JP6020662B2 - Full tank control valve device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a full tank control valve device provided in a ventilation passage that connects an internal space and an external space of a fuel tank so as to allow communication.

  Conventionally, a float valve that floats on liquid fuel is provided in a casing attached to the fuel tank, and when the fuel level in the fuel tank rises and reaches a first predetermined level that is a full tank level, a lower passage is provided. The fuel level in the casing introduced from the pores is pushed up to a second predetermined level higher than the first predetermined level, and the float valve is seated on a valve seat formed in the upper part of the casing so as to move between the inside and outside of the fuel tank. There is a full control valve device that closes a communicating passage.

  As a result, when the fuel level in the fuel tank rises due to refueling from the fuel filler port and reaches the full tank level, the fuel tank internal pressure rises, and the fuel liquid level in the fuel filler pipe rises to the vicinity of the fuel filler port. In this way, additional refueling above the full tank level is prevented.

  In such a full tank control valve device, for the purpose of reducing pressure fluctuations in the fuel tank after the full tank, etc., the internal space of the fuel tank and the portion above the second predetermined level of the casing are provided. What formed the fine ventilation hole which connects the internal space of a casing is known (for example, refer the following patent document 1).

JP 2004-257264 A

  However, in the above-described conventional full tank control valve device, when the fuel level in the fuel tank reaches the full tank level at the lower end of the casing, the vent passage communicating between the inside and outside of the fuel tank is shut off, and the pressure in the fuel tank is However, the pressure in the casing becomes lower, and the fuel level in the casing is pushed up by the pressure increase in the fuel tank, and the float valve is closed. However, since the casing is provided with a vent hole above the second predetermined level, which is the fuel level level pushed up, the atmospheric pressure in the casing and the atmospheric pressure in the fuel tank are gradually balanced. Become. As a result, the liquid fuel in the casing escapes from the lower vent, and the float valve opens the vent passage in a relatively short time after the valve is closed, so that the internal pressure of the fuel tank decreases. Then, there is a problem that the fuel level in the fuel supply pipe descends from the vicinity of the fuel supply port, and additional fuel can be supplied even though the fuel tank is at a full tank level. Therefore, in order to reliably prevent additional fuel supply after the fuel tank is full, it is desirable to extend the time for maintaining the closed state of the float valve.

  On the other hand, the present applicant, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-185465, “a casing that is attached to a fuel tank and has a ventilation passage that communicates the inside and outside of the fuel tank, and a housing that is formed in the casing. A float valve that floats up and down in the space and floats on the liquid fuel in the casing and opens and closes the ventilation passage as the fuel level in the casing moves up and down, and the fuel level in the fuel tank rises When the first predetermined level is reached, the fuel level in the casing is pushed up to a second predetermined level higher than the first predetermined level, so that the float valve closes the ventilation passage. Is a full tank control valve device having a vent hole communicating the internal space of the fuel tank and the storage space of the float valve above the second predetermined level, the casing comprising: A container body having a surface portion and having a float valve disposed therein; the container body is provided above the bottom surface portion; and an introduction port for introducing liquid fuel having reached a second predetermined level into the interior; A discharge passage that is provided so as to penetrate the container body below the opening and discharges the liquid fuel introduced into the inside from the introduction opening to the outside, and the passage cross-sectional area of the discharge passage is the opening of the introduction opening A full tank control valve device characterized by "smaller than area" is proposed.

  According to the full tank control valve device having such a feature, when the fuel level in the fuel tank rises and reaches the first predetermined level, the fuel level in the casing is pushed up and the first predetermined level is exceeded. When the high second predetermined level is reached, liquid fuel is introduced into the container body from the introduction port, and the float valve disposed inside the container body is raised to form a closed valve state. The casing has a vent hole that communicates the internal space of the fuel tank and the storage space of the float valve at a position above the second predetermined level, and the air pressure in the casing and the air pressure in the fuel tank are Although the equilibrium gradually occurs, the liquid fuel inlet of the container body is located above the bottom surface, so that the liquid fuel is stored below the inlet inside the container body and discharged below the inlet. It is discharged from the passage. Since the passage cross-sectional area of the discharge passage is smaller than the opening area of the inlet, the discharge speed of the liquid fuel from the container through the discharge passage is suppressed. Therefore, the storage time of the liquid fuel once introduced into the container can be made relatively long. In this way, the time for maintaining the closed state of the float valve can be extended.

  Further, the applicant of the present invention has described in the above-described full tank control valve device that “a fuel tank is mounted on a vehicle, and a casing includes a storage tank portion capable of storing liquid fuel therein, and a storage tank portion. The inside communicates with the inside of the container body, the communication path through which the liquid fuel inside the container body can flow into the inside of the storage tank section, and the exhaust for discharging the liquid fuel stored inside the storage tank section to the outside. An outlet and a discharge opening / closing valve that closes the discharge port when the vehicle is stopped and opens the discharge port when the vehicle starts running from the stopped state. A full tank control valve device is also proposed in which the float valve opens the ventilation passage when the liquid fuel that has been filled is reduced by the amount of the internal volume of the storage tank.

  According to the full tank control valve device having such characteristics, the following effects can be obtained.

  For example, when liquid fuel is supplied into the fuel tank from the fuel supply port using a fuel gun equipped with an auto-stop mechanism, when the first relatively large amount of fuel is supplied, the second and subsequent additional fuels are supplied. Rather, a large amount of fuel vapor is generated from the liquid fuel supplied into the fuel tank. Therefore, if the full tank control valve device is kept closed during the first auto-stop (at the time of initial refueling), the internal pressure in the fuel tank rises due to a large amount of fuel vapor generated, and fuel is supplied from the refueling port. There is a problem that may overflow. However, according to the full tank control valve device having the proposed configuration, it is possible to prevent the fuel from overflowing from the fuel filler port.

  When refueling when the vehicle is stopped from the running state, the liquid fuel is discharged from the inside of the storage tank portion by the opening operation of the discharge opening / closing valve when the vehicle starts running, Liquid fuel is not stored. In this state, if fuel is supplied into the fuel tank until the first automatic stop mechanism is activated, liquid fuel is introduced from the inlet into the container body, and the float valve disposed inside the container body rises. A closed state is formed. However, at least part of the fuel that has been introduced into the container and filled the container flows into the storage tank through the communication path, and the liquid fuel in the container decreases by the amount of the internal volume of the storage tank. The liquid level is reduced. Along with this, the float valve quickly opens the ventilation passage, and an increase in the internal pressure in the fuel tank is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fuel from overflowing from the fuel filler port of the fuel tank at the first auto stop.

  Also, when the vehicle is stopped and refueling, the vehicle does not travel, so the discharge on / off valve remains closed and the liquid fuel that has flowed into the storage tank at the first auto stop is discharged. Not. Therefore, at the time of the second automatic stop (additional fueling), the storage time of the liquid fuel introduced into the container body can be made relatively long, and the time for maintaining the closed state of the float valve can be extended.

  However, in the latter full tank control valve device proposed by the present applicant, when a vehicle equipped with a fuel tank makes a turning run or the like just before refueling, the storage tank portion is caused by a change in the liquid level in the fuel tank. If the fuel enters the tank, the function of the storage tank part may not be exhibited during refueling. In addition, there is a problem in that the full tank control valve device is maintained in the closed state at the first auto stop (at the time of the first refueling), and the fuel may overflow from the refueling port.

