DE29502114U1 - Automotive fuel tank with adjustable sensor - Google Patents

Description

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg I !'"'&Ggr; I ,* * "II Page 1

Description

&bgr; Automotive fuel tank with adjustable sensor

s The invention relates to a fuel tank of a motor vehicle with the

9 features of the preamble of claim 1.

11 It is well known that a fuel gauge or fuel pump in a motor vehicle

12 to check the amount of fuel in the fuel tank

13. A signal transmitter protruding into the fuel tank &eegr; receives the measurement signals required for the fuel gauge. The signal transmitter is is attached to the underside of a cap that closes the tank opening.

16 deck ice. Of course, in addition to the signal transmitter for a

&igr;? Fuel gauge also other sensors are conceivable, which are used to measure a physical

is size of the container contents are attached to the lid.

20 To avoid falsifying the fuel gauge, the signal transmitter must be

21 closed tank opening a defined relative position in the fuel tank

22. It is known that on the outer wall of the container

23 A fastening ring is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner on the container neck forming the opening.

24 The fastening ring acts as a thread between the container nozzle and

25 the closure cover or a cap fixing the closure cover

26 nut. So that the signal generator can reliably and reliably maintain its defined relative position

27 which is also visible to the fitter, are attached to the fastening ring

28 nose-like projections or tangential flattenings are provided, which

29 corresponding formations on the container neck and the closure cover

The relative position of the signal generator when the power

31 material tank is therefore already predetermined. The fuel tank, the components

32 of the entire closure mechanism as well as the usually thick-film technology

33 nik manufactured signal generators, however, always show manufacturing-related

34 dimensional tolerances. The spread of these dimensional tolerances can

35 so large that in extreme cases the fuel gauge will not start to

36 fuel tank level differences of up to 10 litres

37. Subsequent adjustment of the signal generator to display the true fuel quantity is not possible due to the predetermined relative position of the signal generator.

February 3, 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg &idigr;&idigr;^#*&iacgr; * &idigr; ! «" * ··; J Page 2

&igr; encoder is either not possible at all or the components of the locking mechanism 2 must be replaced, which is expensive and complicated to assemble.

4 The invention is based on the object of adjusting the sensor of a

5 fuel tank of the type mentioned above.

7 This problem is solved by the combination of features of claim 1.

8 According to the invention, the fastening ring is mounted on the tank nozzle of the power

9 fabric container. At the same time, the fastening ring is connected to the

10 sensor-bearing cover is connected in such a way that

11 a changed screw position of the fastening ring also a changed

12 rotational position of the cover. The screw connection of the fastening

13 fastening ring therefore enables a continuous change in the relative position U of the sensor. The fastening ring is simply turned until the sensor has reached its adjustment position. In this position, the fastening ring is locked using known means. Consequently, the cover, which is connected to the fastening ring in terms of movement, is also above the

The container nozzle is locked. Once the adjustment position of the measuring guide

19 lers cannot be subsequently changed accidentally.

20 is a deliberate subsequent change of the relative position of the sensor mounted

21 days technically easily possible by locking the fastening ring

22 is loosened and then the fastening ring is rotated by a certain circumferential

23 section is twisted. Since such circumferential sections are very small,

24 the screw connection according to the invention between the fastening ring and

25 the container nozzle a permanent closure even during readjustments

26 Safety of the container neck or the container opening.

28 The continuously variable relative position of the sensor enables its

29 adaptation to large dimensional tolerances in the manufacture of the

30 individual components of the fuel tank. This reduces the proportion of rejects!

si and the production costs of the fuel tank and its components are significantly reduced.

34 According to claim 2, the closure cover has an opening collar which

35 the closed container opening projects approximately radially. Preferably, the opening collar is connected to the closure lid in one piece. The radially 37 outward-facing opening collar enables the fastening ring to be constructed in a simple and therefore cost-effective manner and at the same time

February 3, 1993

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg JJ **♦ * &Idigr; I ,' * **&idigr; J Page 3

&igr; tig the required force transmission between the fastening ring and the

2 end covers for their movement-related connection is achieved.

4 According to claims 3 and 4, the opening collar of the closure cover is provided with

5 a ring area of the fastening ring which acts as a supporting end and

6 connected. The support end projects beyond the tank nozzle in axial

7 direction and is therefore immediately adjacent to the opening collar. This

8 enables direct mechanical coupling or movement-related

9 Connection between fastening ring and cover cap, without

10 technically complex means must be used.

