Tank device

• US 10,450,920 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2017
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Steyr Fuel Systems Gesmbh (M Unicar, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Magna Steyr Fuel Systems Gesmbh (M Unicar, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gross, Joerg
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Binh Q
• Application Number:
  US15/840,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20180291789A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 13/04 concerning exhaust collecting exhaust gases with central suction systems not forming part of vehicles, e.g. in workshops or tunnels B08B15/002, otherwise along carriageways E01C1/005; extensions for melting snow on roads E01H5/00, E01H6/00; exhaust or silencing apparatus for internal combustion engines per se F01N; pipes, joints or supports therefor F16L
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/02 the substance being ammonia or urea
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/1413 Inlet and filling arrangements therefore
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/1466 Means for venting air out of conduits or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2066 Selective catalytic reduction [SCR]

Abstract

A tank device for a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle having such a tank device. The tank device includes a motor vehicle tank, a ventilation outlet, and a filler pipe head configured to fill the motor vehicle tank. The filler pipe head includes a filler opening configured to receive a nozzle during a filling sequence, and a filling ventilation opening configured for movement between an open state during introduction of the nozzle to fluidically connect an inner space of the filler pipe head to the ventilation outlet, and a closed state during removal of the nozzle from the filler opening, the filler pipe head having an operational ventilation opening fluidically connected to the ventilation outlet, and which has a semi-permeable diaphragm to permit flow of gasses therethrough and also to prevent a flow of fluids.

Claims

1. A tank device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a ventilation outlet in communication with a tank of the motor vehicle;

a filler pipe head configured to facilitate filling of the tank, the filler pipe head including;

a filler opening configured to receive a nozzle during a filling sequence, and

a filling ventilation opening configured for movement between an open state during introduction of the nozzle to fluidically connect an inner space of the filler pipe head to the ventilation outlet, and a closed state during removal of the nozzle from the filler opening, the filler pipe head having an operational ventilation opening fluidically connected to the ventilation outlet, and which has a semi-permeable diaphragm to permit flow of gasses therethrough and also to prevent a flow of fluids,

an actuating member configured for displacement to thereby move the filling ventilation opening to an open state during introduction of the nozzle through the filler opening; and

a flap configured for pivoting movement when in contact by the nozzle to thereby move the filling ventilation opening to an open state during introduction of the nozzle through the filler opening.

2. The tank device of claim 1, wherein the ventilation outlet is arranged to lie, when in an installation position, spatially behind the filler opening in a direction of travel of the motor vehicle.

3. The tank device of claim 1, wherein the ventilation outlet is arranged to lie, when in an installation position, spatially behind a wheel arch liner of the motor vehicle.

4. The tank device of claim 1, wherein the filler opening is configured to receive a filling container.

5. The tank device of claim 4, wherein the semi-permeable diaphragm is configured so that ventilation is conducted during the filling sequence, via the filling container through the operational ventilation opening and the ventilation outlet.

6. The tank device of claim 1, further comprising an actuating member configured for displacement to thereby move the filling ventilation opening to an open state during introduction of the nozzle through the filler opening.

7. The tank device of claim 6, further comprising a spring member to pre-tension the actuating member in a closing direction.

8. The tank device of claim 6, wherein the filler pipe head further comprises a flow-guiding apparatus through which the actuating member is to project.

9. The tank device of claim 6, wherein the semi-permeable diaphragm is arranged radially outside the actuating member.

10. The tank device of claim 1, further comprising a flap configured to pivot when in contact by the nozzle to thereby move the filling ventilation opening to an open state during introduction of the nozzle through the filler opening.

11. The tank device of claim 1, further comprising a spring member to pre-tension the actuating member in a closing direction.

12. The tank device of claim 1, wherein the filler pipe head further comprises a flow-guiding apparatus through which the actuating member is to project.

13. The tank device of claim 1, wherein the semi-permeable diaphragm is arranged radially outside the actuating member.

14. The tank device of claim 1, wherein the flap is configured to pivot in an opening direction by displacement of the actuating member during introduction of the nozzle.

15. The tank device of claim 1, further comprising:

a ventilation path arranged between the operational ventilation opening and the fuel tank; and

a restrictor may be arranged in the ventilation path to prevent rising fluid in the ventilation path during the filling sequence, from reaching the filling ventilation opening.

16. The tank device of claim 1, further comprising:

a ventilation path arranged between the filling ventilation opening and the fuel tank; and

a restrictor may be arranged in the ventilation path to prevent rising fluid in the ventilation path during the filling sequence, from reaching the filling ventilation opening.

17. The tank device of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle tank comprises a urea tank.

18. A tank device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a ventilation outlet in communication with a tank of the motor vehicle;

a filler pipe head configured to facilitate filling of the motor vehicle tank, the filler pipe head including a filler opening, and a filling ventilation opening configured for movement between an open state during introduction of a nozzle therethrough, and a closed state during removal of the nozzle from the filler opening;

an actuating member configured for displacement to thereby move the filling ventilation opening to an open state during introduction of a nozzle through the filler opening; and

a flap configured for pivoting movement when in contact by the nozzle to thereby move the filling ventilation opening to an open state.

19. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a tank;

a tank device that includes a ventilation outlet in communication with the tank, and a filler pipe head configured to facilitate filling of the motor vehicle tank, the filler pipe head including a filler opening, and a filling ventilation opening configured for movement between an open state during introduction of a nozzle therethrough, and a closed state during removal of the nozzle from the filler opening;

an actuating member configured for displacement to thereby move the filling ventilation opening to an open state during introduction of a nozzle through the filler opening; and

a flap configured for pivoting movement when in contact by the nozzle to thereby move the filling ventilation opening to an open state.