WO2019102139A1

WO2019102139A1 - Fuel vapour absorber provided with a liquid trap in a cover, and method for assembling the absorber

Info

Publication number: WO2019102139A1
Application number: PCT/FR2018/052932
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Brisson
Original assignee: Sogefi Filtration
Priority date: 2017-11-21
Filing date: 2018-11-20
Publication date: 2019-05-31
Also published as: FR3073901B1; FR3073901A1; DE112018005950T5

Abstract

The fuel vapour absorber has a housing component (2) delimiting a plurality of parallel chambers and a cover (3) incorporating a liquid trap (31). A separating partition (30) connected to the bottom (3f) of the cover separates the hollow space of the cover into a first compartment (C1) and a second compartment (C2). The cover (3) is fastened on the axial end side of the component (2) and makes it possible to: - cover the respective accesses to a pair of chambers opening opposite the bottom (3f) into the second compartment (C2), the latter being able to circulate gas from one of these two chambers to the other, - form a liquid trap (31) in the first compartment (C1) from which the fuel vapours can be conveyed into the interior volume of the housing component, - and typically house an elastic return element acting on a plate for compression of an adsorption product (CA).

Description

Fuel vapor absorber provided with a liquid trap in a lid and method of assembling the absorber

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for treating fuel vapors emanating from a fuel tank, typically for a fuel tank of an internal combustion vehicle (eg automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, boats) or an industrial heat engine. The field of application of the invention relates in particular to fuel treatment devices including at least one liquid trap placed near a fuel flow inlet of a vapor absorber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A fuel vapor absorber device has the function of recovering the fuel vapors from the tank, sometimes from the engine block and the intake system (in particular in the case with a carburetor). A filter is provided for storing fuel vapors when the engine is stopped. The absorber device is also able to return these vapors to the engine, these vapors can be injected into an intake manifold when the engine is in operation. Most generally, the vapor suction and discharge circuits are controlled by solenoid valves typically controlled by the engine control unit.

In a manner known per se, an absorber of fuel vapors (in particular gasoline vapors) makes it possible to adsorb the vapors on an adsorbent material generally having a high porosity, typically activated carbon. For a vehicle whose engine is stopped for example, especially when the outside temperature is hot, this filtration function prevents the spread of gasoline vapors in the air. This function can also be used when the vehicle is driving. Increasingly stringent regulations require that these vapors not be released into the atmosphere and trapped in an absorber, usually filled with activated carbon.

As environmental regulations become more and more restrictive, it becomes common to add a purification unit, typically a monolith containing carbon (in the form of activated carbon for example), upstream of the purge port to further reduce emissions to the environment. outside. Such a carbon-based monolith is generally in the form of a cylinder, having a plurality of channels (longitudinal channels or sinuous channels) open at each end to trap fuel vapors. This monolith improves the adsorption capacity.

Whether adsorbent material is integrated in the form of granules, monolith or any other suitable form, generally in at least one chamber of a sealed housing component, it is necessary to avoid any contact of the adsorbent material (for example activated carbon ) with liquid which would damage the adsorption capacity irreversibly.

Document US Pat. No. 5,197,991 shows an example of a liquid trap incorporated at a distance from the inlet of a flow of air laden with fuel vapors from the tank. This type of solution can make the assembly of the absorber device more delicate and complex, with a larger number of parts to seal the main housing component.

Document US Pat. No. 5,510,637 or US Pat. No. 5,541,344 discloses a vapor absorber provided with a liquid trap externally to a casing component of the absorber. This liquid trap forms a lid that integrates at least one air intake cannula charged with fuel vapors from the tank. A collection zone is defined in the internal hollow space of the lid to collect liquid fuel. The liquid fuel is thus blocked in this kind of tank while the vapor-laden air enters the housing component in a chamber of the absorber containing activated carbon.

The addition of a liquid trap implies an additional bulk of the absorber device and may limit the way of integrating the device. The trap must most often be in a predetermined vertical position (with a significant bulk when a specific housing part is provided to integrate a liquid barrier medium, as in the case of the device described in EP 2218491) or located in one end of an absorber device which must be mounted vertically. The integration constraint of a lid with a liquid trap is even greater when the absorber has at least three parallel chambers, for example as in the configuration example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of document US Pat. No. 7,554,774. .

There is therefore a need for improved integration solutions of the liquid trap, more versatile, corresponding to a good compromise between the constraints of assembly and implantation of the absorber and the simplicity of design.

WO 2009/098806 provides a device of the "canister" type with a cover plate incorporating a reverse flow valve and associated with a partitioned auxiliary outer cover through which can enter the fuel vapors from the tank. The valve can be integrated in a compact way, from and other two internal compartments of the auxiliary cover, upstream of an adsorption chamber when a flow of vapors circulates via the cover to be trapped in the adsorption chamber. However, this solution does not solve in any way the congestion problem when the equipment must have several parallel chambers filled with an adsorption product with a redirection of the flow from one adsorption chamber to another.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to overcome one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages by providing an absorber device having an improved lid, without complexification of the device.

For this purpose, it is proposed a device for absorbing fuel vapors from a fuel tank, the device comprising:

- two axially opposite ends (in an elongation direction);

a housing component adapted to delimit several chambers, including a pair of chambers which extend parallel to each other (in the direction of elongation) between the two axially opposite ends of the device (these chambers being separated from each other typically by a partition intermediate), each of the chambers containing an adsorption product for trapping fuel vapors,

a flow inlet loaded with fuel vapors intended to be in communication with the fuel tank,

a cover formed on the side of one of the two ends of the device, including the inlet which opens into a first compartment of the cover,

with the particularity that the lid forms a liquid trap in the first compartment, including an impaction wall facing an outlet of the inlet, and presents:

a lateral wall that extends laterally around a hollow space for the circulation of vapors,

a bottom bound to the side wall, and

a separating partition, connected to the bottom and distinct from the side wall, the separating partition separating in said hollow space the first compartment from a second compartment of the lid, each chamber of the pair of chambers opening opposite the bottom in the second compartment; , so that the second compartment is adapted to circulate gas from one to the other of these two chambers.

This type of arrangement makes it possible to obtain an improved cover, which can limit the total number of parts and reduce the complexity of assembly, in particular for a vapor absorber having at least three chambers. This type of cover is further compatible with a wide variety of chamber configurations in the housing component. In particular, the cover may itself be compact by being used with configurations that distribute the chambers in a triangle geometry or other room-distributing geometry around a central area in the section of the housing component. A more compact section of the housing component can be obtained with a number of chambers greater than two, especially with compact configurations that limit the largest width dimension of the housing component.

Advantageously, at least one inlet orifice makes it possible to introduce gas from the first compartment into an interior volume of the housing component, into a first chamber that extends parallel to the chambers that open into the second compartment (the first chamber being separate of the pair of rooms).

According to one feature, the housing component contains an adsorption product capable of fixing gas molecules of fuel.

