JP2002144892A - Connector for fuel tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize the leakage of a gas produced from a fuel from an interface between a polyethylene or high-density polyethylene inner face layer constituting a fuel tank, exposed to the inner face of an opening of the fuel tank to which a connector is attached, and a gas barrier layer formed outside thereof following the mounting of the connector to the opening. SOLUTION: The connector comprises a base 1 formed of a gas barrier natured synthetic resin, having a flange portion 10 large enough to cover the opening H opening in the fuel tank T having the gas barrier layer Tb formed outside the polyethylene or high-density polyethylene inner face layer Tc, an insertion portion 11 for the opening H and a flow passage 12, and a gas barrier natured seal ring 2 to be crushed for sealing the interface M to the gas barrier layer Tb exposed to the inner face of the opening H following the insertion of the insertion portion 11 of the base 1 into the opening H.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel tank for an automobile or the like having an outer layer made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene;
The present invention relates to an improvement in a connector used to connect a transfer path for sending out fuel from the fuel tank, sending out gas from the fuel tank, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fuel tank provided with a gas barrier layer outside an inner surface layer made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene,
As a connector for connecting the fuel supply pipe and the ventilation pipe, a flange portion sized to cover the opening provided in the fuel tank, a plug portion into the opening, and a flow path communicating with the fuel supply pipe It is provided in the fuel tank so as to close the opening with the flange portion in a state where the insertion portion is inserted into the opening, and the fuel supply pipe, the ventilation pipe, and the like by the flow path. Some are connected to a fuel tank.

[0003]

However, in such a fuel tank, the gas generated from the fuel passes through the inner surface layer and is exposed to the inner surface of the opening through the interface between the inner surface layer and the gas barrier layer. It is recognized that the leak does not leak from the interface.

[0004] Accordingly, the present invention provides a fuel tank having an inner surface made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, which is exposed on the inner surface of an opening of a fuel tank to which a connector is attached, and an interface between a gas barrier layer formed outside the inner layer. It is a primary object of the present invention to reduce the leakage of gas generated from the fuel as much as possible with the attachment of the connector to such an opening.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a fuel tank connector has the following configurations (1) to (3). did. (1) A fuel tank provided with a gas barrier layer on the outside of an inner surface layer made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, sending fuel to the fuel tank, sending fuel from the fuel tank, and sending gas from the fuel tank A connector for connecting to a transfer path that forms
(2) This connector has a gas-barrier composite including a flange portion sized to cover an opening provided in the fuel tank, a plug-in portion to the opening, and a flow path communicated with the transfer path. (3) a gas barrier which is crushed so as to seal an interface between the gas barrier layer exposed on the inner surface of the opening when the insertion portion of the base body is inserted into the opening; And a seal ring having a property.

[0006] According to this configuration, by inserting the insertion portion of the base body into the opening of the fuel tank and attaching the connector to the fuel tank, the gas barrier layer penetrates the inner surface layer of the fuel tank. The leakage of the gas generated from the fuel that may leak from the interface exposed to the inner surface of the opening through the interface between the inner layer and the inner layer can be effectively prevented.

In the invention according to claim 2, the fuel tank connector has the following configuration (1) to (4). (1) A fuel tank provided with a gas barrier layer on the outside of an inner surface layer made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, sending fuel to the fuel tank, sending fuel from the fuel tank, and sending gas from the fuel tank A connector for connecting to a transfer path that forms
(2) This connector has a gas-barrier composite including a flange portion sized to cover an opening provided in the fuel tank, a plug-in portion to the opening, and a flow path communicated with the transfer path. A base body made of resin; and (3) an outer flange is provided on one of the cylinder openings, and the flange is inserted into the opening so as to be hooked on an edge portion surrounding the opening of the fuel tank, and the base body is provided inside. And (4) a collar body configured to allow the insertion portion to be inserted therein, and (4) being fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the collar body and being exposed to the inner surface of the opening as the collar body is inserted into the opening. A seal ring having a gas barrier property that is crushed so as to seal an interface with the gas barrier layer.

