FUEL FILLING LINE - FUEL TANK QUICK CONNECTION

Abstract

A tank connection apparatus connects a tank filler pipe with a fuel tank in a fuel filling line of a vehicle, and it includes: a coupling body containing the mechanism components on its own body and providing connection between a corrugated connection pipe and the tank connector female housing, a corrugated connection pipe mounted between the tank filler pipe and the coupling body, and preventing cracking and/or breaking by extending in situations like accidents, a tank connector female housing mounted to the fuel tank inlet, a locking spring found on the coupling body and fixing the coupling body in the tank connector female housing when the coupling body is attached to the tank connector female housing. The tank connection apparatus also has a safety lock attached to the coupling body and fixing the locking spring with regard to the axis of rotation, and thus preventing it from coming loose.

Claims

1. A tank connection apparatus providing connection of a tank filler pipe with a fuel tank in a fuel filling line of a vehicle, and it is characterized in that it comprises: a tank connector female housing mounted to the inlet of the fuel tank; at least one coupling body containing the mechanism components on its own body and providing connection between a corrugated connection pipe and the tank connector female housing; at least one corrugated connection pipe mounted in between the tank filler pipe and the coupling body, and preventing cracking and/or breaking by extending in situations like accidents; and at least one locking spring found on the coupling body and fixing the coupling body in the tank connector female housing when the coupling body is attached to the tank connector female housing.

2. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one safety lock attached to the safety lock slot found on the coupling body and fixing the locking spring with regard to the axis of rotation, and thus preventing it from coming loose.

3. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a safety lock slot on the coupling body, on which the safety lock is attached and fixed.

4. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one safety lock retainer fixing the safety lock at the inner part of the safety lock slot.

5. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one safety lock snap found on the safety lock and ensuring that the safety lock is fixed on the coupling body by being attached to the safety lock retainer.

6. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one handle on the safety lock body.

7. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises spring legs found at the end parts of the locking spring and in order to prevent rotation of the locking spring, limited from both sides in the safety lock slot with regard to the axis of rotation.

8. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises spring retainer slots found at the lower part of the safety lock and limiting the spring legs of the locking spring from both sides with regard to the axis of rotation.

9. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tank connector female housing comprises an inclined edge, to which the coupling body is attached, and in which the locking spring is squeezed and fixed.

10. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one spring locking slots found on the inclined edge of the tank connector female housing, and into which the locking spring is inserted with a click sound during mounting.

11. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one locking protrusion found on the locking spring body, fitted in the spring locking slots with a click sound during mounting, and thus fixing the coupling body in the tank connector female housing.

12. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a tank welding protrusion on the tank connector female housing, which is mounted on the fuel tank.

13. The tank connection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises corrugations found on the corrugated connection pipe body and providing flexibility with its extendable-retractable structure to the corrugated connection pipe when required.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] For better understanding of the embodiment of the present invention and its advantages with its additional components, it should be evaluated together with below described figures.

[0025] FIG. 1; is a three-dimensional view of the tank connection apparatus according to the invention.

[0026] FIG. 2; is a three-dimensional demounted view of the tank connection apparatus according to the invention.

[0027] FIG. 3; is a three-dimensional view of a representative application of the tank connection apparatus according to the invention between the fuel tank cap and the fuel tank of a vehicle.

[0028] FIG. 4; is a demounted view of the mounting body, tank connector, and secondary safety lock of the tank connection apparatus according to the invention.

[0029] FIG. 5; is a mounted view of the mounting body, tank connector, and secondary safety lock of the tank connection apparatus according to the invention.

[0030] FIG. 6; is a three-dimensional view of the tank connector found in the tank connection apparatus according to the invention.

[0031] FIG. 7; is the side profile and side profile section view of the tank connection apparatus according to the invention, respectively.

[0032] FIG. 8; is a view showing the mounting of the locking spring to the tank connector in the tank connection apparatus according to the invention.

[0033] FIG. 9; is a representative view showing the mounting stages of the tank connection apparatus of the invention to the vehicle fuel tank.

[0034] FIG. 10; is a three-dimensional view demounted view of the mounting body, grooved connection pipe, and tank connection pipe in the tank connection apparatus according to the invention.

[0035] FIG. 11; is a three-dimensional view of the connection area section in the secondary safety lock of the tank connection apparatus according to the invention.

[0036] FIG. 1; is a side profile section view of the connection between the tank connection apparatus of the invention and the fuel tank.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0037] 1. Tank Connection Apparatus

[0038] 2. Tank Connector Female Housing

[0039] 2.1. Spring Locking Slot

[0040] 2.2. Inclined Edge

[0041] 2.3. Tank Welding Protrusion

[0042] 3. O-ring Retainer

[0043] 4. O-ring 1

[0044] 5. Spacer

[0045] 6. O-ring 2

[0046] 7. Coupling Body

[0047] 7.1. Safety Lock Slot

[0048] 7.2. Safety Lock Retainer

[0049] 7.3. Snapping Tab

[0050] 8. Locking Spring

[0051] 8.1. Spring Leg

[0052] 8.2. Locking Protrusion

[0053] 9. Safety Lock

[0054] 9.1. Safety Lock Snap

[0055] 9.2. Spring Retainer Slot

[0056] 9.3. Handle

[0057] 10. Corrugated Connection Pipe

[0058] 10.1. Corrugations

[0059] 11. Filler Pipe

[0060] 12. Fuel Tank

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention are only disclosed for better understanding of the subject, without forming any limiting effect.

