阅读说明：本技术 用于燃料箱、特别是交通工具的燃料箱的填注头 (Filling head for a fuel tank, in particular for a vehicle ) 是由 克里斯托弗·勒廷尼尔 让-菲利普·巴尔 于 2018-05-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：燃料箱的填注头(12),特别是交通工具燃料箱的填注头,所述填注头包括管状套管(16),所述管状套管的第一纵向端部(16a)界定填注开口,并且所述管状套管的第二纵向端部(16b)打算被固定到燃料管(14)的一个端部(14a),所述填注头还包括环(18),所述环安装在套管中并且包括填注喷嘴的通道孔口,其特征在于,所述套管由HDPE制成并且所述套管的第二端部打算通过焊接而被固定到所述燃料管的所述端部,并且环形密封装置(36)在靠近所述第二端部的位置被安装在所述环和所述套管之间。(Filling head (12) of a fuel tank, in particular of a vehicle fuel tank, comprising a tubular sleeve (16) whose first longitudinal end (16a) delimits a filling opening and whose second longitudinal end (16b) is intended to be fixed to one end (14a) of a fuel pipe (14), a ring (18) which is mounted in the sleeve and comprises a passage orifice of a filling nozzle, characterized in that the sleeve is made of HDPE and the second end of the sleeve is intended to be fixed to the end of the fuel pipe by welding, and an annular sealing device (36) is mounted between the ring and the sleeve in a position close to the second end.)

1. Filling head (12,112) of a fuel tank, in particular of a vehicle fuel tank, comprising a tubular sleeve (16,116) whose first longitudinal end (16a,116a) delimits a filling opening and whose second longitudinal end (16b,116b) is intended to be fixed to one end (14a,114a) of a fuel pipe (14,114), a ring (18,118) mounted in the sleeve and comprising a passage orifice of a filling nozzle, characterized in that the sleeve is made of HDPE and the second end of the sleeve is intended to be fixed to the end of the fuel pipe by welding, and in that an annular sealing means (36,136) is mounted between the ring and the sleeve in a position close to the second end.

2. The filling head (12,112) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sealing means comprise at least one annular sealing gasket (36,136), such as an O-ring.

3. The filling head (12,112) according to the preceding claim, wherein the annular seal (36,136) is housed in an external annular groove of the ring (18,118) and is pressed against a cylindrical inner surface of the sleeve (16, 116).

4. The filling head (12,112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second end (16b,116b) of the sleeve (16,116) has an extra thickness (24,142).

5. The filling head (12,112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional thickness (24) extends from the second end (16b,116b) along the axis (A) of the sleeve (16,116) beyond the sealing means (36, 136).

6. The filling head (12,112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second end (16b,116b) comprises a rim (22,122) or a cylindrical bearing surface with a diameter D2 for welding, the rim or cylindrical bearing surface with a diameter D2 being connected to the cylindrical wall of the sleeve with a diameter D1, D2 being larger than D1.

7. The filling head (12,112) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sealing means (36,136) cooperate with a cylindrical inner surface of the cylindrical wall or of the cylindrical rim (22, 122).

8. The fill head (12,112) of claim 6 or 7 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the additional thickness (124,142) extends into the cylindrical rim (22,122) and a portion of the cylindrical wall.

9. Filling head (12,112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means (36,136) are located at a distance from a plane (P1) passing through the free welding edge of the second end, said distance being measured along the axis (A) of the sleeve, said distance corresponding to 0.01-D to 0.3-D, preferably 0.05-D to 0.2-D, more preferably 0.1-D to 0.15-D, said D being the internal diameter of the sleeve (16, 116).

10. Filling head (12,112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means (36,136) have an average diameter D, which is between 0.5-D and 1-D, preferably between 0.7-D and 0.9-D, more preferably between 0.75-D and 0.85-D, said D being the inner diameter of the sleeve (16, 116).

11. The filling head (12) according to the preceding claim, wherein the additional thickness (24) defines an annular step (26) on an annular outer surface of the cylindrical wall.

12. Assembly comprising a filling head (12,112) according to one of the preceding claims and a fuel pipe (14,114) made of HDPE and having an end portion (14a,114a), the end portion (14a,114a) being fixed to the second end portion (16b,116b) of the sleeve (16,116) of the filling head by welding.

13. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the sealing means (36,136) are located at a distance (L1) from a joining plane (P1), the join being formed by welding, the distance being measured along the axis (a) of the bushing, the distance corresponding to 0.01-D to 0.3-D, preferably 0.05-D to 0.2-D, more preferably 0.1-D to 0.15-D, the D being the internal diameter of the bushing (16,116) and/or of the duct (14, 114).

14. Assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the sealing means (36,136) has an average diameter D of between 0.5-D and 1-D, preferably between 0.7-D and 0.9-D, more preferably between 0.75-D and 0.85-D, said D being the internal diameter of the casing (16,116) and/or of the duct (14, 114).

15. Assembly according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the ring (18,118) and/or the sleeve (16,116) is at least partially surrounded by the end of the pipe (14, 114).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a filling head for a fuel tank, in particular of a vehicle, and to an assembly comprising such a filling head and a fuel pipe.

Background

Automotive vehicles are conventionally equipped with a fuel tank to supply fuel to their combustion engine. Filling of the fuel tank is performed at the service station by inserting the nozzle into a filling head which is connected to the fuel tank by means of a fuel pipe. The fill head is typically accessible by opening an access flap of the vehicle and may be fitted with a cover or not.

The filling head generally comprises a tubular sleeve, a first longitudinal end of which delimits the filling opening, and a second longitudinal end of which is intended to be fixed to one end of the fuel pipe. The ring is mounted in the sleeve and may include a flip that is movable between a closed position and an open position. The movement towards the open position is achieved by inserting a nozzle and the return to the closed position is typically achieved by a reset means.

It is known to make fuel pipes from HDPE (high density polyethylene) which is an inexpensive plastic. However, this material has a relatively high permeability for fuel. In order to prevent migration of fuel through the material of the tube, it is known to provide a barrier layer on its inner surface.

Another advantage of HDPE is that it is easily weldable, with a melting point around 130-.

To facilitate assembly and reduce the cost of such a fill head, it is envisaged that the sleeve of the fill head is also made of HDPE so that it can be welded directly to the HDPE pipe. However, unlike a pipe, coating a barrier layer inside the sleeve to prevent migration of fuel through the material of the sleeve can be overly complicated and expensive.

The present invention provides an improvement to this technology.

Disclosure of Invention

To this end, the invention proposes a filling head for a fuel tank, in particular for a vehicle fuel tank, comprising a tubular sleeve, a first longitudinal end of which delimits a filling opening and a second longitudinal end of which is intended to be fixed to one end of a fuel pipe, the filling head further comprising a ring which is mounted in the sleeve and comprises a passage orifice of a filling nozzle, characterized in that the sleeve is made of HDPE and a second end of which is intended to be fixed to the end of the fuel pipe by welding, and in that an annular sealing device is mounted between the ring and the sleeve at a position close to the second end.

In this application HDPE means HDPE 300 or higher, which means HDPE having a molar mass of 300g/mol-1 or higher.

The invention therefore proposes to bring the sealing means as close as possible to the second end of the sleeve, which is welded to the pipe. Fuel migration is therefore liable to occur and the portion of the sleeve extending between the second end of the sleeve and the sealing means is as small as possible. The risk of such migration and leakage of fuel is thus significantly reduced.

The filling head according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, considered independently of each other or in combination with each other:

said sealing means comprise at least one annular sealing gasket, for example an O-ring,

the annular seal is housed in an external annular groove of the ring and pressed against the cylindrical inner surface of the sleeve,

the second end of the sleeve has an additional thickness,

the additional thickness extends from the second end along the axis of the sleeve beyond the sealing device,

the second end includes a rim or cylindrical bearing surface having a diameter D1 for welding, the rim or cylindrical bearing surface having a diameter D1 is connected to the cylindrical wall of the sleeve having a diameter D2, D2 is greater than D1,

said sealing means cooperating with a cylindrical inner surface of said cylindrical wall or of said cylindrical rim,

the additional thickness extends into the cylindrical rim and a portion of the cylindrical wall,

