JP2002031005A - Connector for fuel tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and properly install a connector body installed by inserting a insert part into the opening of a fuel tank to a fuel tank in a connector for connecting the fuel tank to a feed pipe in a communicated state. SOLUTION: This connector for fuel tank comprises a flange 22 larger in outside diameter than the opening H of a fuel tank T, a connector body 2 having an insert part 20 formed on the underside of the flange 22 and a connection part 10 formed on the upper side thereof, and a fixed plate 4 having a fixed part 41 to the outer surface of the fuel tank T formed on the lower surface side thereof and fixed to the fuel tank T by the fixed part 41 so as to press the lower surface side to the upper surface of the flange 22 of the connector body 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention includes a connection portion for connecting a transfer pipe or a transfer tube for a fluid such as fuel or evaporative gas from fuel, and a plug portion for insertion into an opening formed in a fuel tank. Through the flow path of the fluid provided between the insertion portion and the connection portion, such that the fluid flows out of the fuel tank or flows into the fuel tank. The present invention relates to an improvement in a connector attached to a fuel tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fluid is mounted between an insertion portion inserted into a fuel tank and a connection portion provided outside the fuel tank, while being attached so as to close an opening of the fuel tank. The fuel and evaporative gas in the fuel tank flow into the transfer pipe or transfer tube connected to this connection, or the fuel or the like sent from the transfer pipe or the like flows into the fuel tank. (In many cases, configured as a valve).

[0003] In such a connector, usually, a flange is provided so that the lower surface thereof is in contact with the outer surface of the fuel tank so as to close the opening of the fuel tank when the insertion portion is inserted into the opening of the fuel tank. Have been.

[0004] In this type of connector, the connector is attached to the fuel tank by providing a welding projection on the lower surface on the protruding end side of the flange, and the welding projection is heated and welded. In some cases, it is performed by fixing the fuel tank to the outer surface.

[0005]

However, in this type of conventional connector, the welding projection is provided directly on the protruding end of a flange integrally provided with the connector. When the portion is heated and melted, a portion inserted from the opening of the fuel tank, such as the insertion portion protruding below the flange of the connector, tends to be an obstacle, and the work of mounting the connector is not always easy.

Therefore, the present invention provides a connector for connecting a fuel tank of this kind to a transfer pipe or the like in a communicating state. In this connector, a connector main body which is inserted and inserted into an opening of the fuel tank is easily attached to the fuel tank. Its main purpose is to ensure proper installation.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a connector for a fuel tank is provided with a transfer pipe or a transfer tube for a fluid such as fuel or gas evaporated from fuel. A connection portion to the fuel tank and an insertion portion into an opening formed in the fuel tank, and the inside of the fuel tank through the fluid flow path provided between the insertion portion and the connection portion. A connector attached to the fuel tank such that the fluid flows out or the fluid flows into the fuel tank, the connector including a flange having an outer diameter larger than an opening of the fuel tank. ,
A connector main body having a lower side of the flange as the insertion portion and an upper side of the flange as the connection portion, and a fixing portion for fixing to an outer surface of the fuel tank is provided on a lower surface side, and the lower surface side is the connector main body. And a fixing plate fixed to the fuel tank with the fixing portion so as to be pressed against the upper surface of the flange.

According to this configuration, the connector main body is attached to the fuel tank by setting the insertion portion of the connector main body into the opening of the fuel tank, and then fixing the fixing plate separate from the connector main body. When the welding protrusion is heated and melted, as in the case where a welding protrusion that is heated and welded to the fuel tank is directly provided at the protruding end of the flange of the connector body, There is no inconvenience, such as obstructing the insertion portion protruding below the flange of the main body, making it difficult to perform the mounting work of the connector main body. Also, after setting the connector body as described above,
The connector body can be easily attached so that the flange of the connector body is sufficiently pressed against the outer surface of the fuel tank, and leakage of evaporative gas or the like through the lower surface of the flange is easily prevented. The connector body can be attached.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the fuel tank connector according to the first aspect is further provided so as to prevent leakage of fluid from between the connector body and the opening of the fuel tank. The fixing plate is fixed to the fuel tank with a fixing portion so that the sealing member is pressed against the outer surface of the fuel tank by the flange of the connector body.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the flange is pressed toward the outer surface of the fuel tank by the fixing plate fixed to the fuel tank.
By pressing the seal member against the outer surface of the fuel tank,
At the position where the seal member is provided, leakage of fuel gas through the lower surface of the flange of the connector body can be reliably prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the fixing portion of the fixing plate in the fuel tank connector according to the first or second aspect is located outside the protruding end of the flange of the connector body. The fixing plate is fixed to the fuel tank by heat welding of the welding protrusion.

