EP2906813B1 - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a vehicle, comprising a fuel tank with a tank volume, a feed line for directing the fuel from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine, a return line for the delivery of unused fuel from the internal combustion engine to the fuel tank, a fuel pump, which is arranged in the flow, inside the fuel tank, a flow line of the flow and / or a return line of the return and arranged in the fuel tank surge pot whose pot volume is separated from the tank volume of the fuel tank, wherein the surge chamber is connected to the suction side of the fuel pump.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a vehicle, comprising a fuel tank with a tank volume, a lead for directing the fuel from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine, a return line for conducting unused fuel from the internal combustion engine to the fuel tank, a fuel pump , which is arranged in the flow, arranged in the fuel tank baffle whose pot volume is separated from the tank volume of the fuel tank and which is connected to the suction side of the fuel pump, and a suction jet pump and / or a check valve, which are arranged in the fuel tank and the Fill the swirl pot to connect the tank volume with the pot volume, the suction jet pump is connected to supply a driving current via a feed line to the flow, in particular with the flow line.

A fuel supply device with a flow, a return, a swirl pot and a suction jet pump for filling the swirl pot is from the document DE 44 26 685 A1 known. The disclosed swirl pot consists of two spatially separate chambers, wherein in the first chamber, the suction jet pump is arranged and the second chamber is associated with the suction side of a fuel pump arranged in the flow. The suction jet pump fills the second chamber, wherein both chambers are also connected via an overflow line. The document also shows an open connection of the return line with the swirl pot.

Also the pamphlets DE 10 2010 034 434 A1 . DE 197 50 036 A1 . DE 195 41 723 A1 and WO 2009/062805 A1 show a fuel supply device with a flow, a return and a swirl pot, in which the return ends open in the swirl pot.

Fuel supply devices with a pressure-limiting valve arranged in the supply line are known from the documents DE 10 2008 044 904 A1 and DE 10 2004 061 874 A1 known. These documents further disclose a fuel tank in which a swirl pot is arranged and in which the suction side of the fuel pump is associated with the swirl pot.

In the publication DE 195 47 243 A1 is disclosed a return for the unconsumed fuel from the internal combustion engine, which does not open into the fuel tank, but in a fuel filter.

In addition, the publication EP 0 771 946 A1 known, in which a return via a three / two-way valve is controlled. The filtered fuel acts on a pressure regulator, which opens above a predetermined limit pressure, so that the unneeded fuel can flow via a return line into the fuel tank, wherein the pressure regulator in the direction of the engine, a check valve is connected.

A fuel supply device in which no swirl pot, but a fuel accumulator associated with the pump inlet is provided, is in the document DE 196 25 629 A1 disclosed. This fuel accumulator is arranged at a filter positioned between the pump inlet and the tank volume.

In the known fuel supply devices, the extraction line is expediently arranged at the bottom of the fuel tank, which allows a nearly complete emptying of the fuel tank. In a nearly empty fuel tank the problem arises that due to cornering of the vehicle and bumps the mouth of the extraction line is at least temporarily not surrounded by fuel. The result is that in such a case, air or an air-fuel vapor mixture is sucked. To prevent this, it is known to arrange at the bottom of the fuel tank and a baffle pot also called jam pot and to ensure that there is always a certain storage volume in this. A few liters of fuel are enough. The decisive factor is the filling level of the fuel. When cornering or when uneven the road surface, the fuel liquid can not flow off the side of the swirl pot, so that the opening at the bottom of the jam discharge line is never exposed and accordingly also no air can be sucked. The pot volume of the swirl pot is maintained by a pump. As a rule, it is an ejector pump, ie a pump operating on the Venturi principle. Such pumps are usually driven by the flow or the return flow of the fuel.

Usually, a fuel filter is provided in the flow between the fuel tank and the internal combustion engine. The fuel filter frees the fuel from solid particles. Unfiltered fuel may contain various types of contaminants, such as pieces of paint or debris that have entered the tank when filled, as well as rust formed by moisture in the steel tanks or paraffins crystallized in the cold fuel. If these substances are not removed before the fuel enters the engine, premature wear and defects in the fuel pump and injection system are likely to be caused by both blockage of nozzles and wear-promoting action of the particles.

Since the paraffin particles can clog the fuel filter, but re-dissolve when heated above 288 degrees Kelvin, the fuel heated in the internal combustion engine is returned to the fuel tank and / or the fuel filter. However, at particularly low ambient temperatures, in particular below 268 degrees Kelvin, and for certain fuels, for example diesel, it is necessary to heat the fuel before and / or during a cold start.

Finally, there is the document DE 103 03 390 A1 Significant, the proposals made, as the efficiency of a suction jet pump can be improved and how the deposition of existing dirt in the fuel particles can be reduced to a check valve. It is proposed in the document, to arrange a mixing duct of the suction jet pump perpendicular to a tank ceiling of the reservoir and at least approximately to provide alignment over the first check valve.

