U.S. patent application number 09/949037 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-21 for fuel feeding apparatus.
Invention is credited to Goto, Hisatsugu, Hori, Tomokazu, Miura, Natsushi.
Application Number | 20020033201 09/949037 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18769623 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020033201 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miura, Natsushi ; et
al. |
March 21, 2002 |
Fuel feeding apparatus
Abstract
An inlet filler pipe comprises a pipe main body 41 having a fuel
passage 40b for fueling fuel through an inlet 40a into a fuel tank,
and a flange 42 formed on the pipe main body 41, for attachment to
an outer wheel housing 30. A reinforcing element 70 comprising a
plurality of first ribs 72a and second ribs 74a arranged so as to
surround the pipe main body 41 is formed on the flange 42. The
portion along the outer periphery of the pipe main body 41 between
first ribs 72a and second ribs 74a serves as a fragile portion 76,
ensuring breaks at a load over a predetermined level.
Inventors: |
Miura, Natsushi; (Aichi-ken,
JP) ; Goto, Hisatsugu; (Aichi-ken, JP) ; Hori,
Tomokazu; (Aichi-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP LLP
1600 TYSONS BOULEVARD
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
18769623 |
Appl. No.: |
09/949037 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/390 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 15/05 20130101;
B60K 2015/03453 20130101; B60K 15/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/390 |
International
Class: |
B67C 003/00; B65B
003/00; B65B 001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 20, 2000 |
JP |
2000-285576 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fuel feeding apparatus configured to be attached to an
attachment member of a vehicle, for leading a supply of fuel to a
fuel tank, the fuel feeding apparatus comprising: an inlet filler
pipe including a pipe main body and a pipe attachment, the pipe
main body having an inlet and a fuel passage for leading fuel from
the inlet to the fuel tank, the pipe attachment secured to the pipe
main body for attaching the pipe main body to the attachment
member; wherein the pipe attachment comprises a reinforcing element
with a plurality of ribs surrounding the pipe main body, and a
fragile portion formed around the pipe main body proximate ends of
the plurality of the ribs.
2. The fuel feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
ribs are disposed radially and centered on an axis of the pipe main
body.
3. The fuel feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
ribs are disposed in horizontal symmetry in relation to an axis of
the pipe main body.
4. The fuel feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
pipe attachment has a first surface and a second surface, and the
reinforcing element comprises a first rib group including first
ribs disposed on the first surface, and a second rib group
including second ribs disposed on the second surface, the fragile
portion formed in a circular shape between the first ribs and
second ribs.
5. The fuel feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
reinforcing element further comprises reinforcing plates
sandwiching the plurality of ribs with hollow portions between the
ribs.
6. The fuel feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part
of the pipe attachment is formed thinner toward the fragile
portion.
7. The fuel feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
fragile portion is constructed and arranged to be a portion where
the pipe attachment curves around the pipe main body, the fragile
portion receiving a maximum moment when an external force is
applied to the attachment member.
8. The fuel feeding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
pipe attachment has a first surface and a second surface, and the
reinforcing element comprises a first rib group including first
ribs disposed on the first surface, and a second rib group
including second ribs disposed on the second surface, the fragile
portion formed in a circular shape between the first ribs and
second ribs.
9. The fuel feeding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a part
of the pipe attachment is formed thinner toward the fragile
portion.
10. The fuel feeding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
fragile portion is constructed and arranged to be a portion where
the pipe attachment curves around the pipe main body, the fragile
portion receiving a maximum moment when an external force is
applied to the attachment member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority from
Japanese Application No. 2000-285576 filed Sep. 20, 2000, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a fuel feeding apparatus
for fueling a fuel tank, and in particular relates to a mechanism
which is configured to be broken by external force.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Vehicle fuel dispensing inlet mechanism of this kind are
known in the art, being described in JP 58-67521A. FIG. 11 is an
illustration of the structure. The fuel dispensing inlet mechanism
comprises a filler base 104 attached to the vehicle's outer panel
(attachment member of the vehicle) around the fueling inlet 100,
and a fuel dispensing tube 108 (pipe main body), which is
integrally formed with the bottom of the filler base 104 and leads
fuel into the fuel tank. A V-shaped groove 104a disposed along an
outer periphery of the fuel dispensing tube 108 is formed at a
bottom of the filler base 104. The groove 104a is an easy-break
portion where the fuel dispensing tube 108 is separated from the
filler base 104 when a load beyond a predetermined level is applied
to the filler base 104 due to loads such as from vehicle
collisions.