According to this configuration, when the connector main body is attached to the fuel tank, the welding protrusion of the fixing plate separate from the connector main body may be simply heated and melted. In the case where the welding protrusion is heated and melted as in the case where the welding protrusion is directly provided at the protruding end of the flange, the insertion portion or the like protruding below the flange of the connector main body does not hinder the mounting operation of the connector main body. It can be done easily.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank connector according to the third aspect, the connector main body is a plastic molded article formed of a synthetic resin material that is unlikely to transmit vaporized gas from fuel. Along with
The fixing plate is a plastic molded product formed of a synthetic resin material that is familiar with the synthetic resin material forming the fuel tank.

According to this configuration, the welding projection of the fixing plate can be appropriately fixed to the fuel tank by heat welding in a state where leakage of the evaporative gas is easily prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank connector according to the third aspect, the connector main body is a plastic molded article formed of polyacetal, and the fixing plate is formed of a plastic molded of polyethylene. As a molded product.

[0016] It is recognized that polyacetal hardly permeates the evaporative gas, and high density polyethylene is most commonly used as the synthetic resin material in a fuel tank made of a synthetic resin material. In a state where the leakage of the evaporative gas is easily prevented, the welding projection of the fixing plate can be appropriately fixed to the fuel tank by heat welding.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A typical embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show an example of the connector C according to the embodiment, and FIGS.
Reference numeral 0 denotes another example of the connector C having a part of the configuration different from that of the connector C shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Specifically, FIGS. 1 and 6 show the external cap 1 in a perspective view so that the configuration of the external cap 1 constituting the connector C according to the embodiment can be easily understood. 2 and FIG. 7 show the external cap body 1 in a plan view. FIGS. 3 and 8 show a state in which the fixing plate 4 is put on the connector main body 2 constituting the connector C as a plan view. 4 and 9
Is a state in which the connector main body 2 attached to the fuel tank T and the external cap body 1 fitted to the connector main body 2 are separated. FIGS. 5 and 10 show the external cap body 1 attached to the connector main body 2. The fitted state is shown in cross section. (Note that FIGS. 4, 5, and 9
10 and FIG. 10, for convenience, the fixing plate 4 is shown in a state in which the welding protrusion 41a of the fixing plate 4 is not melted. )

A connector C for a fuel tank according to this embodiment is connected to a connection portion 10 to a transfer pipe or a transfer tube P for transferring a fluid such as fuel or evaporative gas from the fuel, and to an opening H formed in the fuel tank T. And the outflow of the fluid from the fuel tank T through the fluid flow path R provided between the insertion portion 20 and the connection portion 10 or the The connector C is attached to the fuel tank T so that the fluid flows into the fuel tank T.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the connector C is connected to a transfer tube P for transferring the evaporated gas from the fuel in the fuel tank T to the canister. The connection portion 10 is connected to the tube P, and the insertion portion 20 is attached to the fuel tank T in a state where the insertion portion 20 is inserted into the opening of the fuel tank T.

In this embodiment, the connector C includes an external cap body 1 provided with the connection portion 10;
It is divided into the connector main body 2 having the insertion portion 20. Then, the connector body 2 is inserted into the insertion portion 20.
Is inserted into the fuel tank T from the opening H of the fuel tank T, and is attached to the fuel tank T. Then, the external cap body is attached to the external opening 21 so as to close the external opening 21 of the connector body 2 thus attached. 1, the fuel gas sent out through the insertion portion 20 of the connector main body 2 is connected to the connection portion 10 from the connection portion 10 of the external cap body 1 through the external cap 21 through the external opening 21. The transfer tube P is sent out into the transfer tube P.