12 In an additional function, the support end is a fixation aid during

is Installation of the locking mechanism that closes the container opening.

i4 the opening collar according to claim 4 is simply placed on the support end, the

The cover is already pre-fixed. For the final fixation of the

the closure cover and its required movement connection

&igr;? with the fastening ring, claim 4 further proposes an opening—

18 clamping cap covering the voltage collar. With appropriate

is fastening of the clamping cap, the opening collar is very effective clamping

20. This means that the desired movement connection is technically

21 easily accomplished. Preferably, the opening collar consists of a

22 softer material than the clamp cap and the support end to facilitate the opening—

23 ing collar with little effort and thus

24 to further improve the movement connection.

26 Claim 5 proposes a clamping cap with a U-shaped cross section for clamping

27 xing of the opening collar. The cap collar of the clamping cap surrounds

28 in its assembly end position radially the fastening ring. The cap collar

29 is therefore an assembly aid when placing the clamping cap on the opening collar. In the final assembly position, the clamping cap is secured to the fastening

31 force-locking ring. The force-locking ensures the permanent

32 nente clamp fixation of the opening collar and thus the movement

33 Connection between fastening ring and cover even in case of

34 quick readjustments. Furthermore, the clamping cap also has a mechanical

35 Protective function for the closure mechanism of the fuel tank. It covers these sensitive components of the closure mechanism - e.g. seals and screw joints.

37 winch - in axial direction and with its cap collar in radial direction to

38 outside. This ensures the perfect functioning of the entire

February 3, 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg II "J * JJ .' * ··* &iacgr; Page 4

&igr; locking mechanism over a long service life. The protective function of the &zgr; clamping cap can be further improved by selecting certain materials 3.

s According to claim 6, the clamping cap with its cap collar is placed on the

&bgr; fastening ring is screwed on until it reaches the opening collar of the closure

7 cover is clamped. The clamp cap therefore acts in the known way as

8 a union nut. Such union nuts are available as mass-produced items

9 available at a very reasonable price.

11 By screwing the clamping cap, which acts as a union nut, with

12 the fastening ring, very high torques can be introduced into the clamping cap. The union nut therefore sits self-locking on the fastening ring. Additional measures to lock the union nut and ultimately to clamp the opening collar are unnecessary.

17 Claims 7 and 8 propose measures which limit the movement

18 The tight connection between the fastening ring and the cover cap is further

19. For this purpose, coupling cams are fitted on the underside of the opening collar

20 are provided, which when placing the opening collar on the support end of the

21 fastening ring must necessarily engage in the support end and act as a

22 mer for the closure cap during rotation of the fastening ring

23. This improved fixation of the opening collar to the fastening ring

24 is created without any additional work steps. Several coupling

25 cams improve their driving effect for the closure cover.

26 Preferably, several coupling cams are arranged in the circumferential direction of the fastening

27 supply ring arranged at equal distances.

29 According to claim 8, the clutch cam engages in a complementary

so recess of the support end form-fitting. Between the support end and

31 the opening collar of the closure cover therefore exists in the circumferential direction

32 The fastening ring has practically no play in movement. This supports

33 the effect of the clutch cams as drivers for the cover.

35 The clutch cams also support the easy-to-install

36 assembly of the locking mechanism, since the coupling cams serve as a fixing aid for

37 the correct seating position of the cover relative to the fastening ring

38. Installation errors are therefore avoided.

3. F<sbnJaM995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg &idigr;&idigr;*"*&iacgr;:.····; * Page 5

&sgr; According to claim 9, the fastening ring has one or more radially

3 operating levers. This allows the fastening ring to be very

&lgr; easy to use and operate with little effort. This is particularly

5 This is particularly advantageous if the fastening ring is used for readjustment

β of the sensor only has to be moved by a small circumferential distance or

7 if the entire closure mechanism is already mounted on the container neck

8 is tiled.

10 Claim 10 also supports the user-friendly operation of the

11 mounting ring.

13 Claims 11 to 13 relate to various parts of the fuel

14 container or the closure mechanism arranged seals to ensure the

15 container opening to the outside. Since the container neck, fastening ring, closure cover and, if applicable, the clamping cap are usually

17 As these are rotationally symmetrical components, the seals are

18 preferably designed as ring seals and can then be easily fixed in place.

21 The seal according to claim 11 is, for example, an elastomer

22 cushion, which e.g. by clamping the opening collar automatically

23 is pressed between the container neck and the closure lid.

24 is compressed.

