JPH0842741A - Magnetic operation steam recovery valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To minimize fuel vapor leakage independently of automotive electrical systems. CONSTITUTION: The magnetically operated vapor vent valve for automotive fuel tanks has a valve body 30, a first chamber 32 defined in the body 30 so as to communicate with a fuel tank, and a passage 36 that allows fuel vapor in the first chamber 32 to flow into a second chamber 38 delimited also in the body 30 so as to communicate with fuel vapor handling means. The passage 36 can be closed by a magnetically controllable valve element 40. The valve element 40 is locatable in an open position B' wherein it allows fuel vapor in the first chamber 32 to flow into the second chamber 38 and in a closed position B that prevents such a fuel vapor flow from passing the passage 36. A magnetic valve actuation device is arranged externally on the valve body 30 to attract the valve element 40 magnetically to the open position B' prior to refilling of the fuel tank and to return the valve element 40 to the closed position B except during refueling.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle fuel tank vapor discharge device, and more particularly to an on-board magnetically operated discharge valve for collecting vapor generated during refueling of a vehicle fuel tank.

[0002]

Fuel in a fuel storage tank of a vehicle does not normally fill the entire volume of the tank. Even more so after driving the vehicle and consuming fuel. The liquid fuel always evaporates in the space of the tank because the temperature of the fuel in the tank rises due to the daily temperature change or the heat of the fuel returning from the engine. This fuel vapor remains in the tank until it is released. Traditionally, fuel vapors have always been discharged directly into the atmosphere. Due to federal regulations and environmental concerns, steam generated from fuel tanks is nowadays commonly discharged to fuel vapor treatment devices such as carbon canisters connected to the fuel tanks of automobiles. Target. After the fuel vapor is stored, it is discharged to the air attracting device and mixed with the combustion air to be processed.

[0003]

The discharge of the fuel vapor from the fuel tank of the automobile to the fuel processor is usually started in accordance with some operation performed during refueling such as removal of the refueling pipe cap. The fuel vapor is sent to the fuel storage device via the valve. Some steam discharge valves use mechanical interlocks to block or pass through the passages that carry steam to the carbon canisters. However, providing a mechanical interlock through the valve body is a potential source of steam leakage. Others include US Patent 5,054,508 (Benjey) and
There is also a valve using a diaphragm linked to the tank internal pressure, as described in 3,616,783 (La Masters). However, the elastomeric diaphragms used in these valves harden as they cool, causing temperature changes in the valve calibration. In addition, the diaphragm can contract and expand when exposed to various types of mixed fuels and additives, which can change the operating characteristics of the valve. Contamination of the control signal receiver behind the diaphragm can render the valve inoperable. Also, valves such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,281 (Uozumi et al.) Require a power supply for operation and will not operate unless the vehicle electrical system is functional.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the problems of the prior art valves described above by providing a steam exhaust system with a magnetically actuated steam exhaust valve for a vehicle fuel tank. The vapor discharge device includes a fuel processing means for storing fuel vapor, a magnetically actuated valve having a valve body having a first chamber communicating with the fuel tank for vapor, and a vapor communication from the first chamber to the fuel processing means. And a passage leading to the second chamber. The passage can be blocked by a magnetically actuated valve component. The valve component moves between an open position that allows fuel vapor to flow from the first chamber through the passage to the second chamber and a closed position that blocks fuel vapor from flowing through the passage. You can
The valve control means are provided on the outside of the valve body and generate magnetic fields of different strengths which move the valve components to the open position during refueling and otherwise to the closed position.

The fuel vapor processing means is composed of, for example, a carbon canister. Further, the valve component may be an iron disk hingedly connected to the inside of the valve body, and when the valve control means generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength, the disk rotates around the hinge and moves to the open position. The hinge is preferably spring biased. The valve control means is
Preferably, it has a magnet slidably disposed within a sleeve mounted on the valve body. The magnet has a first position in which the magnetic field magnetically approaches the disc to attract the disc to an open position, and a second position in which the magnetic force between the magnet and the disc decreases to move the disc to the closed position. Can slide between.