The connector C has a fixing portion 41 on the outer surface of the fuel tank T on the lower surface, and the lower portion is pressed against an upper surface of a flange 22 of the connector main body 2 to be described later. And a fixing plate 4 fixed to the fuel tank T. The connector main body 2 is set by inserting the insertion portion 20 into the opening H of the fuel tank T from outside the fuel tank T.
Is fixed to the fuel tank T by the fixing plate 4.

The connector C has a seal member 3 provided to prevent leakage of fluid from between the connector main body 2 and the opening H of the fuel tank T. The fixing plate 4 is fixed to the fuel tank T with the fixing portion 41 so that the fixing plate 41 is pressed against the outer surface of the fuel tank T by the flange 22 of the connector body 2.

(Connector Body 2) In this embodiment, the connector body 2 has the following (1) to (7).
It is provided with the structure of.

(1) A circular flange 22 is provided on the outer periphery to protrude outward. The flange 22 is formed to have an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the opening H of the fuel tank T.

(2) The lower portion of the fuel tank T with the lower portion sandwiching the flange 22 is an insertion portion 20 to be inserted into the opening H of the fuel tank T, and the upper portion of the upper portion of the fuel tank T with the outer opening 21 is provided. .

(3) The insertion portion 20 is formed as a cylindrical protrusion formed substantially at the center of the flange 22 so as to protrude below the lower surface of the flange 22. An inlet 20a for the fuel gas is formed substantially at the center of the lower surface of the insertion portion 20.

(4) The external opening 21 is formed at the upper end of a cylindrical body 21a formed to project upward from substantially the center of the flange 22 so that the lower end communicates with the inlet 20a. is there.

(5) On the upper surface side of the flange 22, there is a space between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 21 a and the orbiting protrusion 2.
2a is formed. A circumferential groove 22b into which the external cap body 1 is inserted and fitted is formed between the outer surface of the cylindrical body 21a and the circumferential protrusion 22a. The orbiting groove 22b has an inner bottom surface 22d at a depth that allows the connector main body 2 to be positioned lower than the outer surface of the fuel tank T when the connector body 2 is inserted and attached to the opening H of the fuel tank T. Is formed.

(6) On the lower surface side of the flange 22, there is provided a cylindrical body 22e in which one cylindrical end is integrally joined to the lower surface of the flange 22. The insertion portion 20 is disposed inside the cylindrical body 22e. Also, this cylindrical body 22
The outer diameter of e is a size that can be inserted into the opening H of the fuel tank T. The other end of the cylindrical body 22e is closed by a cap 22g having a through hole 22j.

(7) A float 2 is provided in the cylindrical body 22e.
2h is included. The float 22h is normally located at a position where the bottom surface of the float 22h is in contact with the inner surface of the cap 22g by its own weight. In this position, the upper surface of the float 22h does not block the inlet 20a of the insertion portion 20. It is. This float 2
A gap is secured between the outer surface of 2h and the inner surface of the cylindrical body 22e by a rib 22f formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical body 22e, and is formed on the cap 22g when the float 22h is lowered. The fuel gas that enters the cylindrical body 22e through the through hole 22j and the through hole 22j formed on the side surface of the cylindrical body 22e is sent out from the inflow port 20a of the insertion portion 20 to the outside through the gap. . The float 22h is made of a material having a specific gravity slightly higher than that of the fuel, but a compression coil spring 22k is interposed between the lower surface of the float 22h and the inner surface of the cap 22g. When fuel enters the cylindrical body 22e from the hole 22j and the through hole 22j formed on the side surface of the cylindrical body 22e, the fuel is quickly lifted up by the action of the spring 22k and formed substantially at the center of the upper surface of the float 22h. Valve protrusion 2
2i into the inlet 20a, and
It is configured to function to prevent the inflow of fuel from a.

(Fixing Plate 4) In this embodiment, the fixing plate 4 has the following configuration (1) to (5).

(1) It has a donut plate shape having a round hole 40 at the center for receiving the orbiting projection 22a of the connector body 2 from below.

