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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
FUEL FILLING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2009/118745
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
This invention relates to a fuel filling system for vehicles comprising of fuel filler cap (1 ), fuel filler neck assembly (2), fuel filler and breather hoses (3, 4), fuel filler and breather pipes (5, 6), mounting means (9) and clamping means (10), wherein said fuel filler cap (1 ) and fuel filler neck assembly (2) is located in front bonnet area of vehicle and are fitted on front firewall (8), said fuel filler neck assembly (2), fuel filler and breather hoses (3, 4), and fuel filler and breather pipes (5, 6) are routed along the firewall (8) and under body, said pipes (5, 6) and hoses (3, 4)are rigidly mounted to said underbody, said fuel filling system is provided with sufficient gradient for smooth and fast fuel flow to fuel lank.

Inventors:
ABHYANKAR UMESH (IN)
GUJARATHI JITESH (IN)
BORHADE NILESH (IN)
DESHPANDE ABHAY (IN)
Application Number:
PCT/IN2008/000548
Publication Date:
April 22, 2010
Filing Date:
August 29, 2008
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
TATA MOTORS LTD (IN)
ABHYANKAR UMESH (IN)
GUJARATHI JITESH (IN)
BORHADE NILESH (IN)
DESHPANDE ABHAY (IN)
International Classes:
B60K15/00; B60K15/035; B60K15/04
Foreign References:
US6076858A2000-06-20
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
GOLERIA, Karuna et al. (Alaknanda Building16 Nepean Sea Road,Mumbai 6, Maharashtra, IN)
Download PDF:
Claims:

CLAIMS

1. Fuel filling system for vehicles comprising of fuel filler cap, fuel filler neck assembly, fuel filler and breather hoses, fuel filler and breather pipes, mounting means and clamping means, wherein said fuel filler cap and fuel filler neck assembly is located in front bonnet area of vehicle and are fitted on front firewall, said fuel filler neck assembly, fuel filler and breather hoses, and fuel filler and breather pipes are routed along the fire wall and under body, said pipes and hoses are rigidly mounted to said underbody, said fuel filling system is provided with sufficient gradient for smooth and fast fuel flow to fuel tank.

2. Fuel filling system for vehicles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said routing of fuel filler and breather hoses, fuel filler and breather pipes are further protected through underbody structure.

3. Fuel filling system for vehicles as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein said fuel filler cap and fuel filler neck assembly is fitted on front firewall by using fasteners.

4. Fuel filling system for vehicles as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein said fuel filler neck assembly, fuel filler and breather hoses, fuel filler and breather pipes are well routed through the constrained vehicle space without affecting fuel filling performance.

5. Fuel filling system for vehicles as claimed in claims 1 to 4 wherein said fuel filler neck assembly is provided with sufficient clearance between the fuel filler dispenser and adjoining vehicle parts to avoid any hindrances for fuel filling.

6. Fuel filling system for vehicles as claimed in claims 1 to 5 wherein said fuel filler cap is provide with fuel cap tie and is fixed on vehicle body.

7. Fuel filling system for vehicles as claimed in claims 1 to 6 wherein said fuel filler neck assembly comprises of fuel filler pipe, fuel filler neck and breather pipe.

8. Fuel filling system for vehicles as claimed in claims 1 to 7 wherein said fuel filler neck assembly is maintained ergonomic height and angle preferably at an angle of 25 -30 degree and at a height of 730 - 750 mm from ground to provide smooth and fast fuel flow.

9. Fuel filling system for vehicles as claimed in claims 1 to 8 wherein said mounting means are mounting brackets and clamping means are spring band clamps.

10. Fuel filling system for vehicles substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.

Description:

FUEL FILLING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to fuel system used in vehicles and more particularly this relates to fuel filling system.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Normally fuel filling system is required in any vehicle to facilitate fuel filling in to the fuel tank and is required to be located ergonomically. In addition to this sufficient care is required to be taken to prevent the spillage of fuel due to vehicle dynamics.

The conventional fuel filling system mainly consist of fuel cap, fuel filler neck assembly, filler pipes, breather pipes, filler hoses, breather hoses, hoses clamps, and mounting brackets. Said fuel cap and filler neck assembly are located at C - pillar, said filler pipes, filler hoses and breather pipes, breather hoses are routed through under body up to the fuel tank.

The drawback associated with said conventional fuel filling system is that, it is more suitable for front engine vehicles. In addition to this there is a requirement of opening at the C - pillar to locate and hold the fuel filler neck, due to which styling of vehicle may hamper and contribute for increase in cost of vehicle.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION

The main object of this invention is to provide fuel filling system for rear engine vehicles.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide fuel filling system for vehicles with fuel filling neck located at its front ergonomically.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide fuel filling system for vehicles with precise routing of hoses and pipes through the narrow constrained gap of firewall, steering gear, and floor without affecting the fuel filling performance.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide fuel filling system for vehicles without disturbing styling features.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fuel filling system for vehicles which is simple in construction, ease for fitment and cost effective.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Fuel filling system for vehicles in accordance with this invention basically comprises of fuel filler cap, fuel filler neck assembly, filler and breather hoses, filler and breather pipes, mounting means and clamping means. Said fuel filler cap and fuel filler neck assembly is located in front bonnet area of vehicle and are fitted on front firewall using fasteners. Said filler and breather hoses and filler and breather pipes are routed along the fire wall towards under body and are well routed through the constrained vehicle space without affecting fuel filling performance. Said pipes and hoses are rigidly mounted to the underbody of vehicle. Said fuel filling system is provided with sufficient gradient for smooth and fast fuel flow to the tank. Said routing is further protected through underbody structure.

Said fuel filler neck is well oriented to provide sufficient clearance between the fuel filler dispenser and adjoining vehicle parts to avoid any hindrances for fuel filling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG.l shows front view of the fuel filling system routing arrangement for vehicles in accordance with this invention.

FIG.2 shows the isometric view of the fuel filling system routing arrangement for vehicles in accordance with this invention.

FIG.3 shows the bottom view of the fuel filling system routing arrangement for vehicles in accordance with this invention.

FIG.4 shows the sectional view at X-X of fig. 3 of the fuel filling system routing arrangement for vehicles in accordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same

Referring to Fig.1 and Fig.2,

Fuel filling system in a vehicle according to this invention basically compromises of fuel filler cap (1), fuel filler neck assembly (2), front filler hose (3), front breather hose (4), filler pipe (5) and breather pipe (6). Said fuel cap (1) is having threads on its periphery and is fixed on said fuel filler neck assembly (2). Said fuel cap is further provided with fuel cap tie (7) attached on vehicle body. Said fuel filler neck assembly (2) is well routed through constrained space available between front firewall (8) and steering gear. Said

routing helps in maintaining the said fuel filler neck assembly (2) at ergonomic height and angle for smooth and fast fuel flow preferably at an angle of 25 -30 degree and at a height of 730 - 750 mm from ground. Orientation and location of said fuel filler neck assembly (2) helps in providing sufficient accessibility for fuel filling operation. Said fuel filler neck assembly (2) is mounted on said front firewall (8) using suitable mounting means (9) also called as mounting brackets. Said fuel filler neck assembly (2) is connected to said front filler hose (3) and said front breather hose (4) by using suitable clamping means (10). Said fuel filler neck assembly (2) is taking well care of dynamic behavior of steering gear at all conditions.

Referring to Fig.3,

Said front filler hose (3) and said front breather hose (4) are fitted on said filler pipe (5) and said breather pipe (6) respectively using clamping means (10). Said front filler hose (3) and said front breather hose (4) are suitably routed through the narrow space between steering gear and underbody (11). Said filler pipe (5) and said breather pipe (6) are fitted to underbody using mounting means (9) with sufficient protection. This protection is enhanced due to routing through constrained channel at said underbody (11). Said filler pipe (5) and said breather pipe (6) are connected to tank side filler hose (12) and tank side breather hose (13) respectively by using clamping means (10) herein used are spring band clamps.

Referring to Fig.4,

Said tank side filler hose (12) and tank side breather hose (13) are routed in underbody (11) with sufficient protection.

Advantages of said fuel filling system

a. Said fuel filling system enjoys all the advantages of conventional fuel filling system and provides additional safety for rear engine vehicles. b. There is no fuel odor to passengers during fuel filling. c. Enhances the styling features of vehicle.

The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.