JPH11115510A - Filler tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely fix a car body panel and a neck part to each other by providing the neck part formed of synthetic resin, and integrally forming an outward flange for fixing the neck part to the car body on the outer periphery of the neck part. SOLUTION: Outward flanges 41a, 41b formed like a rhomboid in appearance are provided around the outer cylinder part of the upper end of a neck part 4. Fit-in parts 42a, 42b V-shaped in section, in which the circumferential end for forming an opening 21 of a car body panel 2 is fitted are formed on the outward flages 41a, 41b. Further, a bolt fixing hole 8b is formed in the outward flanges 41a, 41b, in such a manner that when the neck part 4 is fitted in the opening 21 of the car body panel 2, it corresponds to a bolt fixing hole 8a. The lower end part 61 of the neck part 4 and the upper end part 62 of the filter tube main body 1 are joined to each other by welding or bonding to be united in a body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a filler tube (also referred to as an inlet hose) for guiding fuel injected from a fuel injection opening formed in a rear fender or the like of an automobile to a fuel tank installed below. More specifically, at the upper open end of the synthetic resin filler tube body, a neck portion provided with a female thread portion that engages with the male thread portion of the tank cap is formed, and the neck portion is injected into the neck portion constituting the fuel inlet. And a filler tube for guiding the fuel to a lower fuel tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When fuel such as gasoline is injected from a fuel injection opening formed in a rear fender or the like, a hose member made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin called a filler tube fixed to the fuel injection opening. Passing through
The fuel is guided to a fuel tank installed below the fuel inlet (generally, below the vehicle compartment).

Here, the upper end of the filler tube is
Since it is a part that opens to the rear fender and constitutes the fuel injection port, it has a threaded portion that engages with the tank cap, and concentrated reinforcement members etc. to prevent vibration of the vehicle body and damage due to collision of the refueling nozzle It is a part that is processed and formed.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7, a metal neck member 10 having a threaded portion which engages with the tank cap 3 is formed on the upper end of the filler tube main body 1 by rolling. Caulked and fixed to the outer periphery of the upper end 1
3 attached.

[0005] A metal collar 12 is attached to the inner periphery of the upper end of the filler tube body 1 as a reinforcing member so as to withstand the above-mentioned caulking force. In order to secure the airtightness between the two, the O-ring 11 needs to be devised such as being interposed between the outer peripheral portion of the filler tube main body 1 and the neck member 10.

Further, the filler tube 1 is fixed to the vehicle body panel 2 by welding or the like the contact surface 14 between the outer peripheral portion of the neck portion 10 and the opening formed in the vehicle body panel 2.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the number of members constituting the upper end of the filler tube is large, which has contributed to high cost. Further, in forming a threaded portion that engages with the tank cap by roll processing, it is difficult to ensure the accuracy of the thread shape, and a great amount of quality control is required. Furthermore, since the area of the portion where the filler tube is fixed to the vehicle body panel is small, there is a problem that the filler tube is weak against a load such as vibration.

[0008] With the conventional sharply formed screw shape formed in the neck portion, when inserting the refueling nozzle, the nozzle tip easily collides with the screw portion,
In addition, the impact at the time of the collision was large, and the plating of the screw portion was easily peeled and damaged.

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a low-cost filler tube by reducing the number of members constituting the upper end of the filler tube, and facilitates quality control of the thread shape. It is another object of the present invention to provide a filler tube that can reduce damage at the time of refueling nozzle insertion and that can surely secure a vehicle body panel and a neck portion.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following means. In claim 1,
At the upper open end of the synthetic resin filler tube main body, a neck portion provided with a female thread portion that engages with the tank cap male thread portion is formed, and the fuel injected into the neck portion constituting the fuel inlet is formed at the lower portion. In the filler tube leading to the fuel tank, the neck portion is formed of a synthetic resin, and an outward flange for fixing the neck portion to the vehicle body is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the neck portion. The outward flange increases the contact area with the vehicle body panel and ensures the secure fixing of the vehicle body panel to the neck. Claim 2
Then, the neck portion with the outward flange is integrated with the filler tube main body by welding, bonding or press fitting. By this means, the flanged neck portion can be securely fixed to the filler tube main body, and the problem such as fuel leakage does not occur. In claim 3, the outwardly flanged neck portion is formed integrally with the filler tube body. By this means, the work of integrating the neck portion into the filler tube main body by welding, bonding or press fitting can be omitted, and the number of parts can be further reduced. According to a fourth aspect, the cross-sectional shape of the female screw portion is an asymmetric shape in which the inclination of the upper surface of the thread is larger than the inclination of the lower surface of the thread. By making the cross-sectional shape asymmetric, it becomes difficult to obstruct the insertion of the refueling nozzle, so that the nozzle tip can be smoothly inserted into the fuel inlet.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a filler tube according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the main part, FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the main part, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the inner peripheral female thread portion of the neck portion of the same embodiment, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a filler tube of a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG.

First, a configuration of a main part of a filler tube according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 1 denotes a filler tube main body formed of a thermoplastic synthetic resin. The lower end (not shown) of the filler tube main body 1 is disposed below (below the drawing, generally below the vehicle compartment) and connected to a fixed fuel tank (not shown). Reference numeral 15 denotes a gas venting path, and reference numeral 16 denotes a fuel inflow path.

On the other hand, a separate neck portion 4 made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin is provided at the upper end of the filler tube body 1.
Are connected by welding or bonding at a joint portion 6, and the neck portion 4 is connected to the vehicle body panel 2. That is, the neck portion 4 is opened to a rear fender or the like of an automobile, and forms a fuel inlet 5. Also, the fuel inlet 5
The female threaded portion 43 with which the male threaded portion 31 of the tank cap 3 to be described later is engaged is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the neck portion 4 forming the above.

The fuel injection port 5 is a portion into which a refueling nozzle (not shown) is inserted when refueling, and fuel such as gasoline or light oil supplied from the nozzle passes through the filler tube body 1. To the lower fuel tank.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a part of a vehicle body panel constituting a rear fender or the like of an automobile, and has an opening 21 formed in a circular shape. The opening 21
A predetermined portion of the neck portion 4 is fitted into the peripheral edge portion and is fixed by bolts 7 to form a fuel inlet 5 in a rear fender or the like.

More specifically, the outer cylindrical portion at the upper end of the neck portion 4 has a substantially rhombic appearance (see FIG. 2).
An outward flange 41a is provided around. The outward flange 41a is formed with a V-shaped cross-section fitting portion 42 (42a, 42b) into which a circumferential end forming the opening 21 of the vehicle body panel 2 is fitted.

The outward flange 4 has a neck 4
A bolt fixing hole 8b is formed so as to correspond to the bolt fixing hole 8a formed in the vehicle body panel 2 when it is fitted into the opening 2 of the vehicle body panel 2. It should be noted that the fixing portion of the bolt 7 is not limited to one location, and may be provided at a plurality of locations.

Here, the joining portion 6 indicates a portion where the neck portion 4 and the filler tube main body 1 formed separately are connected. That is, the lower end 61 of the neck 4 and the upper end 62 of the filler tube main body 1 are integrated by welding or bonding.

The step 64 (64)
a, 64b) are formed, but the step 64 does not form a convex portion on the inner peripheral surface in the refueling nozzle insertion direction. The reason for this is that even if a step is formed from the upper part to the lower part in the outer direction (in the direction of increasing the diameter), the step does not become an obstacle to hinder the insertion of the fuel supply nozzle, but the direction toward the inner side When a step is formed (in the direction in which the aperture becomes smaller), this step is
This is because the tip of the supply nozzle serves as a stopper against which the collision occurs, which hinders smooth nozzle insertion. In addition, since the impact at the time of the collision causes damage to the neck portion, it must be avoided.

Further, even if the molten portion or the adhesive protrudes inside the joint portion during welding or bonding, it protrudes inward beyond the step 64 and becomes a barrier for the insertion of the nozzle and the inflow of fuel. There is no.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a tank cap that plays the role of closing the fuel inlet 5. The tank cap is roughly divided into a metal or resin lid 32 and a synthetic resin external thread 31. The male screw part 31 is engaged with a female screw part 43 formed on the inner peripheral part of the neck part 4. Note that reference numeral 3
Reference numeral 3 denotes a rubber O-ring provided inside the lid 32 in order to enhance the adhesion between the upper end surface of the neck 4 and the lid 32.

When the tank cap 3 is loosened and removed, the fuel inlet 5 formed by the inner cylinder of the neck 4
Is exposed, and the fuel injected into the fuel inlet 5 passes through the filler tube main body 1 and is guided to a lower fuel tank (not shown).

Here, referring mainly to FIG.
The characteristic shape of the female screw 43 formed integrally with the inner cylindrical portion will be described. The female screw 43 has an asymmetric cross-sectional shape (an asymmetric shape in which the inclination of the upper side surface 43a of the threaded cap lid side 32 is larger than the inclination of the lower side surface 43b of the threaded tube body 1). In particular,
The relationship between the angle α formed by the inner peripheral surface 44 and the upper surface 43a of the neck portion 4 and the angle β formed by the inner peripheral surface 44 and the lower surface 43b of the neck portion 4 is such that α> β. Therefore, interference when the refueling nozzle is inserted is reduced.

That is, in the conventional female screw shape having a symmetrical cross-sectional shape, there is a problem that when the refueling nozzle is inserted, the nozzle tip easily collides with the female screw which is sharply sharpened, and the impact is easily applied to the neck part 4. By making the cross-sectional shape asymmetrical, it becomes difficult to obstruct the insertion of the refueling nozzle, so that the nozzle tip can be smoothly inserted into the inlet 5.

Next, the structure of the filler tube according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration in which the filler tube main body 1 and the neck part 4 are formed separately and are connected at the joining part 6 and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, but the filler tube main body 1 and the neck The connection method of the part 4 is different.

More specifically, in the first embodiment, the lower end face 61 of the neck portion 4 and the upper end face 62 of the filler tube main body 1 are joined, and both end faces are welded or adhered to be connected and fixed. 1), the second embodiment is characterized in that the lower end surface 61 of the neck portion 4 is press-fitted into an upper end portion 63 formed into an L-shaped cross section at the upper end portion of the filler tube main body 1 and integrated therewith. Is different.

Next, the structure of the filler tube according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, unlike the first and second embodiments,
The feature is that the filler tube main body 1 and the neck portion 4 are formed integrally in advance.

The filler tube main body 1 made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin has its upper end further extended, and a neck portion 4 is integrally formed. In addition, the filler tube body 1
An outward flange 41b is provided around an upper end outer peripheral portion of the neck portion 4. Outward flange 41b
Has a substantially rhombic shape as shown in FIG. 2, similarly to the flange 41a.

However, the outward flange 41b has a flat shape, and the upper surface thereof is in contact with the inner surface of the vehicle body panel 2 and is fixed by the bolt 7. Incidentally, also in the outward flange 41b, a fitting portion 42 may be provided similarly to the outward flange 41a and coupled to the vehicle body panel 2 (see FIG. 1).

On the inner peripheral portion of the neck portion 4 which is integrally continuous with the inner peripheral portion of the filler tube main body 1, a female thread portion 43 which engages with the male thread portion of the tank cap 3 is formed integrally with the filler tube main body 1. As in the first and second embodiments, the shape is formed to be asymmetrical in cross section, so that interference with the refueling nozzle is reduced.

[0031]

The effects of the invention disclosed by the present application will be described below. (1) The neck part is integrally molded and welded or adhered to the upper end of the filler tube main body, press-fitted and connected, or the neck part and the filler tube main body are integrally formed to greatly reduce the number of components. Therefore, a low-cost filler tube can be provided. Further, according to the connecting means, there is no fear of fuel leakage from the joint.

(2) Since the threaded portion that engages with the tank cap is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the neck portion that is easy to mold, it is not necessary to form the threaded portion by roll processing or the like, so that the accuracy of the thread shape is ensured. And the labor required for quality control can be reduced.

(3) By forming the outward flange at the neck portion, the joint area between the vehicle body panel and the filler tube can be increased, the bolt can be fixed, and the filler tube comes off from the vehicle body panel and falls off. Don't worry.

(4) The cross-sectional shape of the female screw of the neck portion that engages with the male screw of the tank cap is made asymmetrical (the asymmetrical shape of the upper surface of the screw thread is larger than the lower surface of the screw thread) so that the oil supply nozzle can be inserted. In this case, the barrier at the tip of the nozzle is lessened, and the refueling nozzle can be inserted smoothly. Also, damage due to collision of the refueling nozzle is reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of a filler tube according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the main part.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the main part of the same.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the inner peripheral female screw portion of the neck portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a filler tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a filler tube according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional filler tube.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Filler tube main body 2 Body panel 3 Tank cap 4 Neck part 5 Fuel injection port 31 Male screw part 41 (41a, 41b) Outward flange 43 Female screw part 43a Upper surface 43b Lower surface

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A neck portion provided with a female thread portion engaging with a tank cap male thread portion is formed at an upper open end of a synthetic resin filler tube main body, and is injected into a neck portion constituting a fuel injection port. In the filler tube for guiding the fuel to the lower fuel tank, the neck portion is formed of a synthetic resin, and an outward flange for fixing the neck portion to the vehicle body is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the neck portion. A filler tube, characterized in that: 2. The filler tube according to claim 1, wherein the neck portion with the outward flange is integrated with the filler tube body by welding, bonding or press fitting. 3. The filler tube according to claim 1, wherein the outwardly flanged neck portion is formed integrally with a filler tube body. 4. The cross-sectional shape of the female screw portion has an asymmetric shape in which the inclination of the upper surface of the thread is greater than the inclination of the lower surface of the thread.
A filler tube according to claim 1.