The present invention relates to a device for preventing incorrect fuelling and for introduction into an inlet of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle or vessel.

Diesel powered vehicles are increasing in popularity due to the increased fuel efficiency of diesel engines as compared to petrol engines. However, drivers of diesel powered vehicles may forget or be unaware of the fact that the engine is powered by diesel and accidentally fill the tank up with petrol. This is possible because the petrol filling nozzle has a smaller diameter than that of a diesel filling nozzle. Thus, the erroneous filling of diesel fuel tanks with petrol is a relatively common occurrence, the consequences of which the running of the engine may be costly due to the potential of serious engine damage. Even draining of the vehicle tank may be hazardous and costly.

In an effort to address this problem several devices and systems have been conceived in order to prevent the above problem. Some car producers have suggested re-designing the tank, cover and/or inlet tubing into more or less complex devices, such as swivel covers or sensors opening only for the larger diameter diesel fuel nozzles. Another suggestion is to re-design the fuel nozzle and/or cover for mating. However, this does not solve the problem for all other cars or vehicles not equipped with the re-designed tank opening. Thus, the problem at hand is to provide a solution for all diesel fuel tank equipped vehicles, which are not provided with such re-design.

It is known to provide indicative colour coding on both nozzle and tank inlet.

However, the driver/user must be aware of the reason for such colour coding in order to prevent mistakes. Another solution is to provide the tank inlet cover with more or less complicated permanently fixed devices, e.g. flaps for allowing only larger diameter nozzles entry. This may not be a comfortable solution for the driver, if the cover is not a vehicle supplier approved type and/or does not provide the necessary sealing. Other solutions requires a solid fixation to the tank sides or inlet openings which may require extensive after-fitting and risks of damage to the tank internals, see e.g. GB 2 451 871. GB 2 391 544 describe a device with a blocking member extending into and being flush with the entry of the tank inlet. The blocking member is positioned substantially within the mouth of the tank inlet and prevents the smaller diameter petrol fuel nozzle from entering into the larger diameter tank inlet. A disadvantage of this device is the above mentioned necessary solid fixation of the device to the inner side of the tank inlet, describing several suggested fixations e.g. by welding.

Similar devices are shown in GB 2 435 037, GB 2 435 033, requiring fixation such as gluing to the internals of the cover or inlet side, or provision of fins for holding on to sides or the like. However gluing is not a chemically durable solution in a diesel environment, and fins or hooks may unhook, especially since the inner surface of an inlet tube is made smooth due to flow considerations.

US 6,966,349 describe a tube-within-a-tube design for retrofitting, which can be inserted into an inlet tube in order to prevent mis-fuelling. However, the design of the device (length, diameter, shape, end delimiter on device [20]) requires a straight inlet tube and limits the number of inlet tube types, which may be retrofitted with the device, because the length of such inlet tube may be significantly longer than the length of the device [30], and thus there is a risk that the device may slip far into the inlet after insertion. Further, the shape and snug fit of a general inlet cover does not allow space for such a delimiter. US 2005/0000592 describe a device with a blocking member [18] extending into and being flush with the entry of the tank inlet. The upper end of the device has means for providing a snug fit or friction pressure fit against the internal wall surface of the filler neck, when the device is pushed into the neck. Two

embodiments are shown, one having only the snug fit and the other further provided with stop means [20] such as a flanged portion, a cap or vertical extension at the upper end. Thus, a disadvantage of the first embodiment may be a significant risk of inserting the device too far into the inlet, even when supplying the device with protrusions [16a] . A disadvantage of the second embodiment is the fact that the device with stop means may not fit inside every type of standard inlet cover.

It is thus the object of the invention to minimize the risk of mis-fuelling eg. diesel tanks with petrol and at the same time alleviate the above disadvantages of the presently available devices and systems. According to the invention there is provided for a device for preventing incorrect fuelling of diesel fuel tanks in vehicles.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for preventing incorrect fuelling and for introduction into an inlet of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, wherein the device comprises a first proximal end comprising a blocking member and a second distal end, wherein a length of the device between the first and second ends is adaptable.

