JP5613483B2 - Fuel tank nipple device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a nipple device for a fuel tank, and more particularly to a nipple device for connecting a fuel tube to a fuel tank of an automobile.

  For example, a fuel tank of an automobile is generally disposed below a floor panel at the rear of the vehicle body. A fuel pump is disposed in the fuel tank, and fuel is supplied to the engine via the fuel supply tube by the fuel pump. The surplus fuel in the engine is returned to the fuel tank through the fuel return tube. Further, the fuel tank is provided with an evaporative fuel outlet tube for deriving the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank to a canister or the like.

  A resin nipple device that connects the fuel supply tube, the fuel return tube, the evaporated fuel lead-out tube and the like to the fuel tank is mounted on the fuel tank. The nipple device includes a cap portion attached to a nipple device mounting portion formed in an upper surface portion of the outer wall of the fuel tank, and pipe-shaped nipples that bend and project in an L shape from the cap portion. The base ends of the fuel supply tube, the fuel return tube, and the evaporated fuel lead-out tube are fitted and connected to each other. The cap portion of the nipple device also has a fuel pump holding function for holding the fuel pump.

  When attaching the base end of a fuel tube such as a fuel supply tube, fuel return tube, or evaporative fuel outlet tube to each nipple of the nipple device provided in the fuel tank, from the outer wall of the fuel tank to the fuel tube attachment position Since the effective space around the fuel tank, that is, so-called space efficiency, can be ensured as the distance is smaller, it is preferable to suppress the protruding amount of the nipple protruding from the outer wall of the fuel tank.

  Also, if there is variation in the length of the fuel tube, the variation in the direction in which the base end of the fuel tube extends from the fuel tank due to bending or tension of the fuel tube, and the nipple to which the fuel tube is connected There is a concern about the occurrence of cracks due to creep, that is, so-called creep cracks, near the base of the nipple due to the load in the twisting direction and the rotational direction. Further, the base end portion of the resin fuel tube connected to the nipple is curved or bent, so that a load is also applied to the fuel tube. Further, there are many cases where the direction in which the base end portion of the fuel tube extends with respect to the fuel tank differs between specifications such as the vehicle type, and there is a concern that an excessive load acts on the nipple and lowers the durability of the nipple device.

  In order to cope with these problems, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a nipple device that allows the nipple to rotate in accordance with the extending direction of the fuel tube base end portion and reduces the load on the nipple.

  The nipple device disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 is a perspective view showing an outline of the nipple device 100, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG.

  The nipple device 100 includes a cap portion 101 and a nipple 110 that are fitted into a nipple device mounting portion that is formed in the upper surface portion of the outer wall of the fuel tank. The cap portion 101 is provided with an opening 102 for attaching a nipple and a connector 109. This connector 109 is used to electrically connect the pump motor of the fuel pump to an external device.

  Around the opening 102, a pair of clip holding portions 104 and 105 are provided so as to face each other with the opening 102 therebetween. A clip insertion opening 104 a is formed in one clip holding portion 104, and a clip locking portion 105 a that locks the tip 117 a of the clip 117 is formed in the other clip holding portion 105. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a cylindrical inserted portion 103 having a gap with the inner peripheral surface of the opening 102 is integrally formed in the opening 102 of the cap 101.

  On the other hand, the nipple 110 is L-shaped as shown in FIG. 6, and a cylindrical fitting portion 111 that is rotatably fitted between the opening portion 102 and the insertion portion 103 is formed on the base end side thereof. A flange-shaped stopper portion 112 is formed on the upper portion of the fitting portion 111, a main body portion 113 formed above the stopper portion 112, and a cylindrical pipe connection portion fixed to a side portion of the main body portion 113. 114. An O-ring 115a, a spacer 115b, an O-ring 115c, and a stopper 115d are disposed inside the fitting portion 111 of the nipple 110.

