JP3377366B2 - Liquid shut-off valve device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid cutoff valve device provided in, for example, a fuel tank of a vehicle or the like, and a gas such as a fuel vapor is discharged from a discharge path connected to the valve, but a fuel or the like is discharged. The liquid shutoff valve device functions so as not to leak to the discharge path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional liquid cutoff valve device of this kind (fu
As the L-cutoff valve), there is one that can be attached to a fuel tank 101 of a vehicle as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

That is, the liquid cutoff valve device 102 is provided in the upper portion of the fuel tank 101, and exhausts the fuel vapor G101 generated inside the fuel tank 101 to the discharge path 103.

The exhausted fuel vapor G is discharged to the discharge path 103.
A canister 104 or the like that absorbs 101 is provided as necessary to prevent the fuel vapor G101 from being directly discharged into the atmosphere.

Further, the liquid shutoff valve device 102 discharges the fuel L101 when the water level of the fuel L101 rises or the vehicle leans or falls due to the shaking of the vehicle.
It also has a liquid shut-off function that prevents the liquid from leaking from the liquid.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the basic structure of the liquid cutoff valve device 102 and its operation. Figure 5
FIG. 5A is a state in which the liquid cutoff function is not exhibited and the fuel vapor G101 can be discharged, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a valve closed state in which the liquid cutoff function is working.

In both figures, 110 is a case portion,
The inside is a float chamber 110a that accommodates the float 111. The float 111 generates buoyancy due to the fuel L101 flowing into the float chamber 110a from the communication hole 112, and moves upward in the state shown in this figure. Again 11
3 is a spring that functions as a biasing means for adjusting the buoyancy of the float 111.

On the upper part of the float 111, there is a valve body 111a.
The valve seat portion 110b corresponding to the valve element 111a is provided above the float chamber 110a, and the discharge path 103 is connected to the valve seat portion 110b.

Therefore, the state shown in FIG.
The fuel L101 flows into 10a, the float 111 moves upward, the valve portion 105 including the valve element 111a and the valve seat portion 110b closes, and the discharge path 103 is blocked.

The fuel L10 in the float chamber 110a
As the liquid surface water level of No. 1 lowers, the float 111 also moves downward, and the discharge route 103 returns to the normal state in which it communicates with the fuel tank 101 (state of FIG. 5A).

In recent years, in such a liquid cutoff valve device 102, there is a demand for smoother discharge of fuel vapor, and it has been attempted to increase the valve opening area of the valve portion 105.

However, in the liquid cutoff valve device 102 having the valve portion 105 having such a large valve opening area, the fuel L10
1 returns from the float chamber 110a to the fuel tank 101, the pressure inside the fuel tank 101 and the canister 104
The pressure difference in the discharge path 104 on the side is large (fuel tank 10
If the internal pressure of the float 1 is higher), the upward biasing force generated in the float 111 due to the pressure difference is greater than the float 1
There is a problem called "sticking phenomenon" in which the discharge route exceeds the own weight of 11 and the discharge path remains closed without being opened.

When this sticking phenomenon occurs, the pressure inside the fuel tank 101 loses its escape area, and the pressure rises further due to the temperature rise in hot weather, which may cause the fuel tank 101 to be deformed or eventually damaged. It was

This sticking phenomenon is more likely to occur because the upward biasing force increases as the valve opening area increases.
Since the valve opening area must be narrowed, there was a problem that the discharge of fuel vapor could not be made a large flow rate.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), a liquid cutoff valve device 120 having a structure in which a relief valve 121 that releases pressure when the pressure inside the fuel tank 101 is excessively increased is provided above the float chamber 110a. Conceivable.

The relief valve 121 of the liquid cutoff valve device 120 includes an upper portion of the float chamber 110a and the discharge path 10.
A ball valve provided in the path connecting with
21a is a ball as a valve body, 121b is a ball 121
a valve seat with which a contacts, 121c is a ball 121a
Is a spring for urging the valve seat 121b toward the valve seat 121b, and 121d is a plug for fixing the spring 121c.

