JP3374811B2 - Fuel tank - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fuel tank,
In particular, it relates to a fuel tank equipped in a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a fuel tank installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, in which the fuel tank is cooled in order to reduce fuel vaporized gas (vapor) generated in the fuel tank. Is described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-12655.

As shown in FIG. 3A, in this fuel tank, the vapor from the sealed fuel tank main body 200 is passed through a pressure control valve 202 which opens when the pressure of the vapor exceeds a predetermined value. The vapor introducing port 2 of the canister 206 by the mounted air breather pipe 204
It will be introduced in 06A. Further, a purge air intake pipe 208 having one end communicating with the atmosphere and the other end communicating with the purge air introducing port 206B of the canister 206,
It penetrates through the inside of the fuel tank body 200. Also, FIG.
As shown in (B), a plurality of cooling fins 208A are provided on the outer periphery of the purge air intake pipe 208 located inside the fuel tank main body 200, and the outside air flowing inside the purge air intake pipe 208 allows the fuel tank main body 200 to be cooled. The inside is cooled.

[0004]

However, this fuel tank has a cooling effect when the temperature of the outside air is lower than the temperature inside the fuel tank body 200, but the temperature of the outside air is lower than the temperature inside the fuel tank body 200. When the temperature rises, the temperature inside the fuel tank main body 200 is further raised by the outside air, and a sufficient cooling effect cannot be obtained. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, since the vapor exhaust port 206C of the canister 206 communicates with the intake system such as the intake manifold of the engine by the purge circuit 210, the purge air intake pipe 208 serves as a foreign matter removing unit. Foreign matter may enter the engine intake system unless a filter or the like is added.

In view of the above facts, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel tank capable of improving the cooling efficiency of the fuel tank body and preventing foreign matter from entering the engine intake system. .

[0006]

A fuel tank of the present invention according to claim 1 has a fuel tank body having a double structure including an inner tank shell and an outer tank shell, and an intake port formed in the outer tank shell. An air intake pipe communicating at least one of the air cleaner and the vehicle interior with the intake port, an exhaust port formed in the outer tank shell, and an exhaust pipe communicating the exhaust port with an intake system of the engine, It is characterized by having.

Therefore, when the intake system of the engine has a negative pressure with respect to the internal pressure of the space between the tank shells between the inner tank shell and the outer tank shell, the air in the space between the tank shells is sucked from the exhaust port through the exhaust pipe. Will be issued. As a result, air flows from the intake port into the space between the tank shells through the intake pipe that communicates with at least one of the air cleaner and the vehicle interior. Therefore, the fuel tank can be efficiently cooled by supplying at least one of the air cleaner and the vehicle interior to the space between the tank shells. Further, by supplying the air of at least one of the air cleaner and the vehicle interior to the intake system of the engine through the space between the tank shells, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the intake system of the engine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank according to the first aspect, the intake pipe is connected to an evaporator of an air conditioner.

Therefore, in addition to the contents of the first aspect, the fuel tank can be cooled more efficiently by the cooling air that has passed through the evaporator of the air conditioner.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank according to the first aspect, when the temperature inside the fuel tank main body is higher than the temperature of the air supplied by the intake pipe, intake to the intake port is possible. Intake control means is provided.

Therefore, in addition to the contents of the first aspect of the present invention, at least when the temperature inside the fuel tank main body is higher than the temperature of the air supplied by the intake pipe by the intake control means, at least one of the air cleaner and the vehicle interior. The intake air flows from the intake port into the space between the tank shells through the intake pipe communicating with one side. As a result, the fuel tank can be cooled more efficiently.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank according to the first aspect, the exhaust pipe is connected to a canister.

Therefore, in addition to the contents of the first aspect, the purging effect in the canister can be improved by passing the air warmed by the fuel tank through the canister.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank according to the fourth aspect, a bypass pipe that bypasses the canister is provided in the exhaust pipe, a purge cut is performed, and a temperature of exhaust gas from the exhaust port is predetermined. An exhaust pipe switching means for switching the exhaust passage to the bypass pipe is provided when the temperature is lower than the temperature or at least one of the temperature is lower than the temperature.

Therefore, in addition to the contents of the fourth aspect, at least one of when the purge is cut and when the temperature of the exhaust gas from the exhaust port is below a predetermined temperature is bypassed by the exhaust pipe switching means. By switching the exhaust path to the pipe, it is possible to cool the fuel tank even when the purge is cut, and to prevent the purge efficiency in the canister from decreasing due to the decrease in exhaust temperature.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank according to the first aspect, the intake pipe is connected to both the air cleaner and the passenger compartment, and one of the air cleaner and the passenger compartment, which has a lower temperature. It has an intake pipe switching means for sending the air of the above to the intake port.