  In addition, if the fuel enters the inside of the container body due to a change in the liquid level in the fuel tank during turning or the like immediately before refueling, the float valve closes the ventilation passage, making it difficult to refuel itself. There is a problem that there are cases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even when a vehicle equipped with a fuel tank makes a turning run or the like just before refueling, even if the liquid level in the fuel tank changes greatly, refueling is possible. Another object of the present invention is to provide a full tank control valve device capable of preventing fuel from overflowing from a fuel filler port at the time of initial fueling.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is formed a ventilation passage which is attached to a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle and which allows the inside of the fuel tank to communicate with the outside to exhaust the gas inside the fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank. And a first float which is provided in a housing space formed in the casing so as to be movable up and down, floats on the liquid fuel in the casing, and opens and closes the ventilation passage as the fuel level in the casing moves up and down. The casing has a vent hole communicating the internal space of the fuel tank and the accommodating space, and the casing is a container body having a bottom surface portion, in which the first float valve is disposed. A container body, which is an inlet provided above the bottom surface, and introduces liquid fuel into the container body, and penetrates the container body below the inlet. Provided to And a discharge passage for discharging liquid fuel introduced from the introduction port to the outside, the passage cross-sectional area of the discharge passage is smaller than the opening area of the introduction port, and the container body is disposed. A second float which is provided in a housing space in the casing formed upstream of the vented portion in the exhaust direction of the ventilation passage so as to freely move up and down, and opens and closes the ventilation passage as the fuel level in the casing moves up and down. The second float valve includes an air reservoir recess recessed downward, and a liquid fuel inflow that connects the interior of the air reservoir recess and the ventilation passage upstream of the second float valve in the exhaust direction. and holes were closed, the liquid fuel inlet is in the lower wall portion of the bottom of the air pocket recess, which communicates the inside concave portion air reservoir and a lower side, air pocket recess, the liquid fuel upwardly and wherein the open larger than the inflow hole That.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the casing is attached to a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle, and is formed with a ventilation passage capable of exhausting gas inside the fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank. The fuel liquid level rises and reaches the first predetermined level, the casing in which the fuel liquid level in the casing is pushed up, and a first liquid storage space formed in the casing so as to be movable up and down. And a first float valve that closes the ventilation passage when the fuel passage in the casing exceeds a second predetermined level that is higher than the first predetermined level. venting passage is provided vertically movable in the second housing space in the casing formed in the upstream portion of the direction of the exhaust vent passage, the upstream portion with the vertical movement of the fuel surface in the casing than A second float valve that opens and closes the second float valve. The second float valve is an air reservoir recess that allows air to accumulate when the fuel level in the casing exceeds a third predetermined level that is higher than the first predetermined level. An air reservoir recess recessed downward to float the second float valve and close the vent passage in the upstream portion, and a liquid fuel inflow hole communicating the inside of the air reservoir recess and the vent passage, When the fuel level exceeds the third predetermined level, after the second float valve floats, the liquid fuel is allowed to flow into the air reservoir recess, thereby sinking the second float valve and venting the upstream portion. possess a liquid fuel inlet to open the passage, the liquid fuel inlet is in the lower wall portion of the bottom of the air pocket recess, which communicates the inside concave portion air reservoir and a lower side, an air reservoir recess And wherein the open greater than the liquid fuel inlet upward.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the full tank control valve apparatus 1 in 1st Embodiment to which this invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 and shows a schematic configuration of a full tank control valve device 1. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the full tank control valve device 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the fuel tank 2 with which the full tank control valve apparatus 1 was mounted | worn. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the full tank control valve device 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the full tank control valve device 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the full tank control valve device 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the full tank control valve device 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the full tank control valve device 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the full tank control valve device 1. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the full tank control valve apparatus 1 in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the sub float valve 80 in 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the modification of the sub float valve 80 in 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the full tank control valve apparatus 1 in 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the full tank control valve apparatus 1 in 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the principal part of the container body 136 in 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of container body of a comparative example. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the full tank control valve apparatus 1 in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the full tank control valve apparatus 1 in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the sub float valve in other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the sub float valve in other embodiment.

  A plurality of modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. In the case where only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the other parts of the configuration are the same as those described previously. In addition to the combination of parts specifically described in each embodiment, the embodiments may be partially combined as long as the combination is not particularly troublesome.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a top view of a full tank control valve device 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. A schematic configuration is shown. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the full tank control valve device 1, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the fuel tank 2 to which the full tank control valve device 1 is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the full tank control valve device 1 is attached to, for example, an opening 3 that opens in a ceiling surface of a fuel tank 2 mounted on a vehicle, and a liquid level of liquid fuel in the fuel tank 2. This is a valve device that opens and closes a ventilation passage that connects the internal space of the fuel tank 2 and the canister 9 outside the fuel tank 2 in a communicable manner according to (liquid level).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the full control valve device 1 includes a casing 10, a float valve 50 (corresponding to a main float valve and a first float valve) accommodated in the casing 10, and a sub float valve 80 (second float valve). Equivalent to a float valve). The casing 10 includes an upper case 20, a lower case 30, a cap 11, and an end cap 15 that are all made of resin, for example, and are connected to each other by welding, adhesion, locking, or the like.

  The upper case 20 is integrally formed with a cylindrical portion 21, an inwardly extending portion 22, a pipe portion 24, a shielding wall 25, a shielding plate 26, and the like. The cylindrical portion 21 has a stepped cylindrical shape, and a lower portion of the cylindrical portion 21 (a portion of the cylindrical portion 21 below the stepped portion) is the opening 3 of the fuel tank 2 shown in FIG. The outer diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a flange portion 21 a is provided in the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 21 above the vent hole 27 described later, as shown in FIG. The outer diameter of the flange portion 21 a is larger than the diameter of the opening 3 of the fuel tank 2. In addition, illustration of the flange part 21a is abbreviate | omitted also in FIGS. 7-12 used for description later.

  The inward projecting portion 22 has a substantially annular flat plate shape projecting inward from the inner peripheral surface near the step portion of the cylindrical portion 21. The lower surface of the inner peripheral edge of the inward extending portion 22 is a valve seat 23 on which the float valve 50 is seated.

  The pipe portion 24 extends laterally from the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 21 (the portion of the cylindrical portion 21 that is above the stepped portion), and the inside of the casing 10 and the canister 9 (see FIG. 6) are provided inside. A connecting passage is formed.

  The shielding wall 25 is disposed inside the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 21 so as to cover the central opening of the inward extending portion 22. The shielding wall 25 is provided to prevent liquid fuel that has risen in the casing 10 from entering the pipe portion 24 even if it passes through the central opening of the inwardly extending portion 22. ing.

  The shielding plate 26 hangs downward in a ring shape from the base end portion in the protruding direction of the inward protruding portion 22 inside the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 21. The cylindrical shielding plate 26 is provided to prevent the liquid fuel rising in the casing 10 from directly reaching the seal portion when the float valve 50 is closed.

  The upper part of the cylindrical part 21, the lower part of the cylindrical part 21, the inward projecting part 22, and the shielding plate 26 are all arranged so as to have the same axis. The upper end of the cylindrical portion 21 of the upper case 20 is closed by the cap 11.

  On the other hand, in the lower case 30, a cylindrical portion 31, an inwardly extending portion 32, a guide rib 34, a connecting portion 35, a container body 36, and the like are integrally formed. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 31 above the flange forming portion shown in FIG. 2 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 21 of the upper case 20, and the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 31 of the lower case 30 is the upper case. The 20 cylindrical portions 21 are fitted inside the lower edge portion.

  The inward projecting portion 32 has a substantially annular flat plate shape projecting inward from the inner peripheral surface of the upper end edge of the cylindrical portion 31. The lower surface of the inner peripheral edge of the inward extending portion 32 is a valve seat 33 on which the sub float valve 80 is seated. A plurality of guide ribs 34 are erected on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 at intervals in the circumferential direction, and extend in the vertical direction. The plurality of guide ribs 34 guide the sub-float valve 80 when the sub-float valve 80 is displaced at the respective inner end portions.

  The container body 36 is a bottomed cylindrical body including a cylindrical side wall portion 37 and a bottom surface portion (bottom portion) 38 formed so as to close the lower end of the side wall portion 37. The container body 36 is disposed inside the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 21 of the upper case 20 that is above the inward projecting portion 32, and the inward projecting portion 32 and the bottom surface portion 38 of the container body 36 include a plurality of parts. They are connected by a plate-like connecting portion 35 (see also FIG. 4).

