Capless fuel filler assembly for vehicle
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorKazuhiro Kobayashi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel filler assembly for a vehicle includes a main flap unit connected to a fuel filler pipe adjacent a filling end thereof and a main flap pivotally disposed on the main flap unit for selectively closing access to the filling end of the fuel filler pipe. The fuel filler assembly further includes a shutter unit connected to the fuel filler pipe adjacent the filling end thereof and engaging the main flap unit, and a shutter pivotally disposed on the shutter unit for selectively closing access to the filling end of the fuel filler pipe. Cooperative engagement (e.g., an interference fit) between the main flap unit and the shutter unit seals the main flap unit and the shutter unit together and prevents fuel from leaking therebetween.
Claims20
A fuel filler assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a main flap unit connected to a fuel filler pipe adjacent a filling end thereof;
- a main flap pivotally disposed on the main flap unit for selectively closing access to the filling end of the fuel filler pipe;
- a shutter unit connected to the fuel filler pipe adjacent the filling end thereof and engaging the main flap unit;
- a shutter pivotally disposed on the shutter unit for selectively closing access to the filling end of the fuel filler pipe;
- and
- wherein cooperative engagement between the main flap unit and the shutter unit seals the main flap unit and the shutter unit together and prevents fuel from leaking therebetween, and
- wherein the shutter unit defines a radial drain for directing spilled fuel and wherein said cooperative engagement between the main flap unit and the shutter unit inhibits spilled fuel from leaking therebetween and instead directs spilled fuel to the radial drain of the shutter unit.
A capless fuel filler assembly, comprising:
- a filler tube connected to a fuel tank;
- a main flap housing secured to the filler tube, the main flap housing having a pivoting flap adapted to be pivoted open by an associated fuel nozzle;
- and
- a shutter housing secured to the filler tube, the shutter housing having a pivoting shutter also adapted to be pivoted open by an associated fuel nozzle, the shutter housing arranged so that the associated fuel nozzle first opens the pivoting shutter and subsequently opens the pivoting flap when inserted into the filler tube for refueling the fuel tank, the shutter housing cooperatively engaging the main flap housing to seal therebetween, wherein the shutter housing has an axial insertion portion with a radial flange extending radially outwardly therefrom, and wherein the main flap housing has a cylindrical wall defining a recess that receives the axial insertion portion, the cylindrical wall forming a mating wall to which radial flange is in sealing contact.
A capless fuel filler assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a main flap housing securable to a fuel filler pipe, the main flap housing having a main flap pivotally disposed thereon and a cylindrical wall defining a recess;
- a shutter housing secured to the main flap housing, the shutter housing having a shutter flap pivotally disposed thereon and an axial insertion portion with a flange extending radially outwardly therefrom;
- and
- a cooperative engagement between the main flap housing and the shutter housing that seals therebetween and prevents fuel from leaking between the main flap housing and the shutter housing, said cooperative engagement includes receipt of the axial insertion portion into the recess of the main flap housing and sealing contact between the flange and the cylindrical wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.