(2) On the upper surface side, there is provided a circumferential projection 42 which goes around the round hole 40 along the edge of the round hole 40.
The orbiting protrusion 42 has its upper end face placed in the round hole 40 of the fixing plate 4 and the orbiting protrusion 22a of the connector main body 2 from below, and is mounted on the upper surface of the flange 22 of the connector main body 2 and the lower surface of the fixing plate 4 4 (FIG. 4 and FIG. 9 / hereinafter referred to as a fixing position of the fixing plate 4), the height at which the upper end surface of the orbiting protrusion 22a of the connector main body 2 is substantially flush with the upper surface. It is formed to have.

(3) In the fixing position, the outer periphery of the fixing plate 4 is connected to the connector main body 2.
Of the flange 22 outside the protruding end 22l.

(4) Further, on the outer peripheral portion of the fixing plate 4, a welding protrusion 41a is formed along the outer peripheral portion and has a circular shape and protrudes downward. As described later, the fixing plate 4 is fixed to the fuel tank T by heating and welding the welding projection 41a to the outer surface of the fuel tank T. That is, in this embodiment, the welding projection 41a of the fixing plate 4 is used.
Is a fixing portion 41 of the fixing plate 4 to the fuel tank T. Further, the welding projection 41a is
At the fixing position, the fixing plate 4 is formed such that a space is formed in the lateral direction between the welding protrusion 41a and the protruding end 221 of the flange 22 of the connector body 2.

(5) On the upper surface side of the fixed plate 4, one end is integrally joined to the orbiting protrusion 22 a and the other end is positioned in the radial direction so as to be located on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed plate 4. Four extending reinforcing ribs 43, 43 ...
Is formed.

(Seal Member 3) In this embodiment, the seal member 3 is formed of rubber-made seal rings 30 and 31.

In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the seal ring 30 is fitted to the edge of the opening H of the connector main body 2 before the insertion portion 20 of the connector main body 2 is inserted into the opening H of the fuel tank T. It is configured to prevent leakage of the evaporated gas from between the insertion portion 20 and the opening H by inserting the insertion portion 20 after the fitting.

That is, in the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the seal ring 30 is provided with a fitting groove 30a at the edge of the opening H of the fuel tank T on the outer side of the ring in a circular shape. A seal tongue piece 30b projecting toward the inside of the opening H is provided inside the ring in a circular shape. The distance between the upper and lower groove walls constituting the fitting groove 30a is slightly smaller than the thickness of the edge of the opening H of the fuel tank T, and is elastically deformed so as to push the distance between the upper and lower groove walls. The fitting groove 3
The edge of the opening H is inserted into the opening Ha so as to be mounted along the edge of the opening H. The diameter of the internal space formed by the seal tongue piece 30b in the seal ring 30 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 22e of the connector main body 2. The sealing tongue piece 30b is elastically deformed so that the sealing tongue piece 30b is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical body 22e by inserting the insertion portion 20 of the connector body 2 after being fitted to the edge of the connector body 2 as described above. It is configured to be.

In the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the seal ring 31 is fitted to the protruding end 22l of the flange 22 of the connector main body 2 so that the insertion portion 20 of the connector main body 2 and the fuel tank are connected. It is configured to prevent the leakage of the evaporative gas from between the opening H of the T and the opening H.

That is, in the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, such a seal ring 31 has a protruding end 221 of the flange 22 of the connector body 2 on the outside of the ring.
The fitting groove 31a is provided in a circular shape, and a seal projection 31b is provided in a circular shape outside the ring lower plate portion 31c forming the fitting groove 31a.
The space between the upper and lower groove walls constituting the fitting groove 31a is slightly smaller than the thickness of the protruding end 221 of the connector body 2, and is elastically deformed so as to push the space between the upper and lower groove walls. In this state, the protruding end 221 is inserted into the fitting groove 31a and the protruding end 2
It is designed to be mounted along 2l. Further, the seal ring 31 is provided on the upper surface of the fuel tank T so that the seal protrusion 31b extends around the opening H of the fuel tank T outside the fuel tank T, and the seal plate 31 is connected to the fuel tank T of the fixed plate 4 described later. It is configured to be closely attached in a state of being elastically deformed by fixing.

(Attachment of Connector Body 2) In this embodiment, the connector body 2 having the above-described configuration has the insertion portion 20 inserted into the opening H of the fuel tank T from the outside of the fuel tank T. After being inserted and set, the lower surface of the flange 22 is attached to the fuel tank T by a fixing plate 4 fixed to the outer surface of the fuel tank T so as to press the lower surface against the outer surface of the fuel tank T.

In this embodiment, after inserting the cylindrical body 22e of the connector main body 2 into the opening H of the fuel tank T as described above, the orbital protruding portion 22a of the connector main body 2 is The fixing plate 4 covers the upper surface of the connector main body 2 by being inserted into the round hole 40, and the flange 22 of the connector main body 2 is pressed against the opening edge of the opening H of the fuel tank T by the fixing plate 4. The connector main body 2 is attached to the fuel tank T by welding the welding projection 41a of the fixing plate 4 to the fuel tank T.

As a result, in this embodiment, when the connector main body 2 is attached to the fuel tank T, the welding projection 41a of the connector main body 2 and the separate fixing plate 4 may be simply heated and melted. , Such a welding projection 41
a is the protruding end 22l of the flange 22 of the connector body 2.
When the welding protrusion 41a is heated and melted, the insertion portion 20 or the cylindrical body 22e protruding below the flange 22 of the connector main body 2 does not hinder the welding main body. Can be easily attached.

The flange 22 of the connector main body 2 faces the outer surface of the fuel tank T by the fixing plate 4 fixed to the fuel tank T by heating and welding the welding protrusion 41a to the outer surface of the fuel tank T. The following functions are provided by being pressed.

That is, (1) In the example shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
0a forming the upper plate portion 30c of the seal ring 30
Can be pressed against the outer surface of the fuel tank T on the outer side of the fuel tank T on the side of the opening H, and at the position where the seal ring 30 is provided, the fuel passing through the lower surface of the flange 22 of the connector body 2 Leakage of gas can be reliably prevented.

(2) In the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the fitting groove 31 of the seal ring 31 is used.
The lower plate portion 31c of the seal ring 31 forming a can be pressed against the outer surface of the fuel tank T outside the fuel tank T and beside the opening H, and at a position where the seal ring 31 is provided. Thus, leakage of the fuel gas through the lower surface of the flange 22 of the connector body 2 can be reliably prevented.

It should be noted that FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG.
In addition, in any of the examples shown in FIG. 10, the fuel from between the inner surface of the round hole 40 of the fixing plate 4 and the outer surface of the orbital protrusion 22 a is provided outside the orbital protrusion 22 a of the connector body 2. A seal ring 5 for preventing leakage of gas is fitted.

In this embodiment, an external cap body 1 described later includes a laterally extending connecting pipe 10a connected to the transfer tube P. The external cap body 1 is a connector body. 2 is attached to the fuel tank T by the fixing plate 4 and then fitted to the connector main body 2. Therefore, when the connector main body 2 is mounted by the fixing plate 4, the connection pipe 10 a becomes an obstacle. There is no.

(External Cap 1) On the other hand, in this embodiment, the external cap 1 has the following (1) to
The configuration (5) is provided.

(1) A tubular portion 11 having a lower end opened and an upper end closed is provided.

(2) A flange portion 12 is provided outside the cylindrical portion 11 to project outward.

(3) The peripheral groove 22b of the connector main body 2 is positioned so that the lower side of the flange 12 is positioned so that the lower surface of the flange 12 is brought into contact with the upper end of the peripheral protrusion 22a of the connector main body 2. So that you can fit it.

(4) One of the cylinder ends is integrally joined to the upper side of the flange 12 and to the side of the cylinder 11, so that the cylinder is substantially aligned with the cylinder axis of the cylinder 11. It has a connecting pipe 10a protruding in an orthogonal direction. The connection pipe 10a communicates with the internal space of the cylindrical portion 11 at one end of the cylinder. The other end of the connecting tube 10a serves as a connecting portion 10 to the transfer tube. In this embodiment, the connection pipe 10a
The connection tube 10a is connected to the transfer tube by fitting the other end of the tube into the transfer tube from one end of the transfer tube. In this embodiment, on the connection portion 10 side of the connection pipe 10a,
Are provided at intervals, and the outer diameter of the top end of each of the raised portions 10b, 10b is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the transfer tube. Reference numeral 13 in the figure denotes an O-ring that is fitted between the protruding portions 10b of the connection pipe 10a.