  A U-shaped clip with the fitting portion 111 fitted with the O-ring 115a, the spacer 115b, the O-ring 115c and the stopper 115d being rotatably inserted between the opening 102 and the inserted portion 103. The stopper portion 112 is locked by the clip 117 by inserting the 117 from the clip insertion port 104a of one clip holding portion 104 and locking the tip 117a to the clip locking portion 105a of the other clip holding portion 105. The nipple 110 is prevented from coming off. The base end portion 120a of the fuel tube 120 is fitted and connected to the pipe connecting portion 114 of the nipple 110 that is rotatably fitted to the cap portion 101.

Japanese Patent No. 2947722

  According to Patent Document 1, the fitting portion 111 of the nipple 110 is rotatably inserted into the opening portion 102 of the cap portion 101 that fits into the opening portion formed on the outer wall of the fuel tank, and the upper portion of the fitting portion 111 is inserted. The nipple 110 is rotatably held with respect to the cap portion 101 by engaging the flange-shaped stopper portion 112 formed on the cap portion with the clip 117 inserted into the clip holding portions 104 and 105, and the fuel tube 120 for the fuel tank. Even when the extending direction of the base end portion 120a is different, the load applied to the nipple 110 is reduced by rotating the nipple 110 following the extending direction of the base end portion 120 of the fuel tube 120 with respect to the fuel tank. .

  However, the stopper portion 112 of the nipple 110 that protrudes on the cap portion 101 is locked by the clip 117 inserted into the pair of clip holding portions 104 and 105 that protrudes from the cap portion 101 to prevent the nipple 110 from coming off. Since the protruding amount of the pipe connecting portion 114 of the nipple 110 protruding from the cap portion 101 is large and the clip holding portions 104 and 105 protrude from the cap portion 101, the space efficiency around the fuel tank is ensured. There is concern that it will be difficult. Further, when the gap between the nipple 110 and the vehicle body structural member such as the floor panel cannot be secured, for example, when the vehicle collides rearward, the fuel tank and the vehicle body structural member are relatively displaced so that the nipple 110 contacts the vehicle body structural member. Cause damage.

  Further, when assembling the nipple device 100, the clip 117 is inserted from the clip insertion port 104a of one clip holding portion 104 with the fitting portion 111 of the nipple 110 inserted between the opening portion 102 and the insertion portion 103. The operation of locking the nipple 110 by being locked to the clip locking portion 105a of the other clip holding portion 105 is troublesome and requires a lot of work steps. In addition, since the clip 117 is required, the number of components increases and the manufacturing cost increases.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such a point is to allow rotation of the nipple and to suppress the protrusion amount of the nipple and the like to ensure the space efficiency around the fuel tank and to make assembly workability with a simple configuration. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank nipple device which is excellent in manufacturing cost control.

The invention of the nipple device for a fuel tank according to claim 1, which achieves the above object, is provided with a cap portion having an opening passing through and attached to a nipple device mounting portion on the outer wall of the fuel tank, and is rotatable to the opening. In the nipple device of a fuel tank comprising a nipple for fitting and connecting a fuel tube, the cap portion includes a base portion attached to a nipple device mounting portion that opens to an outer wall of the fuel tank, and a base end integrally with the base portion. It is connected and the tip protrudes inward of the tank, and the cylindrical shaft holding part and the outer periphery of the tip holding edge of the shaft holding part have a plate shape that extends radially from the shaft hole along the central axis. An opening provided with a locking portion having a through-hole having a recessed portion provided therethrough, and a holder portion through which the nipple penetrates, and the nipple is formed in the main body portion in the direction of the central axis of the opening portion. Extending along By a shaft portion fitted rotatably on the shaft holding portion, the engagement of extending the shaft portion projecting from the engaging shaft and the shaft hole rotatably fitted in the shaft hole A protrusion that can be inserted in the direction of the center axis extending in the concave portion projecting from the outer periphery of the tip of the shaft, and the shaft is inserted into the shaft holder and rotated around the center axis. An engaging portion that engages with the locking portion to restrict displacement of the shaft portion in the removal direction and holds the shaft portion so as to be rotatable about the central axis, and the central axis on the main body And a nipple integrally formed with a pipe connecting portion extending in a direction crossing the extending direction and connected to a fuel tube.