said sealing means being located at a distance from a plane passing through the free welding edge of said second end, measured along the axis of said sleeve, said distance corresponding to 0.01-0.3-D, preferably 0.05-0.2-D, more preferably 0.1-0.15-D, said D being the internal diameter of said sleeve,

said sealing means having an average diameter D between 0.5-D and 1-D, preferably between 0.7-D and 0.9-D, more preferably between 0.75-D and 0.85-D, said D being the internal diameter of said casing,

the additional thickness defines an annular step on an annular outer surface of the cylindrical wall,

the ring (and/or the sleeve) comprises at least one valve and/or centering means and/or error-proofing means configured to cooperate with the filling nozzle.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a filling head as described herein above and a fuel pipe made of HDPE and having an end fixed by welding to the second end of the sleeve of the filling head.

The assembly according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, considered independently of each other or in combination with each other:

the sealing means being located at a distance from the plane of the joint formed by welding, said distance being measured along the axis of the sleeve, said distance corresponding to 0.01-D to 0.3-D, preferably 0.05-D to 0.2-D, more preferably 0.1-D to 0.15-D, said D being the internal diameter of the sleeve and/or of the pipe,

said sealing means having an average diameter D between 0.5-D and 1-D, preferably between 0.7-D and 0.9-D, more preferably between 0.75-D and 0.85-D, said D being the internal diameter of said sleeve and/or of said pipe,

the ring and/or the sleeve are at least partially surrounded by the end of the pipe.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood and further details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of an assembly including a fill head and a fuel tube according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view in axial cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a larger scale view of a detail of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of an assembly according to the present disclosure, including a fill head and a fuel tube;

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic view in axial cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 4; and

fig. 6 is a larger scale view of a detail of fig. 5.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an assembly 10 according to the present disclosure, which includes a fill head 12 and a fuel tube 14. As mentioned above, this assembly 10 is designed to be fitted to a vehicle, the fill head 12 is typically accessed via the flip of the vehicle, and the fuel pipe 14 connects the fill head 12 to the fuel tank of the vehicle.

The vehicle fuel tank is filled by means of a filling nozzle which is inserted into a filling head 12, said filling head 12 essentially comprising two parts, namely a tubular sleeve 16 and a ring 18 mounted in this sleeve 16 (fig. 2).

The fuel pipe 14 has a generally tubular shape and has one end 14a, in this example an upper end, which is intended to be fixed to the fuel pipe 14 by welding, for example with a heated mirror. This end 14a of the pipe has an internal diameter denoted D3. The wall of which has a thickness indicated with E3 at this end 14a and is made of HDPE (fig. 3).

Furthermore, the cylindrical inner surface of the pipe 14 is covered with a fuel-impermeable barrier layer and thus avoids fuel migration through the wall of the pipe 14, although this is not visible in the drawings.

In the embodiment of fig. 1 to 3, the filling head 12 is of the capless type.

The sleeve 16 has a generally tubular shape and is made of HDPE. The sleeve is made as a single piece. The bushing includes: a first longitudinal end 16a, in this example an upper end, which delimits a filling opening 20; and a second longitudinal end 16b, in this example a lower end, intended to be fixed to the end 14a of the pipe 14.

The sleeve 16, over most of its length, has an inner diameter, indicated at D1, and a wall thickness, indicated at E1. The sleeve 16 comprises a cylindrical rim 22 at its lower end 16b connected to the pipe 14. This cylindrical rim has an inner diameter indicated at D2 and a wall thickness E2. As can be seen in the figures, the diameter D2 is greater than the diameter D1 and here also substantially equal to the diameter D3. The thickness E2 is 150% to 300% of the thickness E1. The thickness E2 is, for example, about 5 mm. Thickness E2 may be greater than thickness E3.

Because E2 is greater than E1, sleeve 16 includes additional thickness 24 (which is radial with respect to axis a of the sleeve or its opening). This additional thickness 24 extends axially from the free edge (when the filling head has not been welded to the pipe) or the welding edge of the end 16b of the sleeve 16 over its entire rim 22 and over the rest of the sleeve. The axial distance between plane P1 and plane P2 is denoted L1, said plane P1 passing through the free or welded edge of end 16b, being the joining plane between the sleeve and the pipe when they are welded together, said plane P2 passing through the plane of the upper end of the additional thickness 24. The planes P1 and P2 are substantially perpendicular to the axis a and thus substantially parallel to each other.

