FUEL FILLER DEVICE

Abstract

A fuel filler device for filling fuel into a vehicle tank, includes a filler pipe for receiving a fuel filler nozzle, which filler pipe can be connected with the vehicle tank. At least one pivotably mounted closing flap is arranged in the filler pipe. A spring element is provided, which biases the at least one closing flap into a closing position closing a passage through the filler pipe. The at least one closing flap is pivotable from the closing position into an opening position opening a passage through the filler pipe as a result of the fuel filler nozzle inserted into the filler pipe. At least one valve element forms at least one bypass to the at least one closing flap, and from a limit pressure difference, allows a passage of gas out of the filler pipe and/or into the filler pipe.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. Fuel filler device for filling fuel into a vehicle tank, the fuel filler device comprising: a filler pipe having an insertion opening, the filler pipe being configured to receive a fuel filler nozzle, the filler pipe also being configured to be connected with the vehicle tank; at least one flap positioned in the filler pipe configured to open and close a fuel passage through the filler pipe, wherein the fuel filler device is configured to bias the at least one flap in the closed position, thus closing the passage through the filler pipe; and at least one fluid communication bypass route around the at least one flap, wherein the fuel filler device is configured to close and/or open the at least one fluid communication bypass as a result of a pressure difference.

13. The fuel filler device of claim 12, wherein: the flap is a pivoting flap; and the fuel filler device includes a valve, wherein the valve is configured to close and/or open the at least one fluid communication bypass as a result of the pressure difference.

14. The fuel filler device according to claim 13, wherein in the filler pipe there is at least one further mounted flap provided therein, wherein the flaps are provided one behind the other, as seen in the insertion direction of the fuel filler nozzle.

15. The fuel filler device according to claim 12, wherein the valve is provided in at least one valve holding section provided in the filler pipe.

16. The fuel filler device according to claim 14, wherein at least one ring-shaped flange is fixedly located in the filler pipe on which the at least one flap abuts in its closing position.

17. The fuel filler device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one flap is pivotably mounted on the at least one ring-shaped flange.

18. The fuel filler device according to claim 15, wherein the at least one valve holding section is provided on a pipe section which is inserted into the filler pipe.

19. The fuel filler device according to claim 18, wherein the pipe section is comprised of at least two parts, wherein the at least one valve holding section is provided on a first part of the pipe section, and a seal is provided between the first part of the pipe section, comprising the at least one valve holding section, and at least a second part of the pipe section.

20. The fuel filler device according to claim 13, wherein the at least one valve comprises, with respect to pressure downstream of the filler pipe vis--vis fuel flow, at least an overpressure valve.

21. The fuel filler device according to claim 13, wherein: the at least one fluid communication bypass route is a permanent structural channel around the at least one flap, the valve being separate from structure of the flap.

22. The fuel filler device according to claim 13, wherein the at least one valve comprises, with respect to pressure downstream of the filler pipe vis--vis fuel flow, at least an under pressure valve.

23. The fuel filler device according to claim 13, wherein: the valve is configured to open and close irrespective of a spatial location of the flap in the closed position.

24. An assembly, comprising: a means for guiding fuel to a fuel tank; a means for closing the means for guiding fuel; and a means for alleviating a pressure difference between one side of the means for closing the means for guiding an opposite side of the means for closing the means for guiding.

25. An assembly, comprising: a fuel filler device for filling fuel into a vehicle tank, the fuel filler device including: a first fluid conduit; and a second fluid conduit, wherein the first fluid conduit is closed by a flap; and the second fluid conduct is closed by a valve separate from the flap.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein: the first fluid conduct is established by a filler pipe having an insertion opening, the filler pipe being configured to receive a fuel filler nozzle, the filler pipe also being configured to be connected with the vehicle tank; and the flap is positioned in the filler pipe and is configured to open and close the first conduit through the filler pipe, wherein the fuel filler device is configured to bias the flap to the closed position.

27. The assembly of claim 25, wherein: the first fluid conduit is coaxial with the second fluid conduit.

28. The assembly of claim 26, wherein: the flap is located within the filler pipe and biased to a location within the filler pipe by a single spring.

29. The assembly of claim 25, wherein: the first fluid conduit is eccentric with the second fluid conduit.

30. The fuel filler device of claim 12, wherein: the at least one fluid communication bypass route around the at least one flap is the only bypass route around the at least one flap.

31. The assembly of claim 24, wherein: the assembly is configured such that the means for closing the means for guiding and the means for alleviating the pressure difference function independently of the respective structure thereof.