The magnet can move between the first and second positions in response to refueling movements, for example, opening a fuel tank refueling door. For this reason, a cable is installed in which the first end is connected to the magnet and the second end is connected to the refueling door.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetically actuated valve for fuel vapor recovery which minimizes fuel vapor leakage. An advantage of the present invention is a vapor recovery valve that operates independently of the vehicle electrical system. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a vapor recovery valve with a valve component that is unaffected by changes in temperature and exposure to various fuel blends and additives. is there. A feature of the present invention is a vapor recovery valve having an auxiliary valve mounting portion for connecting in series with the auxiliary valve.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fuel vapor discharge device for an automobile according to the present invention. The vehicle 10 has a fuel tank 12 mounted on a rear portion 10 '. However, the fuel tank 12
This is because it is installed in this way only for the convenience of the drawing, and Fig. 6 is not drawn to scale, and it does not necessarily mean that the location of the fuel tank in the vehicle is specified. Absent.

The refueling pipe 14 extends from the fuel tank 12 to a rear panel 16 and can refuel the fuel tank 12 from a refueling port 18. Refueling door 20 rotates and closes when refueling is completed, and covers refueling port 18. One end 22a of the control cable 22 is attached to the refueling door 20, and the other end 22b is connected to a control valve 24 for collecting fuel vapor generated during refueling. The flow of the fuel vapor moving to the fuel vapor processing device such as the canister 26 is controlled. The conduit 28 connects the control valve 24 and the canister 26.

A preferred embodiment of the control valve 24 will now be described with reference to FIG. The control valve 24 includes a valve body 30 made of plastic or other material known in the art. A chamber 32 is formed inside the valve body 30. The chamber 32 is located at the upper portion 13 of the fuel tank 12 and communicates with the upper portion of this fuel tank (FIG. 6).
Therefore, when the fuel vapor is accumulated in the upper portion (not shown) inside the fuel tank 12, the first chamber 32 is also filled with the fuel vapor in the same manner. In the case where it is determined that it is preferable to avoid placing the control valve 24 on the fuel tank 12, a fuel vapor conduit or other fuel vapor transfer means (not shown) is used to remove the fuel vapor from the fuel tank 12. It may be sent to the chamber 32. The chamber 32 is adapted to house a float valve 34, as described in detail below. A passage 36 in the valve body 30 connects a first chamber 32 in the same valve body 30 with a second chamber 38 or duct. Second chamber 38 includes conduit 28
Through a fuel vapor treatment device such as a carbon canister 26 (FIG. 6). The carbon canister 26 may be installed in direct communication with the second chamber 38 without using the conduit 28.

The passage 36 is blocked by the disc 40, and the first
It is possible to prevent the fuel vapor from flowing from the chamber 32 to the second chamber 38 (FIG. 1). Disk 40
Are preferably made from iron disks or magnets.
The disc 40 in the closed position B seats on the valve seat 42, completely blocking the passage 36. Apart from this, the disc 40
May have an outer casing made of rubber or plastic and an insert of iron or magnet. Lever arm 4
4 is connected to the disc 40 or is integrally formed with the disc. The lever arm 44 is hinged within the second chamber 38 and can rotate about the hinge 46.

A bar magnet 48, which serves as a magnetic actuation means for the disk 40, is slidably provided in the sleeve 50. The end 22b of the control cable communicates with the magnet 48 through the opening 52 in the sleeve 50. Therefore, the control cable 22 does not pass through the valve body 30, and the flow of the fuel vapor can be controlled without causing leakage of the fuel vapor from the control means of the control valve 24. The sleeve 50 is located on the outer portion of the valve body 30 and the magnet 48 slides to magnetically move the disk 40 closer to and further away from it. That is,
The magnet 48 moves from the first position A (FIG. 1) to the second position A ′.
You can move up to. In the first position A, the magnetic attractive forces of the disc 40 and the magnet 48 are not large enough to lift the disc 40 from the valve seat 42 and remove it from the closed position B, and in the second position A ′, the disc 40. The magnetic attraction force of the magnet 40 and the magnet 48 is large enough to lift the disk 40 from the valve seat 42 and move it to the open position B ′.
In the first position A, the magnetic attraction of the disk 40 and magnet 48 is not large enough to overcome the closing force of the spring biased hinge 46. If the magnet 48 is in the second position A ',
The magnetic attraction between the magnet 48 and the disk 40 exceeds the closing force of the hinge 46, and the disk 40 rotates around the hinge 46 and moves from the valve seat 42 to the open position B ′. When the disk 40 is in the open position B ′, fuel vapor flows from the first chamber 32 through the passage 36 into the second chamber 38 and eventually reaches the carbon canister 26.