The liquid shutoff valve device 120 is therefore shown in FIG.
Even if an excessive pressure rise inside the fuel tank 101 occurs in the state where the valve portion 105 is closed as in the state of (b), the relief valve 121 opens to release the pressure.
It is possible to let it escape to 03, and it has the effect of preventing the sticking phenomenon.

[0018]

However, in the liquid cutoff valve device 120 having such a relief valve 121, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the vehicle is tilted or falls (see FIG. 6 (b) shows the overturned state), and when the relief valve 121 is positioned below the liquid surface of the fuel L101, the fuel L10 is discharged due to the pressure difference between the pressure of the fuel L101 and the internal pressure of the discharge passage 103 side.
1 leaks from the relief valve 121 as shown by an arrow A101.

Of course, the urging force of the spring 121c is set in consideration of the pressure applied to the ball 121a due to the water head difference from the liquid level of the fuel L101 at the time of tipping, but this problem is caused by the tipping state. When the pressure inside the fuel tank 101 rises, the pressure of the fuel L101 rises and the relief valve 121 may be opened, which may occur.

Further, FIG. 7 (a) shows Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-27462.
2 is a liquid cutoff valve device 201 to which another conventional technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-201717 is applied. The liquid cutoff valve device 201 also has a function of preventing the sticking phenomenon.

That is, a donut disc-shaped separate valve seat 206 is provided at a portion of the upper portion of the case 210 which is desired to be in the discharge path 203, and this valve seat 206 is provided via a spring 207 and a cylindrical valve seat guide 208. The float chamber 210a is movably and elastically held, and the float 2 is attached to the lower surface of the upper wall of the float chamber 210a or the upper surface of the float 211.
Stopper 20 for restricting the stroke of valve 11 in the valve closing direction
9 is provided in a protruding manner.

The valve body 211a of the float 211 closes the valve seat 206 and the fuel tank 1
When the gas pressure of 01 rises, the valve seat 206 receives the gas pressure of the fuel tank 101 in a state where the stroke of the float 211 is restricted by the stopper 209, overcomes the biasing force of the spring 207, and is displaced to the valve opening position. The sticking phenomenon of the float 211 is prevented.

However, this liquid cutoff valve device 201
Also, in the case where the vehicle falls over as shown in FIG. 7B, the valve seat 206 is affected by the pressure of the fuel L101 entering as shown by an arrow A102, as in the case described with reference to FIG. In some cases, the fuel was leaked by being urged downward.

The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to achieve a large flow rate of exhaust gas by providing a function of preventing the sticking phenomenon. (EN) It is possible to provide a liquid cutoff valve device capable of preventing the occurrence of fuel leakage during a fall.

[0025]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, liquid vapor from a sealed container containing a liquid is discharged to the outside of the sealed container through a vent hole that is normally open. A venting means for venting to the passage and a closure for closing the vent hole to prevent the liquid from flowing out of the sealed container to the discharge route when the liquid in the sealed container is shaken or the sealed container is tumbled. In the liquid cutoff valve device including the means, the closing means is provided between the inside of the sealed container and the discharge path, and is movable in the axial direction according to the pressure difference between the both, and the liquid from the sealed container. A pressure responsive means having a vent hole for venting the vapor and a valve part engaging with the vent hole at the axial tip end, and a float for closing the vent hole by axial movement and for closing the vent hole. Moving distance of the valve part Characterized in that it and a regulating means for identifying.

According to this, when the liquid level of the liquid in the hermetically sealed container rises in the normal state, the float floats to close the vent hole and prevent the liquid from leaking to the discharge path.

When the vent hole is opened when the liquid level of the liquid in the float chamber is lowered, even if an attempt is made to maintain the closed state of the vent hole and the valve portion of the float due to the pressure difference between the inside of the sealed container and the discharge path, The pressure response means itself moves in a direction away from the valve portion of the float by the pressure inside the sealed container applied to the pressure response means to open the vent hole.

When the valve portion of the float is opened, the regulating means specifies the moving distance of the valve portion, so that the valve portion does not move in the closed state as the pressure responsive means moves. .

