Fuel filler port device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10913349-B2
Application number	US-201816017289-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 25, 2018
Priority date	Jun 27, 2017
Publication date	Feb 9, 2021
Grant date	Feb 9, 2021

Abstract

A fuel filler port device includes a fuel filler port, a main flap which is disposed in the fuel filler port and is configured to be rotated to an open position by introducing a fuel filler nozzle to open the fuel filler port, a drain opening disposed in the fuel filler port at an outer side of the main flap, and a closure mechanism which closes the drain opening in a fuel filling state.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fuel filler port device, comprising:
a fuel filler port,
a main flap which is disposed in the fuel filler port and is configured to be rotated to an open position by introducing a fuel filler nozzle to thereby open the fuel filler port,
a drain opening disposed in the fuel filler port at an outer side of the main flap,
a closure mechanism which closes the drain opening in a fuel filling state, and
a sub flap provided in the fuel filler port on a side close to a passage port of the fuel filler port, the sub flap being configured to be rotated to an open position by introduction of the fuel filler nozzle,
wherein the drain opening is provided in a side portion between the main flap and the sub flap,
the closure mechanism is a movable valve element movable to a closure position closing the drain opening, the movable valve element being configured to contact a part of the fuel filler nozzle introduced into the fuel filler port and moving against biasing to the closure position,
the movable valve element includes a spring body made of metal and fixed at one end relative to the fuel filler port, the spring body having a rectangular shape and including a curved portion formed at a side opposite to the one end and curved in a semi-circular shape to orient at first toward the passage port and change to a direction opposite to the passage port.

2. The fuel filler port device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable valve element further comprises a sealing element attached to the spring body, which is configured to be moved by the fuel filler nozzle and moves to close the drain opening.

3. The fuel filler port device according to claim 2 , further comprising a guide member disposed in the fuel filler port and adapted to guide the fuel filler nozzle, the guide member being disposed between the main flap and the sub flap and having an inclined surface with an opening communicating with the drain opening through a through hole, and a side portion located above the inclined surface, the one end of the spring body being attached to the side portion.

4. The fuel filler port device according to claim 3 , wherein the movable valve element further includes a fastening body attached to the spring body to attach the sealing element to the spring body for closing the opening when the spring body is pushed by the fuel filler nozzle.

5. The fuel filler port device according to claim 3 , further comprising a cover body disposed above the guide member and having a positioning portion configured to contact a part of the spring body when the fuel filler nozzle is not introduced.

6. The fuel filler port device according to claim 3 , wherein the fuel filler port comprises a cover body to which the sub flap is attached, a main body portion attached to the cover body and having the guide member therein, and a seal member under the guide member, the seal member having the main flap.

Assignees

• Nifco Inc

Inventors

• Ogose Kensuke

Classifications

• B60K2015/0429

  actuated by the nozzle · CPC title

• B60K15/04 Primary

  Tank inlets (B60K15/077 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60K2015/0445

  using hinges · CPC title

• B60K2015/0461

  comprising a filler pipe shutter, e.g. trap, door or flap for fuel inlet · CPC title