DE102021110788A1 - Fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

A fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine is specified, with a tank (1) with a tank outlet (8) for discharging fuel from the tank (1) and with a fuel filter (3) with a filter inlet (5) and a filter outlet (6). , wherein the filter inlet (5) is plugged into the tank outlet (8) and is held in a sealed manner by an inlet plug-in connection device (7). Furthermore, a valve device (10) with a valve inlet (12) and a valve outlet (26) can be provided for controlling a fuel flow coming from the filter outlet (6), the filter outlet (6) being inserted into the valve inlet (12) and passing through an outlet plug-in connection device (13) is held in a sealing manner.

Description

The invention relates to a fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the invention relates to an integral structure for a fuel supply system in a gasoline-powered soil compaction rammer.

In smaller internal combustion engines, fuel is usually distributed via fuel hoses, which must be secured at the appropriate connection points with hose clamps or couplings. Such motors can be used, for example, in machines such as lawn mowers, chain saws or rammers for soil compaction.

Various variants are known for the fuel supply, e.g. a direct (hose) connection from the fuel tank to the engine (carburetor, injection system, etc.), or a direct connection from the fuel tank to the engine, with the option of controlling the fuel flow with a To shut off the fuel tap manually. Furthermore, a connection from the fuel tank to a fuel valve or a gas actuator and then a further connection to the engine is known, in which case a fuel filter can also be connected in between.

The fuel supply to the (combustion) engine typically takes place at the carburetor or injection system of the engine.

All of these variants for coupling a fuel tank to an engine require complex assembly with many components. Due to the numerous connection points (e.g. on the hoses secured with clamps), there is a considerable potential for leaks and incorrect operation. The additional opening of a fuel tap also requires additional operator effort and can be a source of operational disruption if the closed fuel tap (fuel valve) is not recognized by the operator.

It is known to combine a throttle control lever with the function of a fuel valve. The fuel valve is opened and closed depending on the position of the throttle lever. The speed of the engine can then be controlled using the throttle lever while the engine is running.

Examples of such combinations of throttle lever and fuel valve are given in EP 0 781 910 A1 and DE 10 2006 026 387 A1 known.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine which can be assembled in a simplified manner and which manages with a reduced number of components and connection points in order to reduce possible leakage points. In addition, the operation should be simplified.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a fuel supply device having the features of claim 1 . Advantageous configurations are specified in the dependent claims. The fuel supply device according to the invention can be used in an advantageous manner in particular in a gasoline-powered rammer.

A fuel supply device according to the invention for an internal combustion engine has a tank with a tank outlet for discharging fuel from the tank and a fuel filter with a filter inlet and a filter outlet. The filter inlet is plugged into the tank outlet and is sealingly held by an inlet fitting.

In this way, the fuel filtered through the fuel filter can be routed via the filter outlet to the combustion engine, more precisely to its carburettor or injection system. The fuel supply device thus relates to the fuel supply area upstream of the carburetor or in front of the carburetor.

The tank outlet can be an opening, which can be designed, for example, as a bore or in the form of a tube.

The filter inlet and the filter outlet can also each have a tubular design. At least part of the filter inlet should be plugged into the tank outlet.

The definition of the filter inlet being plugged into the tank outlet is expressly intended to also include the converse of the tank outlet being plugged into the filter inlet. The specification should therefore not be understood as a precise diameter specification to the effect that the diameter of the filter inlet must be smaller than that of the tank outlet. The only thing that matters is that the filter inlet and tank outlet are connected to each other by means of a plug connection, i.e. plugged into each other.

Between the filter inlet and the tank outlet, the plug-in connection device is provided, which mechanically holds the filter inlet in the tank outlet, such that the joint between Filter inlet and tank outlet is sealed. The plug-in connection device thus enables the filter inlet to be plugged into the tank outlet in a clamped manner. The assembly takes place solely through the plug-in process. No further fixing of the filter inlet in the tank outlet or any other assembly step is required. In particular, no hose has to be attached and fixed by a clamp with the aid of a screw connection or clamp connection.

There may be valve means having a valve inlet and a valve outlet for controlling a flow of fuel (filtered) from the filter outlet, the filter outlet being plugged into the valve inlet and sealed by an outlet connector means.

Here, too, the above statement applies that the statement “the filter outlet is inserted into the valve inlet” also includes the reverse statement, according to which the valve inlet can be inserted into the filter outlet. The filter outlet and the valve inlet are thus plugged into one another.

The fuel flow thus reaches the valve device, which controls the fuel flow, from the filter outlet via the valve inlet. This can be understood to mean at least enabling (opening) or blocking (closing) the flow of fuel. The fuel flow is thus controlled downstream of the fuel filter with the aid of the valve device.

The tank outlet, the filter inlet, the filter outlet and the valve inlet can be arranged axially to one another, e.g. one behind the other. The axial arrangement refers in particular to the central axis of the respective outlets and inlets. Due to the axial arrangement of the various outlets and inlets, the components can be plugged into one another one after the other. This allows not only simple assembly, but also simple securing of the relative positions to one another, because only the two end components (the tank with the tank outlet and the valve device with the valve inlet) must be held mechanically in a corresponding frame and fixed at least with regard to their axial position. The components arranged in between, in particular the fuel filter, are automatically secured in their position by the axial arrangement. In this way, assembly can be significantly simplified.

The definition that the components are arranged “axially to one another” should also expressly include variants in which the respective axes of the outlets or inlets are offset parallel to one another, with the associated components being guided accordingly in the axial direction. An axis offset caused by the parallel arrangement of the axes is therefore permissible and still allows the individual components to be simply plugged into one another.

The components of the tank outlet, filter inlet, filter outlet and valve inlet can in particular be assembled with one another in a uniform axial direction. This means that an identical mounting direction can be achieved in the axial direction. In addition, tolerance options in the axial direction can be provided in a simple manner, e.g. with the help of elongated holes, in order to compensate for tolerances during assembly.

• - Tankauslass und Einlass-Steckverbindungseinrichtung;
• - Filtereinlass und Einlass -Steckverbindungseinrichtung;
• - Gehäuse des Kraftstofffilters und Gehäuse des Tanks;
• - Filterauslass und Auslass-Steckverbindungseinrichtung;
• - Auslass-Steckverbindungseinrichtung und Ventileinlass.

An axially acting stop can be provided for at least one of the following pairings of components:

• - tank outlet and inlet connector assembly;
• - filter inlet and inlet connector;
• - fuel filter housing and tank housing;
• - filter outlet and outlet connector;
• - Outlet fitting and valve inlet.

A respective stop can, for example, be a shoulder on a pipe or a front face or a wall. The stops serve to respectively define an exact relative axial position between the two respective components concerned.

If a corresponding axially acting stop is provided for all of the above-mentioned pairings of components, the fuel filter can be held securely on both sides and in a defined, particularly axial position, even if it is only held by the end plug connections.

The plug-in connections allow the compensation of axial position errors and thus ensure a certain assembly tolerance. The axial positions can then be precisely defined with the aid of the stops.

At least one of the plug connection devices can have a sealing function. This means that the sealing function is integrated into the connector device.

In one embodiment, at least one of the connector devices can be a force have a material-resistant rubber element. The rubber element can have at least one tubular section, in which case one of the two components to be connected by the plug-in connection device (e.g. filter inlet or tank outlet) can be inserted in a clamping manner into the interior of this tubular section and the rubber element can be inserted or inserted with its outer circumference into the other component can be. Due to the elasticity of the rubber element, the components are reliably held together mechanically. In addition, the elasticity of the rubber element ensures a good sealing effect.

The rubber element can be designed in particular as a rubber grommet. Rubber grommets are simple and widely known machine elements that are used in various ways, e.g. also as cable bushings on housings. A typical rubber grommet generally has two axial, in particular tubular, areas of approximately the same length with different outside diameters. This allows the rubber grommet with the section with the smaller outside diameter to be pushed into a corresponding bore (or pipe; here e.g. the tank outlet), while the section with the larger diameter is used as a stop to hold the rubber grommet in its axial position. Due to the elasticity of the rubber material of the rubber grommet, a simple but effective sealing effect can be achieved.

In particular, the rubber grommet thus performs a sealing function in cooperation with tubular elements, such as the filter inlet and the filter outlet, which are inserted inside the rubber grommet.

The housing of the tank can have a recess in which at least part of the fuel filter is arranged. In this way, the tank can at least partially surround the fuel filter and thus offer a certain guidance and protection. The fuel filter can be pushed into the recess at one end of the tank, for example, until the filter inlet is inserted into the plug-in connection device at the tank outlet. This alone results in a protected and axially secured position of the fuel filter in the recess of the tank and thus also in a particularly compact design due to the accommodation of the fuel filter in the tank housing.

The recess may have a viewing opening, such as a slit, through which the fuel filter is visible from the outside. This allows the fuel filter to be checked visually and for contamination without having to remove it.

The valve device can be part of a throttle lever assembly, with the throttle lever assembly having an operating device for controlling an engine speed of the internal combustion engine, and with the valve device being able to be opened and closed by the operating device.

The operating device is therefore used to control the engine speed and can have a throttle lever, for example. In particular, it is coupled to the carburetor or injection system of the engine in order to be able to influence the engine speed in a manner known per se, e.g. using a cable or Bowden cable or a throttle valve actuator.

In addition, the operating device can be coupled to the valve device (e.g. the fuel valve) in order to be able to open and close the fuel supply.

The throttle lever assembly thus represents a combined unit of valve device and operating device.

The valve device and the operating device can be provided in housing components that are structurally separate from one another. In other embodiments, the valve device and the operating device can also be provided in a common one-piece housing component.

In one variant, the operating device can have a rotary body that can be pivoted about an axis and has a cam contour on a peripheral contour, with the cam contour acting in a form-fitting manner on a valve element of the valve device in order to influence a position of the valve element in such a way that the valve element, depending on its position causes the valve device to open or close.

The cam contour can have at least one area that protrudes or protrudes outwards and/or has an area that is set back inwards. It provides a curve contour through which the position of the valve element can be changed.

The position of the valve element, e.g.

The operating device can have a rotary body which can be pivoted about an axis and which is also part of the valve device, wherein the rotary body can form a valve element which can be switched between a closed position and at least an open position is movable, and wherein the rotary body is in communication with the valve inlet and the valve outlet.

The open position can also be an entire opening area in which the operating device or the rotating body can assume various intermediate positions, but in which the communicating connection between the valve inlet and the valve outlet is always open.

The valve outlet can be formed on a housing component of the operating device or the throttle lever assembly. A fuel hose leading to the engine (carburetor) can be attached here in a manner known per se, e.g. using a hose clamp.

The rotating body can have a recess which is suitable for establishing a communicating connection between the valve inlet and the valve outlet via the rotating body when the rotating body is in the open position. The rotating body of the operating device can therefore not only be used to carry and pivotally guide the actual operating element, e.g. the throttle lever, but also to open and close the connection between the valve inlet and valve outlet through the recess in the rotating body. In this way, a fuel valve can also be realized integrally with the throttle lever, which is opened or closed depending on the position of the throttle lever.

The fuel supply device described can be used in particular in a rammer for soil compaction. The rammer, which is known per se in terms of its structure, can in particular have an upper mass with an internal combustion engine, and a lower mass that can be moved relative to the upper mass with a ground contact plate (tamping foot) for soil compaction, a ramming system arranged between the upper mass and the lower mass, which is driven by the internal combustion engine via a Movement conversion device (e.g. a crank drive) can be driven, and a fuel supply device of the type described above for supplying the internal combustion engine with fuel.

According to the invention, the essential components of the fuel supply device can thus be plugged together. The fuel filter is inserted into the tank. The throttle assembly can then be snapped onto the exposed end of the fuel filter (filter outlet). The plug-in connections are preferably realized by rubber elements, e.g. rubber grommets, in order to achieve a simple seal.

The positioning is carried out by the defined attachment points based on the stops. In particular, a defined attachment point is provided for the fuel filter on the tank, the rubber grommet on the fuel filter and the throttle lever assembly on the rubber grommet.

The axial positioning can also be adjusted, e.g. via slotted holes on a support on which the tank is also mounted. The carrier can be, for example, the guide handle or bracket of a rammer. Reliable sealing of the individual components is guaranteed in every position, so that a certain axial tolerance is permissible. In addition, the components are permanently secured to one another. In this way, the fuel filter is held securely and in a defined position on both sides, without the need for separate fasteners for the filter via the plug-in connection devices (e.g. rubber grommets).

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Kraftstoffversorgungsvorrichtung in Schnittdarstellung;
• 2 eine erste Ausführungsform der Kraftstoffversorgungsvorrichtung in Perspektivansicht;
• 3 die Kraftstoffversorgungsvorrichtung von 2 in Seitenansicht;
• 4 eine zweite Ausführungsform der Kraftstoffversorgungsvorrichtung in Perspektivansicht;
• 5 die Kraftstoffversorgungsvorrichtung von 4 in Seitenansicht;
• 6 eine dritte Ausführungsform der Kraftstoffversorgungsvorrichtung in Perspektivansicht;
• 7 die Kraftstoffversorgungsvorrichtung von 6 in Seitenansicht;
• 8 eine Teilschnittdarstellung zu der Gashebel-Baugruppe von 7;
• 9 die Anbringung einer erfindungsgemäßen Kraftstoffversorgungsvorrichtung an einem Führungsbügel eines Stampfers;
• 10 die Variante von 9 in der Draufsicht;
• 11 eine andere Variante einer Befestigung der Kraftstoffversorgungsvorrichtung an einem Stampfer; und
• 12 die Variante von 11 in der Draufsicht.

These and other features are explained in more detail below using examples with the aid of the accompanying figures. Show it

• 1 a fuel supply device according to the invention in a sectional view;
• 2 a first embodiment of the fuel supply device in perspective view;
• 3 the fuel supply device of 2 in side view;
• 4 a second embodiment of the fuel supply device in a perspective view;
• 5 the fuel supply device of 4 in side view;
• 6 a third embodiment of the fuel supply device in a perspective view;
• 7 the fuel supply device of 6 in side view;
• 8th a partial sectional view of the throttle assembly of 7 ;
• 9 the attachment of a fuel supply device according to the invention to a guide bracket of a rammer;
• 10 the variant of 9 in top view;
• 11 another variant of fastening the fuel supply device to a rammer; and
• 12 the variant of 11 in top view.

1 shows a sectional view of a fuel supply device according to the invention, with a tank 1, for example a plastic container designed as a tank, on the underside of which a recess 2 is formed, in which a fuel filter 3 is located. A slot-shaped opening 4 is provided in the recess 2, through which a user can inspect the condition of the fuel filter 3 without having to remove it.

The fuel filter 3 has a tubular filter inlet 5 and a tubular filter outlet 6 . The filter inlet 5 is plugged into an opening 8 of the tank 1 via a rubber grommet 7 serving as an inlet plug connection device. The rubber grommet 7 ensures a reliable clamping mechanical mounting of the filter inlet 5 in the opening 8. At the same time, the rubber grommet 7 reliably seals the respective separating surfaces or joints. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the tubular filter inlet 5 is fully inserted into the rubber grommet 7, i.e. it penetrates the rubber grommet 7 completely, as in 1 shown.

At the other end of the fuel filter 3 the filter outlet 6 is plugged into a throttle assembly 9 . The gas lever assembly 9 has a valve device 10 serving as a fuel valve and an operating device 11 .

The filter outlet 6 is in particular plugged into a valve inlet 12 belonging to the valve device 10 via a rubber grommet 13 serving as an outlet plug connection device.

Like the filter inlet 5 on the opposite side, the filter outlet 6 is also reliably clamped mechanically in the valve inlet 12 with the aid of the rubber grommet 13, which in turn effectively seals the separating surfaces. Here, too, it is advantageous if the filter outlet 6 penetrates the rubber grommet 13 completely, as in 1 shown.

The axial position of the fuel filter 3 is precisely defined with the help of stops. A first stop 14 is provided between the tank outlet 8 and the rubber grommet 7, a second stop 15 between the filter inlet 5 and the rubber grommet 7, a third stop 16 between the housing of the fuel filter 3 and the housing of the tank 1, a fourth Stop 17 between the filter outlet 6 and the rubber grommet 13, and a fifth stop 18 between the rubber grommet 13 and the valve inlet 12.

All components have - like 1 shows - a common identical axial arrangement along an axis X to each other and can be assembled along this uniform axial direction with each other. The components simply have to be plugged together one after the other in order to 1 to realize the assembly shown.

The valve device 10 serving as a fuel valve can be actuated, ie opened and closed, by the operating device 11, as will be explained later. For this purpose, the valve device 10 has a valve piston 19 which is axially displaceable against the action of a valve spring 20 in order to selectively enable or prevent the flow of fuel. The mode of operation of such a fuel valve is known per se and will therefore not be discussed in greater detail at this point.

the 2 and 3 show a first embodiment. The components of the throttle lever assembly 9 are realized as separate structural elements, namely the valve device 10 and the operating device 11. The operating device 11 has a throttle lever 21 serving as an actuating lever, which is connected in one piece to a rotary body 22 and via this in a throttle lever Housing component 23 is pivotally mounted. The valve device 10 has the valve piston 19 which is exposed on an end face facing the rotating body 22 and is otherwise held in a valve housing component 24 .

A cam contour 25 is formed on the circumference of the rotary body 22, which cam contour acts positively on the valve piston 19 and changes its axial position in order in this way to open and close the valve device 10.

A fuel hose (not shown) can be connected to a valve outlet 26 in order to lead the fuel to the carburetor of an engine.

the 4 and 5 show a variant of the 2 and 3 .

The valve piston 19 (not shown) is also actuated by a non-visible cam contour 25 on the rotary body 22. In contrast to the embodiment of 2 and 3 the throttle housing component 23 and the valve housing component 24 are now provided as a common one-piece housing component. As a result, the assembly effort compared to the version of the 2 and 3 be considerably simplified because the throttle lever housing component 23 no longer requires a separate attachment. Rather, the throttle lever housing component 23 and thus also the throttle lever 21 can be carried by the valve housing component 24 .

The cam contour 25 can, in contrast to the variant of 2 and 3 , have a depressed portion on the periphery of the rotary body 22 instead of a protruding cam. The cam contour 25 thus represents a type of curved contour for changing the valve position.

the 6 until 8th show a further variant in which the valve device 10 is completely fused with the rotary body 22 and the throttle lever housing component 23. As a result, a particularly compact structure can be achieved.

How in particular 8th shows, two recesses are provided in the rotary body 22, namely an inner recess 27 and an outer recess 28. In this way, the two recesses 27, 28 form fuel channels for guiding the fuel inside the rotary body 22.

The inner recess 27 is arranged on the front side at the end of the valve inlet 12 in such a way that a connection at the in 8th shown pivot position of the throttle lever 21 and thus the rotary body 22 to the inner recess 27 is interrupted. The fuel coming from the fuel filter 3 and present at the valve inlet 12 cannot flow into the inner recess 27 .

However, if the gas lever 21 and thus the rotating body 22 are pivoted somewhat, the inner recess 27 is also pivoted and reaches the area of the valve inlet 12, so that a communicating connection is established there. Then fuel can get from the valve inlet 12 into the inner recess 27 and from there into the outer recess 28 directly adjoining the inner recess 27 and to the valve outlet 26 .

Since the rotating body 22 is completely enclosed in a sealing manner in this area by the throttle lever housing component 23, no fuel can escape to the outside.

All in the 2 until 8th The variants shown have in common that the gas lever 21 can be used to open and close the fuel valve or the valve device 10 . In addition, the throttle lever 21 is also suitable for controlling the speed of the engine by influencing the carburetor position (throttle valve position) or the injection system, which is known per se and is therefore not explained in more detail at this point.

the 9 and 10 show an attachment of the fuel supply device to a guide bracket 30 of a vibratory tamper, not shown, for soil compaction.

It is known to attach the tank of a rammer to its guide bracket. This is also realized in the example shown, in which the tank 1 is arranged in the intermediate space protectively enclosed by the guide bracket 30 . Positioned axially to the tank 1 is the throttle assembly 9, as also for example in FIG 4 shown.

Elongated holes 31 are provided for screwing the throttle lever assembly 9 in order to be able to set and fix the axial position of the throttle lever assembly 9 in the direction of the tank 1 . As a result, the components in between, such as in particular the fuel filter 3 and the rubber grommets 7 and 13, are also fixed in their respective axial position.

the 11 and 12 show a variant of this, in which the elongated holes 31 can be seen in relation to a screw connection 32 of the throttle lever assembly 9 on the guide bracket 30.

Here, too, the axial position of the throttle lever assembly 9 can be adjusted in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the elongated holes 31 in this way.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 0781910 A1 [0007]
• DE 102006026387 A1 [0007]

Claims (14)

Fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine, with - A tank (1) with a tank outlet (8) for discharging fuel from the tank (1); and with - A fuel filter (3) with a filter inlet (5) and a filter outlet (6); whereby - the filter inlet (5) is plugged into the tank outlet (8) and is held in a sealed manner by an inlet plug connection device (7). Fuel supply device after claim 1 , wherein - a valve device (10) with a valve inlet (12) and a valve outlet (26) is provided for controlling a fuel flow coming from the filter outlet (6); and wherein - the filter outlet (6) is plugged into the valve inlet (12) and is sealingly retained by outlet plug-in connection means (13). Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tank outlet (8), the filter inlet (5), the filter outlet (6) and the valve inlet (12) are arranged axially to one another. Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the components tank outlet (8), filter inlet (5), filter outlet (6) and valve inlet (12) in a uniform axial direction (X) are assembled together. Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an axially acting stop (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) is provided for at least one of the following pairings of components: - Tank outlet (8) and inlet connector (7); - Filter inlet (5) and inlet connector (7); - fuel filter housing (3) and tank housing (1); - Filter outlet (6) and outlet connector (13); - Outlet fitting (13) and valve inlet (12). Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plug connection devices (7, 13) has a sealing function. Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plug-in connection devices has a rubber element, in particular a rubber grommet (7, 13). Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing of the tank (1) has a recess (2) in which at least part of the fuel filter (3) is arranged. Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - The valve device (10) is part of a throttle lever assembly (9); - the throttle assembly (10) has an operating device (11) for controlling an engine speed of the internal combustion engine; and where - The valve device (10) can be opened and closed by the operating device (11). Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve device (10) and the operating device (11) are provided in structurally separate housing components (23, 24) or in a common one-piece housing component (23, 24). Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - The operating device (11) has a rotary body (22) which can be pivoted about an axis and which has a cam contour (25) on a peripheral contour; and where - the cam contour (25) acts positively on a valve element (19) of the valve device (10) in order to influence a position of the valve element (19) in such a way that the valve element (19) opens or closes the valve device depending on its position (10) causes. Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - The operating device (11) has a rotary body (22) which can be pivoted about an axis and which is also part of the valve device (10); - The rotating body (22) forms a valve element which is movable between a closed position and at least one open position; and where - The rotating body (22) is in communication with the valve inlet (12) and the valve outlet (26). Fuel supply device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary body (22) has a recess (27, 28) which is suitable for establishing a communicating connection between the valve inlet (12) and the valve outlet (26) via the rotary body (22) when the rotary body (22) is in the open position. Rammer for soil compaction, with - an upper mass with an internal combustion engine; - A relative to the upper mass movable lower mass with a soil contact plate for soil compaction; - A ramming system arranged between the upper mass and the lower mass, which can be driven by the internal combustion engine via a movement conversion device; and having - a fuel supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, for supplying the internal combustion engine with fuel.

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