  According to this, the cap portion includes a base portion that is attached to the nipple device mounting portion of the outer wall of the fuel tank, and a locking portion that protrudes inward from the base portion and protrudes inward from the tip of the shaft holding portion. The holder includes a holder portion through which the opening penetrates, and the nipple engages with the engaging portion by inserting the shaft portion into the shaft holding portion and rotating around the center axis to restrict displacement in the removal direction of the shaft portion. By having an engaging part that can be pivoted around the axis, the nipple can be pivoted to the cap part by a simple assembling operation that inserts and pivots the shaft part of the nipple into the shaft retaining part of the opening. Retained. As a result, even if the length of the fuel tube connected to the pipe connection portion of the nipple varies or the direction in which the base end portion of the fuel tube extends with respect to the fuel tank varies depending on the specifications, the fuel to the fuel tank The load applied to the nipple is reduced by rotating the nipple following the extending direction of the proximal end portion of the tube. Further, bending or bending of the base end portion of the fuel tube is suppressed, and the load on the fuel tube is reduced.

  The engaging part formed on the nipple is locked to the locking part formed on the opening of the holder part protruding into the fuel tank of the cap part, and the displacement of the nipple in the pulling direction is restricted. It is no longer necessary to provide a retaining means such as a clip that restricts retaining of the nipple, and the amount of protrusion of the pipe connection portion of the nipple protruding from the cap portion is suppressed, so that the space efficiency around the fuel tank can be easily ensured. Further, when the fuel tank is arranged on the lower surface of the vehicle body, a gap between the nipple and the vehicle body structural member such as a floor panel can be secured. For example, even when the fuel tank and the vehicle body structural member are relatively displaced at the time of rearward collision of the vehicle, the nipple Contact between the vehicle body structure member and the vehicle body structural member is avoided, and damage to the nipple device is effectively prevented, thereby greatly improving safety.

  Further, the nipple is engaged and held in the cap portion by the engagement of the engaging portion and the engaging portion formed integrally with the cap portion and the nipple itself. This eliminates the need for a reduction in the number of components and simplification of the configuration, and in combination with simplification of assembly workability, a reduction in manufacturing cost.

In addition, the locking portion has a plate shape whose outer periphery is continuous with the tip edge of the shaft holding portion, and includes a shaft hole and a through hole having a recessed portion radially formed from the shaft hole along the central axis. An engagement shaft extending in the shaft portion and rotatably fitted in the shaft hole, and a center axis extending direction in the concave portion projecting from the outer periphery of the tip protruding from the shaft hole in the engagement shaft Ru can be formed is engaging portion and the engaging portion with a simple structure and a can be inserted projections on.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank nipple device according to the first aspect, the locking portion includes a proximal-side locking surface and a distal-side locking surface whose outer periphery is continuous with a distal end edge of the shaft holding portion. And a through-hole having a shaft hole extending from the base-side locking surface to the distal-side locking surface along the central axis and a concave portion recessed in the radial direction from the shaft hole. The engaging portion includes a planar annular shape having an outer periphery continuous with the outer peripheral edge of the shaft portion, and an slidable contact surface with the locking surface on the base end side of the locking portion; An engagement shaft that is continuously fitted on the shaft hole so that the outer periphery is continuously connected to the periphery of the shaft, and the central axis extends in the concave portion that protrudes from the outer periphery of the engagement shaft protruding from the shaft hole. And a protrusion that can be inserted in the direction.

  According to this, the shaft portion of the nipple is inserted, the nipple is inserted into the opening portion along the central axis with the projection portion and the concave portion facing each other, and the engagement surface is locked on the proximal side of the locking portion. While the position of the nipple in contact with the surface is regulated in the removal direction, the nipple is rotated around the center axis so that each engaging portion is locked to the locking portion, and the engaging surface and the protruding portion However, the engaging portion is clamped and fitted to restrict the displacement of the nipple in the pulling direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank nipple device according to the first aspect, the locking portion includes a proximal-side locking surface and a distal-side locking surface whose outer periphery is continuous with the distal end edge of the shaft holding portion. And a plurality of concave portions that are radially recessed from the shaft hole in the radial direction along the central axis. The engaging portion is a planar ring whose outer periphery is continuous with the outer periphery of the distal end of the shaft portion, and can be slidably contacted with the locking surface on the base end side of the locking portion; An engagement shaft that is rotatably fitted in the shaft hole continuously on the inner peripheral edge of the mating surface, and each of the concave shapes projecting radially from the outer periphery of the end of the engagement shaft protruding from the shaft hole. And a plurality of protrusions that can be inserted through the portion in the direction in which the central axis extends.

  According to this, the shaft portion of the nipple is inserted, the nipple is radially inserted into the opening portion along the central axis while the projections are radially opposed to the respective concave portions, and the engagement surface is inserted into the locking portion. By rotating the nipple around the central axis while in contact with the proximal locking surface, each engaging portion is locked to the locking portion, and the engaging surface and the protrusion are locked to the locking portion. And the displacement of the nipple in the pulling direction is restricted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank nipple device according to the second or third aspect, a stopper that abuts against the protruding portion and restricts the rotation of the shaft portion is provided on the distal end side locking surface of the locking portion. It is characterized by having.

  According to this, the protrusion abuts against the stopper, and the rotation of the shaft portion is restricted to a preset position so that the extending direction of the pipe connection portion of the nipple can be set, and the work of attaching the nipple to the cap portion is simplified. Is obtained.

  According to the present invention, the cap portion is attached to the nipple device attachment portion on the outer wall of the fuel tank, and the latch that protrudes inward from the base portion from the base portion and protrudes inward from the tip end of the cylindrical shaft holding portion. The nipple is rotatably attached to the cap portion by a simple operation of providing a holder portion through which the opening portion provided with the portion passes and inserting and rotating the shaft portion of the nipple into the shaft holding portion of the opening portion. As a result, even if the extending direction of the base end portion of the fuel tube connected to the pipe connecting portion is different, the nipple rotates following the extending direction of the base end portion of the fuel tube with respect to the fuel tank to become a nipple. The acting load is reduced. Further, bending or bending of the base end portion of the fuel tube is suppressed, and the load on the fuel tube is reduced.

  The engaging part of the nipple is locked to the locking part formed in the opening of the holder part protruding into the fuel tank of the cap part, and the displacement of the nipple in the pulling direction is restricted, so that the nipple is not pulled into the cap part. There is no need to provide a means for restricting the retaining of a clip or the like that restricts the stop, the amount of protrusion of the pipe connection portion of the nipple that protrudes from the cap portion is suppressed, and the space efficiency around the fuel tank can be easily ensured. .

  In addition, since the nipple is engaged and held in the cap portion by engaging the engaging portion and the engaging portion integrally formed with the cap portion and the nipple itself, the number of components can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced in combination with simplification of assembly workability.

It is a top view of the nipple apparatus of the fuel tank in one embodiment of the present invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the nipple apparatus in FIG. It is the principal part perspective view seen from the IV arrow direction in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the conventional nipple apparatus of a fuel tank. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5 in an assembled state.

  Hereinafter, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fuel tank is disposed below the floor panel at the rear of the vehicle body, an evaporative fuel outlet tube for deriving the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank to a canister, etc., and fuel from the fuel pump to the engine As an example, the nipple device to which each base end portion of the fuel return tube for returning the surplus fuel in the engine to the fuel tank is connected is connected to the upper surface portion of the outer wall of the fuel tank. A description will be given with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of a nipple device 10 disposed on the upper surface portion 2 of the fuel tank 1, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

  The nipple device 10 is made of resin, and is attached to the cap portion 11 attached to the nipple device attachment portion 3 formed in the upper surface portion of the outer wall 2 of the fuel tank 1 and the fuel supply tube and the fuel return tube. The nipples 51, 52, and 30 are bent in an L shape to which the base ends of the fuel tubes such as the evaporative fuel lead-out tube are connected.