With this arrangement, the lid forming the trap / liquid reservoir advantageously allows:

forming a part of the separation between two consecutive chambers, in this case the first chamber and one of the other chambers (forming a third chamber in the direction of circulation according to an operating mode with adsorption in the interior volume);

- Design a housing component with three chambers (at least) having a fairly simple design, one of the chambers can be well adapted to accommodate a monolith or other element improving the capacity of retaining fuel vapors;

- To gain compactness for a three-chamber device incorporating a flow of fluid with reversal of the direction of fluid flow between two consecutive chambers, while also being able to adapt well to various spatial arrangements (according to which the lid can be on one side or below in the absorber device).

The lid may be formed in one piece and thus a one-piece weld (or other one-piece fastening operation) may be sufficient to cover all of the accesses / openings formed in the face. fastening of the housing component (the attachment face being the face on which the cover is connected).

In an embodiment option, the accesses / openings formed in the face All fasteners are axial while opening on the same side of the housing component. This simplifies the design of the attachment face of the housing component.

In another embodiment, all or part of the accesses / openings formed in the attachment face are radial and / or open in different directions. Such a configuration may be useful in some integration contexts of the absorber. In this case, the cover may optionally cover a portion of the side face of the housing component and a portion of the axial face of the housing component.

According to one feature, at least a portion of the adsorption product introduced into the interior volume of the housing component extends upstream of a monolith in a direction of circulation obtained in a circulation mode for the adsorption of gaseous molecules of fuel and / or upstream of an output of the housing component.

Typically, one of the two chambers that opens into the second compartment is a third chamber (in the direction of circulation in adsorption mode), the bottom of the cover having at least one relief in the second compartment, for example in the form an inward protruding member in the second compartment from an inner face of the bottom, for axially guiding a spring or similar resilient biasing member held (typically in compression) between the bottom face and a plate, typically a plate openwork, support and compression of an adsorption product contained in the third chamber.

It is understood that the size and the number of parts for the assembly of the device, in particular in one end of the housing component, can be optimized since the compression plate support of the third chamber is integrated in the second compartment (adjacent to the liquid trap) which provides fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber.

According to an embodiment option, the housing component may have, at one end, an attachment face, preferably substantially flat, which has:

- A peripheral portion on which connects an edge of the lid; and

a portion with three branches, each of the three branches extending from a common junction zone to a connection end to the peripheral portion;

In an exemplary embodiment, the three-branch portion is preferably "T" or fork-shaped.

In various embodiments of the device according to the invention, it may further be possible to resort to one or more of the following provisions: the absorber device is also able to restore vapors to the engine.

the separating partition is internal to the cover and is integral with the remainder of the cover, the cover consisting of a piece of plastic material the separating partition separates the first compartment of the second compartment, in a gastight manner in a fixing state between the cover and an attachment face at the end of the housing component, preferably being attached directly to an axial edge of the intermediate partition.

the housing component has an interior volume which decomposes into at least three chambers and has an intermediate (watertight) partition which is part of a set of partitions separating (sealingly) the chambers between them.

the housing component comprises a tubular wall forming a part of the set of partitions, and preferably connected to one side of the intermediate partition, parallel to a virtual central axis of the tubular wall which passes through both ends of the device.

it is formed, according to the direction of a fuel vapor filling of the interior volume, in an adsorption mode by the adsorption product, a first chamber communicating with the fuel inlet, a second chamber (formed parallel to the first chamber) and a last chamber which extends parallel to the first chamber.

the second compartment of the lid communicates with both the second chamber and the last chamber

the partition wall is bent to form an elbow area.

the first compartment extends along the inner side of the elbow area, while the second compartment extends along the outer side of the elbow area (this configuration facilitates respective access to the second compartment for two chambers); , with a spatial distribution of the three chambers in three complementary angular sectors).

the cover has an impaction wall facing an outlet of the fuel inlet, the intake orifice being designed and arranged to circulate fuel vapors in a general direction of exit of the first compartment which is substantially perpendicular to a direction of impaction from the outlet to the impaction wall.

- The impingement direction may correspond to an entry direction in the first compartment, which is typically determined by the configuration of a tubing projecting outwardly of the lid. the impaction wall is substantially planar, and optionally rougher than other internal wall portions of the cover

the impaction wall is formed at least partly by the partition wall the impaction wall is formed opposite the partition wall

the liquid trap is in the form of a cavity or cavity portion located lower than the inlet and preferably including a sloping portion oriented towards a low point or a lower portion of the bottom.

the cover axially covers three access openings to the interior volume of the housing component, each formed on the side of a first end of the device in a fastening face belonging to the housing component, the three openings comprising the inlet opening located in a central zone of the first end and two other openings offset on one side with respect to the intake opening

the tubular wall delimits, upstream of the monolith according to the direction of circulation obtained in the circulation mode for the adsorption of the gas molecules of fuel, an upstream compartment which is axially aligned with a determined compartment where the monolith is housed.

the upstream compartment is filled with activated carbon, for example between an interface member secured to the monolith and a compression plate, optionally perforated.

the housing component forms a narrower chamber than the other chamber or chambers of the absorber.

the narrower chamber is in communication with the second compartment the upstream compartment is longer than the determined compartment receiving the monolith and optionally narrower and shorter than a chamber, formed by the housing component, which communicates with the inlet of the fuel flow (typically a gasoline flow).

It is also proposed an assembly method to obtain a fuel vapor absorber, with the use of an improved lid.

More particularly, there is provided a method of assembling a fuel vapor absorber including an adsorption product in each of three chambers delimited by a housing component, the housing component extending between two axially opposite ends ( capable of forming end faces) and delimiting a plurality of chambers which extend parallel to each other between the two ends, the assembly method comprising the steps consisting essentially of:

- provide a fuel input, intended to be in communication with the fuel tank, in a lid, on the side of a first compartment internal to the lid which communicates with a first chamber (of the plurality of chambers), the first compartment being delimited or traversed by an impaction wall facing a opening of the fuel inlet, so as to form a liquid trap in the first compartment;

sealing the cover on the housing component, preferably on a first end of the housing component where an attachment face is formed, so as to cover access openings to two of the chambers of said plurality of chambers; which are distinct from the first chamber, by communicating said access openings with a second internal compartment to the lid, so that the second compartment is adapted to circulate gas from one to the other of these two chambers, a side wall of the lid extending around the first compartment and the second compartment; and

separating, in a gas-tight manner, the first compartment of the second compartment, during fixing of the lid, by connecting to the housing component an annular edge including:

an edge of a separating partition formed in the cover, the separating partition extending in a hollow space of the cover for separating the first compartment from the second compartment; and o an edge portion formed by or connected to a side wall of the lid and adjacent to the first compartment.

Optionally, a specific chamber is filled with an adsorption means, preferably activated carbon, the determined chamber extending longitudinally between a compression plate and an end of the housing component opposite the lid in a mounted state of the lid, the compression plate being biased by at least one elastic return element housed in the second compartment of the lid.

This method of assembly makes it possible to form the liquid trap, on the side of an inlet, and to close on one side several chambers of the housing component. This is advantageous for:

- To gain compactness for an absorber device having at least three chambers incorporating a flow of fluid with a reversal of the fluid flow direction between two consecutive chambers ("U" circulation),

reducing the number of parts of the assembly, in particular because the compression plate support of a chamber can be integrated in a second compartment of the lid next to the first compartment forming the liquid trap, knowing that this second compartment provides fluid communication between two rooms.