Therefore, in addition to the contents of the first aspect, the fuel tank can be cooled more efficiently by the air having the lower temperature of the air cleaner and the passenger compartment.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a fuel tank according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, one end of an inlet pipe (fuel filling pipe) 12 penetrates the side wall of the fuel tank body 10, and the end of the inlet pipe 12 is a fuel. It is inserted in the tank body 10. Further, the other end of the inlet pipe 12 reaches a fuel filler port 14 provided on the side wall of the vehicle.

The refueling port 14 is provided with a refueling cap 16
Is attached, and at the time of refueling, the fuel lid (not shown) can be inserted by opening the fuel lid and removing the refueling cap 16. When refueling, the fuel level in the inlet pipe 12 rises, and when a sensor provided in the refueling gun detects a full state, refueling from the refueling gun automatically stops. A ventilation pipe 24 is arranged in the inlet pipe 12.

The fuel tank body 10 of this embodiment has a two-layer tank structure including an inner tank shell 26 and an outer tank shell 28, and a tank is provided between the adjacent inner tank shell 26 and outer tank shell 28. An inter-shell space 30 is formed.
A well-known float valve 32 for full tank detection and rollover correspondence is disposed on an upper wall portion of the inner tank shell 26 of the fuel tank body 10, and the float valve 32 reaches a canister 34 at the time of refueling vapor line 36. Are connected.

Further, the canister 34 is connected to a surge tank 42 as an intake system of the engine, which is connected to an air cleaner 40, by a purge line 38 which constitutes a part of an exhaust pipe. A purge control valve 44 is provided. On the other hand, air cleaner 4
Reference numeral 0 denotes an intake pipe 46, a first switching valve 48 as an intake pipe switching means, an intake pipe 50, a second switching valve as an intake control means.
It communicates with the canister 34 via a switching valve 52, a connecting pipe 54, an exhaust pipe 56, a third switching valve 58 as an exhaust pipe switching means, and an exhaust pipe 60.

The air cleaner 40 includes an air cleaner 40
A temperature sensor 53 for detecting the internal temperature is provided,
The temperature sensor 53 is connected to, for example, a control circuit 65 including an engine control circuit and the like. Therefore, the temperature sensor 53 detects the temperature T1 in the air cleaner 40 and outputs the detected value to the control circuit 65. The air cleaner 40 is also provided with a cooling device 57 that cools the inside of the air cleaner 40 with an air conditioner refrigerant. An intake pipe 64 that communicates with the vehicle interior 62 is connected to the first switching valve 48. The passenger compartment 62 has a passenger compartment 6
A temperature sensor 63 for detecting the temperature T2 of 2 is provided, and the temperature sensor 63 is connected to the control circuit 65.
Therefore, the temperature sensor 63 detects the temperature T2 of the passenger compartment 62 and outputs the detected value to the control circuit 65.

The first switching valve 48 has a control circuit 6
The intake pipe 46 and the intake pipe 64 are connected to the intake pipe 50 based on the output signal from the control circuit 65.

The second switching valve 52 is connected by an intake pipe 66 to an intake port 68 formed in the outer tank shell 28. Further, the second switching valve 52 has a control circuit 65.
The intake pipe 50 is connected to either one of the connection pipe 54 and the intake pipe 66 based on the output signal from the control circuit 65.

One end 56A of the exhaust pipe 56 is connected to an exhaust port 70 formed in the outer tank shell 28,
A connecting pipe 54 is connected to an intermediate portion 56B of the exhaust pipe 56.

The third switching valve 58 is connected to the surge tank 42 by a bypass pipe 72. Also, the third
The switching valve 58 is connected to the control circuit 65, and connects the exhaust pipe 56 to either one of the exhaust pipe 60 and the bypass pipe 72 based on the output signal from the control circuit 65. . Specifically, the exhaust pipe 56 is opened based on the output signal from the control circuit 65 in at least one of the case of the purge cut and the case where the temperature of the exhaust gas from the exhaust port 70 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. Bypass pipe 72
It is designed to be connected to.

Intake port 68 formed in the outer tank shell 28
A Peltier unit 74 is provided in the vicinity of
The inside of the inner tank shell 26 is cooled. Further, a Peltier unit 76 is also arranged at the position where the float valve 32 is arranged in the inner tank shell 26 so as to cool the vapor passing through the vapor line 36 during refueling. The heat dissipation portions 74A and 76A of the Peltier units 74 and 76 are arranged in the tank shell space 30 and are cooled by the air in the tank shell space 30. An atmospheric valve 78 is provided in the canister 34.

A sub-tank 80 is provided inside the fuel tank body 10. A pump unit 82 is disposed inside the sub tank 80, and a fuel supply pipe 84 to the engine is connected to the pump unit 82. A temperature sensor 88 is arranged on the upper wall of the outer tank shell 28, and the temperature sensor 88 detects the temperature T3 in the space 30 between the tank shells.
A temperature sensor 89 is arranged on the plate 86 that supports the pump unit 82.
9 is adapted to detect the temperature T4 in the sub tank 80.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pump unit 82
Is fixed to the lower surface of the plate 86 by a bracket 82A, and the outer peripheral portion and the lower surface of the pump unit 82 are covered with a heat insulating material 82B. A heat conducting layer 83 made of a material having good heat conductivity is disposed on the inner peripheral portion of the heat insulating material 82B, and the heat generated in the pump unit 82 is transferred to the plate 86 by the heat conducting layer 83. It is like this. Further, a radiation fin 90 for cooling the plate 86 is provided upright on the upper surface of the plate 86, and the plate 86 is retained by a support 92 on a retainer 96 arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the opening 94 of the outer tank shell 28. Is attached via a gasket 98.

Reference numeral 82C in FIG. 2 is a pump body, reference numeral 82D is a filter, reference numeral 82E is a hose, and reference numeral 82F.
Indicates a clip, reference numeral 100 indicates a pressure regulator, reference numeral 102 indicates a gauge, and reference numeral 104 indicates a filter.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the negative pressure of the intake system in the engine, specifically, the negative pressure in the surge tank 42 communicating with the air cleaner 40 is utilized to make the space 30 between the tank shells.
The air is circulated to cool the fuel tank body 10.

That is, the canister 34 has a purge line 38.
The surge tank 4 communicating with the air cleaner 40
2, the negative pressure in the surge tank 42 causes the negative pressure in the canister 34. At this time, when the temperature of the space 30 between the tank shells (the temperature of the exhaust gas from the exhaust port 70) is higher than the predetermined temperature, not during the purge cut,
The third switching valve 58 connects the exhaust pipe 60 to the exhaust pipe 60. As a result, the air in the inter-tank shell space 30 is exhausted from the exhaust port 70 formed in the outer tank shell 28 to the exhaust pipe 5.
6, the third switching valve 58, and the exhaust pipe 60 to flow into the canister 34.

On the other hand, the control circuit 65 includes the air cleaner 40.
The temperature T1 inside, the temperature T2 inside the passenger compartment 62, and the temperature T3 inside the space 30 between the tank shells (note that the temperature inside the sub-tank 80 having a high temperature in order to facilitate the determination of the temperature difference during the control instead of the temperature T3 T4 may be used, but in the present embodiment, the operation will be described by the temperature T3 in the space 30 between the tank shells, and the temperature T1 in the air cleaner 40 is compared with the temperature T3 in the space 30 between the tank shells. And the temperature T of the passenger compartment 62
2 is low and the temperature T1 in the air cleaner 40 is lower than the temperature T2 in the passenger compartment 62, the intake pipe 46 and the intake pipe 50 are connected by the first switching valve 48 and the second switching valve 52 is connected. Intake pipe 50 and intake pipe 6
Connect 6 Therefore, the air in the air cleaner 40 cooled by the cooling device 57 flows into the inter-tank shell space 30 from the intake port 68 formed in the outer tank shell 28 to cool the fuel tank body 10.

Further, the control circuit 65 includes an air cleaner 40.
The temperature T1 inside, the temperature T2 inside the passenger compartment 62, and the temperature T3 inside the space 30 between the tank shells are compared, and the temperature T1 inside the air cleaner 40 and the temperature T2 inside the passenger compartment 62 are compared with the temperature T3 inside the space 30 between the tank shells. Is low and the temperature T2 in the vehicle compartment 62 is lower than the temperature T1 in the air cleaner 40, the first switching valve 48 causes the intake pipe 64 and the intake pipe 5 to operate.
In addition to connecting 0, the second switching valve 52 connects the intake pipe 50 and the intake pipe 66. Therefore, the passenger compartment 62
Air flows into the space 30 between the tank shells from the intake port 68 formed in the outer tank shell 28, and the fuel tank body 10
To cool.

Further, the control circuit has a temperature T1 in the air cleaner 40, a temperature T2 in the passenger compartment 62 and a space 3 between the tank shells.
The temperature T3 in 0 is compared, and the temperature T in the air cleaner 40 is compared.
When 1 and the temperature T2 in the vehicle compartment 62 are equal to or higher than the temperature T3 in the space 30 between the tank shells, the intake pipe 50 and the connecting pipe 54 are connected by the second switching valve 52. Therefore, the air inside the air cleaner 40 or the air inside the vehicle compartment 62 does not flow into the space 30 between the tank shells but flows into the exhaust pipe 56.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the fuel tank body 10 can be cooled efficiently. Further, since the air inside the air cleaner 40 or the air inside the vehicle compartment 62 is returned to the surge tank 42 through the space 30 between the tank shells, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the engine intake system.

Further, in this embodiment, the control circuit 65 is
At the time of barge cutting, the purge control valve 44 is closed and the third switching valve 58 connects the exhaust pipe 56 and the bypass pipe 72. Therefore, even when the barge cut is performed, the space between the tank shells 3 is affected by the negative pressure of the intake system in the engine.
Since the amount of air flowing through 0 can be secured, the fuel tank body 10 can be cooled even during the purge cut.

Further, in this embodiment, since the heat radiating portions 74A and 76A of the Peltier units 74 and 76 are arranged in the space 30 between the tank shells, the heat radiating portions 74A are made to flow by the air flowing in the space 30 between the tank shells. , 76A can be effectively cooled.

Further, in this embodiment, the control circuit 65 is
When the temperature T3 in the space 30 between the tank shells is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the exhaust pipe 56 and the bypass pipe 72 are connected by the third switching valve 58. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the purge efficiency in the canister 34 from decreasing due to a decrease in the exhaust temperature from the space 30 between the tank shells.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat insulating material 8 is formed on the outer peripheral portion and the lower surface of the pump unit 82.
Since it is covered with 2B, the heat generated from the pump unit 82 is not transferred to the entire inside of the inner tank shell 26. As a result, the temperature rise in the inner tank shell 26 can be suppressed, so that the amount of vapor generated in the inner tank shell 26 can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pump unit 8 is provided by the heat conducting layer 83 provided on the inner peripheral portion of the heat insulating material 82B.
2 is transmitted to the plate 86, and the heat dissipating fins 90 formed on the upper surface of the plate 86 can efficiently dissipate the heat generated from the pump unit 82 to the outside of the fuel tank 10. The temperature rise can be effectively prevented.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments within the scope of the present invention. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that For example, in the above embodiment, the temperature sensor 88 is arranged on the upper wall portion of the outer tank shell 28, and the temperature sensor 88 is provided.
The temperature T3 in the tank shell interspace 30 is detected by the temperature sensor 89, and the temperature sensor 89 is arranged on the plate 86 supporting the pump unit 82. The temperature sensor 89 detects the temperature T4 in the sub tank 80. But,
The positions of the temperature sensors 88 and 89 are not limited to these positions, and each temperature is preferably measured at a high temperature portion in order to facilitate determination of the temperature difference during control.
For example, as indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1, temperature sensors 88 and 89 are arranged near the exhaust pipe 110 that is affected by the heat of the exhaust pipe 110 from the engine, and the temperature is detected. Also good.

Further, in this embodiment, the inner tank shell 26
The Peltier unit 74 for cooling the inside is attached to the outer tank shell 28.
The Peltier unit 74 is not limited to this position, but is formed in the outer tank shell 28, for example, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. The Peltier unit 74 is disposed at a position facing the exhaust port 70, and the air in the tank shell space 30 is exhausted to the exhaust port 70 by the fan of the heat radiating portion 74A in addition to the negative pressure of the intake system in the engine. It may be configured to.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cooling device 57 for cooling the inside of the air cleaner 40 with the air conditioner refrigerant is provided, but the structure for cooling the air from the inside of the air cleaner 40 is not limited to this, and for example, FIG. As indicated by the chain double-dashed line, a cooling device 112 for cooling the intake pipe 46 with an air conditioner refrigerant may be provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, the space 3 between the tank shells
Temperature T1 in the air cleaner 40 compared to temperature T3 in 0
And the temperature T2 of the passenger compartment 62 are low, and the air cleaner 4
When the temperature T2 in the passenger compartment 62 is lower than the temperature T1 in 0, the air in the passenger compartment 62 is made to flow into the space 30 between the tank shells. Instead, the air conditioner cools the passenger compartment. Only when the first switching valve 48 and the second
The switching valve 52 may cause the air in the vehicle compartment 62 to flow into the space 30 between the tank shells.