  The outer diameter of the container body 36 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 21, the container body 36 is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 21, and a gap is formed between the container body 36 and the cylindrical portion 21. The side wall portion 37 and the cylindrical portion 21 of the container body 36 are arranged so that the axes are the same. Therefore, the gap dimension of the gap portion between the side wall portion 37 and the cylindrical portion 21 of the container body 36 is uniform in the circumferential direction. The inside of the container body 36 is a housing space for the float valve 50.

  The float valve 50 includes a float 60, a seal plate 65, a valve body 70, a spring 75, and the like. The float 60 is a substantially cylindrical member that is made of, for example, resin and is relatively light, and is formed with an annular recess 61 and a center recess 61 a that are recessed upward from the lower surface side. The annular recess 61 and the central recess 61a are provided so as to function as a gas reservoir in the liquid. A coiled spring 75 is contracted in the annular recess 61, the upper end of the spring 75 is in contact with the upper bottom surface (that is, the ceiling surface) of the annular recess 61, and the lower end is in contact with the bottom surface portion 38 of the container body 36. The float 60 is always biased upward (pressed). A convex portion 62 protruding upward is formed at the center of the upper surface portion of the float 60.

  Above the float 60, for example, a resin seal plate 65 is disposed. The seal plate 65 is integrally formed with a disc-shaped flat plate portion 66 having a small opening 67 formed at the center thereof, and a substantially cylindrical tube portion 68 protruding upward from the flat plate portion 66 at the peripheral portion of the small opening 67. ing. Further, on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 68, for example, a rubber sheet-like valve element 70 extending along the upper surface of the flat plate portion 66 is disposed.

  When the float valve 50 is displaced maximum in the upward direction, the valve body 70 abuts against the valve seat 23 of the upper case 20 in an annular shape, and accommodates the accommodation space of the float valve 50, the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 21, and the pipe portion 24. It is designed to isolate the ventilation passage. The valve body 70 is a large-diameter seal member that largely opens and closes a ventilation passage that communicates the inside of the fuel tank 2 and the canister 9 at the site where the inwardly projecting portion 22 of the casing 10 is formed. A small-diameter seal member that opens and closes the ventilation passage (small opening 67) smaller than the valve body 70 inside the valve body 70.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of guide ribs 63 are erected on the outer peripheral surface of the float 60 at intervals in the circumferential direction, and extend vertically. The plurality of guide ribs 63 are slidably contacted with the side wall 37 of the container body 36 when the float valve 50 is displaced, and guide the float valve 50.

  On the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 38 of the container body 36, a plurality of radially extending ribs (a plurality of radially extending ribs) are erected outward from the contact position of the spring 75. In the case of maximum displacement downward, the lower surface of the float 60 comes into contact with the upper tips of these ribs. Thereby, the adhesion of the float 60 to the bottom surface portion 38 of the container body 36 is prevented.

  In the cylindrical portion 21 of the upper case 20, the cylindrical portion 21 is arranged in the radial direction at a position equal to or higher than the upper end of the side wall portion 37 of the container body 36 (in the present example, at a substantially same height as the upper end of the side wall portion 37). A small-diameter air hole 27 penetrating through is formed.

  A small-diameter drain hole 39 that penetrates the side wall 37 in the radial direction is formed in the lowermost part (portion connected to the bottom 38) of the side wall 37 of the container body 36 of the lower case 30. The passage sectional area of the drain hole 39 is set to be extremely smaller than the area outside the float 60 in the upper opening area of the container body 36.

  Of the upper opening of the container body 36, the portion outside the float 60 is the introduction port 36a in the present embodiment, and the liquid drain hole 39 corresponds to the discharge passage in the present embodiment.

  As shown also in FIG. 5, the end cap 15 includes a disc-shaped bottom plate portion 16 and a plurality of locking portions 17 that extend upward from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom plate portion 16 and lock to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 of the lower case 30. And are integrally molded. The bottom plate portion 16 is formed with an arc-shaped cutout portion 18 at a portion of the outer peripheral edge portion where the locking portion 17 is not connected. In a state where the end cap 15 is assembled to the lower case 30, the notch 18 forms an opening at the lower end of the casing 10.

  The space inside the cylindrical portion 31 of the lower case 30 and the upper portion of the bottom plate portion 16 of the end cap 15 is a housing space for the sub float valve 80.

  The sub float valve 80 is made of, for example, resin, and a cylindrical side wall portion 81 that is in sliding contact with the guide rib 34 of the lower case 30 and a ceiling portion 82 that closes the upper end of the side wall portion 81 are integrally formed. The sub-float valve 80 is formed with a recess recessed upward from the lower end surface on the inner side of the side wall 81, and serves as an air reservoir recess 83 capable of storing air. An air vent hole 84 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the center of the ceiling portion 82 of the sub float valve 80.

  The sub-float valve 80 floats in the liquid fuel when most of the air reservoir recess 83 is filled with air, and the air in the air reservoir recess 83 escapes from the air vent hole 84 and becomes large in the air reservoir recess 83. When the portion is filled with liquid fuel, it sinks into the liquid fuel.

  When the sub-float valve 80 is displaced maximum upward, the ceiling portion 82 abuts against the valve seat 33 of the lower case 30 in an annular shape, and the accommodating space of the sub-float valve 80 and the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 21 of the upper case 20 It is designed to isolate the inner ventilation passage.

  A plurality of radially extending ribs (a plurality of radially extending ribs) are erected on the outer peripheral edge portion of the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 16 of the end cap 15, and when the sub float valve 80 is displaced to the maximum downward. The lower end surface of the side wall portion 81 of the sub-float valve 80 comes into contact with the upper tip portions of these ribs. Thereby, the adhesion to the bottom plate part 16 of the end cap 15 of the sub float valve 80 is prevented.

  According to the above-described configuration, the casing 10 is formed with the ventilation passage 40 communicating the inside and the outside of the fuel tank 2, and the gas in the fuel tank 2 is passed through the ventilation passage 40 to the fuel tank 2. It is possible to exhaust to the outside. Specifically, the casing 10 is ventilated in the order of the cylindrical portion 31 of the lower case 30, the cylindrical portion 21 of the upper case 20, and the pipe portion 24 with the notch portion 18 of the end cap 15 as an upstream end. A ventilation passage 40 capable of exhausting the gas in the fuel tank 2 is formed.

  In the casing 10, the ventilation passage 40 is opened and closed by a float valve 50 accommodated in the container body 36 at a portion where the container body 36 is disposed, and is exhausted more than the portion where the container body 36 is disposed. The vent passage 40 is opened and closed by a sub-float valve 80 accommodated in the cylindrical portion 31 in the upstream portion in the direction (the direction in which the exhaust passage 40 exhausts from the fuel tank 2 to the outside of the fuel tank 2). .

  Next, based on the above configuration, the operation of the full tank control valve device 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a description will be given of a case where a vehicle equipped with the fuel tank 2 performs a turning operation or the like, and the fuel level greatly fluctuates at a position where the full tank control valve device 1 in the fuel tank 2 is mounted. When the vehicle turns and performs lateral acceleration, liquid fuel is unevenly distributed in the fuel tank 2, and the fuel level may be inclined to increase the liquid level.

  In such a case, as shown in FIG. 7, when the liquid fuel covers all the lower end of the casing 10 of the full tank control valve device 1 (when the fuel liquid level reaches a first predetermined level or higher), the end cap 15 The liquid fuel is pushed up from the notch 18 into the lower case 30.

  At this time, since the air reservoir recess 83 of the subfloat valve 80 is filled with air, the subfloat valve 80 floats on the liquid fuel pushed up in the lower case 30, sits on the valve seat 33, and sits on the vent passage 40. Occlude. As a result, the liquid fuel does not enter above the inward projecting portion 32 and the liquid fuel is not introduced into the container body 36, so that the float valve 50 is not displaced. The liquid level in the casing 10 at this time corresponds to a third predetermined level.

