Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a fuel feeding device for vehicles mounted in a vehicle. 
     (2) Description of Related Art 
     A fuel feeding device for vehicles is a device that forms part of a fuel supply passage from a fuel inlet to a fuel tank, and generally includes an inlet filler pipe and a fixing member.  FIG. 16  is a schematic representation in a perspective view of one example of a conventional fuel feeding device for vehicles, and  FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the conventional fuel feeding device for vehicles shown in  FIG. 16  cut along a plane orthogonal to an axial direction L. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the conventional fuel feeding device for vehicles includes a resin-made inlet filler pipe  1  and a metal fixing member  4 . One end of the inlet filler pipe  1 , or the upstream end, is attached to the fuel inlet of the vehicle (not shown), while the other end, or the downstream end, is attached to the fuel tank (not shown). Thus, the inlet filler pipe  1  forms part of a fuel supply passage. The fixing member  4  is a component for securely attaching the inlet filler pipe  1  to the vehicle body  100 . In the conventional fuel feeding device for vehicles, as shown in  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , the resin-made inlet filler pipe  1  is gripped by the metal fixing member  4 , and this fixing member  4  is secured to the vehicle body  100  by fastening with bolts or the like. That is, in a commonly known conventional fuel feeding device for vehicles, the inlet filler pipe  1  is secured to the vehicle body  100  via the fixing member  4 . However, the resin material of the inlet filler pipe  1  and the metal material of the fixing member  4  have largely different linear expansion coefficients. Generally, resin has a higher linear expansion coefficient than metal. Since a vehicle is exposed to the outside environment, the fuel feeding device for vehicles that is mounted in the vehicle is greatly affected by temperature. In winter times, for example, the resin-made inlet filler pipe  1  undergoes a relatively large contraction, while the metal fixing member  4  does not, because of which there is a possibility that a gap may be created between the inlet filler pipe  1  and the fixing member  4 . If there is a gap between the inlet filler pipe  1  and the fixing member  4 , the inlet filler pipe  1  may no longer be kept stably on the fixing member  4 . Even if the fixing member  4  is firmly attached to the vehicle body  100 , then, the inlet filler pipe  1  on the vehicle body  100  may become loose and rattle. 
     JP 2011-133003 A discloses a pipe holder for securely attaching an inlet filler pipe to a vehicle body. This pipe holder is formed of two components, a holder body and an attachment bracket. The holder body is made of resin, while the attachment bracket is made of metal. The attachment bracket engages with the holder body and secures the holder body to the vehicle body. The holder body undergoes elastic deformation when engaged with the attachment bracket and grips the inlet filler pipe. 
     With the pipe holder of JP 2011-133003 A, as the elastically deformed holder body grips the inlet filler pipe, the holder body can stably secure the inlet filler pipe. Even so, there still remains the problem that a gap may be formed between the holder body and the attachment bracket due to a change in temperature. It is therefore still difficult to keep the holder body stably and securely on the attachment bracket, and a fuel feeding device for vehicles with an inlet filler pipe that can stably be fixed on a vehicle body is desired to be developed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention has been devised in view of the circumstances described above and it is an object of the invention to provide a fuel feeding device for vehicles with an inlet filler pipe that can stably be fixed on a vehicle body. 
     Solution to Problem 
     To solve the problems described above, the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to the present invention includes 
     an inlet filler pipe made of resin and having a fuel supply passage, 
     a fixing member that secures the inlet filler pipe to a vehicle body, and 
     a flexible element that relatively presses the inlet filler pipe toward the fixing member by undergoing elastic deformation to bring the inlet filler pipe into pressure contact with the fixing member. 
     The fuel feeding device for vehicles according to the present invention should preferably include one, or more preferably, two or more of the following features (1) to (10). 
     (1) The flexible element presses one or both of the inlet filler pipe and the fixing member in a direction away from the flexible element. 
     (2) The inlet filler pipe and the fixing member contact each other on a front side or a back side in a pressing direction of the flexible element. 
     (3) The inlet filler pipe includes a pipe body having the fuel supply passage, and a collar separate from the pipe body and attached to outside of the pipe body, and 
     the flexible element is integral with the collar and relatively presses the pipe body toward the fixing member. 
     (4) The fuel feeding device includes an auxiliary member that grips the inlet filler pipe together with the fixing member, and 
     the flexible element is integral with the auxiliary member and relatively presses the inlet filler pipe toward the fixing member. 
     (5) The fixing member has higher rigidity than the auxiliary member and is located lower than the auxiliary member. 
     (6) The flexible element forms part of one of the inlet filler pipe and the fixing member, and 
     the flexible element itself makes pressure contact with the other one of the fixing member and the inlet filler pipe. 
     (7) The flexible element includes at least one protrusion that protrudes in a radial direction of the inlet filler pipe and elastically deforms circumferentially or axially, and 
     the inlet filler pipe and the fixing member have a recess for holding the flexible element in a elastically deformed state. 
     (8) The fixing member includes a ring-like ring portion attached to an outer circumferential surface of the pipe body, and the collar is attached on an outer circumference of the ring portion. 
