GB2228775A - Pipe connection for fuel pump - Google Patents
Pipe connection for fuel pump Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2228775A GB2228775A GB8905020A GB8905020A GB2228775A GB 2228775 A GB2228775 A GB 2228775A GB 8905020 A GB8905020 A GB 8905020A GB 8905020 A GB8905020 A GB 8905020A GB 2228775 A GB2228775 A GB 2228775A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- collet
- ring
- fuel pump
- section
- opening
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
- F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
- F16L37/084—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking
- F16L37/098—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of flexible hooks
- F16L37/0985—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of flexible hooks the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
A fuel pump comprising a housing cover 12 having an opening 14 therethrough for the passage of fuel, the opening comprising first, second, third and fourth adjacent sections 20-26 having successively smaller diameters, with the first largest and outermost and the fourth substantially the same as the outer diameter of a pipe insertable in the opening; and a pipe connection 38 comprising (a) sealing means 40 positioned in the third section of the opening to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the housing cover and the inserted pipe, (b) a collet securing ring 44 secured in the first section of the opening, (c) a collet 46 slidably secured in the collet securing ring for limited axial movement and having a resilient section 54 for gripping and securing the inserted pipe, (d) a collet release ring 42 securable in the second section of the opening and engageable with the resilient section of the collet to expand it, and (e) a collet moving ring 48 secured to the housing cover and having an inwardly directed surface 68 which is pivotable relative to the collet securing ring and engageable with the collet; the arrangement being such that on pivoting of the inwardly directed surface of the collet moving ring relative to the collet securing ring into engagement with the collet, the collet is moved axially relative to the collet securing ring towards the collet release ring, whereupon the resilient section of the collet engages the collet release ring to expand the resilient section and release its grip on the inserted pipe. Provides quick and easy connection of pipes to a fuel pump. <IMAGE>
Description
PIPE CONNECTION FOR FUEL PUMP
This invention relates to a fuel pump of a motor vehicle, and in particular to a pipe connection for a fuel pump having a plastics housing cover.
It is well known in motor vehicles to provide a mechanical fuel pump which is driven by the camshaft of the engine of the vehicle. This drive causes a diaphragm in the fuel pump to oscillates, thereby drawing fuel into the fuel pump from a fuel tank, and then expelling the fuel to a carburettor associated with the engine. Hoses or pipes interconnect the fuel pump with the fuel tank and the carburettor for the passage of fuel. In this known arrangement, metal tubes are usually attached (by brazing) to the housing cover (which is also metallic) of the fuel pump, and the pipes are usually pushed onto the metal tubes, and a clip or band clamp is tightened around the pipe to secure the pipe to its associated metal tube, and to form a seal at the connection.This known arrangement has the disadvantage that the metal housing cover of the fuel pump conducts and retains heat from the engine of the vehicle, and eventually gets to such a temperature that the fuel inside the fuel pump vapourises.
Another disadvantage is that the connection (and disconnection) of the pipes to the metal tubes is a time consuming operation. A further disadvantage of this known arrangement is that the protruding metal tubes are susceptible to splitting or snapping.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages.
To this end, a fuel pump in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing cover having an opening therethrough for the passage of fuel, the opening comprising first, second, third and fourth adjacent sections having successively smaller diameters relative to one another, with the first section having the largest diameter and being outermost, and the fourth section having a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of a pipe insertable in the opening; and a pipe connection comprising (a) sealing means positioned in the third section of the opening to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the housing cover and the inserted pipe; (b) a collet securing ring secured in the first section of the opening; (c) a collet slidably secured in the collet securing ring for limited axial movement relative thereto, the collet having a resilient section for gripping and securing the inserted pipe; (d) a collet release ring securable in the second section of the opening and engageable with the resilient section of the collet to expand the resilient section; and (e) a collet moving ring secured to the housing cover, the collet moving ring having an inwardly directed surface which is pivotable relative to the collet securing ring, and engageable with the collet; the arrangement being such that on pivoting of the inwardly directed surface of the collet moving ring relative to the collet securing ring into engagement with the collet, the collet is moved axially relative to the collet securing ring towards the collet release ring, whereupon the resilient section of the collet engages the collet release ring to expand the resilient section and release its grip on the inserted pipe.