  Since the liquid level change accompanying the turning of the vehicle or the like is extremely rapid, the time for which the state shown in FIG. 7 is maintained is extremely short, and the liquid level in the fuel tank 2 can be obtained without the air escaping from the air vent hole 84 of the sub-float valve 80. The level goes down. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the liquid fuel is removed from the lower case 30, and the sub-float valve 80 that has floated on the liquid fuel also returns to the lowest position in the state where the air reservoir recess 83 is filled with air. The passage 40 is quickly opened.

  Next, a case where the vehicle is stopped and fuel is supplied into the fuel tank 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, even if there is a large change in the liquid level in the fuel tank 2 while the vehicle is traveling, the float valve 50 is not closed by the operation of the sub float valve 80. Even so, it is possible to start refueling.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the level of the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 2 to which the full tank control valve device 1 is attached is lower than the full tank level, as shown in FIG. The sub float valve 80 is in an open state. Therefore, when liquid fuel is supplied from the fuel supply port 5 of the fuel supply pipe 4 (inlet pipe) by the fuel supply gun 6, the fuel vapor in the upper space in the fuel tank 2 flows from the lower end of the casing 10 through the passage of the ventilation passage 40. Ventilation is performed outside the fuel tank 2 and the pressure in the fuel tank 2 does not increase, so that it is possible to continuously supply fuel.

  When the refueling is continued and the liquid level of the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 2 reaches the lower end of the casing 10 and closes the lower end opening formed by the notch 18 as shown in FIG. Pressure rises. Along with this, the liquid fuel rises in the lower case 30. At this time, the liquid level in the fuel tank 2 (so-called full tank level) corresponds to the first predetermined level.

  As the liquid level in the lower case 30 rises, the subfloat valve 80 filled with air rises in the air reservoir recess 83, and the subfloat valve 80 is closed when the liquid level reaches the third predetermined level. Form. When the sub float valve 80 is in the closed state, the liquid level in the fuel supply pipe 4 rises due to further pressure increase in the fuel tank 2, and when the liquid level reaches the tip of the fuel supply gun 6, for example, the automatic stop mechanism supplies the fuel. Canceled.

  At the time of the first automatic stop, the liquid fuel does not enter above the inward projecting portion 32 and the liquid fuel is not introduced into the container body 36, so that the float valve 50 is not displaced. Since the float valve 50 is open, the gas in the fuel tank 2 is discharged to the outside of the fuel tank 2 through the vent hole 27, and an increase in the internal pressure in the fuel tank 2 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fuel from overflowing from the fuel filler port 5 of the fuel tank 2 at the first auto stop (at the time of initial fueling) in which a relatively large amount of fuel is supplied and fuel vapor is generated a lot.

  At the first auto stop, the liquid level that has risen in the lower case 30 is maintained for a while until the pressure in the fuel tank 2 drops. Accordingly, the air in the air reservoir recess 83 of the sub float valve 80 is discharged upward from the air vent hole 84 and the liquid fuel enters the air reservoir recess 83. Thereby, the sub float valve 80 loses the float function and sinks into the liquid fuel. FIG. 10 shows that after the first auto-stop, the liquid fuel in the fuel supply pipe 4 is introduced into the fuel tank 2, the liquid level in the fuel tank 2 slightly rises, and the sub float valve 80 loses the float function and opens. It shows the state of speaking.

  In the state shown in FIG. 10, the pressure increase in the fuel tank 2 is eliminated, the liquid level in the fuel supply pipe 4 is lowered, and additional fuel supply is possible. When liquid fuel is additionally supplied from the fuel supply port 5 with the fuel supply gun 6, the liquid fuel rises in the lower case 30.

  At this time, since the sub-float valve 80 does not function, the liquid fuel also rises in the upper case 20, passes over the side wall 37 of the container body 36, flows into the container body 36 from the introduction port 36 a, and enters the container body 36. The liquid level rises.

  As the liquid level in the container body 36 rises, the float valve 50 rises (displaces upward), and the valve body 70 of the float valve 50 is seated on the valve seat 23 as shown in FIG. Form a state. At this time, the liquid level in the casing 10 corresponds to a second predetermined level. In order to introduce the liquid fuel into the container body 36, it is necessary for the liquid fuel to get over the side wall portion 37. Therefore, the level of the upper end of the side wall portion 37 of the container body 36 corresponds to the second predetermined level.

  However, in the full tank control valve device 1 of the present embodiment, the float valve 50 is closed when the liquid fuel is introduced into the container body 36 up to the liquid level indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. Is configured to do. Therefore, it can be said that the liquid level shown by the one-dot chain line is a substantial second predetermined level. Thereby, it is preferable that the formation height of the vent hole 27 provided in the upper case 20 is equal to or higher than the height of the upper end of the side wall portion 37 of the container body 36, but is equal to or higher than the liquid level indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. It doesn't matter.

  When the float valve 50 is closed, the rise in the liquid level in the casing 10 stops, the liquid level in the fuel supply pipe 4 rises due to the pressure increase in the fuel tank 2, and the liquid level reaches the tip of the fuel gun 6. Then, for example, refueling is stopped again by an auto-stop mechanism.

  When the refueling is stopped, the gas in the fuel tank 2 is vented into the casing 10 through the small-diameter vent hole 27, and the air pressure in the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 21 of the casing 10 and the air pressure in the fuel tank 2 are The liquid fuel in the casing 10 excluding the inside of the container body 36 is gradually removed from the lower end opening in a relatively short time.

  Since a relatively small diameter drain hole 39 is formed in the side wall 37 of the container body 36, the liquid fuel in the container body 36 is gradually discharged from the container body 36 through the drain hole 39. Go. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12, the float valve 50 is lowered, the valve body 70 is separated from the valve seat 23 and the vent passage 40 is opened, and the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 2 is fully filled. Even in the tank state, the inside and outside of the fuel tank 2 can be ventilated.

  When the float valve 50 is in the open state, the liquid level in the oil supply pipe 4 decreases, but the full tank control valve device 1 of the present embodiment sets the internal volume of the container body 36 and the diameter of the liquid drain hole 39. For example, when the valve closed state continues for 1 to 3 minutes and the liquid level in the oil supply pipe 4 is lowered, the refueling operation is completed, and further additional oil supply is performed. Can be prevented.

  When the float valve 50 is closed, the convex portion 62 (small-diameter second valve body) of the float 60 closes the small opening 67. When the float valve 50 is lowered, first, the convex portion 62 opens the small opening 67 to reduce the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the seal portion, and the valve body 70 (large-diameter first valve body) It is easy to open the valve by separating from the seat 23.

  According to the above-described configuration and operation, even if the vehicle turns and the liquid level in the fuel tank 2 changes greatly, liquid fuel enters the container body 36 and the float valve 50 is closed. This can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to supply fuel into the fuel tank 2 even immediately after the vehicle has made a turn or the like. In addition, since it is difficult for air to be discharged from the air reservoir recess 83 of the sub float valve 80, the float function of the sub float valve 80 can be maintained.

  When the vehicle is stopped from the running state and fueling is performed, it is possible to prevent the liquid fuel from entering the container body 36 by closing the sub float valve 80 at the first auto stop. Therefore, the float valve 50 does not close at the first auto stop (at the time of first refueling), so the gas in the fuel tank 2 is discharged to the outside of the fuel tank 2 through the vent hole 27 and the fuel tank 2 It is possible to prevent the fuel from overflowing from the fuel filler opening 5. Further, the liquid fuel can be introduced into the air reservoir recess 83 of the sub-float valve 80 so that the float function of the sub-float valve 80 can be eliminated.

  At the time of the second automatic stop (additional refueling), the sub float valve 80 has lost the float function. Therefore, liquid fuel is introduced into the container body 36 and the float valve 50 is closed to temporarily close the valve. Can be maintained. Therefore, further additional oil supply can be prevented.

  In this way, even if the liquid level in the fuel tank 2 changes drastically when a vehicle equipped with the fuel tank 2 turns or the like just before refueling, refueling is possible and refueling at the time of initial refueling. It is possible to prevent the fuel from overflowing from the mouth 5.

  Further, in the full tank control valve device 1 of the present embodiment, the sub float valve 80 is disposed below the float valve 50. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the full tank control valve device 1 in the lateral direction (radial direction). According to this, the diameter of the opening part 3 formed in the ceiling part of the fuel tank 2 can be made small.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described based on FIG.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that a partition wall portion 86 is provided in the sub-float valve 80. In addition, about the part similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the air reservoir recess 83 of the sub-float valve 80 protrudes downward from the ceiling portion 82 (corresponding to the upper wall portion) (hanging down from the upper wall portion). The section 86 is divided into a plurality of sections. Thereby, each area of the lower end opening of the partitioned air reservoir recess 83 is smaller than that of the undefined partition.

  As described in the first embodiment, when the vehicle turns and the lateral acceleration is applied, the liquid fuel is unevenly distributed in the fuel tank 2, the fuel level is inclined, and the liquid level is increased. .

  When the inclined liquid level rises, when the lower end of the sub-float valve 80 is covered with the liquid fuel and starts to float, the liquid fuel is moved to the position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Will infiltrate. In the full tank control valve device 1 of the present embodiment, by dividing the air reservoir recess 83 into a plurality of portions, the amount of liquid fuel entering when the sub-float valve 80 starts to float can be reduced, and a decrease in buoyancy can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to prevent the float function of the sub float valve 80 from being lowered.

  Incidentally, in the case of the sub-float valve 80 in which the partition wall portion 86 is not provided, the liquid fuel enters up to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 13, and the buoyancy is reduced as compared with the configuration of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 13 shows a state in which the float valve 50 and the sub float valve 80 are maximally displaced downward to the left of the center line, and the float valve 50 and the sub float valve 80 are maximally upward to the right of the center line. The displaced state is shown. The same applies to FIGS. 16 to 21 described later.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described based on FIG. 14 and FIG.

  The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that the bottom plate portion 87 is provided in the sub-float valve 80 and the area of the lower end opening is reduced. In addition, about the part similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, the sub-float valve 80 is configured by joining a member in which a side wall portion 81 and a ceiling portion 82 are integrally formed, and a bottom plate portion 87 by bonding or the like. It is preferable that the joint portion between the member integrally formed with the side wall portion 81 and the ceiling portion 82 and the bottom plate portion 87 has air tightness and liquid tightness over the entire circumference. An opening 88 is formed at the center of the bottom plate portion 87. Thereby, as for the air pocket recessed part 83 of the sub-float valve 80 of this embodiment, the area of lower end opening is smaller than the upper cross-sectional area.

  As described in the first and second embodiments, when the vehicle turns and the lateral acceleration is applied, the liquid fuel is unevenly distributed in the fuel tank 2 and the liquid level of the fuel is inclined to the liquid level. Rises.

  When the inclined liquid level rises, when the lower end of the sub-float valve 80 is covered with the liquid fuel and starts to float, the liquid fuel is moved to the position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Will infiltrate. In the full tank control valve device of the present embodiment, by reducing the lower end opening area of the air reservoir recess 83, the amount of liquid fuel entering when the sub-float valve 80 starts to float can be reduced, and a decrease in buoyancy can be suppressed. . That is, it is possible to prevent the float function of the sub float valve 80 from being lowered.

  Incidentally, in the case of the sub-float valve 80 not provided with the bottom plate portion 87 having the opening 88, the liquid fuel enters up to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 14, and the buoyancy is reduced as compared with the configuration of the present embodiment.

  A modification of the sub-float valve 80 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. The sub float valve 80 shown in FIG. 15 is configured by engaging a member in which a side wall portion 81 and a ceiling portion 82 are integrally formed with a bottom plate portion 87A by, for example, snap fitting. It is preferable that the engaging portion between the member integrally molded with the side wall portion 81 and the ceiling portion 82 and the bottom plate portion 87A has air tightness and liquid tightness over the entire circumference. The member integrally formed with the side wall portion 81 and the ceiling portion 82 and the bottom plate portion 87A may be joined by adhesion, welding, or the like without being engaged. Further, the side wall portion 81, the ceiling portion 82, and the bottom plate portion 87A may be integrally formed by blow molding or the like.

  A cylindrical portion 871 that protrudes downward is formed at the center of the bottom plate portion 87A. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 871 is an opening 88. Thereby, as for the air pocket recessed part 83 of the subfloat valve 80 of this example, the area of lower end opening is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upper part. Further, the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 87A is an inclined surface that is gradually located upward as it goes outward from the upper end of the tubular portion 871.

  When the vehicle is turning and the lateral acceleration is applied and the inclined fuel level rises, the bottom of the sub-float valve 80 is covered with liquid fuel and begins to float. For example, the liquid fuel enters up to a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  In the full tank control valve device of this example, the lower end opening area of the air reservoir recess 83 is reduced, and the opening 88 is formed at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 871. Therefore, the liquid fuel intrusion when the sub-float valve 80 starts to float is limited to a part of the cylindrical portion 871, so that the liquid fuel intrusion amount can be further reduced and the buoyancy reduction can be reliably suppressed. That is, it is possible to reliably prevent the float function of the sub float valve 80 from being lowered.

  Incidentally, in the case of the sub-float valve 80 not provided with the bottom plate portion 87A having the opening 88, the liquid fuel enters up to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 15, and the buoyancy is reduced as compared with the configuration of the present embodiment.

  Further, in the sub-float valve 80 shown in FIG. 15, the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 87 </ b> A is an inclined surface that is gradually located upward as it goes outward from the upper end of the tubular portion 871. Therefore, even when the liquid level is relatively large and the liquid fuel enters, for example, up to the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the structure of the float of the float valve 50. In addition, about the part similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, the float 160 of the float valve 50 has an outer diameter of the upper portion 160b above the intermediate portion relative to the outer diameter of the lower portion 160a below the intermediate portion. It is getting smaller.

  With such a configuration, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 37 of the container body 36 and the outer peripheral surface of the float 160 is higher than that between the lower portion 160 a of the float 160 and the side wall 37. The portion between the portion 160b and the side wall portion 37 is larger. That is, the transverse area of the space that can accommodate the liquid fuel between the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 37 of the container body 36 and the outer peripheral surface of the float 160 is smaller in the lower part than in the upper part.

  Therefore, when the liquid fuel stored in the container body 36 is discharged from the liquid drain hole 39, the liquid level in the container body 36 is gradually lowered at the upper part and is lowered more quickly at the lower part than the upper part. be able to. As a result, it is possible to ensure the time for maintaining the closed state of the float valve 50 and to quickly open the valve thereafter.

  In FIG. 16, the outer diameter of the lower portion 160 a below the intermediate portion of the float 160 is made smaller than the outer diameter of the upper portion 160 b above the intermediate portion, whereby the side wall portion 37 of the container body 36. The cross-sectional area of the space in which the liquid fuel can be accommodated between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the float 160 is set to be smaller in the lower portion than in the upper portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 37 of the container body 36 may be changed between the upper part and the lower part so that the cross-sectional area of the space that can accommodate the liquid fuel is smaller in the lower part than in the upper part. Further, by changing both the diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 37 of the container body 36 and the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the float 160 between the upper part and the lower part, the cross-sectional area of the space in which the liquid fuel can be accommodated is changed. The lower part may be smaller than the upper part.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a configuration for quickly discharging the liquid fuel in the container is added when the vehicle starts running after refueling. In addition, about the part similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the container body 136 of the present embodiment is formed with a curved concave portion 136 a that is recessed from the top to the bottom at the center of the bottom surface portion 38. In the center of the recess 136a, a discharge port 136b penetrating the bottom surface 38 in the vertical direction is formed. A spherical valve body 136c (corresponding to a discharge port opening / closing valve) having a diameter larger than that of the discharge port 136b is disposed in the recess 136a.

  A standing wall 136d is provided around the recess 136a (inward from the spring 75) so that the spherical valve body 136c is not detached from the recess 136a. The standing wall 136d is not formed on the entire circumference surrounding the recess 136a, and does not hinder the inflow of liquid fuel into the recess 136a. In other words, the standing wall 136d is erected so as to surround the recess 136a over the entire circumference, and a slit extending in the vertical direction is formed in a part of the circumferential direction so that the liquid fuel flows into the recess 136a. Is not disturbed.

  FIG. 18 shows an enlarged view of the spherical valve element arrangement site. As shown in FIG. 18, in the concave portion 136a of the bottom surface portion 38, the peripheral edge portion of the discharge port 136b is a seal surface 1361 that comes into contact when the spherical valve body 136c closes the discharge port 136b.

  The sealing surface 1361 and the inner side surface 1362 (surface on the inner peripheral side) of the standing wall 136d are connected by a connecting curved surface 1363. The curvature radius Ra of the connection curved surface 1363 (the curvature radius of the connection curved surface 1363 in the longitudinal cross section shown in FIG. 18, the curvature radius of the connection curved surface 1363 in the cross section passing through the axis of the container body 136) is larger than the radius R of the spherical valve body 136c. It is getting bigger. The connection curved surface 1363 smoothly connects the seal surface 1361 and the inner surface 1362 (so that the change in inclination does not become discontinuous).

  With such a configuration, when the vehicle is stopped such as during refueling, the spherical valve body 136c is located at the center of the recess 136a and closes the discharge port 136b. At this time, the spherical valve body 136c is in contact with the seal surface 1361 over the entire circumference. On the other hand, when the vehicle starts running from the stop state, the spherical valve body 136c moves in the lateral direction relative to the container body 136 due to inertia, and the spherical valve body 136c opens the discharge port 136b. At this time, the spherical valve body 136c is separated from the sealing surface 1361.

  Therefore, when the vehicle starts running after refueling, the spherical valve body 136c opens the discharge port 136b, and the liquid fuel in the container body 136 can be quickly discharged from the drain hole 39 and the discharge port 136b. The open state of the float valve 50 can be quickly formed.

  The passage sectional area of the discharge port 136b is not limited at all, but is preferably larger than the passage sectional area of the liquid drain hole 39. By forming the passage cross-sectional area of the discharge port 136b to be large, the liquid fuel in the container body 136 can be discharged very quickly. It is also possible to prevent clogging with foreign matters and the like.

  Further, when the vehicle starts running after refueling, the spherical valve body 136c moves in the lateral direction relative to the container body, but the spherical valve body 136c is prevented from colliding with the standing wall 136d. be able to. Since the seal surface 1361 and the inner side surface 1362 of the standing wall 136d are smoothly connected by the connecting curved surface 1363 having a radius of curvature Ra larger than the radius R of the spherical valve body 136c, the sealing surface 1361 and the inner side surface 136d laterally face the standing wall 136d. The spherical valve body 136c moved in the direction moves along the connecting curved surface 1363 while gradually changing the direction.

  For example, the spherical valve body 136c moves as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. At this time, the moving direction of the center of the spherical valve body 136c changes smoothly as indicated by the one-dot chain line arrow shown in FIG. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the spherical valve body 136c from colliding with the standing wall 136d. In this way, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a collision sound when the spherical valve body 136c moves. When the spherical valve body 136c moves away from the seal surface 1361 and moves inside the container body 36, the spherical valve body 136c is always in point contact with the container body 36 at one point, so that no collision noise is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the case of the container body 936 in which the seal surface 1361 and the inner surface 1362 of the standing wall 136d are connected by a connecting curved surface 9363 having a radius of curvature Rb smaller than the radius R of the spherical valve body 136c. On the other hand, the spherical valve element 136c moved in the lateral direction moves as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 19 (the center moves as indicated by a one-dot chain line arrow) and collides with the standing wall 136d by point contact. And a collision sound is generated. That is, when the spherical valve body 136c moves in the container body 936 and comes into contact with the standing wall 136d, it comes into contact with the container body 936 at a plurality of points (two points in this comparative example). Sound is generated.

  Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the spherical valve body 136c that has moved away from the seal surface 1361 to a position in contact with the inner surface 1362 of the standing wall 136d also returns to a position in contact with the seal surface 1361. The spherical valve body 136c moves along the connecting curved surface 1363 while gradually changing its direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the spherical valve body 136c from colliding with the upper surface of the recess 136a and generating a collision sound.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In each of the above embodiments, the sub float valve 80 is disposed below the float valve 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The sub float valve 80 is upstream of the container bodies 36 and 136 that accommodate the float valve 50 in the exhaust direction of the ventilation passage 40 formed in the casing 10 (exhaust direction from the inside of the fuel tank 2 to the outside of the fuel tank 2). If it is in the department. In other words, the sub-float valve 80 only needs to open and close the ventilation passage 40 upstream of the float valve 50 in the exhaust direction.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, a sub float valve 80 may be disposed on the side of the float valve 50. According to this, it is possible to reduce the dimension in the height direction of the full tank control valve device 1. For example, when the first predetermined level, which is the full tank level of the fuel tank, is close to the ceiling of the fuel tank, the float valve 50 and the sub-float valve 80 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. It is effective to use a full control valve device with a reduced size.

  In the above embodiments, the float valve 50 is guided by the sliding contact between the guide ribs 63 of the floats 60 and 160 and the side wall 37 of the container body 36 when displaced in the vertical direction. It is not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the cylindrical portion 68 of the seal plate 65 is extended upward, and a cylindrical portion with a slit that is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 68 is provided in the upper case 20. The float valve 50 may be guided by sliding contact between the guide rib 63 and the side wall portion 37 of the container body 36 and sliding contact between the cylindrical portion 68 of the seal plate 65 and the cylindrical portion of the upper case 20. According to this, since it can be guided at two locations, the float valve 50 can be stably displaced so that the axis of the float valve 50 does not tilt.

  In each of the above embodiments, the sub-float valve 80 includes the air reservoir recess 83 that is recessed upward from the lower end surface, and the ventilation passage 40 in the air reservoir recess 83 and on the downstream side in the exhaust direction from the sub-float valve 80. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the air reservoir recess 183 that is recessed downward from the upper end surface, and the bottom 182 (lower wall portion) in the air reservoir recess 183 and the upstream side in the exhaust direction (lower side) than the sub float valve ) And a liquid inlet hole 184 through which liquid fuel can flow into the air reservoir recess 183 can also function as a sub-float valve. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, even if the air reservoir recess 83 that is recessed upward from the lower end surface and the air reservoir recess 183 that is recessed downward from the upper end surface are combined, the sub-float valve It is possible to function as.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the liquid drain hole 39 was provided in the side wall part 37 of the container bodies 36 and 136, it is not limited to this. For example, a liquid drain hole 39 may be provided in the bottom surface portion 38 of the container body 36.

  In the fifth embodiment, the recess 136a is provided in the bottom surface 38 of the container body 136 to form the discharge port 136b, and the spherical valve body 136c is disposed in the recess 136a. Although the outlet opening / closing valve was used, the outlet opening / closing valve can be closed if the outlet is securely closed when the vehicle is stopped and the outlet is opened reliably when the vehicle starts running from the stopped state. It is not limited to.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the casing 10 was comprised by four members, the upper case 20, the lower case 30, the cap 11, and the end cap 15, it is not limited to this, Three or less or 5 It may be composed of two or more members.

  In each of the above embodiments, the full tank control valve device 1 is a valve device that opens and closes a ventilation passage that connects the internal space of the fuel tank 2 and the canister 9 outside the fuel tank 2 so as to communicate with each other. The present invention is also applicable to a case where a canister is not provided as long as it opens and closes a ventilation passage that communicates the inside and outside of the fuel tank.

