GB2422144A

GB2422144A - A diesel fuel filler neck

Info

Publication number: GB2422144A
Application number: GB0500710A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher John Bibby
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2005-01-14
Filing date: 2005-01-14
Publication date: 2006-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2025-01-14
Also published as: DE102006001141B4; DE102006001141A1; GB2422144B; GB0500710D0

Abstract

A Diesel filler neck for a motor vehicle fuel tank comprises a longitudinal pipe 12 which has an inlet opening 13 to receive a Diesel fuel nozzle 15. The inner surface of the pipe 12 is provided with a pair of endstops 16 to restrict the insertion length of the Diesel fuel nozzle 15. The Diesel filler neck has a flap 18 rotatable between an open position towards which it is returned by a spring 25 and in which it does not obstruct the pipe and a closed position in which it obstructs flow through the pipe 12. The Diesel filler neck also comprises, downstream of the endstops 16, a pair of opposed pegs 29 which extend inside the pipe 12 from a sliding member 19 mounted on the outer surface of the pipe and arranged to drive the flap 18 towards its closed position when an unleaded fuel nozzle, able to pass over the endstops 16, is inserted into the fuel filler neck.

Description

A Diesel fuel filler neck The present invention relates to a fuel filler

tube and in particular to a filler tube for fuel tank of a diesel engine motor vehicle to minimize the risk of filling the fuel tank with incorrect fuel.

It is well known that the re-fuelling nozzles provided at a filling or Petrol station are of differing diameters and that the diameter of the nozzles used for unleaded fuel (Petrol or gasoline) is smaller than the diameter of the nozzles used to dispense Diesel fuel or Leaded or Lead replacement fuel (Petrol).

It is further known that each filler tube comprises a reducer or filler neck to the diameter of the correct nozzle. Thus such a filler neck prevents a Diesel nozzle being inserted into a filler neck for unleaded fuel tank but does not prevent an unleaded fuel nozzle with a smaller diameter being inserted into a filler neck for a Diesel fuel tank.

To overcome this issue it is known, for example from DE 100 51 212 or EP 1262355, to provide a flap which shuts off the Diesel filler neck and is held closed by a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism is only releasable by inserting a Diesel refuelling nozzle. Thus the unleaded fuel nozzle is unable to release the flap which remains in a closed position where fuel cannot enter the fuel tank. Such devices need a complex shape for the latching mechanism to ensure that only a Diesel refuelling nozzle can release this latter.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple and cost effective device to minimize the accidental filling of a Diesel fuel tank with unleaded fuel.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a Diesel filler neck for a motor vehicle fuel tank comprising a longitudinal pipe which has an inlet to receive a Diesel fuel nozzle and endstops located inside the pipe to restrict the insertion length of the Diesel fuel nozzle, and wherein the Diesel filler neck further comprises a closure member moveable between an open position in which it does not obstruct the pipe and a closed position in which it obstructs flow through the pipe, return means for returning the closure member to the open position and a drive arrangement for driving the closure member towards its closed position when an unleaded fuel nozzle of diameter smaller than the diameter of a Diesel fuel nozzle, able to pass over the endstops, is inserted into the Diesel fuel filler neck.

Preferably the drive arrangement includes at least one projecting member extending inside the pipe and arranged in a such a way that in use it can only be moved by an unleaded fuel nozzle, and a drive means for connecting the or each projecting member to the closure member.

Also preferably, the or each projecting member is axially displaceable relative to the pipe.

The drive means may comprise at least one linkage. The or each linkage may comprise a bracket and a track device. The bracket may be connected at one end to the closure member and the track device may be arranged such that the or each projecting member drives the closure member towards its closed position when the projecting member is pushed by an unleaded fuel nozzle.

In a preferred embodiment the closure member is a flap which is rotatable about a pivot transverse to the pipe and preferably the return means is a spring.

Also preferably the bracket is pivoted at its other end about the pivot and the track device includes a longitudinal aperture formed in the pipe and a crescent-shaped slot formed in the bracket, the slot and the aperture being engaged by the projecting member.

The drive arrangement may further comprise a sliding member mounted over the pipe and the projecting member may comprise a pair of opposed pegs which extend perpendicularly from the sliding member. Preferably the distance between the ends of the pegs is less than the diameter of an unleaded fuel nozzle.