     (9) The flexible element is cantilevered and integral with one or both of the inlet filler pipe and the fixing member. 
     (10) The flexible element is formed of part of the inlet filler pipe in the form of bellows. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     The fuel feeding device for vehicles according to the present invention has a flexible element that relatively presses the inlet filler pipe toward the fixing member so that the inlet filler pipe and the fixing member can be brought into pressure contact with each other. Therefore, there can hardly be any gap created between the inlet filler pipe and the fixing member irrespective of the difference in linear expansion coefficient between them. Accordingly, the inlet filler pipe can be secured stably by the fixing member, consequently the inlet filler pipe can be stably secured to the vehicle body by the fixing member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation in an enlarged exploded perspective view of major parts of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to First Embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of an axial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to First Embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Second Embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of an axial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Second Embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic representation in an enlarged perspective view of major parts of an inlet filler pipe in the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Third Embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Third Embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  shows variation examples of the inlet filler pipe and a flexible element in the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Third Embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic explanatory diagram of a radial cross section of a fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Fourth Embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of a fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Fifth Embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic representation in an enlarged perspective view of major parts of a fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Sixth Embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Sixth Embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of a fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Seventh Embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of a fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Eighth Embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic representation in an enlarged perspective view of major parts of a fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Ninth Embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic representation of an axial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Ninth Embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic representation in a perspective view of one example of a conventional fuel feeding device for vehicles; and 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the conventional fuel feeding device for vehicles shown in  FIG. 16  cut along a plane orthogonal to an axial direction L. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, specific examples of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to the present invention will be described. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic representation in an enlarged exploded perspective view of major parts of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to First Embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of an axial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to First Embodiment. In the description of embodiments below, an “axial direction” shall refer to a direction parallel to an axis line L of the inlet filler pipe shown in  FIG. 1 . One end in the axial direction L will be referred to as “upstream”, and the other end will be referred to as “downstream”. A “radial direction” refers to a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. Similarly to the conventional fuel feeding device for vehicles shown in  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , the axial direction intersects with a vertical direction. Namely, the fuel feeding device for vehicles of the embodiments is mounted to a vehicle body such as to be somewhat inclined relative to the vertical direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to First Embodiment includes an inlet filler pipe  1 , a fixing member  4 , and a flexible element  5 . 
     The inlet filler pipe  1  is substantially tubular and includes a pipe body  20  and a collar  30 . The pipe body  20  is substantially tubular, having a fuel supply passage  90  inside. A downstream portion of the pipe body  20  is attached to a fuel tank (not shown). Two ribs (first rib  21  and second rib  22 ) are formed in an upstream portion of the pipe body  20 . The first rib  21  is located upstream of the second rib  22 . The first rib  21  and second rib  22  are axially spaced apart from each other. The first rib  21  and second rib  22  protrude radially outward from an outer circumferential surface  25  of the pipe body  20  and extend to a circumferential direction of the pipe body  20 . The region between the first rib  21  and second rib  22  of the outer circumferential surface  25  of the pipe body  20  will be referred to as an “attachment area  26 ”. A ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4  to be described later is mounted to the attachment area  26 . 
     The collar  30  is generally tubular and shorter than the pipe body  20 . The collar  30  has an inside diameter that is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the pipe body  20 . The flexible element  5  is formed integral with the collar  30 . The flexible element  5  is made up of three elastic pieces  50 . More specifically, the collar  30  is generally cylindrical and has three windows  31  that are generally rectangular. Strip-like elastic pieces  50  are joined to the inner edges on the downstream side of the windows  31 , one each to each of the windows. The upstream-side ends  50   a  of the elastic pieces  50  are free ends. The downstream-side ends  50   b  of the elastic pieces  50  are made integral with the peripheral edges of the windows  31 . Thus, each elastic piece  50  is integral with the collar  30  in a cantilevered manner. The elastic pieces  50  protrude radially inward from the inlet filler pipe  1 . 
     In other words, the composite body of the generally cylindrical collar  30  and flexible element  5  has generally inverted U-shaped cuts. The portions supported at one end that are formed by these cuts are the elastic pieces  50 , the rest being the collar  30 . The three elastic pieces  50  constitute the flexible element  5 . 
     The collar  30  has an axially extending slit  32 . The slit  32  opens toward the downstream side of the collar  30 . The collar  30  further has a third rib  33  located somewhat upstream of the flexible element  5 . The third rib  33  protrudes radially inward from an inner circumferential surface  35  of the collar  30  and extends to a circumferential direction of the collar  30 . When the collar  30  is attached to the pipe body  20 , the downstream end face of the third rib  33  abuts on the upstream end face of the first rib  21 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fixing member  4  includes a generally ring-like ring portion  40 , two tab portions  45   x  and  45   y  continuous with the ring portion  40  and extending radially outward from the ring portion  40 , and four fasteners  490  that are bolts  490   a  and nuts  490   b  (first fastener  46 , second fastener  47 , third fastener  48 , and fourth fastener  49 ). 
     The ring portion  40  is formed of two generally C-shaped split halves (first ring half  40   a  and second ring half  40   b ) joined together and is generally ring-like. 
     The tab portion  45   x  is formed of two split tabs  45   a  and  45   b . One split tab  45   a  is continuous with one circumferential end of the first ring half  40   a  (i.e., one open end  41  of the ring portion  40 ). The other split tab  45   b  is continuous with one circumferential end of the second ring half  40   b  (i.e., the open end  41  of the ring portion  40 ). 
     The tab portion  45   y  is formed of two split tabs  45   c  and  45   d . One split tab  45   c  is continuous with the other circumferential end of the first ring half  40   a  (i.e., the other open end  42  of the ring portion  40 ). The other split tab  45   d  is continuous with one circumferential end of the second ring half  40   b  (i.e., the open end  42  of the ring portion  40 ). Namely, the fixing member  4  is made of two split halves (first split half  4   a  and second split half  4   b ). The first split half  4   a  includes the first ring half  40   a , split tab  45   a , split tab  45   c , and two protruding strips  43  to be described later. The second split half  4   b  includes the second ring half  40   b , split tab  45   b , split tab  45   d , and four protruding strips  43  to be described later. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fixing member  4  is fixedly attached to a vehicle body  100  by means of the second fastener  47  and third fastener  48 . The two split tabs  45   a  and  45   b  are fastened together by the first fastener  46 , while the two split tabs  45   c  and  45   d  are fastened together by the fourth fastener  49 . The first ring half  40   a  and second ring half  40   b  are thus joined together to form the ring-like ring portion  40 . The first split half  4   a  and second split half  4   b  are united to form the fixing member  4 . The inside diameter of the ring portion  40  is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the attachment area  26  of the pipe body  20 , so that the first split half  4   a  and second split half  4   b , being fastened together by the first fastener  46  and fourth fastener  49 , grip the pipe body  20 . 
     The ring portion  40  has six protruding strips  43  protruding radially outward from the ring portion  40 . Three protruding strips  43   a  are circumferentially arranged in an upstream portion of the ring portion  40 . These three protruding strips  43   a  are spaced apart from each other. Other three protruding strips  43   b  are circumferentially arranged in a downstream portion of the ring portion  40 . These three protruding strips  43   b  are also spaced apart from each other. The upstream-side protruding strips  43   a  and downstream-side protruding strips  43   b  are axially opposite to each other. The axial length of the ring portion  40  is the same (or substantially the same) as the axial length of the attachment area  26  of the pipe body  20 . The first ring half  40   a  has one protruding strip  43   a  and one protruding strip  43   b , while the second ring half  40   b  has two protruding strips  43   a  and two protruding strips  43   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4  is attached on the outer circumference in the attachment area  26  of the pipe body  20 . The collar  30  is attached further on the outer circumference of the ring portion  40 . The tab portion  45  of the fixing member  4  is inserted into the slit  32  of the collar  30 . Thus, the ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4  is disposed inside the collar  30 , while the tab portion  45  is exposed outside of the collar  30  through the slit  32 . 
     Since the inside diameter of the ring portion  40  is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the attachment area  26  of the pipe body  20  as mentioned above, the ring portion  40  is entirely increased in diameter when attached to the pipe body  20  and makes tight contact with the attachment area  26  by its own elasticity. The ring portion  40  is axially positioned by the first rib  21  and second rib  22 . 
     When the collar  30  is attached to the pipe body  20  and the ring portion  40 , the three elastic pieces  50  each face one of the protruding strips  43   a . Since each elastic piece  50  protrudes radially inward from the collar  30  (i.e., toward the ring portion  40 ), while each protruding strip  43  protrudes radially outward from the ring portion  40  (i.e., toward the collar  30 ), each elastic piece  50  interferes with each protruding strip  43 . Thus the elastic pieces  50  undergo elastic deformation (or flexible deformation) and make pressure contact with the respective protruding strips  43 . 
     Namely, the flexible element  5  formed of the three elastic pieces  50  presses the ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4  radially inward so that the ring portion  40  makes pressure contact with the pipe body  20  that is located radially on the inner side of the ring portion  40 . In other words, the flexible element  5  presses the pipe body  20  of the inlet filler pipe  1  toward the ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4 , in a relative sense, to bring the pipe body  20  into pressure contact with the ring portion  40 . 
     At this time, on the front side in the pressing direction of the flexible element  5 , i.e., on the radially inner side of the collar  30 , the ring portion  40  makes surface contact with the pipe body  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Thus the ring portion  40  makes pressure contact with the pipe body  20  in a wide area, so that the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the fixing member  4 . While the ring portion  40  makes surface contact with the pipe body  20  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of First Embodiment, they may make point contact, or line contact, with each other. 
     Since the flexible element  5  is cantilevered, the flexible element  5  that brings the inlet filler pipe  1  into pressure contact with the fixing member  4  can be simply configured, which provides the advantage of allowing production of the fuel feeding device for vehicles at lower cost. The cantilevered flexible element  5  may be formed of part of the inlet filler pipe  1  as in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of First Embodiment, or, instead, it may be formed of part of the fixing member  4 , for example. 
     In the fuel feeding device for vehicles of First Embodiment, the inlet filler pipe  1  is formed of two components, the pipe body  20  and the collar  30 , so that the flexible element  5  can readily be formed integrally with the inlet filler pipe  1 . Namely, if the flexible element  5  is to be formed integrally with the resin-made inlet filler pipe  1 , the composite body of the inlet filler pipe  1  and the flexible element  5  will have a complex shape, and it may be necessary, depending on the shape, to provide a complex mechanism such as a slide core or the like in the molds for forming such a composite body. If the inlet filler pipe  1  is formed of two separate components, however, and the flexible element  5  is to be formed integrally with one of the components, then the mold design may be made relatively simple, leading to the advantage of allowing production of such composite body at low cost. 
     Since the fixing member  4  is formed of two components, the first split half  4   a  and second split half  4   b , the fixing member  4  can be formed precisely to the intended dimension and easily, even if the fixing member  4  has a relatively complex shape. 
     In the fuel feeding device for vehicles of First Embodiment, the flexible element  5  presses the fixing member  4  toward the inlet filler pipe  1 , so that the fixing member  4  and inlet filler pipe  1  make pressure contact with each other. Therefore, even if the fuel feeding device for vehicles of First Embodiment is subjected to high temperature and the metal fixing member  4  expands, the flexible element  5  pressing the fixing member  4  toward the inlet filler pipe  1  keeps the fixing member  4  in pressure contact with the inlet filler pipe  1 . Therefore, a gap is unlikely to be created between them. Accordingly, in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of First Embodiment, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the vehicle body  100 . 
     While the flexible element  5  is formed of three elastic pieces  50  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of First Embodiment, the flexible element  5  may be formed of only one elastic piece  50 . The protruding strips  43  may be omitted, and the flexible element  5  may directly abut on the circumferential wall of the ring portion  40 . 
     While the flexible element  5  is integral with the collar  30  and presses the ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4  toward the pipe body  20  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of First Embodiment, the flexible element  5  may not necessarily be made integral with the collar  30 . For example, the flexible element  5  may be integral with the attachment area  26  of the pipe body  20 , to press the ring portion  40  toward the collar  30 . In this case, the flexible element  5  and the collar  30  grip the fixing member  4 , and the flexible element  5  and the collar  30  are stably secured to the fixing member  4 . The pipe body  20 , which is integral with the flexible element  5 , is also stably secured to the fixing member  4 . In this case, the ring portion  40  makes surface contact with the collar  30  on the front side in the pressing direction of the flexible element  5 , i.e., on the radially outer side of the pipe body  20 . Thus the ring portion  40  makes pressure contact with the collar  30  in a wide area. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Second Embodiment.  FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of an axial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Second Embodiment. 
     The inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Second Embodiment does not have the collar  30 . The inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Second Embodiment is generally the same as the pipe body  20  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of First Embodiment, but differs in the following points: Namely, the inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Second Embodiment has the second rib  22  but does not have the first rib  21 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second rib  22  is provided circumferentially only partly to the inlet filler pipe  1 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second rib  22  is provided with an upright holder portion  27  that axially protrudes toward the upstream side, and the flexible element  5  is made integral with this holder portion  27 . More specifically, the flexible element  5  is integral with the radially inner surface of the holder portion  27 , i.e., the surface of the holder portion  27  that faces the outer circumferential surface of the inlet filler pipe  1 . The flexible element  5  protrudes radially inward from the holder portion  27 . 
     The fixing member  4  is the same as the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of First Embodiment except that it does not have protruding strips  43  and is made from one component generally in the form of a C-shaped ring. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4  is arranged upstream of the second rib  22  to be positioned by the second rib  22 . The ring portion  40  is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface  25  of the inlet filler pipe  1  and the holder portion  27 , and pressed by the flexible element  5  toward the outer circumferential surface  25  of the inlet filler pipe  1 . Thus, the ring portion  40  makes pressure contact with the inlet filler pipe  1 . The inner circumferential surface of the ring portion  40  makes surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inlet filler pipe  1  on the front side in the pressing direction of the flexible element  5 . Accordingly, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Second Embodiment, too, and is stably secured to the vehicle body  100  via the fixing member  4 . 
     While the flexible element  5  is integral with the holder portion  27  in Second Embodiment, the flexible element  5  may be made integral with the outer circumferential surface  25  of the inlet filler pipe  1 . In this case, the flexible element  5  presses the ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4  toward the holder portion  27 . The ring portion  40  is gripped by the flexible element  5  and the holder portion  27 , and makes pressure contact with the holder portion  27 . The holder portion  27  makes surface contact with the ring portion  40  on the front side in the pressing direction of the flexible element  5 . Accordingly, in this case, too, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the fixing member  4 , and is stably secured to the vehicle body  100  via the fixing member  4 . 
