Filler tube for the filling of fuel in a vehicle tank

The invention relates to a filler neck for the fuel filling into a vehicle tank according to claim 1 or second

It is known nozzles for petrol on the one hand and diesel fuel on the other hand provided with a different diameter. This measure was introduced after unleaded petrol leaded Fuel had to be distinguished. The nozzles for unleaded petrol have a smaller outside diameter than the nozzles for leaded gasoline and diesel fuel. A misfuelling of diesel vehicle with petrol is not excluded, unless special Arrangements for this are met. From DE 101 26 207 is known become a about a transverse axis pivoting flap in entryway to lock the nozzle in the closed state. The lock is formed of a plurality of radially disposed, are arranged at a circumferential distance Slats that a ko make African insertion. If a gasoline pump nozzle introduced, the slats remain in its idle state and the Pump nozzle abuts against the locked door. The diesel fuel nozzle, however adjusted the locking fins radially and thereby unlocks the door so that the nozzle can open the door. A misfuelling through manipulation with Otto nozzle, offset by which the latch is, is not excluded.

From DE 101 39 665 and DE 101 26 209 are filler neck for diesel fuel become known which are designed such that upon insertion of a diesel fuel nozzle a filling valve opens. When introducing a gasoline pump nozzle is however, the valve is either not actuated so that the petrol in the front left area of ​​the filler neck or there is such a strong Throttling that the pump cuts out automatically. contain known, the nozzles a mechanism that the valve in the nozzle locks as soon builds up a certain dynamic pressure. This is primarily avoided that there is an overfilling of the tank.

The known filler require relatively large amount of space and are relatively consuming. They are not so-called capless filling systems usable. This is understood as filling systems, the automatic refueling enable. The filler is not more of a particular finished cap, but the nozzle can be inserted readily will. In this context, 2761934 known from FR, on End of a filler neck to provide a closure cap. It opens to the inside and is provided with a gasket in a sealing edge inside the nozzle cooperates. When refueling the flap of the fuel nozzle is pivoted against the force of a spring. The flap has the task To prevent contaminants from entering the tank. Opening the Flap requires relatively much force, the spring must prevent such. B. Splashing under pressure, the valve opens undesirable.

The invention is based on the object, a filler for filling to provide fuel into a vehicle tank and little space Components needed to prevent incorrect fueling, and also suitable to be is used in conjunction with capless and Einfüllsystemen a protection against the ingress of unwanted media in the tank offers.

This object is solved by the features of claims 1 and 2. FIG.

In the invention, an actuator ring is provided, which resiliently yieldable from Material and / or biased by a spring radially inwardly is and is divided over a preferably axially parallel gap. The actuation ring has a conically narrowing insertion. at the solution according to patent claim 1 is of the narrow cross-section of the insertion section is smaller than the cross section of a diesel filler nozzle and greater than or equal the cross section of a petrol pump nozzle. In other words, the diesel fuel nozzle Can not passed readily through the narrow cross-section are what is possible for the Otto fuel nozzle. The actuation ring at points the tank end facing at least one side of the gap a Actuating portion. The actuation ring is cup-shaped preferably in a Housing arranged in a floating, ie it can be laterally delimited move, with the outer diameter of the actuating ring in the relaxed State is smaller than the inner dimensions of the housing. The tank-side End of the operating ring, a locking mechanism is associated with the after is formed to claim 1 so that he introduced into the closed position for a Pump nozzle acts as a stop. Therefore, in the invention a gasoline pump nozzle introduced, this may indeed pass the actuation ring readily however, abuts against the closure mechanism and therefore can not be introduced. This can by the person, which fill up the tank will be readily determined, so that it can correct the error. If the error is not noticed, would opening the fuel nozzle at a cause immediate closure of the valve in the nozzle, as eyes, peep a flow storage is built up due to the shutter mechanism. Of the Closure mechanism must not seal tightly the passage. sufficient Throttling of the fuel flow is sufficient for its function.

If on the other hand according to claim 1 is a diesel fuel nozzle with a larger diameter introduced, this causes an expansion of the actuation ring. In order to be the the gap ends facing the actuating ring apart. This movement can be exploited to the normally closed Shutter mechanism to move to the open position.

The solution of claim 2 is used for the application of the invention to a capless Filler neck. The nozzle is larger in diameter in each case, than the diameter of Engquerschnitts when the closure mechanism should open. The locking mechanism has a movable closure element, the substantially tightly seals the passage Duch.

A transmission which is necessary to control the movement of the actuating portion the actuating ring during insertion of a fuel nozzle into an opening movement the shutter mechanism to translate, can be conceivable in the present invention be simple. A favorable embodiment this is further be explained below. Since the actuation ring is floating, is upon insertion of a nozzle with a smaller outer diameter of the ring not expanded, but leaves the nozzle readily pass. Of the Shutter mechanism then remains in the closed position.

The shutter mechanism is preferably constructed so that the Passage is largely closed to the tank tightly. This affects the invention Filler neck as a protection against dust, debris, Dirty water, etc., when a cap is not provided.

In a particular embodiment of the invention that the conical spaced insertion in the actuating ring of radial circumferentially Ribs or lamellae is formed. prevent the ribs or bars an expansion of the operating ring due to z. B. from splashing negative pressure. The actuating ring may be integrally molded from plastic, the sufficient spring characteristics embodied. Alternatively or additionally, can an annular spring surrounding the actuation ring radially the actuation ring biases inward.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the closing mechanism having a closure flap, with a side arm is connected, which is pivotally mounted about an axis and the approximately parallel to the axis of the cup-shaped housing. The arm has a Slot, into which engages the first engaging portion of the actuating ring, limited while a second operating portion movable in a slightly is arranged larger fixed recess.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the acknowledgment sections Pin, wherein a pin engages in a slot of the closure flap and the other peg into a hole of a bearing component. That the closure flap overlying bearing component can of a bearing disk fixed fixed be formed, which has a through hole for the tank filling, the approximately coaxial with the closure flap in the closed position. The bearing plate further comprises an arcuate slot through which a fixing pin is guided to be engaged in the slot of the Arms of the closure flap.

The inventive construction of a filler neck for fuel is also suitable for capless filler neck, because on the one hand a protection for maloperation there and secondly by the closure flap sufficient Protection is ensured against the penetration of foreign matter, impurities etc. in the tank of the motor vehicle.

In another embodiment of the invention, the closing mechanism a closure flap, about an axis transverse to the axis of the actuating ring is pivotally mounted. It is preferably the actuation ring itself stored, and this includes the area of ​​the gap an operating section on which engages over a radial extension or projection of the closure flap, if this is in the closed position. A spring biases the closure flap in this closed position before. At the opening of the lock mechanism on a Although fuel nozzle has flap also against a spring bias be swung open, the spring preload can be kept very small, however, will. It must suffice the closure flap in the closing position to adjust. Larger forces, as sprayed water pressure, they must not stand, because the flap in the closed position via the actuating portion of the actuating ring is locked.

The invention will now be described with reference to drawings.<dl tsize="8"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>in perspective shows the front part of a filler neck by the invention in a view obliquely from above.</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>shows the exploded view of the filler neck of FIG. 1.</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>3 shows the part of the exploded view of FIG. 2.</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>shows in perspective a part of the filler neck according to the invention with a flap.</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>shows a view similar to Fig. 4, but in addition to the the representation of FIG. 4 attached storage disk. </dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>shows the addition of the portion of FIG. 5 with an actuating ring.</dd><dt>Fig. 7</dt><dd>shows the back of the bearing ring according to Fig. 5 with the closure flap.</dd><dt>Fig. 8</dt><dd>shows in perspective the top view of the actuating ring by Fig. 6 in an enlarged representation with the underlying flap.</dd><dt>Fig. 9</dt><dd>shows the side view of the entire filler neck according to the invention.</dd><dt>Fig. 10</dt><dd>shows in perspective an actuating ring to a further embodiment according to the invention.</dd><dt>Fig. 11.</dt><dd>shows an underside view of the representation according to FIG. 10.</dd><dt>Fig. 12</dt><dd>shows the actuating ring shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in compound with a housing insert.</dd><dt>Fig. 13</dt><dd>shows in perspective an outer cup-shaped housing, which is pushed over the arrangement of FIG. 12.</dd><dt>Fig. 14</dt><dd>shows an underside view of the representation according to FIG. 12.</dd><dt>Fig. 15</dt><dd>shows an underside view of the representation according to FIG. 13.</dd></dl>

In FIGS. 2 and 3 is a cup-shaped housing 10 having an input opening 12 at one end and a lateral projection 14 at the other End. The other end facing the tank, not shown, of an automobile. Below the cup-shaped housing 10, an actuation ring 16 is shown, is divided at the 18th On each side of the gap 18 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 at the bottom of a respective tabs 20 and 22 formed, of approximately projecting radially and at the bottom of a respective pin 24 and 26, having. The pins 24, 26 extend parallel to the axis.

In the interior of the actuating ring a plurality of radial ribs 28 are provided, which are arranged at equal circumferential intervals. The ribs form a Insertion section which narrows from the cap-shaped housing 10 continue. The actuation ring 16 is inserted in the cap-shaped housing 10th In the relaxed state, the external diameter of the actuating ring 16 significantly smaller than the inner diameter of the pot-shaped housing 10th

By means of three screws 30, a bearing ring 32 with a counter-ring 34 screwed, at the same time there is a screw connection with a housing 36, which an unshown capless filling system includes, on the individual will not be discussed. Such a system has previously been illustrated by reference to a French publication. It allows the A dispensing pump by opening a flap on automatic Way by the nozzle opens the shutter and the way releases for the fuel. This part is shown in Fig. 2 to the left of the Group 3. However, it will not be described in detail.

By connecting the disks 32, 34 with the housing 36 are also these Parts fixedly attached to the body of the automobile in an appropriate manner, which is not shown in detail. Between the discs 32, 34 is a Flap 38 is shown. It has an approximately circular closure plate 40, a radial arm 42 and a bearing eye 44. The bearing eye acts with an axially parallel pin 46 on the facing of the flap 38 Side of the support disc 32 together. The bearing plate has a through hole 48 which is approximately aligned axially with the aperture 12 and also is coaxial with an opening 50 in the disc 34th

In the bearing disc 32 an arcuate slot 52 is formed, through which the pin 26 extends. An approximately radial slot 54 takes the second pin 24. The pin 26 engages in a radial elongate Slot 56 of the arm 42nd

In FIG. 4 one recognizes the disc 34, through the housing 36, the Screw connection (not shown) is connectable. In addition, we recognize the Shutter plate 40 that the passage 50 (Fig. 3) closes, wherein the Bearing boss 44 cooperates with an axially parallel pin 58 of the disc 34th The pin 58 is hollow for receiving the pin 46 of the bearing disk 32nd

In Fig. 5 it is shown how the disc 34 and the shutter 38, the Bearing washer 32 is assembled. In Fig. 6 there is shown how the addition Actuating ring 16 is placed on the bearing disc 32nd In contrast to the illustration according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the operating ring 16 no ribs, but sector-shaped fins 28a, which together form a down to the tank forming tapered insertion section. This is somewhat more explicit in Fig. 8. The narrow cross-section is given at age 60. The diameter of the Engquerschnitts is slightly larger than the diameter of the Otto nozzle, however, considerably smaller than the diameter of the diesel fuel pump nozzle. Therefore, when a diesel pump nozzle inserted into the operating ring, he must the actuation ring 16 expand to be further advanced. Thereby increasing the gap 18 and the flaps 20, 22 are moved apart.

In FIG. 7, the tank facing side of the bearing disc 32 is provided with the closure flap 38 shown. One can see how the operating pin 26 is extends through the arcuate slot 52 of the support disc 32 in engagement with the slot 56. The second pin 24 is located in the elongate Slot 54. A moving apart of the pins 24, 26 therefore leads to a Pivoting of the closure flap 38 in a clockwise direction, thereby the through hole 48 of the bearing plate 32 is opened. Thereby, the nozzle be presented towards the tank for operating the filling system, which is located in the housing 36th

As already mentioned, the parts 32, 34 and housing 36 are connected via the screws 30 are screwed together. The attachment of the housing 36 to the body is not shown in detail. The attachment of the cup-shaped housing 10, which the operating ring 16 takes on the bearing plate 32, is not shown. Here can also be a screw fastening, adhesive bonding or like are made.

As the actuation ring 16, can also the other parts of the illustrated be filler made of a suitable plastic material.

If an arrangement under Part 3 in FIG. 2 without the other system used making it a filler neck with cap (not shown), of a Protection for diesel engines by misfuelling with petrol forms. Becomes other hand, uses the complete system of Fig. 2, a capless filler neck accomplished without protection against misfuelling required , z. B. when it is used for gasoline engines.

In FIGS. 10 to 15 is another embodiment of a filler neck for the filling of diesel fuel represented. In FIGS. 10 and 11 is a Actuating ring 60 can be seen, which is constructed similarly to the actuation ring 16 according to the preceding figures. It comprises a row on the inside of spaced through a slit fins 62 that. a in Fig 11 from top to bottom tapered entrance section for a not shown make fuel gun. The actuation ring 60 is parallel to the axis by a Gap 64 is divided, and on each side of the gap 64, the ring parallel to the axis Lugs 66, 68 which have opposed incisions. is shown in FIG. 10 an incision with 70 designated.

On the gap 64 opposite side, the actuation ring 60 two spaced circumferentially spaced support bosses 72, 74th A closure flap 76 is provided with a forked radial extension 76, the mounted by means of a bearing pin 80 in the bearing projections 72, 74 pivotally is. Within the bifurcated approach 78 is a coil spring 82 with an extended leg 84 at one end, against the upper side of the the flap 76 abuts. Thereby, the shutter 76 in the Closed position biased.

Opposite the bifurcated approach 78 is a radial projection 86 on the Shutter 76 formed. He engages laterally in the opposite notches 70 of the lugs 66, 68. This is the flap 76 in the in Fig. 10 shown closed position locked.

In Fig. 12, a conical ring body or insert 90 is shown, which in itself Figure 12 extends from top to bottom.. The actuation ring 60 is on the to upwardly facing end face 92 set. At the opposite end, the conical insert 90 has two radial flanges 94, 96. In addition, the conical points Insert 90 on its outer side at intervals locking lugs 98 on. In Fig. 13 a cup-shaped housing 100 is shown having a lower conical Housing portion 102 and a top to it subsequent cylindrical Housing portion 104 has. The housing part 104 is provided with a bottom 106, the one opening 108, through which the actuating ring 60 can be seen with shutter 76th The cup-shaped housing 100 is provided on the outside in circumferential intervals with reinforcing ribs 110 and at the bottom End with two diametrically opposed flanges 112, 114 at in Fig. 13 lower end formed. In conical housing part 102 also are locking apertures 112 to detect.

The actuation ring 60 is from the inside against the bottom 106 of the housing 100 provided, as can be seen in Fig. 14, wherein between the outside of the ring 60 and the inside of the housing part 104 is square, so that the actuating ring limited free to move laterally within the housing part 104th During assembly, then, the conical insert 90 into the housing 100 used, the external dimensions of the conical insert 90 approximately the internal dimensions of the housing part 102 and correspond to the locking tabs 98 engage the locking apertures 112, as shown in Fig. is shown thirteenth As can be seen in Fig. 15, 96 engage the flanges 94 of the conical insert 90 in the gaps of the flanges 112, 114 approximately fittingly a, so that a complete circuit is formed. The insert 90 is thus in the housing 100 fixed and secures its part axially the actuation ring 60 in the housing 100. The actuation ring, as mentioned, however, to move radially limited.

If a gasoline pump nozzle in the arrangement according to FIGS. 13 and 15 introduced the blades 62 remain without radial impingement. The closure flap 76 therefore remains in the closed position shown in the figures, and the operator, it is not possible to further introduce the fuel nozzle. Becomes however, introduced the larger-diameter diesel fuel nozzle, the actuating ring 60 is expanded, namely so far that the in the figures illustrated closed position of the closure flap 76 can be left, by the closure flap 76 is pivoted by means of the fuel nozzle. Now can begin the filling operation. If the nozzle is pulled back, passes the flap instantly shown in the figures in the Closed position back, and the actuation ring 60 contracts again, the closure flap 76 to lock back into the locking position.