Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The subject matter in general relates to fuel delivery system in vehicles. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to a vent structure for venting gaseous fuel from vehicle cabin to atmosphere.
BACKGROUND
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter.
[001] Referring to FIG. 1, disclosed is a fuel delivery system in a vehicle. Conventionally, fuel tank 100 with compressed natural gas (CNG) or Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) as fuel is placed inside a vehicle cabin 102. A fuel delivery pipe 104 is configured to deliver fuel from the fuel tank 100 to engine (not shown) which is positioned at front end of the vehicle. Generally, the fuel delivery pipe 104 exited from the vehicle cabin at rear end and re-enters engine cabin at front end. Accordingly, most of the portion of the fuel delivery pipe 104 extended outside the vehicle body. During such delivery, there are chances that the fuel may leak from joining of the fuel delivery pipe 104 and the fuel tank 100 or through connector or through the fuel delivery pipe 104 due to various reasons , the leaked fuel may enter the passenger cabin from the rear end of the vehicle, generally, the vehicle luggage area, thereby causing inconvenience to the occupants of the vehicle and also creates fire hazard. To prevent the leaked fuel entering the passenger cabin a fuel conduit 110 is provided, wherein the fuel conduit 110 surrounds the fuel delivery pipe 104. The fuel conduit 110 is attached to a vent duct 116 at vehicle floor 108. The vent duct 116 opens to outer space (atmosphere) 106. The fuel conduit 110 encloses the fuel delivery pipe 104 from the connector to the vent duct 116 to prevent the leaked fuel from entering the vehicle cabin 102 and provide a path to deliver it to the vent duct 116, whereby the vent duct 116 vents out the leaked fuel gas out to the atmosphere.
[002] However, the structural configuration of the existing vent ducts do not facilitate the easy venting of the leaked fuel out from the vehicle cabin to the atmosphere.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[003] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in the state of the art, some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[004] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a vent duct to vent leaked fuel gases from vehicle cabin to atmosphere.
[005] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[006] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to ventduct provided in a vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[007] The present disclosure relates to a vent duct that vents leaked fuel from vehicle cabin to atmosphere. The vent duct comprises a first portion, a mounting flange and a second portion. The first portion is configured to receive a fuel conduit. The first portion is disposed inside vehicle cabin. The mounting flange is in contact with the first portion. The mounting flange is configured to mount the vent duct to a vehicle floor. The second portion extends from the mounting flange. A distal end of the second portion tapers from first end to second end. A plurality of slots are defined by the second portion. The plurality of slots may be rectangular in shape. The plurality of slots are closer to the first end. The plurality of slots extend away from the mounting flange at an angle.
[008] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 discloses a conventional way to vent leaked fluid from vehicle cabin to atmosphere;
[0011] FIG. 2 discloses an isometric view of vent duct, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 discloses an orthographic view of the vent duct, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 discloses connection between fuel conduit and first portion of the vent duct, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0014] FIG. 5 discloses air flow around the vent duct, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0015] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0017] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0018] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “consisting” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0019] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0020] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0022] Referring to FIGs. 2 and 3, disclosed is a vent duct 200 to vent leaked fuel from vehicle cabin to atmosphere. The vent duct 200 defines a hollow cylinder structure. The vent duct 200 comprises a first portion 202, a mounting flange 206, and a second portion 204.
[0023] The first portion 202 is configured to receive a fuel conduit 406 (shown in FIG. 4). The first portion 202 is disposed inside vehicle cabin.
[0024] The mounting flange 206 is in contact with the first portion 202. The mounting flange 206 is configured to mount the vent duct 200 to a vehicle floor. In an embodiment, the mounting flange 206 is placed on the vehicle floor. The vent duct 200 is inserted into a mounting hole provided on the vehicle floor from inside the vehicle cabin. The mounting flange 206 is disposed in between the first portion 202 and a second portion 204.
[0025] In an embodiment, the mounting flange 206 comprises a plurality of ribs 212 connecting outer circumference of the first portion 202 to the mounting flange 206. The plurality of ribs 212 provide rigidity and strength to the vent duct 200.
[0026] The second portion 204 extends from the mounting flange 206 in opposite direction of the first portion 202. The second portion 204 also define a cylinder structure where first end 302 defines length ‘X’ and the second end 306 defines length ‘x’. The length ‘X’ is greater than length ‘x’. A distal end 304 of the second portion 204 tapers from end point of the first end 302 to end point of the second end 306. In an embodiment, the first end 302 faces front of the vehicle and the second end 306 faces the rear of the vehicle so that while the vehicle is in forward motion, air flows around the second portion 204 from the first end 302 to the second end 306.
[0027] In an embodiment, taper angle of the distal end 304 of the second portion 204 may be 45 degrees with respect to the vehicle floor. In another embodiment, the taper angle of the distal end 304 of the second portion 204 may be in the range of 30 – 60 degrees with respect to the vehicle floor. The vehicle floor and the mounting flange 206 are on same plane.
[0028] In an embodiment, a plurality of slots 208 are defined by the second portion 204. The plurality of slots 208 are closer to the first end 302 than to the second end 306. The plurality of slots 208 extend away from the mounting flange 206 at an angle. The plurality of slots 208 are directed from the first end 302 of the second portion 204 towards the distal end 304 of the second portion 204 such that the plurality of slots 208 are transverse to the distal end 304.
[0029] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of slots 208 are rectangular in shape. Further, each of the plurality of slots 208 differs in transverse length or cross section length. The plurality of slots 208 may arrange according to ascending order where slot having smallest transverse length is arranged closer to end point of the second portion 204.
[0030] In an embodiment, the second portion 204 comprises an anti-rotation rib 210 along longitudinal direction along length ‘X’ of the first portion 302. The anti-rotation rib 210 starts from the mounting flange 206 and extends upto end point of the first portion 202. The anti-rotation rib 210 prevents the rotation of the vent duct 200 with respect to the vehicle floor. Additionally, the anti-rotation rib 210 functions as a locator while affixing the vent duct 200 to the vehicle floor. The plurality of slots 208 may be provided on both sides of the anti-rotation rib 210 on the first portion 302.
[0031] In an embodiment, the second portion 204 comprises a snap lock 308. The snap lock 308 is configured to snap the vent duct 200 to the vehicle floor such that the vehicle floor is disposed or sandwiched between the mounting flange 206 and the snap lock 308. The snap lock 308 arrests the movement of the vent duct 200 in the upward direction and the mounting flange 206 arrests the movement of the vent duct 200 in the downward direction, thereby solidifying the attachment of the vent duct 200 to the vehicle floor.
[0032] In an embodiment, the second portion 204 is disposed outside the vehicle cabin.
[0033] In an embodiment, the first portion 202 and the second portion 204 are cylindrical in shape.
[0034] In an embodiment, the first portion 202 and the second portion 204 are hollow.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, distal end 402 of the first portion 202 comprises a spool bulge 404. The spool bulge 404 prevents fuel leakage from the fuel conduit 406 to the outside of the first portion 202. The spool bulge 404 provides for a zero gap interference fit between the fuel conduit 406 and the vent duct 200.
[0036] In an embodiment, the spool bulge 404 can be provided anywhere in between distal end 402 and the mounting flange 206 on the outer-circumference of the first portion 202. As shown in fig. 5, for illustration point of view, the spool bulge 404 is provided at edge of the distal end 402. In an aspect, the spool bulge can be provided at the interface of the fuel conduit 406 and the vent duct 200.
[0037] In an embodiment, the fuel may be any gaseous fuel such as compressed natural gas (CNG), LPG.
WORKING OF THE VENT DUCT 200
[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, during forward movement of the vehicle, a portion of air flows in direction 502 around the second portion 204 of the vent duct 200. The tapered distal end 304 of the second portion 204 creates a vacuum or pressure difference which pulls the leaked fuel, if any, in the fuel conduit 406 outwards.
[0039] Remaining portion of laminar air flows through the slots 208 and into the second portion 204 in direction 504. The angular downward orientation of the slots 208 directs the air entering the slots 208 downwards and out from the second portion 204. This movement of the air in the direction 504 provides an additional push to the initial pullgiven to the leaked fuel using the tapered distal end 304 of the second portion 204, thereby improving the removal of leaked fuel out from the fuel conduit 406.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGE
[0040] The present disclosure proposes a vent duct to vent fuel from vehicle cabin to atmosphere.
[0041] Furthermore, each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0042] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0043] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0044] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0045] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
[0046] The term “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving automobile that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term “vehicle” is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.

Claims:

We claim:
1. A vent duct (200) to vent leaked fuel gas from vehicle cabin to atmosphere, the vent duct (200) comprising:
a first portion (202) configured to receive a fuel conduit (406), wherein the first portion (202) disposed inside vehicle cabin;
a mounting flange (206) in contact with the first portion (202), wherein the mounting flange (206) is configured to mount the vent duct (200) to a vehicle floor; and
a second portion (204) extending from the mounting flange (206), wherein,
a distal end (304) of the second portion (204) tapers from first end (302) to second end (306); and
a plurality of slots (208) are defined by the second portion (204), wherein,
the plurality of slots (208) are closer to the first end (302); and
the plurality of slots (208) extend away from the mounting flange (206) at an angle.

2. The vent duct (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein distal end (402) of the first portion (202) comprises a spool bulge (404).

3. The vent duct (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting flange (206) comprises a plurality of ribs (212) connecting the first portion (202) to the mounting flange (206).

4. The vent duct (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of slots (208) are directed from the first end (302) of the second portion (204) towards the distal end (304) of the second portion (204) such that the plurality of slots (208) are transverse to the distal end (304).
5. The vent duct (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portion (204) comprises an anti-rotation rib (210) along longitudinal direction.

6. The vent duct (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portion (204) comprises a snap lock (308) configured to snap the vent duct (200) to the vehicle floor.

7. The vent duct (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vehicle floor is disposed between the mounting flange (206) and the snap lock (308).

8. The vent duct (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion (202) and the second portion (206-mounting flange) are cylindrical in shape.

9. The vent duct (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion (202) and the second portion (202) are hollow.

10. The vent duct (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portion (204) is disposed outside the vehicle cabin.