Against this background, the invention has the object of providing an optimized fuel supply device.

In particular, it is to be achieved that heating of the fuel for cold start and / or normal operation, in particular at low ambient temperatures, is not required, wherein the fuel supply device should also be usable for vehicles which have a heating device.

The respective subclaims relate to particularly expedient developments of the invention.

The object is achieved with a fuel supply device according to the features of patent claims 1 or 11.

The object is further achieved by the combination of claims 1 and 11 and the associated dependent claims.

The starting point of the invention is a fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine, comprising a fuel tank with a tank volume, a feed line for the fuel from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine, a return line for the delivery of unused fuel from the internal combustion engine to the fuel tank, a fuel pump, which in the Forward flow is arranged inside the fuel tank, a supply line of the flow and / or return line of the return, a pot arranged in the fuel tank, whose pot volume is separated from the tank volume of the fuel tank, wherein the surge chamber is connected to the suction side of the fuel pump, wherein a suction jet pump is arranged in the swirl pot, which includes a check valve for connecting the swirl pot with the pot volume.

To achieve the object, it is inventively provided that the return is associated with the line of unused fuel from the engine to the fuel tank of the suction side of the fuel pump and the suction jet pump is connected to supply a driving current via a feed line to the flow and / or the return , wherein the feed line is connected by means of a controllable depending on the volume flow ratio between flow and return control valve with the flow and / or the return.

The invention thus consists, in particular, in that the feed line of the suction jet pump is connected to the supply by means of a control valve controllable in dependence on the volume flow ratio between supply and return and / or the suction jet pump is oriented with its conveying direction parallel to the vertical, in particular to the vertical vehicle axis. As a drive current for the suction jet pump fuel pressure side of the fuel pump is removed from the flow. In a fuel supply device with a return, the proportion of paraffins and particles in the flow can be lower than in the tank volume or in the pot volume. Especially with a cold start, the proportion of paraffins and particles should be as low as possible in the flow. The use of the fuel from the supply and / or the return means that the used propellant flow is replaced by unfiltered fuel and increases the proportion of paraffins and particles in the flow. The targeted control of the suction jet pump as a function of the volume flow ratio between flow and return, it is possible at least temporarily to reduce the delivery capacity of the suction jet pump or shut off the suction jet pump at a high return rate.

The suction jet pump is oriented in the aforementioned embodiment with its conveying direction parallel to the vertical, in particular to the vertical axis of the vehicle. ( Figure 5 )

In another embodiment, the suction jet pump is oriented horizontally, whereby the conveying direction of the suction jet pump is oriented parallel to the bottom of the swirl pot. ( Fig. 4 )

The vertical arrangement of the suction jet pump, in particular by the vertical arrangement of mixing tube and diffuser, it is possible to achieve a radially symmetric promotion. Since the intake and delivery of a vertically oriented suction jet pump from the gravity field is unaffected, the flow through the mixing tube and especially the diffuser is uniform and free of one-sided turbulence. In the fuel tank, in particular within the swirl pot, the horizontal space is limited. Therefore, in contrast to the horizontally arranged suction jet pumps known from the prior art, the vertical orientation of the suction jet pump makes it possible to design the mixing tube and above all the diffuser almost as long as desired. The length of the suction jet pump and the avoidance of turbulence in the suction jet pump improve their efficiency. A suction jet pump with better efficiency requires less drive current to convey a given fill volume. The reduction of the driving volume requirement also reduces the proportion of paraffins and particles in the forerun, especially at low ambient temperatures.

It has proved to be favorable that the suction jet pump is arranged in the surge pot, in particular at the bottom of the surge pot. This makes it possible to perform the ejector with the surge pot as an assembly, which reduces the number of parts to be assembled. Furthermore, so the entire height of the swirl pot can be used for the formation of the suction jet pump. Moreover, it is possible to arrange the suction jet pump directly above a check valve positioned in the bottom of the swirl pot and connecting the swirl pot to the tank volume. According to a further embodiment, the check valve in the suction jet pump is arranged. The check valve is designed as a an opening in the bottom of the swirl pot occlusive mushroom valve.

For a filling of the swirl pot when the fuel pump and / or switched off suction jet pump another supply valve is provided in the swirl pot. The supply valve may for example be designed as a solenoid valve, which closes when the electric motor of the fuel pump. Preferably, the supply valve is a simple mechanical mushroom valve.

Furthermore, the invention for achieving the object is that a fuel supply device is provided, in which the return of the suction side of the fuel pump is associated.