Preferably, the resilient section of the collet is defined by at least one axially extending slot which is open at one end of the collet, with the said one end of the collet having a smaller inner diameter than the other end of the collet, and being directed towards the collet release ring. In this case, the resilient section of the collet preferably has two axially extending slots which are diametrically opposed.
The fourth section of the opening preferably includes stop means for preventing over-insertion of the inserted pipe.
Preferably, the collet includes axially spaced, outwardly directed lips which are engageable with the collet securing ring to limit the axial movement of the collet relative to the collet securing ring.
The collet moving ring is preferably secured to the collet securing ring. In this case, the collet moving ring preferably has two or more resilient legs having lips which make a snap fit in groove or grooves in the collet securing ring to secure the collet moving ring to the housing cover.
In this latter case, the lips on the resilient legs are preferably inwardly directed.
Preferably, the collet release ring has an angled surface for engaging and expanding the resilient section of the collet.
The sealing means preferably comprises
O-ring seals.
Preferably, the housing cover has two substantially identical openings, one for flow of fuel into the fuel pump, and one for flow of pumped fuel out of the fuel pump. A third opening may be provided for removal of any vapourised fuel in the fuel pump.
The housing cover is preferably moulded from plastics material.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a top view of a housing cover of a fuel pump in accordance with the present invention, with the pipe connections omitted for clarity; and
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line II-II of Figure 1 showing the pipe connection.
Referring to the drawings, a fuel pump 10 for a motor vehicle is shown. The fuel pump 10 is the mechanical type of fuel pump in which fuel is moved by way of an oscillating diaphragm ;not shown,.
This arrangement is well known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in any detail.
The fuel pump 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing cover 12 of plastics material having three substantially identical openings 14,16,18. Opening 14 is for the flow of fuel from a fuel tank (not shown) of the motor vehicle. Opening 16 is for the flow of fuel to a carburettor (not shown) associated with the engine (not shown) of the motor vehicle. Opening 18 is provided for the return of any vapourised fuel which builds up in the fuel pump 10 to the fuel tank.
Whilst the use of a plastics housing cover 12 substantially reduces the amount of fuel vapour generated, a small amount of fuel will still evaporate. This vapourised fuel is removed so as not to impair the performance of the fuel pump.
Pipes (not shown) fit in the openings 14,16,18 for interconnecting the fuel pump 10 with the fuel tank and the carburettor.
Each opening 14,16,18 comprises a first section 20, a second section 22, a third section 24, and a fourth section 26. The first section 20 is adjacent the outermost surface 27 of the housing cover 12, and has the largest diameter of the four sections 20-26. The diameter of the second section 22 is greater than that of the third section 24, and the diameter of the third section 24 is greater than that of the fourth section 26. Each opening 14,16,18 also includes a fifth section 28 having a diameter less than that of the fourth section 26. A first shoulder 30 interconnects the first and second sections 20,22; a second shoulder 32 interconnects the second and third sections 22,24; a third shoulder 34 interconnects the third and fourth sections 24,26; and a fourth shoulder 36 interconnects the fourth and fifth sections 26,28.The diameter of the fourth section 26 of each opening 14,16,18 is substantially identical to the outer diameter of the pipe to be inserted in the opening. This arrangement substantially prevents any pivotting or radial movement of the inserted pipe relative to the opening 14,16,18, which may cause leakage to occur. On insertion of a pipe into one of the openings 14,16,18, the fourth shoulder 36 acts as a stop means to prevent over-insertion of the pipe.
Each opening 14,16,18 has associated therewith a pipe connection 38, one of which is shown in greater detail in Figure 2. The pipe connection 38 comprises a sealing means in the form of a pair of
O-ring seals 40; a collet release ring 42; a collet securing ring 44; a collet 46; and a collet moving ring 48.
The O-ring seals 40 are positioned in the third section 24 of the opening 14. The collet release ring 42 is secured in the second section 22 of the opening 14. The collet release ring 42 and the third shoulder 34 act to retain the O-ring seals 40 in the third section 24. The collet release ring 42 has an angled surface 74 directed away from the outermost surface 27 of the housing cover 12 and at an acute angle to the axis of the opening 14.
The collet securing ring 44 is secured in the first section 20 of the opening 14. The collet release ring 42 is secured in position by pushing the collet release ring into the opening 14 until it engages the second shoulder 32. The collet securing ring 44 is secured in position by pushing the collet securing ring into the opening 14 until it engages the first shoulder 30. The collet securing ring 44 is retained in place by sonic welding to the housing cover 12, thereby retaining the collet release ring 42 in position.
The collet 46 can slide in an axial direction relative to the collet securing ring 44.
Axially spaced, outwardly directed lips 50,52 on the collet 46 limit the sliding movement of the collet relative to the collet securing ring 44. The collet 46 includes a resilient section 54 at its (one) end 56 adjacent the collet release ring 42. The resilient section 54 is defined by two diametrically opposed slots 58 which extend from the one end 56 for a limit axial extent, and by the one end 56 of the collet having a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of the other end 60 of the collet.
The collet moving ring 48 is attached to the collet securing ring 44 by resilient legs 62 having inwardly directed lips 64 which make a snap fit with a corresponding groove or grooves 66 in the collet securing ring 44. The collet moving ring 48 has an inwardly directed surface 68 and a pair of diametrically opposed lugs 70. On squeezing the lugs 70 towards one another the inwardly directed surface 68 pivots relative to the collet securing ring 44.
On release of the lugs 70, the inwardly directed surface 68 returns to its original position due to the resilience of the resilient legs 62.
A dust cap 72 is also shown in Figure 2.
The dust cap 72 closes the opening 14 prior to insertion of a pipe to prevent dust or other dirt entering the fuel pump 10.
The operation of the pipe connection 38 will now be described. Prior to insertion of a pipe, the dust cap 72 is removed. A pipe is then inserted by pushing it through the collet moving ring 44, the collet 46, the collet release ring 42, the O-ring seals 40 and into the fourth section 24 of the opening 14. The inner diameter of the one end 56 of the collet 46 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe. As the pipe passes through the resilient section 54 of the collet 46, the width of the slots 58 increases (to expand the resilient section: and the resilient section grips the pipe.
The arrangement is such that the pipe can continue to move in the insertion direction, but, due to the gripping action of the resilient section 54, cannot be moved in the opposite ,extraction! direction. The
O-ring seals 40 provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the inserted pipe and the fuel pump 10.
In order to extract or remove the inserted pipe, the lugs O of the collet moving ring 48 are squeezed towards one another. As mentioned above, this causes the inwardly directed surface 68 to pivot relative to the collet securing ring 44 and into engagement with the other end 60 of the collet 46.
Further squeezing of the lugs 70 axially moves the collet 46 relative to the collet securing ring 44 towards the collet release ring 42. Still further squeezing of the lugs 70 causes the one end 56 of the collet 46 to engage the collet release ring 42 whereupon the angled surface 74 on the collet release ring forces the resilient section 54 of the collet 46 to (further) expand to release its grip on the inserted pipe. The inserted pipe can then be removed (in the extraction direction) before the squeezing pressure on the lugs 70 is released.
The openings 16 and 18 have similar pipe connections 38.
Various alterations could be made to the above described arrangement without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, an alternative form of sealing means could be provided other than O-ring seals. Further, the lips on the resilient legs of the collet moving ring may be directed outwardly and make a snap fit in a suitable groove or grooves in the collet securing means.
Alternatively, the collet moving ring 48 may be secured directly to the housing cover 12. Further still, there could be any number of open-ended slots in the resilient section of the collet.
This arrangement is such that it provides easy and quick insertion and removal of a pipe, and does not require the use of a clip. No metal tubes are required on the housing cover, hence removing the risk of splitting or snapping of the metal tubes.
The use of a plastics housing cover substantially reduces heat transfer and retention from the engine of the motor vehicle, and hence substantially reduces the risk of fuel vapourisation.
Whilst the present invention has particular application with regard to fuel pumps having a plastics housing cover (which can easily be moulded to provide the required shape, size and number of openings), it could also be used with metallic or other housing covers. Further, the present invention could also be used on other types of fuel pump besides mechanically driven ones.
