DE102009050808A1 - Filling device for fuel tank in motor vehicle, has additional electrically conducting connection provided at outer surface of pipe and penetrating pipe radially without impairing its diffusion blocking capability in relation to fuel - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a plastic-filler pipe i.e. filling molding hose, connecting a filler neck with a fuel tank. The plastic filler pipe is formed partially electrical conductive on an interior of the device and includes an electrically conducting connection to a body above the filler neck of the filler pipe. An additional electrically conducting connection exists at an outer surface of the plastic filler pipe and penetrates the plastic filler pipe radially without impairing its diffusion blocking capability in relation to fuel.

Description

The invention relates to a fuel filler pipe or a filling tube for a motor vehicle, between filler neck and fuel tank, with an electrically conductive coating. The prior art is by way of example on the EP 1 068 948 A2 directed.

Such pipes or hoses are made of plastic. They have at least inside an electrically conductive coating, which is usually connected via the filler neck, with the body made of sheet metal to dissipate an electrostatic charge generated by the fuel in the filler neck of the filler pipe and thereby uncontrolled sparking between components of different electrostatic charge avoid.

The EP 1 068 948 A2 describes inter alia an inside, outside and on the surface of its front side electrically conductive coated fuel filter in which the coating of the front side electrically connects the inside coating with the outside coating, which is not recommended for cost reasons, as also noted.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a conductive connection for the discharge of electrostatic charges from the outer surface of a plastic filler pipe, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, requires the least possible manufacturing effort and the introduction of additional devices between the filler pipe and body avoids.

The object is achieved with the characterizing features of claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a filling device for a, in particular consisting of plastic, fuel tank, a motor vehicle, comprising a plastic filling tube, in particular a Befüllformschlauch which connects a filler neck with the fuel tank, the Kunststoffeinfüllrohr, at least in the interior, at least partially electrically conductive is and an electrically conductive connection to a body consists, in particular via the filler neck of the filler pipe, wherein to an outer surface of the plastic filler pipe, a further electrically conductive connection, characterized in that this penetrates the plastic filler tube substantially radially, without the Diffusion barrier ability to affect fuel.

This has the advantage that the fuel filler pipe is simple and inexpensive to produce. When refueling, the outer surface of the fuel filler tube can not charge electrostatically and there is no conductive clip as an additional component between the inner and outer layer necessary, which mainly causes a simplification of safe installation.

Preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the plastic filling tube has an electrically conductive coating at least on the inside and the further electrically conductive connection, starting from the coating, penetrates the plastic filling tube substantially radially outwards as far as its outer surface. It is even more advantageous if the plastic filler tube has a plurality of radially inwardly directed further electrically conductive connections, in particular distributed over its entire outer surface. Then, when the outer surface of the plastic filler tube is at least partially coated electrically conductive and the electrically conductive compound contacts this coating, the diffusion barrier capability of the plastic filler tube to fuel can be maintained by the fact that the electrically conductive connection in the transverse direction has minimal dimensions.

Such an embodiment advantageously provides a conductive connection that does not require additional conductive devices such as conductive inserts or ground wires attached to the filler tube. If the filler neck is not made of a conductive metal but of plastic, it may also be provided according to the invention for producing a conductive connection to the body with an electrically conductive coating comprising a conductive paint material. This can be applied to the fluorinated inner plastic surface of a plastic filler pipe or filler neck. In this case, the conductive lacquer layer in the filler pipe or filler neck preferably produces a conductive connection to a metal end collar. A conductive coating in the filler neck can also form a direct conductive connection to the body. Lacquer materials which can be used according to the invention comprise electrically conductive constituents, optionally a so-called lacquer matrix, solvents, film formers, further additives customary in lacquer materials, plasticizers, fillers, auxiliaries and / or binders. These are known to the person skilled in the art and / or usually contained in available paint materials. The conductive paint material preferably comprises electrically conductive constituents selected from the group consisting of carbon blacks, conductive carbon blacks, graphite, metal oxides. Pigments selected from the group comprising Cu, Ag, Ni and / or silver-plated copper. Most preferably, the conductive paint material comprises conductive carbon blacks. The conductive paint material preferably further comprises electrically conductive components of insoluble, powdered metal pigments. Furthermore, the conductive paint material may include metal oxides and mixed oxides, iron oxides, chromium oxides, aluminum powder and contain additives or fillers. Suitable additives include, for example, organic and / or organometallic polymeric compounds. Examples of fillers are silicates or carbonates.

Smallest perforations of the wall of the filler pipe can be penetrated by the paint material and thus form the further electrically conductive connection in the radial direction from its outer to its inner surface. Alternatively or additionally, the further electrically conductive connection can also be formed by an electrical conductor embedded in the wall of the filler tube in the radial direction, for example as a copper wire.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1068948 A2 [0001, 0003]

Claims (5)

Filling device for a, in particular consisting of plastic, fuel tank, a motor vehicle, comprising a plastic filling tube, in particular a Befüllformschlauch which connects a filler neck with the fuel tank, the Kunststoffeinfüllrohr, at least in the interior, at least partially electrically conductive and an electrically conductive Connection to a body consists, in particular via the filler neck of the filler pipe, wherein to an outer surface of the plastic filler pipe, there is a further electrically conductive connection, characterized in that it penetrates the plastic filler tube substantially radially, without affecting the diffusion barrier ability to fuel , Filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic filling tube has at least internally an electrically conductive coating and the further electrically conductive compound, starting from the coating, the plastic filler pipe penetrates substantially radially outwardly to its outer surface. Filling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plastic filler pipe has a plurality of radially inwardly directed further electrically conductive connections, in particular distributed over its entire outer surface. Filling device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer surface of the plastic filling tube is at least partially coated electrically conductive and that the electrically conductive compound contacts this coating. Filling device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the diffusion barrier capability of the plastic filler tube with respect to fuel is maintained in that the electrically conductive connection in the transverse direction has minimum dimensions.