Here, the upper end of the extra thickness 24 forms an annular step 26 on the cylindrical outer surface of the sleeve 16.

The ring 18 has a generally cylindrical shape and is mounted coaxially in the sleeve 16. Here, the ring 18 extends along the axis a substantially over the entire length of the sleeve 16. At its radially outer end, the ring comprises an annular support flange 30 which abuts against the free edge of the end 16a of the sleeve. An annular cover 32 is attached and secured to this end 16a to fixedly retain the ring 18 in the sleeve 16.

The ring 18 may comprise centering means intended to cooperate with the filling nozzle and error-proofing means. The error proofing means may be implemented to prevent filling of the fuel tank with a diesel nozzle when the fuel tank contains gasoline and vice versa, thereby preventing filling of the fuel tank with a gasoline nozzle when the fuel tank contains diesel.

The ring 18 comprises at least one flip 28, and here two flips. Each flip is movable between a closed position and an open position. The movement to the open position is caused by the insertion of the nozzle and the return to the closed position is usually caused by a return means, such as a spring.

The ring 18 is sealingly mounted inside the sleeve 16. In the example shown, the sealing means is mounted between the ring 18 and the sleeve 16.

At its outer periphery, the ring comprises an outer annular groove housing annular seals 34,36, said annular seals 34,36 cooperating with the sleeve 16, more particularly with the cylindrical inner surface of the sleeve having a diameter D1.

An upper seal 34 is mounted between the ring 18 and the end 16a of the sleeve. Another lower seal 36 is mounted between the ring and the end 16b of the sleeve.

In this example, the seals 34,36 are O-ring seals made of, for example, FKM (fluoro-elastomer).

The ring 18 may be made of POM (polyoxymethylene).

A plane through the seal 36 and substantially perpendicular to the axis a is indicated at P3.

As can be seen in the figures, the seal 36 mates with the extra thickness 24 of the sleeve 16 and is therefore located immediately adjacent to the edge thereof that is welded to the pipe 14.

The axial distance between the planes P1 and P3 (and/or P1 and P2) corresponds to 0.01-0.3-D, preferably 0.05-0.2-D, more preferably 0.1-0.15-D.

The seal 36 preferably has an average diameter D of between 0.5-D and 1-D, preferably between 0.7-D and 0.9-D, more preferably between 0.75-D and 0.85-D.

The closest distance h between the seal 36 and the welding edge is between 0.05D and 0.5D, preferably between 0.1D and 0.3D, more preferably between 0.15D and 0.25D.

D is the inner diameter of the cannula 16 and specifically D1. Instead, D is the inner diameter of the pipe 14 and is, for example, D3.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous in that the seal 36 is very close to the welded edge of the sleeve and the HDPE wall, and the wall dimension (length) through which fuel may migrate is small. The extra thickness of the wall may limit or even eliminate any fuel leakage (arrow 38) due to this migration.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an assembly 110 according to the present disclosure including a fill head 112 and a fuel tube 114.

The description of the above exemplary embodiment is applicable to this other exemplary embodiment to the extent not inconsistent with the following.

The fill head 112 basically includes two parts, a tubular sleeve 116 and a ring 118 that fits within the sleeve 116 (FIG. 5). The fill head 112 is also provided with a cover 119, such as a quarter-turn type cover.

The fuel tube 114 is similar to the fuel tubes described above.

The sleeve 116 has a generally tubular shape and is made of HDPE. The sleeve is made in one piece. The bushing includes: a first longitudinal end 116a, here an upper end, which delimits the filling opening 120 and is intended to be fixed to the end 114a of the fuel pipe 14; and a second longitudinal end 116b, here a lower end, which is housed inside the duct 114.

Here, the sleeve 116 comprises several portions placed one above the other along the axis a, respectively: a tubular lower portion 116a, a tubular upper portion 116c of larger diameter, and an intermediate portion 116b having a generally frustoconical shape widening upward from the bottom.