Claims (14)
1. A fuel pump comprising a housing cover having an opening therethrough for the passage of fuel, the opening comprising first, second, third and fourth adjacent sections having successively smaller diameters relative to one another, with the first section having the largest diameter and being outermost, and the fourth section having a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of a pipe insertable in the opening; and a pipe connection comprising (a) sealing means positioned in the third section of the opening to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the housing cover and the inserted pipe; (b) a collet securing ring secured in the first section of the opening; c) a collet slidably secured in the collet securing ring for limited axial movement relative thereto, the collet having a resilient section for gripping and securing the inserted pipe; (d) a collet release ring securable in the second section of the opening and engageable with the resilient section of the collet to expand the resilient section; and (e) a collet moving ring secured to the housing cover, the collet moving ring having an inwardly directed surface which is pivotable relative to the collet securing ring, and engageable with the collet; the arrangement being such that on pivoting of the inwardly directed surface of the collet moving ring relative to the collet securing ring into engagement with the collet, the collet is moved axially relative to the collet securing ring towards the collet release ring, whereupon the resilient section of the collet engages the collet release ring to expand the resilient section and release its grip on the inserted pipe.
2. A fuel pump as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the resilient section of the collet is defined by at least one axially extending slot which is open at one end of the collet, with the said one end of the collet having a smaller inner diameter than the other end of the collet, and being directed towards the collet release ring.
3. A fuel pump as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the resilient section of the collet has two axially extending slots which are diametrically opposed.
4. A fuel pump as claimed in any one of
Claims 1 to 3, wherein the fourth section of the opening includes stop means for preventing over-insertion of the inserted pipe.
5. A fuel pump as claimed in any one of
Claims 1 to 4, wherein the collet includes axially spaced, outwardly directed lips which are engageable with the collet securing ring to limit the axial movement of the collet relative to the collet securing ring.
6. A fuel pump as claimed in any one of
Claims 1 to 5, wherein the collet moving ring is secured to the collet securing ring.
7. A fuel pump as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the collet moving ring has two or more resilient legs having lips which make a snap fit il a groove or grooves in the collet securing ring to secure the collet moving ring to the housing cover.
8. A fuel pump as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the lips on the resilient legs are inwardly directed.
9. A fuel pump as claimed in any one of
Claims 1 to 8, wherein the collet release ring has an angled surface for engaging and expanding the resilient section of the collet.
10. A fuel pump as claimed in any one of
Claims 1 to 9, wherein the sealing means comprises
O-ring seals.
11. A fuel pump as claimed in any one of
Claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing cover has two substantially identical openings, one for flow of fuel into the fuel pump, and one for flow of pumped fuel out of the fuel pump.
12. A fuel pump as claimed in Claim 11, comprising a third opening for the removal of fuel vapour.
13. A fuel pump as claimed in any one of
Claims 1 to 12, wherein the housing cover is moulded from plastics material.
14. A fuel pump substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8905020A GB2228775A (en) | 1989-03-04 | 1989-03-04 | Pipe connection for fuel pump |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8905020A GB2228775A (en) | 1989-03-04 | 1989-03-04 | Pipe connection for fuel pump |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8905020D0 GB8905020D0 (en) | 1989-04-19 |
| GB2228775A true GB2228775A (en) | 1990-09-05 |
Family
ID=10652778
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8905020A Withdrawn GB2228775A (en) | 1989-03-04 | 1989-03-04 | Pipe connection for fuel pump |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2228775A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0756125A1 (en) * | 1995-07-28 | 1997-01-29 | John Derek Guest | Improvements in or relating to tube couplings |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2172948A (en) * | 1985-03-28 | 1986-10-01 | Guest John D | Tube couplers |
-
1989
- 1989-03-04 GB GB8905020A patent/GB2228775A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2172948A (en) * | 1985-03-28 | 1986-10-01 | Guest John D | Tube couplers |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0756125A1 (en) * | 1995-07-28 | 1997-01-29 | John Derek Guest | Improvements in or relating to tube couplings |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8905020D0 (en) | 1989-04-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |