Flow Guiding Mechanism for a Tank Filler Neck

Abstract

A flow guide for a tank filler neck, a tank filler neck for a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle having a tank filler neck. The tank filler neck includes a filling tube, a filler head surrounding the filling tube at the end thereof, a seal composed of an elastomer arranged between the filling tube and the filler head, and a flow guide of arranged in the filling tube or the filler head.

Claims

1. A flow guide for a tank filler neck, comprising: a flow guiding stub; and a flow guiding tube connected to the flow guiding stub, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube are composed at least partially of an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer.

2. The flow guide of claim 1, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube form a single-part component.

3. The flow guide of claim 1, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube form a multi-part component.

4. The flow guide of claim 1, wherein the flow guiding tube is composed of an elastomer or of a thermoplastic elastomer.

5. The flow guide of claim 1, wherein and the flow guiding stub is composed of a thermoplastic or of a thermoset.

6. The flow guide of claim 1, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube are connected releasably to one another.

7. The flow guide of claim 1, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube are connected non-releasably to one another.

8. The flow guide of claim 1, wherein the elastomer comprises nitrile rubber, fluorocarbon rubber or fluorosilicone.

9. A tank filler neck for a motor vehicle, comprising: a filling tube; a filler head surrounding the filling tube at an end thereof; a seal composed of an elastomer arranged between the filling tube and the filler head; and a flow guide arranged in the filling tube and/or the filler head, the flow guide including: a flow guiding stub; and a flow guiding tube connected to the flow guiding stub, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube are composed at least partially of an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer.

10. The tank filler neck of claim 9, wherein the flow guide is shorter in length than the filling tube.

11. The tank filler neck of claim 9, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube form a single-part component.

12. The tank filler neck of claim 9, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube form a multi-part component.

13. The tank filler neck of claim 9, wherein the flow guiding tube is composed of an elastomer or of a thermoplastic elastomer.

14. The tank filler neck of claim 9, wherein and the flow guiding stub is composed of a thermoplastic or of a thermoset.

15. The tank filler neck of claim 9, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube are connected releasably to one another.

16. The tank filler neck of claim 9, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube are connected non-releasably to one another.

17. The tank filler neck of claim 9, wherein the elastomer comprises nitrile rubber, fluorocarbon rubber or fluorosilicone.

18. A motor vehicle, comprising: a tank filler neck including: a filling tube; a filler head surrounding the filling tube at an end thereof; a seal composed of an elastomer arranged between the filling tube and the filler head; and a flow guide arranged in the filling tube and/or the filler head, the flow guide including a flow guiding stub and a flow guiding tube connected to the flow guiding stub, wherein the flow guiding stub and the flow guiding tube are composed at least partially of an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0019] Embodiments will be illustrated by way of example in the drawings and explained in the description below.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a tank filler neck for a motor vehicle, in accordance with embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a tank filler neck 1 for a motor vehicle, said filler neck 1 having a flow guide 2 comprising a flow guiding stub 3 and a flow guiding tube 4 connected thereto. Moreover, the tank filler neck 1 comprises a filling tube 5 composed of plastic, a filler head 6 composed of metal surrounding the filling tube 5 at an end thereof, and a seal 7 composed of an elastomer arranged between the filling tube 5 and the filler head 6. In a manner known per se, fuel is fed in via the filler head 6 during a fuelling process and flows via the filling tube 5 into a tank (not shown). To prevent return flow and splashing of the fuel, the flow guide 2 is provided.

[0022] In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the flow guide 2 is of multi-part construction and, as already mentioned, comprises the flow guiding stub 3 and the flow guiding tube 4 connected thereto. The flow guiding stub 3 serves, inter alia, to fasten the flow guide 2 in the filling tube 5 or filler head 6, and also is structured to prevent return flow and splashing of the fuel. The flow guiding tube 4 is used for the further guidance of the fuel and, in particular, extends beyond the vent valve 8. However, it is advantageous if the flow guide 2 is of shorter design than the filling tube 5 leading to a fuel tank (not illustrated).

[0023] At least one of the flow guiding stub 3 and the flow guiding tube 4 is composed of an elastomer or of a thermoplastic elastomer. For example, the flow guiding tube 4 can be composed of an elastomer or of a thermoplastic elastomer, whereas the flow guiding stub 3 is composed of a thermoplastic or a thermoset. This ensures a good fit of the flow guide 2 in the filling tube 5 or the filler head 6. Moreover, the flow guiding tube 4 can adapt well to the shape of the filling tube 5. However, it is also conceivable, in particular, for both parts 4 to be composed of an elastomer or of a thermoplastic elastomer. In general terms, nitrile rubber (NBR), fluorocarbon rubber (FKM) or fluorosilicone (FVMQ) can be provided as the elastomer.

[0024] In the example illustrated, the flow guiding stub 3 and the flow guiding tube 4 are connected releasably to one another, more specifically with the aid of a latching connection. Alternatively, the flow guiding stub 3 and the flow guiding tube 4 could also be connected to one another in some other way. In particular, it is conceivable for the flow guiding stub 3 and the flow guiding tube 4 to be connected non-releasably to one another. More specifically, the flow guiding stub 3 and the flow guiding tube 4 could be welded to one another if they were manufactured from a thermoplastic elastomer, or could be connected to one another by vulcanization if the flow guiding stub 3 and the flow guiding tube 4 were composed of an elastomer. However, it is also conceivable for the flow guide 3 as a whole to be of single-part construction and to be composed entirely of an elastomer or of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0025] In conclusion, it is noted that the component parts in the FIGURE may not be shown to scale. Position indications such as right, left, top, bottom and the like refer to the illustrated position of the respective component and will have to be adapted accordingly conceptually when said position changes. It is furthermore noted that the tank filler neck 1 illustrated or the flow guide 2 illustrated can, of course, have more components or fewer components than illustrated without departing from the basic concept of embodiments.

[0026] The term coupled, attached, 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.

[0027] 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.