[0008] According to this configuration, when the collar body is inserted into the opening of the fuel tank, the seal is formed so as to seal the interface between the inner surface layer exposed on the inner surface of the opening and the gas barrier layer. The ring can be crushed, and then the connector is attached to the fuel tank by inserting the insertion part of the base body inside the collar body thus inserted, thereby leaking from the interface. The connector can be attached to the fuel tank in a state where the leak of the gas generated from the fuel which is likely to occur is effectively prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the fuel tank connector according to the second aspect is further configured such that the inner diameter of the collar body is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion of the base body. And a configuration in which the insertion portion is provided with an elastic member that is elastically deformed when the insertion portion is inserted into the inside of the collar body and presses the collar body outward. It was taken.

[0010] According to this configuration, after the collar body is inserted into the opening of the fuel tank and inserted, the insertion of the base body into the inside of the collar body can be easily performed. Further, by the elastic member, the collar body and the insertion portion of the base body can be fitted without looseness, and a force for pressing the collar body outward can be applied to the collar body, It is possible to further ensure the sealing performance with respect to the interface exposed on the inner surface of the opening by the seal ring provided on the collar body.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the base body includes a fuel cutoff valve.

According to such a configuration, the fuel tank is
Leakage of gas generated from fuel from the interface between the inner layer made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene that constitutes the fuel tank exposed on the inner surface of the opening of the fuel tank and the gas barrier layer formed on the outside thereof is reduced as much as possible. In this state, a fuel cutoff valve can be provided.

[0013]

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

Here, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG.
3 is a vertical sectional view of a portion where the opening H of the fuel tank connector and the fuel tank T is provided, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the connector shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of a connector configured by partially changing a portion in a vertical cross section. 1 and 4 show a state before the connector is attached to the fuel tank T, and FIGS. 2 and 5 show a state where the connector is attached to the fuel tank T, respectively. 1 and 2, FIG. 3 shows an example in which an elastic member 17 for pressing the collar body 3 is provided on the base body 1, and FIGS. 4 and 5 show the collar. 3 shows a configuration example in which the body 3 is not used.

The fuel tank connector according to this embodiment includes a fuel tank T such as an automobile provided with a gas barrier layer Tb on the outside of an inner surface layer Tc made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, and a fuel tank for the fuel tank T. It is used to connect a transfer path for feeding, sending out fuel from the fuel tank T, sending out gas from the fuel tank T, and the like.

As the fuel tank T, typically, an outer layer T made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene is used.
a and a gas barrier layer Tb between the outer surface layer Ta and the inner surface layer Tc.

As such a transfer path, typically, a transfer path constituted by a fuel supply pipe and a ventilation pipe is planned.

Further, such a connector (1) is communicated with the flange portion 10 having a size to cover the opening H provided through the fuel tank T, the insertion portion 11 into the opening H, and the transfer path. A base body 1 made of a gas-barrier synthetic resin, such as polyacetal, having a flow path 12 and a gas barrier for sealing an interface M between the inner surface layer Tc and the gas barrier layer Tb exposed on the inner surface of the opening H. And a seal ring 2 having a characteristic.

Specifically, the insertion portion 11 of the base body 1
Is configured to be inserted into the fuel tank T from outside the fuel tank T.

On the upper portion of the insertion portion 11, a flange portion 10 having a size enough to cover the opening H with the insertion portion 11 inserted into the opening H of the fuel tank T is formed. is there.

Specifically, in this embodiment,
The insertion portion 11 is integrally formed on the lower surface of the disc-shaped upper plate 13, and the insertion portion 11 is located between the outer edge of the upper plate 13 and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11. Approximately equal intervals are ensured at any point around the outer peripheral surface, and the flange portion 10 is formed by the outer edge of the upper plate 13 protruding laterally from the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11. ing.

In this embodiment, a lower portion 14b protruding from the lower surface of the upper plate 13 and an upper portion 14a protruding from the upper surface of the upper plate 13 are provided substantially at the center of the upper plate 13. Are provided integrally with each other. The tubular portion 14 has its lower end 14b open at its end and its upper end 14a once rises in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plate surface of the upper plate 13,
The upper portion 1 is formed so as to be bent laterally in a direction along the plate surface, and is bent in this manner and extends laterally.
The end of 4a is open.