It is also preferable that the restricting means is provided with a spherical weight serving as a load against the buoyancy of the float in order to specify the moving distance of the valve portion in a normal state.

According to this, the spherical weight normally acts as a load against the buoyancy of the float, and the movement of the float is restricted to the position where the vent hole is closed to specify the moving distance of the valve portion. The load of the spherical weight does not become a load on the float when the sealed container is tilted and falls, and the float can be moved without specifying the moving distance of the valve portion.

The pressure responsive means has a valve body portion provided around the vent hole and a seat portion with which the valve body portion abuts when the pressure responsive means moves in the axial direction. It is also preferable that a valve means for shutting off between the vent hole and the discharge path is provided.

According to this, when the sealed container is tilted and falls, the pressure responsive means moves so that the valve body portion and the seat portion come into contact with each other, and the valve means is closed. Therefore, the valve means regulates the further movement of the pressure responsive means even when the pressure inside the sealed container is applied to the pressure responsive means in this state, and also blocks the gap between the vent hole and the discharge path to prevent leakage of the liquid. .

[0033]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.

The liquid shutoff valve device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is, like the one described in the prior art, mounted as a hermetically sealed container on the upper portion of the fuel tank 101 of, for example, an automobile or the like, and is in an upright state in a normal state. Although the fuel vapor G or the like as a gas is sometimes discharged from the discharge path connected to the liquid cutoff valve device 1, for example, when the fuel L as a liquid is refueled or when the vehicle shakes and the liquid level of the fuel L as a liquid increases. It functions to prevent the fuel L from leaking to the discharge path when the vehicle rises or the vehicle leans or falls.

FIG. 1 shows a liquid cutoff valve device 1 to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the characteristic configuration of the above and is a cross-sectional configuration explanatory diagram thereof. The main configuration of the liquid cutoff valve device 1 will be described with reference to this figure.

A lower body 2 has a float chamber 2a inside, and a flange portion 2d is attached to a wall surface 101a at an upper portion of the fuel tank 101 via a gasket (not shown).

An upper body 3 forming an upper portion of the float chamber 2a is hermetically connected to an upper end portion of the lower body 2, and a cap 4 forming a lower end surface of the float chamber 2a is attached to a lower end portion of the lower body 2. ing.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a float accommodated in the float chamber 2a of the lower body 2, which has a buoyancy force due to the fuel L flowing from the communication holes 2b, 4a, 7c and the like into the float chamber 2a as shown by arrows A101 and A102. It occurs and moves upward in the state of this figure. A valve body portion 5a as a valve portion is integrally formed on the upper portion of the float 5.

Reference numeral 6 is a spring that adjusts the buoyancy of the float 5 and functions as a biasing means for biasing the float 5 in the valve closing direction even when the posture of the float 5 is inclined or inverted.

Reference numeral 7 is a cylindrical member as a restricting means, which is provided with the float 5 loosely fitted therein. The tubular member 5 has an annular inward flange portion 7a that engages with the upper end surface of the float 5 at the upper end, and an annular engaging protrusion 7b at the outer periphery of the lower end, and the lower end is inside the float chamber 2a. Step 2
It is in contact with c.

Reference numeral 8 is a ball which becomes a spherical weight which comes into contact with the engaging projection 7b and serves as a load. The specific gravity of the ball 8 is made of a material having a specific gravity larger than that of the fuel L accumulated in the fuel tank 101. ing.

Reference numeral 9 is an annular path for the ball 8 to move on the outer periphery of the tubular member 7, and is formed by expanding the shape of the lower body 2.

On the other hand, the upper body 3 has a first
And a discharge path 10 for discharging the fuel vapor G that has passed through the second valves V1 and V2. The first and second valves V1 and V2 function as ventilation means or closing means depending on the open / closed state.

V1 is a first valve including a valve seat 11 that contacts the valve body portion 5a of the float 5, and the fuel vapor G communicates with the passage 11a as a vent hole in a valve open state.
The valve seat 11 is reciprocally held along the moving direction (axial direction) of the float 5 by a diaphragm 12 as a pressure responsive means that can move axially due to a pressure difference between the fuel tank 101 and the discharge path 10. There is.