26 Claim 12 proposes an additional sealing level between the supporting end

2? of the fastening ring and the opening collar. This sealing level

28 prevents in particular permeations caused by the evaporation of the fuel

29 material. In many cases, the first sealing layer can be

30 claim 11 a diffusion of the condensate resulting from the fuel vapor

31 sates to the outside cannot be completely prevented. With the help of the additional seal

32 level, possible diffusions are reliably suppressed.

34 According to claim 13, a further sealing plane is provided between the fixing

35 of the fastening ring and the adjacent container wall of the power

36 material containers are provided.

February 3, 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg &Idigr; I **&iacgr; * I t ,* * **{ j Page 6

&igr; Claims 14 and 15 propose to provide between the fixing end of the fastening

2 stigungsring and the container wall adjacent to the fixing end a

3 chamber-like cavity in which a seal can then be placed in the manner of

4 known chamber seal is pressed into place.

6 Claim 16 proposes to design the seals as knife seals.

7 The knife seal presses against its support surface like a knife tip,

8 depending on the arrangement against the fixing or supporting end of the fastening

9 ing ring, against the opening collar or against the container wall.

10 strong compression effect of the contact surface against the knife tip of the

11 Blade seal improves its blocking effect against possible diffusions

12 of the fuel. The blade seal is e.g. a Witon (fluoro rubber) ring

13 manufactured.

is The subject matter of the invention is described in the figures.

16 examples are explained in more detail. They show:

is Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of the fuel tank in the area of the tank neck with the closure mechanism according to the invention,

20 Fig. 2 an enlarged partial view of the fastening ring and the

21 Opening collar according to detail II in Fig. 1.

23 The components of the closure mechanism of the fuel tank shown in Fig. 1

24 of the container 1 are rotationally symmetrical with respect to their central longitudinal axis 2.

25. The tank nozzle 3 of the fuel tank 1 is therefore also rotatable.

26 onsymmetrical structure. The container nozzle 3 is with its container opening

27 opening 4 in the axial direction 5 running parallel to the central longitudinal axis 2.

28. The radial direction 6 runs perpendicular to the axial direction 5.

30 In Fig. 1, the components are already in their final assembly position.

31 Cover 7 closes the container opening 4. A component of the

32 end cover 7 is a cover plate 8 lying in a radial plane.

33 whose underside is a sensor protruding into the fuel tank 1

34 - e.g. signal generator for a fuel gauge - is attached. The sensor 9 is angled

35 is bent opposite the cover plate 8.

3? On the edge of the cover plate 8 arranged in the radial direction 6, a

The cover collar 10 running in the axial direction 5 is integrally formed.

&bull; *

&bull; · &diams; ·

February 3, 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg l ! "&iacgr; * &iacgr;&iacgr; ,* * **; ; Page 7

&igr; Lid collar 10 is integrally connected to an opening collar 11. The opening&mdash;

&zgr; voltage collar 11 is bent at a right angle to the cover collar 10

3 and directed radially outwards. The radial edge area of the opening force

4 gens 11 is supported on a fastening ring 12 - namely on its axial

5 learn supporting end 13 - off. The supporting end 13 projects beyond the container nozzle 3 in

6 Axial direction 5.

a The fastening ring 12 is screwed onto the container nozzle 3.

9, the container nozzle 3 has an external nozzle thread 14 and the fastening

10 ing ring a complementary ring inner thread to the nozzle outer thread 14

11 wind 15. A clamping cap 16 with a U-shaped cross section is in turn

12 the fastening ring 12 is screwed on. For screwing, a

is axial direction 5 running and acting as U-leg cap collar 17

&eegr; of the clamping cap 16 has an internal cap thread 18 and engages in a

is the external ring thread 19 of the fastening ring 12. The clamping cap 16 is

ie acts as a union nut and covers with its radial direction 6

17 U-yoke pushes the opening collar 11 axially outwards. The clamping

18 cap 16 sits self-locking on the fastening ring 12. The opening&mdash;

μgr; nungskragen 11 is therefore between the support end 13 of the fastening ring

20 ges 12 and the U-yoke of the clamping cap 16 and thereby clamping

21. This clamp fixation causes the transmission of a rotary movement of the

22 fastening ring 12 onto the opening collar 11 of the cover 7 and

23 and consequently also on the sensor 9. The rotational movements of the fastening ring

24 ges 12 thus enable a continuous change of the relay

25 tive position of the sensor 9 for its adjustment.

27 To operate the fastening ring 12, a screw is provided on its fixing end 20

28 Fig. 1 is fixed to the actuating lever 21, which is only schematically indicated, e.g. formed integrally thereon. The fixing end 20 is connected to the support end 13 in the axial direction.