[0006] However, even though the structure is broken at the groove
104a in the conventional art, the breaking load varies considerably
depending on the depth of the groove 104a or slight variations in
the shape. It is thus essential to strictly control differences in
the shape, dimensions, and the like of the groove 104a in order to
ensure breaks beyond a predetermined load.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a fuel
feeding apparatus which ensures that a pipe main body is configured
to be separated from an attachment member of a vehicle by loads
beyond a predetermined level such as in collisions.
[0008] In order to attain at least part of the above and other
related objects of the present invention, there is provided a fuel
feeding apparatus configured to be attached to an attachment member
on the side of a vehicle in order to introduce fuel into a fuel
tank. The fuel feeding apparatus for a fuel tank comprises an inlet
filler pipe including a pipe main body having an inlet and a fuel
passage for fueling through the inlet into the fuel tank, and a
pipe attachment secured to the pipe main body, for attachment to an
vehicle attachment member. The pipe attachment comprises a
reinforcing element with a plurality of ribs arranged so as to
surround the pipe main body. The pipe attachment comprises a
fragile portion around the pipe main body proximate ends of the
plurality of ribs.
[0009] When load over a predetermined level results in the
separation of the pipe attachment from the vehicle attachment
member in rear-end collisions, the fragile portion breaks before
the inlet filler pipe part breaks, thereby disengaging the vehicle
attachment member and the pipe main body. That is, the fragile
portion is formed along ends of the plurality of ribs disposed so
as to surround the pipe main body, so that the significant
difference in mechanical strength from portions without ribs
ensures easier breakage at the fragile portion. External force
exerted on the pipe main body can thus be moderated, even when
substantial external force is exerted on the vehicle attachment
member.
[0010] In preferred embodiments of the invention, various
configurations can be adopted in consideration of the mechanical
strength or the method for forming the pipe attachment, such as
configurations in which the ribs are disposed radially centered
around an axis of the pipe main body or are disposed in horizontal
symmetry centered around the axis of the pipe main body.
[0011] A preferred embodiments of the reinforcing element will
comprise a first rib group comprising first ribs disposed on a
first surface and a second rib group comprising second ribs
disposed on a second surface, the fragile portion being disposed
along the circled portion between the first and second ribs.
[0012] Various structures can be adopted as means for ensuring
breakage at a predetermined load at the fragile portion. That is,
the reinforcing element can be formed in such a way that the
reinforcing element comprises reinforcing plates, the reinforcing
plates sandwiching the ribs with hollow portions between the ribs
each other. This can increase the difference in mechanical strength
between the fragile portion and the rest of the pipe attachment,
and can reduce the weight of the apparatus.
[0013] The pipe attachment can also be formed thinner toward the
fragile portion.
[0014] Other preferred embodiments of the fragile portion is
constructed and arranged to be a portion where the pipe attachment
curves around the pipe main body, the portion receiving the maximum
moment when the external force is applied to the attachment
member.
[0015] These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages
of the present invention will become more apparent from the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating a fueling
mechanism for dispensing fuel into a fuel tank of a vehicle;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a vicinity
around a flange of an inlet filler pipe;
[0018] FIG. 3 is view of the flange as seen from below;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating a fuel feeding
apparatus in a second embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a view of the flange of the inlet filler pipe in
FIG. 4 as seen from above;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a semi-cross sectional view illustrating a fuel
feeding apparatus in a third embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 7 is view of the flange of an inlet filler pipe in FIG.
