DE102017219263A1 - Fuel line, fitting and fuel supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

There is proposed a fuel line for use in a fuel-carrying vehicle, wherein the fuel line 14 is formed as a one-piece multi-chamber line with at least two mutually separate fuel-carrying lines 8, 10, each forming a chamber 14, 14. In this case, a first chamber 14 leads a fuel in a first flow direction, whereas a second chamber 14 leads the fuel in the first or in a second flow direction opposite to the first flow direction. Furthermore, a correspondingly adapted connecting piece 16 for joining with such a multi-chamber line is proposed a fuel supply system for a vehicle is proposed, wherein the fuel supply system has at least one fuel line and at least one connector of the type described above.

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel line and a fitting for joining with such a fuel line for use in a fuel-carrying vehicle and a fuel supply system with at least one such fuel line and at least one such fitting. Under a vehicle is basically any kind of vehicle to understand, which must be supplied for operation with a liquid and / or gaseous fuel, but in particular passenger cars and / or commercial vehicles.

In the automotive field, a fuel is guided both inside and outside of a fuel tank in fuel lines, which lead the fuel only in a flow direction, such as to an internal combustion engine or to a arranged inside the fuel tank surge chamber. For the fuel pipes installed in a vehicle, two separate connections are generally required in each case. That is, it requires each of a separate connection to both ends of such a fuel line. Overall, therefore, it requires at least essentially a double the number of connections compared to the number of fuel lines.

It is an object of the invention to minimize the number of such fuel lines and ports connected to the fuel lines in a fuel supply system.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the cost of such a fuel supply system.

This object is described by the below-proposed type of fuel line and a fitting for joining with the fuel line.

A fuel line for use in a fuel-bearing vehicle is proposed. The fuel line is formed as a one-piece multi-chamber line with at least two mutually separate fuel-carrying lines, which each form a chamber, wherein a first chamber leads a fuel in a first flow direction, whereas a second chamber the fuel in the first or in a second, the first Flow direction opposite flow direction leads.

A "fuel line" is to be understood as meaning a flexible or rigid tube or hose which is flexible in nature, for example in the form of a plastic or rubber hose. For the flexibility of the fuel line, in addition to a suitable choice of material, e.g. also contribute to an at least partially forming a waveform, so that the fuel line either sections or at least substantially completely as a so-called corrugated pipe or a so-called corrugated hose can be formed.

By "mutually separate fuel-carrying lines" is to be understood that the individual lines formed by the respectively associated chambers are continuously separated from each other over their longitudinal extent.

By using fuel lines of the proposed type, the number of fuel pipes installed in a vehicle can be reduced to a minimum. This is accompanied by a reduction of corresponding connections for the fuel lines, because at both ends of such a fuel line, the individual fuel-carrying lines have a common connection piece. In this respect, the proposed fuel line also contributes to the reduction of a variety of parts.

This in turn goes hand in hand with a reduction in the cost of a fuel supply system, including storage costs are to be expected, and also with a reduction of assembly costs.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the fuel line has at least three mutually separate fuel-carrying lines, which each form a chamber. In principle, however, the number of these lines is freely selectable as needed.

In order to avoid faulty connections, it is proposed to subdivide the cross section of the fuel line asymmetrically into the individual chamber cross sections, in order to map the so-called poka yoke principle. The Japanese phrase poka yoke (avoiding unfortunate errors) refers to a multi-element principle that includes technical provisions for immediate fault detection and prevention.

The cross section of the fuel line can be designed as desired, e.g. circular, semicircular, oval-shaped, semi-oval, triangular, square, rectangular or crescent-shaped. Likewise, the cross-sections of the individual chambers may be arbitrary, e.g. circular, semicircular, oval-shaped, semi-oval, triangular, square, rectangular or crescent-shaped. The walls between the individual chambers can have the same and / or unequal thicknesses.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the fuel line can be made by extrusion of a plastic to form the individual chambers. In addition, the fuel line can be made antistatic, wherein the fuel line has at least one electrically conductive strip for dissipating a static charge to a ground potential. In this case, for example, each chamber may be associated with at least one such strip.

The electrically conductive strip extends e.g. over the entire length of the fuel line. In this case, the electrically conductive strip can be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the fuel line, especially as this also contributes to minimizing the required electrically conductive material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the electrically conductive strip may be formed as an integral part of a coextruded plastic line, wherein the strip is formed of an electrically conductive plastic. Such a design reduces the diversity of components required for the derivation. In addition, the amount of electrically conductive material required can be reduced to a minimum compared to the total material required to produce the fuel line. Furthermore, the electrically conductive material concentrates along this strip. For such an application suitable electrically conductive plastics are known in the art, such as the thermoplastic POM HOSTAFORM EC140XF or Tenac-C EF450. These will therefore not be discussed in more detail below.

Additionally or alternatively, an electrically conductive strip may be printed on the fuel line. For such an application suitable, printable electrically conductive materials are known in the art. These materials will therefore not be discussed in more detail below.