30 tion 5 is arranged opposite and extends approximately radially outwards.

31 ßen. The fixing end 20 is cranked in such a way that it with its radially outer

32 Contact area 22 rests flat against the tank wall 23 of the fuel tank

33 and with its radially inner region a chamber-like cavity 24

34, in which a chamber seal 25 is located. The chamber seal 25

35 runs in the circumferential direction of the fastening ring 12 and is therefore effective as a ring seal. Also designed as a ring seal are a seal 26 which acts as an egg-37 stomer cushion and a

3.Feb(\iar1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg II "t * t I &diams;* * **; J Page 8

&igr; Knife seal 27 (Fig. 2). The seals 25,26,27 seal the container opening 4 to the outside.

4 The L-shaped seal 26 is located between the container nozzle 3,

5 the cover collar 10, the support end 13 and the clamp-fixed opening

6 collar 11. Fuel particles diffusing through the seal 26 are guided through the knife seal 27 and the chamber seal 25 to

&bgr; Permeations to the outside are prevented. The knife seal 27 is in cross section

9 wedge-shaped and runs with its wedge or knife tip in axial direction 5 to the

10 Support end 13. In the clamped state of the opening collar 11, the

11 Support end 13 as a contact surface for the wedge tip of the knife seal 27. The

12 The wedge tip is compressed thereby, enabling a particularly effective

is sealing effect of the knife seal 27 in the between opening collar 11

&eegr; and fastening ring 12. The chamber seal 25 prevents

is permeations by passing between the fixing end 20 and the container

16 wall 23 is pressed.

18 The assembly of the locking mechanism according to the invention can also be carried out by laypersons

ig can be carried out without any problems, since the individual components only have to be aligned in the axial direction 5

placed on top of each other or connected to each other with respect to the central longitudinal axis 2.

21 must be screwed. The screw connections of the fastening ring 12

22 and the clamping cap 16 simultaneously cause the pressing for their good

23 sealing effect, so that further work steps for a functional fi-

24 Fixing of the seals 25,26,27 is not necessary.

26 When assembling the locking mechanism, the chamber seal is first

27 is placed on the container wall 23. Then the fastening ring is placed on the

28 Screwed onto the container nozzle 3 and the seal 26 on the container nozzle 3 fi-

29. Then the closure cover 7 with its opening collar 11 is placed on

30, the axial end 13 and the seal 26 are placed. So that the opening force

31 gen 11 is connected to the fastening ring 12 in terms of movement, the

32 Clamping cap 16 is screwed onto the fastening ring 12. This ensures that the

33 Opening collar 11 is clamped in the manner described above. In

34 clamped state of the opening collar 11, the entire closure

3 ₅ cover 7 is immobile relative to the fastening ring 12. A rotary movement

36 The fastening ring 12 is therefore also transferred to the sensor 9.

37. Using the operating lever 21, the fastening ring is held in place

38 is rotated relative to the longitudinal axis until the sensor 9 is in its ju-

S. February 1Ö95

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg I &Idigr;"I * &iacgr; t *' * **i I Page 9

&igr; set relative position. Once this relative position is reached, the fastening

2 The clamping ring is locked with technical means not shown here in order to

3 to prevent accidental changes in the position of the adjusted sensor 9.

3.February1895

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg *··* .·* *··**!.. ..*,,.* Page 1

Reference symbols Fuel tank 1 Central longitudinal axis 2 Container nozzle 3 Container opening 4 Axial direction 5 Radial direction 6 Cover cap 7 Cover plate 8th Sensor 9 Lid collar 10 Opening collar 11 Mounting ring 12 Supportive 13 Male thread 14 Ring internal thread 15 Clamp cap 16 Cap collar 17 Cap internal thread 18 Ring external thread 19 Fixing 20 Operating lever 21 Investment area 22 Container wall 23 cavity 24 Chamber seal 25 poetry 26 Knife seal 27

3, February 1S95 ··** ** *** ** "■

Claims (1)

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg : &Ggr;*..J.: : .·.·..:*·· Page 1 &igr; 94577-8/13 3 3 February 1995 6 Claims 9 1. Fuel tank (1) of a motor vehicle 10 - with a container nozzle (3) as container opening (4), 11 - with a container opening (4) closing and facing outwards 12 sealing cover (7), is - with a screw attached to the cover (7) and inserted into the container (1) H protruding and adjustable measuring sensor (9), e.g. signal generator for a fuel gauge is and ie - with a fastening ring (12) radially surrounding the container neck (3) for locking the closure cover (7) relative to the container neck (3),
ig characterized by 20 - that the fastening ring (12) can be screwed onto the container neck (3) 21 and 22 - that the fastening ring (12) and the cover (7) are free from movement 23 are moderately connected to each other in such a way, 24 - that the relative position of the sensor (9) in the container (1) is determined by a rotary 25 movement of the fastening ring (12) is continuously variable for ju- 26 Position of the sensor (9). 28 2. Fuel tank according to claim 1, 2β characterized in that so that - on the cover (7) an annular, the container opening (4) radially si protruding opening collar (11) is formed and 32 - that the fastening ring (12) with the opening collar (11) is 33 is moderately connected. 35 3. Fuel tank according to claim 2, se characterized by 37 that a support projecting beyond the container neck (3) in the axial direction (5) February 3, 1995 (n:\an\94577) Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg I &iacgr;*..&idigr;,&idigr; I .'.',,I***. Page 2 &igr; end (13) of the fastening ring (12) with the opening collar (11) 2 is connected in terms of movement. 4 4. Fuel tank according to claim 3, 5 characterized in that the opening collar (11) 7 - rests on the support end (13) supported in the axial direction (5) and β - between the support end (13) and an opening collar (11) in axial 9 direction (5) covering the clamping cap (16). 11 5. Fuel tank according to claim 4, 12 characterized by is a clamping cap (16) with a U-shaped cross-section, the axial direction (5) of which 14 running U-legs acting as a cap collar (17) for fastening 15 radially surrounded by the clamping ring (12) and are connected to it in a force-locking manner is such that the U-yoke of the clamping cap (16) and the support end (13) η of the fastening ring (12) clamps the opening collar (11) between them. 18 fix. 20 6. Fuel tank according to claim 5, 21 characterized by 22 that the fastening ring (12) has an external ring thread (19) and 23 a complementary cap internal thread (18) of the cap clamp 24 gens (17) can be screwed to form a force-locking connection. 26 7. Fuel tank according to one of claims 4-6, 27 characterized by it - that the clamp-fixed opening collar (11) is provided with at least one 29 Underside of the coupling cam in axial direction (5) into the support 30 zende (13) engages and si - that the clutch cam acts as a driver for the cover (7) 32 sam is by transmitting the rotational movement of the fastening ring 33 ges (12) onto the opening collar (11) of the closure cover (7). 35 8. Fuel tank according to claim 7, se characterized by 37 that the coupling cam engages positively in the support end (13). 3 February 1895 (ntan\84577) Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ' ! *..&idigr; , &idigr; I .*.*..&iacgr;*", page 3 &igr; 9. Fuel tank according to one or more of the preceding 2 spoke, 3 characterized by 4 at least one fixed to the fastening ring (12) and radially projecting 5 operating lever (21) for operating or screwing the &bgr; fastening ring (12). 8 10. Fuel tank according to claim 9, &bgr; characterized by 10 that the operating lever (12) is attached to the support end (13) in the axial direction 11 tion (5) opposite fixing end (20) of the fastening ring (12) fi- 12 is fixed. 14 11. Fuel tank according to one or more of the preceding claims, ie characterized by &igr;? at least one between the container opening (4) closing is sealing cover (7) and the container neck (3) pressed in 19 device (26), in particular ring seal. 21 12. Fuel tank according to one or more of the preceding claims 22 marriage, 23 characterized by 24 at least one between the opening collar (11) and the support 25 end (13) presses inset seal, in particular ring seal. 27 13. Fuel tank according to one or more of the preceding claims 28 marriage, 29 characterized by so at least one between the fixing end (20) of the locked fastening 3) ring (12) and the tank wall (23) of the fuel tank (1) 32 inserted seal, especially ring seal. 34 14. Fuel tank according to claim 13, 35 characterized by se that the fixing end (20) and the container wall (23) together form a chamber 37 mer-like cavity (24) in which the seal is arranged in the manner of a The chamber seal (25) is pressed into place. February 3, 1995 (nAarA94577) Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg : &idigr;'..; , J : .·.*..;·*·, Page 4 2 15. Fuel tank according to claim 14, 3 characterized by 4 that the fixing end (20) is bent radially outwards and with its 5 radiai outer contact area (22) lies flat against the container wall (23) 6 to form the chamber-like cavity (24), s 16. Fuel tank according to one or more of claims 11 to 15, a characterized by &iacgr;&ogr; that the seal is designed in the manner of a knife seal (27). February 3, 1995 {n:\an\94577)