FILLER NECK

Abstract

A filler head for a fuel filler pipe that includes a housing and a flow guide configured in one piece from metal.

Claims

1. A filler head for a fuel filler pipe, the filler head comprising: a housing and a flow guide configured in one piece from metal.

2. The filler head of claim 1, further comprising a bodywork holder configured in one piece with the housing from metal.

3. The filler head of claim 1, further comprising a tank closure receiver configured in one piece with the housing from metal.

4. The filler head of claim 1, further comprising a ventilation nipple configured in one piece with the housing from metal.

5. The filler head of claim 1, wherein the filler head is a precision-cast component.

6. The filler head of claim 1, wherein the filler head is a metal injection-moulding component

7. The filler head of claim 1, wherein the housing is composed of of steel.

8. The filler head of claim 7, wherein the housing is composed of stainless steel.

9. The filler head of claim 1, wherein the housing has a wall thickness of a maximum of 2 mm.

10. The filler head of claim 1, wherein the housing has a wall thickness of a maximum of 1 mm.

11. A method for producing a filler head, the method comprising: producing a housing and a flow guide in one piece from metal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein producing the housing and the flow guide comprises producing the housing and the flow guide by precision casting.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the housing and the flow guide are produced by precision casting by way of a fusible wax core.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the housing and the flow guide are produced by precision casting by way of an injection-moulding core.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the housing and the flow guide are produced by precision casting by way of a rapid prototyping core.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein producing the housing and the flow guide comprises producing the housing and the flow guide by metal injection-moulding.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising machining the filler head.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments will be illustrated by way of example in the drawings and explained in the description below.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a filler head from the related art.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional sectional view of a filler head, in accordance with embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a filler head in accordance with embodiments is provided. The filler head is entirely configured in one piece and may be composed, for example, of steel. The filler head comprises a housing 1 and a flow guide 2 that collectively and substantially define or otherwise form a hollow cylindrical casing. The steel housing 1 may have a wall thickness of a maximum of 2 mm, or a maximum of 1 mm.

[0022] The filler head further comprises a tank closure receiver 4, in particular a bayonet closure, in the region of a refuelling opening 10, wherein the tank closure receiver 4 is also configured in one piece with the housing 1 from steel. The filler head comprises a ventilation nipple 6 comprising an filter connector 8 configured for, for example, an active carbon filter. The ventilation nipple 6 and also the active carbon filter connector 8 are also configured in one piece with the housing 1 from steel. The filler head may also comprise a bodywork holder (not illustrated) which is configured in one piece with the housing 1.

[0023] The entire filler head is a single precision-cast component or a single metal injection-moulding component.

[0024] The term coupled or connected may be used herein to refer to any type of relationship, direct or indirect, between the components in question, and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, electromechanical or other connections. In addition, the terms first, second, etc. are used herein only to facilitate discussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronological significance unless otherwise indicated.

[0025] 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

[0026] 1 Housing [0027] 2 Flow guide [0028] 3 Bodywork holder [0029] 4 Tank closure receiver [0030] 5 Nipple receiver [0031] 6 Ventilation nipple [0032] 7 Annular seal [0033] 8 Active carbon filter connector [0034] 9 Filler pipe connector [0035] 10 Refuelling opening