(5) The peripheral groove 22b of the connector main body 2 is set so that the lower side of the flange 12 is positioned so that the lower surface of the flange 12 is brought into contact with the upper end of the peripheral protrusion 22a of the connector main body 2. In the fitted state, the communication space 14 for guiding the fuel gas fed from the external opening 21 formed at the upper end of the cylindrical body 21a of the connector body 2 to the connection pipe 10a is secured inside the external cap body 1. It is so.

(Mounting of External Cap 1 and Connector Body 2) The external cap 1 and connector body 2 described above close the external opening 21 of the connector body 2 attached to the fuel tank T. As described above, with the operation of fitting the external cap body 1 to the external opening 21, that is, the lower side of the external cap body 1 sandwiching the flange portion 12, the lower surface of the flange portion 12 is connected to the connector main body. The outer cap body 1 is joined to the outer peripheral groove 22b of the connector body 2 by an operation of fitting the outer cap body 1 to a position where the outer cap body 1 is brought into contact with the upper end of the second circular projection 22a.

That is, in this embodiment, the external cap 1 and the connector main body 2 are provided on one of the external cap 1 and the connector main body 2 with the fitting operation. The engaging arm provided on the other of the external cap body 1 and the connector body 2 for engaging the engaging portion 23c with the engaging protrusion 15 by the elasticity after being abutted against the protrusion 15 and once elastically deformed outward. 23
It is as a structure joined by.

As a result, in this embodiment, after the connector main body 2 is attached to the fuel tank T, the external cap body 1 is fitted to the external opening 21 of the connector main body 2 so that a separate joining is achieved. The connector main body 2 and the external cap body 1 are joined with one-touch operation by properly engaging the engaging portion 23c of the engaging arm 23 with the engaging protrusion 15 without requiring any components. Can be matched.

Further, the joint state between the connector body 2 and the outer cap body 1 joined in such a manner is such that the engaging arm 23 is elastically deformed in a direction in which the engaging portion 23c is engaged with the engaging protrusion 15. Thereby, it can be easily released as required.

More specifically, in this embodiment, the hooking arm 23 has a T-shaped portion 2 having an arm 23a and protruding portions 23b on both sides of the tip of the arm 23a.
3d, and the edge of the projecting portion 23b facing the base side of the engaging arm 23 is connected to the engaging projecting portion 1b.
5 is a hooking portion 23c.

Further, the engaging projection 15 is provided on the engaging arm 2.
3 is formed with an interval for accommodating the arm portion 23a therebetween, and is externally connected to the external opening 21 so as to close the external opening 21 of the connector body 2 attached to the fuel tank T on one side of the top portion 15b. A pair of ridges 15a each having an inclined surface 15d that abuts the protruding portion 23b of the engaging arm 23 and gradually elastically deforms the engaging arm 23 outwardly with the operation of fitting the cap body 1 in,
15a.

As a result, in this embodiment, with the fitting operation, the engaging arm 23 causes the protruding portion 23b of the engaging arm 23 to abut against the inclined surface 15d of the ridge 15a. The inclined surface 15d makes it possible to smoothly and elastically deform outwardly.
The arm 23a is located between the pair of ridges 15a, 15a at a position where the protruding portion 23b has passed over the top 15b of 5a.
The engaging arm 23 is repelled so as to enter the engaging portion 23c of the protruding portion 23b and the other side (ie, the inclined surface 15d) sandwiching the top portion 15b of the protruding ridge 15a.
On the side opposite to the side on which the is provided). The hooking arm 23 has its arm 23a inserted between the pair of protrusions 15a, 15a.
b is engaged with the engaging projection 15, even if a force is applied to the external cap body 1 to rotate the external cap body 1 about a vertical axis. 1 can be prevented from moving in the rotation direction, and the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 15 and the engagement arm 23 can be stably ensured.

