JPH086649B2 - Fuel vapor storage can - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel evaporation loss control device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a fuel vapor storage can which can be installed in the vehicle in various directions and which stores a liquid trap.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In most recent evaporators, fuel vapor accumulated in a fuel tank is extracted (vented) into a fuel vapor storage can installed in a vehicle at a position distant from the fuel tank. Fuel vapors are captured by an absorbent bed (typically made of charcoal). Since liquid fuel that has agglomerated or that has entered the storage can directly deteriorates the efficiency of the absorbent bed,
Most vaporizers have a liquid trap to prevent liquid from entering the absorbent bed.

An example of a liquid trap is US Pat.
No. 0,465. According to this U.S. patent, a conical shell is provided at the bottom of the storage can below the absorbent bed. A tube connected to the fuel tank extends through the absorbent bed and opens into the conical shell. The liquid component of the fluid from the fuel tank is collected at the apex of the shell.

Further, according to US Pat. No. 4,655,189, a separation chamber provided at the upper end of the storage can prevents the liquid component from entering the absorbent bed. As the fluid enters the storage canister, liquid components are collected at the bottom of the separation chamber. The opening to the absorbent bed is located above the liquid level of the liquid component in the separation chamber, allowing only the gaseous component to be stored in the absorbent bed.

[0005]

A disadvantage of these known storage cans is that they can only be installed in the vehicle in one specific orientation. That is, there is a lack of flexibility in installing the engine in a compartment. Incidentally, US Pat. No. 4,8
No. 53,009 discloses a storage can that includes as a kit a number of liquid traps that can be connected to the storage can to allow installation in various orientations in a vehicle. Installation is troublesome.

[0006]

A fuel vapor storage can according to the present invention is a can housing containing an absorbent bed for absorbing vapor components of a fluid from a fuel tank, and an end surface of the can housing. A trap housing surrounding a separation chamber capable of holding the liquid component of the fluid so as to prevent the liquid component of the fluid from flowing into the absorbent bed; and an inlet tube extending from the separation chamber into the can housing. And an end tube in the separation chamber, which is connected to the fuel tank and an inlet tube whose end is separated from the end surface, extends into the separation chamber and is located in the separation chamber away from the inlet tube. A tank vent tube having an open end, wherein the trap housing is substantially box-shaped and has a substantially rectangular end wall that is substantially parallel to the end face. A cvent tube is located adjacent to a corner of the end wall, extends through the end wall, and the open end is located adjacent the end face within the separation chamber and is located within the separation chamber. It is characterized in that the end of the inlet tube is located substantially midway between the end wall and the end face.

Storage cans are filled with an absorbent material such as charcoal. In a more specific embodiment, the interior of the can housing is divided by a partition into a main compartment and a subcompartment. Both compartments are interconnected by a connecting passage. At the end opposite to the connecting passage,
Provide an air opening to the subcompartment. The trap housing encloses a separation chamber that collects the liquid component of the fluid. The trap housing is located adjacent to the main compartment of the storage can. A bleed tube is provided in the center of the trap housing, which tube penetrates the separation chamber and opens into the main compartment of the storage can. A tank vent tube provided at one corner of the trap housing receives the vented fluid from the fuel tank.
The tank vent tube extends near the bottom of the separation chamber. The inlet tube opens into the separation chamber approximately midway (in height) of the separation chamber and extends into the main compartment of the storage can.

By positioning the storage canister in the vehicle such that the tank vent tube is below the inlet tube, liquid components will not enter the inlet tube and will not enter the absorbent bed. The inlet tube is not visible from the outside of the can housing, but if the tank vent tube is oriented so that it is below the bleed tube, the tank vent tube will be below the inlet tube. In this way, the liquid entering the trap housing remains in the separation chamber and only the gaseous components can reach the absorbent bed in the storage can through the inlet tube.

The present invention provides a fuel vapor with a liquid fuel trap that can be installed in various orientations within a vehicle without having to provide multiple assembly kits to fit a particular storage can for a particular vehicle. Provide storage cans. In the above storage can according to the present invention, in at least three directions,
The tank vent tube can be located below the inlet tube.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A fuel vapor storage can 10 according to the invention shown in the drawings has a can housing 12 with rounded corners (substantially elongated rectangular). FIG. 1 shows a fuel vapor storage can 10 sectioned along the vertical axis. As shown in FIG. 2, the cross section of the fuel vapor storage can 10 has a width W and a length L (W
≠ L). The can housing 12 is typically formed of a plastic material and has an end surface 14 that closes the fuel vapor storage can 10 at one end. In the preferred embodiment, a volume compensator 16 is provided at the other end 15 of the fuel vapor storage can 10. The volume compensator 16 is not a requirement of the present invention, so the other end 15 of the fuel vapor storage can 10 may simply be closed with a cap.