In operation, when the disk 40 is in the closed position B and the magnet 48 is in position A (FIG. 1), fuel vapor collects on top of the fuel in the fuel tank 12. Fuel tank 1
When it is necessary to refuel 2, the refueling door 20 is opened and the refueling port 18 with the refueling pipe cap 19 is exposed. The control cable 22 causes the magnet 48 to move to the second position A'when the refueling door 20 is opened by the method well known to those skilled in the art and proposed herein (FIG. 6). When the magnet 48 is in the second position A ', the disk 40 will move to the valve seat 4 as described above.
It is possible to move away from 2 to the open position B ′ and discharge the fuel vapor through the passage 36. As the fuel tank 12 is filled with fuel, the float valve 34 moves to the chamber 3
2 and the conical member 54 has a conical receiving seat 56.
Will be engaged. The conical member 54 thus occludes the passage 36 and blocks the flow of fuel vapors, preventing fuel from entering the second chamber 38 and the carbon canister 26. Alternatively, the conical member 54 and the receiving seat 56 may be spherical or planar or have other geometries that prevent fuel vapor from passing through the passage 36. The float valve 34 also acts as a protective device when the vehicle falls.

When refueling is completed, the refueling pipe cap 19 is reattached to the refueling pipe 14 and the refueling door 20 is closed. Since the control cable 22 is connected to the refueling door 20, the magnet 4
8 is moved to the first position A (FIG. 1). Disk 40
From the open position in the open position B ′, it is forcibly returned to the closed position B by the spring-biased hinge 46.
As the fuel is consumed, the float valve 34 descends within the first chamber 32 and the conical member 54 disengages from the receiving seat 56.

In the embodiment described above, the disk 40 was made of a ferrous material that was attracted to the magnet 48. However, the disc 40 can also be a magnet. The magnetic poles of the magnet 48 are located when the magnet 48 reaches the second position A '.
Magnetic poles are arranged so as to attract the disk 40 to the open position B ′. Also, the magnetic poles of the disk 40 and the magnet 48 are such that when the magnet 48 is in the second position A ′, the same magnetic pole causes the disk 40 to repel to the closed position B, and if the magnet 48 is in the first position A. , The disk 40 can also be configured to be lifted to the open position B ′. In the latter example, the disc 40 is biased to the open position B ′ by a spring biased hinge 46.

Instead of the lever arm 44 and the spring-biased hinge 46, a guide rod 59 and a cross-shaped support member 6 are provided.
1 (FIG. 2) may be used. The guide rod 59 is the valve body 3
0, and the cross-shaped support member 61 and the sleeve 50.
A portion 6 of the valve body 30 in the second chamber 38 adjacent to
It is fixed vertically between 3 and 3. The support member 61 is located below the passage 36 close to the receiving seat 56, and is mounted orthogonal to the guide rod 59 so that the disc 40 does not obstruct the operation of closing the passage 36 or the movement of the float valve 34. Has been done. The disc 40 is slidably mounted on the guide rod 59 and is in the closed position B where the magnet 48 is seated on the valve seat 42 if the magnet 48 is in the first position A. When the magnet 48 moves to the second position A ', the disc 40 is attracted and slides upwardly away from the passage 36 along the guide rod 59 to the open position B'. As a result, fuel vapors can pass through the passage.

