JP2004324470A - Canister and method for mounting the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a canister capable of easily protecting an adsorbent case filled with an adsorbent and a method for mounting the canister. <P>SOLUTION: The canister 10 is provided with an adsorbing chamber filled with the adsorbing 15, the adsorbent case 6 having a fuel vapor introduction port 11a communicated with the adsorbing chamber, a purge port 11b and an atmospheric air communication port 24, and a filter case 35 internally having a filter element 40 communicated with the adsorbent case 6 to filtrate air. The filter case 35 is arranged on a ground side in a state of the canister 10 being mounted on a vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a canister having a filter case, and a method for mounting the canister on a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The canister is usually mounted on the underside of the vehicle near the fuel tank. In addition, the directionality is not particularly considered when the canister is mounted on a vehicle or the like.
[0003]
If it is necessary to consider the protection of the adsorbent case filled with the adsorbent from cracking due to the impact of chipping or the like caused by running of the vehicle, etc., add a protector to protect the adsorbent case, or add an adsorbent case. For example, the resin material used in the above method is replaced with a material having impact resistance (for example, impact-resistant nylon ST801 or the like).
[0004]
Further, there is an apparatus having a filter case in an adsorbent case as a conventional canister (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-70660
The canister has a filter case provided on a side surface of an adsorbent case via a heater.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when replacing the adsorbent case with a material having impact resistance (for example, a material containing a filler), the problem is that the material is expensive and the use of the material increases the fuel permeability. There is.
[0008]
In addition, when the protector is attached to the outside of the adsorbent case, there is a problem that a step of attaching the protector to a vehicle or the like is required and the cost is increased.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a canister and a method of mounting the canister that can easily protect the adsorbent case filled with the adsorbent.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.
[0011]
The method for mounting a canister according to the present invention includes a filter case (35) having therein an adsorbent case (6) filled with an adsorbent and a filter element (40) for communicating with the adsorbent case and filtering air. ), Wherein the canister is mounted on the vehicle with the filter case disposed on the ground side.
[0012]
With this configuration, when the canister is mounted on the vehicle, the filter case is disposed on the road surface side of the adsorbent case, so that even if there is a stepping stone or the like generated from the road surface during traveling, the filter case functions as a protector and adsorbs. The material case can be easily protected. Even if the filter case is damaged by chipping or the like, it does not affect the function as the canister. Further, the filter case is provided in the canister in order to effectively use the space below the vehicle. Further, the filter case is provided in the canister at a lower portion of the vehicle while the vehicle is running so that the air flow is not biased.
[0013]
Further, the canister of the present invention has an adsorption chamber (16, 17) filled with an adsorbent, a fuel vapor inlet (11a), a purge port (11b), and an atmosphere communication port (24) communicating with the adsorption chamber. And a filter case having a filter element therein for communicating with the adsorbent case and filtering air, wherein the filter is provided in a state where the canister is attached to a vehicle. The case is placed on the ground side. The filter case is provided at least on a part of a side surface of the adsorbent case. The adsorbent case and the filter case are connected via a communication passage (5).
[0014]
With this configuration, when the canister is mounted on the vehicle, the filter case is disposed on the road surface side of the adsorbent case, so that even if there is a stepping stone or the like generated from the road surface during traveling, the filter case functions as a protector and adsorbs. The material case can be easily protected. Even if the filter case is damaged by chipping or the like, it does not affect the function as the canister.
[0015]
Further, the adsorbent case includes a plurality of adsorption chambers filled with the adsorbent, the plurality of adsorption chambers are provided side by side so as to create a gap between side walls that define them, and the communication passage is It may be provided in the gap.
[0016]
Further, the filter case has an air communication hole (35a) communicating with the atmosphere, and a partition (38a) provided inside the filter case, and the partition is connected to the filter through the air communication hole. The filter case may be provided so as to prevent the air taken in toward the inside of the case from going straight. Further, the partition bodies are arranged in a staggered manner.
[0017]
In this way, when the vehicle travels in rainy weather or the like, even if water flows in along with the air sucked from the air communication hole, the water collides with the partition and prevents water from flowing into the filter case. Can be prevented. Similarly, dust also collides with the partition body, so that the amount of dust entering the inside of the filter case is reduced, and the load on the filter element can be reduced.
[0018]
Further, the adsorbent case and the filter case are formed of different types of materials. The adsorbent case is formed of a non-filler material, and the filter case is formed of a material containing a filler. The adsorbent case may be formed of a nylon material, and the filter case may be formed of an impact-resistant nylon material.