Further, in the second valve V2 as the valve means, the valve seat 11 serves as a movable valve body, and the lip 11b as the valve body portion provided on the valve seat 11 has the valve closing direction of the float 5 (upper side in the figure). When it moves to, it abuts against the seat portion 3a provided on the upper body 3 so as to abut, and shuts off between the first valve V1 and the discharge path 10.

Reference numeral 13 is a spring for urging the valve seat 11, and the valve seat 11 is urged so as to come into contact with the inner peripheral end portion 7d of the annular inward flange portion 7a. Then, the closed position of the first valve V1 and the posture of the valve seat 11 are stabilized.

Reference numeral 14 is a guide member that slides on the outer peripheral portion of the seal portion 3a of the upper body 3 to guide the movement of the valve seat 11.

Next, the operation of the liquid cutoff valve device 1 will be described. The liquid shutoff valve device 1 includes a float valve chamber 2a.
Normal time when the fuel L1 does not flow into the inside (this normal time means a state in which the vehicle can be used safely, and is used in a sense that includes a slight inclination of the vehicle. The fuel vapor G1 inside the fuel tank 101 is drawn from the float valve chamber 2a to the first and second valves V1 and V2 in the open state by the arrows A103 and A10.
Discharge as shown in FIG. 4 (see FIG. 1).

Further, FIG. 2A shows the fuel L at the time of erecting.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the liquid level La of the fuel L inside the fuel tank 101 has risen due to refueling or the excessive inclination of the vehicle.

In this figure, the float 5 floats by its own buoyancy and the urging force of the spring 6, and the valve body 5a comes into contact with the valve seat 11 to close the first valve V1. In this state, the fuel L does not leak to the discharge path 10, but the air existing in the upper space of the fuel tank 101, the gas such as the fuel vapor G, etc. are also shielded, which is unsatisfactory during refueling. The automatic stop function of the illustrated refueling gun is activated to prevent the fuel tank 101 from being further refueled.

At this time, the float 5 tries to lift the tubular member 7 upward in the figure, but the load due to the weight of the tubular member 7 and the ball 8 is larger, and the first valve V1 is closed. It does not move beyond the position (first position). Therefore, the second valve V2 remains open.

When the liquid level La decreases from the state of FIG. 2 (a), the buoyancy of the float 5 decreases and the first valve V1 is opened. However, as explained in the prior art section,
When the pressure between the inside of the fuel tank 101 and the discharge path 10 is in a pressure state in which the “sticking phenomenon” of the float 5 occurs, the pressure inside the fuel tank 101 as shown in FIG. 2B. Causes diaphragm 12 to move to arrow A10
The valve seat 11 is pushed up by being urged in the direction 5
The valve V1 of 1 is opened.

When the first valve is opened, the tubular member 7 restricts the position of the float 5 from moving above the first position, so that the first member is moved along with the movement of the valve seat 11. The valve does not move in the closed state, the sticking phenomenon is instantly resolved, and the fuel tank 101 is prevented from being deformed or damaged.

Next, the operation of the liquid cutoff valve device 1 in the state where the fuel tank 101 is tilted or overturned will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 (a) shows a state of being tilted 45 degrees clockwise from the upright state in the figure, FIG. 3 (b) shows a state of being tilted (rotated) 135 degrees clockwise, and FIG. ) Is 1
It shows a state of being rotated by 80 degrees and falling.

The tubular member 7 does not limit the closing of the first and second valves V1 and V2 at the time of tilting and falling. That is, in the tilted / falling state, the ball 8 does not come into contact with the engagement protrusion 7b of the tubular member 7 and is positioned outside the annular path 9, and the load of the ball 8 is not applied to the tubular member 7. The buoyancy of the float 5 and the urging force of the spring 6 overcome the load of the tubular member 7 to move the float 5 to a second position where the second valve V2 closes. Further, since the ball 8 does not have a moment load that tilts the tubular member 7, the movement of the tubular member 7 and the valve closed state are stable.

