WO2012127918A1

WO2012127918A1 - Float valve device

Info

Publication number: WO2012127918A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/052842
Authority: WO
Inventors: 健太三原
Original assignee: 株式会社パイオラックス
Priority date: 2011-03-24
Filing date: 2012-02-08
Publication date: 2012-09-27
Also published as: JPWO2012127918A1

Abstract

Provided is a float valve device wherein the lifting action of a float valve body can be reliably guided and the up-suction of fuel that has flowed into a housing from a through-hole can be prevented. This float device comprises a housing (20) provided with a valve chest (34) and a draft chamber (35) that have disposed therebetween a partition (33) having an opening (33a), and a float valve body (60) that is disposed within the valve chest (34) so as to be liftable. A plurality of housing side guide ribs (37) are provided in the upper part of the valve chest (34) on the inner periphery thereof. Float side guide ribs (67) are provided to the lower part of the float valve body (60) on outer periphery thereof, and are formed to a length that will not interfere with the housing side guide ribs (37) when the float side guide ribs (67) come into contact with the opening (33a). A wide gap region (C) is provided between the housing side guide ribs (37) and the float side guide ribs (67), and through holes (36) that communicate with the interior of a fuel tank are formed in the wide gap region (C) of the housing (20).

Description

Float valve device

The present invention relates to a float valve device which is attached to a fuel tank of an automobile or the like and used for a cut valve, a full tank regulating valve or the like.

For example, the fuel tank of an automobile is supplied with a cut valve that prevents the fuel in the fuel tank from leaking out of the fuel tank when the automobile is turned or tilted, or the upper limit of the amount of oil supplied when refueling. A full tank control valve, etc. for stopping is installed.

The cut valve and the full tank regulating valve include, for example, a housing in which an upper space and a lower space are defined by a partition wall having an opening, and a float valve body disposed so as to be movable up and down in the lower space of the housing. What is provided with is used. And according to the fuel liquid level in a fuel tank, a float valve body raises / lowers, and the fuel leakage and a full tank regulation are aimed at by opening and closing the opening part of a partition wall.

In addition, when the float valve body is in contact with the opening of the partition wall, if the float valve body is inclined, the float valve body may not be firmly in contact with the periphery of the opening, and a gap may be generated. Therefore, a float valve device provided with a guide structure for raising and lowering the float valve body without tilting is used.

As having such a guide structure, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a valve case in which a ventilation chamber and a valve chamber are formed by an upper wall having a communication hole, and a valve case that can be moved up and down in the valve chamber. A float valve device including a float valve body is described, and a rib extending in the vertical direction is formed on the outer periphery of the float valve body, and the rib is in sliding contact with the inner periphery of the valve case, so that the float valve body A guide for the raising and lowering operation is made. The rib is formed over the entire length of the outer periphery of the float valve body from the lower end to the upper end of the outer periphery of the float valve body. Further, a through hole communicating with the inside of the valve case is formed in the peripheral wall of the valve case so that fluid can enter and exit.

JP 2004-308838 A

However, in the float valve device of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the gap between the inner periphery of the valve case and the outer periphery of the float valve body is very large due to the rib formed over the entire length of the outer periphery of the float valve body and slidingly contacting the inner periphery of the valve case. It is narrower. Therefore, when the fuel flows into the valve case from the through hole, the fuel is sucked up at the narrow space between the inner periphery of the valve case and the outer periphery of the float valve body, and the communication hole on the upper wall leads to the vent chamber side. In some cases, it would flow in. When such a fuel uptake phenomenon occurs, the dynamic performance of the float valve body is hindered, and the fuel that has flowed out from the communication hole to the ventilation chamber side adversely affects the canister disposed outside the fuel tank. I'm scared.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a float valve device that can reliably guide the lifting and lowering operation of the float valve body and can prevent the suction of fuel flowing into the housing from the through hole. It is in.

In order to achieve the above object, the float valve device of the present invention is provided with a valve chamber communicating with the inside of the fuel tank below and a vent chamber communicating with the outside of the fuel tank via the partition wall formed with the opening. And a float valve body disposed in the valve chamber of the housing so as to be movable up and down, and an upper portion of the inner periphery of the valve chamber of the housing has an upper portion when the float valve body is lowered. A plurality of housing-side guide ribs extending in the axial direction at a predetermined length in the circumferential direction are provided, and the float valve element has an upper portion at the inner periphery of the plurality of housing-side guide ribs. In addition to being inserted into the outer periphery of the lower portion thereof, the float valve body rises in the axial direction with a length that does not interfere with the housing-side guide rib when it comes into contact with the opening, and in the circumferential direction. Float side guide ribs formed at a predetermined interval are provided, and there are no guide ribs on either the housing side or the float valve body side between the housing side guide rib of the housing and the float side guide rib of the float valve body, A wide gap region is provided, and a through hole communicating with the inside of the fuel tank is formed in the wide gap region of the housing.

In the float valve device of the present invention, the inner periphery of the valve chamber of the housing is covered with a through hole provided in the wide gap region with a predetermined gap between the inner periphery of the valve chamber. It is preferable that a fuel scattering prevention wall is formed.

According to the present invention, the lifting and lowering operation of the float valve body accompanying the change in the fuel level in the fuel tank is performed by the housing-side guide rib that extends to reach the upper portion of the float valve body, and the lower outer periphery of the float valve body Because the float is guided by the float-side guide ribs formed on the float, the float valve body can be moved up and down without tilting, and it can be firmly brought into contact with the opening of the partition wall to improve the sealing performance of the opening. it can.

A wide gap region formed between the housing side rib and the float side rib can secure a wide space between the valve chamber outer periphery of the housing and the float valve body outer periphery, and communicates with the inside of the fuel tank. Since the through hole is formed, it is possible to effectively prevent the fuel that has flowed into the housing from the through hole and sucked into the ventilation chamber from the opening of the partition wall.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the float valve apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view when the float valve body is lowered in the float valve device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view when the float valve body is raised in the float valve device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the float valve device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a check valve integrated cut valve in which a cut valve for preventing leakage of fuel to the outside of the fuel tank and a check valve for adjusting the pressure in the fuel tank are integrated. is there. The float valve device of the present invention can also be applied to a valve device or the like in which a full tank regulating valve and a check valve are integrated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the check valve integrated cut valve 10 (hereinafter referred to as “integrated valve 10”) to which the float valve device of the present invention is applied has an opening 33 a in this embodiment. A housing 20 provided with a valve chamber 34 communicating with the inside of the fuel tank below through the partition wall 33, a vent chamber 35 communicating with the outside of the fuel tank on the top, and the valve chamber 34 of this housing 20 can be raised and lowered. And a check valve 70, which is disposed in the ventilation chamber 35 so as to be movable up and down.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 20 in this embodiment includes a housing main body 30 having a substantially cylindrical shape, a lower cap 40 attached to a lower opening of the housing main body 30, and an upper portion of the housing main body 30. The upper cap 50 is attached to the opening.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing body 30 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 31 having a lower portion 31 b whose diameter is larger than that of the upper portion 31 a, and the partition is placed at a predetermined position above the peripheral wall 31. A wall 33 is provided. An opening 33a is formed at the center of the partition wall 33, and the lower surface periphery of the opening 33a protrudes. The housing main body 30 is formed with the valve chamber 34 on the lower side through the partition wall 33 and the vent chamber 35 on the upper side. A plurality of locking holes 31 c are formed at the periphery of the upper opening of the peripheral wall 31, and a plurality of locking recesses 31 d are formed at the upper end of the peripheral wall 31. Further, a rib 31e for guiding the raising / lowering operation of the check valve 70 is formed on the inner circumference of the peripheral wall 31 where the vent chamber 35 is formed. A plurality of locking projections 31 f are projected from the outer peripheral edge of the lower opening of the peripheral wall 31.

Further, a plurality of through holes 36 communicating with the inside of the housing body 30 are formed at predetermined intervals along the axial direction above the lower portion 31b of the peripheral wall 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). A plurality of through holes 36 formed along these axial directions are formed in a plurality of rows at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 4).

Further, on the inner periphery of the valve chamber 34 of the housing body 30, a fuel scattering prevention wall 38 that covers the through hole 36 with a predetermined gap G between the inner periphery of the valve chamber 34 is formed. . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the fuel scattering prevention wall 38 extends downward from the lower end of the upper portion 31 a of the peripheral wall 31, and extends along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 31. When the cross-section along the AA arrow line in FIG. 2 is seen, it comprises a second wall portion 38b that connects one end portion of the first wall portion 38a in the circumferential direction and the inner periphery of the lower portion 31b of the peripheral wall 31. As shown in FIG. 4, a substantially L shape is formed, and a gap G is formed between the peripheral wall 31 and the outer peripheral wall 31.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of housing-side guide ribs 37 are provided on the inner peripheral upper portion of the valve chamber 34 of the housing body 30 at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. Referring also to FIG. 2, each of the housing side guide ribs 37 has a length that reaches the upper portion when the float valve body 60 is lowered, and extends from the lower surface of the partition wall 33 to the inner periphery of the upper portion 31 a of the housing body 30. It extends in the axial direction halfway. In this embodiment, each of the housing side guide ribs 37 has a thin plate shape, has an equal interval along the circumferential direction on the inner periphery of the valve chamber 34, and the protrusion direction tip is the axis S of the housing 20. (See FIG. 4). In this embodiment, eight housing-side guide ribs 37 are provided, but two may be provided at opposite positions on the circumference of the valve chamber, or three may be provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Preferably, 6 to 8 are provided at predetermined intervals along the line.

The lower cap 40 attached to the lower opening of the housing main body 30 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a locking hole 41 for locking the locking protrusion 31f of the housing main body 30 to the outer peripheral surface thereof. Is formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper cap 50 attached to the upper opening of the housing body 30 has a lid shape whose upper surface is closed, and can be bent through a slit 52 on its peripheral surface. A locking claw 53 that locks in the locking hole 31c of the peripheral wall 31 and a locking projection 55 that protrudes from the periphery of the upper end and fits in the locking recess 31d of the peripheral wall 31 are formed.

An outer case (not shown) is mounted on the outer periphery of the housing 20 having the above structure, and the integrated valve 10 is attached to a fuel tank (not shown) via the outer case. ing.

In this embodiment, the float valve body 60 that can be moved up and down in the valve chamber 34 has a base 61 that is disposed below and an outer diameter smaller than that of the base 61, and is upward from the center of the upper surface of the base 61. And an insertion portion 63 projecting toward the. The insertion portion 63 has an outer diameter adapted to the interval W (see FIG. 2) between the plurality of housing-side guide ribs 37, and when the float valve body 60 descends (see FIG. 2) and rises (see FIG. 3). Further, the upper portion is formed with a length inserted into the inner periphery of the plurality of housing side guide ribs 37.

Further, a protrusion 63 a that comes in contact with and separates from the opening 33 a of the partition wall 33 is projected from the center of the upper end of the insertion portion 63 of the float valve body 60. Further, a hollow recess 65 is formed at the center of the lower surface of the float valve body 60, and an annular spring accommodating recess 66 is formed on the outer periphery thereof.

Further, on the outer periphery of the base 61 disposed below the float valve body 60, when the float valve body 60 rises and contacts the opening 33 a (see FIG. 3), the housing-side guide rib 37 has A plurality of float-side guide ribs 67 extending in the axial direction with a length that does not interfere with each other and formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction are provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the float-side guide rib 67 of the present embodiment protrudes from the lower end to the upper end at an equal interval in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the base portion 61. In this embodiment, eight float-side guide ribs 67 are provided, but two may be provided at opposing positions on the outer periphery of the base 61, or three may be provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. It is preferable to provide 6 to 8 pieces at predetermined intervals along the direction.

In addition, the float valve body 60 of this embodiment has a base portion 61 having a large outer diameter and an insertion portion 63 having a smaller outer diameter. There is no particular limitation.

The float valve body 60 having the above-described shape is accommodated in the valve chamber 34 of the housing body 30, the upper portion of the insertion portion 63 is inserted into the inner periphery of the plurality of housing side guide ribs 37, and the float valve spring 45 is The housing body is housed in the spring housing recess 66 of the float valve body 60, and the other end is supported on the bottom surface of the lower cap 40. In this state, the outer periphery of the lower cap 40 is placed on the outer periphery of the lower opening of the housing body 30. The locking cap 31f of the 30 is locked in the locking hole 41 of the lower cap 40, so that the lower cap 40 is attached to the lower opening of the housing body 30, and the float valve body 60 can be moved up and down in the valve chamber 34. It is accommodated (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

Thus, when the float valve body 60 is housed in the valve chamber 34 so as to be able to move up and down, it interferes with the housing side guide rib 37 formed on the inner peripheral upper part of the valve chamber 34 of the housing 20 and the housing side guide rib 37 of the float valve body 60. Between the float-side guide rib 67 extending in the axial direction with a length that is not long, there is provided a wide gap region C in which there is no guide rib on either the housing 20 side or the float valve body 60 side. In addition, the through hole 36 of the housing 20 is formed at a position aligned with the wide gap region C, and the fuel scattering prevention wall 38 is formed.

The float valve spring 45 is compressed by its own weight, and the float valve body 60 is normally in contact with the bottom surface of the lower cap 40 (see FIG. 2). When the surface rises and is immersed to a predetermined height of the float valve body 60, the buoyancy of the float valve body 60 itself is added to the urging force of the float valve spring 45, the float valve body 60 rises, and the projection 63a becomes The opening 33a of the partition wall 33 is closed (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the check valve 70 disposed in the ventilation chamber 35 of the housing 20 includes a casing 71 provided with through

holes

71 a and 71 b on both upper and lower surfaces, and the casing 71. The valve body 73 is arranged so as to be movable up and down, and mainly includes a built-in spring 75 that urges the valve body 73 toward the upper through hole 71a. The check valve 70 is housed in the ventilation chamber 35 of the housing 20 so as to be movable up and down, and comes into contact with and separates from the upper peripheral edge of the opening 33 a of the partition wall 33 of the housing 20.

The lower end of the check valve biasing spring 77 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the casing 71 of the check valve 70 accommodated in the ventilation chamber 35. In addition, the engaging protrusion 55 of the upper cap 50 is fitted into the engaging recess 31 d of the housing body 30, and the engaging claw 53 of the upper cap 50 is engaged with the engaging hole 31 c of the housing body 30. The upper cap 50 is attached to the upper opening of the housing 20. In this state, the upper end of the check valve urging spring 77 is compressed by the upper cap 50, and the check valve 70 is urged toward the opening 33 a of the partition wall 33 of the housing 20. It is supposed to be blocked.

Next, the function and effect of the float valve device of the present invention will be described.

The integrated valve 10 to which the float valve device of the present invention is applied is attached to the upper wall of the fuel tank via an external case (not shown) communicating with an evaporation pipe connected to the canister. When the fuel liquid level is not immersed in the float valve body 60, the float valve body 60 is lowered and the opening 33a of the partition wall 33 is open (see FIG. 2). When the pressure in the fuel tank does not exceed the predetermined value, the opening 33a of the partition wall 33 is closed by the check valve 70 biased by the check valve biasing spring 77 (FIG. 2, FIG. 2). 3).

As described above, when the pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined value with the float valve body 60 lowered and the opening 33a opened, the check valve 70 resists the biasing force of the check valve biasing spring 77. Rises to open the opening 33a, and the fuel vapor flows into the ventilation chamber 35 through the opening 33a. The canister outside the fuel tank or the like passes through the slit 52 (see FIG. 1) of the upper cap 50 or the external case. To reduce the pressure in the fuel tank.

On the other hand, when the pressure in the fuel tank becomes a negative pressure greater than or equal to a predetermined value with respect to the outside air pressure, the outside air introduced through the outer case or the slit 52 is introduced into the ventilation chamber 35 and the valve body 73 is pressed. . Then, the valve element 73 moves downward against the urging force of the built-in spring 75 to open the through hole 71a on the upper surface of the check valve, and the outside air passes through the through hole 71b on the lower surface of the check valve and the opening 33a of the housing 20. Is introduced into the valve chamber 34 and flows into the fuel tank, and the negative pressure state in the fuel tank is eliminated.

When the fuel level in the fuel tank rises as the vehicle turns or tilts greatly, and the fuel is immersed in the float valve body 60 by a predetermined height or more, the urging force and float of the float valve spring 45 are increased. The float valve body 60 is lifted by the buoyancy generated in the valve body 60 itself. At this time, the insertion portion 63 of the float valve body 60 is guided by the housing-side guide rib 37 extending to the insertion portion 63 of the float valve body 60, and the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion 31b of the peripheral wall 31 of the housing 20 Since the base 61 of the float valve body 60 is guided by the float side guide rib 67 adjacent to the float, the float valve body 60 can be lifted without tilting, and the projection 63a at the center of the upper end thereof is formed on the lower surface of the opening 33a. It is possible to enhance the sealing performance of the opening 33a by firmly abutting on the side inner periphery.

Further, if the fuel level fluctuates due to turning or tilting of the vehicle, the fuel may flow into the valve chamber 34 from the through hole 36 formed in the housing 20. Even in such a case, in this float valve device, a wide gap region C is formed between the housing side guide rib 37 and the float side guide rib 67, where there is no guide rib on either the housing 20 side or the float valve body 60 side. In addition, since the gap between the inner periphery of the valve chamber 34 of the housing 20 and the outer periphery of the float valve body 60 can be secured widely, the fuel that has flowed into the valve chamber 34 from the through hole 36 can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sucked-up behavior, and it is possible to effectively prevent the air from flowing into the ventilation chamber 35 from the opening 33a of the partition wall 33.

Further, since the fuel suction phenomenon can be prevented, it is possible to make it difficult for the fuel to accumulate between the valve chamber 34 of the housing 20 and the float valve body 60, and the fuel is obstructed when the float valve body 60 is moved up and down. Can be prevented, and the dynamic performance of the float valve body 60 can be improved, so that it can be raised and lowered smoothly. In this embodiment, the fuel that has flowed into the valve chamber 34 from the through hole 36 passes between the wide gap region C and the plurality of float side guide ribs 67 and is sequentially discharged from the hole on the bottom surface of the lower cap 40. It is like that. In addition, since the fuel in the housing 20 can be prevented from flowing into the ventilation chamber 35 from the opening 33a, there is no fear of adversely affecting a canister or the like disposed outside the fuel tank.

Further, a fuel scattering prevention wall 38 that covers a through hole 36 provided in the wide gap region C with a predetermined gap between the inner periphery of the valve chamber 34 and the inner periphery of the valve chamber 34. Therefore, even if the fuel flows into the housing 20 through the through hole 36, it can be made difficult to collide with the fuel scattering prevention wall 38 and be sucked up, and the opening 33a of the partition wall 33 can be prevented. Can be further prevented from entering the ventilation chamber 35 side. Further, since the fuel scattering prevention wall 38 is disposed in the wide gap region C, even if the fuel scattering prevention wall 38 itself swells due to the fuel flowing into the housing 20, it is pressed or contacted by the float valve body 60. It is possible to prevent the float valve body 60 from moving up and down smoothly.

10 Check valve integrated cut valve (integrated valve)
20 Housing 30 Housing body 33 Partition wall 33a Opening 34 Valve chamber 35 Venting chamber 36 Through hole 37 Housing side guide rib 38 Fuel scattering prevention wall 40 Lower cap 45 Float valve spring 50 Upper cap 60 Float valve body 67 Float side guide rib 70 Check Valve 77 Check valve biasing spring C Wide gap area G Clearance

Claims

A housing provided with a valve chamber communicating with the inside of the fuel tank at the lower side and a ventilation chamber communicating with the outside of the fuel tank at the upper side through a partition wall formed with an opening;
A float valve body arranged to be movable up and down in the valve chamber of the housing,
A plurality of housing-side guide ribs formed in the inner circumferential upper portion of the valve chamber of the housing extend in the axial direction with a length reaching the upper portion when the float valve body is lowered, and are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Is provided,
The float valve body has an upper portion inserted into the inner periphery of the plurality of housing-side guide ribs, and the float valve body ascends to the outer periphery of the lower part and contacts the opening. Along with the length that does not interfere with the guide ribs and extending in the axial direction, float side guide ribs formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction are provided,
Between the housing-side guide rib of the housing and the float-side guide rib of the float valve body, there is provided a wide gap region in which there is no guide rib on either the housing side or the float valve body side,
A float valve device, wherein a through hole communicating with the inside of the fuel tank is formed in the wide gap region of the housing.
A fuel scattering prevention wall is formed on the inner periphery of the valve chamber of the housing to cover a through hole provided in the wide gap region with a predetermined gap between the inner periphery of the valve chamber. The float valve device according to claim 1.