Further, the elastic deformation of the engaging arm 23 for releasing the joint state between the connector main body 2 and the external cap body 1 joined as described above as necessary is performed by gripping the protruding portion 23b. This can be easily achieved.

In this embodiment, the hooking arm 23 is attached to the outer opening 21 of the connector body 2 by the arm portion 23.
The bases of a are integrally connected to each other, and the engaging projections 15 are formed outside the outer cap body 1.

As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily form the engaging arm 23 on the connector body 2 and the engaging protrusion 15 on the external cap body 1 by plastic molding. Can be.

The state of the connection between the connector body 2 and the external cap 1, that is, whether or not the projecting portion 23 b of the engaging arm 23 is engaged with the engaging projection 15 is determined from above the external cap 1. It can be easily confirmed.

Further, when elastically deforming the engaging arm 23 for releasing the joint state between the connector body 2 and the external cap body 1 joined as described above as necessary, the projecting portion 23b is used. It can be easily gripped.

Specifically, in this embodiment,
The engaging arm 23 is provided at an upper end of the orbiting protrusion 22a of the connector main body 2 so as to project in a direction substantially orthogonal to the upper end surface. In this embodiment, such engaging arms 23 are provided at both diametrically opposite positions of the cylindrical orbiting protruding portion 22a.

The engaging projection 15 is provided on an outer portion on the upper side of the external cap body 1 with the flange portion 12 interposed therebetween, and the engaging projection 15 is also formed in a cylindrical shape. 1 are provided on both sides in the diameter direction. In addition, each of the engaging projections 15 is connected to the engaging arm 23.
Is formed by a pair of ridges 15a, 15a extending in the up-down direction with an interval for accommodating the arm portion 23a therebetween.
Each of the protruding ridges 15a has its lower end integrally connected to the upper surface of the flange portion 12 and protrudes the inclined surface 15d that is inclined upward so as to gradually increase the protruding dimension of the protruding ridge 15a. Have. Further, the inclined surface 15d and the top portion 15b (the ridge 1 that protrudes the largest from the outer cap body 1)
5a), the hooking surface 1 facing upward sandwiching the contact surface 1
5c, and the engaging portion 23c of the projecting portion 23b of the engaging arm 23 that has been resiliently (elastically restored) as described above is configured to be engaged with the engaging surface 15c.

Further, in this embodiment, the pair of engaging arms 23 of the connector main body 2 face the surfaces facing the other engaging arm 23 respectively, and the flange 12 of the external cap body 1 is The pair of engaging arms 2 are curved so as to follow the arcuate outer contour of the upper side sandwiched therebetween.
The distance between the tops 15b of the ridges 15a of the pair of engaging projections 15, 15 in the external cap body 1 is larger than the distance between the surfaces facing the other engaging arms 23 in 3, 3 by the fitting operation. Slope 15d of ridge 15a
Abuts the projecting portion 23b of the engaging arm 23 to gradually and elastically push the engaging arm 23 outward once, and then moves the top portion 15b of the engaging arm 23 at a position where the projecting portion 23b has passed over. The projecting portion 23b is configured to be slightly widened so as to be engaged with the engaging surface 15c by repulsion.

In this embodiment, one of the groove ends is opened outward at the lower end of the outer cap body 1 at the lower side of the outer cap body 1 with the flange portion 12 therebetween. An extending bottomed positioning groove 16 is provided, and the positioning groove 16 is formed on the side of the orbiting protrusion 22a of the connector body 2 facing the cylindrical body 21a.
A positioning rib 24 is provided from the lower end opening portion to enter the positioning groove 16 with the fitting operation, and the fitting operation is allowed only in the direction in which the 16 positioning rib 24 enters the positioning groove, and The pair of engaging arms 23 of the connector main body 2 are appropriately engaged with the pair of engaging projections 15 of the external cap body 1 by the fitting operation.

In this embodiment, a donut plate provided so as to cover the bottom of the orbiting groove 22b by passing the cylindrical body 21a of the connector main body 2 through a hole provided at the center is used. Eggplant rubber 6 and outer cap 1
O-ring 17 fitted to the outside of the cylindrical portion 11 below the flange portion 12 of the outer cap body 1
Is sealed so as not to cause leakage of the fuel gas.