Conveniently the sliding member is substantially U-shaped and has a pair of extending arms each carrying a respective one of the pegs.

The drive arrangement may further include a latching means for latching the closure member in its closed position. The latching means may include a clip engageable with a clip housing on the pipe. Preferably the clip extends from the sliding member and the clip includes at least one spring element having a retaining lip engageable with the clip housing. Also preferably the clip housing has at least one opening which extends through the pipe so as to permit the spring element from being released through the opening by means of a tool.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fuel tank having a filler neck according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle having a fuel tank according to the second aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a tool for a Diesel filler neck according to the first aspect of the invention which has a latching means including a clip engageable with a clip housing on the pipe, the clip including at least one spring element having a retaining lip engageable with the clip housing, the clip housing having at least one opening which extends through the pipe, when installed in a motor vehicle, the tool comprising a bar which is provided at one end with at least one lug which in use is engaged with the opening of the clip housing to disengage the retaining lip of the clip.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: - Fig.1 is a perspective view of a filler neck which includes a closure member according to the present invention; Fig.2 is a cross-section of a Diesel refuelling nozzle inserted into the filler neck of Fig.1; Fig.3 is a cross-section of an unleaded refuelling nozzle inserted into the filler neck of Fig.1; Fig.4 is a perspective view of the filler neck shown in Fig.3 in which the closure member is in locking position; Fig.5 is a view in the direction of arrow A' on Fig.1; Fig.6 is a view in the direction of arrow B' on Fig.2; Fig.7 is a view in the direction of arrow C' on Fig. 3;and Fig.8 is a perspective view of a tool permitting the closure member of the filler neck to be unlocked.

With reference to the drawings, there is shown a Diesel filler neck 10 which is connected to a fuel filler pipe (not shown) to direct fuel from a Diesel fuel filler nozzle (see Fig.2) into a fuel tank (not shown).

The Diesel filler neck 10 includes a funnel member 11 and a pipe 12 provided with an inlet 13 and an outlet 14. The pipe 12 is of a substantially oval shape but with one flat wall 12a in a cross-section to ensures an easy insertion of the nozzle. The inlet 13 is formed in such a way that a Diesel refuelling nozzle will be accepted within the pipe 12. The funnel member 11 has a rim portion 11 a and a conical portion 11 b to help the insertion of the diesel nozzle 15 into the inlet orifice 13 (Fig.2).

A pair of endstops 16 are located inside the pipe 12 to restrict the distance that a Diesel nozzle 15 is inserted into the pipe 12 in order to ensure that good filling performance is achieved. As can best be seen in Fig.5, the distance D' between the endstops 16 is greater than the diameter of an unleaded fuel filler nozzle 17 (Fig. 3) but is less than the diameter of a diesel fuel filler nozzle 15.

The Diesel filler neck 10 further comprises a closure member in the form of a flap 18 moveable between an open position, as shown in Fig. 1, in which fuel can flow freely through the fuel filler neck into the fuel tank and a closed position, as shown in Fig 3, in which it obstructs the outlet 14 of the filler neck 10 thus disrupting the entry of fuel into the fuel tank through the fuel filler neck. A sliding member 19 is mounted on the outer surface of the pipe 12 for driving the flap 18 towards its closed position when an unleaded fuel nozzle is inserted into the diesel fuel filler neck.

As can best be seen in Figs. 1 and 4, the sliding member 19 is substantially U-shaped and is formed by two inverted L-shaped components 1 9a, 1 9b. One of these components 1 9b has an extended transverse tongue 20 which clips into a recess 20b formed on the other component 1 9a, thereby forming a fastening means to ensure an easy assembly of the sliding member 19. The sliding member 19 is guided on the outer surface of the pipe 2 by a peg 21 integral with the component 19a and which extends into a longitudinal groove 22 formed on the outer surface of the pipe 12. Each component 19a, 19b also has an extending arm 23 which links to the flap 18 as will be described below.

The flap 18 is pivotally mounted to a downstream part of the pipe 12 by a pivot pin 24 and is biased toward a normally open position by a tension spring 25 (Fig. 2) connected to an external lug 26 on the funnel 11 and to the flap 18. The flap 18 has extending sidewalls or brackets 1 8a. Each sidewall 1 8a has a hole 27 to receive the protruding end of the pivot pin 24. Each sidewall 18a has a crescent-shaped slot 28 (Figs.1 and 4) in which is engaged a respective projecting member in the form of a peg 29 extending perpendicularly from the corresponding extending arm 23 of the sliding member 19. Each peg 29 extends through the pipe 12 by means of a longitudinal aperture 30. The distance d' between the adjacent ends of the pegs 29 is less than the diameter of an unleaded fuel filler nozzle 17.

