Fuel tank connector
First Claim
1. A connector for connecting a fuel filler pipe (3) to a fuel tank (1), the connector comprising a generally tubular sealing housing (2) for attachment to a fuel tank (1) and a retention collar (4) for engagement with the housing (2) and for retention of the filler pipe (3), the housing (2) having a passage therethrough with sealing means (60,61) for making a seal with the filler pipe (3) and the collar (4) having engagement means (13,55) for engaging with an engagement feature (12,39) of the housing (2) and having retention means (5,14,16) for retaining a filler pipe (3) having a retention feature (7,8), with the housing (2) having a number of guide channels (38) therein for receiving the engagement means (13,55) and guiding the engagement means (13,55) to the engagement feature (12,39) wherein the collar (4) may be engaged with the housing (2) by relative axial movement in a one-way press-fit engagement, said guide channels (38) having entrances formed from crenellations (9,10,11) around the end of the generally tubular housing (2), the crenellations having bases (10) and sides (11), which are aligned with the guide channels (38), and tops (9), which are aligned between the guide channels (38).
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a connector for connecting a fuel filler pipe (3) to a fuel tank (1), particularly in a motor vehicle. The connector has a tubular sealing housing (2) attached to the fuel tank (1) and a retention collar (4) retained by a pair of flanges (7,8) on the pipe (3) and which may be press-fitted to the housing (2). The collar (4) has a ring (5) from which four lugs (6) extend axially towards the housing (2). Each lug (6) has: a radially outward projecting detent (13) which engages with a lip (39) within the housing (2); and a radially inward projecting detent (14) which retains the filler pipe (3) in one axial direction, the filler pipe (3) being retained in the other axial direction by the ring (5). The housing (2) has a grommet (60) seal with the filler pipe (3) and also a number of crenellations (9,10,11) and detent guide channels (38) which receive and guide outwardly projecting detents (13) to the lips (39).
30 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A connector for connecting a fuel filler pipe (3) to a fuel tank (1), the connector comprising a generally tubular sealing housing (2) for attachment to a fuel tank (1) and a retention collar (4) for engagement with the housing (2) and for retention of the filler pipe (3), the housing (2) having a passage therethrough with sealing means (60,61) for making a seal with the filler pipe (3) and the collar (4) having engagement means (13,55) for engaging with an engagement feature (12,39) of the housing (2) and having retention means (5,14,16) for retaining a filler pipe (3) having a retention feature (7,8), with the housing (2) having a number of guide channels (38) therein for receiving the engagement means (13,55) and guiding the engagement means (13,55) to the engagement feature (12,39) wherein the collar (4) may be engaged with the housing (2) by relative axial movement in a one-way press-fit engagement, said guide channels (38) having entrances formed from crenellations (9,10,11) around the end of the generally tubular housing (2), the crenellations having bases (10) and sides (11), which are aligned with the guide channels (38), and tops (9), which are aligned between the guide channels (38).
Specification