In this embodiment, as will be described later, the insertion portion 1 formed as a cylindrical body 19 into which gas generated from fuel in the fuel tank T can flow.
The gas flowing into the fuel tank 1 can be sent out of the fuel tank T through the tubular portion 14. That is, in this embodiment,
The tubular portion 14 serves as the flow path 12 communicating with the transfer path. In this embodiment, the bent and laterally extending portion of the upper portion 14a of the tubular portion 14 can be fitted into one end of a tubular ventilation pipe in an airtight manner, Such a tubular part 1
The gas sent out through 4 is sent out to a canister or the like via a vent pipe connected in this way.

In the present embodiment, the entire upper surface of the upper plate 13 and the entire outer surface of the upper portion 14a of the tubular portion 14 of the base body 1 thus configured are made of polyethylene or high Outer layer 1 made of high density polyethylene
5 and the edge of the upper plate 13, that is, the protruding end of the flange 10, is attached to the upper plate 1.
A welding protrusion 16 is formed integrally with the outer layer 15 so as to protrude from the lower surface of 3.

More specifically, the welding projection 16 is formed so as to form an annular shape along the projecting end of the flange 10.

The coating layer 15 and the welding projection 16
Can be typically formed by injection molding using the base body 1 as an insert.

The seal ring 2 can be made of rubber having low gas permeability or synthetic resin having rubber-like elasticity. For example, it can be made of fluoro rubber.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
The connector is provided with an outwardly directed flange 30 at one of the cylinder openings. The flange 30 is inserted into the opening H of the fuel tank T so as to be hooked on an edge of the opening around the opening H. It is configured to include the color body 3 configured to allow the insertion portion 11 to be inserted.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seal ring 2 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the collar body 3 and the collar body 3 is inserted into the opening H. Accordingly, the opening H is crushed so as to seal the interface M between the inner surface layer Tc and the gas barrier layer Tb exposed on the inner surface of the opening H.

That is, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening H of the fuel tank T is formed as a substantially circular hole, and the diameter of the outer peripheral portion of the collar body 3 is set to the value. The seal ring 2 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening H, and is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the collar body 3.
By inserting the collar body 3 into the opening H,
It has a thickness that is crushed between the outer peripheral portion of the collar body 3 and the inner surface of the opening H.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer diameter of the insertion portion 11 of the base body 1 and the inner diameter of the collar body 3 are substantially the same or different. The outer diameter of the insertion portion 11 is configured to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter.

Thus, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the collar body 3 is attached to the opening H of the fuel tank T from the outside of the fuel tank T by the flange 30.
The interface M of the opening H can be sealed by the seal ring 2 by inserting the flange 30 into a position where the flange 30 is hooked on an edge portion surrounding the opening H from the side of the cylinder opening opposite to the side provided with. (Fig. 1)

Thereafter, the insertion portion 11 of the base body 1 is inserted into the inside of the collar body 3, and the welding projection 16 of the base body 1 inserted in this manner is attached to the outer surface layer Ta of the fuel tank T. To the fuel tank T
To effectively prevent the gas generated from the fuel that may leak from the interface M on the inner surface of the opening H through the interface M between the gas barrier layer Tb and the inner layer Tc through the inner layer Tc. In this state, the base body 1 can be attached to the opening H. (Fig. 2)

The cover layer 15 of the base body 1
And the welding projection 16 is further composed of two layers, inner and outer, the outer layer is made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, and the inner layer is made of an alloy of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene and a gas-barrier synthetic resin, The welding projection 16 and the outer surface layer Ta of the fuel tank T can be integrated well by the welding, and the gas passing through the collar body 3 and the collar body 3 by the inner layer can be used. It is possible to prevent gas leaking from a contact portion of the base body 1 with the insertion portion 11 from leaking out of the fuel tank T.

