JP2001271718A - Intank type fuel pump device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply discharge static electricity generated in a fuel tube outside and inside a fuel tank connected with an intank type fuel pump device without providing an exclusive grounding circuit. SOLUTION: An upper plate 11 fixed in an opening part 2a of the fuel tank 2 and a connector pipe 17 formed and inserted into the upper plate 11 are formed by conducting resin, a grounding terminal 15 of an electric connector part 14 is inserted and formed while it is in contact with the upper plate 11, and fuel tubes 8c, 5a connected with both ends of the connector pipe 17 are formed by conducting resin. The static electricity generated in the fuel tubes 8c, 5a and the connector pipe 17 due to the friction caused when fuel passes and flows is discharged to the outside of the fuel tank 2 through the connector pipe 17, the upper plate 11, and the grounding terminal 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an in-tank type fuel pump device in which a fuel pump and components inside the tank are integrally accommodated in a fuel tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fuel pump for supplying fuel stored in a fuel tank to an injector and an in-tank type fuel pump device in which peripheral components are integrated and housed in a fuel tank have been known.

This in-tank fuel pump device is being made of resin for the purpose of simplifying the structure and reducing the manufacturing cost. However, if these are formed of an electrically insulating resin, the fuel flowing through the device can be reduced. Static electricity generated by friction etc. remains charged without being discharged, and eventually the dielectric strength reaches its limit, causing creeping discharge and dielectric breakdown, which may damage the fuel pump and peripheral parts,
Various techniques have been proposed for removing electricity from a fuel pump device and a fuel tube connected to the fuel pump device.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-148433 discloses that a housing held by an upper plate (flange) mounted on an opening provided at an upper portion of a fuel tank is formed of a conductive resin. A technology is disclosed in which a ground terminal is fixedly connected, and the ground terminal and the fuel pump are electrically connected to each other using a lead wire, thereby discharging static electricity charged on the fuel pump to the outside of the fuel tank.

[0005]

However, providing a dedicated earth circuit for discharging static electricity causes an increase in the number of parts, complicates manufacturing and assembly, and raises costs.

When a connector pipe integrally formed on an upper plate (flange) and connecting a fuel passage inside and outside a fuel tank is formed of an electrically insulating resin, the connector pipe and the upstream and downstream of the connector pipe are formed. In order to discharge the static electricity generated in the connected fuel tube to the outside, a dedicated ground circuit must be further provided, which makes the manufacturing and assembly more complicated and increases the cost.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an in-tank fuel pump device capable of easily discharging static electricity generated in a fuel passage connected to a connector pipe provided on an upper plate to the outside of a fuel tank.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a first in-tank type fuel pump apparatus according to the present invention supports a fuel pump and a part inside the fuel tank provided in the fuel tank and an opening of the fuel tank. In an in-tank type fuel pump device in which a connector pipe for connecting a fuel passage inside and outside of the fuel tank and an electric connector portion are integrally formed on an upper plate attached to the fuel tank, the upper plate and the connector pipe are formed of conductive resin. In addition, a ground terminal provided on the electric connector portion is integrated with the upper plate in contact with the upper terminal.

In such a configuration, the upper plate for supporting the fuel pump and the parts inside the tank, and the connector pipe for connecting the fuel passage inside and outside the fuel tank formed integrally with the upper plate are formed of conductive resin. Since the grounding terminal is integrated with the upper plate, the static electricity generated in the connector pipe and the fuel passage inside and outside the fuel tank connected to the connector pipe is generated by the connector pipe, the upper plate, and the ground terminal. Is discharged to the outside through

Further, the second in-tank type fuel pump device is the same as the first in-tank type fuel pump device, except that the ground terminal provided in the electric connector portion and another terminal are connected via an electric insulator. It is characterized by being integrated.

In such a configuration, the ground terminal provided on the electric connector portion is integrally formed with the other terminals via the electric insulator, so that the structure is simplified and the assembly is facilitated.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a fuel system, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a fuel tank, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part III in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an engine, 2 denotes a fuel tank, and an injector 3 facing an intake port of the engine 1 and an in-tank type fuel pump device 4 mounted on the fuel tank 2 are connected to a fuel feed line. 5 and a fuel return line 6.

A filter 12 is provided in the fuel feed line 5. Further, the fuel feed line 5
Is connected to the engine 1 via the pressure regulator 7 and the injector 3. The fuel in the fuel tank 2 sucked by the fuel pump 8 provided in the in-tank type fuel pump device 4 passes through the filter 12 and is regulated to a predetermined pressure by the pressure regulator 7, from the injector 3 to the engine 1. The surplus fuel supplied to the combustion chamber is returned to the fuel tank 2 via the fuel return line 6.

Reference numeral 9 denotes an evaporative passage, which temporarily stores fuel evaporative gas generated in the fuel tank 2 by adsorbing the evaporative gas to a canister 10 provided in the middle of the evaporative passage 9. Fuel gas is supplied to the engine 1 under predetermined operating conditions and burned.

