WO2015105627A1

WO2015105627A1 - Filling apparatus for a vehicle tank

Info

Publication number: WO2015105627A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/070077
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Beck
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2014-01-10
Filing date: 2014-12-12
Publication date: 2015-07-16
Also published as: DE102014100247A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling apparatus (10) for a vehicle tank, comprising a filling head (14), through which a liquid to be filled into the vehicle tank can be filled, and a filling pipe (12) which is connected to the vehicle tank, the filling head (14) having a lower part (16) which is inserted into the filling pipe (12) and is tubular at least in sections and an upper part (18) which is connected to the said lower part (16), characterized in that a common sealing ring (40) is provided which seals firstly between the lower part (16) and the upper part (18) of the filling head (14) and seals secondly between the filling pipe (12) and the filling head (14).

Description

FILLING APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE TANK

The invention relates to a filling apparatus for a vehicle tank, comprising a filling head, through which a liquid to be filled into the vehicle tank can be filled, and a filling pipe which is connected to the vehicle tank, the filling head having a lower part which is inserted into the filling pipe and is tubular at least in sections and an upper part which is connected to the said lower part.

Filling apparatuses of this type for filling a vehicle tank with, for example, fuel have a filling head which serves for introducing and hooking a fuel pump nozzle in place. For this purpose, the filling head is connected to a filling pipe leading to the vehicle tank. In addition, filling heads of this type are frequently of multi-part construction. A lower part is inserted into the filling pipe and can be of tubular design at least in sections. An upper part of the filling head is connected to the lower part, the upper part having the further components of the filling head, such as, for example, a closure flap or the like. During the operation, it has to be prevented that, for example, fuel liquid and/or fuel vapors escape at the connecting points, firstly, between filling pipe and filling head and, secondly, between lower part and upper part of the filling head. For this purpose, in the prior art, at least one sealing ring is in each case provided for each of the connecting points mentioned. This is complicated both in respect of production and in respect of installation.

Proceeding from the explained prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing a filling apparatus of the type mentioned at the beginning, with which the complexity in respect of production and installation can be reduced. The invention achieves the object by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous refinements are found in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

For a filling apparatus of the type mentioned at the beginning, the invention achieves the object in that a common sealing ring is provided which seals firstly between the lower part and the upper part of the filling head and seals secondly between the filling pipe and the filling head.

The filling apparatus can also comprise the vehicle tank in addition to the filling pipe. A liquid, for example fuel or a urea solution for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) , is filled in a manner known per se into the vehicle tank via the filling head. For this purpose, for example, a fuel pump nozzle can be introduced into the filling head and hooked in place. The filling head has an upper part into which the fuel pump nozzle or a similar filling apparatus is introduced. Furthermore, the filling head has a lower part which is tubular at least in sections and is inserted into the filling pipe. In addition to the upper part and the lower part, the filling head here can comprise further parts, for example a covering made of metal or plastic or, in the case of a capless filling head, a closure flap which is prestressed into a closed position and is pivoted up during the introduction of a fuel pump nozzle.

According to the invention, a common sealing ring is provided which seals both the connecting point between the upper part and the lower part of the filling head and the connecting point between the filling head and the filling pipe. In particular, the sealing ring can seal the connecting point between the filling pipe and the lower part of the filling head and/or the upper part of the filling head. The common sealing ring prevents liquid and/or gas from passing to the outside at the connecting points. According to the invention, the number of seals is therefore reduced. This results in less complexity in respect of production and installation in comparison to the prior art, and also in a saving on costs. At the same time, the connecting points present are reliably sealed. For the installation of the filling head on the filling pipe, only a small installation force is required, and a serviceable, i.e. exchangeable, fastening of the filling head to the filling pipe is made possible. Furthermore, it is possible to form the common sealing ring at a suitable position of the filling apparatus in an injection-molding process, for example a two- component injection-molding process, as a result of which the production complexity is further reduced. Alternatively, the common sealing ring can be fitted as a separate individual part. Since only one sealing ring is required, the production and installation complexity is also reduced here. By suitable design and arrangement of the common sealing ring, axial sealing can be realized at the connecting point to the filling pipe, and therefore there is a high degree of compatibility with filling pipes both made of plastic and made of metal.

For particularly good sealing, the sealing ring can be pressed between the upper part of the filling head and the filling pipe. Furthermore, it can be provided that the lower part of the filling head has a fastening flange, the sealing ring having a first sealing section of U-shaped cross section, the fastening flange of the lower part of the filling head being received between the limbs of the first sealing section of U-shaped cross section. The fastening flange runs in particular on the outer side of the lower part of the filling head and can be formed, for example, at that end of the lower part which faces the upper part of the filling head. The first sealing section, which is of U-shaped cross section, of the sealing ring tightly accommodates the fastening flange of the lower part of the filling head. In particular, the limbs of the first sealing section of U-shaped cross section form a slot in which the fastening flange of the lower part of the filling head is accommodated. The limbs of the first sealing section rest tightly against opposite sides of the fastening flange.

