WO2011021951A1

WO2011021951A1 - Flange for mounting a device which monitors the closing and opening of the fuel filler tube

Info

Publication number: WO2011021951A1
Application number: PCT/PL2010/000075
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sławomir SMOLIŃSKI; Paweł FRYCZYŃSKI
Original assignee: DATA SYSTEM GROUP
Current assignee: DATA SYSTEM GROUP
Priority date: 2009-08-21
Filing date: 2010-08-17
Publication date: 2011-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2012-02-21

Abstract

Flange (1) is mounted at the end of the filler pipe (2) and has a passage opening (3) closed with a cap and a place for a sensor which monitors the presence of the cap in the abovementioned opening (3). In the lower surface of the flange(1) there is an essentially round neck (7) essentially concentric with the passage opening (3). On the side wall (8) of the passage opening (3) there are two cut-outs (9) for catches (10) located opposite each other and two pins (11) located opposite each other, which mount the filler cap in a position which closes the passage opening (3) In the cut-outs (9) there are sliding catches (10) which are pulled to the flange (1) using vertical screws (13).

Description

FLANGE FOR MOUNTING A DEVICE WHICH MONITORS THE CLOSING AND OPENING OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE

The subject of the utility model is a flange for mounting a device which monitors the opening and closing of the fuel filler by monitoring the position of the flap which monitors the position of the cap closing such a filler, especially a filler in a truck fuel tank.

The problem of controlling access to a fuel filler in a truck was solved in many ways, starting from the commonly used, eg. in the military, placing of a seal on the fuel filler, and ending with sophisticated electronic systems with contactless detection of filler closure and recording of periods during which the filler is opened. The basic element of such an electronic position recorder is a flange which is placed over the fuel filler. Such a flange has a passage opening through which fuel is poured in, closed with a cap, and a place for the cap position sensor. As an example, the description of a Polish utility model no Ru 64261 a solution was presented with the flange participating in the monitoring of the position of the filler cap and having in its upper part grooves, which follow the screw lines, and catches protruding from its bottom. Inconvenience of this solution is that it can be only used for fuel fillers closed with a cap with two flat protrusions which slot into the cut-outs in the entry flange of the filler pipe, whereas many trucks have a threaded filler which lacks such cut-outs.

The goal of the solution in accordance with the utility model was to obtain a device which monitors the state of closing and opening of the fuel filler which could be mounted on any round filler pipe without interfering in its construction.

This goal is fulfilled with a monitoring device which contains a flange mounted at the end of the fuel filler. This flange contains a passage opening which can be closed by a cap and a place for a sensor which monitors the presence of this cap in the aforementioned opening. The essence of the utility model is that on the lower surface of the flange there is an essentially round neck in essence concentric with the passage opening. On the side wall of the passage opening there are two cut-outs located opposite each other, used for catches which mount the flange to the filler pipe. On the same wall there are also two pins located opposite each other which mount the filler cap in a position which closes the passage opening of the flange. In the aforementioned cut-outs there are sliding catches which are pulled to the flange using vertical screws.

It is advantageous when the flange in accordance with the utility model has the shape of a flat cylinder, and the axis of the passage opening is displaced in relation to the axis of this cylinder. It is also advantageous when in the flange, the

relationship of the diameter of passage opening to the diameter of round neck is about 0.7.

It is also advantageous when the vertical screws of the catches are equipped with a method of protection against unauthorised removal, advantageously with sealed horizontal screws which are screwed from outside into the flange, directly above the heads of the vertical screws.

It is also advantageous when the cut-outs for the catches which mount the flange to the filler pipe are moved angularly by approximately 45° in relation to the pins which mount the filler cap.

The solution in accordance with the utility model enables simple control of access to the fuel filler in practically any truck. The installation of the monitoring device is quick, it does not require interfering with the construction of the fuel filler nor any specialised tool, and after its removal the filler is returned back to its factory condition. When compared to the known solution, the resistance to unauthorised removal and vibration loosening, was improved.

The subject of the utility model in an example implementation was shown on the drawing, where fig. 1 and fig. 2 present perspective views of the flange in accordance with the utility model, respectively from above and from below. Fig. 3 and fig. 4 present the same flange in views, respectively, from above and from below, whereas fig. 5 and fig. 6 show the two cross-sections of this flange made by vertical planes perpendicular to each other. Fig. 7 presents the flange in accordance with the utility model placed on the fuel filler, in a cross-section made by the plane from fig. 6.

In the example implementation shown on the drawing the flange I set on the end of the pipe 2 of the fuel filler, is made of an aluminium alloy marked with the PA6 symbol and has the shape of a flat cylinder with the base diameter of 134 mm and the height of 29 mm. In the flange I there is a passage opening 3 with a diameter of 79 mm. The axis of the passage opening 3 and the axis of the flat cylinder 1 are parallel to each other and are displaced by 8.5 mm. The passage opening 3 is used to fill the tank with fuel and is closed by a cap that is not shown on the drawing. Thanks to the separation of the axes of the cylinder 1 and opening 3 on the upper surface of the flange 1 a space was created for the recess 4, in which the electronic sensor which monitors the presence of the abovementioned cap in the position which closes the passage opening 3. The signal of the current position of the cap is sent to the recorder by a cable which is not shown on the drawing, and passes through the passage 5. On the lower surface 6 of the flange 6 there is an essentially round neck 7 with a diameter of 109 mm and a depth of 8 mm. The neck 7 is essentially concentric with the passage opening 3. On the side wall 8 of the passage opening 3 there are two cut-outs 9 located opposite each other, used for catches 10. On the same side wall 8 of the passage opening 3 there are two pins 1J_ located opposite each other, which mount the filler cap in a position which closes the passage opening 3. The aforementioned cut-outs 9 for the catches 10 and pins ϋ which mount the cap are located on chords of the circle which is a horizontal outline of the passage opening 3, passing through the centre of this circle, whereas the angle between these chords is approximately 45°.

The simplest method of closing the passage opening 3 in the flange 1 is using a slightly modified filler cap with two flat protrusions, known from prior art. In known solutions of such cap the aforementioned flat protrusions are a part of a metal plate mounted centrally under the flat part of the cap. The modification of the cap consists of cutting off of the aforementioned flat protrusions and making two cut-outs in its circumference which correspond to the location and width of the mounting pins I I . The mounting of flange 1 on the filler pipe 2 is performed using the catches 10, eg. in a shape approximately like the letter "L". Catches 10 placed in the cut-outs 9 clasp during the installation the internal flange 12 of the filler pipe 2, which can be found in practically all known truck fuel fillers. Vertical screws 13 (M4) are screwed in the catches 10, passing through openings 14 in the flange I . When the vertical screws 13 are screwed into catches 10, the latter start moving upwards in the cut-outs 9 and gradually pull the flange 1 towards the filler pipe 2. After finally fastening the vertical screws 13 they are protected against unauthorised unscrewing, and thus against uncontrolled access to the fuel filler. In the described example implementation the protection is provided by horizontal screws which are not shown on the drawing, screwed from outside into the sockets 15 made in the side wall 16 of the flange 1 and after being screwed they are protected, e.g. with seals.

Claims

1 . Flange for mounting a device which monitors the closing and opening of the fuel filler, mounted at the end of the fuel filler, having a passage opening, closed with a cap, and a place for a sensor which monitors the presence of this cap in this opening, wherein in the lower surface of the flange (1) there is an essentially round neck (7) essentially concentric with the passage opening (3), on the side wall (8) of the passage opening (3) there are two cut-outs (9) for catches (10) located opposite each other and two pins (1 1) located opposite each other which mount the filler cap in a position which closes the passage opening (3), whereas in the cut-outs (9) there are here are sliding catches (10) which are pulled to the flange (J_) using vertical screws (13).

2. Flange as per claim no. 1, wherein it has the shape of a flat cylinder (1), and the axis of the passage opening (3) is displaced in relation to the axis of this cylinder (1).

3. Flange as per the claim no. 1 or 2, wherein the relationship of the diameter of passage opening (3) to the diameter of round neck (7) is about 0.7.

4. Flange as per the claim no. 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the vertical screws (13) are equipped with a method of protection against unauthorised removal, advantageously with sealed horizontal screws which are screwed from outside into the flange (I), directly above the heads of the vertical screws (13).

5. Flange as per the claim no. 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, wherein

the cut-outs (9) for the mounting catches (10) are moved angularly by approximately 45° in relation to the pins ( I V) which mount the filler cap.