6 as seen from below;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating a fuel feeding
apparatus in a fourth embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating a fuel feeding
apparatus in a fifth embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a view of the flange of the inlet filler pipe;
and
[0026] FIG. 11 is an illustration of the structure of a fuel
dispensing inlet in conventional art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating a fueling
mechanism FS for dispensing fuel into a fuel tank of a vehicle. The
fueling mechanism FS is connected to the fuel tank from a fueling
component FI attached to an outer wheel housing 30 (vehicle
attachment member) and outer side member 20 forming an outer panel
of the vehicle. The fueling mechanism FS comprises a fuel cap FC,
an inlet filler pipe 40, and a seal cap 50. A fuel port 22 opened
and closed by a fueling lid 21 is formed in the outer side member
20. The seal cap 50 seals the area around the fuel cap FC in a
space between the outer side member 20 and the outer wheel housing
30.
[0028] In the fueling mechanism FS, when the fueling lid 21 and
fuel cap FC are opened and the fuel is dispensed from the fueling
gun (not shown) into the inlet filler pipe 40, the fuel is fed
through the inlet filler pipe 40 into the fuel tank.
[0029] The structure of the various parts of the fueling mechanism
FS are described below. The inlet filler pipe 40 comprises a pipe
main body 41 and a flange 42 (pipe attachment) integrally formed
around the pipe main body 41, the flange 42 and pipe main body 41
being made of fuel resistant resin material. The pipe main body 41
has a dispensing inlet 40a disposed inside the fueling port 22, and
a fuel passage 40b for dispensing fuel through the dispensing inlet
40a into the fuel tank. The flange 42 extends from the an outer
wall of the pipe main body 41 to shape a disk, and is attached to
an opening 32 of the outer wheel housing 30 with one end of the
seal cap 50 interposed therebetween.
[0030] Three elastically engageable catches 42a are formed at an
interval on a circumference of the flange 42. The catches 42a are
pressed into attachment holes 30a in the outer wheel house 30 to
secure the flange 42 to the outer wheel housing 30 and to secure
the bottom 51 of the seal cap 50.
[0031] A connector 60 is mounted on an upper inside wall of the
inlet filler pipe 40. The connector 60 is metal and cylindrical
member for detachably mounting the fuel cap FC. Threading 62 for
stopping the fuel cap FC is formed on an inner wall of the
connector 60. A positioning projector 63 for positioning the
fueling gun inserted during fueling is formed at a bottom of the
connector 60.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a vicinity of
the flange 42 of the inlet filler pipe 40, and FIG. 3 is a view of
the flange 42 as seen from below. In FIGS. 2 and 3, a reinforcing
element 70 is formed on an external and internal surfaces of the
flange 42. The reinforcing element 70 comprises a first rib group
72 including first ribs 72a disposed on the external surface which
is the fuel port 22 side of the flange 42, and a second rib group
74 including second ribs 74a disposed on the internal surface which
is the fuel tank side of the flange 42. The first ribs 72a are
arranged to be centered around an axis of the pipe main body 41,
the inner peripheral ends of the firs ribs 72a being disposed on
circle at a predetermined distance from the outer periphery of the
pipe main body 41. The second ribs 74a, which are disposed radially
and centered around the axis of the pipe main body 41, are disposed
on the inner peripheral side from the first ribs 72a. The outer
peripheral ends of the second ribs 74a are disposed
circumferentially in alignment with the inner peripheral ends of
the first ribs 72a. A fragile portion 76 is formed between the
inside ends of the first ribs 72a and the outside ends of the
second ribs 74a. The fragile portion 76 is formed between the
mechanically reinforced first rib group 72 and second rib group 74,
serving as the easy-break portion.
[0033] When a load over a predetermined level causes the outer
wheel housing 30 and the flange 42 to separate by a vehicle
collisions, the fragile portion 76 breaks before the inlet filler
pipe 40 breaks, disengaging the outer wheel housing 30 and pipe
main body 41. That is, the reinforcing element 70 is formed in such
a way that the inner peripheral ends of the plurality of first ribs
72a and the external peripheral ends of the second ribs 74a
surround the pipe main body 41, so the fragile portion 76 will be
certain to break more easily because of the substantial difference
in mechanical strength relative to the reinforcing element 70.
External force exerted on the inlet filler pipe 40 can thus be
moderated, even when substantial external force is exerted on the
outer wheel housing 30.
