting member  50  is arranged with a space left across the entire area thereabove, below the filter  41  for less than 10 mm. In the flow direction, the cushioning area  93  is narrower than the area to place the adjusting member  50 . The area not to arrange the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  may be about 2 mm in the flow direction, for example. Alternatively, such an area may be of approximately the same size as an average particle diameter of a granule or a powder of the second adsorbent  62  in the flow direction. Furthermore, in the flow direction, the cushioning area  93  may be provided to the target chamber at the port side so as to have a length of 30% or less of the length of the target chamber. 
     The second adsorbent  62  to be placed in the second chamber  30  may be an aggregate of two or more granular substances having a specified shape. Specifically, examples of the second adsorbent  62  may include an aggregate of two or more pellets  61 . The two or more pellets  61  are granular activated carbon. The two or more pellets  61  are produced by kneading powdered activated carbon with a binder, and forming the powdered activated carbon kneaded into a specified shape. As illustrated in  FIG.  4 G , each pellet  61  of the two or more pellets  61  (hereinafter, simply referred to as “pellet  61 ”) in the present embodiment is formed into a cylindrical shape in one example. In one example, the diameter of two base surfaces of the pellet  61  may be about 2 mm. Furthermore, in one example, the distance (in other words, the length) between the two base surfaces of the pellet  61  may be in a range of about 3 mm through 5 mm. The pellet  61  may have a different shape. Furthermore, an adsorbent different from the pellet  61  may be placed in the second chamber  30 , such as powdered activated carbon. 
     The given distance (in one example, D 0  in  FIG.  5   ) between the adjacent rod-shaped portions  51  is determined based on a size of the pellet  61 . Specifically, the given distance may be longer than, for example, the diameter of the two base surfaces of the pellet  61  or the length of the pellet  61 . 
     Furthermore, the smallest value of the distance (in one example, D 1  in  FIG.  5   ) between a side part of the rod-shaped portion  51  and the side wall  44  defining the second space  42  is also determined based on the size of the pellet  61 . Specifically, the smallest value may be larger than, for example, a value of the diameter of the two base surfaces of the pellet  61  or a value of the length of the pellet  61 . In other words, a distance(s) between a side part(s) of one or more outermost rod-shaped portions  51  of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  and the side wall  44  defining the second space  42  may be longer than, for example, the diameter of the two base surfaces of the pellet  61  or the length of the pellet  61 . 
     The second space  42  has a cross-section orthogonal to the flow direction (in other words, directions in which lid side and port side surfaces defining the second space  42  face each other). Such a cross-section is referred to as “orthogonal cross-section”. The reference numeral  42   a  in  FIG.  5    shows the orthogonal cross-section of the second space  42 . Furthermore, a total cross-sectional area of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  in the orthogonal cross-section is referred to as “total cross-sectional area”. The reference numeral  51   a  in  FIG.  5    shows cross-sections of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  in the orthogonal cross-section  42   a . The number of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  and the thickness of each rod-shaped portion  51  may be configured such that the total cross-sectional area is 1% or more and 30% or less of a total area of the orthogonal cross-section  42   a . As a result, it is possible to reduce ventilation resistance while advantageously performing fuel adsorption and desorption in the second chamber  30 . 
     In one example, in the orthogonal cross-section  42   a  illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the total cross-sectional area is about 7.5% of the total area of the orthogonal cross-section  42   a.    
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second space  42  is an elongated space having a fixed width. Each rod-shaped portion  51  is formed into a columnar shape having a fixed width. That is, the size of the orthogonal cross-section  42   a  and the size of the cross-section of each rod-shaped portion  51  are fixed and not affected by what position, in the second space  42 , the orthogonal cross-section  42   a  is formed. 
     However, the width of the second space  42  and/or the width of each rod-shaped portion  51  may not be fixed. That is, the size of the orthogonal cross-section  42   a  and/or the size of the cross-section of each rod-shaped portion  51  may vary depending on what position, in the second space  42 , the orthogonal cross-section  42   a  is formed. In this case, the number of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  and the thickness of each rod-shaped portion  51  may be configured such that the total cross-sectional area is 1% or more and 30% or less of the total area of the orthogonal cross-section  42   a  regardless of what location, in the second space  42 , the orthogonal cross-section  42   a  is formed. In the cushioning area  93  in the present embodiment, the total cross-sectional area is configured to be 0% of the total area of the orthogonal cross-section  42   a . The two or more pellets  61  are spread over the cushioning area  93 . The total cross-sectional area in the cushioning area  93  may have any value smaller than the total cross-sectional area in an area other than the cushioning area  93 . 
     1-3. Effects 
     The embodiment detailed above can bring effects to be described below. 
     (1a) The canister  1  comprises the cushioning area  93 , where the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  are not arranged. In such a configuration, it is possible to advantageously inhibit the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  from decreasing the degree of uniformity of the gas flow velocity. Accordingly, it is possible to more advantageously reduce breakthrough of the fuel vapor. 
     (1b) The adjusting member  50  comprises the first abutting portion  90 . The side wall  44  defining the second chamber  30  is provided with the second abutting portion  91 . In such a configuration, the adjusting member  50  can be fixed in a specified position by bringing the first and second abutting portions  90 ,  91  into abutment with each other. Accordingly, since the adjusting member  50  is not displaced toward the port side, it is possible to prevent reduction in size of the cushioning area  93 . 
     (1c) The adjusting member  50  is pressed into the second chamber  30 . In such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the adjusting member  50  from being displaced from a position, to which adjusting member  50  is mounted. Accordingly, since the adjusting member  50  is not displaced toward the port side, it is possible to prevent reduction in size of the cushioning area  93 . Furthermore, the configuration to press the adjusting member  50  into the second chamber  30  makes it easy to fix the adjusting member  50  by merely inserting of the same. 
     (1d) The distance between the adjacent rod-shaped portions  51  is determined based on the size of the pellet  61 . Thus, an adequate distance is provided between the adjacent rod-shaped portions  51 . Consequently, the two or more pellets  61  are spread over an entire space(s) between the two or more rod-shaped portions. This inhibits generation of an excessively large gap(s) between the two or more pellets  61  to be filled in the space(s). Accordingly, the space(s) is/are adequately filled with the two or more pellets  61 . 
     (1e) The smallest value of the distance between the side part of the rod-shaped portion  51  and the side wall  44  defining the second space  42  is determined based on the size of the pellet  61 . Thus, an adequate distance is provided between the rod-shaped portion  51  and the side wall  44 . Consequently, the two or more pellets  61  are spread over entire spaces between the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  and the side wall  44 . This inhibits generation of an excessively large gap(s) between the two or more pellets  61  to be filled in the spaces. Accordingly, the spaces are adequately filled with the two or more pellets  61 . 
     (1f) The number of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  and the thickness of each rod-shaped portion  51  are configured such that the total cross-sectional area is 1% or more and 30% or less of the total area of the orthogonal cross-section  42   a  of the second space  42 . Thus, in the second chamber  30 , it is possible to reduce ventilation resistance while advantageously performing fuel adsorption and desorption. The effect described in (1a) above is significantly enhanced when the total cross-sectional area in the cushioning area  93  is one third or less of the total cross-sectional area in the area other than the cushioning area  93 . As in the present embodiment, in the case where the total cross-sectional area in the area other than the cushioning area  93  is about 7.5% of the total area of the orthogonal cross-section  42   a , the effect is significantly enhanced when the total cross-sectional area in the cushioning area  93  is 2.5% or less of the total area of the orthogonal cross-section  42   a.    
     (1g) The cushioning area  93  is provided to the second chamber  30  coupled to the atmosphere port  13 . In such a configuration, since the cushioning area  93  is provided in proximity to the atmosphere port  13 , it is possible to inhibit the fuel vapor from passing through the target chamber without being adsorbed by the second adsorbent  62  and being released from the atmosphere port  13  to the atmosphere. 
     2. Other Embodiments 
     Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described hereinabove, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be practiced in various forms. 
     (2a) In the above embodiment, the canister  1  includes two chambers. However, the canister  1  may include one chamber, or three or more chambers. Even in these cases, at least one chamber may be configured as the target chamber, in which the adjusting member  50  is placed. For example,  FIG.  6    illustrates a case where the canister  1  includes three chambers. Second and third chambers  300 ,  40  are arranged adjacent to the first chamber  20 . Each of the second and third chambers  300 ,  40  has an elongated shape extending from the lid side to the port side. The second and third chambers  300 ,  40  are aligned in this order in a lid-to-port direction with a port side end of the second chamber  300  and a lid side end of the third chamber  40  being adjacent to each other. The second and third chambers  300 ,  40  are partitioned by a partitioning member  18 . The partitioning member  18  has permeability. The partitioning member  18  may include, for example, a porous plate and/or a filter. Fluid can pass through the partitioning member  18  and travel between the second and third chambers  300 ,  40  inside the canister  1 . The third chamber  40  has a port side end communicating with the atmosphere port  13 . In this modified example, the third chamber  40  is the target chamber. In the third chamber  40 , an adjusting member  56  is placed together with an adsorbent  63 . The adjusting member  56  has the same configuration as the adjusting member  50  of the above embodiment. The adsorbent  63  may be of the same kind as or a different kind from the first and second adsorbents  60 ,  62 . 
     (2b) In the above embodiment, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  are placed in the at least one target chamber while extending along the flow direction. Furthermore, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  extend linearly or approximately linearly. However, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  may extend in the flow direction in a state of, for example, being curved or bent at one or more locations. Furthermore, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  may extend helically in the flow direction, for example. Still further, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  may have different shapes. 
     Still further, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  may extend along a direction different from the flow direction. The two or more rod-shaped portions  51  may extend in different directions from one another. If there are three or more rod-shaped portions  51 , two rod-shaped portions  51  may extend in one direction, and the rest of the rod-shaped portion(s)  51  may extend in another direction. 
     (2c) The above embodiment exemplifies a configuration to provide the cushioning area  93  adjacent to the atmosphere port  13 . However, the position to provide the cushioning area  93  is not limited thereto. For example, the cushioning area  93  may be provided to a chamber, to which the inflow port  11  or the outflow port  12  is provided. Specifically, the first chamber  20  in  FIG.  1    may comprise an adjusting member. The adjusting member may be arranged at a positon distanced from the inflow port  11  or the outflow port  12 . For example, the adjusting member  50  may be arranged with a space left across the entire area thereabove, below the filter  21  for less than 10 mm. 
     (2d) The above embodiment exemplifies a configuration not to arrange the adjusting member  50  in the cushioning area  93 . However, the configuration of the cushioning area  93  is not limited hereto. The cushioning area  93  may have any configuration in which the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  arranged therein have first and second cross-sections orthogonal to the flow direction. The first cross-section is formed in the cushioning area  93  and the second cross-section is formed at a position distanced from the atmosphere port  13  relative to the cushioning area  93 . The first cross-section has a smaller area than an area of the second cross-section. For example, the cushioning area  93  may have a configuration in which the number of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  arranged therein is smaller relative to the number of the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  arranged at a position distanced from the atmosphere port  13 . Furthermore, the cushioning area  93  may have a configuration in which the thickness of each rod-shaped portion  51  located therein is smaller relative to the thickness of the same located apart from the atmosphere port  13 . 
     In such a configuration, the two or more rod-shaped portions  51  have a smaller volume in the cushioning area  93  located in the chamber communicating with the atmosphere port  13 . Therefore, in the cushioning area  93 , it is possible to maintain a high degree of uniformity of the flow of the purge air and the fuel vapor. If this degree of uniformity is low and a larger amount of the fuel vapor flows in the vicinity of the adjusting member  50  relative to other locations, the second adsorbent  62  in the vicinity of the adjusting member  50  reaches a state of having no more capacity for adsorption at relatively earlier stage due to occurrence of breakthrough. In the configuration above, however, it is possible to advantageously reduce an amount of fuel vapor passing through the cushioning area  93  without being adsorbed by the second adsorbent  62 . When the cushioning area  93  is situated at a side of a chamber communicating with a port, as compared to a configuration to situate the same at a side of the chamber not communicating with the port, it is possible to further reduce breakthrough of the fuel vapor. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce ventilation resistance of the canister  1  while reducing breakthrough of the fuel vapor. 
     (2e) The above embodiment exemplifies a configuration to provide the first abutting portion  90  to the adjusting member  50  at the two specific locations. However, the number of the first and second abutting portions  90 ,  91  are not limited hereto. For example, each of the first and second abutting portions  90 ,  91  may be provided at one specific location, or three or more specific locations. 
     (2f) The above embodiment exemplifies a configuration to fit the first abutting portion  90  into the second abutting portion  91  provided with a slit. Also, the above embodiment exemplifies a configuration to press the adjusting member  50  into the target chamber. However, a configuration to fix the adjusting member  50  into the target chamber is not to be limited hereto. For example, the adjusting member  50  may have a snap-fit configuration in which a claw is engaged with a hole for fixation. Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS.  7 A,  7 B , an abutting surface  95  may be formed. The abutting surface  95  abuts the adjusting member  50  to prevent the same from being displaced toward the atmosphere port  13 . In such a configuration, since the first abutting portion  90  is obstructed by the abutting surface  95 , it is possible to prevent the adjusting member  50  from being displaced toward the atmosphere port  13 . Since the adjusting member  50  is not displaced toward the port side, it is possible to prevent reduction in size of the cushioning area  93 . Accordingly, it is possible to maintain the degree of uniformity of the purge air and the fuel vapor in the cushioning area  93 . 
     (2g) One or more functions of one element of the aforementioned embodiments may be distributed to two or more elements, and one or more functions of two or more elements may be integrated into one element. Furthermore, a part of the configurations of the aforementioned embodiments may be omitted. Still further, at least a part of the configurations of the aforementioned embodiments may be added to or replaced with configurations of the other above-described embodiments.