JP2001277870A - Evaporative emission suppressing device for fuel tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the cooling efficiency of a fuel system and suppress the amount of vapor generated. SOLUTION: The inside of a fuel tank 12 and the inside of an evaporation passage 14 in the fuel system are capable of being cooled by a heat exchanger 16, and a duct 22 covering a radiating fin 20 is inserted into an opening 34 formed in a floor panel 32. Air in a vehicle compartment 30 is blasted inside the duct 22 with a cooling fan 26 to cool the radiating fin 20 in a Peltier unit 19 and exhausted from an exhausting port 28 into the vehicle compartment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for suppressing evaporative gas in a fuel tank, and more particularly to an apparatus for suppressing evaporative gas in a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an apparatus for suppressing an evaporative gas in a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, a fuel tank, a fuel pump, and a fuel pipe are provided in order to reduce the evaporative gas (vapor) generated in the fuel tank. And the like to suppress the temperature rise of the fuel system.
No. 1.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 5, in this fuel tank evaporative gas suppressing apparatus, a fuel tank 100 and a fuel pump 1 are provided.
02, the fuel system such as the fuel pipe 104 is cooled by the air sucked through the drafter 110 from the cabin 108 of the vehicle 106.

[0004]

However, in the fuel gas evaporation device for a fuel tank, the air in the vehicle interior 108 is applied to the fuel system via the drafter 112, so that the cooling efficiency is not good.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an apparatus for suppressing evaporative gas in a fuel tank, which can improve the cooling efficiency of a fuel system and suppress the amount of generated vapor.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel tank evaporative gas suppressing apparatus according to the present invention, comprising: cooling means for cooling a fuel system; blowing means for blowing cooling air to the cooling means;
And an intake port and an exhaust port communicating with the air blowing means are connected to the vehicle interior.

Therefore, by blowing the cooling air to the cooling means for cooling the fuel system by the blowing means, the cooling efficiency of the fuel system can be improved and the amount of vapor generated can be suppressed. Further, since the intake port and the exhaust port of the blower are connected to the interior of the vehicle, even when the blower is stopped, air outside the vehicle does not flow back and hit the fuel system. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cooler from being contaminated by the impurities contained in the air outside the vehicle cabin and to reduce the cooling efficiency, thereby suppressing the amount of generated vapor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for suppressing evaporative gas in a fuel tank, comprising: cooling means for cooling a fuel system; and blowing means for blowing cooling air to the cooling means. It is characterized by being disposed on the outer surface of the fuel tank.

Therefore, by blowing the cooling air to the cooling means provided on the outer surface of the fuel tank by the blowing means, the cooling efficiency of the fuel system can be improved and the amount of generated vapor can be suppressed. Further, by disposing the cooling means on the outer surface of the fuel tank, it is not necessary to take measures against fuel resistance required when the cooling means is provided inside the fuel tank, and the cooling means is provided inside the fuel tank. Maintenance of the cooling means is easier than in the case.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an evaporative gas suppressing device for a fuel tank, comprising: a cooling means provided on an inner surface of the fuel tank for cooling a fuel system; and a cooling means provided outside the fuel tank provided with the cooling means. And a blowing means for blowing cooling air.

Therefore, by sending the cooling air to the cooling means for cooling the fuel system by the blowing means, the cooling efficiency of the fuel system can be improved and the amount of vapor generated can be suppressed. Further, since the cooling means is provided on the inner surface of the fuel tank, heat from the cooling means can be radiated through the fuel tank, so that the heat radiation area is substantially increased and the cooling efficiency is further improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for suppressing evaporative gas in a fuel tank, comprising: a cooling means for cooling a fuel system; a blowing means for blowing cooling air to the cooling means; And the fuel tank is arranged so that at least the blowing unit of the cooling unit and the blowing unit is located in the opening.