[0019]
In this case, since only the filter case needs to be formed of an impact-resistant member, the manufacturing cost of the canister can be reduced.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 to 5, a canister according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 is a front view of the canister, FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the entire structure of the canister body and the communication passage, taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a side view of the canister, and FIG. 4 is IV-IV of FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing IV-IV of FIG. 1 in another embodiment of the communication passage. The canister 10 is mounted on an automobile or the like (hereinafter, referred to as “vehicle”) using an internal combustion engine as a prime mover, and is for processing fuel vapor generated at a fuel supply source (fuel tank). In the following description, the up, down, left, and right directions in FIG. 2 are expressed as the up, down, left, and right directions of the canister for convenience, but the direction when the canister is used is not limited thereto.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the canister 10 includes a canister main body 2, a dust filter main body 4, and a communication passage 5 connecting the canister main body 2 and the dust filter main body 4.
[0022]
The canister body 2 has an adsorbent case 6 made of resin. Preferably, the adsorbent case 6 is made of a non-filler material or a nylon material. The adsorbent case 6 includes a case body 9 having a pair of left and right cylindrical portions 7, 8, a top cap 11 provided on an upper portion of one cylindrical portion 7 of the case body 9, and a lower portion of the case body 9. And a lid 12 to be closed. The top cap 11 and the lid 12 are hermetically joined to the case body 9 over the entire outer periphery of the top cap 11 and the lid 12. For joining, for example, welding is used. A gap is provided between one cylindrical portion 7 and the other cylindrical portion 8 of the case body 9.
[0023]
In the case body 9, the insides of both the tubular portions 7 and 8 are used as an adsorption chamber filled with the adsorbent 15. In the suction chamber, the inside of one tubular portion 7 provided with the top cap 11 functions as a first suction chamber 16, and the inside of the other tubular portion 8 functions as a second suction chamber 17. Activated carbon is typically used as the adsorbent 15, but is not limited thereto. A connection portion 18 is provided below the case body 9 corresponding to the gap. The first and second adsorption chambers 16 and 17 communicate with each other via the internal space of the communication section 18 so that air and fuel vapor can flow between the two chambers. Each of the tubular portions 7 and 8 has an end wall (hereinafter, referred to as an “upper wall”) and four side walls extending downward from the outer periphery of the end wall in a downwardly extending direction. (In the figure, two left and right side walls of the cylindrical portions 7 and 8).
[0024]
Further, sheet-like filters 20 and 21 are disposed at the upper ends of the first and second adsorption chambers 16 and 17, respectively. Activated carbon as the adsorbent 15 is filled under the adsorbent 15 to form an adsorbent layer. At the lower ends of the first and second adsorption chambers 16 and 17, sheet-like filters 20a and 21a respectively covering the adsorbent layers are arranged. On the lower side, although not shown, a grid having a large number of through holes in the vertical direction is arranged. A coil spring is arranged below the grid, and the lid 12 is covered from below the coil spring. As a result, the spring is compressed by the lid 12 joined to the case main body 9, and the repulsive force pushes up the grid, so that the activated carbon in the adsorbent layer is appropriately compacted. Further, the lid 12 functions as a lower wall (end wall) of the case body 9. The sheet-like filters 20, 20a, 21, 21a are made of, for example, felt.
[0025]
In addition, a hollow pipe 22 that communicates with the first suction chamber 16 and protrudes upward is provided on the upper wall of the one cylindrical portion 7 of the case body 9. The top cap 11 is placed on the upper surface of the upper wall corresponding to the first suction chamber 16. The top cap 11 is provided with a charge port 11a connected to a hose communicating with the fuel tank, and a purge port 11b connected to the intake system of the internal combustion engine. As a result, the charge port 11a and the purge port 11b communicate with each other via the first adsorption chamber 16 and the hollow pipe 22, so that air and fuel vapor can flow. Further, the top cap 11 is provided with a pressure inspection sensor 11c called a P sensor for detecting a pressure fluctuation at the time of air leak check.
[0026]
In addition, an opening 24 communicating with the second suction chamber 17 is provided in an upper wall of the other cylindrical portion 8 of the case body 9. The opening 24 functions as an atmosphere communication port. A communication passage 5 connected to the opening 24 is provided on the upper surface of the upper wall corresponding to the second suction chamber 17. Thereby, the inside of the communication passage 5 and the second adsorption chamber 17 communicate with each other through the opening 24, and air and fuel vapor can flow. The communication passage 5 is provided in the horizontal direction along the upper wall of the cylindrical portion 8, and is provided in a substantially L-shape vertically downward along the side wall of the cylindrical portion 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the communication passage 5 is provided with first and second partition members 26 and 27 at predetermined intervals. The space divided by the first and second partition members 26 and 27 functions as a third suction chamber. Further, sheet-like filters 26a and 27a are arranged on the upstream side of the first partition 26 and on the downstream side of the second partition 27, respectively. The sheet filters 26a and 27a are made of, for example, felt. Activated carbon as the adsorbent 15 is filled between the two filters 26a and 27a to form an adsorbent layer. A leak detection valve 31 is provided inside the communication passage 5 and downstream of the second partition body 27. The downstream end of the leak detection valve 31 of the communication passage 5 is bent and connected to a predetermined portion of the dust filter main body 4. The dust filter body 4 is provided for filtering air.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the dust filter main body 4 has a substantially rectangular impact-resistant resin filter case 35. Preferably, the filter case 35 is formed of a material including a filler material. An air communication pipe 36 having an air communication hole 35a that is connected to the air and protrudes upward is provided on one end surface (upper part) of the filter case 35. As shown in FIG. 4, a connection port 35 b connected to the communication passage 5 is provided on a side wall surface (side) of the filter case 35. The air communication hole 35a and the connection port 35b communicate with each other inside the filter case 35. The filter case 35 includes an upper lid 38 and a lower lid 39. The upper lid 38 and the lower lid 39 are provided so as to be welded or removable. Further, according to the structure of the filter case 35, a pleated filter element 40 is fixedly or detachably mounted inside the filter case 35. The connection port 35b is provided at a predetermined portion of the lower cover 39.
[0028]
The lower lid 39 includes a bottom body and side walls extending from the outer periphery of the bottom body in a direction perpendicular to the bottom body. The side walls are provided with supports 39a, 39a, 39a, 39a and 39b for supporting the canister body 2 and the communication passage 5. Specifically, the supports 39a and 39b are provided in a direction opposite to the upper lid 38 attached to the lower lid 39, and vertically on both sides of the canister main body 2 in a direction perpendicular to the bottom body, and at predetermined positions of the communication passage 5. Is provided on the outer periphery. The canister body 2 and the communication passage 5 are supported by the supports 39a and 39b. That is, the filter case 35 is provided on the side surface of the adsorbent case 6.
[0029]
Further, an attachment body 41 for attaching the filter element 40 is provided between the upper lid 38 and the lower lid 39 forming the filter case 35. The attachment body 41 includes a bottom body 41a having substantially the same area as the lower lid 39, a third partition body 41b extending in a substantially vertical direction from one surface of the bottom body 41a, and a predetermined distance from the third partition body. A fourth partition body 41c provided on the bottom body 41a and a fifth partition body 41d extending substantially perpendicularly to the bottom body 41a so as to contact the lower lid 39 from the other surface; And a sixth partition 41e provided on the bottom 41a at a predetermined interval from the fifth partition 41d. The filter element 40 is detachably or fixedly mounted between the third and fourth partition members 41b and 41c. Further, a plurality of through holes 42, 42,..., 42 are provided in a portion corresponding to the filter element 40 in the bottom body 41a. Further, a predetermined space is provided between the bottom of the lower lid 39 and the filter element 40 by the fifth and sixth partition bodies 41d and 41e.
[0030]
The upper lid 38 includes a bottom body and a side wall body extending from the outer periphery of the bottom body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom body. A seventh partition 38a extending substantially vertically from the bottom is provided above the inside surrounded by the side wall. The seventh partition body 38a is disposed so as to prevent the air taken in from the air communication hole 35a toward the inside of the filter case 35 from going straight. An end portion of the seventh partition body 38a is in contact with an opposing side wall body (side wall body in the front-rear direction in the figure). The seventh partition 38a is provided above the filter case 35, and more specifically, above a third partition 41b functioning as a part of a filter element mounting member. The seventh partition body 38a and the third partition body 41b are arranged in a zigzag pattern inside the filter case 35, and formed in a labyrinth structure. In this way, when the vehicle travels on rainy weather or the like, even if water flows in together with the air sucked from the air communication hole 35a, the water collides with the seventh partition body 38a. A structure in which water or the like hardly flows can be provided.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 5, the communication passage 5 omits the third suction chamber formed by the first and second partition members 26a and 27a, and only the leak detection valve 31 is provided inside the communication passage 5. May be provided. Thereby, the connection port 35b provided in the filter case 35 is formed above the filter case 35.
[0032]
When the canister 10 including the adsorbent case 6 and the filter case 35 is mounted on a vehicle, the filter case 35 is disposed on the ground when the canister 10 is mounted on the vehicle. Further, in the canister manufacturing process, when the canister 10 is mounted on the vehicle, the filter case 35 is attached to the side surface of the adsorbent case 6 so that the filter case 35 is arranged on the ground side.
[0033]
-2nd Embodiment-
A canister according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 5, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0034]
FIG. 6 is a front view of the canister of this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a right side view of the canister of this embodiment. As is clear from these figures, the canister 10a of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the communication passage 5 is provided in a gap provided between the two cylindrical portions 7 and 8.
[0035]
In the canister 10a of the present embodiment, one cylindrical portion 7 and the other cylindrical portion 8 of the case body 9 are provided side by side so that a predetermined gap is formed between side walls that define them. Is provided with a communication passage 5. One end of the communication passage 5 communicates with the second adsorption chamber of the tubular portion 8, and the other end is connected to the connection port 35 b of the filter case 35. Although not shown, the connection port 35 b is provided below the center of the filter case 35.
[0036]
In addition, supports 45, 45, 45, 45 for supporting the outer peripheral side of the canister body are provided above and below both sides of the filter case 35. In the vicinity of the center of the lower lid of the filter case 35, there is provided a support 46 for supporting a part of the outer periphery of the communication passage 5 so as to be curved along the outer peripheral shape of the cylindrical portion 7.
[0037]
Further, the filter case 35 is provided at a position (side surface of the adsorbent case 6) facing the cylindrical portions 7 and 8 having the first adsorption chamber 16 and the second adsorption chamber 17.
[0038]
-Third embodiment-
A canister according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 5, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0039]
FIG. 8 is a front view of the canister of this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of the canister of this embodiment. As is apparent from these drawings, the canister 10b of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the communication passage 5 having the leak detection valve 31 is formed above the second suction chamber 17.
[0040]
In the second adsorption chamber 17 of the canister 10b of the present embodiment, an intermediate wall 55 is disposed substantially at the center in the height direction, and the second adsorption chamber 17 (adsorbent layer) is divided into adsorption chambers 52 and 53. It is formed as follows. The intermediate wall 55 is provided with a grid 56 having a large number of through holes 59, 59,...
[0041]
Further, the canister 10b has a communication passage 5 along an upper wall above the tubular portion 8. A leak detection valve 31 is provided inside the communication passage 5. The end of the communication passage 5 is bent and connected to the connection port 35b of the dust filter body 4. The connection port 35b is provided at the upper right corner of the filter case 35.
[0042]
The filter case 35 and the communication passage 5 are integrally formed and formed. The canister body 2 and the filter case 35 integrally formed with the communication passage 5 are connected to each other on the upper surface of the upper wall of the cylindrical portion 8. Is fixed by, for example, a screw 51 or the like via a fixing member 50 provided on a part of the outer periphery of the.
[0043]
-Fourth embodiment-
A canister according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 10 to 14, the same parts as those in FIGS. 8 and 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0044]
10 is a front view of the canister of the present embodiment, FIG. 11 is a rear view of the canister of the present embodiment, FIG. 12 is an internal structural view of a canister body of the present embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the canister of the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the canister in this embodiment.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 11, the canister 10c of the present embodiment has the lid 12 provided with a reinforcing rib 65 formed in a shell shape, as shown in FIG. Thus, the canister body 2 can be easily reinforced.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 13, the outer periphery of the filter case 35, the canister body 2 and the communication passage 5c are formed by welding. Thus, as shown in the first to third embodiments, it is not necessary to provide the filter case 35 with a support for supporting the canister body 2 and the communication passages 5 to 5b, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0047]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, the filter case 35 includes a connection port 36 having an air communication hole 35a so as to protrude downward. As shown in FIG. 14, the filter case 35 is formed by bending a part of the filter case 35 in accordance with the shape of the mounting position when the filter case 35 is mounted on a vehicle.
[0048]
As described above, the canister 10 of the present invention includes the first and second adsorption chambers 16 and 17 filled with the adsorbent, the fuel vapor introduction port 11a communicating with the first adsorption chamber 16, and the purge port. 11b and an adsorbent case 6 having an air communication port 24 communicating with the second adsorption chamber 17, and a filter case 35 having therein a filter element 40 for communicating with the adsorbent case 2 and filtering air. When the canister 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like, the filter case 35 is disposed on the ground side. The filter case 35 is provided at least on a part of the side surface of the adsorbent case 6. The adsorbent case 6 and the filter case 35 are connected via the communication passage 5.
[0049]
Further, the adsorbent case 6 includes first and second (plural) adsorbent chambers 16 and 17 filled with the adsorbent, and the first and second adsorbent chambers 16 and 17 define them. The side walls may be provided side by side so as to form a gap, and the communication passage 5 may be provided in this gap.
[0050]
Preferably, the adsorbent case 6 and the filter case 35 are formed of different types of materials. Specifically, the adsorbent case 2 is formed of a non-filler material, and the filter case 35 is formed of a material containing a filler. The adsorbent case 2 may be formed of a nylon material, and the filter case 35 may be formed of an impact-resistant nylon material.
[0051]
As a method of mounting the canister, a canister including an adsorbent case 6 filled with an adsorbent and a filter case 35 having a filter element 40 therein for communicating with the adsorbent case 6 and filtering air is provided. In the method of attaching the canister 10 to a vehicle, the canister 10 is attached to the vehicle with the filter case 35 disposed on the ground side.
[0052]
With this configuration, when the canister is mounted on the vehicle, the filter case 35 is arranged on the road surface side of the adsorbent case 6, so that even if there is a stepping stone or the like generated from the road surface during traveling, the filter case 35 can be used as a protector. It functions and can protect the adsorbent case 6. In addition, since only the filter case 35 needs to be formed of an impact-resistant member, the manufacturing cost of the canister 10 can be reduced.
[0053]
Although the embodiments of the canister of the present invention have been described above, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms. For example, by combining the first embodiment and the third embodiment, an intermediate wall may be arranged in the second adsorption chamber inside the adsorbent case so that the adsorbent layer is divided. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a canister according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the entire structure of a canister body and a communication passage and showing II-II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the canister according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing IV-IV of FIG. 1;
5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing IV-IV of FIG. 1 in another embodiment of the communication passage.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a canister according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a right side view of a canister according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a front view of a canister according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a canister according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a front view of a canister according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a rear view of a canister according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an internal structural diagram of a canister body according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of a canister according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a canister according to a fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
5 Communication passage 6 Adsorbent case 10 to 10c Canister 11a Fuel vapor introduction port 11b Purge port 24 Atmospheric communication port 35 Filter case 35a Atmospheric communication hole 38a Seventh partition body 40 Filter element

Claims (10)

A method of mounting a canister including a sorbent case filled with an sorbent and a filter case having a filter element therein for communicating with the sorbent case and filtering air therein, the method comprising:
The method of mounting a canister, wherein the canister is mounted on the vehicle with the filter case disposed on a ground side. An adsorbent case having an adsorbent-filled adsorbent chamber, a fuel vapor inlet, a purge port, and an air communication port communicating with the adsorbent chamber, and a filter element for communicating with the adsorbent case and filtering air. And a filter case provided therein,
The canister is characterized in that the filter case is arranged on the ground side when the canister is mounted on a vehicle. The canister according to claim 2, wherein the filter case is provided on at least a part of a side surface of the adsorbent case. The canister according to claim 2, wherein the adsorbent case and the filter case are connected via a communication passage. The adsorbent case includes a plurality of adsorption chambers filled with the adsorbent, and the plurality of adsorption chambers are provided side by side so that a gap is formed between side walls that define the plurality of adsorption chambers. The canister according to claim 4, wherein the canister is provided. The filter case has an air communication hole that communicates with the atmosphere, and a partition provided inside the filter case,
The said partition body is arrange | positioned at the said filter case so that the air inhaled from the said air communication hole toward the inside of the said filter case may not go straight, The said filter case is characterized by the above-mentioned. The canister according to any one of the above. The canister according to claim 6, wherein the partition bodies are arranged in a staggered manner. The canister according to claim 2, wherein the adsorbent case and the filter case are formed of different types of materials. The canister according to claim 8, wherein the adsorbent case is formed of a non-filler material, and the filter case is formed of a material containing a filler. The canister according to claim 8, wherein the adsorbent case is formed of a nylon material, and the filter case is formed of an impact-resistant nylon material.

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