Since the fuel returned by the internal combustion engine has already passed through the fuel filter and thus no paraffin particles even at low fuel temperature, it is possible by the inventive arrangement of the return, to dispense with a heater for heating the fuel. The recirculated and freed from particles and paraffins fuel is no further burden for the fuel filter. Although the relatively small consumption volume compared to the circulation volume is replaced by an unfiltered fuel, whose particle load is low. The fuel pump is for example a centrifugal pump and preferably driven by an electric motor. The fuel pump delivers about 60 liters of fuel per hour while the engine consumes about 5 liters of fuel over the same period.

As a particularly advantageous embodiment of the arrangement of the return it has been found that the return, in particular the return line, opens close to the inlet of the fuel pump in the surge chamber and / or is connected to the suction side of the fuel pump. There is thus, when the return is connected to the suction side of the fuel pump, no open connection between the return and swirl pot, as for example in the in the document DE 44 26 685 A1 the solution explained is the case. This makes it possible to reduce and / or avoid mixing of filtered and unfiltered fuel. The fuel pump comprises a suction line, which is connected on the one hand with the pump chamber of the fuel pump and on the other hand with a arranged in the swirl pot filter. In preferred embodiments, the return, in particular the return line, connected to the filter of the fuel pump and / or to the suction line of the fuel pump. The filter screen has a mesh size of 100 to 300, preferably 200 micrometers. With a high content of paraffin particles in the unfiltered fuel, it is possible that the pores of the filter screen are narrowed. By the pressure of the return directly into the Filter filter flowing filtered fuel penetrates just as little unfiltered fuel through the filter, as was consumed by the internal combustion engine. This means that on the one hand, the particle load remains low and on the other hand, the fuel heats up faster in the flow. Due to the increased fuel temperature in the flow, the paraffin particles can be dissolved on the fuel filter.

To optimize the efficiency of the fuel pump, it has proven to be favorable that the suction line is as short as possible. This is achieved by arranging the fuel pump in the fuel tank, preferably in the swirl pot.

The fuel supply device also includes a pressure relief valve for controlling the pressure in the flow. It is advantageous that the pressure relief valve is connected on the one hand with the flow and on the other hand with the return, in particular with the return line. If the pressure in the flow exceeds a limit value, a pressure reduction in the flow is required for operational safety. This pressure reduction is usually carried out by a pressure relief valve, which opens the flow to the tank volume and / or the pot volume. The flow contains a very high proportion of filtered fuel through the connection of the return to the suction side of the fuel pump. By connecting the pressure limiting valve on the one hand to the flow and on the other hand to the return, it is possible to minimize a loss of the filtered fuel. A further development of the fuel supply device comprises a buffer store arranged downstream of the pressure relief valve in the return line. This serves to receive the fuel from the opening pressure relief valve with a full return.

According to another advantageous development, the fuel supply device comprises a temperature limiting valve. This temperature limiting valve serves, in particular at high heat output of the internal combustion engine and / or at high ambient temperature, to limit the fuel temperature in particular in the flow. For this purpose, it is provided that the temperature limiting valve in the return, in particular in the return line, is arranged. In the area of the fuel tank, the temperature of the fuel in the return is, according to experience, higher than in the flow. It is thus possible to detect a timely exceeding of the limit value and to influence the fuel temperature accordingly. The temperature limiting valve is preferably designed as a mechanical and / or hydraulic and / or electrical, self-regulating and / or controllable three-way valve. Preferably, the control of the temperature limiting valve by means of a bimetal, also called crackling frog, or by means of a Wachsdehnelements. It is both a partial as also a complete interruption of the connection of the return to the suction side of the fuel pump possible.

According to a preferred embodiment, the temperature limiting valve connects the return line, in particular the return line, as a function of the temperature of the fuel in the return to the tank volume and / or the pot volume and / or the suction side of the fuel pump. If the fuel temperature at the temperature limiting valve exceeds a limit value, for example 303 degrees Kelvin, then at least a partial flow of the fuel returned by the internal combustion engine is released freely into the swirl pot. Here, the warm fuel from the recirculation mixes with the unfiltered fuel and cools down. Since this control is only at high temperatures, where the unfiltered fuel contains little or no paraffin particles, the proportion of filtered fuel in the flow can be lower or completely eliminated. If the fuel temperature at the temperature limiting valve falls below a limiting value, for example 288 degrees Kelvin, then the fuel recirculated by the internal combustion engine is again completely supplied to the suction side of the fuel pump. The temperature limiting valve is preferably arranged in the return flow in the flow direction of the fuel behind the pressure relief valve.

An increase in the fuel temperature in the flow is also possible by the fuel pump is specifically placed in an energetically unfavorable state. For example, an electric centrifugal pump is operated speed-controlled with maximum energization of the stator coils. This is possible when using an electronically commutated motor (EC motor), since in such an engine, the speed and the torque can be controlled independently. The excess electrical power is converted directly into heat in the coils and taken up in the pump room of the fuel, for example.

The fuel supply device shown so far supplies an internal combustion engine. In many vehicles, however, a heater is installed in the manner of a heater.