Additionally or alternatively, an electrically conductive strip, approximately in the form of a metallic strip, may be adhered to the fuel line. Suitable adhesive materials for such an application, for example in the form of a metallic adhesive strip, are known to the person skilled in the art. These materials will therefore not be discussed in detail below.

It is also proposed a connector for joining with a fuel line or multi-chamber line of the type described above. The connector can be joined with a single fuel line or more fuel lines of the type described above.

The connection piece comprises at least a first fuel-carrying connection piece pipe section and a second fuel-carrying connection piece pipe section, wherein both connection piece pipe sections are spaced apart from one another and formed on a common connection piece base section.

In the connection piece base portion at least two mutually separate, fuel-carrying lines are formed, in which the respective, associated connecting pipe sections open, wherein the first connector pipe section in conjunction with the associated first line a fuel in a first flow direction, whereas the second connector pipe section in conjunction with the associated second line leads the fuel in the first or in a second, opposite to the first flow direction of flow.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the fitting includes at least first, second, and third fuel-carrying fitting pipe sections, wherein the individual fitting pipe sections are spaced apart and open into an associated fuel-carrying conduit of the fitting base section.

Analogous to the above-described fuel line, the cross sections of the individual connecting piece pipe sections can be designed to be asymmetrical to one another in order to form the aforementioned Poka Yoke principle. The cross sections may be circular, semi-circular, oval-shaped, semi-oval, triangular, square, rectangular or crescent-shaped. In principle, the lines in the interior of the connector base portion can also have any cross-sectional shape.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the fitting is integrally formed on a flange of a fuel delivery unit which closes an opening of a fuel tank.

Furthermore, a fuel supply system of a vehicle is proposed, wherein the fuel supply system has at least one fuel line and at least one connecting piece of the type described above.

• 1 einen als Ansaugeinheit ausgebildeten Füllstandsgeber nach dem Stand der Technik zur Verwendung in einem Kraftstofftank,
• 2 die in 1 gezeigte-Ansaugeinheit mit einer vorgeschlagenen Kraftstoffleitung und
• 3 ein vorgeschlagenes Anschlussstück zur Fügung mit einer vorgeschlagenen Kraftstoffleitung in einer perspektivischen Ansicht und in einer Seitenansicht.

In the following, the invention will be explained in detail with reference to figure representations. From the subclaims and the following description of preferred embodiments, further advantageous developments of the invention result. Show:

• 1 a state-of-the-art filling level transmitter designed as a suction unit for use in a fuel tank,
• 2 in the 1 shown suction unit with a proposed fuel line and
• 3 a proposed connector for joining with a proposed fuel line in a perspective view and in a side view.

1 illustrates a portion of a prior art suction unit 2 , also called Vorratsgeber, for tank level measurement of particular commercial and special vehicles. The suction unit 2 includes a mounting and connecting portion 4 , on the one hand via a - not shown bayonet flange - can be fastened to a fuel tank and on the other hand, a total of four connections 4a . 4b . 4c . 4d provides for fuel-carrying lines.

The suction unit 2 In addition to the bayonet flange closes an opening of the fuel tank, from which the suction unit 2 immersed in the fuel tank. The three illustrated, separate fuel lines extend 8th . 10 . 12 each one associated port of a terminal section 6 to a ground-level area of the fuel tank. The first fuel line 8th stands with a first connection 4a an engine run in fluid communication connection, whereas the second fuel line 10 with a second connection 4b an engine return is in fluid communication connection. The third fuel line 12 however, there is a third connection 4c a flow of additional heating in fluid communication connection. About a fourth connection 4d a return of the additional heater is ensured, with no separate fuel line is provided for the return of the additional heating in the fuel tank, extending from the connection 4d extends into the fuel tank.

The proposed suction unit 2 to 2 differs from the representation in 1 through the fuel line 14 , which as a one-piece multi-chamber line with three separate fuel-carrying lines 8th . 10 . 12 is formed, wherein the individual lines 8th . 10 . 12 one chamber each 14 _I . 14 _II . 14 _III form. The first chamber 14 _I forms the previously too 1 mentioned first fuel line 8th whereas the second chamber 14 _II the aforementioned second fuel line 10 and the third chamber 14 _III the aforementioned third fuel line 12 forms.

3 illustrates a connector 16 to the addition of a one-piece two-chamber line 14 , The connection piece 16 is on a flange 22 a fuel delivery unit formed eg by injection molding. The flange 22 closes in its position of use an opening of a fuel tank through which the fuel delivery unit is inserted into the fuel tank. The connection piece 16 comprises a first fuel-carrying connecting piece pipe section 18 _I and a second fuel-carrying fitting pipe section 18 _II , wherein both fitting pipe sections 18 _I . 18 _II For example, spaced over its entire longitudinal extent and at a common connector base portion 20 . 20 _I 20 _II are formed. At the terminal base portion 20 . 20 _I 20 _II opposite end are the two fitting pipe sections 18 _I . 18 _II each provided with a Christmas tree profile. In the connector base section 20 who are two in each other X - X Longitudinally offset sections 20 _I . 20 _II forms are two separate, fuel-carrying lines 24 _I . 24 _II formed, in which the respective, associated connector pipe sections 18 _I . 18 _II lead. On the connector 16 opposite side of the flange 22 are two line sections 26 . 28 each with a Christmas tree profile 30 For example, by injection molding technology, in which the respective, associated lines 24 _I . 24 _II lead.