Thus these pegs 29 with the aperture 30 and the slot 28 act as guide or track device for the flap 18 which rotates when the pegs 29 are displaced inside the longitudinal apertures 30 by an unleaded fuel nozzle 17 as it will be further described.

It will be noted that the brackets 1 8a and the track device (aperture 30 and the slot 28) form a linkage or drive means between the sliding member 19 and the flap 18 in order to drive the flap 18 accordingly the position of the sliding member. Likewise, the drive means, the projecting member 29 and the sliding member 19 described above form together a drive arrangement which is provided for driving the flap 18 towards its closed position if an unleaded fuel nozzle is inserted into the Diesel fuel filler neck.

It will be appreciated that the upstream ends of the longitudinal apertures 30 are located in a such way that the diesel fuel nozzle 15 cannot abut the pegs 29 and thus move the flap 18, i.e. they are downstream of the endstops 16.

The sliding member 19 further includes a latching means to retain the flap 18 in the closed position. The latching means is formed by a clip 31 which is secured to the sliding member 19 (i.e. moulded integrally with the component 19a) and is engageable with a clip housing 32 which is moulded with the pipe to hold the flap 18 in the closed position, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The clip 31 includes a pair of spring cantilever elements 33, 34 and a central arm 35 extending from the sliding member 19 and forming a generally W" shape in a top view (Fig.6). A retaining lip 36 is provided adjacent a free, unattached end of each of the spring elements 33, 34 to facilitate retention of the clip 31 with the clip housing 32.

The clip housing 32 is formed by a pair of opposed upright walls 37, 38, extending from the flat wall 1 2a of the pipe 12, each of which has a turned over end portion 37a, 38a which is engageable with the lip 36 of the spring elements 33, 34 to hold the flap 18 in the closed position. The upright walls 37, 38 define a recess 39 on the outer surface of the pipe 12 which is sized to intimately receive a major portion of the leading end of the clip 31.

A pair of parallel openings 40, 41 adjacent the upright walls 37, 38 are provided inside the recess 39 within the pipe 12 to permit a special tool 50 (Fig.8) to be engaged through the openings 40, 41 in order to release the clip 31 from the recess 39 of the clip housing 32.

The tool 50, shown in Fig. 8, comprises a T-section bar 51 which is provided at one end with a pair of spaced upright lugs 52, 53 which are engageable with the openings 40, 41 to release the clip 31 from the clip housing 32 and allow the flap 18 to return to its open position by the spring 25.

If a Diesel fuel filler nozzle 15 is inserted into the Diesel filler neck 10 (Fig.2) then it is able to contact both of the endstops 16 preventing the insertion of the Diesel nozzle 15 further into the pipe 12. In this case the flap 18 remains open as shown in Figs 1 and 2 and the fuel tank can be filled normally.

However, if an unleaded fuel filler nozzle 17 is inserted into the Diesel filler neck 10 (Fig.3) the end of the unleaded fuel filler 17 can pass over the endstops 16 to abut the pair of pegs 29 located inside the pipe 12. The end of the unleaded fuel nozzle 17 will push the pegs 29 along the longitudinal slots 30 moving the sliding member 19 and thereby rotating the flap 18 to the closed position. At the same time, the clip 31 moves into the recess 39 formed by the clip housing 32. The spring elements 33, 34 of the clip 31 are initially biased or squeezed inwardly toward one another by the ends 37a, 38a of the clip housing 32 after which they spring back to their original positions to hold the flap 18 in the closed position. If the user then activates the unleaded fuel nozzle 17, the flap 18 limits the flow of the fuel through the pipe 12, and the resulting back pressure will activate the automatic fuel cut-off fitted to all fuel pumps, thereby giving an immediate indication that something is wrong.

When the unleaded fuel filler nozzle 17 is withdrawn, the clip 31 will remain latched in the recess 39 of the clip housing 32, so that the flap 18 will remain closed, preventing any refuelling even with the Diesel fuel nozzle 15.