The invention thus also relates to a fuel supply device for supplying an internal combustion engine and a heating device.

The known solutions of fuel supply devices are characterized by a fuel tank that includes a tank volume, a conduit connecting the fuel tank to the heater and including an intake pipe disposed in the fuel tank, and a sump, which is provided for receiving the suction line, wherein the sump is disposed in the fuel tank and / or in a surge pot of the fuel tank.

The publication DE 10 2005 061 604 A1 discloses a fuel supply device for removing fuel from the fuel tank of a motor vehicle for an auxiliary heater of the motor vehicle, in particular for a parking heater. The fuel supply device has a collecting container which is accommodated in the fuel tank, in particular in the surge tank of the fuel tank, and is assigned exclusively to the auxiliary heater.

Also the pamphlets DE 10 2005 000 729 A1 and DE 10 2005 059 457 A1 show fuel supply devices with a collecting vessel arranged in the swirl pot.

It is still through the DE 10 2006 017 471 A1 a fuel supply device is known in which for the removal of fuel from the fuel tank of a motor vehicle for a heater a suction in a arranged on the swirl pot guide is used.

In the past, the fuel for the combustion type heater has been taken out with a pipe from a fuel tank of a motor vehicle. However, this has the disadvantage that, especially with a low filling level of the fuel in the fuel tank, the fuel can slosh away from an intake pipe. In addition, there is a risk that bubbles or foams contained in the fuel, which are predominantly located on the fuel surface, are sucked into the intake manifold. For the fuel supply of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle, the fuel is removed from the fuel tank by means of a built-in swirl pot. These baffles are arranged on the fuel tank bottom and are filled, for example, by overflowing the fuel through the top of the baffle through a valved orifice in the bottom of the baffle and through a suction jet pump. The swirl pot stores fuel even if the fuel spills in the tank. This ensures that fuel is present at the intake pipe for the fuel supply of the internal combustion engine in all driving situations. A significant improvement in the operation of the heater was achieved in that the fuel is removed from the swirl pot, since the fuel spills away less. In a nearly empty tank, the pot volume of the swirl pot is sufficiently sized for a short-term operation of the internal combustion engine. So it is possible, for example, to go to another gas station. In a vehicle, the operation of the heater, especially when the ejector pump or a nearly empty tank, to complete Empty the baffle. A swirl pot emptied by a heater can lead to the fuel no longer being available for the start of the internal combustion engine, or the internal combustion engine sucking in air.

An optimized fuel supply device is provided, which makes it possible for the heating device and the internal combustion engine to be supplied with fuel from a common fuel tank independently of one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the fuel supply device comprises a heating device for supplying the internal combustion engine, in particular a parking heater of a motor vehicle. There is provided a conduit connecting the fuel tank to the heater and including an intake passage disposed in the fuel tank, and a sump provided for receiving the intake passage, the sump being disposed in the surge tank of the fuel tank.

The collecting container also has a valve device, which is set up to connect the collecting volume of the collecting container to the tank volume of the fuel tank. This makes it possible to fill the sump from the tank volume without emptying the swirl pot thereby. This is made possible in particular by the fact that the collecting container is assigned exclusively to the heating device. In this case, the collecting container includes a collecting volume, which is separated from the pot volume of the swirl pot and / or from the tank volume of the fuel tank. The valve device is preferably designed as a pressure relief valve which opens to the collecting volume of the collecting container, for example as a mushroom valve. In a control operation of the internal combustion engine, in which the continuous filling of the surge chamber is ensured, the collecting container can also be connected to the pot volume. For this purpose, the valve device is designed, for example, as a three-way valve. In this case, the swirl pot is arranged in the fuel tank and the pot volume of the swirl pot is separated from the tank volume of the fuel tank. This makes it possible to independently supply the heating device and the internal combustion engine with fuel from a common fuel tank.

An advantageous embodiment is that the collecting container is connected to the bottom of the swirl pot. This makes it possible to arrange the valve device directly in the common bottom of swirl pot and reservoir. For a simple manufacture of the collecting container and a small number of parts to be assembled, it is dispensable that the collecting container with the swirl pot is produced as an assembly. Preferably the collecting container with the swirl pot is in one piece urgeformt. The direct connection of the collecting container to the tank volume shortens the supply line to the collecting container and thus the number and complexity of the parts to be installed. In addition, so the volume of the sump can be maximized. It is favorable that the container bottom of the collecting container is executed at least in sections konturbündig with the bottom of the swirl pot. To maintain safe operation of the heater over a period of 90 seconds, the collection volume is at least 0.03 liters. The largest possible collecting volume is also available in that the inlet opening of the suction line is arranged on the container bottom of the collecting container. This arrangement is possible only by the inventive separation of the collection volume of the pot volume and the connection of the collection volume with the tank volume.

Preferably, the sump has an opening positioned at one end remote from the bottom of the baffle and / or at an end remote from the bottom of the fuel tank. This opening is therefore in the gravitational field at the top of the collection container. With a full swirl pot and / or a full fuel tank, there is the possibility that the collecting container is filled by an overflow of the fuel from the tank volume and / or pot volume in the collecting volume. For this purpose, the opening is connected to the pot volume of the swirl pot and / or the tank volume of the fuel tank. The collecting volume is filled from the tank volume at standstill of the internal combustion engine via the valve device and during operation of the internal combustion engine and / or during operation of the surge pump via the pot volume.

A favorable embodiment is that the collecting container is extended over at least two thirds of the height of the swirl pot. On the one hand, this makes it possible to obtain a large collecting volume; on the other hand, if there is a lack of further filling of the collecting container and simultaneous operation of the heating device, sufficient fuel remains in the collecting container for a restart of the internal combustion engine.

Preferably, the connection of the pot volume with the tank volume is independent of the connection of the collecting volume with the tank volume. It is favorable that the removal point provided for filling the pot volume in the tank volume in the gravitational field further down, that is closer to the bottom of the fuel tank, is arranged as the connection of the collecting volume with the tank volume.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kraftstoffversorgungseinrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung der in Figur 1 gezeigten Kraftstoffversorgungseinrichtung in einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung der in Figur 1 gezeigten Kraftstoffversorgungseinrichtung in einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung der in Figur 1 gezeigten Kraftstoffversorgungseinrichtung in einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung der in Figur 1 gezeigten Kraftstoffversorgungseinrichtung in einer vierten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung der in Figur 5 gezeigten Saugstrahlpumpe;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kraftstoffversorgungseinrichtung;

Fig. 8

eine geschnittene, vergrößerte Darstellung eines Ausschnitts eines Kraftstofftanks.

The invention allows numerous embodiments. To further clarify its basic principle, some of them are illustrated in the drawings and will be described below. The drawings show in

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a fuel supply device;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of in FIG. 1 shown fuel supply device in a first embodiment;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of in FIG. 1 shown fuel supply device in a second embodiment;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of in FIG. 1 shown fuel supply device in a third embodiment;

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of in FIG. 1 shown fuel supply device in a fourth embodiment;

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of in FIG. 5 shown suction jet pump;

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of a fuel supply device;

Fig. 8

a sectioned, enlarged view of a section of a fuel tank.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a fuel supply device 1 for an internal combustion engine 2. The fuel supply device 1 comprises a fuel tank 3 with a tank volume 4, a flow 5 for directing the fuel from the fuel tank 3 to the internal combustion engine 2, a return line 6 for conducting unused fuel from the Internal combustion engine 2 to the fuel tank 3 and a fuel pump 7, which is arranged in the flow 5. Inside the fuel tank 3, the supply line 5 has a supply line 8 and the return line 6 has a return line 9. The fuel supply device 1 further comprises a surge pot 10, which is arranged in the fuel tank 3. The swirl pot 10 includes a pot volume 11 which is separate from the tank volume 4 of the fuel tank 3. The suction side of the fuel pump 7 is connected to the pot volume 11, the return 6 of the suction side is assigned to the fuel pump 7. On the suction side of the fuel pump 7 in the flow direction of the fuel between the pot volume 11 and the fuel pump 7 is arranged in the baffle 10, a filter screen 12. In the flow 5, a fuel filter 13 is arranged between the fuel pump 7 and the internal combustion engine 2. The further embodiment of the fuel supply device 1, in particular of the fuel tank 3, the FIGS. 2 to 6 be removed. For a filling of the surge chamber 10, a supply valve 31 is provided in this. The supply valve 31 is a mechanical mushroom valve,

The Figures 2 and 3 show an enlarged section of the fuel tank 3 in FIG. 1 shown fuel supply device 1. In the fuel tank 3, in particular in the swirl pot 10, the fuel pump 7 is arranged. The fuel pump 7 has a suction line 14, which is connected on the one hand with the pump chamber of the fuel pump 7 and on the other hand with the filter screen 12. The fuel supply device 1 comprises a pressure limiting valve 15 for regulating the pressure in the supply line 5. The pressure limiting valve 15 is connected on the one hand to the supply line 5 and on the other hand to the return line 6. In the illustrated embodiments, the pressure relief valve 15 is connected to the flow line 8 and the return line 9. The pressure relief valve 15 is a spring-loaded check valve in the preferred embodiment shown. Furthermore, the fuel supply device 1 comprises a temperature limiting valve 16. The temperature limiting valve 16 is arranged in the return line 6, in particular in the return line 9. The temperature limiting valve 16 is preferably designed as a two-way three-way valve. To control the temperature limiting valve 16, for example, a mechanically regulating bimetal. The temperature limiting valve 16 connects the return line 6 in dependence of the fuel temperature in the return line 6 via an outlet 17 with the pot volume 11 or with the suction side of the fuel pump 7. The temperature limiting valve 16 is arranged in the return line 9 in the flow direction of the fuel after the pressure relief valve 15.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the fuel supply device 1. In this embodiment, the return line 9 of the return line 6 with the filter screen 12 of the fuel pump 7 is connected. The return line 9 ends at or in the filter screen 12. The temperature limiting valve 16 connects the return line 6 with the filter screen 12 in at least one switching state.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the fuel supply device 1. In this embodiment, the return line 9 is connected to the suction line 14 of the fuel pump 7. The return line 9 ends at its mouth in the suction line 14. The temperature limiting valve 16 connects depending on the fuel temperature in the return line 6, the return line 6 with the suction line 14 of the fuel pump. 7

The FIGS. 4 to 6 show a suction jet pump 18 a in FIG. 1 A fuel jet pump, 18 is used to deliver fuel from the tank volume 4 in the swirl pot 10. The suction jet pump 18 is driven by a partial flow of the flow 5. To supply the suction jet pump 18 with the partial stream of the flow 5 also called the blowing jet pump, 18 a feed line 19. The feed line 19 connects the suction jet pump, 18 with the supply line 8. The drive current is in the suction jet pump 18 by a in FIG. 6 shown nozzle 20 pressed and thereby greatly accelerated. After the nozzle 20, the motive flow passes through a mixing tube 21 and then passes into a diffuser 22. In the diffuser 22, the motive flow expands again, thus creating a negative pressure in the mixing tube 21. With the mixing tube 21, a feed 23 is connected. Due to the negative pressure in the mixing tube 21, fuel is supplied from the inlet 23 through the mixing tube 21 and the diffuser 22. The inlet 23 is associated with the bottom 24 of the swirl pot 10. In the bottom 24 of the swirl pot 10 or in the vicinity of the bottom 24, an opening 25 is introduced, which connects the pot volume 11 with the tank volume 4. When introduced into the bottom 24 opening 25, the bottom 24 of the swirl pot 10 at a distance 26 to the bottom 27 of the fuel tank 3. The opening 25 is associated with a designed as a mushroom check valve 28. For a filling of the surge chamber 10 when the fuel pump 7 is switched off and / or the ejector pump 18 is switched off, a further check valve designated as a supply valve 31 is provided in the surge chamber 10. The supply valve 31 is a mechanical mushroom valve.

FIG. 4 shows in an enlarged section of the fuel tank 3, a third embodiment of the in FIG. 1 shown fuel supply device 1. In the swirl pot 10 of the fuel tank 3, a suction jet pump 18 is arranged. The suction jet pump, 18 is connected via the feed line 19 and arranged in the flow line 8 control valve 29 to the flow 5. By means of the control valve 29, the size of the drive current is adjusted and thus affects the performance of the ejector 18. The suction jet pump 18 is horizontally aligned in the swirl pot 10. The conveying direction of the suction jet pump 18 is oriented parallel to the bottom 24 of the swirl pot 10.

FIG. 5 shows in an enlarged section of the fuel tank 3, a fourth embodiment of the in FIG. 1 shown fuel supply device 1. In contrast to the in FIG. 4 shown fuel supply device 1 is in this embodiment, the suction jet pump 18 vertically aligned in the swirl pot 10. The conveying direction of the suction jet pump 18 is oriented perpendicular to the bottom 24 of the swirl pot 10. In addition, in this embodiment, the control valve 29 is disposed in a housing 30 of the fuel pump 7.

FIG. 7 shows a fuel supply device 1 for supplying an internal combustion engine 2 and a heater 300, in particular a parking heater of a motor vehicle, with fuel from a fuel tank 3. The fuel supply device 1 comprises at least the fuel tank 3, which includes a tank volume 4, and a fuel tank 3 with the heater 300 connecting line 60, which includes a arranged in the fuel tank 3 intake 70. The fuel supply device 1 further comprises a collecting container 80, which is provided for receiving the intake line 70, wherein the collecting container 80 is arranged in a surge pot 10 of the fuel tank 3. For supplying the internal combustion engine 2 with fuel, a fuel pump 7 is arranged in the surge pot 10, which conveys fuel to the internal combustion engine 2 via a supply line 5. Above a return 6 fresh fuel from the engine 2 returns to the fuel tank 3, in particular to the suction side of the fuel pump 7 in the swirl pot 10. The swirl pot 10 includes a pot volume 11 a. The pot volume 11 is separated from the tank volume 4. In order to refill the surge pot 10 with a consumption of fuel from the tank volume 4, the surge pot 10 has at least one inlet device 31. The feed device 31 is, for example, a check valve arranged in the boundary surface 150 of the swirl pot 10 and designed as a mushroom valve. The collecting container 80 has a valve device 160. This valve device 160 is designed as a check valve, preferably in the design of a mushroom valve. By means of the valve device 160, a collecting volume 170 of the collecting container 80 can be connected to the tank volume 4 of the fuel tank 3. The valve device 160 for connecting the collecting volume 170 with the tank volume 4 is arranged in the gravity field at the same height or higher than the inlet device 31 for connecting the pot volume 11 with the tank volume 4. The collecting volume 170 of the collecting container 80 is assigned exclusively to the heating device 300. To deliver the fuel from the sump 80, the heater 300 has a pumping device 180. To generate the required heat energy, the heater 300 further includes a combustion apparatus 190 in which the fuel is burned. The collection container 80 has a in the FIG. 2 shown bottom 24 of the swirl pot 10 or on a bottom 27 of the fuel tank 3 side facing away from a particular permanent opening 230th

FIG. 8 shows a sectional and enlarged view of a section of the in FIG. 1 The fuel tank 80 is connected to the bottom 24 of the swirl pot 10, wherein the container bottom 210 of the collecting container 80 is executed at least partially konturbündig with the bottom 24 of the swirl pot 10. In an opening of the container bottom 210, the valve device 160 is arranged. In the area of the valve device 160, the bottom 24 or the container bottom 210 is at a distance from the base 27 of the fuel tank 3. This distance serves to ensure the inflow of fuel to the valve device 160. The suction line 70 arranged in the collecting container 80 has an inlet opening 230. This inlet opening 230 is assigned to the container floor 210, wherein the distance of the inlet opening 230 from the container floor 210 is smaller than five times the diameter of the suction line 70.

The invention also relates to a fuel supply device 1, whose features in the description of the FIGS. 1 to 6 and the description of the FIGS. 7 and 8 are formed in combination.

In particular from the FIGS. 1 and 7 It is apparent that the fuel supply device 1 for an internal combustion engine 2 without heating device 300 according to the FIGS. 1 to 6 and with a heater 300 according to the FIGS. 7 and 8 can be equipped.

That is, it is proposed a fuel supply device 1, which comprises both at least the technical features of claim 1 and optionally its dependent claims 2 to 15.

By combining the technical features of claims 1 and 11, a fuel supply device 1 is formed for an internal combustion engine 2, the fuel tank 3 with a tank volume 4, and a flow 5 for guiding the fuel from the fuel tank 3 to the internal combustion engine 2, and the one Return line 6 for conducting unused fuel from the internal combustion engine 2 to the fuel tank 3, and the one fuel pump 7, which is arranged in the flow 5, and the inside of the fuel tank 3, a flow line 8 of the flow 5 and / or a return line 9 of the Return passage 6, and which comprises a arranged in the fuel tank 3 swirl pot 10 whose pot volume 11 is separated from the tank volume 4 of the fuel tank 3, wherein the swirl pot 10 is connected to the suction side of the fuel pump 7.

Furthermore, it is provided in combination with the just mentioned features that the fuel supply device 1 for supplying the internal combustion engine 2 and the heater 300, in particular a parking heater of a motor vehicle, the fuel tank 3 to the heater 300 connecting line 60, which is arranged in the fuel tank 3 suction line 70, and a collecting container 80, which is provided for receiving the suction line 70, wherein the collecting container 80 is arranged in the surge pot 10 of the fuel tank 3, wherein the collecting container 80 has a valve device 160, which for connecting a collecting volume 170 of the collecting container 80 with the tank volume 4 of the fuel tank 3 is set up.

The fuel supply device 1 for supplying the internal combustion engine 2 and the heating device 300 further comprises a suction jet pump 18 and / or a check valve 28 which are arranged in the fuel tank 3 and to fill the surge tank 10, the tank volume 4 with the pot volume 11 connect, wherein the suction jet pump 18th for supplying a drive current via a feed line 19 to the flow 5 and / or the return line 6 is connected, wherein the feed line 19 by means of a controllable function of the volume flow ratio between flow 5 and return 6 control valve 29 with the flow 5 and / or the return 6 is connected and / or the suction jet pump 18 is oriented with its conveying direction parallel to the vertical, in particular to the vertical vehicle axis.

The technical features taught in the dependent claims 2 to 15 with the explained advantages follow suitably to the teaching shown by combination of the claims 1 and 11 for the construction of a fuel supply device 1 for an internal combustion engine 2 with a heater 300 at.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Fuel supply

2

Internal combustion engine

3

Fuel tank

4

tank capacity

5

leader

6

returns

7

Fuel pump

8th

supply line

9

Return line

10

swirl pot

11

pot volume

12

filter screen

13

Fuel filter

14

suction

15

Pressure relief valve

16

Temperature relief valve

17

outlet

18

eductor

19

feeding line

20

jet

21

mixing tube

22

diffuser

23

Intake

24

ground

25

perforation

26

distance

27

reason

28

check valve

29

control valve

30

Housing of the fuel pump

31

Inlet device / supply valve

60

management

70

suction

80

Clippings

150

boundary surface

160

valve means

170

collection volume

180

pump means

190

incinerator

210

container bottom

230

Opening / inlet port

300

heater

Claims (15)

1. Fuel supply device (1) for an internal combustion engine (2), comprising a fuel tank (3) with a tank volume (4), a feed (5) for conducting the fuel out of the fuel tank (3) to the internal combustion engine (2), a return (6) for conducting unused fuel from the internal combustion engine (2) to the fuel tank (3), a fuel pump (7) which is arranged in the feed (5), a feed line (8) of the feed (5) and/or a return line (9) of the return (6) in the interior of the fuel tank (3), a splash pot (10) which is arranged in the fuel tank (3) and the pot volume (11) of which is separated from the tank volume (4) of the fuel tank (3), the splash pot (10) being connected to the suction side of the fuel pump (7), and a suction jet pump (18) being arranged in the splash pot (10) which comprises a check valve (28) for connecting the splash pot (10) to the pot volume (11), characterized in that the return (6) for conducting unused fuel from the internal combustion engine (2) to the fuel tank (3) is assigned to the suction side of the fuel pump (7), and the suction jet pump (18) is connected to the feed (5) and/or the return (6) via a feeder line (19) for the supply with a drive flow, the feeder line (19) being connected to the feed (5) and/or the return (6) by means of a regulating valve (29) which can be controlled in a manner which is dependent on the volumetric flow ratio between the feed (5) and the return (6).
2. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the suction jet pump (18) is arranged in the splash pot (10), in particular on the bottom (24) of the splash pot (10).
3. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the suction jet pump (18) is oriented with its delivery direction parallel to the vertical, in particular to the vertical vehicle axis, or is aligned horizontally, as a result of which the delivery direction of the suction jet pump (18) is oriented parallel to the bottom (24) of the splash pot (10).
4. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the check valve (28) is arranged in the bottom (24) of the splash pot (10) and/or in the suction jet pump (18).
5. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the return (6), in particular the return line (9), opens into the splash pot (10) close to the inlet of the fuel pump (7) and/or is connected to the suction side of the fuel pump (7).
6. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the fuel pump (7) comprises a suction line (14) which is connected firstly to the pump space of the fuel pump (7) and secondly to a filter screen (12) which is arranged in the splash pot (10), the return (6), in particular the return line (9), being connected to the filter screen (12) of the fuel pump (7) and/or to the suction line (14) of the fuel pump (7).
7. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fuel supply device (1) comprises a pressure limiting valve (15) for regulating the pressure in the feed (5), which pressure limiting valve (15) is connected firstly to the feed (5) and secondly to the return (6), in particular to the feed line (8) and/or to the return line (9).
8. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fuel supply device (1) comprises a temperature limiting valve (16) which is arranged in the return (6), in particular in the return line (9).
9. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the temperature limiting valve (16) connects the return (6), in particular the return line (9), to the tank volume (4) and/or the pot volume (11) and/or the suction side of the fuel pump (7) in a manner which is dependent on the temperature of the fuel in the return (6).
10. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the temperature limiting valve (16) is arranged in the return (6) downstream of the pressure limiting valve (15) in the flow direction of the fuel.
11. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by a heating device (300) and a line (60) which connects the fuel tank (3) to the heating device (300) and comprises an intake line (70) which is arranged in the fuel tank (3), and a collecting vessel (80) which is assigned exclusively to the heating device (300) and is arranged in the splash pot (10) of the fuel tank (3), the collecting volume (170) of which collecting vessel (80) is separated from the pot volume (11) of the splash pot (10) and/or from the tank volume (4) of the fuel tank (3), and which collecting vessel (80) is provided for receiving the intake line (70).
12. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the collecting vessel (80) has a valve device (160) which is set up to connect the collecting volume (170) of the collecting vessel (80) to the tank volume (4) of the fuel tank (3), the valve device (160) for connecting the collecting volume (170) to the tank volume (4) being arranged in the field of gravity at the same height as or higher up than the feeding device (31) for connecting the pot volume (11) to the tank volume (4).
13. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the collecting vessel (80) is connected to a bottom (24) of the splash pot (10), and a vessel bottom (210) of the collecting vessel (80) is configured at least in sections with a flush contour with respect to the bottom (24) of the splash pot (10).
14. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 13, characterized in that the collecting vessel (80) has a permanent opening (23) on a side which faces away from the bottom (24) of the splash pot (10) and/or from a base (27) of the fuel tank (3), with the result that the collecting volume (170) of the collecting vessel (80) is connected via the opening (23) to the pot volume (11) of the splash pot (10) and/or the tank volume (4) of the fuel tank (3).
15. Fuel supply device (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the collecting vessel (80) extends over at least two thirds of the height of the splash pot (10).

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