The can housing 12 encloses an internal volume which houses an absorbent bed 18 loaded with activated charcoal granules or the like.
The internal volume is partitioned parallel to the longitudinal axis into a main compartment 20 and a subcompartment 22. Partition 24
Divides the main compartment 20 and the sub-compartment 22 and has a passageway 26 adjacent the other end surface 15 of the can housing 12, which allows the passage of steam between the two compartments. Absorbent bed 18 and volume compensator 16
A foam screen 28 is placed between the two. Another foam screen 30 separates the end surface 14 of the can housing 122 and the absorbent bed 18. The rib 31 is provided on the side of the end surface 14 that abuts the foam screen 30,
Preventing movement of the foam screen 30 while allowing the foam screen to admit airflow to the absorbent bed 18,
It is advisable not to obstruct the outflow. A tubular air opening 32 is provided in the end surface 14 and opens into the subcompartment 22 of the fuel vapor storage can 10.

A (box-shaped) trap housing 34 made of a plastic material is welded to the end face 14, and a separation chamber 36 is formed.
Siege. The trap housing 34 has an end wall 38 parallel to and spaced from the end surface 14 of the fuel vapor storage can 10. A bleed tube 42 provided in the center of the end wall 38 penetrates the separation chamber 36 and opens into the main compartment 20 of the fuel vapor storage can 10 via an opening 43 in the end face 14. The bleed tube 42 is adapted to be connected to a vacuum source of the engine. A tank vent tube 44 provided at one corner of the end wall 38 penetrates the end wall 38 and provides an open end 45 in the separation chamber 36 near the end face 14. The tank vent tube 44 is adapted to connect to a fuel tank.
The inlet tube 46 provided in the separation chamber 36 is located on the opposite side of the tank vent tube 44 with the bleed tube 42 interposed therebetween. The inlet tube 46 starts remote from the end face 14 at one end 47 in the separation chamber 36 and extends through the end face 14 into the main compartment 20 of the fuel vapor storage can 10. Gaseous fluid entering the separation chamber 36 from the fuel tank through the tank vent tube 44 passes through the inlet tube 46 and the absorbent bed 18 in the main compartment 20.
Flow into. The liquid fluid entering the separation chamber 36 is
Stays at the point below. This liquid fluid is allowed to enter the separation chamber 36 until it evaporates and flows through the inlet tube 46 into the absorbent bed 18 or flows back into the fuel tank when the pressure in the fuel tank drops below atmospheric pressure. Stay
Inlet tube 46 located in main compartment 20
A nylon mesh filter 48 is engaged and fixed to the end of the. The nylon mesh filter 48 prevents charcoal granules from entering the separation chamber 36.

The tank vent tube 44 is located at one corner of the trap housing 34, and its open end 45 is always located at a point lower than the inlet tube 46, so that the liquid component is near the connecting portion with the fuel tank. Hold (outside the absorbent bed 18). Since the inlet tube 46 cannot be seen from the outside of the can housing 12 or the trap housing 34, the extraction tube 42 may be used as a mark. That is, the tank vent tube 44 is the extraction tube 42.
When the orientation is determined so that the tank vent tube 44 is located below the tank vent tube 44 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), the tank vent tube 44 becomes
Comes below.

During the extraction period, a vacuum is applied to the extraction tube 42. Atmosphere enters through the air openings 32 and flows through the subcompartment 22 and the main compartment 20 of the fuel vapor storage can 10. The vapor trapped in the absorbent bed 18 is released and sent through the bleed tube 42 to the engine induction system.

