Device for preventing the introduction of a fuel nozzle

• US 6,382,270 B1
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Gzik, Herbert
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US09/920,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20020020465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 141/83, 141/94, 141/98, 141/349, 141/350, 141/351, 141/301, 141/311.R, 141/390, 220/86.2, 137/384.2, 251/149.6
• US Class Current: 141/94
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0483 Means to inhibit the introduction of too small or too big filler nozzles

Abstract

A device for preventing the introduction of a fuel nozzle for unleaded fuel into the filler neck of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle fitted with a diesel internal combustion engine includes at least one opening element and at least one blocking element for blocking the filler neck are arranged in the filler neck. The blocking element in its rest position blocks the filler neck, and, when a fuel nozzle for diesel fuel is introduced into the filler neck, the at least one opening element produces a signal for opening the blocking element.

Claims

1. A device for preventing introduction of a fuel nozzle for unleaded fuel into a filler neck of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle including a diesel internal combustion engine, the device comprising:

at least one opening element arranged in the filler neck; and

at least one blocking element configured to block the filler neck when disposed in a rest position, the at least one blocking element being arranged in the filler neck;

wherein the at least one opening element is configured to produce a signal for opening the blocking element in response to an introduction into the filler neck of a fuel nozzle for diesel fuel.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least two opening elements are arranged on an inner circumference of the filler neck, the at least two opening elements projecting into the filler neck, the at least two opening elements being separated by a distance so that the fuel nozzle for unleaded fuel that is introduced into the filler neck does not touch at least one of the opening elements and so that the fuel nozzle for diesel fuel introduced into the filler neck touches all of the opening elements;

and wherein the opening elements are configured to produce the signal for opening the blocking element in response to simultaneous touching of all of the opening elements.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least two opening elements are configured as contact sensors, the contact sensors being configured to produce an electric signal for opening the blocking element.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least two opening elements are configured as projections protruding into the filler neck, a distance between the at least two opening elements being greater than an outer diameter of the fuel nozzle for unleaded fuel, the projections being configured to release the blocking element in response to being touched by the fuel nozzle for diesel fuel.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the projections are configured to pivot about a pivot axis in response to being touched by the fuel nozzle for diesel fuel, the pivot axis being arranged substantially perpendicular to an axis of the filer neck, the blocking element being divided into a plurality of segments, each segment corresponding to a respective projection;

and

wherein the pivoting of the projections is configured to cause the segments to pivot about an axis arranged perpendicular to the pivot axis so that the blocking element releases the filler neck.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the segments are configured to engage with the projections via outwardly protruding lever elements.

7. The device according to claim 6, further comprising spring elements configured to maintain the projections and the lever elements in a closed position.

8. The device according to claim 4, wherein three projections are arranged approximately uniformly on the inner circumference of the filler neck, the device including lever elements corresponding to the projections;

and wherein the blocking element is divided into three segments.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the opening element is arranged on an inner circumference of the filler neck, the opening element being configured to detect a diameter of the fuel nozzle by inducing a magnetic field and to release the blocking element in response to a detected predetermined diameter.