GB2470351A

GB2470351A - Fuel filling device which prevents misfuelling

Info

Publication number: GB2470351A
Application number: GB0908263A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Colin Mason
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-14
Filing date: 2009-05-14
Publication date: 2010-11-24
Also published as: GB0908263D0

Abstract

A fuel filling device 10 for fitment to a fuel filler neck of a diesel-powered vehicle, comprises a body 12 having an aperture 14 therethrough dimensioned to receive a pump nozzle 54. Two hinged flaps 16, arranged opposite each other, at least partially block the aperture 14. At least one detent 18 is provided for simultaneously holding both hinged flaps 16 in a closed position. The detent 18 has a flap engagement portion 46 and a nozzle-abutting portion 44. When a diesel fuel pump nozzle 54 is inserted into the device, it contacts the portion 44 and causes the detent 18 to move radially outwards, releasing the flaps 16 from the flap engagement portion 46, and allowing the nozzle to pass through. A petrol pump nozzle would be too small to move the detents 18 and thus the flap engagement portion 46.

Description

Fuel Filler Device The present invention relates to a fuel filler device for fitment to a fuel filler neck of, preferably, a diesel-powered vehicle. Advantageously, fitment can be retrospective.

The availability of multiple fuels, and therefore the use of the incorrect fuel when filling a vehicle, is an on-going and extremely expensive problem. In the United Kingdom alone, it is estimated that well over 100,000 motorists every year mistakenly put unleaded petrol into their diesel engine cars.

One solution that has been proposed by DDN Limited at www.misfuelpreventiondevice.com is to provide a fuel filler neck insert. However, this device provides a restricted neck with an occlusion therein, limiting an amount by which a pump nozzle can be inserted. The occlusion causes back flow, resulting in splashing of fuel out of the fuel filler neck during fuelling, and also complicates refuelling from a portable fuel container, such as a Jerry can.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved alternative solution to the prevention of unleaded petrol being dispensed into diesel fliel systems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fuel filler device for fitment to a fuel filler neck of a diesel-powered vehicle, the device comprising a body having an aperture therethrough dimensioned to receive a pump nozzle, two hinged flaps which are opposite each other for at least in part blocking the aperture, and at least one detent for simultaneously holding both hinged flaps in a closed position, the detent having a flap engagement portion and a nozzle-abutting portion for, on engagement with a diesel fuel pump nozzle, releasing the flaps from the flap engagement portion.

Preferable and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 14, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a diesel fuel system comprising a fuel filler neck having a fUel fitter device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a diesel-powered vehicle having a diesel fuel system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a top plan view of one embodiment of a fuel filler device, in accordance with the present invention and with a cap removed; Figure 2 shows a bottom plan view of the fuel filler device; Figure 3 shows a perspective view from below of the fuel filler device; and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the fuel filler device when in use with a diesel fuel pump nozzle.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a fuel filler device 10 which comprises a body 12 having an aperture 14 therethrough, two hinged flaps 16 which are opposite each other, and a plurality of independent detents 18, in this case being two, for each simultaneously holding both hinged flaps 16 in a closed position.

The body 12 is preferably formed from moulded plastics, and includes an outer opening at one end and an inner opening 21 which is opposite the outer opening 20 and at or adjacent to which the hinged flaps 16 are located. The body 12 tapers inwardly away from the outer opening 20, and includes a first exterior screw-thread 22 for screw- threadably engaging a cap. A second exterior screw-thread 32 is adapted to be screw-threadingly mated with an interior surface of a vehicle fuel filler neck.

The aperture 14 of the body 12 defines a through-bore 34. From the outer opening 20 to the inner opening 21, the bore 34 is substantially cylindrical. Flap recesses 35 are provided through the bore wall. Each hinged flap 16 is hinged at or adjacent to an in use upper edge of its respective flap recess 35, and is spring loaded to be urged towards a closed position. The pivot axes of the flaps 16 are coplanar or substantially coplanar.

When closed, the free edges of the flaps 16 opposite the hinges meet or substantially meet at a central portion of the bore 34 to close or occlude the bore 34.

Although not shown, a funnel portion may be provided from the inner opening 20 which in use extends into the fuel filler neck in order to keep any integrated neck flap within the fuel filler neck open.

The hinged flap 16 is also preferably plastics or metal and includes a uniform planar or substantially planar cover plate 36 which is coplanar or substantially coplanar with its hinge.

Preferably, the hinged flaps 16 have a colour which provides a striking tonal contrast to that of the body 12. For example, the hinged flaps 16 may be yellow whilst the body 12 may be black or grey. The hinged flaps 16 also optionally provide a display area portion 40 on an outwardly facing surface of the cover plate 36, and the word Diesel' may be displayed in contrasting lettering.

In this embodiment, two said independent detents 18 are provided in equi-angularly spaced relationship around the hinged flap 16. Pivot axes of the hinged flaps 16 and the detents 18 are equi-angularly spaced around the body.

Each detent 18 is in the form of a spring-loaded pivotable cranked arm 42. Each detent 18 is received within a detent aperture 43 through a wall of the body 12 and so as to be spaced from both ends of the body 12. The arm 42 includes a nozzle-abutting portion 44 in the form of or comprising a ramp which slopes inwardly towards a central portion of the closed flap 16, and a flap engagement portion 46 which is dimensioned to extend beneath an edge of each cover plate 36. The cover plates 36 are thus supported simultaneously and independently by each flap engagement portion 46. Radially innermost edges 48 of the ramps of the nozzle-abutting portions 44 lie on a circular circumference having a diameter which is greater than 22 millimetres mm. Radially outermost edges 50 of the ramps of the nozzle-abutting portions 44 lie on a circular circumference having a diameter of at least 25 mm.