The first connector pipe section 18 _I in conjunction with the associated first line 24 _I and the line section 28 may guide a fuel in a first flow direction, whereas the second fitting pipe section 18 _II in conjunction with the associated second line 24 _II and the line section 26 the fuel in the first or in a second, opposite to the first flow direction flow direction leads. While eg the fitting pipe section 18 _I , The administration 24 _I and the line section 28 can be in fluid flow connection with a motor flow, the connecting piece pipe section 18 _II , The administration 24 _II and the line section 28 with a motor return in fluid flow connection stand.

The cross sections of the two fitting pipe sections 18 _I . 18 _II are advantageously asymmetrical to each other, so that a wrong addition to the two-chamber line 14 which the two chambers 14 _I . 14 _II forms, according to the aforementioned "Poka Yoke" - principle omitted. The two chambers 14 _I . 14 _II are in terms of their cross-section corresponding to the shape of the respective associated connection pipe sections 18 _I 18 _II educated.

The two-chamber line 14 is also advantageously carried out antistatic. For example, this is each of the two chambers 14 _I . 14 _II an electrically conductive strip 17 associated with deriving a static charge to a ground potential, the two strips 17 eg over the entire length of the two-chamber line 14 extend and thereby in the longitudinal direction of the two-chamber line 14 are aligned. The Stripes 17 are, for example, formed as an integral part of a coextruded plastic line.

In a further embodiment, additionally or alternatively, at least one electrically conductive strip may be printed onto the fuel line and / or adhesively bonded. Suitable, printable or stickable, electrically conductive materials for such an application are known in the art. These will therefore not be discussed in more detail below.

The two-chamber line 14 can also at least at its the connecting piece 16 facing the end 14 ^I be designed to be flexible, by approximately wavy formed sections and / or their choice of materials is taken accordingly.

Although exemplary embodiments have been explained in the foregoing description, it should be understood that a variety of modifications are possible. It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples that are not intended to limit the scope, applications and construction in any way. Rather, the expert is given by the preceding description, a guide for the implementation of at least one exemplary embodiment, with various changes, in particular with regard to the function and arrangement of the components described, can be made without departing from the scope, as it turns out according to the claims and these equivalent combinations of features.

Claims (17)

Fuel line for use in a fuel-carrying vehicle, wherein the fuel line (14) is formed as a one-piece multi-chamber line with at least two mutually separate fuel-carrying lines (8, 10) which each form a chamber (14 _I , 14 _II ), wherein a first chamber ( 14 _I ) leads a fuel in a first flow direction, whereas a second chamber (14 _II ) leads the fuel in the first or in a second, opposite to the first flow direction flow direction. Fuel line after Claim 1 in that the fuel line (14) has at least three mutually separate fuel-carrying lines (8, 10, 12) which each form a chamber (14 _I , 14 _II , 14 _III ). Fuel line after Claim 1 or 2 , Wherein the cross section of the fuel line (14) is divided asymmetrically into the individual chamber cross sections (14 _I , 14 _II , 14 _III ). Fuel line according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , wherein the cross section of the fuel line (14) is circular, semicircular, oval-shaped, semi-oval, triangular, square, rectangular and / or crescent-shaped. Fuel line according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross sections of the individual chambers (14 _I , 14 _II , 14 _III ) are circular, semicircular, oval-shaped, semi-oval, triangular, square, rectangular and / or crescent-shaped. Fuel line according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel line (14) by extrusion of a plastic to form the individual chambers (14 _I , 14 _II , 14 _III ) is made. Fuel line according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel line (14) is designed antistatic, wherein the fuel line (14) has at least one electrically conductive strip (17) for dissipating a static charge to a ground potential. Fuel line after Claim 7 , wherein each chamber (14 _I , 14 _II ) is associated with at least one such strip (17). Fuel line after Claim 7 or 8th , wherein the electrically conductive strip (17) extends over the entire length of the fuel line (14). Fuel line after Claim 9 , wherein the electrically conductive strip (17) in the longitudinal direction of the fuel line (14) is aligned. Fuel line according to one of Claims 7 to 10 wherein the electrically conductive strip (17) is formed as an integral part of a coextruded plastic line (14), wherein the strip (17) is formed of an electrically conductive plastic. Fuel line according to one of Claims 7 to 11 wherein the electrically conductive strip (17) is printed on the fuel line (14). Fuel line according to one of Claims 7 to 12 , wherein the electrically conductive strip (17) is glued to the fuel line (14). Fuel line according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel line (14) is flexible or rigid. Fuel line according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel line (14) is formed at least partially wavy. Arrangement of a fuel line according to one of the preceding claims and a connection piece (16) for connection to the fuel line, the arrangement being intended for use in a fuel supply system of a vehicle. Fuel supply system of a vehicle, wherein the fuel supply system at least one fuel line (14) according to one of Claims 1 to 15 or an arrangement according to Claim 16 having.

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