US-12624674-B2 - Flexible fluid connection for evaporative emissions system

Abstract

A leak detection module (LDM) includes a housing that provides a cavity that is enclosed by a wall that has a hole. A valve is arranged within the housing and in fluid communication along a passage that extends between first and second ports on the LDM, the valve is movable between open and closed positions. A pump is arranged within the housing and in fluid communication with the passage. A fluid fitting extends through the hole and has a passageway that extends between first and second end portions. The passageway is in fluid communication with the pump, the fluid fitting provides one of the first and second ports. A fastener secures the fluid fitting to the wall.

Inventors

• Mark William Peters
• Robert James Steinman

Assignees

• STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20231115

Claims (16)

1. 1 . A leak detection module (LDM) comprising: a housing providing a cavity enclosed by a wall having a hole; a valve arranged within the housing and in fluid communication along a passage that extends between first and second ports on the LDM, the valve movable between open and closed positions; a pump arranged within the housing and in fluid communication with the passage, and an electric motor arranged in the housing for rotational driving the pump; a fluid fitting extending through the hole and having a passageway extending between first and second end portions, the passageway in fluid communication with the pump, the fluid fitting is arranged at an angular orientation and provides one of the first and second ports; a canister valve solenoid (CVS) arranged within the housing and in fluid communication along the passage, the CVS movable between open and closed positions; an electrical connector provided by the housing and in electrical communication with the electric motor and the CVS; and a fastener securing the fluid fitting in the angular orientation relative to the wall.
2. 2 . The LDM of claim 1 , wherein the wall has first and second sides opposite one another, the first end portion has a flange against the first side, the fastener is secured to the second end portion adjacent the second side clamping the fluid fitting to the wall.
3. 3 . The LDM of claim 1 , wherein the wall has first and second sides opposite one another, the first end portion has a flange against the first side, the fastener secures the flange to the first side.
4. 4 . The LDM of claim 3 , wherein the fastener is a weld.
5. 5 . The LDM of claim 2 , comprising a seal arranged about the second end portion and between the fastener and the second side.
6. 6 . The LDM of claim 5 , wherein the fastener includes a collar extending from the fastener toward the second side, and the seal is arranged inboard from the collar.
7. 7 . The LDM of claim 1 , wherein the fastener includes threads.
8. 8 . The LDM of claim 7 , wherein the threads are provided by a multi-start thread configuration.
9. 9 . An evaporative emissions system comprising the LDM of claim 1 , comprising a connector attached to the second portion and fluidly connected to another portion of the system.
10. 10 . The LDM of claim 9 , wherein the other portion is a charcoal canister.
11. 11 . The LDM of claim 3 , wherein the flange is affixed to the first side.
12. 12 . The LDM of claim 4 , comprising a second fastener, wherein the second fastener includes threads.
13. 13 . The LDM of claim 12 , comprising a seal arranged about the second end portion and between the second fastener and the second side.
14. 14 . The LDM of claim 13 , wherein the second fastener includes a collar extending from the second fastener toward the second side, and the seal is arranged inboard from the collar.
15. 15 . The LDM of claim 12 , wherein the threads are provided by a multi-start thread configuration.
16. 16 . The LDM of claim 1 , wherein the fitting has a bend such that the passageway is non-linear, the angular orientation corresponding to a position of the one of the first and second ports resulting from the bend.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/428,859 filed Nov. 30, 2022. TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to fluid fitting for an evaporative emissions system component, such as a leak detection module (LDM). BACKGROUND Evaporative emissions systems have long been required for gasoline powered vehicles. The system must undergo a periodic leak test during or after a vehicle drive cycle to ensure that fuel vapors will not leak into the atmosphere. The system includes leak detection module (LDM) that typically includes at least a pump and a valve to create a vacuum or pressurize the system in order to perform the test. In one example LDM module, first and second ports are provided on a housing that encloses the valve and the pump. The ports are in fluid communication with the valve, the pump and other components that may be arranged within the LDM. A controller may also be arranged in the housing for performing the leak test. Typically, the housing is constructed from multiple plastic housing portions that are secured to one another to form the module. The ports are molded into the housing portions as a monolithic, unitary structure using dedicating injection molds for each specific vehicle application based upon LDM packaging constraints within the vehicle. SUMMARY In one exemplary embodiment, a leak detection module (LDM) includes a housing that provides a cavity that is enclosed by a wall that has a hole. A valve is arranged within the housing and in fluid communication along a passage that extends between first and second ports on the LDM, the valve is movable between open and closed positions. A pump is arranged within the housing and in fluid communication with the passage. A fluid fitting extends through the hole and has a passageway that extends between first and second end portions. The passageway is in fluid communication with the pump, the fluid fitting provides one of the first and second ports. A fastener secures the fluid fitting to the wall. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the wall has first and second sides that are opposite one another. The first end portion has a flange against the first side. The fastener is secured to the second end portion adjacent the second side clamping the fluid fitting to the wall. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the wall has first and second sides opposite one another. The first end portion has a flange against the first side. The fastener secures the flange to the first side. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the flange is a weld. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the LDM includes a seal that is arranged about the second end portion and between the fastener and the second side. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the fastener includes a collar that extends from the fastener toward the second side. The seal is arranged inboard from the collar. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the fastener includes threads. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the threads are provided by a multi-start thread configuration. In another exemplary embodiment, a method of assembling a leak detection module (LDM) includes arranging a pump and a valve in a housing with a hole, orienting a fluid fitting in the hole in a desired position, securing the fluid fitting to the housing at the desired position to provide a port to the LDM, and enclosing the housing. The fluid fitting is in fluid communication with the pump and the valve. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the securing step includes welding the fluid fitting to the housing. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the securing step includes threading a fastener onto the fluid fitting. In another exemplary embodiment, an evaporative emissions system component includes a housing that provides a cavity that is enclosed by a wall that has a hole. The housing has first and second ports. The wall has first and second sides opposite one another. A fluid fitting has a passageway that extends between first and second end portions. The fluid fitting provides one of the first and second ports. The first end portion has a flange against the first side. A fastener is secured to the second end portion adjacent the second side to maintain the fluid fitting in a desired orientation relative to the wall. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the system component is a leak detection module (LDM) that includes a valve that is arranged within the housing and in fluid communication along a passage that extends between the first and second ports on the LDM. The valve is movable between open and closed positions, and a pump is arranged within the housing and in fluid communication with the passage. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the system component includes a connector that is attached to the second portion and fluidly connected to another portion of the system. In a furthe