3 to 5 show the installation of the fuel vapor storage canister 10 in three different possible orientations, the separation chamber 36
Indicates that the liquid is partially filled with the liquid 50. For example,
FIG. 3 shows the fuel vapor storage can 10 in an upright position with the longitudinal axis oriented vertically, with the trap housing 34 located at the top of the fuel vapor storage can 10. In this case, since the tank vent tube 44 is not higher than the extraction tube 42, the fuel vapor storage can 10 can be rotated in any direction around its vertical axis. Since the position of the one end 47 of the inlet tube 46 is apart from the end face 14 to some extent,
It is possible to reliably prevent the liquid 50 from reaching the absorbent bed 18. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fuel vapor storage can 10 may be installed so that its longitudinal axis is horizontal. 4, the fuel vapor storage can 10 is installed so that its long side is vertical, and in FIG. 5, the fuel vapor storage can 10 is installed so that its short side is vertical. In either case, it is important that the tank vent tube 44 is located below the bleed tube 42. In determining these orientations, the trap housing must be installed so that the tank vent tube 44 is below the bleed tube 42. As a result, the inlet tube 46 becomes the tank vent tube 44.
Inlet tube 46 leading to the absorbent bed 18, ensuring that liquid 50 is collected in the separation chamber 36.
Do not reach.

As a modification of the embodiment described above, the tank vent tube may extend through the side wall of the trap housing into the separation chamber with its open end adjacent the corner of the trap housing adjacent the end face 14. . Also, the end wall 3
8 is shown as being substantially rectangular, but the inlet tube 4
Other suitable shapes, such as circular, may be provided as long as the required positioning of the tank vent tube 44 with respect to 6 is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a fuel vapor storage can embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view seen from a diagonal of line 2-2 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fuel vapor storage can installed in one orientation.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fuel vapor storage can installed in another orientation.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a fuel vapor storage can installed in another orientation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Fuel vapor storage can 12 Can housing 14 End surface 15 Other end surface 18 Absorbent bed 20 Main compartment 22 Sub-compartment 24 Partition 26 Passage 32 Air opening 34 Trap housing 36 Separation chamber 38 End wall 42 Extraction tube 44 Tank vent tube 45 Opening end 46 Inlet tube 47 End of inlet tube

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Peter John Alfred Victor Egypt Road, Victor, 14564 New York, USA 320 (72) Inventor Richard Harry Simmons, Jr. Rex, Rochester, 14621, New York, USA Ford Street 57 (72) Inventor William Erichue Theford Ford, New York, USA 14466, Hemlock, Howcroft Road 9159 (56) Reference JP-A-1-159455 (JP, A) JP-A-3-47455 ( JP, A) Jikkouhei 1-489189 (JP, Y2)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A fuel vapor storage can adapted to be connected to a fuel tank of a vehicle, the can housing (12) containing an absorbent bed (18) for absorbing a vapor component of a fluid from the fuel tank. ) And a trap housing (34) located at the end surface (14) of the can housing and surrounding a separation chamber (36) capable of holding a liquid component of the fluid to prevent the liquid component from flowing into the absorbent bed. ), An inlet tube extending from the separation chamber into the can housing, the inlet tube (46) having an end (47) in the separation chamber separated from the end surface, and connected to the fuel tank. A tank vent tube (44) extending into the separation chamber and having an open end (45) located away from the inlet tube in the separation chamber. Ring (34) exhibits a substantially upper box shape,
A substantially rectangular end wall (3 that is substantially parallel to the end face (14).
8), wherein the tank vent tube (44) is located adjacent to a corner of the end wall and extends through the end wall,
The open end (45) is located within the separation chamber (36) adjacent to the end surface (14) and the end (47) of the inlet tube (46) is located within the separation chamber (36). )
Is located substantially midway between the end wall (38) and the end surface (14). 2. A bleed tube (42) penetrating said end wall (38), passing through said separation chamber (36) and opening into said can housing (12), said bleed tube being said end wall. 2. The fuel vapor storage can according to claim 1, wherein the fuel vapor storage can is located substantially at the center of (38). 3. The interior of the can housing (12) is divided into a main compartment (20) and a subcompartment (22) by a partition (24), the partition extending in a direction away from the end face (14), A passageway (26) through which the compartment penetrates the partition adjacent the other end surface (15) of the can housing opposite the end surface.
Interconnected by means of which the trap housing (34) is located opposite the main compartment with respect to the end surface (14), the end surface (14) passing through the end surface and the sub-compartment (14). 22)
3. A fuel vapor storage can according to claim 2, characterized in that an air opening (32) opening inwards is provided.