  The cap portion 11 has a plate-like base portion 12 whose outer periphery is fitted to a nipple device mounting portion 3 having an opening formed in the upper surface portion of the outer wall 2 of the fuel tank 1 and whose opening is closed. Nipple attachment portions 14, 15, 16 for mounting the connector 13 and the nipples 51, 52, 30 are formed. The connector 13 is used to electrically connect a pump motor of a fuel pump disposed in the fuel tank 1 and an external device. The connector 13 and the fuel pump are not directly related to the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The configurations of the nipples 51, 52, and 30 and the nipple mounting portions 14, 15, and 16 are substantially the same, and only the nipple 30 and the nipple mounting portion 16 will be described.

  A nipple mounting portion 16 for mounting the nipple 30 will be described with reference to an exploded perspective view of a main part shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 showing a cross section taken along line II-II in FIG.

  The nipple mounting portion 16 has a base axis 17a integrally connected to the base 12 and a tip 17b protruding into the fuel tank 1 and extending substantially vertically from the base 12 side to the tip 17b. The cylindrical holder part 17 which has the opening part 20 which penetrates along L and supports the nipple 30 so that rotation is possible is provided.

  The opening portion 20 formed in the holder portion 17 has a large-diameter annular flange fitting portion 21 that opens on the upper surface 12a of the base portion 12 along the center axis L, and an outer periphery on the front end side edge of the flange fitting portion 21. A planar annular flange contact surface 22 which is continuous, a base end side which is continuous with the inner peripheral edge of the flange contact surface 22 and has a diameter smaller than the flange fitting portion 21 and a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and the main body An annular step portion 24 whose outer periphery is continuous with the distal end side edge of the portion holding portion 23, and a shaft holding portion 25 having a cylindrical inner surface whose base end side is continuous with the inner peripheral edge of the step portion 24 and having a smaller diameter than the main body holding portion 23. A locking portion 26 is formed at the tip of the shaft holding portion 25.

  The locking portion 26 has a disc shape having a proximal end locking surface 26a and a distal end locking surface 26b whose outer periphery is continuous with the distal end edge of the shaft holding portion 25, and is cylindrical on the same axis as the central axis L thereof. Of the shaft hole 27a and a pair of concave portions 27b formed in a U-shape or groove shape extending radially away from the shaft hole 27a. There is a through hole 27 penetrating the distal end side locking surface 26b. Further, as shown in FIG. 4 as viewed in the direction of arrow IV in FIG. 3, a stopper 28 is formed that protrudes from the distal end side locking surface 26b in the distal direction and restricts the rotation of the nipple 30 described later.

  On the other hand, the nipple 30 has a cylindrical main body portion 31 that can be rotatably fitted to the main body portion holding portion 23. The nipple 30 is fitted to the flange fitting portion 21 at the center of the main body portion 31 and has a side surface 32 a. An annular flange 32 that can come into contact with the flange contact surface 22 is formed to protrude. A shaft portion 34 is extended from an end edge on the front end side of the main body portion 31 via an annular O-ring mounting portion 33 whose diameter is reduced stepwise in the extending direction of the central axis L. The shaft portion 34 is a cylindrical shape that is fitted to the fitting shaft holding portion 25 so as to be rotatable. An engaging surface 36 that can be contacted is formed.

  An engagement shaft 37 is continuously formed on the inner peripheral edge of the engagement surface 36 so as to be rotatably fitted in the shaft hole 27 a of the locking portion 26, and the engagement surface 36 is formed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the engagement shaft 37. A pair of protrusions 38 that can be inserted through the concave portions 27b with a distance slightly larger than the thickness of the locking portion 26 is formed. The engaging surface 35, the engaging shaft 37, and the protruding portion 38 form an engaging portion 35 that is rotatably engaged with the locking portion 26.

  Further, a cylindrical pipe connecting portion 39 extending in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the central axis L, for example, a direction orthogonal to the side portion of the main body portion 31 is extended and opened at the end of the engaging shaft 37. A communication passage 40 having an opening 40 b at the tip of the pipe connection portion 39 is formed through the fitting shaft 34, the main body portion 31, and the pipe connection portion 39.

  An operation of mounting the nipple 30 formed in this way on the nipple mounting portion 16 of the cap portion 11 will be described.

  First, the O-ring 41 is mounted on the O-ring mounting portion 33 of the nipple 30, and the shaft portion 34 is connected to the opening 20 of the cap portion 11 from the side of the engagement shaft 37 and the projection portion 38 formed at the tip thereof. The tip end side of the shaft portion 34 is inserted into the shaft holding portion 25 by being inserted along L. Each protrusion formed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the engagement shaft 37 by rotating the nipple 30 about the central axis L in a state where the distal end side of the shaft portion 34 is fitted to the shaft holding portion 25. 38 is opposed to the concave portion 27b of the through hole 27 formed in the locking portion 26 in the extending direction of the central axis L.

  With the projections 38 and the concave portions 27b facing each other, the nipple 30 is inserted into the opening 20 along the center axis L and the engagement surface 36 is inserted into the proximal-side engagement surface 26a of the engagement portion 26. The body portion 31 is fitted into the body portion holding portion 25, and the flange 32 is fitted into the flange fitting portion 21 so that the side surface 32 a of the flange 32 is brought into contact with the flange contact surface 22. Along with the insertion of the nipple 20, each protrusion 38 formed on the outer periphery of the engagement shaft 37 passes through the concave portion 27 b and protrudes from the through hole 27 of the engagement portion 66 to protrude toward the distal end side engagement surface 26 b. To do.

  Further, the insertion position of the nipple 30 with respect to the opening portion 20 by the contact between the engagement surface 36 and the base end side locking surface 26a of the locking portion 26 and the contact between the side surface 32a of the flange 32 and the flange contact surface 32. That is, the position of the nipple 30 is regulated in the removal direction, and the O-ring is held between the O-ring mounting portion 33 and the step portion 24 to seal between the opening 20 and the nipple 30.

  The engaging surface 36 and the base end side locking surface 26 a of the locking portion 26 come into contact with each other, the side surface 32 a of the flange 32 and the flange contact surface 32 come into contact with each other, and the main body portion 31 enters the main body portion holding portion 25. The shaft portion 34 is fitted to the shaft holding portion 25 and the engagement shaft 36 is centered on the nipple 30 in a state where the position of the engagement portion 36 is regulated in the removal direction of the nipple 30 fitted in the shaft hole 27a of the locking portion 26. The protrusion 38 is rotated by, for example, approximately 90 ° around the axis L until the protrusion 38 comes into contact with the stopper 28. When the projection 38 abuts against the stopper 28, the rotation of the shaft portion 34 is restricted to a preset position, and the extending direction of the pipe connecting portion 39 of the nipple 30 can be set.

  By the rotation of the nipple 30, the engaging surface 36 slides on the proximal end side locking surface 26a of the locking portion 26, and each protrusion 38 extends along the distal end side locking surface 26b of the locking portion 26. Each engaging portion 26 is moved and locked to the locking portion 26, and the engaging surface 36 and each protrusion 38 sandwich and engage the locking portion 26 to restrict displacement of the nipple 30 in the removal direction.

  The nipple 30 has a main body 31, a shaft 34, and an engagement shaft 36 that are pivotally supported in shaft holes 27 a of the main body holding part 23, the shaft holding part 25, and the locking part 26, respectively, In a range in which 38 can slide in contact with the front end side locking surface 26a of the locking portion 26, that is, in a rotation range in which the projection 38 moves in sliding contact with the front end side locking surface 26a between the concave portion 27b and the stopper 28. Rotation around the central axis L is allowed. The base end portion 7a of the fuel tube 7 is fitted and connected to the pipe connecting portion 39 of the nipple 30 that is rotatably fitted and held in the opening portion 20 of the cap portion 11.