[0013] Therefore, by blowing the cooling air to the cooling means for cooling the fuel system by the blowing means, the cooling efficiency of the fuel system can be improved and the amount of vapor generated can be suppressed. Further, by attaching the fuel tank to the body, at least the blowing means of the cooling means and the blowing means is located in the opening formed in the body and communicating with the vehicle interior. As a result, since the intake port and the exhaust port communicating with the blowing means can be easily connected to the vehicle interior, compared with a configuration in which the intake port and the exhaust port communicating with the blowing means are connected to the vehicle interior using a connecting pipe or the like. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced, and assembling workability is also improved.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a fuel tank 12 constituting a part of a fuel system is disposed on the lower surface 10A side of a floor panel 10 in a body of an automobile. It is fixed to the body via a support bracket or the like (not shown).

The fuel tank 10 is provided with a well-known float valve (not shown) for detecting a full tank and responding to rollover, and the float valve is provided with a well-known canister provided outside the fuel tank 10. An evaporative passage 14 constituting a part of a fuel system leading to (not shown) is connected. A part of the evaporative passage 14 passes through a heat exchanger 16 disposed in the fuel tank 12, and the evaporative passage 14 as a fuel system can be cooled by the heat exchanger 16.

The heat exchanger 16 is provided with a cooler 18, and a Peltier unit 19 as a cooling means to which a plurality of Peltier elements constituting a part of the cooler 18 are connected.
Are controlled by a control circuit (not shown). Further, in the present embodiment, the two Peltier units 19 are in close contact with the inner surface 12A of the fuel tank 12, so that the inside of the fuel tank 12 can be cooled, and the heat from the Peltier unit 19 is released to the fuel tank 12, and Twelve shells 12B can be used as a part of the heat sink.

The outer surface 12 of the fuel tank 12 faces the Peltier unit 19 with the shell 12B of the fuel tank 12 interposed therebetween.
In C, a radiating fin 20 constituting a part of the cooler 18 is provided. The radiation fins 20 are covered with a box-shaped duct 22, and a mounting flange 22 </ b> A formed on the outer periphery of the duct 22 is attached to an outer surface 12 </ b> C of the fuel tank 12.
Is fixedly attached. An intake port 24 is formed in the upper surface 22B of the duct 22 facing the heat radiation fins 20, and a cooling fan 26 as a blower is disposed in the intake port 24.

On the other hand, a plurality of exhaust ports 28 are formed below the outer peripheral portion 22C of the duct 22, so that the cooling fan 2
The cooling air (arrow W in FIG. 1) blown into the duct 22 by 6 is exhausted from these exhaust ports 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, a rectangular opening 34 is formed in the floor panel 10 constituting the floor in the passenger compartment 30, and the opening 34 is provided below the rear seat cushion 36. Is formed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the duct 22 is inserted into the opening 34 of the floor panel 10 from below, and the intake port 24 and the exhaust port 28 of the duct 22 are
It is designed to communicate with the inside. A seal member 41 is sandwiched between the mounting flange 22A of the duct 22 and the edge of the opening 34 in the floor panel 32.

The cooling fan 26 and the Peltier unit 19 are connected to a control circuit (not shown). The control circuit uses a well-known pressure sensor attached to the fuel tank to control the pressure in a state where the fuel tank 12 is sealed. The cooling fan 26 and the Peltier unit 19 are operated only when it is determined that the fuel vapor has been generated in the fuel tank 12 at a predetermined value or more by measuring the change.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the cooling fan 26 sends cooling air to the radiating fins 20 for radiating heat generated from the Peltier unit 19 for cooling the inside of the evaporation passage 14 as a fuel system. Since the cooling efficiency can be improved, the amount of generated vapor can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the Peltier unit 19 constituting the cooling means is disposed on the inner surface of the fuel tank 12, so that the heat from the Peltier unit 19 is released to the fuel tank 12, and the shell 12B of the fuel tank 12 is released. Can be used as a part of the heat sink, so that the heat dissipation area is substantially increased and the cooling efficiency is further improved.

In this embodiment, the floor panel 32
By using the duct 22 disposed in the opening 34, air in the vehicle compartment 30 with less impurities such as dust can be used. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the radiation fins 20 of the cooler 18 from being contaminated by impurities in the cooling air and to reduce the cooling efficiency. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the fuel system can be improved, and the amount of generated vapor can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, since the intake port 24 and the exhaust port 28 of the duct 22 are connected to the interior of the cabin 30, even when the cooling fan 26 is stopped, the air outside the cabin flows back and hits the fuel system. There is no. As a result, the radiating fins 20 of the cooler 18 are caused by impurities contained in the air outside the vehicle cabin.
Can be prevented from becoming dirty and the cooling efficiency from being lowered.