In addition, the first compartment may have a greater depth for the liquid trap, making the side wall deeper on the side of the first compartment, while having a shorter depth for the second compartment. This makes it possible to create an internal volume of the first compartment sufficient to collect several hundred liters of liquid and this facilitates the use according to different orientations of the absorption device, the admission orifice between the first compartment and the first chamber to simply be located higher than the collection area. In other words, the cover is not necessarily placed at an upper end of the device during operation. It can thus be advantageously placed on one side in a substantially horizontal arrangement of the absorber device or possibly placed at the bottom of the device.

According to one feature, the determined chamber extends, parallel to a spring forming all or part of the resilient biasing means, up to a coupling formed in the end of the housing component which includes the outlet of the air outlet to evacuate air purified. Preferably, this output of the housing component communicates with an outlet face of a monolith inserted in the determined chamber, away from the cover.

It is understood that the monolith can be first inserted into a receiving compartment of the determined chamber before filling a complementary compartment (typically forming the other part of the determined chamber) with the vapor adsorption means of the fuel, the determined chamber being closed by a filter medium (the side of the lid), for example in the form of a felt plate supported by the compression plate. In this determined chamber, another filter media can be reported in a transition zone between the monolith and the adsorption means. Such a transition zone typically has a sectional change of the determined chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a sectional view of a fuel vapor absorber device according to an embodiment according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a housing component forming a body of the device of FIG. 1 and able to delimit several parallel chambers between them; Fig. 3 shows in section an exemplary wall arrangement for partitioning the interior volume of the housing component of Fig. 2;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view illustrating, within the housing component, the determined compartment in which is housed an insertion unit including a coal monolith;

Figure 4B is a perspective view of the insertion unit;

FIG. 4C is a sectional view enlarging the interface member of the insertion unit and the associated sealing element, which are respectively in contact against a tubular wall of the housing component;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interface member showing a central cavity;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an assembly constituted by the interface member of FIG. 5 and the annular sealing element;

FIG. 7 shows the sealing element before forming the assembly of FIG. 6;

- Figure 8 shows a section through a half of a protective tip used to form the insertion unit in an embodiment;

- Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the compartmentalization of a cover used in a vapor absorber according to the invention;

FIG. 10A shows in cross-section an end of the absorber in which the housing component and the cover of FIG. 9 are interconnected;

FIG. 10B shows, by a longitudinal section, a connection zone between the housing component and the cover of FIG. 9;

- Figure 1 1 illustrates the cover of Figure 9 and its relative positioning with respect to the contents of a last chamber of the housing component in the direction of filling of the interior volume by fuel vapors of the reservoir;

- Figure 12 is a diagram of the vapor circuit from a fuel tank, wherein a fuel vapor absorber according to the invention is used.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the various figures, identical references indicate identical or similar elements.

Referring to Figures 1 and 12, the fuel vapor absorber 1 is provided to allow venting, being here placed on a venting circuit 60, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 12. The fuel vapor absorber 1 is of the type provided with a housing component 2 for delimiting an interior volume V with one or more chambers 21, 22, 23 containing active carbon CA or other material adsorbent for trapping / retaining gasoline vapors.

Optionally, the absorber 1 may be of the type equipped with a pressure regulating device to allow the fuel vapors to enter the interior volume V only if there is a positive pressure difference on the fuel tank side T.

The absorber 1 may have an outer envelope E which is formed by the housing component 2 and optionally by one or more complementary housing elements at two opposite ends of the absorber 1.

With reference to FIG. 12, the absorber 1 is connected to the fuel tank T by a ventilation line 61. As the temperature of the fuel increases on the side of the tank T, the vapor flows into the ventilation line 61. and enters the interior volume V of the absorber 1, through the fuel flow inlet 6 (essentially vapor inlet) formed by a tubing T6 integral with a housing element, here a lid 3, of the absorber 1. The tubing T6 forms the attachment fitting with the ventilation line 61 and can open into a compartment of the lid 3 before entering the interior volume V. Advantageously, the compartment can form a trap 31 for liquid to retain a liquid fraction of the fuel flow that has passed through the inlet 6.

In one embodiment, the cover 3 has an impaction wall 3a facing the outlet 6b of the inlet 6. The liquid fuel molecules then fall by gravity against a collection area of the cover 3 if the impaction wall 3a does not form a low point of the lid. Preferably, the outlet 6b can be raised relative to a low point of the lid 3. The gas stream can enter the interior volume V via an inlet orifice OA.

With reference to FIG. 1, the steam in fact passes through the inlet 6 and the inlet orifice OA, typically when the pressure is sufficient on the side of the fuel tank T. In operation, the steam can form a mixture of air / fuel. In the absorber 1, this vapor can diffuse into internal chambers 21, 22, 23 containing an adsorption product, typically CA activated carbon granules. A monolith 11 may be integrated in one of these chambers, for example in a chamber 23 in a position close to an outlet 8, here formed by the housing component 2. Thus, in an adsorption mode, the monolith 1 1 of the absorber 1 trap and purifies a flow of gas that has already passed through one or more stages of activated carbon distributed in the interior volume V. Here, the housing component 2 which constitutes the body of the envelope E is provided with several communicating compartments, a part of which forms two internal chambers 21, 22 filled with active carbon CA making it possible to carry out a "U" circulation (with inversion of direction from the first chamber 21 to the second chamber 22). The other part forms a third chamber 23 where the monolith 11 is housed, at least along part of the length of this third chamber 23. It is more generally understood that the number of chambers can vary and that the monolith 11 must simply be interposed between the inlet 6 and a pipe formed on the outlet side 8 so that vapors from the fuel tank T can be purified (the outlet 8 here being an outlet to the atmosphere).

The housing component 2 can extend between two ends E1, E2, which are optionally open to allow the circulation from one chamber to another with for example each time a reversal of the direction of movement to pass from a room to the next. With such an option, the cover 3 can thus seal two or three openings OA, 22a, 23a, placed at the same end E1 of the housing component 2.

The lid 3 or similar housing element is here provided with one or more connecting cannulas or similar fittings, for example the cannula or tubing T6. In the vicinity of this cover 3, there is typically formed a cannula T7 integral with the housing component for circulating air to an intake of the engine 65. Opposite this cover 3, there is provided one or more plates of mobile compression P1, P2, clearly visible in Figure 1. Each movable compression plate P1, P2 is mounted in abutment (axial support) against an elastic restoring force, here exerted by a set of springs 34 engaged against an end wall 41 of the outer casing E. The end wall 41 may be formed by a closure element 4 (preferably in one piece) which is fixed on an annular flange B2 of the casing component 2 The fixing of the closure element 4 may result from a permanent attachment, for example by welding or screwing (or other removable attachment).