As the alloy material, typically, a blend polymer of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, or a blend polymer of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene and polyamide can be used.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration in which the inner diameter of the collar body 3 is made larger than the outer diameter of the insertion part 11 of the base body 1, and the collar body of the insertion part 11 An example is shown in which an elastic member 17 is provided which is elastically deformed as it is inserted into the inside of the body 3 and presses the collar body 3 outward.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, after inserting and installing the collar body 3 in the opening H of the fuel tank T, inserting the insertion portion 11 of the base body 1 into the inside of the collar body 3. Can be made easier than the examples shown in FIGS.

The elastic member 17 allows the collar body 3 and the insertion portion 11 of the base body 1 to be fitted without looseness, and the collar body 3 is pressed outward against the collar body 3. And the seal ring 2 provided on the collar body 3 can more reliably seal the interface M exposed on the inner surface of the opening H.

Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the elastic member 17 is connected to the insertion portion 1 of the base 1.
It is configured in a ring shape provided on the outer periphery of the base portion of the first base. As the elastic member 17, rubber or a synthetic resin having rubber-like elasticity can be used.

In this example, the elastic member 17
Has, at the top and bottom of the inner peripheral surface thereof, a circumferential ridge 17a which enters into the circular concave portion 18 formed in the insertion portion 11, and has a horizontal circular step formed with the lower surface thereof formed in the insertion portion 11. The insertion portion 11 is provided so as to be in close contact with the surface 18a.

The elastic member 17 is provided with orbital pieces 17b on the upper and lower sides of the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the elastic member 17 is inserted into the inside of the collar body 3 when the insertion portion 11 of the base body 1 is inserted. The distal end side of the revolving piece 17b is obliquely elastically deformed so as to face the flange 10 side of the base body 1, and the resiliently deformed revolving piece 17b causes the collar body 3 to be deformed. 3 is pressed outward.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the fuel from the outside of the fuel tank T of the insertion portion 11 of the base 1 having substantially the same configuration as the base 1 of the connector shown in FIGS. The seal ring 2 previously set at a position where the interface M can be sealed on the inner surface of the opening H of the fuel tank T by being inserted into the opening H of the tank T.
Is crushed so as to prevent the gas from leaking from the interface M.

In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the opening H of the fuel tank T is larger than the opening diameter between the outer layer Ta and the gas barrier layer Tb by the inner layer Tc. It is configured to make the opening diameter slightly smaller,
Due to this difference in the opening diameter, a circumferential stepped surface Ha directed to the outside of the fuel tank T is provided on the inner surface thereof.

Then, the seal ring 2 is previously arranged on the inner surface of the opening H so as to seal the interface M of the opening H from the outside of the fuel tank T along the circumferential step surface Ha thus formed. I have to do it.

In this example, the insertion portion 11
Is configured to be slightly smaller than the opening diameter of the opening H on the inner layer Tc side and slightly larger than the inside diameter of the seal ring 2 arranged as described above.

4 and 5, the insertion portion 11 of the base body 1 is inserted into the opening H of the fuel tank T so that the opening H
Can be crushed by the insertion portion 11 so as to seal the interface M. Then, the welding protrusion 16 of the base body 1 inserted as described above is attached to the outer surface layer T of the fuel tank T.
a, the gas barrier layer Tb and the inner surface layer Tc pass through the inner surface layer Tc of the fuel tank T, and
The base body 1 can be attached to the opening H in a state where the leakage of the gas generated from the fuel that may leak from the interface M on the inner surface of the opening H through the interface M with the opening H is effectively prevented.

In each of the configuration examples of the connector described above, the base body 1 is such that the insertion portion 11 is a fuel cut-off valve.