In the modification shown in FIG. 3, the valve body 30 has
Auxiliary valve mounting portion 5 connected in series with an auxiliary valve (not shown)
7 is provided, and the flow of fuel vapor is
Through a chamber 38 to the canister 26 for storage and processing. The disk 40 is provided with an orifice 59 for controlling the vapor discharge of the fuel tank 12 and reducing the pressure increase in the fuel tank. A one-way valve or another valve may be used instead of the orifice to exhaust the fuel tank 12. The valve mounting portion 57 is
A key element in a fuel system device having multiple vapor domes or fuel tanks (not shown) that discharge fuel vapor to a common fuel vapor storage device, such as canister 26,
This valve mount allows the control valve 24 to be connected in series with another dome or other valve (not shown) that governs the fuel tank.

The slidable magnet 48 can be replaced by a fixed electromagnet 58, as shown in FIG. The housing 50, which houses the electromagnet 58, is installed directly above the valve disc 40 and outside the valve body 30. A wire 60, which conveys current to the electromagnet 58 in a known manner, communicates with the electromagnet 58 through an opening 52 in the housing 50. The opposite end of wire 60 communicates with power supply 62, as shown schematically in FIG. Switch 64 is wire 6
The current flowing through 0 is controlled, and when closed, a current is supplied from the power supply 62 so as to excite the electromagnet 58, and a magnetic field is generated around the electromagnet 58. This magnetic field, as mentioned above,
The disk 40 is lifted from the closed position B on the valve seat 42 to the open position B ′, allowing fuel vapor to flow through the passage 36. When demagnetizing the electromagnet 58, that is, the switch 64
Upon opening, the magnetic field around the electromagnet 58 disappears and the disc 40 is forced back to the closed position B by gravity and / or the biasing force of the hinged spring 46.

The switch 64 is preferably configured to open when it contacts the refueling door 20 as when the refueling door 20 is closed. When the refueling door 20 is opened for the purpose of refueling,
The switch 64 is closed to complete the circuit (Fig. 5) and the electromagnet 5
8 is excited to open the control valve 24.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetically actuated vapor discharge valve according to the present invention showing an iron valve component that is hinged to the interior of the valve body.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the present invention showing an iron valve component mounted on a rod inside the valve body.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the present invention showing an iron valve hinged to the valve body and a steam bleed orifice formed in the valve.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the steam discharge valve according to the present invention showing iron valve components actuated by electromagnets installed outside the valve body.

5 is a schematic diagram of an electric circuit for exciting the electromagnet of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fuel vapor exhaust system for a vehicle according to the present invention showing a magnetically actuated vapor exhaust valve having a control cable attached to a refueling door and also connected to a fuel vapor processing system.

[Explanation of Reference Signs] 10 Car 12 Fuel Tank 14 Refueling Pipe 16 Car Rear Panel 18 Refueling Port 20 Refueling Door 22 Control Cable 24 Control Valve 26 Carbon Canister 28 Conduit 30 Valve Body 32 First Chamber 34 Float Valve 36 Inside Valve Body Passage 38 second chamber 40 disc 42 valve seat 44 lever arm 46 hinge 48 magnet 50 sleeve 52 opening 54 conical member 56 receiving seat

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A magnetically actuated steam discharge valve for an automobile fuel tank, comprising: a valve body, a first chamber in the valve body communicating with the fuel tank, and a valve body connected to the first chamber and the fuel vapor processing means. A passage for allowing fuel vapor to flow to a second chamber therein, an open position for allowing fuel vapor to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, and a closed position for blocking flow through the passage. Magnetically movable closing means for closing the passage, movable between the two, and magnetically pulling the closing means to the open position before refueling the fuel tank, closing the closing means at times other than refueling A magnetically actuated vapor discharge valve for a motor vehicle fuel tank having magnetic valve actuation means mounted outside the valve body for returning to a position. 2. The magnetically actuated vapor discharge valve according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic valve actuating means has a first position in which the closing means is attracted to an open position, the closing means and the magnetic valve actuating means. A second position in which the magnetic force between the closing means and the closing means can be moved to the closed position.