In a preferred option, provision may be made to install a compression plate P1, P2, P3 per compartment or internal chamber 21, 22, 23.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 11, plates or similar elements based on felt PF1, PF1 ', PF2, PF2', PF3, PF3 'and PF7 or impurity-holding filter elements are typically placed near the access points respective inlet / outlet of the chambers 21, 22, 23 for filtering dust, droplets of liquid fuel, or other impurities.

Thus, near the entrance 6 there is a plate made of felt PF1 which extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the monolith 1 1 (and therefore parallel to the tubular or tubular wall 24 forming a sleeve to house the monolith 1 1). In the example of Figure 1, another felt plate PF7 also extends transversely near the cannula T7.

With reference to FIG. 1, the housing element forming the cover 3 partly covers an outer face 2a of the housing component 2. The cover 3, typically made in one piece, has a separating partition 30, for example parallel to the longitudinal axis A, separating the trap 31 from a communication chamber which communicates two chambers 22, 23. Indeed, the communication chamber forms a common zone in which opens at the same time:

a duct or orifice 22a for access to the second chamber 22; and

a duct or opening 23a for access to the third chamber 23 delimited by the tubular wall 24.

The communication chamber may correspond to a compartment C2 of the cover 3 which is located between two internal adsorption zones formed in the interior volume V.

According to an embodiment, the cover 3 is fixed, for example by welding or other permanent attachment, to the outer face 2a so that the separating partition 30 extends an intermediate partition 25 formed in the housing component 2. The partition intermediate 25 here separates the first chamber 21 of the second chamber 22. In each of these two chambers 21, 22 can fill the active carbon space CA respectively between the two sheets of felts PF1 and PF7 and the felt plate PF1 with regard to the first chamber 21, and between the opposite felt plates PF2 and PF2 'with respect to the second chamber 22. The elongated outer wall 2b of the housing component 2 delimits the interior volume V internally partitioned by the wall tubular 24 and the intermediate partition 25, as clearly visible in Figures 1 and 2.

In the nonlimiting example shown, the cover 3 covers a first portion of the outer face 2a in which the inlet opening OA is formed and a second portion of this face 2a in which the openings or openings 22a and 23a are formed. , without covering a third portion of the face 2a where the cannula T7 is located. The outer face 2a thus forms an attachment face on the side of the first and second portions, allowing the cover 3 and the cannula T7 to occupy the same restricted space in the axial extension of the housing component 2.

Opposite the cover 3, the closure element 4 hermetically closes the housing component 2. The closure element 4 may have only one CP purge cannula, possibly connected to an EF filtering element (visible on the figure 1 1) to filter the air.

The CP purge cannula is configured with a valve

to enable an outlet to be formed to the atmosphere in an adsorption mode of operation of the absorber 1, and also to allow an air purge in a desorption mode, in particular when it is desired to return fuel to the engine 65 via the inlet line 64 shown in Figure 12. The valve for purging allows to circulate a flow of vapors from the absorber 1 of fuel vapor to the T7 cannula or intake manifold. This normally closed valve is for example controlled by pulse width modulation under the effect of the powertrain control module in order to precisely control the flow of fuel vapors to the combustion chamber or chambers. The valve may also be opened during the execution of a diagnostic check, allowing the engine vacuum to exert its vacuum in the fuel vapor recirculation system. We

The envelope E of the absorber 1 may be made of any suitable material, for example selected from molded thermoplastic polymers. A polyamide or other resistant and rigid polymer material may be preferred. The casing component 2, which contains the adsorption product capable of fixing gaseous fuel molecules in the internal chambers 21, 22, 23, can be positioned horizontally or vertically in its elongation direction (ie along the longitudinal axis A ). In the illustrated example, the cover 3 can thus form a component mounted laterally on the housing component 2 and the liquid trap 31 can thus be formed lower than the opening 23a.

More generally, the housing used to define the envelope E can be made of a variable number of parts, and makes it possible to preserve the internal volume V at least under the conditions of use (differential pressure) corresponding to the accumulation fuel vapors in the absorber 1.

A non-limiting example of an insertion unit 10 for use in the fuel vapor absorber 1 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4A-4C, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11.

As clearly visible in FIG. 4A, the tubular wall 24 delimits, over part of its length, a compartment CD to house the monolith 11. The tubular wall 24 may have an end connection 24a on which the purging cannula CP of the closure element 4 is sealingly attached. The cannula CP may be fixed by a weld on an outer axial flat surface formed by a terminal ring 28 of the end fitting 24a. The end ring 28 may be a sub-part of a planar flange of the casing component 2. As clearly visible in FIGS. 3 and 1 1, opposite the end fitting 24a, the tubular wall 24 has an annular end 20 whose passage section is wider than that of the end fitting 24a or all of the less than a receiver section 29 delimiting the compartment CD.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the receiving section 29 is connected by a first shoulder to a guide section TG, while the end connection 24a is optionally connected by a second shoulder 13 to the receiving section 29. This receiving section 29 thus extends here between the end fitting 24a and the guide portion TG which can serve to house active carbon CA and extending to the annular end 20.

The annular end 20 here defines the opening 23a and may be part of an outer face 2a which is directly welded to an annular edge B3 formed by the cover 3. Thus, the chamber 23 formed by the tubular wall 24 is opposite a hollow space of the lid 3, forming a compartment C2 which is separated from the liquid trap 31.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, this hollow space corresponds to a second compartment C2 of the cover 3, the liquid trap 31 corresponding to the first compartment C1. The second compartment C2 is delimited by a side wall 3b of the cover 3 and an internal divider wall 30 integral with the cover 3. The second chamber 22 also opens into this second compartment C2 via the orifice 22a.

In this option, the insertion unit 10 is then mounted in a third chamber 23, immediately upstream of the end fitting 24a as illustrated in Figure 4A. The end fitting 24a forms the outlet 8 of the housing component 2, so that the insertion unit 10 is a last separation stage in the interior volume V, in the adsorption mode.

With reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 1 1, it can be seen that the separating unit 10 can be mounted in the chamber 23 prior to filling into granules of activated carbon CA or other adsorption means filling a sub-compartment of the chamber 23. This sub-compartment is delimited by the guide section TG.

More generally, and independently of the number of chambers chosen to form the absorber 1, the insertion unit 10 may comprise:

- A monolith 1 1, here of the kind forming a lateral external face 1 1c extending between a first axial end January 1 provided with passages 1 1 p and a second axial end January 1 forming an outlet face 8;

a sealing element 12 in sealing annular contact against the lateral external face 1 1c near the first axial end 11a; and an interface member 15 supporting the annular sealing element 12 and forming a guide of the insertion unit 10 (by an annular outer face 50 able to slide against an inner face of the guide section TG), interface member 15 having a central cavity 16 in which the monolith 11 is engaged by its first axial face.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing member 12 is a seal of a plastic part, for example PTFE or any suitable material. This annular sealing element 12 is attached or overmolded on an annular edge formed by the annular outer face 50 of the interface member 15.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the interface member 15 is preferably made in one piece and is here in the form of a rigid support plate which makes it possible to fix the sealing element 12, and which can also support the felt plate PF3 '. The support plate includes a substantially planar base portion 15b and an annular projection 15a, an outer shoulder 5 being defined by an annular front face of the base portion 15b. The annular projection 15a protrudes from this front face to a face F5 which extends parallel to the base portion 15b. A flange 15e may optionally be provided to widen the radial extension of the face F5 and / or form a peripheral retaining groove G near this face F5.