In the present embodiment, by attaching the fuel tank 12 to the body, the duct 22 that covers the cooling fan 26 and the radiating fins 20 is inserted into the opening 34 formed in the floor panel 32. The intake port 24 and the exhaust port 28 communicate with the vehicle interior 30.
Therefore, by attaching the fuel tank 12 to the body, the intake port 24 and the exhaust port 28 of the duct 22 can be easily connected to the vehicle interior 30. As a result, the number of components can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the duct 22 is connected to the inside of the vehicle compartment 30 using a connecting pipe or the like, and the assembling workability is also improved.

In the present embodiment, the opening 34 is formed in the portion of the floor panel 32 below the rear seat cushion 36. However, the opening 34 may be formed in another portion in the passenger compartment 30.

In this embodiment, the control circuit measures the pressure change in a state where the fuel tank 12 is sealed by using a well-known pressure sensor attached to the fuel tank. The cooling fan 26 and the Peltier unit 19 are operated only when it is determined that the temperature exceeds the specified value. Instead, the fuel temperature measured by the temperature sensor attached to the fuel tank 12 rises. During the operation, it may be determined that “the fuel vapor is generated in the fuel tank 12 at a specified value or more” based on the temperature increase. Alternatively, the fuel vapor generation speed is calculated from the vapor volume in the fuel tank 12 estimated by the fuel remaining amount gauge, the vapor pressure characteristic of the fuel, and the rising speed of the fuel temperature. 12, the fuel vapor is generated at or above the specified value. " Alternatively, the cooling fan 26 and the Peltier unit 19 are operated from the time when the start of refueling work typified by the operation of the fuel lid opener switch is detected to the time when the end of lubrication typified by the fuel lid closing switch ON is detected. Is also good.

Next, a fuel tank evaporation gas suppressing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the heat exchanger 16 is in close contact with the inner surface 12A of the fuel tank 12 and faces the heat exchanger 16 with the shell 12B of the fuel tank 12 interposed therebetween. The peltier unit 19 is in close contact with the outer surface 12C of the rim 12.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment,
By sending the cooling air by the cooling fan 26 to the radiation fins 20 for radiating the heat generated from the Peltier unit 19 for cooling the inside of the evaporation passage 14 as a fuel system,
Since the cooling efficiency of the fuel system can be improved, the amount of generated vapor can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to prevent the cooler from being contaminated by impurities contained in the air outside the vehicle cabin, thereby reducing the cooling efficiency.

Further, in the present embodiment, by providing the Peltier unit 19 on the outer surface 12C of the fuel tank 12, it is not necessary to take a fuel-resistant measure required when the Peltier unit 19 is provided inside the fuel tank 12. In addition, maintenance becomes easier as compared with the case where the Peltier unit 19 is provided inside the fuel tank 12.

Next, an apparatus for suppressing an evaporative gas in a fuel tank according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the cooling fan (not shown), the radiation fins 20, the Peltier unit 19 and the heat exchanger 16 are all provided outside the fuel tank 12, and Outside the tank 10,
An evaporation passage 14 passes through the heat exchanger 16.

In the present embodiment, an intake port 40 and an exhaust port 42 are formed at opposing portions of the outer peripheral portion 22C of the duct 22, respectively. It is connected to the interior of the vehicle compartment 30. On the other hand, the exhaust port 42 is connected to a fresh air inlet 46 of the canister 44, and the canister 44
The air is purged by the air in the passenger compartment 30. The fuel tank body 10 is provided with a well-known float valve 50 and a well-known cut-off valve 52. These valves 50 and 52 are connected to the evaporation passage 14 and the canister 44.
Are connected.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the cooling efficiency of the fuel system is improved by blowing the cooling air to the radiating fins 20 for radiating the heat generated from the Peltier unit 19 for cooling the inside of the evaporation passage 14 as the fuel system. It is possible to suppress the amount of generated vapor. Further, it is possible to prevent the cooler from being contaminated by impurities contained in the air outside the vehicle cabin, thereby reducing the cooling efficiency.