As shown in FIG. 2, an in-tank type fuel pump device 4 has an opening 2a formed on the upper surface of the fuel tank 2.
The upper plate 11 provided on the upper part of the in-tank type fuel pump device 4 is tightly fixed to the opening 2a via a gasket (not shown).

Further, the fuel tank 2 is moved from the upper plate 11 to the fuel tank 2.
A fuel pump 8 is fixedly mounted on the bracket, a return-side fuel filter for filtering the return fuel, and a tank such as a level sensor for detecting the remaining amount of fuel. The internal components are fixedly installed in a consolidated state.

The fuel pump 8 is disposed with its suction port 8a directed toward the bottom of the fuel tank 2, and a feed-side fuel filter 13 is mounted on the suction port 8a.

An electric connector 14 is formed integrally with the upper plate 11.
Are formed by insert molding.

The upper plate 11 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyacetal or the like, made of aluminum alloy, copper, brass, or the like.
The upper plate 11 is formed of a conductive resin mixed with a conductive material such as a metal powder or fiber such as silver or stainless steel, and a powder or fiber such as carbon. Are insert-molded.

The connector pipe 17 is formed into an L-shape by using a conductive resin having a melting point slightly higher than that of the upper plate 11, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as a fluororesin mixed with the above-described conductive material. The retaining projections 17a are provided at both ends thereof.

Each of the conductive terminals 15 and 16 to be insert-molded in the electrical connector portion 14 is integrally formed in advance through an electrical insulator 19 such as heat-resistant rubber. One conductive terminal 15 is integrated with the upper plate 11 in contact therewith.

The conductive terminal 15 insert-molded in contact with the upper plate 11 functions as a ground terminal, and is provided with a ground terminal 8b provided on the fuel pump 8.
The fuel filter 13 is connected to the ground terminal 8b via a lead wire 21. Further, a ground terminal provided on an in-tank component such as a level sensor (not shown) is also connected to the ground terminal 15 or 8b via a lead wire.

The other conductive terminals 16 provided on the electric connector section 14 are connected to the fuel pump 8, a level sensor, and the like via lead wires 22, respectively.

An external connector extending from a control device (not shown) is connected to the electric connector section 14, and a drive power supply necessary for the fuel pump 8, the level sensor, and the like is supplied through the conductive terminals 16. At the same time, a fuel remaining amount signal detected by the level sensor is output to the control device. Further, the ground terminal 15 is grounded to the vehicle body, the engine 1 and the like via a ground lead wire connected to an external connector.

A fuel tube 8c extending from the fuel pump 8 is connected to the inflow side of the connector pipe 17, and a fuel tube 5a provided at the upstream end of the fuel feed line 5 is connected to the discharge side. I have. Both the fuel tubes 8c and 5a are formed of a conductive resin.

On the other hand, a fuel tube 6a made of a conductive resin and disposed at the downstream end of the fuel return line 6 is connected to the inflow side of the feed-side connector pipe 23. The feed-side connector pipe 23 has the same configuration as the connector pipe 17 described above.

According to such a configuration, the upper plate 11 constituting the in-tank type fuel pump device 4 is
Since the connector pipes 17 and 23 connected to the fuel feed line 5 and the fuel return line 6, respectively, are insert-molded as separate parts, the structure of the molding die is simplified,
Molding becomes easy.

Further, a plurality of conductive terminals 15, 16... Provided on the electrical connector portion 14 of the upper plate 11 are provided.
Are previously formed integrally via an electrical insulator 19,
When these are inserted into the upper plate 11, one of them is brought into contact with the electric connector portion 14 to form the ground terminal 15. Therefore, when the upper plate 11 is formed, the ground terminal 15 and the upper plate 11 are formed. Are connected to the ground, so that subsequent wiring is not required, and the assembling work is facilitated.

Thereafter, peripheral parts such as a fuel pump 8, a fuel filter 13, and a level sensor are assembled in a predetermined manner on the upper plate 11, and a fuel tube 8c extending from the fuel pump 8 is insert-molded on the upper plate 11. An earth terminal 8 connected to the inflow side of the feed-side connector pipe 17 and provided on the fuel pump 8
b, the fuel filter 13 is connected via a lead wire 21, and the ground terminal 8 b is connected via a lead wire 20 to a ground terminal 15 provided on the electric connector section 14 of the upper plate 11. Similarly, other peripheral parts requiring grounding are connected to the ground terminal 15 or 8 via the lead wire.
b.

Then, the fuel pump device 4 completed in a predetermined manner is connected to an opening 2 a opened at the upper part of the fuel tank 2.
The upper plate 11 is tightly fixed to the opening 2a via a gasket (not shown).

Next, a fuel tube on the upstream end side of the fuel feed line 5 is connected to a feed-side connector pipe 17 protruding from the upper plate 11 and connected to a fuel tube 8c extending from the fuel pump 8 on the inflow side. 5a, and the fuel tube 6a at the downstream end of the fuel return line 6 is connected to the return side connector pipe 23.
Connect to Further, an external connector extending from a control device (not shown) is connected to the electric connector section 14.

When the ignition switch is turned on, the fuel pump 8 is operated by energization from the control device, and the fuel stored in the fuel tank 2 is sucked from the suction port 8a of the fuel pump 8 through the fuel filter 13; It is sent to the fuel feed line 5 side.

Next, when the engine is started, fuel whose pressure has been regulated by the pressure regulator 7 is injected from the injectors 3 provided for each cylinder, and
Excess fuel passes through the fuel return line 6 to the fuel tank 2
Returned to

When the fuel flows through the fuel line, the friction of the fuel causes the fuel filter 1 of the fuel pump device 4 to operate.
3. Static electricity is generated at the frictional contact portion with the fuel, such as the fuel pump 8, the fuel tube 8c, the connector pipes 17, 23, and the fuel tubes 5a, 6a connected to the connector pipes 17, 23.

The static electricity generated in the fuel pump 8, the fuel filter 13 and the like is discharged from the lead wires 20 and 21 to the outside of the fuel tank 2 via the ground terminal 15 provided on the electric connector 14.

The static electricity generated in the fuel tubes 8c, 5a, 6a connected to the connector pipes 17, 23 passes through the connector pipes 17, 23 made of conductive resin.
After passing through the upper plate 11, the electric power is discharged from the ground terminal 15 in contact with the upper plate 11 to the outside of the fuel tank 2.

As described above, the connector pipes 17, 23,
The fuel tubes 8c, 5a, 6a connected to the connector pipes 17, 23 are formed of a conductive resin, and the upper plate 11 for insert-molding the connector pipes 17, 23 is formed of a conductive resin. Insert molding is performed with one of the conductive terminals provided on the portion 14 in contact with the upper plate 11,
Since the conductive terminal is the ground terminal 15, the fuel tubes 8c, 5a, 6 connected to the connector pipes 17, 23 are provided.
The static electricity generated at the point (a) is discharged to the outside of the fuel tank 2 through the connected structures without using a dedicated earth circuit, so that the structure is simplified, and the manufacture and assembly are facilitated. The number of wiring with lead wires for removing is reduced, the cause of failure such as poor contact is reduced,
High reliability can be obtained by improving the durability.

The connector pipes 17, 23 are
As shown in FIG. 4, the inner tube 25 has a two-layer structure of an inner tube 25 made of a conductive resin and an outer tube 26 made of a non-conductive resin. Formed by
The fuel tubes 8c, 5a,
6a and the upper plate 11 may be electrically connected.

In this case, as shown in FIG.
a is formed intermittently so that the outer tube 26
Therefore, since it is partially continuous without being completely divided, the strength against torsion, bending and the like can be increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, by using a cylindrical projection 25b instead of the projection 25a, the strength can be further increased.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the upper plate for supporting the fuel pump and the like housed in the fuel tank is connected to the fuel passage inside and outside the fuel tank integrally formed with the upper plate. The connector pipe is formed of conductive resin, and the upper plate and the ground terminal are integrated with the upper plate in contact with the ground terminal. Static electricity generated in the fuel passage inside and outside the tank is transmitted to the connector pipe, upper plate,
Discharge can be performed to the outside via the ground terminal, there is no need to provide a dedicated ground circuit, the structure is simplified, and manufacture and assembly are facilitated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the ground terminal provided on the electric connector portion formed on the upper plate is integrally formed with the other terminals via the electric insulator, so that the manufacture and assembly are more facilitated. It becomes even easier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a fuel system.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a fuel tank.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part III in FIG. 2;

4A is a partial perspective view showing another embodiment of the connector pipe, and FIG. 4B is a horizontal sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing another embodiment of the connector pipe.

FIG. 6A is a partial perspective view showing still another embodiment of the connector pipe, and FIG. 6B is a horizontal sectional view of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 fuel tank 2a opening 4 in-tank fuel pump device 8 fuel pump 8c, 5a, 6a fuel tube (fuel passage) 11 upper plate 14 electric connector 15 ground terminal 16 conductive terminal (other terminal) 17, 23 connector pipe 19 Electrical insulator

Claims (2)

[Claims] A connector pipe for connecting a fuel passage inside and outside of the fuel tank to an upper plate mounted on an opening of the fuel tank, the connector pipe and an electric connector portion supporting a fuel pump and components in the fuel tank provided in the fuel tank; In the in-tank type fuel pump device, the upper plate and the connector pipe are formed of a conductive resin, and the ground terminal provided on the electric connector portion is integrally contacted with the upper plate. An in-tank type fuel pump device characterized in that: 2. The in-tank fuel pump device according to claim 1, wherein the ground terminal provided on the electric connector portion and another terminal are integrated via an electric insulator.