[0062] The present invention relates to a tank connection apparatus (1) mounted between a tank filler pipe (11) and a fuel tank (12) of a vehicle in order to ensure quick, easy, and safe coupling of these two components. FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional mounted view and FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional demounted view of the tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention. Accordingly, a coupling body (7) is found at the centre of the tank connection apparatus (1). The coupling body (7) is the main component on which the other components of the mechanism are mounted. The coupling body (7) is a cylindrically-shaped structure having two open ends and a hole at the middle of the body. A tank connector female housing (2) is attached to the front end and a corrugated connection pipe (10) is mounted to the rear end of the coupling body (7) during mounting. The outer surface of the coupling body (7) comprises a safety lock slot (7.1) and a safety lock retainer (7.2) designed for fixing of the safety lock (9) within said safety lock slot (7.1). A snapping tab (7.3) is found on the inner surface of the coupling body (7) for fixing of the O-ring retainer (3).

[0063] The tank connector female housing (2) found on the tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention is connected to the vehicle fuel tank (12) inlet and the coupling body (7) from its front and rear ends, respectively. FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of said tank connector female housing (2). The rear end of the tank connector female housing (2) connected to the coupling body (7) has an inclined edge (2.2). On said inclined edge (2.2), spring locking slots (2.1), in which the locking spring (8) is attached, are found. The inclined edge (2.2) gradually narrows down from the rear end to the middle part of the tank connector female housing (2). By means of the inclined edge (2.2), while the locking spring (8) is attached to the tank connector female housing (2), it gradually gets squeezed and ultimately fits into the spring locking slots (2.1) with a click sound. The front side end of the tank connector female housing (2) comprises a tank welding protrusion (2.3). Said tank welding protrusion (2.3) enables mounting of the tank connector female housing (2) to the fuel tank (12) of the vehicle via spin welding.

[0064] The tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention comprises a locking spring (8) for attachment and locking of the coupling body (7) to the tank connector female housing (2). The locking spring (8) shown in FIG. 8 is actually a ring having an opening on its top section to provide springiness. The locking spring (8) body comprises locking protrusions (8.2) fitting into the spring locking slots (2.1) found on the tank connector female housing (2). The ends of the locking spring (8) where the opening is found are bent inward so as to form spring legs (8.1). Said spring legs (8.1) are embedded into the safety lock slot (7.1) found on the coupling body (7).

[0065] In the tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention, a secondary safety lock (9) is also found in addition to the locking spring (8) embodiment used for locking of the coupling body (7) and the tank connector female housing (2) to each other. During application, said safety lock (9) is attached to the safety lock slot (7.1) found at the upper portion of the coupling body (7). A safety lock snap (9.1) protrusion is found at the upper part of the safety lock (9). During application, the safety lock snap (9.1) is attached to a safety lock retainer (7.2) found at the inner part of the safety lock slot (7.1) found on the coupling body (7). Two spring retainer slots (9.2) are found at the lower part of the secondary safety lock (9). Said spring retainer slots (9.2) are essentially designed for fixing the spring legs (8.1) of the locking spring (8). A handle (9.3) protrusion is found at the upper part of the safety lock (9). By means of said handle (9.3) part, the secondary safety lock (9) can be pushed into the safety lock slot (7.1) or removed from the safety lock slot (7.1) by pulling. In FIG. 4, a three-dimensional demounted view of the safety lock (9), coupling body (7), and tank connector female housing (2) is given. FIG. 5 shows these components in mounted state.

[0066] The tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention comprises a corrugated connection pipe (10) for the connection between the coupling body (7) and the tank filler pipe (11). On said corrugated connection pipe (10) body, corrugations (10.1) are arranged side by side. Said corrugations (10.1) allow the corrugated connection pipe (10) to extend up to a certain length by means of expanding under load. FIG. 10 shows a three-dimensional demounted view of the coupling body (7), the corrugated connection pipe (10), and the tank filler pipe (11). Accordingly, the corrugated connection pipe (10) is connected to the coupling body (7) at one end, and to the tank filler pipe (11) at the other end. The corrugated connection pipe (10) is coupled with the coupling body (7) via spin welding or pushing method.