The annular projection 15a has a maximum external perimeter significantly reduced compared to the maximum perimeter P10 of the interface member

15. The maximum perimeter P10 is formed by the outer annular edge 15d (preferably circular) of the base portion 15b. Alternatively, the outer edge 15d may simply correspond to the dimensions of the subcompartment adjacent to the CD compartment to provide a centering guiding effect, without having the same general shape as the section of the tubular wall.

The tubular wall 24 may have a generally circular section, the opening 23a (visible in FIG. 3) being opposite an elastic return element placed in the cover 3 to participate in a compression effect (in association with a plate P3 as illustrated in Figure 10B). The elastic return element here is a spring placed in the compartment C2.

The annular projection 15a projects from the side of an inner face of contact of the plate which is in contact with the monolith 1. The inner face of contact, formed by a cross 15c or any other similar openwork structure forming a base portion central, delimits with the annular projection 15a the central cavity

16. This cavity 16 houses the first axial end January 1 of the monolith 1 1, so that the interface member 15 forms a support of the monolith 1 January. Opposite the inner face of contact, the interface member 15 has an outer face which is substantially flat, with a slight slight relief to form an annular portion FF fixing on which is fixed the felt plate PF3 ' . More generally, it is possible to provide any type of filter media, preferably fibrous or felt, for example ultrasonically welded or fixed by any other means on the side of a flat surface of the outer face. The filter medium such as the felt plate PF3 'avoids any intrusion of debris or dust in the passages 1 1 p of the channels of the monolith 1 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4C and 6, the interface member 15 defines an annular outer face 50 which is subdivided into a first section 51, here adjacent to the outer face, designed to engage against the tubular wall 24 , and a second section 52 provided to maintain and stiffen a thin portion of the sealing element 12 intended to form a radial annular seal against the inner face F4 of the tubular wall 24.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the peripheral groove G makes it possible to retain an elastically deformable portion of the sealing element 12, here by snapping after having stretched / deformed the sealing element 12 to surround the collar 15 forming the face F5. A thinner portion of the sealing member 12, formed beyond an inner shoulder 12e, is configured to be retained in the groove G. This thinner portion is typically in the form of an annular skirt which presents an internal relief 47, here in the form of an annular inner lip, on the side of the free edge of the skirt. The internal relief 47 projects radially inwards with respect to the remainder of the skirt and can engage in the peripheral groove G. Alternatively, the retainer with axial locking between the sealing element 12 and the directory projection 15a can be achieved by other fastening means, for example by using lugs or lugs elastically deforming and engaging in notches or gripping edges.

The sealing element 12 is elastically deformable, at least in its joint portion J directly interposed between the face 1 1c and the inner face formed by the receiving section 29.

In the nonlimiting example illustrated, the skirt is axially connected to a thicker portion of the annular joint J which allows the insertion unit 10 to avoid any gas flow between an upstream zone Z1 including the sub-zone. compartment delimited by the guide section TG and a peripheral spacing zone Z2 which extends around the face 1 1 b of the monolith. The upstream zone Z1 is in communication with the fuel flow inlet 6 and, here, the term "upstream" is used relative to the direction of flow in an adsorption mode, in which the vapors flow. from the inlet 6 (which can be formed by the cover 3) to the outlet 8 which can be formed by the housing component 2.

In this example, there is provided on the outside of the annular sealing element 12 two outer beads BJ1, BJ2. A first external annular bead protruding BJ1, optional, is formed on the outside of the skirt. This first bead BJ1 makes it possible to form a first annular sealing zone by a radial contact, against the face F4. It is understood that the friction resulting from the radial contact bead BJ1 - face F4 does not affect the monolith 1 1 due to the presence of the annular projection 15a, more rigid than the skirt, between the face 1 1 c and the skirt.

It is also provided on the inside of the joint portion J of the annular sealing element 12, at least one bead, and preferably two internal annular protruding beads BM1, BM2 to form annular sealing zones by a respective radial contact, against the lateral external face 1 1 c of the monolith 1 1 housed in the central cavity 16. Here, the two inner beads BM1, BM2 are placed axially further from the contact face than the first outer bead BJ 1. Indeed, the internal bead or BM1, BM2 are formed on the thicker joint portion J, which rests axially against the face F5 formed by the annular projection 15a of the interface member 15. The face F5 is by example in annular axial contact with the inner shoulder 12e of the sealing element 12. It is understood that the or the bead sealing contacts BM1, BM2 - face 1 1c are obtained during the assembly together of the various constituent components of the insertion unit 10.

An annular outer bead BJ2 provided on the outside of the annular sealing element 12 in the joint portion J makes it possible to form an annular sealing zone by radial contact against the face F4. This is optionally a second bead when the first bead BJ1 is provided. The contact between the face F4 and the bead BJ2 does not affect the sealing zone or monoliths sealing element because:

- On the one hand, the axial position of the joint portion J, bearing against the face F5 of the interface member 15 is stabilized and the sealing member is thus stiffened from the inside;

and on the other hand, the movement path of the bead BJ2 with a radial contact against the face F4 can be reduced, for example by being less than 20 or 30 mm, because of the proximity between the shoulder zone forming the support edge 14 and the final positioning of the bead BJ2 in the mounted state of the insertion unit 10 in the compartment CD.

The use of such beads is advantageous to avoid forming elongated contact areas in the direction of movement of the insertion unit 10. With the various annular sealing contacts formed by the sealing element 12, it is ensured that all the air flow loaded with residual fuel vapors circulating inside the tubular wall 24 (here in the chamber 23) passes through the pores of the monolith 11 for adsorption by activated charcoal or other equivalent adsorption material, before reaching the outlet 8.

In a variant, the interface member 15 or its base portion 15b may be in the form of a grid having an outer edge adapted to the dimensions of the compartment filled with active carbon CA. The grid has a first substantially flat surface on the side of the activated carbon sub-compartment and an annular member is integrally connected to the grid projecting from the side of the receiving section 29, delimiting the central cavity 16 for embedding the first end. The annular member thus forms an annular projection 15a and may also make it possible to fix and axially retain the annular sealing element 12.

The insertion unit 10 may also have, on the side of the second axial end 1 1b of the monolith 1 1, a protective tip 40, 40 'which allows to separate the face 1 1c of the face F4. This protective tip 40, 40 'may be optionally located near the CP purge cannula after assembly of the insertion unit 10. The protective tip 40, 40' axially extends the monolith 1 1 to catch up possible games during assembly. For this, the nozzle 40, 40 'with spacer effect may have a projecting bead or a similar centering annular projection 42, which projects from a front face of the nozzle 40, 40'.

The protective tip 40, 40 'has an annular body 44 surrounding a portion of the outer face 1 1c at the second axial end 1 1b, and an annular inner lip L4 integrally formed with the annular body 44 and which protrudes radially inwardly so as to form an internal shoulder of the protective tip 40, 40 '. The internal shoulder is typically short and does not close the passages of the exit face 18, while being engaged against a peripheral margin portion of the exit face 18.

The primary function of the nozzle 40, 40 'is not to form a radial seal. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, it is possible to provide a tip 40 of generally annular shape having slots 40a on its external lateral face. In this case, the seal is provided solely by the sealing element 12 and the peripheral spacing zone Z2 may be part of a downstream zone Z3 where circulating gas having been purified by the monolith 11.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8, the tip 40 'may form a seal by the presence of one or more internal annular beads 40c on the side of the monolith 11 and by the presence of one or more external annular beads 40b on the side of the face F4, near the seat formed internally by the shoulder 13 between the connector 24a and the receiving section 29.

An example of filling a chamber, here the chamber 23, will now be described with reference to Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 1 1. This filling mode can be applied, of course, regardless of the number of chambers provided in the absorber device 1.

The tubular wall 24, formed here by the constituent part of the housing component 2, has at least two shoulders. As clearly visible in FIG. 4A, the receiving section 29 is delimited between two shoulders including a first shoulder 13 which forms, on the side of the inner face F4, a seat for contact with the protective tip 40, 40 ', and a second shoulder to form the bearing edge 14. With such a sectional variation, the CD compartment for housing the monolith 1 1 then has:

a lower base section, on the side of the seat of contact with the protective tip 40, 40 ', and

a section larger than the bottom section, on the side of the sealed annular contact or contacts between the sealing element 12 and the internal face F4.

In addition, the interface member 15 has an outer edge 15d, clearly visible in Figures 4C, 5 and 6, which has a characteristic dimension too large to enter the CD compartment, so that it abuts against the support edge 14. This outer edge 15d can also serve as a guide during the introduction of the insertion unit 10. The guide end formed by the interface member 15 is rigid and the outer edge 15f associated has an outer diameter which substantially exceeds both the diameter D40 of the protective tip 40, 40 'and the diameter D12 of the sealing member 12. The diameter D12 may be greater than the diameter D40 to allow forming the sealing interface between the upstream compartment of the chamber 23 and the compartment CD, closer to the transition between these two subzones of the chamber 23.

The assembly of the elements filling the chamber 23 can be done as follows:

the support plate of the interface member 15 is assembled with the sealing element 12 (in the form of a seal in the example illustrated) and the filtering fibrous material, typically the felt of a plate of felt PF3 '.

- Positioning the monolith 1 1 on the support plate by a partial insertion of the monolith 1 1 in the housing or central cavity 16 defined by the annular projection 15a. the assembly (monolith 1 1 + interface member 15 is inserted with the associated elements PF3 ', 12) into the compartment CD of the chamber 23, through an opening 23a opposite to the purge cannula CP.

By way of nonlimiting example, this opening 23a is delimited by the annular end 20 of the tubular wall 24. It is accessible as long as the lid 3 has not been assembled with the casing component 2 via its edge or edges fastening rings B3.

Although the drawings show a continuous annular projection 15a to delimit the central cavity 16, any series of reliefs, split projection can also be used to define the cavity 16 by supporting an annular sealing element 12 to obtain a continuous annular seal vis-à-vis the gases between zone Z1 and zone Z2.

The bottom of the central cavity 16 is formed for example by an annular margin portion 17 (belonging to the base portion 15b) adjacent to the inner face of the annular projection 15a and a perforated structure connected to this portion of the margin 17. Here the perforated structure is in the form of a rigid cross 15c of the base portion 15b.

The support plate of the interface member 15 can slide with a guiding effect in the guide section TG which extends from the access opening 23a of the tubular wall 24 to the shoulder defining the edge. 14. The monolith 11 of the insertion unit 10 is then in perfect alignment with a central axis of the compartment CD and it is moved only in a linear fashion until the interface member 15 comes into position. axial abutment, here by its base portion 15b, against the axial surface formed by the abutment edge 14.

In an alternative embodiment, the sealing element 12 may be a molded element on the plate forming the interface member 15, on the opposite side to the fastener with the filter medium facing the active carbon CA or other material filling the TG guide section.

In order to close the chamber 23 in a sealed manner, the cover 3 is positioned with its compression plate P3 and the spring R (or similar elastic return element) which urges the filling material by pushing it towards the insertion unit 10 and maintain all the filler elements (active carbon CA, interface member 15 and monolith 11) in place. The spring R is here in abutment against an inner face of the bottom 3f of the cover 3, and can thus extend at least partly outside the internal volume V of the housing component 2.

Fixing the cover 3 makes it possible to seal the separation between the first compartment C1 and the second compartment C2, by joining the partition separator 30 against the outer face 2a of the housing component 2, located here at an axial end E1 of the component 2.

The assembly is simplified, insofar as the stack is typically maintained by a single piece or compression plate P3 and a simple compression spring R guided axially by a guide 35, for example formed by teeth 36a, 36b, 36c guidance. Referring to Figures 9 and 10B, the guide 35, projecting from an inner face of the bottom 3f, is here integrally formed with the remainder of the lid 3. Furthermore, the sealing member 12 is moved in a solid state of the interface member 15, which reduces the stresses on the monolith 1 1 during assembly of the insertion unit 10 and when it is mounted in the compartment CD.

The interface member 15 may be in one piece to form an insertable portion in the CD compartment (portion corresponding to / delimited by the second section 52) and an axial retention portion (corresponding portion / delimited by the first section 51). ) which prevents any axial compression of the monolith 1 1. Indeed, the axial distance between the abutment edge 14 and the axial contact zone engaged by the end piece 40, 40 'may be identical to the distance between a front face of the end piece 40, 40' (face for example formed by the centering projection 42) and the outer shoulder formed the base portion 15b. This avoids soliciting the porous structure of the monolith 1 1.

In an embodiment option, the interface member 15 makes it possible to create an axial offset between the input face provided with the access passages 1 1 p and the zone or zones of sealed contact against the external lateral face 1 1c. Typically, this axial offset is greater than or equal to 4 or 5 mm and / or greater than the maximum thickness of the skirt of the sealing element 12 which is interposed radially between the second section 52 of the body. interface 15 and the inner face F4 at the receiving section 29. With such an arrangement, the first axial end January 1 is well protected from radial stresses at the end of the assembly of the insertion unit 10. The material of the interface member 15 is more rigid than that of the sealing member 12, the support plate where even the whole of the interface member 15 is little deformable or indeformable in response to a radial bias. The second section 52, arranged axially between the first section 51 and the joint portion J stiffens the rear end of the insertion unit 10. The axial offset is also preferably less than or equal to 20 mm, in order to limit the travel of the sealing member 12 against the inside of the receiving section 29.

Furthermore, the interface member 15 can be rigid and can receive the first axial end 1 1a in the central cavity 16 with a slight clearance, knowing that it is the joint portion J of the sealing element 12 which forms the sealing interface with annular contacts each of radial type (on the inside with the monolith and on the outside with the F4 side of the compartment receiver 29, for example by using respective beads BM1, BM2, BJ 2 or similar reliefs). Optionally, the skirt can also form at least one of the annular contacts, in particular against the inside of the receiving section 29, for example by a bead BJ1 or similar relief.