However, in FIG. 3 (a), the liquid level La is set to the position where the float 5 floats, but when the liquid level La is lower than the float 5, the float 5 does not float and the first
Also, the second valves V1 and V2 are opened. However, since the liquid level La is sufficiently lower than the positions of the first and second valves V1 and V2, the fuel L does not leak out, which is not a problem.

In FIGS. 3B and 3C, the second valve V2 is closed so as to abut against the facing seat portion 3a even when the pressure of the fuel L in the fuel tank 101 is applied to the diaphragm 12. Therefore, the valve is not opened and high sealing performance is maintained.

The second valve V2 is connected to the discharge path 10 and the first valve V2.
It is preferable to use a shutoff valve that shuts off the valve L1 from the valve V1. However, since leakage of the fuel L is prevented as long as the first valve V1 is closed, the movement of the valve seat 11 is restricted to limit the diaphragm. It may be a simple contact member for the purpose of preventing breakage of 12.

Further, the configuration in which the ball 8 as a weight is provided separately from the tubular member 7 is more stable in the movement of the tubular member 7 and the closed state of each valve. 7
It is also possible to eliminate the ball 8 by adjusting the weight of the ball.

[0061]

According to the present invention described above, it is possible to reliably prevent the sticking phenomenon which is a problem in the liquid shut-off valve device adopting the float system, and the opening area of the valve is increased. Can be increased to increase the gas discharge amount.

Further, in the case where the spherical weight is provided as the regulation means, the load of the float is not applied and the closed state of the valve is stabilized when the posture of the sealed container is tilted or overturned, and the sealing performance is improved. It will be possible.

By providing the pressure responsive means with the valve means (second valve), damage is prevented by restricting further movement of the pressure responsive means when the posture of the hermetically sealed container tilts or falls, thereby preventing damage to the interior of the hermetically sealed container. Even if the pressure rises, the valve means will not open, preventing leakage of liquid.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional configuration diagram of a liquid cutoff valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the operation of the liquid cutoff valve device of the present invention in the upright state.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the liquid cutoff valve device of the present invention in a tilted / falling state.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of use of a conventional liquid cutoff valve device.

FIG. 5 is a view of a conventional liquid cutoff valve device.

FIG. 6 is a view of a conventional liquid cutoff valve device.

FIG. 7 is a view of a conventional liquid cutoff valve device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Liquid Cutoff Valve Device 2 Lower Body 2a Float Chamber 2b Communication Hole 2c Step 2d Flange 3 Upper Body 3a Seat 4 Cap 4a Communication 5 Float 5a Valve Body 6 Spring 7 Cylindrical Member (Regulating Means) 7a Annular Inward flange 7b Engagement projection 7c Communication hole 7d Inner peripheral end 8 Ball (spherical weight) 9 Annular path 10 Discharge path 11 Valve seat 11a Passage (ventilation hole) 12 Diaphragm (pressure response means) 13 Spring 14 Guide member 101 Fuel tank (sealed container) 101a Wall surfaces A101, A102, A103, A104, A105
Arrow L Fuel (liquid) G Fuel vapor (gas) V1 First valve V2 Second valve

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Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vent means for venting liquid vapor from a sealed container containing a liquid to a discharge path outside the sealed container through a vent which is normally open, and the liquid in the sealed container is shaken. , Or a closing means for closing the vent hole to prevent the liquid from flowing out of the sealed container to the discharge path when the sealed container is tumbled, A pressure response means provided between the inside of the container and the discharge path, movable in the axial direction according to the pressure difference between the two, and having a vent hole for venting liquid vapor from the sealed container; and the vent hole. A valve part to be engaged is provided at the tip part in the axial direction,
A float which by axial displacement closes the vent hole, and a regulating means for identifying a moving distance of the valve section for the vent hole is closed, the regulating means, a normal moving distance of the valve portion at the time specific
In order to prevent the buoyancy of the float,
A liquid cutoff valve device, which is provided with a weight . 2. The pressure response means has a valve body portion provided around the vent hole, and a seat portion with which the valve body portion abuts when the pressure response means moves in the axial direction. , the liquid shutoff valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a valve means for blocking between the vent hole and the discharge passage.