In order to release the clip 31 from the recess 39, the user must insert the special tool inside the filler neck 10. The user simply inserts the pair of lugs 53, 54 inside the pair of parallel openings 40, 41 provided in the clip housing 32 and then pulls the bar 51 to pinch or squeeze together the spring elements 33, 34 of the clip 31. Thus the clip 31 can be retracted from the clip housing 32, assisted by the force of the spring 25 acting on the flap 18 which moves the sliding member 19 and the flap 18 back to their original positions (Figs 1 and 2). The Diesel filler neck 10 is then reset ready for the next refuelling event.

Although the Diesel filler neck 10 as described in the present example includes a latching means 31, 32, it will be appreciated that this latching means is optional. Also other forms of clip and recess (or equivalent) could be used instead of the ones which have been described. For example, in a modification, the function of releasing the latching means 31, 32 is achieved by the Diesel fuel nozzle 15 itself. For this purpose, the clip 31 may include a tooth which extends through the wall of the pipe 12 by way of an opening located upstream of the endstops 16. This tooth can be displaced from its opening by the Diesel fuel nozzle when it is inserted inside the Diesel filler neck. Also, the pair of pegs 29 could be replaced by a single shaft which goes through the slots 28 and the apertures 30 as well as the arms 23 of the sliding member 19.

Claims

1. A Diesel filler neck for a motor vehicle fuel tank comprising a longitudinal pipe which has an inlet to receive a Diesel fuel nozzle and endstops located inside the pipe to restrict the insertion length of the Diesel fuel nozzle, and wherein the Diesel filler neck further comprises a closure member moveable between an open position in which it does not obstruct the pipe and a closed position in which it obstructs flow through the pipe, return means for returning the closure member to the open position and a drive arrangement for driving the closure member towards its closed position when an unleaded fuel nozzle of diameter smaller than the diameter of a Diesel fuel nozzle, able to pass over the endstops, is inserted into the Diesel fuel filler neck.

2. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 1 in which the drive arrangement includes at least one projecting member extending inside the pipe and arranged in a such a way that in use it can only be moved by an unleaded fuel nozzle, and a drive means for connecting the or each projecting member to the closure member.

3. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 2 in which the or each projecting member is axially displaceable relative to the pipe.

4. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 in which the drive means comprises at least one linkage.

5. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 4 in which the or each linkage comprises a bracket and a track device, the bracket being connected at one end to the closure member, the track device being arranged such that the or each projecting member drives the closure member towards its closed position when the projecting member is pushed by an unleaded fuel nozzle.

6. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 5 in which the closure member is a flap which is rotatable about a pivot transverse to the pipe.

7. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in any preceding claim in which the return means is a spring.

8. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 in which the bracket is pivoted at its other end about the pivot and the track device includes a longitudinal aperture formed in the pipe and a crescent-shaped slot formed in the bracket, the slot and the aperture being engaged by the projecting member.

9. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 in which the drive arrangement further comprises a sliding member mounted over the pipe and the projecting member comprises a pair of opposed pegs which extend perpendicularly from the sliding member.

10. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 9 in which the distance between the ends of the pegs is less than the diameter of an unleaded fuel nozzle.

11. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 in which the sliding member is substantially U-shaped and has a pair of extending arms each carrying a respective one of the pegs.

12. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 11 in which the sliding member is formed in two components which are secured together by a fastening means.

13. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in any preceding claim in which the drive arrangement further includes a latching means for latching the closure member in its closed position.

14. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 13 in which the latching means includes a clip engageable with a clip housing on the pipe.

15. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 14 when dependent on claim 9 in which the clip extends from the sliding member.

16. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 in which the clip includes at least one spring element having a retaining lip engageable with the clip housing.

17. A Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 16 in which the clip housing has at least one opening which extends through the pipe so as to permit the spring element from being released through the opening by means of a tool.

18. A fuel tank having a filler neck according to any preceding claim.

19. A motor vehicle having a fuel tank according to claim 18.

20. A Diesel filler neck substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A tool for a Diesel filler neck as claimed in claim 17 when installed in a motor vehicle, the tool comprising a bar which is provided at one end with at least one lug which in use is engaged with the opening of the clip housing to disengage the retaining lip of the clip.

21. A tool for a Diesel filler neck substantially as described herein with reference to the Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.