     Alternatively, the flexible element  5  may be made integral with either an outer or inner circumferential surface of the ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4 , instead of the inlet filler pipe  1 . In this case, the flexible element  5  presses the fixing member  4  toward the outer circumferential surface  25  of the inlet filler pipe  1  or the holder portion  27 . Therefore, in this case, too, as the fixing member  4  and the inlet filler pipe  1  make pressure contact with each other, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the fixing member  4 , and is stably secured to the vehicle body  100  via the fixing member  4 . 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic representation in an enlarged perspective view of major parts of an inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Third Embodiment.  FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Third Embodiment. 
     The inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Third Embodiment is generally the same as the inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Second Embodiment, but differs in the following points: Namely, the inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Third Embodiment does not have the second rib  22 , and the flexible element  5  is made directly integral with the outer circumferential surface  25  of the inlet filler pipe  1 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the flexible element  5  is made integral with the outer circumferential surface  25  of the inlet filler pipe  1  circumferentially and protrudes radially outward from the inlet filler pipe  1  and toward the upstream of the inlet filler pipe  1 . The flexible element  5  is curved and plate-like. The fixing member  4  is the same as the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Second Embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the ring portion  40  is attached on the outer circumference of the flexible element  5 . The flexible element  5  itself makes pressure contact with the ring portion  40  and presses the ring portion  40  radially outward of the inlet filler pipe  1 . This, in a relative sense, pulls the whole ring portion  40  toward the front side in the pressing direction of the flexible element  5 . Put differently, the inlet filler pipe  1  is pressed toward the back side in the pressing direction of the flexible element  5  by the reaction force against the pressure exerted on the ring portion  40  by the flexible element  5 . 
     Thereby, the ring portion  40  makes pressure contact with the inlet filler pipe  1  on the back side in the pressing direction of the flexible element  5 . Accordingly, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Third Embodiment, too, and is stably secured to the vehicle body  100  via the fixing member  4 . In the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Third Embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the ring portion  40  makes surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inlet filler pipe  1  on the back side in the pressing direction of the flexible element  5 . With the inner circumferential surface of the ring portion  40  and the outer circumferential surface of the inlet filler pipe  1  making surface contact with each other, the inlet filler pipe  1  can be secured to the fixing member  4  more stably. 
     In this case, the flexible element  5  only has to protrude at least radially outward from the inlet filler pipe  1 . For example, the flexible element  5  may protrude radially outward from the inlet filler pipe  1  and toward the downstream. Alternatively, as shown in a radial cross section in  FIG. 7 , the flexible element  5  may be integral with the inlet filler pipe  1  to extend axially along the inlet filler pipe  1  and protrude radially outward from the inlet filler pipe  1 . In this case, too, the ring portion  40  is attached on the outer circumference of the flexible element  5  and presses the flexible element  5  toward the inlet filler pipe  1 . The flexible element  5  undergoes elastic deformation toward the inlet filler pipe  1  as it is pressed by the ring portion  40  as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 7 . The flexible element  5  at this time presses the ring portion  40  radially outward of the inlet filler pipe  1  by its own elasticity. Thus, as with the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Third Embodiment, the ring portion  40  makes pressure contact with the inlet filler pipe  1  on the back side in the pressing direction of the flexible element  5 . 
     Fourth Embodiment 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Fourth Embodiment. 
     The inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fourth Embodiment is generally the same as the inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Third Embodiment, except that the flexible element  5  is not integral with the pipe. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the fixing member  4  includes a generally open C-shaped ring half  44 , a split tab  45   a  continuous with one open end  41  of the ring half  44 , and a coupling portion  44   c  continuous with the other open end  42  of the ring half  44 . A resin-made auxiliary member  60  is fixed to the fixing member  4 . The auxiliary member  60  includes an auxiliary ring half  61  which is generally open C-shaped as with the ring half  44 , an auxiliary split tab  62   b  continuous with one open end  62  of the auxiliary ring half  61 , and an auxiliary coupling portion  64   c  continuous with the other open end  63  of the auxiliary ring half  61 . With the coupling portion  44   c  and the auxiliary coupling portion  64   c  fitted to each other, the fixing member  4  and the auxiliary member  60  are joined together. The ring half  44  and the auxiliary ring half  61  are attached on the outer circumference of the inlet filler pipe  1 . The split tab  45   a  and the auxiliary split tab  62   b  are fastened together by a fastener  490 . Accordingly, the inlet filler pipe  1  is gripped and secured by the fixing member  4  and the auxiliary member  60  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fourth Embodiment. 
     The flexible element  5  is integral with the surface of the auxiliary ring half  61  that faces the outer circumferential surface  25  of the inlet filler pipe  1 . The flexible element  5  protrudes toward the inlet filler pipe  1 . Therefore, the flexible element  5  presses the outer circumferential surface  25  of the inlet filler pipe  1 , i.e., indirectly presses the fixing member  4  via the inlet filler pipe  1 , to bring the inlet filler pipe  1  and the fixing member  4  into pressure contact with each other on the front side in the pressing direction. At this time, the inlet filler pipe  1  and the fixing member  4  make surface contact with each other. Accordingly, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fourth Embodiment, too, and is stably secured to the vehicle body  100  via the fixing member  4 . The auxiliary member  60  is made of resin, which can contribute to a weight reduction of the fuel feeding device for vehicles. 