[0067] In the tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention, sealing components consisting of O-ring 1 (4) and O-ring 2 (6) are used in order to ensure sealing between the coupling body (7) and the tank connector female housing (2). Said O-ring 1 (4) and O-ring 2 (6) are separated from each other by means of a spacer (5). An O-ring retainer (3) is used for fixing O-ring 1 (4), O-ring 2 (6), and the spacer (5) at the end of the coupling body (7). Said O-ring (2) is attached to the snapping tabs (7.3) found at the inner part of the coupling body (7), by means of the tabs found thereon.

The Mounting Stages of the Tank Connection Apparatus (1) According to the Invention are as Follows:

[0068] The locked mounting and removal operation with the tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention is essentially performed between the free end of the tank connector female housing (2) comprising the inclined edge (2.2) and the coupling body (7). The tank connector female housing (2) is fixed beforehand at the vehicle fuel tank (12) by means of the tank welding protrusion (2.3). The locking spring (8) is placed into a housing found on the coupling body (7) outer surface and fixed thereon. Following this operation, the spring legs (8.1) of the locking spring (8) are positioned within the safety lock slot (7.1) found at the upper part of the coupling body (7). Following this step, when the secondary safety lock (9) is attached into the safety lock slot (7.1), the spring retainer slots (9.2) of the safety lock (9) limit the spring legs (8.1) from both sides with regard to the axis of rotation, and thus prevent the locking spring (8) from rotating. The placement and the way of locking of the locking spring (8) and the safety lock (9) on the coupling body (7) given as a perspective view in FIG. 5 would be understood better from the side profile and section views provided in FIG. 7.

[0069] As disclosed above, after the locking spring (8) is attached onto the coupling body (7) and then fixed with the safety lock (9), the corrugated connection pipe (10) is mounted at the rear end of the coupling body (7). The sealing component O-ring 1 (4), O-ring 2 (6), and spacer (5) are positioned at the front end of the coupling body (7) and then these components are fixed at the coupling body (7) by means of the O-ring retainer (3) piece. Afterwards, the corrugated connection pipe (10) and the tank filler pipe (11) are connected to each other. Following this step, the tank connection apparatus (1) becomes ready for connection to the fuel tank (12).

[0070] For connection, the free front end of the tank connection apparatus (1) coupling body (7) is inserted into the tank connector female housing (2) and pushed forward. As a result of this motion, the end of the coupling body (7) starts to advance within the inclined edge (2.2) of the tank connector female housing (2). Meanwhile, the locking protrusion (8.2) of the embedded locking spring (8) contacts the inclined edge (2.2), and the more the advancement continues, the more the locking spring (8) gets squeezed. When the coupling body (7) is pushed up to the end of the tank connector female housing (2), the locking protrusions (8.2) reach the spring retainer slots (9.2) found on the inclined edge (2.2). In this case, the locking protrusions (8.2) of the stressed locking spring (8) are released and thus fit into the spring retainer slots (9.2). During this motion, due to the release of the stressed locking spring (8), a click sound is heard. This sound acts as a warning for the user to indicate that the mounting is complete. In the side profile views given in FIG. 9, the mounting of the tank connection apparatus (1) with the fuel tank (12) is shown before and after the mounting operation. The tank connection apparatus (1) is locked to the fuel tank (12) by being pushed in the direction of the arrow given in FIG. 9. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the connection performed between the tank filler pipe (11) and the fuel tank (12) by means of the tank connection apparatus (1).

[0071] In the perspective view shown in FIG. 11, a section view is provided from the area of connection of the tank connection apparatus (1) with the fuel tank (12). As can be seen in FIG. 11, the end of the safety lock (9) abuts the tank connector female housing (2) when the mounting is complete. At this moment, the spring retainer slots (9.2) of the safety lock (9) limit the spring legs (8.1) of the locking spring (8) from both sides with regard to the axis of rotation, and thus prevent the locking spring (8) from rotating. Therefore, the locking spring (8) is prevented from being dislocated. FIG. 12 is a side profile section view of the connection between the tank connection apparatus (1) of the invention and the fuel tank (12).

[0072] Quick and easy locking and opening of the mechanism is ensured by means of the locking spring (8) made of stainless steel found in the coupling body (7) of the tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention. A secondary safety lock (9) is used in order to keep the locking spring (8) in its place without rotating or coming loose, and thus connection safety is improved. In the tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention, the tank connector female housing (2) structure is simplified, turned into a weldable form, and this piece is made of carbon fibre reinforced HDPE (high density polyethylene) material via plastic injection at once.

[0073] With the multilayered corrugated pipe (10) used in the tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention, it is possible to meet the LEV-III (low emission vehicle) standards and achieve the appropriate non-diffusion (evaporation from pores) values/parameters with low cost. By means of the extendable-retractable corrugated connection pipe (10), in case of an accident, the fuel tank (12) connection is allowed to extend in the required degree in order not to cause any damage, crack, or break. The strength against the cantilever load is improved by means of the coupling body (7) and the stainless steel locking spring (8) embodiment. With the tank connection apparatus (1) according to the invention, an audible feedback is provided to the user with the click sound during spring locking while mounting is completed.