  Accordingly, the nipple 30 is inserted into the opening 20 of the cap portion 11 from the side of the fitting shaft 37 provided at the tip of the shaft portion 34, and the engagement surface 36 is connected to the proximal end side locking surface 26 a of the locking portion 26. In the state where the side surface 32a of the flange 32 is brought into contact with the flange contact surface 22 and the insertion position is restricted, the projection 38 is brought into contact with the stopper 28 around the center axis L. The nipple 30 can be reliably assembled to the cap portion 11 by a simple assembling operation that rotates.

  According to the nipple device 10 assembled in this manner, the shaft portion 34 is rotatably attached to the opening portion 20 of the cap portion 11 that fits into the opening portion formed on the upper surface portion of the fuel tank, and the nipple 30 is capped. When the length of the fuel tube 7 that is rotatably held by the portion 11 and is connected to the pipe connection portion 39 of the nipple 30 varies, or the specifications differ, the base end portion 7a of the fuel tube 7 with respect to the fuel tank Even when the extending directions are different, the load applied to the nipple 30 by rotating the nipple 30 following the extending direction of the base end portion 7a of the fuel tube 7 with respect to the fuel tank is reduced, and the cap portion 11 is connected. It is possible to suppress the generation of so-called creep cracks due to creep generated in the nipple 30. Further, the bending or bending of the base end portion 7a of the fuel tube 7 is suppressed, and the load on the fuel tube 7 is reduced.

  The cap portion 11 is engaged with the engaging portion 26 formed in the opening portion 20 formed in the holder portion 17 protruding into the fuel tank 17, and the engaging surface 36 and each protruding portion 38 sandwich and engage the engaging portion 26. Since the displacement of the nipple 30 in the removal direction is restricted, it is unnecessary to provide the cap part 11 with a means for restricting the removal of the clip such as a clip that restricts the nipple 30 from coming off, and the cap part 11 protrudes from the upper surface 11a. The projecting amount of the pipe connecting portion 39 of the nipple 30 is suppressed, and the space efficiency around the fuel tank can be easily ensured. Further, a gap between the nipple 30 and a vehicle body structural member such as a floor panel can be secured. For example, contact between the nipple 30 and the vehicle body structural member is avoided even when the fuel tank and the vehicle body structural member are relatively displaced at the time of a rear collision of the vehicle. As a result, breakage of the nipple device 10 is effectively prevented and safety is greatly improved.

  In addition, the nipple 30 is engaged and held in the cap portion 11 by the engagement of the engaging portion 26 and the engaging portion 35 formed integrally with the cap portion 11 and the nipple 30 itself, and is a separate part from the cap portion 11 and the nipple 30. The locking means or the like is not required, the number of components can be reduced, the configuration can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced in combination with the simplified assembly workability.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pair of protrusions 38 are formed radially on the outer periphery of the tip of the engagement shaft 37 of the nipple 30, and the through hole 27 having the pair of concave portions 27 b is formed in the locking portion 26. However, one or three or more projecting portions 38 are arranged on the outer periphery of the distal end of the engaging shaft 37, and the concave portions 27 b of the through holes 27 of the engaging portion 26 are one or three according to the number of the projecting portions 38. It can also be more than one.

  Further, when assembling, the range of the concave portion 27b and the stopper 28 on the distal end side locking surface 26a of the locking portion 26 with which the projection portion 30 comes into sliding contact with the rotation of the nipple 30 is shifted from the concave portion 27b to the stopper 28 side. Accordingly, the O-ring mounting portion 33 of the nipple 30 is moved to the step portion 24 side as the nipple 30 is rotated by being gently inclined so as to be separated from the step portion 24 to which the O-ring 41 is mounted. The tightening force can also be applied to the O-ring 41 by the step portion 24 and the O-ring mounting portion 33. Further, a concave portion is formed in the range of the concave portion 27b and the stopper 28 on the distal end side locking surface 26a of the locking portion 26 to facilitate the movement of the protruding portion 30, thereby facilitating the rotation of the nipple 30. You can also.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel tank 2 Outer wall 3 Nipple apparatus attachment part 7 Fuel tube 7a Base end part 10 Nipple apparatus 11 Cap part 12 Base part 14, 15, 16 Nipple attachment part 17 Holder part 17a Base end 17b Tip 20 Opening part 21 Flange fitting part 22 Flange contact surface 23 Body holding portion 25 Shaft holding portion 26 Locking portion 26a Base end side locking surface 26b Tip side locking surface 27 Through hole 27a Shaft hole 27b Concave portion 28 Stopper 30, 51, 52 Nipple 31 Body portion 32 Flange 34 Shaft part 35 Engagement part 36 Engagement surface 37 Engagement axis 38 Projection part 39 Pipe connection part 40 Communication path 41 O-ring