The intention of the device is to 1) be easy to insert into the inlet as to provide a simple retrofitting, 2) be simple in construction as to reduce production costs 3) be easy to remove again, in case of repair or the like, 4) designed with ease of handling, adjusting and repairing in mind.

When the length is adaptable, the device may be fixed at its proximal end. This fixing may be squeezing on the inner surface of a filler neck or fuel line between the opening and the actual fuel tank. This squeezing may, due to the adaptable length, be provided at a particularly strong part of the filler neck.

Alternatively, another type of engagement with the filler neck may be provided, such as an engagement of a bending part thereof, if the device e.g. is straight or at least substantially straight. A further alternative is the engagement to a narrowing part of the filler neck, such as the narrowing part of inserts extending 5-6 cm into the fuel line of certain types of cars.

In the present context, the proximal end is adapted to be inserted into the inlet and be the farthest inside the filler neck and vehicle, whereas the blocking member and the distal end are usually provided at the inlet or opening of the fuel tank or fuel filler neck. Thus, usually, no part of the device extends outside the vehicle or inlet when in operation.

Also, the adaptation of the length may be performed in many manners, of which some are described further below. In this situation, the length is determined as the straight line between the distal and proximal ends.

In one embodiment, the device has a first part comprising the proximal end and the blocking member and a second part comprising the distal end, the first and second parts being attachable to each other at a plurality of positions, each position providing the device with a separate length between the first and second ends.

Thus, a position for attachment may be selected in order to obtain the desired length of the device. It may be desired that the attachment is detachable, so that tests may be performed to find the desired length. Having found the desired length, it may be desired to permanently fix the first part to the second part in order to prevent accidental detachment. This permanent fixing may be a gluing, soldering, riveting, welding or the like. It is noted that this fixing may be performed outside the environment of the vehicle, which would otherwise present limitations to the fixing method.

In one embodiment, one of the first and second parts is slideable in relation to the other of the first and second parts, such as outside or within that part. Then, a number of longitudinal positions may be defined as e.g. positions where openings in both parts coincide, so that a nut and bolt may be inserted and lock the longitudinal position.

In one embodiment, one of the first and second parts comprises at least one indentation or projection and the other of the first and second parts comprises a plurality of indentations or projections, the indentation(s)/projection(s) of the first and second parts being adapted to engage and define the positions.

In the above sliding embodiment, the projections/indentations then face each other and are provided on the outside of the inner sliding part and on the inside of the outer sliding part.

Thus, the indentations/projections may be provided along the length of the device, with the projections/indentations extending perpendicular to this length, so as to engage at a large number of longitudinal positions as the device is extended or shortened. Thus, the length of the device may be set and tested.

Actually, the indentations/projections may be dimensioned so that only extending of the device is possible (much like the operation of cable ties), whereas shortening is not possible. Thus, in one embodiment, the first and second parts are adapted to allow extension of the device but not compression thereof.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises an elongate element extending from the blocking member to or toward the distal end and one or more resilient element(s) extending from the elongate element and away from the elongate element, the resilient elements being positioned no more than 30 cm from the outer end.

The elongate element(s) may be used for centering the device in eg. a fuel line of a vehicle/vessel. If e.g. the device is biased, such as by a bend or the like of the fuel line, a single resilient element may be used for counter-acting this biasing.

Otherwise, it may be desired to provide a plurality of resilient elements to counteract forces from different angles to the device.

In this context, the elongate element may have an adjustable length and may be formed by the above first and second parts. The resilient element(s) may act to centre the blocking member at the opening and may thus be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or even more resilient elements.

A resilient element may be a spring, such as a leaf spring or a coil spring, a foam, rubber, or the like.

The resilient element may be positioned no more than 20cm, such as no more than 15cm, such as no more than 10cm, such as no more than 5cm from the opening. The closer the resilient elements are to the blocking member, the lower a force may be required to position the blocking member. However, the resilient elements then may be in the way of a fuel nozzle when inserted. In that situation, as is described further below, the resilient elements may be adapted to be deformed by the nozzle and travel inside the nozzle, whereby the resilient elements may be positioned closer to the opening than the extent of the nozzle inside the filler neck of the vehicle.

Other resilient elements may be provided, such as at the proximal end, in order to prevent the device from moving during operation of the vehicle. The desired operation of the blocking member is to ensure that only fuel nozzles with an inner diameter exceeding a threshold limit are introduced into the opening. Naturally, the inner dimensions of the opening may on the other hand limit the outer dimensions of the nozzles. Then, preferably, the blocking member, in a plane perpendicular to a straight line from the distal end to the proximal end, has a circumscribed circle with a diameter of 17.5 mm or more. Different dimensions for fuel nozzles exist. In many situations, the inner dimension of a nozzle for unleaded petrol is 16.5 mm and the outer diameter 21 mm. For leaded petrol, the dimensions may be 17 mm inner diameter and 25 mm outer diameter. For diesel, the dimensions may be 19.6 mm inner diameter and 23 mm outer diameter.

If non-circular nozzle shapes are desired, the blocking member may be provided with another shape which, when circumscribed, has the same effect.

In order to not have the blocking means block the fueling of the vehicle, while allowing introduction of the nozzle, it is desired that the blocking means does not block the fuel nozzle too much. In one embodiment, the blocking member, when projected on to the plane, covers no more than 50%, such as no more than 30%, preferably no more than 10%, of the area of the circumscribed circle.

Thus, the blocking means may have the shape of a star, a circle, a triangle, a semi circle, a straight or bent line or the like. Preferably, the blocking member is shaped so as to leave open an upper part thereof (when mounted in the vehicle/vessel), as many fuel nozzles have an aeration opening at the upper part and thus may not have a perfectly circular inner cross section. In a preferred embodiment, a pie shape with an angle of at least 10, 20 or 30 degrees is not covered by the blocking means.

Also, in order to not have the elongate member block the nozzle or the filler neck, it is desired that this covers an even smaller percentage of the circumscribed circle than the blocking member.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an assembly of a gasoline/diesel filler neck for a vehicle and device according to the first aspect, the filler neck having an opening and a bend, the device being positioned so that its proximal end engages the filler neck at the bend and the blocking member is positioned substantially flush with the opening.

In this relation, the bend preferably is that bend being the closest to the opening. This bend preferably is more than 5 degrees, such as more than 10, 15, or 20 degrees, in order for the proximal end to be able to engage the filler neck at the bend.

Preferably, the device is straight and then engages the filler neck so as to not be able to move further along the filler neck. This engagement may be a simple abutting. Thus, the device may, at the proximal end, have a shape or a circumscribed circle (in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) being at least 70%, such as at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of an inner diameter of the filler neck at the bend, so as to ensure the engagement. Naturally, the device may, at the proximal end, have resilient means adapted to engage the filler neck and help fix the proximal end in relation to the filler neck.

In one embodiment, the device comprises an elongate element, extending from the blocking member to the distal end, and a plurality of resilient elements extending from the elongate element and away from the elongate element, the resilient elements being positioned no more than 30 cm from the outer end, the resilient elements acting to position the blocking member at least substantially at a centre of the opening.

As mentioned above, the resilient elements may be adapted to be deformed, such as to travel inside a gas nozzle. Thus, the resilient elements may be desired deformable to within the circumscribed circle. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method of providing a device for preventing incorrect fuelling and for introduction into an inlet of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle or vessel, wherein the method comprises adapting a length of a device having a first proximal end comprising a blocking member and a second distal end. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of adapting a device according to the first aspect to a gasoline/diesel filler neck for a vehicle or vessel, the filler neck having an opening and a bend, the method comprising adapting the length of the device so that it may be positioned with its proximal end engaging the filler neck at the bend and the blocking member substantially flush with the opening.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of fuelling a vehicle comprising the above assembly, the method comprising providing a fuel nozzle within the opening, the providing step comprising providing the blocking member inside the fuel nozzle. Naturally, desirably, a fuel nozzle with a smaller inner diameter is then blocked by the blocking element from entering the opening.

Then, preferably, the providing step further comprises providing the resilient elements inside the nozzle. In this manner, the resilient elements may be positioned quite close to the opening, which is an advantage when centering is desired without exerting excessive force.

A final aspect of the invention relates to a collection of devices for preventing incorrect fuelling and for introduction into an inlet of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, each device comprising a first proximal end comprising a blocking member and a second distal end, the devices of the collection having different lengths between the first and second ends. Thus, instead of providing an adaptable length of such devices, devices with different lengths may be provided from which a device is selected which fits the actual vehicle/vessel. In this situation, a difference in lengths between individual devices may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or even 10 cm, as it may be acceptable that the blocking element is not positioned at the opening of the fuel line of the vehicle/vessel as long as it is positioned sufficiently close for the user to notice that a fuel nozzle cannot be inserted sufficiently and thus that the fuel type selected is wrong.

In the following examples of said device is to be explained in detail, in relation to the drawing wherein : Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the device in a side view, Fig. 2 shows the second distal end of the device as inserted within a fuel inlet, in a top view and

Fig. 3 shows a device as in fig. 1 when it is inserted inside a fuel inlet, in a side view. Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprising a device 10 for preventing incorrect fuelling and adapted to be insertable into a filler neck 20 of a diesel fuel tank, generally of a tubular form. Said device 10 comprises a proximal end P and a distal end D, a blocking member 12, a extending member 14, and a stabilizing member 16. Said extending member 14 is provided between said blocking member 12 and said stabilizing member 16 and interconnects them. In one embodiment, the blocking member 12 and/or the stabilizing member 16 is provided integral with said extending member 14. The distal end D, i.e. that defined by the blocking member 12, is positioned substantially coaxially with the tank inlet and substantially flush with the tank inlet entry or mouth. The proximal end, i.e. that defined by the end holding the stabilizing member 16, is adapted for contact with the inner side of said fuel tank or filler neck 20 in such a way that the outer parts or surface thereof is cooperating with a bend 24 or an end of said fuel tank or filler neck 20 for providing the positioning of and holding/fixing said device 1 within said fuel tank or filler neck 20. In fig. 2, the distal end D of the blocking member 12 is shown substantially flush with the tank inlet or filler neck mouth 22 in order not to interfere with the tank cover during attachment and detachment of the latter, and is provided sufficiently close to the inlet 22 end for blocking entrance of a non-diesel filler nozzle 32 far into the filler neck 20 for fuel filling purposes. As shown in fig 1-3, the blocking member 12 is provided as a circular disc (coin shaped; figures 1-3 illustrates this element from different sides), the plane of the disc being provided co-axially with the inlet tube, i.e. longitudinally with the device axis, in order to allow tubular flow along the inlet tube, when the filler nozzle is inserted around the blocking member 12. The disc may be fixed, or be semi or fully rotatable around the longitudinal axis A. The diameter of the disc 12 is substantially larger than the inner diameter of a conventional petrol filler nozzle but smaller than the conventional diesel filler in order to prevent entry of the latter into the inlet tube 20. The blocking member 12 is thus adapted in its outer radius of a distal end thereof, so that it may prevent a filler nozzle not filling diesel to be inserted around the outer radius thereof, and at the same time allow a diesel filler nozzle to be inserted and passing the outer radius thereof. Generally, the internal diameter of a diesel nozzle is 19.6 mm, and the internal diameter of a petrol nozzle is 16.5 mm. Other designs of the blocking member 12 are conceivable, such as shape being triangular, square, star-shaped, pentagonal plates with planes substantially coaxially with the inlet pipe, or such as being provided as a solid surface or alternatively a peripheral shape having one or more holes within. Even other shapes, e.g. cones, rings, flanged or simple, the planes of which are co-axial with the inlet pipe and/or transverse thereto, are conceivable. The blocking member 12 is preferably designed as to effectively block the small diameter nozzles and at the same time allow for maximum diesel flow along and/or inside it.

Spring elements 13 and 15 are provided. The elements 15 are used for preventing the proximal end P of the device from moving and thus making noise during operation of the vehicle or vessel.

Springs 13 are provided for centering the blocking member 12 inside the opening 22. The springs 13 are provided so close to the blocking member 12 that they deform and move within the nozzle 32 when inserted inside the filler neck 20. Alternatively, the springs 13 may be positioned further toward the proximal end P. In addition or alternatively, the element 14 may be made sufficiently stiff to maintain the blocking member 12 at the desired position. In fact, it may be desired that the element 14 is plastically deformable or bendable so as to be able to bend it so as to centre the blocking member 12 in the opening.

In fig 1-3, the extending member 14 is shown as an elongated metal or plastic rod of a generally isosceles triangular flat or planar shape. At the acute edge of the triangle, the blocking member 12 is provided either attached or adjustable at the end or along the length thereof. At the bottom of the triangle, either along the short side thereof and/or up along a part of the two long sides thereof, the stabilizing member 16 is provided. It may be appreciated, that the rod shape may differ from the one shown, in that it may be e.g. tubular, flat rectangular, and it may be rigid or flexible along the axis thereof or even partly bendable, without departing from the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 1-3, the stabilizing member 16 is a hollow tube of a given length with a circular section. Alternatively, the stabilizing member may be provided as three or more legs or flanges extending axially symmetrical and longitudinal along a distance of the extending rod 14. Other tubular section shapes may be conceived than circular e.g. triangular, quadratic, star shaped or the like.

An advantage of the present invention is the fact that the distal end of the tubular stabilizing member 16 is excellent in both 1) providing a steady hold of the device inside the filler neck 20 against any inlet bend, 2) is shaped as not to pose any risk of damage to the filler neck 20, even if inserted in a rough way, 3) allows for uninhibited diesel flow through the tube.

The device 10 may be fabricated from any suitable material, including polymers, metals, papers, rubber or combinations thereof. Advantageously, the blocking member is preferably made from a metal, hard plastic, glass or other hard material in order to indicate, repel and resist the entry of an erroneous petrol nozzle head.

When the stabilizing member 16 is circular and tubular, there may be provided an increased section for flow, and increased stability and fixation is provided for the device 10, when cooperating with the generally circular inner side of the tank filler tube. When legs or fins are provided, the device may be provided with a decreased weight and an improved flow, but may experience a decrease in stability.

The device is provided in such a way, that it may easily be retrofitted into an existing vehicle by insertion into the distal end of a tank inlet such that a first end of the device rests and is held in position on a bend or an end of the vehicle tank inlet and a second end of said device is positioned substantially coaxially with the tank inlet and with the blocking member substantially flush within the tank inlet mouth.

The device is adjustable in its length thereof and preferably to such an extent that the first end P of the device rests on a bend or an end of the vehicle tank or filler neck 20 and a second end D of the device is positioned with the blocking member 12 substantially within the tank inlet mouth 22, adaptable to the different lengths for the vehicle types available. In such a way, a single device may be adaptable to be fitted into small vehicles, automobiles, trucks, tractors or the likes, or may be available for being adapted by adjustment to different types of small cars, e.g. by make and/or model.

In one embodiment the device may be adapted for different lengths of inlet tubes or filler necks 20 by providing a selectively adjustable length regulation 162, 164 at the stabilizing member 16 and/or extending member 14. The design may thus include two internal rails on the inner walls of the stabilizing member 16 for guiding, holding and fixing the plane sides of extending member 14 therein, e.g. adjustable by a pair of screws (not shown), one on each rail.

The length regulation may be provided in a number of ways, such as 1) the extending rod being provided slidably adjustable inside and/or outside the stabilizing member, 2) the extending rod being provided with one or more cut off markings for breaking, hammering or sawing off one or more sections of the rod, 3) ruler like assembly of the extending rod in segments, 4) non-returnable notch- spline combinations, 5) telescopic provisions, or the like. The device may thus be fitted to the tank inlet by the user of the car, e.g. by the provision of different types of devices, each having a length for each make of car, or a singular device, which may be easily adapted for fitting the different make of car in question.

The above described assembly capitalizes on the development of the different diameters of petrol and diesel nozzles already implemented in order to prevent a user filling a diesel car with petrol. It is low cost, has no moving parts or electronics, and can be fitted retrospectively into a large number of existing vehicles and makes of cars in a simple and easy manner. The assembly fits to a vehicle in minutes, requires no shop adaption or special action at the filling station, and is furthermore easy to remove again from within the inlet, if needed.