32. The assembly of claim 24, wherein: the means for alleviating the pressure difference is located to one side of the means for closing the means for guiding fuel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail in the following text with reference to figures, in which, schematically in each case:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a fuel filler device according to the invention in a first operating state,

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the fuel filler device shown in FIG. 1 in a second operating state, and

[0021] FIG. 3 shows spring elements biasing the flaps of the fuel filler device, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Unless stated otherwise, the same reference signs are used to denote identical items in the figures. FIG. 1 shows a fuel filler device according to the invention for filling fuel into a vehicle tank (not shown) of an automobile in a first operating state. The fuel filler device comprises a filler pipe 10 which may consist of plastics material or metal. By way of its lower end (not shown in FIG. 1), the filler pipe 10 is connected to a vehicle tank of an automobile. At its upper end in FIG. 1, an insertion section 12, which forms an insertion opening 14 for a fuel filler nozzle (not shown), is connected to the filler pipe 10. The fuel filler device according to the invention and shown in the figures forms a capless fuel filler system, i.e. no outer cap for closing the insertion opening 14 is provided. The fuel filler device has a misfueling inhibitor which is shown very schematically in the figures at the reference sign 15.

[0023] Inserted into the upper end of the filler pipe 10 is a pipe section which is constructed in a multipart manner in the example shown. It has a lower section 16 and an upper section 17. At its upper end in FIG. 1, the upper section 17 of the pipe section has a flange 18, formed integrally therewith, by way of which it rests on the upper end of the filler pipe 10. The pipe section furthermore has, arranged one behind the other as seen in the insertion direction of a fuel filler nozzle, i.e. from top to bottom in FIG. 1, a first ring-shaped flange 20 extending from its inner wall and a second ring-shaped flange 22 likewise extending from its inner wall. While the second ring-shaped flange 22 is formed integrally on the lower section 16 of the pipe section, the first ring-shaped flange 20 is formed integrally on the upper section 17 of the pipe section.

[0024] A first closing flap 24 is pivotably mounted via a pivot bearing 26 on the first ring-shaped flange 20 on its underside facing away from the insertion opening 14. In a corresponding manner, a second closing flap 28 is pivotably mounted via a pivot bearing 30 on the second ring-shaped flange 22 on its underside facing away from the insertion opening 14. The closing flaps 24, 28 are biased into their closing position shown in FIG. 1 via spring elements 48 and 50 (shown in FIG. 3). In this closing position, the closing flaps 24, 28 abut sealingly on the ring-shaped flange 20, 22 respectively assigned to them and close a passage through the ring-shaped flanges 20, 22. An intermediate space 31 is formed between the closing flaps 24, 28 in the closing position shown in FIG. 1.

[0025] If a fuel filler nozzle is now introduced into the filler pipe 10 in a manner known per se, said fuel filler nozzle butts by way of its free end first of all against the first closing flap 24 and subsequently the second closing flap 28 and can thus pass through the ring-shaped flanges 20, 22. Subsequently, the fueling operation for the vehicle tank can take place. As soon as this has been concluded, the fuel filler nozzle is pulled out of the filler pipe 10 again, wherein the closing flaps 28, 24 move successively back into their closing position shown in FIG. 1 on account of their spring bias.

[0026] A part, forming a valve holding section 34, of the lower section 16 of the pipe section is sealed off from the upper section 17 of the pipe section via a sealing means, for example a sealing ring 32. The valve holding section 34 forms a valve tower or valve dome in which a valve 36, forming a valve element, for aerating and ventilating the vehicle tank is arranged. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the valve holding section 34 with the valve 36 arranged therein forms a bypass to the passage, selectively opened or closed by the closing flaps 24, 28, for a fuel filler nozzle. In particular, the valve holding section is arranged next to the closing flaps 24, 28. The valve 36 has a valve body 38 which is biased by a spring 40 into the closed position shown in FIG. 1, in which the valve body 38 abuts against a valve seat 42. The valve 36 furthermore has, on its side facing the insertion opening 14, a protective cover 44 which prevents the ingress of dust or other contaminants. The valve 36 may be for example an overpressure valve or underpressure valve which, in the present case, opens, from a predetermined limit pressure difference, in a direction from the insertion opening 14 to the tank, i.e. from top to bottom in FIG. 1, and/or in a direction from the tank to the insertion opening, i.e. from bottom to top in FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a second operating state of the fuel filler device according to the invention. In this state, the valve 38 is in an open position. In particular, the valve body 38 is in a position in which it is lifted off the valve seat 42 so that gas can flow through the valve 36 outwardly for example from the interior 46, facing the vehicle tank, of the filler pipe 10 through the insertion opening 14. This is for example the case when an overpressure with respect to the outer environment is prevailing in the interior 46. It is likewise possible for an underpressure, with respect to the outer environment, prevailing in the interior 46 to be equalized by the bypass valve 36 according to the invention in that the valve 36 opens so that gas can flow into the interior 46 from the outside through the insertion opening 14.

[0028] As a result of the arrangement of the valve 36 in the valve holding section 34 forming a bypass to the closing flaps 24, 28, even when two closing flaps 24, 28 are present, only one valve 36 is required for aerating and ventilating the vehicle tank. Furthermore, the structure is simplified, the installation space is reduced in size and pressure equalization control is simplified, since, unlike in the prior art, it is not necessary for a plurality of valves connected one behind another in series to be coordinated. As already mentioned, in principle any type of valve is suitable as valve 36, for example overpressure valves, underpressure valves, roll over valves, safety valves, in particular nonreturn valves, etc.