Claims (4)

In a nipple device for a fuel tank, comprising a cap portion having an opening that is attached to and penetrates a nipple device attachment portion on an outer wall of the fuel tank, and a nipple that rotatably fits in the opening and connects a fuel tube.
The cap part is
A base attached to a nipple device attachment that opens to the outer wall of the fuel tank;
A base end is integrally connected to the base, the tip protrudes inward of the tank, and a cylindrical shaft holding portion and a plate shape whose outer periphery continues to the tip edge of the shaft holding portion, and a shaft hole along the central axis. And a holder portion through which an opening having a locking portion having a through hole having a concave portion provided in a radial direction from the shaft hole passes,
The nipple is
The main body,
A shaft portion extending along the central axis direction of the opening to the main body portion and fitted to the shaft holding portion in a rotatable manner;
An engaging shaft extending to the shaft portion and rotatably fitted in the shaft hole, and a center axis extending in the concave portion projecting from the outer periphery of the distal end of the engaging shaft protruding from the shaft hole A projecting portion that can be inserted in a direction, and the projecting portion engages with the locking portion when the shaft portion is inserted into the shaft holding portion and rotated around the center axis so that the shaft portion is removed. An engaging portion that restricts displacement in the direction and holds the center shaft so as to be rotatable around the center axis;
A nipple integrally formed with a pipe connection portion that extends in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the central axis extends and is connected to the fuel tube.
A nipple device for a fuel tank, comprising: The locking part is
A plate-like shape having a proximal end side locking surface and a distal side locking surface whose outer periphery is continuous with the distal end edge of the shaft holding portion, and extending from the proximal side locking surface to the distal side locking surface along the central axis. A through hole having a continuous axial hole and a concave portion recessed radially from the axial hole,
The engaging portion is
An engagement surface that is slidably in contact with the proximal-side engagement surface of the engagement portion in a planar ring shape whose outer periphery is continuous with the outer periphery of the distal end of the shaft portion;
An engagement shaft that is continuously engaged with the inner peripheral edge of the engagement surface so as to be rotatable in the shaft hole;
A protrusion that can be inserted in the center axis extending direction through the inside of the concave portion protruding from the outer periphery of the end of the engagement shaft protruding from the shaft hole;
The nipple device for a fuel tank according to claim 1, comprising: The locking part is
A plate-like shape having a proximal end side locking surface and a distal side locking surface whose outer periphery is continuous with the distal end edge of the shaft holding portion, and extending from the proximal side locking surface to the distal side locking surface along the central axis. And a through hole having a plurality of concave portions radially recessed from the shaft hole in a radial direction,
The engaging portion is
An engagement surface that is slidably in contact with the proximal-side engagement surface of the engagement portion in a planar ring shape whose outer periphery is continuous with the outer periphery of the distal end of the shaft portion;
An engagement shaft that is continuously engaged with the inner peripheral edge of the engagement surface so as to be rotatable in the shaft hole;
A plurality of protrusions that project radially from the outer periphery of the end of the engagement shaft protruding from the shaft hole and can be inserted through the concave portions in the direction in which the central axis extends.
The nipple device for a fuel tank according to claim 1, comprising:   The nipple device for a fuel tank according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a stopper on the front-end-side engaging surface of the engaging portion, the stopper being in contact with the protruding portion and restricting the rotation of the shaft portion.

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