Preferably, the flap engagement portion 46 is a planar or substantially planar tongue or plate 47 which includes a small upturned lip 49 at or adjacent to its distal free end. A corresponding recess or downwardly depending lip 51 is provided on the underneath of each cover plate 36 for engagement with the upturned lip 49, if necessary and when the flaps 16 are closed.

A pivot axis of each pivotable arm 42 is provided at or adjacent to an uppermost proximal end thereof The pivot axes are coplanar with each other, and offset towards the outer opening 20 relative to the pivot axes of the hinged flaps 16.

In use, once the body 12 has been screw-threadingly engaged with a fuel filler neck of a diesel vehicle and the cap has been removed, a diesel pump nozzle 54 can be offered up to the outer opening 20 and the initially closed hinged flaps 16. Due to the outside diameter of a diesel pump nozzle 54 being 25 mm, the distal free end of the nozzle slides along both ramps of the nozzle-abutting portions 44 of the detents 18 as it is pushed towards the hinged flaps 16. This sliding movement pivotably urges the pivotable arms 42 of the detents 18 radially outwards, releasing the edges of the cover plates 36. With the detents 18 released, the flaps 16 swing downwards as the nozzle is pushed inwards, thus providing access to the fuel filler neck of the vehicle. Fuel dispensing can thus commence.

Once diesel dispensing has been finished, the pump nozzle 54 is withdrawn. As the distal free-end passes the inner opening 21 of the body 12, the spring-loaded hinged flaps 16 close. Once the pump nozzle 54 is clear of the nozzle-abutting portions 44 of the detents 18, the flap engagement portions 46 swing back radially inwards and under the cover plates 36. The upturned lips 49 reengage with the recesses or downwardly depending lips 51, relocking the hinged flaps 16 in their closed positions.

In comparison, an unleaded petrol pump nozzle has an outside diameter of 22 mm.

Thus, as a distal free end of the pump nozzle is offered up to the outer opening 20 and the closed hinged flaps 16, due to the narrower nozzle diameter and the diametrically opposite spacing of the independent detents 18, even if one of the detents 18 is released by the nozzle sliding along the nozzle-abutting portion 44, it is unlikely that both detents 18 could be released sufficiently to fully withdraw the flap engagement portions 46. Consequently, the hinged flaps 16 remain closed and locked, preventing insertion of the nozzle and discharge of unleaded petrol into the diesel system.

Although two independent detents and two flaps are described above, more than two detents and flaps could be utilised.

Although equi-angular spacing of the detents is preferred, this may not be essential.

However, when an unleaded petrol pump nozzle is offered up to the fuel filler device, it is essential that not all of the detents are released simultaneously, thereby preventing opening of the hinged flaps.

Although a tonal contrast between the hinged flap and the body is preferred, this is not essential.

The fuel filler device is described above as being applied to a diesel-powered vehicle, but it can be utilised with any diesel fuel system, including a generator.

Although screw-threaded engagement of the body with a fuel filler neck is suggested, the fuel filler device can be formed as an integral part of the fuel filler neck, either as a separate permanent attachment, for example by welding, or as one-piece with the fuel filler neck.

The cap as described above is separate of the body and screw-threadably engagable therewith. However, the cap may be integrally formed as one-piece, and may therefore be screw-threaded or simply a push-fit, for example.

It is thus possible to provide a fuel filler device which is simple and cost-effective to manufacture, whilst being robust and having a long operational life. Only four moving and independent parts are provided, leading to a decrease in the likelihood of failure.

The device can be retrofitted to a diesel powered vehicle or system, or can be incorporated during vehicle or system production. It is also possible to provide a fuel filler device which prevents or limits the possibility of mis-fueling a diesel system with unleaded petrol.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A fuel filler device for fitment to a fuel filler neck of a diesel-powered vehicle, the device comprising a body having an aperture therethrough dimensioned to receive a pump nozzle, two hinged flaps which are opposite each other for at least in part blocking the aperture, and at least one detent for simultaneously holding both hinged flaps in a closed position, the detent having a flap engagement portion and a nozzle-abutting portion for, on engagement with a diesel fuel pump nozzle, releasing the flaps from the flap engagement portion.
2. A fuel filler device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detent is a hinged cranked arm.
3. A fuel filler device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein two independent said detents are provided in spaced relationship about the aperture.
4. A fuel filler device as claimed in claim 3, wherein pivot axes of the two detents are coplanar.
5. A fuel filler device as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the two detents are provided directly opposite each other for simultaneously supporting both hinged flaps when closed.
6. A fuel filler device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the two detents overlap opposing free edges of both flaps, when closed.
7. A fuel filler device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the nozzle-abutting portions of the detents, when the detents are holding the flaps closed, are spaced apart so that they coincide with a circumference of a diesel fuel nozzle but not a circumference of a petrol fuel nozzle.
8. A fuel filler device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein hinges of the detents and the flaps are equi-angularly spaced around the body.
9. A fuel filler device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each detent extends through a wall of the body.
10. A fuel filler device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body includes a detent aperture in a wall thereof in which the detent is positioned for projection therefrom.
11. A fuel filler device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body includes an exterior screw-threaded neck and the or each detent is recessed into or through the screw-thread of the neck.
12. A fuel filler device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle-abutting portion is or includes a ramped surface which slopes inwardly in a nozzle-insertion direction of the aperture.
13. A fuel filler device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flaps, when closed, are coplanar or substantially coplanar.
14. A fuel filler device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein pivot axes of the flaps are coplanar or substantially coplanar.
15. A fuel filler device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. A diesel fuel system comprising a fuel filler neck having a fuel filler device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
17. A diesel-powered vehicle having a diesel fuel system as claimed in claim 16.