  In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a casing that is attached to a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle and has a ventilation passage that allows the inside of the fuel tank to communicate with the outside to exhaust the gas inside the fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank. A first float valve which is provided in a housing space formed in the casing so as to be movable up and down, floats on the liquid fuel in the casing, and opens and closes the ventilation passage as the fuel liquid level in the casing moves up and down. The fuel level in the fuel tank rises to reach the first predetermined level, and the fuel level in the casing is pushed up to a second predetermined level higher than the first predetermined level. The float valve closes the ventilation passage, and the casing has a ventilation hole that communicates the internal space of the fuel tank and the accommodation space of the first float valve above the second predetermined level. The casing includes a container body having a bottom surface portion and a first float valve disposed therein, the container body being provided above the bottom surface portion and having a second predetermined level. An inlet for introducing liquid fuel into the container body until reaching the position, and a discharge that is provided so as to penetrate the container body below the inlet and discharges the liquid fuel introduced into the interior from the inlet And a passage cross-sectional area of the discharge passage is smaller than the opening area of the introduction port, and is formed in an upstream portion of the ventilation passage in the exhaust direction from the portion where the container body in the casing is disposed. And a second float valve that opens and closes the ventilation passage as the fuel level in the casing moves up and down. The second float valve is recessed upward from the lower end surface. Air reservoir recess and air An air vent hole that communicates the inside of the recess and the ventilation passage downstream of the second float valve, and the fuel level in the fuel tank rises to reach the first predetermined level. Then, when the fuel level is pushed up in the housing space formed in the upstream portion in the exhaust direction in the casing and reaches a third predetermined level higher than the first predetermined level, air is accumulated in the air reservoir recess. In this case, when the second float valve floats on the liquid fuel in the casing and closes the ventilation passage, the air in the air reservoir recess is discharged from the air vent hole and the liquid fuel enters the air reservoir recess. The second float valve is characterized in that the air passage is opened without floating on the liquid fuel in the casing.

  According to this, for example, even if a vehicle equipped with a fuel tank makes a turn, etc., even if the fuel level greatly increases to a first predetermined level or more at the full tank control valve device mounting position in the fuel tank, When the liquid level rises to the third predetermined level, the second float valve floats on the liquid fuel and closes the vent passage. Since the liquid level change during vehicle turning is relatively abrupt, the air in the air reservoir recess is not easily discharged from the air vent hole, and the second float valve is vented when the liquid level rises to the third predetermined level. Is immediately closed upstream of the container body in the exhaust direction, and when the liquid level drops from the third predetermined level, the ventilation passage is quickly opened. Therefore, even when the vehicle turns and the liquid level in the fuel tank changes greatly, it is possible to prevent liquid fuel from entering the container body and closing the first float valve. . Thus, it is possible to supply fuel into the fuel tank even immediately after the vehicle has made a turn or the like. In addition, since it is difficult for air to be discharged from the air reservoir recess of the second float valve, the second float valve body does not stop floating on the liquid fuel.

  When the vehicle stops running from the running state and performs refueling, air has accumulated in the air reservoir recess of the second float valve, even if the vehicle is turning or the like just before refueling. In this state, fuel is supplied into the fuel tank until the first auto-stop mechanism is activated, and when the liquid level in the fuel tank reaches the first predetermined level, the liquid level in the casing rises to the third predetermined level. The second float valve quickly closes the ventilation passage upstream of the container body in the exhaust direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent liquid fuel from entering the container body at the first auto-stop. According to this, at the first auto stop, the first float valve does not block the ventilation passage, so the gas in the fuel tank is discharged to the outside of the fuel tank through the ventilation hole, and the internal pressure in the fuel tank is increased. Deterred. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fuel from overflowing from the fuel filler port of the fuel tank at the first auto stop (at the time of the first refueling).

  During the first auto-stop, the liquid level that has risen to the third predetermined level in the casing is maintained for some time, so the air in the air reservoir recess of the second float valve is discharged from the air vent hole and enters the air reservoir recess Liquid fuel enters. Accordingly, the second float valve loses the float function and sinks into the liquid fuel.

  As described above, when the float function of the second float valve is lost at the first auto-stop, the liquid fuel is pushed up inside the casing to the inside of the container body at the second auto-stop (at the time of additional fueling). be introduced. When the fuel level reaches a second predetermined level higher than the first predetermined level, the first float valve disposed inside the container body is raised to form a valve closing state.

  The casing has a vent hole that communicates the internal space of the fuel tank and the storage space of the float valve at a position above the second predetermined level, and the air pressure in the casing and the air pressure in the fuel tank are Although the equilibrium gradually occurs, the liquid fuel inlet of the container body is located above the bottom surface, so that the liquid fuel is stored below the inlet inside the container body and discharged below the inlet. It is discharged from the passage. Since the passage cross-sectional area of the discharge passage is smaller than the opening area of the inlet, the discharge speed of the liquid fuel from the container through the discharge passage is suppressed. Therefore, the storage time of the liquid fuel once introduced into the container can be made relatively long. In this way, the time for maintaining the closed state of the first float valve can be extended, and further additional refueling can be prevented.

  According to the above-described full tank control valve device, even if the liquid level in the fuel tank changes greatly when the vehicle equipped with the fuel tank makes a turning run immediately before refueling, refueling is possible, and It is possible to prevent the fuel from overflowing from the fuel filler port at the first fueling.

  In another aspect of the invention, the air reservoir recess is characterized in that the area of the lower end opening is smaller than the upper cross-sectional area.

  For example, when a vehicle equipped with a fuel tank turns, etc., and the fuel level rises to a level higher than the first predetermined level at the full tank control valve device mounting position in the fuel tank, the fuel level tilts greatly. There are many. According to the invention described in this claim, for example, even if a vehicle equipped with a fuel tank makes a turn, etc., and the fuel level is greatly inclined and rises to the first predetermined level or higher, the vehicle is located above the lower end opening. Compared with an air reservoir recess whose opening area at the lower end opening is equal to or greater than the transverse area, liquid fuel entering the air reservoir recess can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the float function of the second float valve from deteriorating when the vehicle performs turning or the like.

  In another aspect of the invention, the second float valve includes an upper wall portion located above the air reservoir recess, and a partition wall portion that is suspended from the upper wall portion and divides the air reservoir recess into a plurality of portions. It is characterized by having.

  According to this, the air reservoir recessed part of the 2nd float valve is divided into plurality by the partition wall part suspended from the upper wall part above. Therefore, even if the fuel liquid level is greatly inclined and rises to the first predetermined level or higher, the liquid fuel entering the air reservoir recess can be suppressed as compared with the air reservoir recess that is not partitioned. As a result, it is possible to prevent the float function of the second float valve from deteriorating when the vehicle performs turning or the like.

  In another aspect of the invention, a discharge port different from the discharge passage for discharging liquid fuel formed in the container body and accommodated in the container body to the outside, and a discharge port when the vehicle is in a stopped state are provided. It has a discharge port opening / closing valve that closes and opens a discharge port when the vehicle starts running from a stopped state. According to this, when the vehicle starts running after refueling, the discharge on-off valve can open the discharge port to quickly discharge the liquid fuel in the container, and the first float valve can be quickly opened. Can be formed.

  Further, in another invention, the discharge port is formed so as to penetrate the bottom of the container body, the discharge port on-off valve has a spherical valve body disposed inside the container body, and the vehicle is stopped. In some cases, when the spherical valve body comes into contact with the sealing surface formed at the peripheral edge of the discharge port at the bottom, the discharge port is closed, and when the vehicle starts running from a stopped state, the spherical valve body is caused by inertia. The container body is moved laterally relative to the body to move away from the sealing surface to open the discharge port, and the container body is erected upward from the bottom on the outer peripheral side of the sealing surface. The sealing wall and the surface on the inner peripheral side of the standing wall are smoothly connected by a connecting curved surface having a radius of curvature larger than the radius of the spherical valve body.