Further, in this embodiment, the heat radiating portions 74A and 76A of the Peltier units 74 and 76 are connected to the space 3 between the tank shells.
However, only the heat radiating portions 74A and 76A of the Peltier units 74 and 76 are placed near the exhaust pipe 56, and the heat flowing from the heat radiating portions 74A and 76A warms the air flowing through the exhaust pipe 56. Therefore, the adsorbing ability of the activated carbon in the canister 34 may be improved and the purging efficiency may be increased.

[0049]

The fuel tank of the present invention according to claim 1 is
The fuel tank main body has a double structure including an inner tank shell and an outer tank shell, and an intake port formed in the outer tank shell, and an intake pipe communicating at least one of the air cleaner and the vehicle interior with the intake port, An exhaust port formed in the outer tank shell, and an exhaust pipe communicating the exhaust port with the intake system of the engine,
Therefore, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the fuel tank body and prevent foreign matter from entering the engine intake system.

According to the present invention of claim 2, in the fuel tank of claim 1, since the intake pipe is connected to the evaporator of the air conditioner, in addition to the effect of claim 1,
It has an excellent effect that the fuel tank can be cooled more efficiently.

According to the present invention of claim 3, in the fuel tank according to claim 1, when the temperature in the fuel tank main body is higher than the temperature of the air supplied by the intake pipe, intake to the intake port is possible. Claim 1 since it has an intake control means
In addition to the effects described, it has an excellent effect that the fuel tank can be cooled more efficiently.

According to the present invention of claim 4, in the fuel tank according to claim 1, the exhaust pipe is connected to the canister. Therefore, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the purge effect in the canister can be improved. It has an excellent effect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank according to the fourth aspect, the exhaust pipe includes a bypass pipe that bypasses the canister, a purge cut time, and the temperature of the exhaust gas from the exhaust port is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. In the case of at least one of the above, and since it has the exhaust pipe switching means for switching the exhaust passage to the bypass pipe, in addition to the effect of claim 4, the fuel tank can be cooled at the time of the purge cut, and It has an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent the purging efficiency from being lowered due to the lowering of the exhaust gas temperature.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank according to the first aspect, the intake pipe is connected to both the air cleaner and the passenger compartment, so that one of the air cleaner and the passenger compartment having a lower temperature is connected. In addition to the effect according to claim 1, since there is an intake pipe switching means for sending air to the intake port,
It has an excellent effect that the fuel tank can be cooled more efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view showing a fuel tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing a sub tank of the fuel tank according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic side sectional view showing a conventional fuel tank, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing a purge air intake pipe of the conventional fuel tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Fuel tank body 26 Inner tank shell 28 outer tank shell 30 Space between tank shells 34 canister 38 Purge line (exhaust pipe) 40 air cleaner 42 Surge tank (engine intake system) 46 Intake pipe 48 First switching valve (intake pipe switching means) 50 intake pipe 52 Second switching valve (intake control means) 54 Connection pipe 56 Exhaust pipe 58 Third switching valve (exhaust pipe switching means) 60 exhaust pipe 62 cabin 65 Control circuit 66 Intake pipe 68 Inlet 70 Exhaust port 72 Bypass pipe

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-8-118971 (JP, A) JP-A-62-91399 (JP, A) Actual flat 5-522 (JP, U) Actual flat 5- 12655 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60K 15/03 F02M 25/08 F02M 33/00 F02M 37/00

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fuel tank main body has a double structure composed of an inner tank shell and an outer tank shell, and at least one of an intake port formed in the outer tank shell, an air cleaner, and a vehicle compartment is the intake port. A fuel tank, comprising: an intake pipe communicating with the exhaust gas; an exhaust port formed in the outer tank shell; and an exhaust pipe communicating the exhaust port with an intake system of an engine. 2. The fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the intake pipe is connected to an evaporator of an air conditioner. 3. The intake control means for enabling intake to the intake port when the temperature in the fuel tank main body is higher than the temperature of the air supplied by the intake pipe. Fuel tank. 4. The fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust pipe is connected to a canister. 5. The exhaust pipe includes at least one of a bypass pipe bypassing the canister, a purge cut time, and a temperature of exhaust gas from the exhaust port not higher than a predetermined temperature.
The fuel tank according to claim 4, further comprising an exhaust pipe switching means for switching an exhaust passage to the bypass pipe. 6. The intake pipe is connected to both the air cleaner and the vehicle interior, and has an intake pipe switching means for blowing air having a lower temperature of the air cleaner and the vehicle interior to the intake port. The fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein: