Valve Device

Abstract

A valve device, a ventilation device having the valve device, and a motor vehicle tank device having the ventilation device. The connection between a valve inlet of the valve device and a tank outlet is to be opened and closed by the tank valve, and a connection between the inlet and the filler pipe outlet may be opened and closed by the filler pipe valve.

Claims

1. A valve device for a ventilation device of a motor vehicle tank device, the valve device comprising: a valve inlet configured for operative connection to a ventilation inlet line of the ventilation device; a tank outlet configured for operative connection to a ventilation outlet line of the ventilation device; a filler pipe outlet configured for operative connection to a filler pipe of the motor vehicle tank device; a tank valve having a tank valve seat configured to open and close an operable connection between the valve inlet and the tank outlet; and a filler pipe valve having a filler pipe valve seat configured to open and close an operable connection between the valve inlet and the filler pipe outlet.

2. The valve device of claim 1, further comprising an axially movable valve tappet which is to be accessible from outside the valve device to allow closure of the valve device by axial movement of the valve tappet via an action of a force from outside the valve device.

3. The valve device of claim 2, wherein the filler pipe outlet comprises a bore in the valve tappet.

4. The valve device of claim 2, further comprising a tank valve member configured for axial movement simultaneously with the valve tappet in response to axial movement of the valve tappet, to rest on the tank valve seat to close the valve device.

5. The valve device of claim 4, wherein the filler pipe valve seat is formed on the tank valve member.

6. The valve device of claim 1, wherein the filler pipe valve comprises a float to serve as a valve member, which, when floating on a liquid receiving in the motor vehicle tank device, is to rest on the filler pipe valve seat to close the filler pipe valve.

7. The valve device of claim 6, wherein the float comprises a ball.

8. The valve device of claim 6, wherein the float has a lower density than petrol and/or diesel.

9. The valve device of claim 6, further comprising a cage to receive the float.

10. The valve device of claim 6, wherein the float is received in a bore of the valve tappet.

11. The valve device of claim 2, further comprising return springs arranged between the valve tappet and the tank valve member.

12. The valve device of claim 2, further comprising return springs arranged between the tank valve member and a housing of the valve device.

13. A ventilation device for a tank device of a motor vehicle, comprising: a ventilation inlet line configured for operative connection to a tank of the tank device; a ventilation outlet line configured for operative connection to the tank; and a valve device including: a valve inlet configured for operative connection to the ventilation inlet line; a tank outlet configured for operative connection to the ventilation outlet line; a filler pipe outlet configured for operative connection to a filler pipe of the motor vehicle tank device; a tank valve having a tank valve seat configured to open and close an operable connection between the valve inlet and the tank outlet; and a filler pipe valve having a filler pipe valve seat configured to open and close an operable connection between the valve inlet and the filler pipe outlet.

14. The ventilation device of claim 13, further comprising an axially movable valve tappet which is to be accessible from outside the valve device to allow closure of the valve device by axial movement of the valve tappet via an action of a force from outside the valve device

15. The ventilation device of claim 14, wherein the valve device is mounted such that the valve tappet extends partially into the filler pipe, and the valve tappet is configured for axial movement by introduction of a fuel pump nozzle into the filler pipe to thereby close the tank valve.

16. A tank device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a tank; a filler pipe; and a ventilation device including: a ventilation inlet line configured for operative connection to a tank of the tank device; a ventilation outlet line configured for operative connection to the tank; and a valve device including a valve inlet configured for operative connection to the ventilation inlet line, a tank outlet configured for operative connection to the ventilation outlet line, a filler pipe outlet configured for operative connection to a filler pipe of the motor vehicle tank device, a tank valve having a tank valve seat configured to open and close an operable connection between the valve inlet and the tank outlet; and a filler pipe valve having a filler pipe valve seat configured to open and close an operable connection between the valve inlet and the filler pipe outlet.

17. The tank device of claim 16, further comprising an axially movable valve tappet which is to be accessible from outside the valve device to allow closure of the valve device by axial movement of the valve tappet via an action of a force from outside the valve device

18. The tank device of claim 17, wherein the valve device is mounted such that the valve tappet extends partially into the filler pipe, and the valve tappet is configured for axial movement by introduction of a fuel pump nozzle into the filler pipe to thereby close the tank valve.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention is described by way of example below with reference to the drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic illustration of a ventilation device on a filler pipe, in accordance with embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a side, sectional view (of section line A-A in FIG. 3) of a valve device in a normal operating state, in accordance with embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an illustration of a top view of the valve device of in FIG. 2.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a side, sectional view (of section line A-A in FIG. 5) of a valve device in a normal refuelling state, in accordance with embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the valve device of FIG. 4.

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a side, sectional view (of section line A-A in FIG. 7) of a valve device, in a refuelling state, with a fuel pump nozzle which allows continued flow, in accordance with embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the valve device of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates, in accordance with embodiments, a ventilation device, having a valve device 3, which is mounted on a filler pipe 6 of a tank device. The filler pipe 6 extends from an upper end designed as a tank stub as far as a tank connection 17, at which the filler pipe 6 may be connected or is connected to a tank (not illustrated) of the tank device.

[0039] A ventilation outlet line 2 can likewise be connected to the tank of the tank device via a tank connection 17, as can, indirectly, a ventilation inlet line 1. In this case, the ventilation inlet line 1 forms a line branch branched off via a compensating tank 19 from a refuel ventilation line 18 having a tank connection 17. The larger part of the refuel ventilation line 18, the part which is not branched off, forms the fuel vapour filter line 20 and may be connected to an activated carbon filter or some other fuel vapour filter via an activated carbon filter connection 21.

[0040] The arrows illustrated in the lines each show the direction of ventilation, while the arrows in the filler pipe show the direction in which the tank is filled with fuel. The gases entering the filler pipe 6 through the ventilation inlet line 1 via the valve device 3 can recirculate into the tank through the filler pipe 6 with the fuel during a refuelling process.

[0041] In the case where the ventilation device is used for gas admission, gas, in particular air, can flow in in the opposite direction via the activated carbon filter connection 21 and the fuel vapour filter line 20, and some of it can enter the tank via the refuel ventilation line 18 and some can flow via the ventilation inlet line 1 to the valve device 3 in this case too.

[0042] An inlet 4 of the valve device 3 is connected to the ventilation inlet line 1, and the tank outlet 5 of the valve device 3 is connected to the ventilation outlet line 2. A filler pipe outlet 7 of the valve device 3 is connected to the filler pipe 6.

[0043] The valve device 3 is mounted on the filler pipe 6 in such a way that the filler pipe outlet 7 and thus a valve tappet 10 (see FIG. 2) at the filler pipe outlet 7 extends into the filler pipe 6, and the valve tappet 10 is moved axially via a pivotable flap owing to the introduction of a fuel filler nozzle into the filler pipe 6 and thereby closes the tank valve, with the result that gases flowing in at the inlet 4 can leave the valve device 3 only through the filler pipe outlet 7.

[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates, in accordance with embodiments, a section through a valve device 3 from the side in a normal operating state, i.e. when no refuelling is taking place, in accordance with section line A-A in FIG. 3.

[0045] The valve device 3 has an inlet 4 in the form of a plug-in nipple, which may be connected to a ventilation inlet line 1, and a tank outlet 5 in the form of a second plug-in nipple, which may be connected to a ventilation outlet line 2. For fluidic connection to a filler pipe 6 of a tank device, the valve device 3 furthermore has a filler pipe outlet 7, the connection of which to the inlet 4 may be closed via a filler pipe valve. The filler pipe valve comprises a filler pipe valve seat 9, on which a float 12, namely a ball of low density, can come to rest. The float 12 is mounted in a cage 13 at that end of the valve tappet 10 which faces the interior of the valve device 3. As long as the float 12 is not surrounded by fuel, for example, the float rests on the bottom of the cage 13 and does not close the filler pipe valve.

[0046] The filler pipe outlet 7 is formed by a bore in the valve tappet 10. The float 12 is arranged in the valve tappet 10, which is embodied as a hollow body, or arranged in the bore of the valve tappet 10.

[0047] The tank valve of the valve device 3 has a tank valve member 11, wherein, given a sufficient axial movement of the valve tappet 10, the tank valve member 11 is simultaneously moved axially by the valve tappet 10 and can thereby come to rest on a tank valve seat 8 to close the tank valve, i.e. the connection between the inlet 4 and the tank outlet 5. The filler pipe valve seat 9 is formed on the tank valve member 11.

[0048] A tappet spring 16 acts as a return spring between the valve tappet 10 and the tank valve member 11, and a valve spring 15 acts as a return spring between the tank valve member 11 and a housing 14 of the valve device 3.

[0049] The valve tappet 10 is designed as a hollow cylinder and is arranged coaxially and within the tank valve member 11. The tank valve member 11 is likewise designed as a hollow cylinder and, for its part, is once again arranged coaxially and within a valve guide 21. The valve guide 21 is arranged coaxially and within the housing 14 and a valve receptacle 22. A ring seal 23 is arranged in a groove in the housing 14, between the housing 14 and the valve receptacle 22.

[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates, in accordance with embodiments, the same valve device 3 in a normal refuelling state, i.e., during a refuelling operation. In this case, the valve tappet 10 has been pushed inwards and therefore upwards in FIG. 4. The tank valve member 11 is seated on the tank valve seat 8 and thus closes the tank valve and hence the tank outlet 5. The float 12 furthermore rests on the bottom of the cage 13, and therefore the filler pipe valve and hence the filler pipe outlet 7 remain open and recirculation can take place.

[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates the valve device 3 in a refuelling state with a fuel pump nozzle which allows continued flow. Here, the valve tappet 10 has once again been pressed inwards. The tank valve member 11 is seated on the tank valve seat 8 and thus closes the tank valve and hence the tank outlet 5. Here, the float 12 is floating on fuel, is arranged so as to rest on the filler pipe valve seat 9 at the top edge of the cage 13, and there closes the filler pipe valve and hence the filler pipe outlet 7, thus preventing the fuel surrounding the float 12 from entering the inlet 4.

[0052] In conclusion, it is noted that the components in the figure may not be illustrated to scale. Position indications such as “right,” “left,” “top,” “bottom” and the like refer to the illustrated position of the respective component and must be notionally revised accordingly when said position changes.

[0053] The terms “first,” “second, etc. are used herein only to facilitate discussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronological significance unless otherwise indicated.

[0054] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the preferred embodiments, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of embodiments is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. Aspects from the various embodiments described, as well as other known equivalents for each such aspects, may be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in the art to construct additional embodiments and techniques in accordance with principles of this application.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0055] 1 ventilation inlet line

[0056] 2 ventilation outlet line

[0057] 3 valve device

[0058] 4 inlet

[0059] 5 tank outlet

[0060] 6 filler pipe

[0061] 7 filler pipe outlet

[0062] 8 tank valve seat

[0063] 9 filler pipe valve seat

[0064] 10 valve tappet

[0065] 11 tank valve member

[0066] 12 float

[0067] 13 cage

[0068] 14 housing

[0069] 15 return spring, valve spring

[0070] 16 return spring, tappet spring

[0071] 17 tank connection

[0072] 18 refuel ventilation line

[0073] 19 compensating tank

[0074] 20 fuel vapour filter line

[0075] 21 valve guide

[0076] 22 valve receptacle

[0077] 23 ring seal