  According to this, when the vehicle starts running after refueling, the spherical valve body moves in the lateral direction relative to the container body due to inertia and opens away from the sealing surface to open the discharge port. Since the sealing surface and the inner peripheral surface of the standing wall are smoothly connected by a connecting curved surface having a radius of curvature larger than the radius of the spherical valve body, the spherical valve moved laterally toward the standing wall The body moves while gradually changing direction along the connecting curved surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the spherical valve body from colliding with the standing wall. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the collision sound at the time of a spherical valve body moving can be suppressed.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the space cross section of the space that can accommodate the liquid fuel between the inner surface of the container body and the outer surface of the first float valve is smaller in the lower portion than in the upper portion. . According to this, when the liquid fuel stored in the container body is discharged from the discharge passage, the liquid level in the container body can be gradually lowered at the upper part and can be lowered more quickly than the upper part at the lower part. Therefore, it is possible to reliably ensure the closed state maintaining time of the first float valve and to quickly perform the subsequent valve opening.

  In another aspect of the invention, the second float valve is disposed below the first float valve. According to this, it is possible to reduce the lateral dimension of the full control valve device. For example, when an opening is provided in the ceiling of the fuel tank and the full tank control valve device is attached to the fuel tank, the opening formed in the fuel tank can be reduced.

  In another aspect of the invention, the second float valve is arranged on the side of the first float valve. According to this, it is possible to reduce the dimension in the height direction of the full tank control valve device. For example, when the first predetermined level, which is the full liquid level of the fuel tank, is close to the ceiling of the fuel tank, it is extremely effective if the full tank control valve device according to the present invention is used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fill control valve apparatus 2 Fuel tank 10 Casing 27 Ventilation hole 36, 136 Container body 36a Inlet port 38 Bottom face part (bottom part)
39 Drain hole (discharge passage)
40 Ventilation passage 50 Float valve (first float valve)
80 Sub float valve (second float valve)
83 Air reservoir recess 84 Air vent hole 136b Discharge port 136c Spherical valve body (discharge port on-off valve)

Claims (14)

A casing that is attached to a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle and that has a vent passage that allows the gas inside the fuel tank to be exhausted to the outside of the fuel tank by communicating the inside and outside of the fuel tank;
A first float valve which is provided in a housing space formed in the casing so as to be movable up and down, floats on the liquid fuel in the casing, and opens and closes the vent passage as the fuel level in the casing moves up and down. And comprising
The casing has a vent hole that communicates the internal space of the fuel tank and the accommodating space;
The casing is a container body having a bottom surface portion, and includes a container body in which the first float valve is disposed,
The container body is an introduction port provided above the bottom surface, and introduces the liquid fuel into the container body, and passes through the container body below the introduction port. A discharge passage for discharging liquid fuel introduced into the inside from the introduction port to the outside, the passage cross-sectional area of the discharge passage is smaller than the opening area of the introduction port,
It is provided in a housing space in the casing formed upstream of the vent passage in the exhaust direction with respect to the portion where the container body is disposed, so that the fuel liquid level in the casing can be moved up and down. And a second float valve for opening and closing the ventilation passage.
The second float valve is
An air pocket recess recessed downward,
Have a, and the liquid fuel inlet hole communicating with the vent passage upstream direction of the exhaust than the second float valve and the air pocket inside the recess,
The liquid fuel inflow hole is in a lower wall portion of a bottom portion of the air reservoir recess, and communicates the inside of the air reservoir recess with the lower side,
The full tank control valve device , wherein the air reservoir concave portion is opened larger than the liquid fuel inflow hole upward . A discharge port different from the discharge passage for discharging the liquid fuel formed in the container body and stored in the container body to the outside;
The exhaust opening / closing valve that closes the discharge port when the vehicle is in a stopped state and opens the discharge port when the vehicle starts running from the stopped state. Full control valve device. The discharge port is formed so as to penetrate the bottom of the container body,
The discharge port on-off valve has a spherical valve body disposed inside the container body,
When the vehicle is in a stopped state, the spherical valve element comes into contact with a sealing surface formed at a peripheral edge of the discharge port at the bottom, and closes the discharge port.
When the vehicle starts running from a stopped state, the spherical valve body moves laterally relative to the container body due to inertia and moves away from the sealing surface to open the discharge port. And
The container body includes a standing wall that stands upward from the bottom on the outer peripheral side of the sealing surface,
The said sealing surface and the surface of the inner peripheral side of the said standing wall are smoothly connected by the connection curved surface which has a curvature radius larger than the radius of the said spherical valve body, The Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Full control valve device.   The cross section of the space capable of accommodating the liquid fuel between the inner surface of the container body and the outer surface of the first float valve is smaller in the lower portion than in the upper portion. Item 4. The full tank control valve device according to any one of Items 3 to 5. The first float valve has a second predetermined level higher than the first predetermined level when the fuel level in the fuel tank rises and reaches a first predetermined level, and the fuel level in the casing is pushed up. The vent passage is closed when
The full casing control valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the casing has the vent hole above the second predetermined level. A casing attached to a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle and formed with a ventilation passage through which gas inside the fuel tank can be exhausted to the outside of the fuel tank, wherein the fuel level in the fuel tank rises A casing in which the fuel level in the casing is pushed up when the first predetermined level is reached,
It is provided in a first accommodation space formed in the casing so as to be movable up and down, opens and closes the vent passage as the fuel level in the casing moves up and down, and the fuel level in the casing is the first predetermined level. A first float valve that closes the vent passage when a second predetermined level higher than the level is exceeded;
It is provided in a second accommodating space in the casing formed upstream of the first float valve in the exhaust direction of the ventilation passage so as to move up and down , and to move the fuel level in the casing up and down. And a second float valve for opening and closing the ventilation passage in the upstream portion,
The second float valve is
When the fuel level in the casing exceeds a third predetermined level that is higher than the first predetermined level, the air reservoir is a reservoir for storing air, and the second float valve is floated so that the ventilation is performed in the upstream portion. An air pocket recess recessed downward to close the passage;
A liquid fuel inflow hole communicating the inside of the air reservoir recess and the ventilation passage, and when the fuel level in the casing exceeds the third predetermined level, after the second float valve has floated, wherein by introducing the liquid fuel in the air reservoir recess, by sinking the second float valve, have a, and the liquid fuel inlet for opening the vent passage in said upstream portion,
The liquid fuel inflow hole is in a lower wall portion of a bottom portion of the air reservoir recess, and communicates the inside of the air reservoir recess with the lower side,
The full tank control valve device , wherein the air reservoir concave portion is opened larger than the liquid fuel inflow hole upward . The second float valve is
When the fuel liquid level in the casing exceeds a third predetermined level that is higher than the first predetermined level, the air reservoir has an upward air reservoir recess that can be stored in an upward direction. The full tank control valve device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by the above.   8. The full tank control valve device according to claim 7, wherein the upward air reservoir recess has a lower end opening area smaller than an upper transverse area.   The second float valve includes an upper wall portion located above the upward air reservoir recess, and a partition wall portion that hangs down from the upper wall portion and divides the upward air reservoir recess into a plurality of portions. 8. The full tank control valve device according to claim 7, further comprising:   10. The fuel level in the casing according to claim 5, wherein the second predetermined level is a fuel level level in the casing when the valve body of the first float valve is seated on the valve seat. The full tank control valve device described in 1.   6. The full tank control valve device according to claim 5, wherein the second predetermined level is a level at an upper end of a side wall portion of the container body.   12. The full tank control valve device according to claim 1, wherein the second float valve is disposed below the first float valve. 13.   The full tank control valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second float valve is disposed on a side of the first float valve.   The liquid fuel inflow hole refuels into the fuel tank, and when the fuel level rises, the second float valve floats due to the difficulty in discharging air from the air reservoir recess. After the float valve closes the ventilation passage in the upstream portion, the second float valve is sunk by opening the ventilation passage in the upstream portion by flowing liquid fuel into the air reservoir recess. The full tank control valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the full tank control valve device is set as follows.

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