[0034] Because the reinforcing element 70 is formed with the first
ribs 72a and second ribs 74a protruding from the surface of the
flange 42, it is easier to control the intersecting dimensions and
the shape of the ribs with fewer changes in breaking load than when
a V-shaped groove is formed in the flange, as described in the
prior art.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating a fuel feeding
apparatus in a second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a view of a flange
42B of an inlet filler pipe 40B as seen from above. A reinforcing
element 70B in the second embodiment is characterized in that ribs
72Ba are disposed in parallel horizontal symmetry centered on the
external surface of the flange 42B. That is, a rib group 72B
comprising the disposal of a plurality of ribs 72Ba is formed on
the outer peripheral side of a pipe main body 41B, being the upper
surface of the flange 42B. The ribs 72Ba are disposes in parallel
horizontal symmetry centered around the axis of symmetry L1 in FIG.
5. A fragile portion 76B is formed along the outer peripheral end
of the reinforcing element 70B. The fragile portion 76B is
mechanically weaker than the reinforcing element 70B, and the
concentration of stress can cause the fragile portion 76B to be
broken at a load over a predetermined level.
[0036] Since the ribs 72Ba are formed in horizontal symmetry
centered around the axis of symmetry L1, parts of the mold can be
left out in the direction of the arrow to make a simpler shape when
the inlet filler pipe 40B is formed by injection molding.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a semi-cross sectional view illustrating a fuel
feeding apparatus in a third embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a view of a
flange 42C of an inlet filler pipe 40C as seen from above. A
reinforcing element 70C in the third embodiment is characterized by
a difference in mechanical strength relative to a fragile portion
76C. That is, the reinforcing element 70C is formed on the outer
periphery of the flange 42C, and the fragile portion 76C is formed
along the inner peripheral edge of the reinforcing element 70C. The
reinforcing element 70C is constructed so that ribs 72Ca is
connected in parallel by a lower plate 71Ca and an upper plate
71Cb. Vacancies 73Ca are formed between the ribs 72Ca to reduce the
weight of the reinforcing element 70C.
[0038] In the third embodiment, the mold shape can be simplified in
the same manner as in the second embodiment by leaving out the part
of the molds in the vertical direction in FIG. 7, and the
difference in mechanical strength between the reinforcing element
70C and flange 42C can be increased to ensure more reliable
breakage.
[0039] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating a fuel feeding
apparatus in a fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment is
characterized in that a flange 42D formed on the outer periphery of
an inlet filler pipe 40D is thinner along a fragile portion 76D.
That is, ribs 72Da forming a reinforcing element 70D protrude on
the inner periphery side of the inner surface of the flange 42D.
The fragile portion 76D is formed along the outer peripheral end of
the ribs 72Da. The flange 42D is also formed thinner toward the
fragile portion 76D.
[0040] In the fourth embodiment, the fragile portion 76D is thin,
and the mechanical strength on the outer peripheral side of the
flange 42D is higher, allowing stress to be more readily
concentrated and ensuring a more reliable break.
[0041] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating a fifth
embodiment of the fuel fueling apparatus, and FIG. 10 is a view of
a flange 42E of an inlet filler pipe 40E as seen from below. The
flange 42E in the fifth embodiment is characterized by being in
funnel-shaped. That is, the flange 42E is in the form of a funnel
that is concave toward the fuel tank, and a reinforcing element 70E
including ribs 72Ea is formed on the lower surface of the flange
42E. A fragile portion 76E is formed on the bottom of the flange
42E, being the inner peripheral end of the ribs 72Ea.
[0042] When the fifth embodiment is subject to external force from
the outer wheel housing, maximum moment is applied to the bottom of
the flange 42E, and stress is concentrated on the fragile portion
76E, which has low mechanical strength, thus ensuring a reliable
break.
[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above
embodiments, and is capable of various other modifications within
the scope of the invention. Examples are given below.
[0044] (1) The reinforcing element formed on the flange 42 may be
formed on both sides of the flange, but may also be formed on only
one side such that the fragile portion is suitably formed. The ribs
may be formed protruding at the same width, but the width of the
ribs may be increases toward the fragile portion to increase
differences in mechanical strength.
[0045] (2) As means for attaching the inlet filler pipe to the
vehicle attachment member, tightening means such as bolts may be
used instead of the catches integrally formed with the flange as
described above.
[0046] The scope and spirit of the present invention are limited
only by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *