EP1564401A1 - Strut guidance structure and pump/filter housing retention structure in a fuel module - Google Patents

Strut guidance structure and pump/filter housing retention structure in a fuel module Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1564401A1
EP1564401A1 EP04027274A EP04027274A EP1564401A1 EP 1564401 A1 EP1564401 A1 EP 1564401A1 EP 04027274 A EP04027274 A EP 04027274A EP 04027274 A EP04027274 A EP 04027274A EP 1564401 A1 EP1564401 A1 EP 1564401A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
strut
reservoir
guidance
fuel
guidance structure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP04027274A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1564401B1 (en
Inventor
Gary Malcom Collier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Continental Automotive Systems Inc
Original Assignee
Siemens VDO Automotive Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens VDO Automotive Corp filed Critical Siemens VDO Automotive Corp
Publication of EP1564401A1 publication Critical patent/EP1564401A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1564401B1 publication Critical patent/EP1564401B1/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
    • F02M37/04—Feeding by means of driven pumps
    • F02M37/08—Feeding by means of driven pumps electrically driven
    • F02M37/10—Feeding by means of driven pumps electrically driven submerged in fuel, e.g. in reservoir
    • F02M37/106—Feeding by means of driven pumps electrically driven submerged in fuel, e.g. in reservoir the pump being installed in a sub-tank

Definitions

  • This invention relates to in-tank fuel modules for sending fuel from a tank to an engine of a vehicle, and more particularly, to an improved strut guidance and pump and/or filter housing attachment.
  • strut rods are used for bottom referencing the fuel module to the bottom of the fuel tank.
  • the strut rods are typically mounted to a flange and glide within guiding holes attached by some means to a reservoir assembly.
  • the fuel pump and often the filter housing are located within the reservoir assembly and retained therein by clipping or press-fitting.
  • a reservoir assembly 10 of a fuel module is shown.
  • a fuel pump 13 is disposed in a reservoir 11 of the reservoir assembly 10.
  • the reservoir 11 includes sidewall structure 16 and a bottom 21 defining an interior space 19 for containing fuel.
  • the reservoir 11 includes strut guidance structure 14.
  • a pair of strut guidance structures 14 are coupled with and extend generally vertically along an interior of the sidewall structure 16.
  • Each strut guidance structure 14 is of generally horseshoe configuration in section defining an elongated gap 18.
  • the strut guidance structure 14 can be formed integrally with the reservoir 10 by, for example a molding process.
  • Each strut guidance structure 14 is constructed and arranged to receive a strut 20 mounted to a flange 22 of the module 12.
  • the strut guidance structure 14 Since the strut guidance structure 14 is located inside the reservoir 11, the volume of fuel inside the strut guidance structure is captured by the reservoir and therefore utilized by the fuel pump 13. This improves the low fuel handling characteristics of the vehicle because the reservoir 11 holds more volume of fuel.
  • conventional strut guides are on the outside of the reservoir, where fuel cannot be captured for use.
  • a taper 24 is provided in the strut guidance structure 14 so that the structure 14 has a large diameter portion 15 and a smaller diameter portion 17.
  • the taper 24 allows a lead-in for a press fit in the smaller diameter portion 17 that will be described below.
  • the upper half (large diameter portion 15) of the structure 14 supports the strut 20 which can glide up and down freely.
  • the reservoir assembly 10 also includes retention structure, generally indicated at 26 in FIG. 3, and can be part of a filter housing or pump holder.
  • the retention structure 26 includes a coupling member 28 constructed and arranged to be coupled to the strut guidance structure 14 near a bottom the reservoir 11.
  • the coupling member 28 is in the form of a cylindrical tube that is moved through the gap 18 to be in a press-fit engagement with the smaller diameter portion 17 of the strut guidance structure 14.
  • the retaining structure 26 is secured with respect to the strut guidance structure 14.
  • the retention structure 26 includes a rib 30 extending from the coupling member 28 into the interior of the reservoir 11.
  • the rib 30 is part of a holding member 32 of the retention structure 26.
  • the retention structure 26 is preferably part of an element of the fuel module and is constructed and arranged to retain element(s) of the module 12 within the reservoir. For example, when a filter housing is provided, the retention structure 26 would be part of the filter housing. If no filter housing is provided, the retention structure 26 would be part of a pump holder.
  • a retaining cup 34 can be associated with the coupling member 28 and strut guidance structure 14.
  • the cup 34 includes a cylindrical base 36 and a cup portion 38 coupled with the base 36.
  • the cup portion 38 includes cut-outs 40 therein to make walls 42 of the cup resilient.
  • the base 36 is received in bore 44 of the coupling member 28.
  • the cup potion 38 is received in the strut guidance structure 14.
  • the cup 34 thus provides a "lighter" press-fit between the strut guidance structure 14 and the coupling member 28. This enables the tolerance requirements of the mating features to be relaxed, reduces the assembly time and increases the pull-out force.
  • another aspect of the invention includes an elastomer damper 46 disposed between the strut guidance structure 14 (shown in dashed lines) and the coupling member 28. This provides an acoustically improved module 12 in an expedited manner since few changes to the overall structure would be necessary.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a reservoir assembly (10) of a fuel module, the reservoir assembly (10) comprising: a reservoir (11) having a sidewall structure (16) and a bottom (21) to define an interior space (19) for holding fuel, the reservoir (11) including strut guidance structure (14) coupled with an interior portion of the sidewall structure (16) the strut guidance structure (14) being of generally horseshoe configuration in section and defining an elongated gap (18), the strut guidance structure (14) being constructed and arranged to receive a strut (20) of the fuel module (12) so as to be movable therein, and retention structure (26) constructed and arranged to retain a part of the module (12) within the reservoir, the retention structure including a coupling member (28) constructed and arranged to be moved through the gap (18) to be in disposed within the strut guidance structure (14) so as to secure the retention structure (26) with respect to the strut guidance structure (14).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to in-tank fuel modules for sending fuel from a tank to an engine of a vehicle, and more particularly, to an improved strut guidance and pump and/or filter housing attachment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In conventional fuel modules, strut rods are used for bottom referencing the fuel module to the bottom of the fuel tank. The strut rods are typically mounted to a flange and glide within guiding holes attached by some means to a reservoir assembly. The fuel pump and often the filter housing are located within the reservoir assembly and retained therein by clipping or press-fitting.
There is a need to combine the guidance for a strut rod and retention for a pump or filter housing assembly into one feature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which:
  • FIG. 1 shows a fuel module with a reservoir assembly having strut guidance structure and retention structure provided in accordance with the principles of the invention, with a portion of the reservoir being shown cut-away for clarity of illustration.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the reservoir of the module of FIG. 1 showing the strut guidance structure.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the portion encircled at 3 in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a view of a retaining cup associated with the strut guidance structure and a coupling member of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view, partially in section, of the retaining cup associated with the strut guidance structure and coupling member of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective of the retaining cup of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a view of a damping element between the strut guidance structure and a coupling member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
    With reference to FIGs. 1-3, a reservoir assembly 10 of a fuel module, generally indicated at 12, is shown. A fuel pump 13 is disposed in a reservoir 11 of the reservoir assembly 10. The reservoir 11 includes sidewall structure 16 and a bottom 21 defining an interior space 19 for containing fuel. The reservoir 11 includes strut guidance structure 14. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of strut guidance structures 14 are coupled with and extend generally vertically along an interior of the sidewall structure 16. Each strut guidance structure 14 is of generally horseshoe configuration in section defining an elongated gap 18. The strut guidance structure 14 can be formed integrally with the reservoir 10 by, for example a molding process. Each strut guidance structure 14 is constructed and arranged to receive a strut 20 mounted to a flange 22 of the module 12.
    Since the strut guidance structure 14 is located inside the reservoir 11, the volume of fuel inside the strut guidance structure is captured by the reservoir and therefore utilized by the fuel pump 13. This improves the low fuel handling characteristics of the vehicle because the reservoir 11 holds more volume of fuel.
    Typically, conventional strut guides are on the outside of the reservoir, where fuel cannot be captured for use.
    A taper 24 is provided in the strut guidance structure 14 so that the structure 14 has a large diameter portion 15 and a smaller diameter portion 17. Thus, the taper 24 allows a lead-in for a press fit in the smaller diameter portion 17 that will be described below. The upper half (large diameter portion 15) of the structure 14 supports the strut 20 which can glide up and down freely.
    The reservoir assembly 10 also includes retention structure, generally indicated at 26 in FIG. 3, and can be part of a filter housing or pump holder. The retention structure 26 includes a coupling member 28 constructed and arranged to be coupled to the strut guidance structure 14 near a bottom the reservoir 11. In particular, the coupling member 28 is in the form of a cylindrical tube that is moved through the gap 18 to be in a press-fit engagement with the smaller diameter portion 17 of the strut guidance structure 14. Thus, the retaining structure 26 is secured with respect to the strut guidance structure 14. The retention structure 26 includes a rib 30 extending from the coupling member 28 into the interior of the reservoir 11. The rib 30 is part of a holding member 32 of the retention structure 26. The retention structure 26 is preferably part of an element of the fuel module and is constructed and arranged to retain element(s) of the module 12 within the reservoir. For example, when a filter housing is provided, the retention structure 26 would be part of the filter housing. If no filter housing is provided, the retention structure 26 would be part of a pump holder.
    With reference to FIGs. 4-6, a retaining cup 34 can be associated with the coupling member 28 and strut guidance structure 14. The cup 34 includes a cylindrical base 36 and a cup portion 38 coupled with the base 36. The cup portion 38 includes cut-outs 40 therein to make walls 42 of the cup resilient. As shown in FIG. 5, the base 36 is received in bore 44 of the coupling member 28. The cup potion 38 is received in the strut guidance structure 14. The cup 34 thus provides a "lighter" press-fit between the strut guidance structure 14 and the coupling member 28. This enables the tolerance requirements of the mating features to be relaxed, reduces the assembly time and increases the pull-out force.
    With reference to FIG. 7, another aspect of the invention includes an elastomer damper 46 disposed between the strut guidance structure 14 (shown in dashed lines) and the coupling member 28. This provides an acoustically improved module 12 in an expedited manner since few changes to the overall structure would be necessary.
    With the invention, integration of two functions (strut guidance and pump/filter housing retention) into a single feature simplifies reservoir tooling and reduces reservoir material cost, as wall as maximizes fuel volume, compared to conventional configurations that have separate parts for each function.

    Claims (1)

    1. A reservoir assembly of a fuel module, the reservoir assembly comprising:
      a reservoir having a sidewall structure and a bottom to define an interior space for holding fuel, the reservoir including strut guidance structure coupled with an interior portion of the sidewall structure, the strut guidance structure being of generally horseshoe configuration in section and defining an elongated gap, the strut guidance structure being constructed and arranged to receive a strut of the fuel module so as to be movable therein, and
      retention structure constructed and arranged to retain a part of the module within the reservoir, the retention structure including a coupling member constructed and arranged to be moved though the gap to be in disposed within the strut guidance structure so as to secure the retention structure with respect to the strut guidance structure.
    EP20040027274 2003-11-17 2004-11-17 Strut guidance structure and pump/filter housing retention structure in a fuel module Expired - Fee Related EP1564401B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    US52058603P 2003-11-17 2003-11-17
    US520586P 2003-11-17

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1564401A1 true EP1564401A1 (en) 2005-08-17
    EP1564401B1 EP1564401B1 (en) 2007-03-21

    Family

    ID=34699849

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP20040027274 Expired - Fee Related EP1564401B1 (en) 2003-11-17 2004-11-17 Strut guidance structure and pump/filter housing retention structure in a fuel module

    Country Status (3)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1564401B1 (en)
    DE (1) DE602004005413T2 (en)
    ES (1) ES2281737T3 (en)

    Cited By (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    WO2007036484A1 (en) * 2005-09-30 2007-04-05 Siemens Vdo Automotive Ag Feed unit
    WO2010023212A2 (en) * 2008-09-01 2010-03-04 Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme) Process for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank equipped with a pump

    Citations (4)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP0701058A2 (en) * 1994-09-06 1996-03-13 General Motors Corporation Mounting for electric fuel pump
    EP0728937A1 (en) * 1995-02-18 1996-08-28 Walter Alfmeier GmbH + Co Präzisions-Baugruppenelemente Fuel feeding device
    US20020112700A1 (en) * 2001-01-24 2002-08-22 Takashi Iwamoto Fuel supply apparatus and fuel supply module
    US20030188786A1 (en) * 2002-04-03 2003-10-09 Tomonari Toki Reservoir unit

    Patent Citations (4)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP0701058A2 (en) * 1994-09-06 1996-03-13 General Motors Corporation Mounting for electric fuel pump
    EP0728937A1 (en) * 1995-02-18 1996-08-28 Walter Alfmeier GmbH + Co Präzisions-Baugruppenelemente Fuel feeding device
    US20020112700A1 (en) * 2001-01-24 2002-08-22 Takashi Iwamoto Fuel supply apparatus and fuel supply module
    US20030188786A1 (en) * 2002-04-03 2003-10-09 Tomonari Toki Reservoir unit

    Cited By (7)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    WO2007036484A1 (en) * 2005-09-30 2007-04-05 Siemens Vdo Automotive Ag Feed unit
    US7806108B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2010-10-05 Continental Automotive Gmbh Feed unit
    CN101287902B (en) * 2005-09-30 2011-03-16 大陆汽车有限责任公司 Feed unit
    WO2010023212A2 (en) * 2008-09-01 2010-03-04 Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme) Process for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank equipped with a pump
    FR2935289A1 (en) * 2008-09-01 2010-03-05 Inergy Automotive Systems Res PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A FUEL TANK OF PLASTIC PLASTIC MATERIAL WITH PUMP.
    WO2010023212A3 (en) * 2008-09-01 2010-04-29 Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme) Process for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank equipped with a pump
    US8631556B2 (en) 2008-09-01 2014-01-21 Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme) Process for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank equipped with a pump

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    DE602004005413D1 (en) 2007-05-03
    EP1564401B1 (en) 2007-03-21
    ES2281737T3 (en) 2007-10-01
    DE602004005413T2 (en) 2007-12-06

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