Patent Publication Number: US-2009235567-A1

Title: Fuel Filler Pipe Information Collar for Fuel Type Identification

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY  
     Drivers of today&#39;s vehicles may have numerous available fuels to choose from at the fuel station. For example, various alternative fuels, such as ethanol based fuels, for one example E85, which contains 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, are becoming available in the marketplace. Some vehicles, such as flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) vehicles, are specially designed and manufactured to be able to operate with gasoline, E85, or some combination thereof. Other vehicles may be configured to operate solely with gasoline. 
     An SAE Recommended Practice for informing a driver the type of fuel that may be used by his/her vehicle is through the use of colored fuel caps. For example, a yellow fuel cap with “E85/Gasoline” on it indicates to a driver that either E85 or unleaded gasoline may be used. A green fuel cap with “Diesel” on it shows a driver that diesel fuel is used. A black fuel cap, which is not required to have any words, may be used as a generic fuel cap, or may be used only for unleaded gasoline fueled vehicles. Thus, a black fuel cap may be used on FFV, diesel or gasoline burning vehicles. Therefore, a black fuel cap may not determinatively indicate the available fuel types that can be used with the vehicle. 
     Various approaches have been used to identify appropriate fuels for a vehicle, such as to add additional printed information to fuel caps. However, such an approach may be limited because of the various logo and directions that are already present on the fuel caps. For example, the required English, French and Spanish “Tighten Until Clicks” directions coupled with other logos may fill all the available space on the cap, or the font size used may become too small to be legibly printed using pad printing technique. In addition, attaching labels containing printed information regarding the type of fuel used to the fuel door, for example on the inside of the fuel door, may not be helpful, since customers often do not see or read these labels. 
     To at least partially address the above mentioned issues, a fuel type information collar is provided. The fuel type information collar is configured to engage an outer perimeter of a fuel tank filler pipe assembly of an automotive vehicle. It may include an inner perimeter defining an aperture configured to engage the outer perimeter of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly. It may additionally include a top surface including indicia of fuel type information for indicating type of fuel to be used by the automotive vehicle. It may further include a plurality of radial finger cuts angularly spaced around the inner perimeter, the plurality of radial finger cuts forming a plurality of fingers that engage the outer perimeter of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly. 
     By providing a fuel type information collar positioned at the fuel filler pipe inlet, the fuel type information is displayed at a visual point of a driver having sufficient display space, allowing the driver to more easily see the types of fuel allowed for the vehicle. Further, one example configuration provides an interference fit via a plurality of tapered fingers with a lead-in angle to thereby enable the collar to be more easily installed, yet still difficult to remove. In this way, the collar may be more permanently attached to the vehicle to reduce dislodgement. In addition, the interference fit of the fingers may also keep the collar from rattling when the vehicle is moving to thereby reduce any potential noise and/or vibration. 
     Further still, by forming the fuel type information collar in a disk shape with a center hole, it may have increased manufacturability, for example through an injection molding process. 
     Note that these are merely some of the potential features that can be achieved. 
     The inventor herein has recognized the above issues, available approaches, and potential features. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  illustrates a fuel type information system of an automotive vehicle, the fuel type information system including a first embodiment of a fuel type information collar engaged to a fuel tank filler pipe of the automotive vehicle. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded side perspective view of the fuel type information system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of the fuel type information system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the fuel type information collar of the fuel type information system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the fuel type information collar of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross sectional view of the fuel type information collar of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a second embodiment of the fuel type information collar. The plurality of finger cuts cut partially into the fuel type information collar, forming scores that separate upon installation over the fuel tank filler pipe assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a method for installing the fuel type information system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a fuel type information system  12  of an automotive vehicle  10 , the fuel type information system  12  for indicating to a driver type of fuel to be used by the automotive vehicle  10 . The fuel type information system  12  may include a fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20  for filling fuel into a fuel tank  23  of the automotive vehicle  10 , and a fuel type information collar  14  configured to engage an outer perimeter  18  of an inlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 , in some examples and as is better shown in  FIG. 3 , just under a ridge or lip  22  of the fuel tank filler pipe  20 . 
     The fuel type information system  12 , being positioned at the inlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 , behind a fuel door  24  located on a body  26  of the automotive vehicle, the fuel type information system  12  may be located at a point of view of a driver when he/she opens a fuel door  24  and detaches the fuel cap  25  to add fuel into a fuel tank  23 . 
     The fuel type information collar  14  may be suitable shape allowing it to engage the outer perimeter  18  of the inlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 . For example, the fuel type information collar  14  may be shaped in form a disk having a center through aperture  16  (better illustrated in  FIG. 2 &amp; 4 ) configured to engage the outer perimeter  18  of the inlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 . By forming the fuel type information collar  14  in a disk shape with a center hole, it may have increased manufacturability of the fuel type information collar  14 , for example through an injection molding process. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 2 , the fuel type information collar  14  may include an inner perimeter  36  defining the aperture  16  for engaging the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 . The inner perimeter  36  may be substantially circular, or may have any other suitable contour that enables the fuel type information collar  14  to engage the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 , such as oval, square, rectangular, etc. The inner perimeter  36  may be sized to fit over and engage the outer perimeter  18  of the inlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe  18 . For example, the inner perimeter  36  may be a substantially circular and it may have a diameter that is substantially identical or slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer perimeter  28  of the inlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20  to ensure a snug fit. 
     The fuel type information collar  14  may include a top surface  28  that includes indicia  32  containing fuel type information for indicating type of fuel to be used by the automotive vehicle  10 . The indicia  32  may be positioned near an outer perimeter  34  of the fuel type information collar  14  that defines an outer edge of the fuel type information collar  14 . The indicia  32  may include markings such as, but not limited to, “E85/Gasoline”, “Diesel”, “Gasoline”, “E85”, “FVV”, and other suitable markings for indicating type of fuel to be used by the automotive vehicle  10 . The indicia  32  may include logos in addition to information relating to the fuel type. 
     The indicia  32  may be formed on the top surface  28  via various techniques, for example printed on via a pad printing technique, etched on, formed through a single-shot injection molding process, and/or formed through a double-shot injection molding process. 
     The fuel type information collar  14  may additionally include a plurality of radial finger cuts  38  angularly spaced around the inner perimeter  36  of the fuel type information collar  14  forming a plurality of fingers  40  that engage the outer perimeter  34  of the inlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 . In one example, the plurality of radial finger cuts  38  may include  12  radial finger cuts  38 , providing  12  fingers for engaging the outer perimeter  18  of the inlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 . Any other number of suitable radial finger cuts  38  may be provided in other examples. 
     The plurality of radial finger cuts  38  may traverse from the inner perimeter  36  radially outward, lead from and open into the aperture  16  defined by the inner perimeter  36 , but end before reaching the outer perimeter  34  of the fuel type information collar  14 . In one example, the plurality of radial finger cuts  38  may end midway between the inner perimeter  36  and the outer perimeter  34  of the fuel type information collar  14 . 
     In some examples and as shown in  FIG. 4 , the plurality of radial finger cuts  38  may cut through the full thickness of the fuel type information collar  14 , forming voids  41  at the cutting locations. In other examples and as shown in  FIG. 7 , the plurality of radial finger cuts  38  may cut partially into the fuel type information collar  14 , so that they form scores  43  as shown in  FIG. 7 , that separate upon installation over the inlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 . 
     The radial finger cuts  38  may be symmetrically and evenly spaced along the inner perimeter  36 . Each of the plurality of radial finger cuts  38  may be of equal length or unequal length. 
     The plurality of radial finger cuts  38  may form a plurality of fingers  40  configured to engage the outer perimeter  18  of the outlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the plurality of fingers  40  may have a width that narrows from midway between the inner perimeter  36  and the outer perimeter  34  of the fuel type information collar  14 , to the inner perimeter  36 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each of the plurality of fingers  40  may curve outward from the top surface  28  to protrude above an outer perimeter  34  of the fuel type information collar  14 . A lead-in angle  44  is formed as a result of the upward curving of the plurality of fingers  40 . The ratio of the outward angle height  45  to the thickness  48  of the fuel type information collar  14  is more than 1. 
     The fuel information collar  14  may be relatively thin. In one example, the thickness  48  of the fuel type information collar  14  may be about ½ or less of the radial width of the collar, as shown by comparing  FIGS. 4 and 6 , for example. 
     Better shown in a cross sectional view of the fuel type information collar  14  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the plurality of fingers may have a thickness that tapers to be narrower toward the inner perimeter  36 , resulting in tapered fingers. The plurality of fingers may have substantially equal widths at a given radius. 
     The lead-in angle  44  may enable an interference fit via the plurality of fingers  40 , thereby enable the fuel type information collar  14  to be more easily installed, yet still difficult to remove. In this way the collar may be more permanently attached to the automotive vehicle  10  to reduce dislodgement. In addition, the interference fit of the plurality of fingers  40  may also keep the fuel type information collar  14  from rattling when the vehicle is moving to thereby reduce any potential noise and/or vibration. 
     In some examples, the fuel type information collar  14  may be engaged to an underside of the lip  22  of the inlet  19  of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20 , with the lip  22  serving as a stop for stopping the fuel type information collar  14  from dislodgement once it is installed. The fuel type information collar  14  may be therefore permanently or semi-permanently engaged to the fuel tank filler pipe  20  so that it may not be possible, at least it would be difficult, to remove the fuel type information collar  14  from the fuel tank filler pipe assembly  20  without breaking or deforming the fuel type information collar  14 . 
     The fuel type information collar  14  may be color coded. Thus, a black cap may be used, yet still have some color coding for indicating fuel type per SAE guidelines. For example, a yellow fuel type information collar with “E85/Gasoline” on it indicates to a driver that either E85 or unleaded gasoline may be used. A green fuel type information collar with “Diesel” on it may indicate to a driver that diesel fuel is used. Further still, other color coding may be used, and other colors may be used. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the fuel type information system  12  of  FIG. 1 , showing the fuel type information collar  14  having a body shaped in form of a disk with the center through hole or aperture  16  for engaging the fuel tank filler pipe  20 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of the fuel type information system  12  of  FIG. 1 , showing the fuel type information collar  14  being engaged to the fuel tank filler pipe  20  at the mouth of the fuel tank filler pipe  20 , right under the lip  22  of the fuel tank filler pipe  20 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the fuel type information collar  14  of the fuel type information system  12  of  FIG. 1 , providing a better view of an example angular spacing  46  of the plurality of finger cuts  38  on the fuel type information collar  14 . In particular, the plurality of finger cuts  38  is shown to include twelve finger cuts, providing twelve fingers for engaging the fuel tank filler pipe  20 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the fuel type information collar of  FIG. 1 , showing the plurality of fingers curve upwards forming a lead-in angle for providing relief for installation and for providing an interference fit with the fuel tank filler pipe. The lead-in angle may range from approximately 1 degree to approximately 89 degrees. In one example, the lead-in angle may be approximately 45 degree. In another example, the lead-in angle may be between 20 and 60 degrees. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cross sectional view of the fuel type information collar of  FIG. 1 , showing that the plurality of fingers are tapered at the inner perimeter. The tapering may be a straight line or may be curved. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates second embodiment of the fuel type information collar, showing the plurality of radial finger cuts cut partially into the fuel type information collar, so that they form scores  48  that separate upon installation over the fuel tank filler pipe assembly. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a flow chart for a method  800  of assembling the fuel type information system of  FIG. 1 . The method may include: 
     At  802 , the method includes providing a fuel type information collar configured to engage an outer perimeter of an inlet of a fuel tank filler pipe assembly of an automotive vehicle. For example, the fuel type information collar and various modifications thereof described herein may be used. Additionally, the vehicle assembly method may include matching appropriately color coded collars to vehicles based on the fuel types on which the vehicle may operate. For example, a first vehicle that can operate on gasoline only may include a black collar with corresponding indicia on the collar indicating “gasoline only”. Likewise, a second vehicle that can operate on gasoline and/or E85 only may include a yellow collar with corresponding indicia on the collar indicating “E85/Gasoline.” The first and second vehicle may be assembled on a common assembly line, or may be assembled at different assembly plant. Further, the assembly may further utilize a black gas cap for each of the above example vehicles, yet still have some color coding for indicating fuel type per SAE guidelines. For example, the yellow fuel type information collar with “E85/Gasoline” on it indicates to a driver that either E85 or unleaded gasoline may be used. 
     At  804 , the method includes placing the appropriately color-coded fuel type information collar adjacent to the inlet of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly, with the inlet of the fuel tank filler pipe aligned with the aperture of the fuel type information collar. 
     At  806 , the method includes pressing the fuel type information collar over the inlet of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly, so that the inlet of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly is mounted within the aperture of the fuel type information collar to provide a secure engagement between the fuel tank filler pipe assembly and the fuel type information collar via an interference fit provided by the plurality of fingers pressing against the outer perimeter of the inlet of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly. 
     In some examples, once mounted or installed, the fuel type information collar may be engaged to an underside of the lip of the inlet of the fuel tank filler pipe assembly, with the lip serving as a stop for stopping the fuel type information collar from dislodgement once it is installed. 
     Each of the above figures illustrates various components in various views that are drawn approximately to scale. However, the various absolute and relative dimensions of the components may be varied from those noted above, if desired. 
     It will be appreciated that the configurations disclosed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. For example, the collar may be rectangular shaped, octagonal, hexagonal, irregularly shaped, or otherwise. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various systems and configurations, and other features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. 
     The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.