In this embodiment, the inner bottom surface 2 of the orbiting groove 22b formed in the connector main body 2 is used.
Since 2d is located below the upper surface of the fuel tank T, the outer cap 1
The outer cap body 1 can be fitted to the connector main body 2 in a state where the protrusion dimension of the external cap body is made as small as possible.

(Materials of Connector Body 2 and Fixing Plate 4) The connector body 2 is made of a plastic molded article made of a synthetic resin material that is difficult to transmit the evaporative gas from the fuel. It is preferable to use a plastic molded article molded from a synthetic resin material that is familiar with the synthetic resin material forming the tank T.

In the case of such a configuration, the leakage of the evaporative gas is prevented by the sealing ring 3 pressed against the outer surface of the fuel tank T by the flange portion 12 of the connector body 2.
The welding protrusion 41a of the fixing plate 4 can be appropriately fixed to the fuel tank T by heat welding while reliably preventing the welding by the zero.

Typically, it is recognized that polyacetal is difficult to permeate the evaporating gas, and high density polyethylene is most commonly used as the synthetic resin material in the fuel tank T made of synthetic resin material. It is optimal that the connector main body 2 is a plastic molded product molded of polyacetal, and the fixing plate 4 is a plastic molded product molded of polyethylene.

[0079]

According to the fuel tank connector of the present invention, the connector main body, which can be inserted and inserted into the opening of the fuel tank, can be easily and appropriately mounted on the fuel tank.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective configuration diagram of an external cap body 1.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the external cap body 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which a fixing plate 4 is superimposed on the connector main body 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state in which the connector body 2 and the external cap body 1 are separated.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which the external cap body 1 is fitted to the connector main body 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective configuration diagram of an external cap body 1 constituting a configuration example in which a part of the configuration is different from FIGS. 1 to 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the outer cap body 1;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which a fixing plate 4 is overlaid on the connector main body 2;

FIG. 9 is a sectional configuration view showing the connector body 2 and the external cap body 1 in a separated state.

FIG. 10 is a sectional configuration diagram showing a state where the external cap body 1 is fitted to the connector main body 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 P transfer pipe or transfer tube C connector T fuel tank H opening R flow path 10 connection part 2 connector body 20 insertion part 4 fixing plate 41 fixing part

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A fuel supply system, comprising: a connection portion to a transfer pipe or a transfer tube for a fluid such as fuel or evaporative gas from fuel; and a plug portion to an opening formed in a fuel tank. And a connector attached to the fuel tank so as to allow the fluid to flow out of the fuel tank or to flow into the fuel tank through the fluid flow path provided between the fuel tank. A connector body having a flange having an outer diameter larger than an opening of the fuel tank, a lower side of the flange being the insertion portion, and an upper side of the flange being the connection portion; A fixing plate fixed to the fuel tank with the fixing portion so as to press the lower surface side against the upper surface of the flange of the connector body, provided with a fixing portion to the outer surface of the fuel tank on the lower surface side; Connector for a fuel tank, characterized in that it comprises. 2. A fuel cell system comprising: a sealing member provided to prevent leakage of fluid from between a connector main body and an opening of a fuel tank; and the sealing member is fixed to the fuel tank by a flange of the connector main body. 2. The fuel tank connector according to claim 1, wherein the fixing plate is fixed to the fuel tank with a fixing portion so as to press against the outer surface. 3. The fixing portion of the fixing plate is a welding protrusion located outside the protruding end of the flange of the connector body, and the fixing plate is fixed to the fuel tank by heat welding of the welding protrusion. 3. The connector for a fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the connector has a configuration. 4. The connector body is a plastic molded article formed of a synthetic resin material that is difficult to transmit evaporative gas from fuel, and the fixing plate is made of a synthetic resin material that is familiar with the synthetic resin material forming the fuel tank. 4. The fuel tank connector according to claim 3, wherein the connector is a molded plastic product. 5. The connector for a fuel tank according to claim 3, wherein the connector main body is a plastic molded product molded from polyacetal, and the fixing plate is a plastic molded product molded from polyethylene.