Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Filling means with receiver or receiver coacting means – With receiver and supply securing means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-14
2001-11-20
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Filling means with receiver or receiver coacting means
With receiver and supply securing means
C141S302000, C141S307000, C220S086200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318423
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to automotive fuel tanks and specifically to a plug neck for a filler neck of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle having a flap which is arranged in a refueling channel which can be moved during refueling and is intended for switching a vent valve.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Fuel tank plug necks are known for preventing the escape of fuel vapors during refueling and for pressure equalization with the surroundings during operation. At the end which is directed away from the filler neck, the plug neck bears a fuel-tank closure cover. In the operating position, the second compensation chamber, for the overflow of air in the vent valve, is connected to the refueling channel. During refueling, the flap is opened via a rocker lever and adjusts the vent valve into a position in which it closes the second compensation chamber. During refueling, air located in the fuel tank is discharged via the first compensation chamber.
It is necessary for the plug neck to be adapted for respective requirements which are to be met by the refueling venting when different refueling devices are used. For example, in the case of refueling devices which remove gases from the refueling channel by suction, it is necessary for the vent valve to connect the first compensation chamber to the refueling channel. In the case of refueling devices without suction removal, the first compensation tank has to be connected to an activated carbon filter. For the different refueling devices, different plug necks, which each require separate tools to produce them, have been used. This results, in particular in the case of mass production, in very cost-intensive production of the plug neck.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a plug neck of the type mentioned in the introduction such that it is particularly cost-effective to produce in particular in mass production. This is achieved by exchanging means for the optional connection of the first compensation chamber to a filter or the refueling channel.
This configuration means that all that is necessary for adapting the plug neck to the respective refueling device is to replace the exchanging means. This makes it possible for the plug neck according to the invention to be adapted to the envisaged application case with low structural outlay. Since the plug neck comprises the same components, with the exception of the exchanging means, for the two application cases, costs for storage and production of the plug neck according to the invention are kept particularly low.
According to an advantageous development of the invention, the exchanging means for connecting the first compensation chamber to the filter are of particularly cost-effective configuration if they have a cap with a connection neck for a line leading to the filter. Since the vent valve usually requires a cap anyway for the installation of a closure body located in the interior, this configuration does not result in an increase in the number of the components of the plug neck according to the invention.
The exchanging means for connecting the first compensation chamber to the refueling channel require particularly low structural outlay if they have connecting channel, which can be closed by an insert, between the first compensation chamber and the refueling channel. In the case of the vent valve being produced from plastic by injection molding, the connecting channel can easily be optionally released or closed by an insert which is to be positioned in the injection mold.
The closure element could be connected to the flap, for example, via a lever arrangement. The plug neck may be adapted for different space conditions with particularly low structural outlay, however, if a closure element of the vent valve is prestressed against an eccentric which can be moved by the flap. As a result, with an appropriate configuration of the eccentric, the vent valve may be arranged at virtually any desired angle to the flap.
The vent valve could have connection necks for a plurality of lines routed to the compensation chambers. This would require at least four connections and thus high installation outlay for the vent valve. However, the plug neck according to the invention can be installed particularly easily if the vent valve has a common flange for the connection to flanges of the two compensation chambers and of the filler neck. In addition, this means that only two sealing locations are necessary as a result, so that diffusion of fuel vapors from the plug neck is kept particularly low.
The connecting channel is particularly easily accessible, for adaptation to the respective application case of the plug neck according to the invention, if it is arranged in the outside of the vent valve and can be closed by a covering. The invention means that only two different coverings are necessary for the respective location case.
The plug neck according to the invention is configured particularly cost-effectively if the connecting channel is configured as a depression in the flange. In addition, this further reduces the number of the sealing locations accessible from outside the plug neck. According to another advantageous development of the invention, the plug neck may be configured in order to receive all the connections for the fuel tank if it has a connection for a roll-over valve. This considerably simplifies installation of the fuel tank in the motor vehicle.
The invention permits numerous embodiments. In order further to clarify its basic principle, two of these are explained hereinbelow and are illustrated in the drawing, in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 5215132 (1993-06-01), Kobayashi
patent: 5983963 (1999-11-01), Pozgainer et al.
patent: 3605708 (1986-10-01), None
patent: 3825418 (1990-02-01), None
patent: 4343498 (1994-06-01), None
Reiter Frank
Zapp Thomas
Depke Robert J.
Le Huyen
Mannesmann VDO AG
Mayer Brown & Platt
Walczak David J.
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