JP4810391B2 - Outside air intake structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an outside air intake portion structure.

  In order to take in air necessary for canister purging from the outside of the vehicle, for example, in Patent Document 1, an air filter portion is provided on the outer periphery of the upper portion of the inlet filler, and the upper portion of the inlet filler is protected by this air filter portion. The structure made is described.

By the way, in the structure of patent document 1, since external air is directly introduce | transduced into an air filter, there exists a possibility that the foreign material in external air may mix and may reach an air filter.
JP 2003-252071 A

  This invention considers the said fact and makes it a subject to obtain the external air intake part structure which can prevent the foreign material in external air from reaching an air filter.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the air taken in from the outside air inlet between the filler neck in which the inlet port into which the fuel gun for supplying fuel to the fuel tank is introduced and the outer periphery of the inlet port is formed. An outside air intake means provided with a cover member for generating the flow path, an air filter provided in the outside air intake means, and an outer circumference of the introduction port portion extending in the circumferential direction with an interval in the axial direction. A non-protruding portion that protrudes as if it exists and does not protrude in a part of the circumferential direction is set, and the air filter is provided from the outside air intake port by a plurality of ridges in which the non-projecting portion is located at different positions in the circumferential direction. Non-straightening means for making the flow path non-linear between
It is characterized by having.

In this outside air intake portion structure, a flow path is formed between the outer periphery of the inlet opening portion of the filler neck and the cover member, and the outside air taken in from the outside air intake reaches the air filter from the flow path. And it becomes possible to send the external air which passed the air filter further to a supply destination (for example, canister).

A plurality of protrusions are formed on the outer periphery of the introduction port. The protrusions protrude so as to extend in the circumferential direction with an interval in the axial direction, but non-protruding portions that do not protrude in a part of the circumferential direction are set. And the non-projection part is made into the position which is different in the circumferential direction with a some protrusion. The plurality of protrusions constitute non-linear means, and the flow path of the outside air is non-linear. Therefore, compared to the configuration in which the flow path is linear, foreign matter in the outside air is easily collected in the flow path, and foreign matter can be prevented from reaching the air filter. By forming the ridge, the rigidity of the introduction port is improved. In addition, the non-projecting portions are at different positions in the circumferential direction among the plurality of ridges and are not arranged in a straight line, so that stress concentration can be suppressed.

Moreover, the flow path is configured between the filler neck and the cover member.

Thus, by forming a flow path between the filler neck and the cover member, the space around the filler neck can be used efficiently. In addition, since the plurality of protrusions constituting the non-straightening means are provided on the outer periphery of the introduction port portion, the space efficiency is further increased.

  Since this invention was set as the said structure, it can prevent the foreign material in external air reaching an air filter.

  1 and 2 show an outside air intake portion structure (hereinafter simply referred to as “outside air intake portion structure”) 12 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The outside air intake portion structure 12 is provided in correspondence with a filler neck 14 used for supplying fuel to a fuel tank body (not shown) by introducing a fuel gun (not shown).

  The filler neck 14 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with resin. The upper part of the filler neck 14 is a flat cylindrical inlet 16, and the inside of the filler neck 14 is an inlet for introducing the fuel gun from above.

  The lower portion of the filler neck 14 is a connecting portion 20 having a cylindrical shape smaller than the introduction port portion 16, and the lower portion of the connecting portion 20 is connected in close contact with an inlet pipe (not shown). The introduction port portion 16 and the connection portion 20 are linearly continuous with only a part of these side surfaces (in the example shown in FIG. 1, the left side of the introduction port portion 16 and the connection portion 20 is linearly continuous. Each center axis is offset as shown in FIG.

  The introduction port portion 16 and the connection portion 20 are connected by a guide portion 22 formed therebetween. The guide portion 22 has a diameter that gradually decreases from the introduction port portion 16 toward the connection portion 20, and has a function of guiding the fuel gun inserted further from the introduction port portion 16 to the connection portion 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a holding rib 24 that is formed along the circumferential direction and protrudes inward is formed at the boundary between the guide portion 22 and the connecting portion 20. The holding rib 24 comes into contact with the introduced fuel gun from the outside and holds the fuel gun.

  Furthermore, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 26 are formed on the inner surface of the guide portion 22 along the direction from the introduction port portion 16 toward the connection portion 20, and the guide portion 22 is reinforced. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the plurality of reinforcing ribs 26 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 22, and are radially directed toward the holding rib 24 when viewed from above. The reinforcing rib 26 substantially guides the fuel gun to the holding rib 24.