     The fuel feeding devices for vehicles of First Embodiment to Fourth Embodiment are mounted to the vehicle body  100  such as to be somewhat inclined relative to the vertical direction, as with the conventional fuel feeding device for vehicles shown in  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 . Therefore, the fixing member  4  is located lower than the auxiliary member  60 . During feeding of fuel, a fuel feeding gun is inserted into the inlet filler pipe  1 . The weight of the fuel feeding gun is then applied to the inlet filler pipe  1 . The inlet filler pipe  1  is therefore pressed downward, i.e., toward the fixing member  4 . Since the fixing member  4  is made of metal, it has higher rigidity than the resin-made auxiliary member  60 . Therefore, the fixing member  4  can stably support the inlet filler pipe  1 . 
     Sometimes the fixing member  4  may be subjected to a large load exerted by the inlet filler pipe  1  itself when the inlet filler pipe  1  has a large weight or when the car is running on a rough road. Even so, since the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fourth Embodiment has high rigidity, the inlet filler pipe  1  can be retained stably. 
     If the flexible element  5  is integral with the auxiliary member  60  and makes contact with the inlet filler pipe  1  as in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fourth Embodiment, preferably, the flexible element  5  and the auxiliary member  60  should both be made of resin. Since the flexible element  5  contacts the inlet filler pipe  1  in a small area, making the flexible element  5  from a soft material (i.e., resin) provides the advantage of reducing scratches on the inlet filler pipe  1  that may be caused by the flexible element  5 . 
     Fifth Embodiment 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Fifth Embodiment. 
     The inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fifth Embodiment does not have the collar  30 . A circumferential region in the attachment area  26  of the inlet filler pipe  1  folds radially inward and outward in a bellows shape. This region is the flexible element  5  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fifth Embodiment. 
     A ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4  is mounted to the attachment area  26 . Namely, the fixing member  4  is made of two split halves (first split half  4   a  and second split half  4   b ). The first split half  4   a  includes a generally open C-shaped first ring half  40   a , a split tab  45   a  continuous with one open end  41  of the first ring half  40   a , and a coupling portion  44   c  continuous with the other open end  42  of the first ring half  40   a . Similarly, the second split half  4   b  includes a second ring half  40   b , a split tab  45   b , and a coupling portion  44   d . The coupling portion  44   c  of the first split half  4   a  is fitted to the coupling portion  44   d  of the second split half  4   b . With the two coupling portions  44   c  and  44   d  fitted to each other, the first split half  4   a  and the second split half  4   b  are joined together. The first split half  4   a  and the second split half  4   b  are attached on the outer circumference of the inlet filler pipe  1 . The split tab  45   a  and the split tab  45   b  are fastened together by a fastener  490 . 
     The inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fifth Embodiment is generally the same as the inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Third Embodiment, but differs in that the flexible element  5  is formed of part of the inlet filler pipe  1  in a bellows shape, as described above. 
     When the inlet filler pipe  1  is attached to the fixing member  4 , the flexible element  5  is elastically deformed in the circumferential direction of the inlet filler pipe  1 , in a direction in which the bellows contract (i.e., radially contracting direction). Therefore, the flexible element  5  at this time makes pressure contact with the fixing member  4  by its own elasticity. The remaining part of the inlet filler pipe  1  other than the flexible element  5  also attempts to increase in diameter with the flexible element  5  so that it makes pressure contact with the fixing member  4  by the elasticity of the flexible element  5 . Accordingly, in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fifth Embodiment, too, the inlet filler pipe  1  is pressed against the fixing member  4  by the flexible element  5 . The pressure thus exerted keeps the inlet filler pipe  1  and the fixing member  4  in pressure contact with each other. Accordingly, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the vehicle body  100  via the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fifth Embodiment, too. 
     The bellows-like flexible element  5  is provided in an upstream portion of the fuel supply passage of the inlet filler pipe  1  (i.e., a portion on the side of the inlet, hereinafter referred to as “inlet part  11 ”) in Fifth Embodiment. Instead, as with Sixth Embodiment to be described later, the flexible element may be provided in a downstream portion of the fuel supply passage of the inlet filler pipe  1  (i.e., a portion on the side of the fuel tank, hereinafter referred to as “body part  12 ”). 
     Generally, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the inlet part  11  has a relatively complex shape, while the body part  12  has a relatively simple shape. Therefore, when fabricating the inlet filler pipe  1  by molding resin, it is usual to use different molding methods for making the inlet part  11  and the body part  12 . Namely, the inlet part  11  should be made by a high-precision molding method and is usually formed by injection molding. On the other hand, a molding technique that uses less precise but inexpensive molds should be used to fabricate the body part  12  and it is usually made by extrusion molding or blow molding. Therefore, if the inlet filler pipe  1  is to be provided with a flexible element  5 , and if the flexible element  5  has a complex shape, it may preferably be provided to the inlet part  11 , while, if the flexible element  5  has a simple shape, it may preferably be provided to the body part  12 . The flexible element  5  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fifth Embodiment has a relatively simple shape, and so it may be provided to the inlet part  11 , or to the body part  12 . 
     The bellows-like flexible element  5  can undergo a relatively large deformation. Therefore, the flexible element  5  of this type can cause the inlet filler pipe  1  and the fixing member  4  to make firm pressure contact with each other, thus providing the advantage that the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the fixing member  4 . 
     Sixth Embodiment 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic representation in an enlarged perspective view of major parts of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Sixth Embodiment.  FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Sixth Embodiment. 
     The flexible element  5  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Sixth Embodiment is provided not to the inlet part  11  but to the body part  12 . The body part  12  is continuous with the downstream side of the fuel supply passage of the inlet part  11 , somewhat smaller in diameter than the inlet part  11 , and curved. The fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment is attached on the outer circumference of the body part  12 . The attachment area  26  is provided in the body part  12 , and part of the attachment area  26  forms the flexible element  5 . More specifically, the flexible element  5  is formed of a circumferential region in the attachment area  26  of the inlet filler pipe  1  that folds radially inwards and outward in a bellows shape. Hereinafter, the remaining part of the attachment area  26  other than the flexible element  5  will be referred to as “general attachment area  26   a ”. The outer peripheral end  51  of the flexible element  5  (i.e., the radially distal end of the flexible element  5 ) protrudes radially outward more than the general attachment area  26   a.    
     The fixing member  4  is generally the same as the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fifth Embodiment except that it has a recess  4   c  for accommodating and holding the flexible element  5 . The recess  4   c  is provided in the ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4 . The fixing member  4  is formed of two split halves (first split half  4   a  and second split half  4   b ) as with the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Fifth Embodiment. The recess  4   c  is provided in the first split half  4   a . More specifically, the recess  4   c  is formed of a circumferential part of the ring portion  40 . The recess  4   c  is concave when viewed from the radially inner side of the ring portion  40 , and convex when viewed from the radially outer side of the ring portion  40 . The ring portion  40  of the fixing member  4  is attached on the outer circumference of the flexible element  5  and the general attachment area  26   a . In other words, the flexible element  5  and the general attachment area  26   a  are accommodated and held on the inner circumference of the ring portion  40 . The bellows-like flexible element  5  that is circumferentially elastically deformed to contract is held inside the recess  4   c  of the ring portion  40 . A surface of the flexible element  5  makes pressure contact with each of the two circumferential end faces  4   d  and  4   e  that are the inner faces of the recess  4   c . In other words, the flexible element  5  makes elastic engagement with the recess  4   c.    
     In the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment, the flexible element  5  that is part of the inlet filler pipe  1 , and the recess  4   c  that is part of the fixing member  4  make pressure contact and elastic engagement with each other. With the flexible element  5  and the recess  4   c  elastically engaging with each other, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the vehicle body  100  via the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment. 
     The flexible element  5  is provided to the body part  12  of the inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Sixth Embodiment. Since the bellows-like flexible element  5  has a relatively simple shape, the flexible element  5  can be formed readily by blow molding together with other part of the body part  12  (such as, for example, the general attachment area  26   a ). Therefore, the inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment can be produced inexpensively since it does not require complex shaped molds such as those with slide cores. 
     While a bellows-like flexible element  5  is provided to the inlet filler pipe  1  and the recess  4   c  is provided to the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment, the bellows-like flexible element  5  may be provided to the fixing member  4  and the recess  4   c  may be provided to the inlet filler pipe  1 . 
     While the flexible element  5  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment has a bellows-like shape wherein ridges  52  and valleys  53  alternately protrude radially outward and inward of the inlet filler pipe  1 , the flexible element  5  with a protrusion may have other shapes than the bellows-like shape. For example, the flexible element  5  may have only a protrusion that can undergo elastic deformation. In this case, the elastically deformed protrusion, or the flexible element  5 , may be accommodated in the recess  4   c , in an elastically deformed state, to make pressure contact with the recess  4   c  by the elasticity of the flexible element  5  itself. The flexible element  5  may be formed of only one protrusion, or a plurality of protrusions. In this case, too, the flexible element  5  may be provided to the fixing member  4  and the recess  4   c  may be provided to the inlet filler pipe  1 . 
     Seventh Embodiment 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Seventh Embodiment. 
     The fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Seventh Embodiment is generally the same as the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment except for the position of the recess  4   c . The recess  4   c  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Seventh Embodiment is provided to extend across the first split half  4   a  and the second split half  4   b  of the fixing member  4 . The inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Seventh Embodiment is generally the same as the inlet filler pipe  1  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment except for the position of the flexible element  5 . The flexible element  5  is provided to the body part  12  and formed in a bellows shape. The flexible element  5  is provided to a position of the body part  12  that corresponds to the recess  4   c , i.e., that faces the joint between the first split half  4   a  and the second split half  4   b.    
     In the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Seventh Embodiment, although the recess  4   c  and the flexible element  5  are located differently, the flexible element  5  and the recess  4   c  make pressure contact and elastically engage with each other, similarly to the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment. Accordingly, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the vehicle body  100  via the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Seventh Embodiment, too. 
     Eighth Embodiment 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic representation of a radial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles according to Eighth Embodiment. 
     The fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Eighth Embodiment is generally the same as the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Seventh Embodiment. Namely, the recess  4   c  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Eighth Embodiment is provided to extend across the first split half  4   a  and the second split half  4   b  of the fixing member  4 . While the flexible element  5  has a protruding shape as with the flexible elements  5  in the fuel feeding devices for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment and Seventh Embodiment, it is not formed in the bellows shape. The flexible element  5  has two protrusions. The protrusions  54  and  55  each protrude radially outward from the inlet filler pipe  1 . The flexible element  5  can elastically deform circumferentially such that the two protrusions  54  and  55  approach each other. The flexible element  5  is held in the recess  4   c  in a elastically deformed state. The two protrusions  54  and  55  move away from each other by elasticity inside the recess  4   c  and thus make pressure contact with two circumferential end faces  4   d  and  4   e , respectively, which are the inner faces of the recess  4   c . Therefore, in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Eighth Embodiment, too, the flexible element  5  and the recess  4   c  make pressure contact and elastically engage with each other. Accordingly, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the vehicle body  100  via the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Eighth Embodiment, too. 
     Ninth Embodiment 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic representation in an enlarged perspective view of major parts of a fuel feeding device for vehicles of Ninth Embodiment, and  FIG. 15  is a schematic representation of an axial cross section of the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Ninth Embodiment. 
     The flexible element  5  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Ninth Embodiment is provided to the body part  12  of the inlet filler pipe  1  similarly to the flexible elements  5  in the fuel feeding devices for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment and Seventh Embodiment, but, unlike the latter, the flexible element can elastically deform axially, and hardly undergoes radial elastic deformation. Namely, while the flexible elements  5  in the fuel feeding devices for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment and Seventh Embodiment have a bellows shape wherein ridges  52  and valleys  53  are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the inlet filler pipe  1 , the flexible element  5  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Ninth Embodiment has a bellows shape that extends axially wherein the ridges  52  and valleys  53  alternate in the axial direction of the inlet filler pipe. The flexible element  5  is provided around the entire circumference of the body part  12  as indicated by the broken lines in  FIG. 14 , thereby forming one axial region of the body part  12 . Accordingly, the flexible element  5  forms the entire attachment area  26 . 
     The fixing member  4  is generally the same as the fixing members  4  in the fuel feeding devices for vehicles of Sixth Embodiment to Eighth Embodiment except that the entire ring portion  40  is the recess  4   c . The recess  4   c , or the ring portion  40 , has a ring groove that opens radially inward. Therefore, an axial cross section of the recess  4   c  is substantially U-shaped as shown in  FIG. 15 . The axial length of the flexible element  5  in its natural state is larger than the axial length of the recess  4   c , as shown on the left side of  FIG. 15 . The flexible element  5  is held in the recess  4   c  in an axially compressed and elastically deformed state, as shown on the right side of  FIG. 15 . The flexible element  5  makes pressure contact with the axial end faces  4   f  and  4   g  of the recess  4   c  by its own elasticity. Therefore, in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Ninth Embodiment, too, the flexible element  5  and the recess  4   c  make pressure contact and elastically engage with each other. Thus, the inlet filler pipe  1  is stably secured to the vehicle body (not shown) via the fixing member  4  in the fuel feeding device for vehicles of Ninth Embodiment, too. 
     The entire body part  12  may be formed in a bellows shape, in which ridges  52  and valleys  53  alternate in the axial direction of the inlet filler pipe, and the flexible element  5  may be formed of only an axial portion of this body part  12 . In this case, as the body part  12  is formed in a bellows shape, the body part  12  can freely deform three-dimensionally, so that the inlet filler pipe  1  may be provided with a complex three-dimensional shape. This will improve the degree of freedom in installing the inlet filler pipe  1 . 
     The flexible element  5  may be provided to a breather  13 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the breather  13  forms a passage for releasing gas, which diverges from the body part  12  or the inlet part  11  of the inlet filler pipe  1 . If the flexible element  5  is to be provided to the breather  13 , the flexible element  5  on the breather  13  may be brought into pressure contact with the fixing member  4  so as to press the fixing member  4  against the inlet filler pipe  1 . Alternatively, the breather  13  and the inlet filler pipe  1  may both be accommodated and held in the fixing member  4  such that the flexible element  5  on the breather  13  presses the inlet filler pipe  1  on the inner circumference of the fixing member  4 , so as to bring the inlet filler pipe  1  into pressure contact with the fixing member  4 . The flexible element  5  may be provided to the breather  13  in various ways other than these examples for bringing the inlet filler pipe  1  into pressure contact with the fixing member  4 . 
     (Others) 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but may be changed as required without departing from the scope of its subject matter. The invention may be carried out by freely selecting and combining various constituent elements shown in the embodiments. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The fuel feeding device for vehicles of the present invention can be mounted in various vehicles such as automobiles.

Technology Category: f