That is, in each of the configuration examples described above, the insertion portion 11 of the base body 1 has a cylindrical body 19 in which one cylinder opening is integrally connected to the lower surface of the upper plate 13.
Is configured as

[0049] A float 19a is accommodated in the tubular body 19 serving as the insertion portion 11. The float 19a is usually moved by the weight of the cylindrical body 19a.
At the position where the bottom surface of the float 19a contacts the inner surface of the cap 19b attached to the cylindrical body 19 so as to close the lower end of the float 19a.
The valve projection 19c formed on the upper surface of the tubular portion 14 is inserted into a valve seat 19d formed at the open lower end of the tubular portion 14 so that the distal end of the lower portion 14b of the tubular portion 14 is not closed. The outer surface of the float 19a and the cylindrical body 1
9, a gap is secured by a rib 19e formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical body 19, and when the float 19a is lowered, a through hole 19f formed in the cap 19b and the gap 19f are formed. The gas that enters the tubular body 19 through the through hole 19f formed on the side surface of the tubular body 19 is sent out from the tubular portion 14 to the outside through the gap. In addition, this float 19a
Is made of a material having a specific gravity slightly higher than that of the fuel, a compression coil spring 19g is interposed between the lower surface of the float 19a and the inner surface of the cap 19b, and the through-hole 19f and the cylinder of the cap 19b are formed. When fuel enters the cylindrical body 19 through the through-hole 19f formed on the side surface of the cylindrical body 19, the valve 19 is quickly lifted up by the action of the spring 19g and is formed substantially at the center of the upper surface of the float 19a. 19c is inserted into the valve seat 19d so that the end of the lower portion 14b of the tubular portion 14
It is configured to function to prevent fuel from flowing into the fuel cell.

[0050]

According to the fuel tank connector of the present invention, the inner layer made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene constituting the fuel tank exposed on the inner surface of the opening of the fuel tank to which the connector is attached and the outer layer thereof The leakage of gas generated from fuel from the interface with the gas barrier layer formed in the opening can be reduced as much as possible with the attachment of the connector to the opening.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a connector and a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a main part of a fuel tank T.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a connector and a main portion cross-sectional configuration diagram of a fuel tank T (attached state).

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the connector and a cross-sectional view of a main part of a fuel tank T, in which a part of the configuration is different from the connector shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connector in which a part of the configuration is different from the connector shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and a cross-sectional view of a main part of a fuel tank T.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the connector and a main-portion cross-sectional configuration diagram of a fuel tank T (attached state).

[Explanation of symbols]

 T fuel tank Tb gas barrier layer Tc inner surface layer M interface H opening 1 base body 10 flange section 11 insertion section 12 flow path 2 seal ring

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) F16K 31/18 B60K 15/02 A

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A fuel tank comprising a gas barrier layer on the outside of an inner surface layer made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene,
A connector for connecting a transfer path for sending fuel to the fuel tank, sending fuel from the fuel tank, sending gas from the fuel tank, and the like, wherein the connector is connected to the fuel tank. A base member made of a gas-barrier synthetic resin having a flange portion sized to cover the opening provided therethrough, an insertion portion into the opening, and a flow path connected to the transfer path; A sealing ring having a gas barrier property that is crushed so as to seal an interface with the gas barrier layer exposed on the inner surface of the opening as the insertion portion is inserted into the opening. And a connector for a fuel tank. 2. A fuel tank having a gas barrier layer on the outside of an inner surface layer made of polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, sending fuel to the fuel tank, sending fuel from the fuel tank, and discharging gas from the fuel tank. A connector for connecting a transfer path for sending out and the like, the connector comprising: a flange portion sized to cover an opening provided in the fuel tank; an insertion portion into the opening; A base body made of a gas-barrier synthetic resin having a flow path communicated with a transfer path; and an outer flange provided on one of the cylinder openings, the flange being hooked to an edge around an opening of the fuel tank. A collar body configured to be inserted into the opening and to allow the insertion portion of the base body to be inserted therein; A sealing ring having a gas barrier property that is crushed so as to seal an interface with the gas barrier layer exposed on the inner surface of the opening as the lump body is inserted into the opening. Fuel tank connector. 3. A structure in which the inner diameter of the collar body is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion part of the base body, and the insertion part is inserted into the inside of the collar body in the insertion part. 3. The fuel tank connector according to claim 2, further comprising an elastic member which is elastically deformed and presses the collar body outward. 4. The connector for a fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the base body is provided with a fuel cutoff valve.