In this embodiment, the cooling fans 26,
Radiation fin 20, Peltier unit 19 and heat exchanger 1
By providing all of the components 6 outside the fuel tank 12, it is not necessary to take a fuel-resistant measure required when providing them inside the fuel tank 12, and when these components are provided inside the fuel tank 12. Maintenance becomes easier.

Further, in this embodiment, the canister 44 is purged with the air heated by the radiation fins 20, so that the purging efficiency can be improved, and the operation of the cooling fan 26 increases the internal pressure of the canister 44. Even when the intake system negative pressure is small, the canister 44 can be purged.

In this embodiment, the cooling fan 26,
Radiation fin 20, Peltier unit 19 and heat exchanger 1
6 is provided outside the fuel tank 12, but a configuration in which the cooling fan 26, the radiation fins 20, the Peltier unit 19, and the heat exchanger 16 are all provided inside the fuel tank 12 may be used instead. .

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various other embodiments are included within the scope of the present invention. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that is possible.

[0047]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for suppressing evaporative gas in a fuel tank, comprising: cooling means for cooling a fuel system; and blowing means for blowing cooling air to the cooling means. Since the communicating intake port and exhaust port are connected to the vehicle interior, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the fuel system and to suppress the amount of generated vapor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for suppressing evaporative gas in a fuel tank, comprising: cooling means for cooling a fuel system; and blowing means for blowing cooling air to the cooling means. Since it is arranged on the outer surface, the cooling efficiency of the fuel system can be improved, and an excellent effect that the amount of generated vapor can be suppressed is provided. In addition, there is no need to take a measure against fuel which is required when the cooling means is provided inside the fuel tank, and the maintenance effect of the cooling means becomes easy.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an evaporative gas suppressing device for a fuel tank, comprising: a cooling means disposed on an inner surface of the fuel tank for cooling a fuel system; and a cooling wind provided outside the fuel tank provided with the cooling means. And an air blowing means for blowing air. Thus, there is an excellent effect that the cooling efficiency of the fuel system can be improved and the amount of generated vapor can be suppressed. Further, there is an excellent effect that the heat radiation area is substantially increased and the cooling efficiency is further improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for suppressing evaporative gas in a fuel tank, comprising: a cooling means for cooling a fuel system; a blowing means for blowing cooling air to the cooling means; And the fuel tank is arranged such that at least the blowing means of the cooling means and the blowing means is located in the opening, so that the cooling efficiency of the fuel system can be improved and the amount of vapor generated can be suppressed. It has an excellent effect. Further, there is an excellent effect that the number of parts can be reduced and assembling workability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an apparatus for suppressing an evaporative gas in a fuel tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rear part of a vehicle cabin to which the evaporative gas suppression device for a fuel tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a fuel tank evaporative gas suppression device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing an apparatus for suppressing an evaporative gas in a fuel tank according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a conventional apparatus for suppressing an evaporative gas in a fuel tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Floor panel 12 Fuel tank (fuel system) 14 Evaporation passage (fuel system) 19 Peltier unit (cooling means) 22 Duct 24 Intake port 26 Cooling fan (blowing means) 28 Exhaust port 30 Cabin 34 Opening 40 Inlet 42 Exhaust mouth

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) F02M 37/20 B60K 15/02 Z

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cooling device for cooling a fuel system, and a blowing device for blowing cooling air to the cooling device, wherein an intake port and an exhaust port communicating with the blowing device are connected to a vehicle interior. A device for suppressing evaporative gas in a fuel tank. 2. A fuel tank comprising: cooling means for cooling a fuel system; and blowing means for blowing cooling air to the cooling means, wherein the cooling means is disposed on an outer surface of the fuel tank. Evaporation gas suppression device. 3. A fuel supply system comprising: cooling means disposed on an inner surface of a fuel tank for cooling a fuel system; and blowing means for blowing cooling air to the outside of the fuel tank provided with the cooling means. Evaporation gas suppression device for a fuel tank. 4. A cooling means for cooling the fuel system, a blowing means for blowing cooling air to the cooling means, and an opening formed in the body and communicating with the vehicle interior, wherein the cooling is provided in the opening. The fuel tank is provided such that at least the blower of the blower and the blower is located.