  Similarly, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 28 are formed on the inner surface of the connecting portion 20 along the longitudinal direction thereof, and the connecting portion 20 is reinforced. These reinforcing ribs 28 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction so as to correspond one-to-one with the reinforcing ribs 26 of the guide portion 22.

  A breather port 30 extends obliquely downward from the outside of the boundary portion between the guide portion 22 and the connecting portion 20. The breather port 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and an upper end of the breather port 30 is an opening 32 that opens to the inside of the guide portion 22.

  A breather pipe (not shown) communicating with the fuel tank body is connected to the lower portion of the breather port 30. As a result, the inside of the fuel tank main body communicates with the filler neck 14 through the breather pipe and the breather port 30, and the evaporated fuel gas in the fuel tank main body is discharged from the filler neck 14 to the outside.

  A metal retainer 34 is mounted on the upper portion of the filler neck 14. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the retainer 34 is provided in contact with the inner surface of the introduction port portion 16, and the retainer main body portion 36 is folded outward from the upper end of the retainer main body portion 36 over the entire circumference. The outer peripheral portion 38 located on the outer peripheral side of the lip 16E of the portion 16 and the small diameter portion 40 that is reduced in a step shape from the lower end of the retainer main body portion 36 so as to have a smaller diameter than the retainer main body portion 36. is doing.

  A female screw 42 is formed on the inner surface of the retainer main body 36, and is screwed with a male screw of an oil filler cap (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a stepped portion 52 is formed on the inner surface of the inlet 16 of the filler neck 14 corresponding to the small diameter portion 40 of the retainer 34, and the gap between the stepped portion 52 and the small diameter portion 40 is formed. Is fitted with an O-ring 54. The O-ring 54 ensures high sealing performance between the retainer 34 and the filler neck 14 (introduction port portion 16).

  As shown in FIG. 1, an air filter support piece 60 is extended from a position opposite to the breather port 30 to the connecting portion 20 of the filler neck 14, and a cylindrical air filter port 62 is formed at the tip thereof. Has been. An air introduction tube (not shown) is connected to the air filter port 62. This air introduction tube is also connected to a canister (not shown).

  An air filter holding member 64 is mounted on the outer periphery of the introduction port portion 16. The air filter holding member 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and extends from the cover portion 70 located outside the introduction port portion 16 and the lower portion of the cover portion 70 so as to be located above the air filter support piece 60. An air filter holding lid 66. A gap is formed between the outer peripheral portion 38 of the retainer 34 and the cover portion 70, and serves as an outside air inlet 72. A flow path space 74 according to the present invention is formed between the outer periphery of the introduction port portion 16 and the inner periphery of the cover portion 70. Further, an air filter 68 is accommodated between the air filter support piece 60 and the air filter holding lid 66. The air filter holding lid 66 extends further from the cover portion 70 toward the filler neck 14 so that air flows from the flow path space 74 to the air filter 68 through the vent hole 66H of the extended portion. It has become.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 5, a plurality of protrusions 76 extending in the circumferential direction are provided on the outer periphery of the introduction port portion 16 in the axial direction (in this embodiment, two at regular intervals in the axial direction). ) Is formed. Each of the protrusions 76 protrudes from the outer periphery of the introduction port portion 16 over substantially the entire periphery, but a portion that does not protrude only partially (non-projecting portion 78) is set. And this non-projection part 78 is made into the position which differs in the circumferential direction with each protrusion 76. FIG. As a result, the air introduced from between the outer peripheral portion 38 of the retainer 34 and the air filter holding member 64 enters the flow path space 74 with a maze structure that reaches the air filter 68 while being bent by the plurality of bent portions 76K. The path 80 is configured. For example, at the time of purging with a canister (not shown), outside air (air) is introduced from the outside air inlet 72 between the outer peripheral portion 38 of the retainer 34 and the cover portion 70, and passes through the flow path 80 having a maze structure (see arrow F1). Passes through the air filter 68. The air is sent to the canister via the air filter port 62 and an air introduction tube (not shown).

  In the present embodiment having such a configuration, as described above, for example, when purging with a canister (not shown), the air necessary for purging is between the outer peripheral portion 38 of the retainer 34 and the air filter holding member 64. The outside air intake 72 is introduced. This air passes through the flow path 80 formed in the flow path space 74. The flow path 80 has a labyrinth structure and is bent by a plurality of bent portions 76K before reaching the air filter 68. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which the flow path is linear without being bent in this way, even if foreign matter (for example, dust or water droplets) exists in the air (outside air), these foreign matter is It is collected in the flow path 80. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent foreign matters from reaching the air filter 68.

  The air purified by passing through the air filter 68 is sent to the canister via the air filter port 62 and an air introduction tube (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, the maze-structured flow path 80 is configured by forming a protrusion 76 on the outer periphery of the introduction port portion 16. For this reason, compared with the structure which does not form the protrusion 76, the rigidity of the inlet 16 is improved. In addition, the non-projecting portions 78 of the ridges 76 are positioned at different positions in the circumferential direction of the respective ridges 76 so that the non-projecting portions 78 are not aligned in a straight line. Therefore, in the configuration in which the non-projecting portions 78 are arranged in a straight line, stress concentration may occur in this portion, but in this embodiment, such stress concentration does not occur.

Contact name means "non-linear means" or the flow path 80 from the outside Kido inlet 72 to the air filter 68 non-linear is not limited to those described above, that the following reference examples it can. For example, the outer periphery of the inlet port 16 may be locally recessed to form a maze-structured flow path.

Furthermore, not only processing the outer periphery of the inlet portion 16 may be processed to the inner periphery of the cover portion 70. However, when the cover part 70 (air filter holding member 64) is made of metal, it is easier to process the resin inlet 16 than processing the cover part 70, which is preferable.

  Further, the structure of the flow path 80 from the outside air inlet 72 to the air filter 68 is not limited to the maze structure described above. That is, if there is at least one bent portion or curved portion in the flow path 80, foreign matter in the outside air can be prevented from reaching the air filter 68. However, in order to more reliably prevent the foreign matter from reaching the air filter 68, it is preferable that a plurality of bent portions or curved portions are set.

The “non-straightening means” does not need to be configured in the flow path 80 in the flow path space 74. For example, a flow path is further added to the outside from the cover portion 70, and the flow path is bent or curved. Thus, an example in which “non-straightening means” is configured can be given as a reference example. However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to newly add a member that becomes a flow channel, and the member for the flow channel protrudes to the outside. As in the above-described embodiment, the flow path space 74 between the outer periphery of the introduction port portion 16 and the inner periphery of the cover portion 70 is effectively utilized, and the flow space 74 that is made non-linear in the flow path space 74 is used. Providing the path 80 is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the number of parts and effectively using the space.

Furthermore, as an outside air intake portion structure, not only the structure arranged corresponding to the filler neck 14 as in the above embodiment, but, for example, an outside air supply destination such as a canister can be provided independently of the filler neck 14. A structure in which a supply path for supplying outside air is configured and an air filter and a non-linear means are provided in the supply path is also conceivable. In the present invention, as described in the above embodiment, since in correspondence with the filler neck 14 is provided with a fresh air intake portion structure, it can be effectively utilized space around the filler neck 14.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the external air intake part structure of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the filler neck, retainer, and air filter which comprise the external air intake part structure of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the filler neck and air filter which comprise the external air intake part structure of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the retainer which comprises the external air intake part structure of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows partially the filler neck and air filter which comprise the external air intake part structure of 1st embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

12 Outside air intake structure 14 Filler neck (outside air intake means)
16 Introduction port portion 16E Edge 20 Connection portion 22 Guide portion 24 Holding rib 26 Reinforcement rib 28 Reinforcement rib 30 Breather port 32 Opening portion 34 Retainer 36 Retainer main body portion 38 Outer peripheral portion 40 Small diameter portion 42 Female screw 52 Stepped portion 54 O-ring 60 Air filter support piece 62 Air filter port 64 Air filter holding member 66 Air filter holding lid 68 Air filter 70 Cover part (cover member)
72 Outside air inlet 74 Channel space 76 Projection (convex part)
76K bent portion 78 non-projecting portion 80 flow path

Claims (1)

A cover member that creates a flow path of air taken from the outside air inlet between a filler neck configured with an inlet port into which a fuel gun for supplying fuel to the fuel tank is introduced and an outer periphery of the inlet port; , and the outside air intake means having a,
An air filter provided in the outside air intake means;
A non-protruding portion that protrudes so as to extend in the circumferential direction with an interval in the axial direction at the outer periphery of the introduction port portion and does not protrude in a part of the circumferential direction is set, and the non-projecting portion is different in the circumferential direction Non-straightening means for making the flow path non-linear between the outside air inlet and the air filter by a plurality of protrusions that are positioned ;
An outside air intake structure characterized by comprising:

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