The lower section lower portion 116a has an inner diameter indicated at D11 and a wall thickness indicated at E11. The upper portion 116c has an inner diameter, indicated at D13, and a wall thickness, indicated at E13. The intermediate portion 116b has a wall thickness indicated as E12. The wall thicknesses E11, E12 and E13 are similar here.

At its upper end 16a for connection with the pipe 114, the sleeve 116 comprises a cylindrical rim 122. The cylindrical rim 122 has an inner diameter indicated at D2 and a wall thickness E2.

Rim 122 extends partially around intermediate portion 116b or even an upper portion and is connected to intermediate portion 116b by a radial wall 123, which radial wall 123 has a thickness, here an axial thickness, indicated as E4.

The rim 122 is spaced radially with respect to the portions 116b,116c and delimits an annular space 140 around the portions 116b,116c, in which a lower portion of the ring 118 is housed. This space 140 is delimited radially on the outside by the inner cylindrical inner surface of the rim 122 and on the inside by the cylindrical outer surface of the upper part, which extends downwards by means of an annular additional thickness 142 at a section of the intermediate part 116 b.

The rim 122 has an inner diameter, indicated at D2, and a wall thickness, indicated at E2.

As can be seen in the figures, the diameter D2 is greater than the diameters D11, D12 and D13, and here is also substantially equal to the diameter D3. The thickness E2 and/or the thickness E4 corresponds to 150% to 300% of the thickness E11, E12 or E13. The thickness E2 and/or E4 is, for example, about 5 mm. Thickness E2 and/or E4 may be greater than thickness E3.

E2 and/or E4 is larger than E11, E12 or E13, which means that the sleeve 116 is thickened in the region of its rim 122 and/or in the region of the connection of the rim 122 of its radial wall 123 with the rest of the sleeve 116. In the wall 123, the extra thickness extends axially over the entire axial dimension of the rim and over a section of the portion 116b, as described above in the case of the extra thickness 142.

The ring 118 has a generally cylindrical shape and is coaxially mounted in the sleeve 116, more particularly in the space 140. Thus, the lower part of the ring 118 is engaged in the space 140 and its upper part is seated above the sleeve 116 and receives the cap 119 at its upper end.

The ring 118 and/or the sleeve 116 may include a centering device intended to cooperate with the filling nozzle and an error-proofing device.

The ring 118 and/or the sleeve 116 may include at least one flap 128 that is movable and urged into a resting position by a return means, such as a spring.

The ring 118 is sealingly mounted in the sleeve 116. In the example shown, the sealing device is mounted between the ring 118 and the rim 122 of the sleeve 116.

The lower portion of the ring 118 comprises, at its outer periphery, an external annular groove for housing an annular sealing gasket 136 which cooperates with the cylindrical inner surface of the rim 122 having a diameter D1.

In this example, the seal 136 is an O-ring seal made of, for example, FKM (fluoroelastomer).

The ring 118 may be made of POM (polyoxymethylene).

A plane passing through the seal 136 and substantially perpendicular to the axis a is indicated at P3.

As can be seen in the figures, the seal 136 is located immediately adjacent the free edge of the sleeve (when the fill head has not been welded to the pipe) or the edge of the sleeve that is welded to the pipe 14.

The axial distance between the planes P1 and P3 corresponds to 0.01-0.3-D, preferably 0.05-0.2-D, more preferably 0.1-D to 0.15-D.

The seal 136 preferably has an average diameter D of between 0.5-D and 1-D, preferably between 0.7-D and 0.9-D, more preferably between 0.75-D and 0.85-D.

The closest distance h between the seal 136 and the welding edge is between 0.05D and 0.5D, preferably between 0.1D and 0.3D, more preferably between 0.15D and 0.25D.

D is the inner diameter of the cannula 116 and specifically D1. Instead, D is the inner diameter of the conduit 114 and is, for example, D3.

This further exemplary embodiment is also particularly advantageous in that the seal 136 is very close to the welded edge of the sleeve and the wall made of HDPE (wall 123 and rim 122), the dimensions through which the fuel may migrate (thickness in the case of wall 123, length in the case of rim 122) are small. The extra thickness of these walls may limit or even eliminate any fuel leakage (arrow 138) due to this migration.