According to a further refinement, the filling pipe can have a fastening flange, and the sealing ring a second sealing section which extends from the first sealing section of U-shaped cross section and a third sealing section which likewise extends from the first sealing section of U-shaped cross section, the second sealing section bearing against the fastening flange of the filling pipe, and the third sealing section bearing against a sealing face of the upper part of the filling head. The second and third sealing sections can extend in opposite directions starting from opposite ends of the web which connects the limbs of the first sealing section .

The fastening flange of the filling pipe also runs in particular on the outer side of the filling pipe. The fastening flange of the filling pipe can be formed at its end facing the filling head. When the tubular lower part of the filling head is inserted into the filling pipe, the fastening flanges of the lower part and of the filling pipe lie directly opposite each other and, when fitted, are in particular separated from each other only by the common sealing ring. In the above- mentioned refinement, the sealing ring therefore has in particular a T profile, wherein the leg of the T profile forms the first sealing section and has a slot running in the longitudinal direction such that this first sealing section has the above-explained U-shaped cross section. The second and third sealing sections form the arms of the T profile. In the fitted state, said arms bear in particular in a pressing manner against the fastening flange of the filling pipe and against the sealing surface of the upper part of the filling head. They can extend substantially perpendicularly to the limbs of the first sealing section of U-shaped cross section.

According to a further refinement, it can be provided that the upper part of the filling head has a hood- shaped section at its end which faces the filling pipe, the third sealing section bearing against an inner side of the hood-shaped section, which inner side faces the filling pipe. The hood can overlap the fastening flange of the upper part of the filling head and the fastening flange of the filling pipe, including the common sealing ring. The hood-shaped section can furthermore have at least one latching receptacle, in which the fastening flange of the filling pipe is held in a latching manner. Of course, a plurality of such latching receptacles can be provided. For particularly simple production, the sealing ring can be injection-molded onto the lower part of the filling pipe, in particular onto the fastening flange of the lower part of the filling pipe, in an injection- molding process, in particular a two-component injection-molding process, as basically already explained above.

Furthermore, in order to realize a serviceable solution, the filling head, as likewise explained above, can be fastened releasably to the filling pipe. The releasable fastening can take place via a latching connection, for example as explained above. The filling head can be a filling head with a conventional closure cap which has to be released, for example by unscrewing, by a user before the refueling operation. Alternatively, the filling head can also be a capless filling head which does not have a closure cap to be released manually, but rather has a flap or the like opening during the introduction of a pump nozzle. The filling head can also be a filling head with or without a mis-fuel inhibitor (MFI) .

The filling pipe can basically be composed of a metal material or a plastic. Furthermore, the upper part and/or the lower part of the filling head may be composed entirely or partially of a metal material or a plastic.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures, in which, schematically: fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a filling apparatus according to the invention, fig. 2 shows an exploded illustration of the filling apparatus from fig. 1, fig. 3 shows a perspective sectional view of the filling apparatus from fig. 1, fig. 4 shows an exploded illustration of the filling apparatus shown in fig. 3, fig . 5 shows an enlarged detail from fig. 3, and fig. 6 shows the sealing ring of the filling apparatus, which is shown in figs. 1 to 5, in a cross-sectional view. Unless stated otherwise, the same reference numbers refer to identical objects in the figures. The filling apparatus 10 according to the invention, which is illustrated in the figures, comprises a filling pipe 12 which is connected to a vehicle tank (not illustrated) and a filling head 14 connected to the filling pipe 12. The filling head 14 has a lower part 16 which is tubular at least in sections and an upper part 18 which is connected to the lower part 16. The filling pipe 12 has a fastening flange 20 at its end facing the filling head 14. The lower part 16 of the filling head likewise has a fastening flange 22 at its end facing the upper part 18. The upper part 18 of the filling head 14 has a hood-shaped section 24 at its end which faces the filling pipe 12, with a plurality of elastic latching legs 26 being arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference of said section. The upper part 18 of the filling head 14 has a metal covering 28 which is placed onto the upper side of said upper part, which side faces away from the filling pipe 12, the metal covering having a plurality of recesses 30 distributed over the circumference thereof, the recesses latching onto corresponding latching projections 32 on the outer side of the upper part 18 of the filling head 14. In the example illustrated, a closure flap 34 is mounted pivotably on the upper part 18 of the filling head 14 and is prestressed into the closed position shown in the figures. Said closure flap 34 is opened during introduction of a fuel pump nozzle. The filling head 14 is therefore a capless filling head.

Furthermore, in the example shown, two latching projections, of which one can be seen at reference number 36, for example in fig. 4, are formed on the inner surface of the upper part 18 of the filling head 14. As can be seen, for example, in figures 2 and 4, the lower part 16 of the filling head 14 has two corresponding latching legs 38 each having a cutout and two stabilizing legs 39. The upper part 18 and the lower part 16 of the filling head 14 can thereby be connected releasably in a latching manner to each other, wherein the latching projections 36 of the upper part 18 latch in the recesses of the latching legs 38 of the lower part 16. Furthermore, for installation purposes, the filling head 14 is inserted with the tubular section of the lower part 16 thereof into the filling pipe 12, as can be seen, for example, in fig. 3. It can be seen in the enlarged illustration of fig. 5 that, in said fitted state, the hood-shaped section 24 overlaps the fastening flange 22 of the lower part 16 of the filling head 14 and the fastening flange 20 of the filling pipe 12, wherein the fastening flange 20 of the filling pipe 12 latches to the latching legs 26.

According to the invention, a common sealing ring 40 is provided which firstly seals the connecting point between the lower part 16 and the upper part 18 of the filling head 14 and secondly seals the connecting point between the filling pipe 12 and the filling head 14, in particular both in relation to the lower part 16 and in relation to the upper part 18 of the filling head 14. In order to be able to realize this dual function, the sealing ring 40 is configured in the manner as can be seen in cross section in the enlarged illustration of fig. 6. The sealing ring 40 has a first sealing section of U-shaped cross section with two limbs 42, 44 which bound between them a slot 46 which runs in the longitudinal direction and in which, in the present case, the fastening flange 22 of the lower part 16 of the filling head 14 is tightly accommodated. In particular, the sealing ring 40 can be injection-molded onto the fastening flange 22 of the lower part 16 of the filling head 14 in a two-component injection- molding process. Furthermore, the sealing ring 40 has a second sealing section 48 which extends from the first sealing section of U-shaped cross section and a third sealing section 50 which likewise extends from the first sealing section. The second and third sealing sections 48, 50 extend in opposite directions starting from opposite ends of the web 52 which connects the limbs 42 of the first sealing section. The sealing ring 40 therefore forms a T profile in cross section, in which the leg is provided with a longitudinal slot 46. In the fitted state, the second sealing section 48 bears against a facing inner side of the hood-shaped section 24. In the fitted state, the third sealing section 50 bears tightly against the upper side of the fastening flange 20 of the filling pipe 12. In particular, the sealing ring 40 in the example illustrated is pressed between the inner side of the hood-shaped section 24 and the upper side of the fastening flange 20.

Furthermore, the filling head 14 is fastened releasably to the filling pipe 12 via the latching legs 26 such that said filling head can be removed for repair or exchange without the entire vehicle tank or at least the filling pipe 12 having to be removed. In addition, the sealing ring 40 is compatible with filling pipes 12 made of metal or plastic.

Claims

1. Filling apparatus (10) for a vehicle tank, comprising a filling head (14), through which a liquid to be filled into the vehicle tank can be filled, and a filling pipe (12) which is connected to the vehicle tank, the filling head (14) having a lower part (16) which is inserted into the filling pipe (12) and is tubular at least in sections and an upper part (18) which is connected to the said lower part (16), characterized in that a common sealing ring (40) is provided which seals firstly between the lower part (16) and the upper part (18) of the filling head (14) and seals secondly between the filling pipe (12) and the filling head (14) .

2. Filling apparatus (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sealing ring (40) is pressed between the upper part (18) of the filling head (14) and the filling pipe (12) .

3. Filling apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part (16) of the filling head (14) has a fastening flange (22), the sealing ring (40) having a first sealing section of U-shaped cross section, the fastening flange (22) of the lower part (16) of the filling head (14) being received between the limbs (42, 44) of the first sealing section of U-shaped cross section.

4. Filling apparatus (10) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the filling pipe (12) has a fastening flange (20), and in that the sealing ring (40) has a second sealing section (48) which extends from the first sealing section of U-shaped cross section and a third sealing section (50) which likewise extends from the first sealing section of U-shaped cross section, the second sealing section (48) bearing against the fastening flange (20) of the filling pipe (12), and the third sealing section (50) bearing against a sealing face of the upper part (18) of the filling head (14) .

5. Filling apparatus (10) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the second and third sealing sections (48, 50) extend in opposite directions starting from opposite ends of the web (52) which connects the limbs (42, 44) of the first sealing section of U-shaped cross section.

6. Filling apparatus (10) according to either of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the upper part (18) of the filling head (14) has a hood-shaped section at its end which faces the filling pipe (12), the third sealing section (50) bearing against an inner side of the hood-shaped section, which inner side faces the filling pipe (12) .

7. Filling apparatus (10) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the hood-shaped section has at least one latching receptacle, in which the fastening flange (20) of the filling pipe (12) is held in a latching manner.

8. Filling apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing ring (40) is injection-molded onto the lower part (16) of the filling pipe (12), in particular onto the fastening flange (22) of the lower part (16) of the filling pipe (12), in an injection-molding process, in particular a two-component injection-molding process.

9. Filling apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling head (14) is fastened releasably to the filling pipe

10. Filling apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling head (14) is a filling head (14) with a closure cap or a capless filling head.

11. Filling apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling pipe (12) is composed of a metal material or a plastic, and/or in that the upper part (18) and/or the lower part (16) of the filling head (14) are/is composed of a metal material or a plastic.