The partitioning of the vapor absorber 1 and the direction of vapor circulation in the adsorption mode will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4B and 11.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, it can be seen that the housing component 2 has an interior volume V decomposing into at least three chambers. The tubular wall 24 forms part of a set of partitions 24, 25 separating the chambers 21, 22, 23 between them. The intermediate partition 25 and the outer elongated wall 2b, which can be part of the same part constituting the housing component 1, define the second chamber 22.

Following the flow direction of the vapors brought to the outlet 8 in an adsorption mode, the second chamber 22 is in an intermediate position between the first chamber 21 and the third chamber 23 which includes the compartment CD to accommodate the monolith 11. Depending on the direction of filling the internal volume V with fuel vapors, the vapors first circulate in the first chamber 21 which communicates directly with the fuel flow inlet 6. The incoming gas flow through the inlet 6, as illustrated by the arrow F1, first passes through a felt plate PF1 through an adsorption medium filling the first chamber 21. This first chamber 21 can also communicate with a passage W7 opening into the T7 cannula for admission to the motor (useful in another mode of operation of the absorber 1).

The second optional chamber 22 is formed parallel to the first chamber 21, on the other side of the intermediate partition 25 as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. CA active carbon or other adsorption means also fills this chamber 22, between a compression plate P2 typically covered with a felt plate PF2 and another felt plate PF2 'which covers the orifice 22a for communication with the second compartment C2 of the cover 3. The arrows F2 illustrate the path of the vapors at through an interior space V4 of the shutter element 4, in order to pass from the second chamber 22 to the third chamber 23. The felt plates PF1 'and PF2' prevent solid particles from entering the interior space V4. A "U" circulation, between the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22, is allowed by this interior space V4 which communicates on the same side with these two chambers 21, 22.

The chamber 23, here forming a third and last chamber, is at least partially delimited by the tubular wall 24. When the vapor flow exiting the second chamber 22 enters (through the access port 22a) into the second compartment C2, it immediately emerges through the opening 23a in the chamber 23, for example to cross CA active carbon or other adsorption filling.

In the non-limiting example shown, it is understood that the chamber 23 is a third chamber (in the direction of the fuel vapor filling) which can be subdivided into two sub-compartments, one of which corresponds to the guide section TG and the Another corresponds essentially to the receiver section 29. The plate or base portion 15b of the interface member 15 is placed at the transition zone between these two sub-compartments. The tubular wall 24 delimits in practice a determined compartment CD which makes it possible to axially adjust the insertion unit 10, for example in a position adjacent to a purge cannula or an outlet 8. The cannula here forms a cannula purge CP (air inlet / outlet to the atmosphere).

In FIG. 1, the arrow F3 shows that the vapors can first pass through the guide section TG, filled with active carbon CA, before circulating in the compartment CD, passing selectively through the monolith 11. Clean air can then escape through outlet 8.

The gas path in the monolith 11 may be generally longitudinal, with possible deviations to pass through the porous structure. The monolith 1 1 has an exit face 18 formed by the second axial end 11b and in communication with the outlet 8 of the housing component 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10A, 10B and 11, it can be seen that the cover 3 has an edge B3 which extends annularly around the three respective accesses to the chambers which are formed on the side of the first end E1 of the casing component 2, on the inlet side 6 in a gas flow loaded with fuel vapors. A weld or permanent attachment of this edge B3 and the edge B30 formed by the partition wall 30 ensures that the lid 3 is sealingly attached to the end E1. This attachment then makes it possible to separate, in a gas-tight manner, the first compartment C1 from the second compartment C2, by connecting at the first end E1 an annular edge of the first compartment C1 which includes or consists of:

the edge B30 of the partition wall 30 formed in the cover 3; and

- An edge portion B31 formed by or connected to the side wall 3b of the cover and adjacent to the first compartment C1. In the nonlimiting example illustrated in FIG. 9, the separating partition 30 is bent to form a bend zone ZC. The first compartment C1 extends for example along the inner side C1 of the bend zone ZC, while the second compartment C2 extends along the outer side CE of this bend zone ZC. Here, the inner side of a bend zone is defined as a zone forming an angle A3 less than 180 °, typically between 40 and 140 °, the outer side forming an angle greater than 180 °, typically between 220 ° and 320 °. °.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10A, the compartment C1 is delimited by the side wall 3b and by the intermediate partition 30. Here, the impaction wall 3a is formed opposite the separating partition 30. The outlet 6 is offset, for example relative to the partition 30, for example due to a recess in the bottom 3f of the cover 3 (deeper area of the cover 3). This configuration is well suited for a horizontal arrangement of the absorber device 1 (arrangement shown in Figures 1 1 and 12 for example).

In an alternative embodiment, the impaction wall 3a may be formed at least in part by the separating partition 30.

The compartment C1 may have a slope or a sloping portion. With reference to FIGS. 9, 10A and 11, it can be seen that the liquid trap 31 is in the form of a cavity or cavity part situated lower than the inlet orifice OA and preferably including a sloping portion. oriented towards a low point or a low portion 3f of the bottom 3f.

In FIG. 10A which shows the first end E1 from the inside of the housing component 2, it can be seen that the inlet opening OA may be in a central zone of the first end E1 while the other two openings 22a, 23a are offset on the same side relative to the inlet opening OA. The cover 3 has a space such that it does not exceed (on the sides) with respect to a circumference of the side wall 2b, with the possible exception of the cannula or tubing T6. In other words, the outer face 2a formed at the end E1 may have a circumference which is greater than the circumference of the edge B3 of the cover 3. The passage W7 is thus typically offset outwards both axially and laterally with respect to the weld or similar fixing area between the cover 3 and the outer face 2a.

On the outer face 2a, an axially projecting annular relief may be formed to form a peripheral portion, on which the edge 3b of the lid 3 is connected. This projecting relief has, for example, a substantially plane attachment face of the same geometry / dimension. that the face contiguous vis-à-vis the edge B3.

In the example of FIG. 10A, the external face 2a may have a portion with three branches forming a coplanar portion with the peripheral portion. Each of the three branches extends from a common junction zone to a connecting end to the peripheral portion on which the edge B3 is connected. This portion with three branches can be fixed axially, by two of its branches, to the edge B30 of the partition wall 30. The common junction zone coincides with the junction between the tubular wall 24 and the intermediate partition 25, so that a The edge 25a of the intermediate partition 25 may constitute one of the three branches, while the annular end of the wall 24 bordering the opening 23a may form the other two branches.

In variants, the number of chambers is different from that shown in the examples of the figures, it being understood that the number of chambers is not critical.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Thus, although the drawings show an assembly with a monolith 11 in a compartment CD of a chamber 23, nothing prevents filling the corresponding chamber 23 differently.

It should also be noted that several CD compartments can be provided in an alternative embodiment, for example with at least two successive monoliths each embedded in an insertion unit in engagement with an internal shoulder of the tubular wall 24.

Moreover, although the separation into two compartments C1, C2 has been illustrated in the drawings by a single partition, integral with the remainder of the cover 3, it is understood that this type of separation can be enabled by any partition partition 30 adapted optionally composed of an assembly of at least two partition components or at least two layers of material.

Those skilled in the art will understand that other variations and modifications can be easily realized. The elements, integers, features or compounds described in conjunction with an aspect, embodiment or particular example of the invention are to be understood as applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, to unless they are incompatible with him. For example, the aspect relating to the integration of a monolith 11 is an example of embodiment which can be independent of other aspects such as the particular embodiment of the outer envelope E or the use of a lid 3 having a trap. liquid 31.

Claims

1. Device (1) for absorbing fuel vapors from a fuel tank (T), the device comprising:

two axially opposite ends in an elongation direction;

a housing component (2) adapted to define a plurality of chambers (21, 22, 23), including a pair of chambers (22, 23) which extend parallel to one another between the two axially opposite ends of the device (1), the direction of elongation,

an inlet (6) of a flow loaded with fuel vapors intended to be in communication with the fuel tank (T),

- A cover (3) formed on the side of one of the two ends of the device, including said inlet (6) which opens into a first compartment (C1) of the cover, the cover (3) having:

a lateral wall (3b) extending laterally around a hollow space for the circulation of vapors,

a bottom (3f) bonded to the side wall (3b), and

- a separating wall (30), connected to the bottom (3f) and separate from the side wall (3b), the partition wall (30) separating in said hollow space said first compartment (C1) of a second compartment (C2) of lid (3), each chamber of the pair of chambers (22, 23) opening opposite the bottom (3f) in the second compartment (C2), so that the second compartment (C2) is adapted to circulate gas from one to the other of these two chambers (22, 23),

characterized in that at least one inlet (OA) adapted to admit gas from the first compartment (C1) into an interior volume (V) of the housing component (2) into a first chamber ( 21) of said chambers which is distinct from the pair of chambers (22, 23), the cover (3) forming a liquid trap (31) in the first compartment (C1) including an impaction wall (3a) facing an outlet (6b) from the entrance (6),

and in that each of the chambers (21, 22, 23) contains an adsorption product (CA,

1 1) for trapping fuel vapors.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall (30) is internal to the lid (3) and is integral with the remainder of the lid, the lid consisting of a piece of plastic material.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing component (2) forms in the interior volume (V) at least three chambers (21, 22, 23) and has an intermediate partition (25) which is part of a set of partitions (24, 25) separating the chambers therebetween.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the housing component (2) comprises a tubular wall (24) forming a part of the set of partitions (24, 25), and preferably connected to one side of the intermediate partition. (25), parallel to a virtual central axis of the tubular wall (24) which passes through the two ends (E1, E2) of the device (1).

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the housing component (2) contains an adsorption product (CA) capable of fixing gas molecules of fuel,

and in which it is formed, in the direction of a fuel vapor filling of the interior volume (V), in an adsorption mode by the adsorption product (CA):

- a first chamber (21) communicating with the inlet (6);

a second chamber (22) formed parallel to the first chamber

(21); and

- a last chamber (23) which extends parallel to the first chamber

(21);

the second compartment (C2) of the lid (3) communicating with both the second chamber (22) and the last chamber (23).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating partition (30) is bent to form a bend zone (ZC).

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the first compartment (C1) extends along the inner side (C1) of the bend zone (ZC), while the second compartment (C2) extends along the outer side (CE) of the elbow area (ZC).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet port (OA) is designed and arranged to circulate fuel vapors in a general direction of the first compartment output (C1) which is substantially perpendicular an impaction direction from the outlet (6b) to the impaction wall (3a).

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the impaction wall (3a) is formed at least in part by the partition wall (30).

10. Device according to claim 8, wherein the impaction wall (3a) is formed opposite the separating wall (30).

1 1. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing component (2) comprises an attachment face, preferably substantially flat, which has a peripheral portion on which connects directly an annular outer edge (B3) of said cover (3), so that the cover (3) is welded or permanently attached to the attachment face by this outer edge (B3), an elastic return member (R) being placed in the second compartment (C2) so as to compress, in association with a compression plate (P3), adsorption material (CA) present in a chamber (23) of said pair of chambers (22); , 23).

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (3) axially covers three openings (OA, 22a, 23a) for access to the internal volume (V) of the housing component (2), each formed of the side of the first end (E1) of the device (1) in an attachment face (2a) belonging to the housing component (2), the three openings (OA, 22a, 23a) including the inlet port (OA ) located in a central zone of the attachment face (2a) and two other openings (22a, 23a) offset on the same side with respect to the inlet orifice (OA).

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing component (2) contains an adsorption product (CA) capable of fixing gas molecules of fuel,

at least a part of the adsorption product (CA) extending upstream of a monolith (1 1) in a direction of circulation obtained in a circulation mode for the adsorption of gaseous fuel molecules and / or upstream an output (8) of the housing component (2),

and in which one of the two chambers (22, 23) opening into the second compartment (C2) is a third chamber (23) in said direction of circulation, the bottom (3f) of the lid (3) having at least one relief in the second compartment (C2) for axially guiding an elastic return element (R) held between an inner face of the bottom (3f) and a plate (P3) for supporting and compressing an adsorption product (CA) contained in the third bedroom (23).

14. A method of assembling a fuel vapor absorber (1) including an adsorption product (CA, 1 1) in each of three chambers (21, 22, 23) delimited by a housing component (2) the housing component extending longitudinally along a central axis between two axially opposed ends (E1, E2) defining three chambers (21, 22, 23) which extend parallel to each other between the two ends (E1, E2), the assembly method comprising the steps consisting essentially of:

- providing a fuel vapor loaded flow inlet (6), intended to be in communication with the fuel tank (T), in a lid (3), on the side of a first compartment (C1) internal to the lid (3); ) who communicates with a first chamber (21) of said plurality of chambers, the first compartment (C1) being delimited or traversed by an impaction wall (3a) opposite an outlet (6b) of the inlet (6), the impaction wall (3a) being included in the lid (3), so as to form a liquid trap (31) in the first compartment (C1);

- sealingly attaching the cover (3) to the housing component (2), directly on a first end (E1) where is formed an attachment face (2a), so as to cover openings (22a, 23a) providing access to two of the plurality of chambers (22, 23) which are separate from the first chamber (21), by communicating said access openings

(22a, 23a) with a second compartment (C2) internal to the lid (3), so that the second compartment (C2) is adapted to circulate gas from one to the other of these two chambers (22, 23), a side wall (3b) of the cover (3) extending around the first compartment (C1) and the second compartment (C2); and

- separating, in a gas-tight manner, the first compartment (C1) of the second compartment (C2), when fixing the cover (3), by connecting to the housing component (2) a determined annular edge (B30, B31) including: an edge (B30) of a separating partition (30) formed in the cover (3), the separating partition (30) extending in a hollow space of the cover to separate the first compartment (C1) from the second compartment (C2); and

o an edge portion (B31) formed by or connected to a side wall (3b) of the lid (3) and adjacent to the first compartment (C1).