JP2002155819A - Swing tank structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a swing tank structure that can improve the starting performance of an engine while maintaining appreciable suction performance of a jet pump. SOLUTION: The swing tank structure has the jet pump part 6 for delivering fuel in a fuel tank 9 into a swing tank body 13 disposed in the fuel tank 9 to store fuel, by means of negative pressure generated by blowing pressure of return fuel in a return pipe 12. In parallel with the jet pump part 6, an auxiliary inlet opening 13c is formed to introduce fuel in the fuel tank 9 into the swing tank body 13. A valve element 15 is disposed to detect the presence or absence of return fuel in the return pipe 12, and to close the auxiliary inlet opening 13c when detecting return fuel and open the auxiliary inlet opening 13c when detecting no return fuel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a swirl tank structure provided in a fuel tank for a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a fuel tank 1 for a vehicle such as an automobile.
Inside, a swirling tank module 2 is mounted.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, a swirl tank module 2 is generated by a swirl tank main body 4 capable of storing fuel 3 and an injection pressure of a return fuel 3 a returning from the engine 5 through a return pipe. And a jet pump unit 6 for sending out the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 1 into the swirl tank main body 4 using the negative pressure.

The nozzle tip 6a of the jet pump section 6
Is a suction port 4a formed in a side surface of the swirling tank body 4.
The suction performance of the jet pump unit 6 is improved by setting the width between the inner wall surface of the suction port 4a and the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tip 6a to be narrow.

A pump body 7 is provided inside the swirl tank body 4, and the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 1 is shifted due to the inclination of the vehicle, and the liquid level of the fuel 3 is temporarily reduced. Even if the pressure drops below the suction port 7a of the pump body 7, the pump body 7 sucks the fuel 3b remaining in the swirl tank body 4 and sucks the fuel 3b into the engine 5 without sucking air.
It is configured so that the fuel 3c can be continuously supplied.

[0006] As another type of swirling tank module, one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-30431 is known.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional swirling tank structure, when the engine 5 is not running, there is no flow of the return fuel 3a, and the inside of the narrow suction port 4a is not formed. The amount of fuel that flows into the swirl tank main body 4 from the space between the wall surface and the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tip 6a is limited.

Therefore, when the engine 5 is started, the pumping amount of the pump body 7 exceeds the inflow amount flowing into the swirling tank body 4, and there is a possibility that the engine 5 becomes difficult to start.

Such a phenomenon occurs after the vehicle goes off line.
This is particularly noticeable when starting the engine for the first time. That is, when the line is off, there is no fuel in the return pipe of the vehicle, so that the jet pump unit 6 cannot fully exert its function.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to maintain the suction performance of a jet pump in good condition.
An object of the present invention is to provide a swirling tank structure that can improve the startability of an engine.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swirl tank body provided in a fuel tank for storing fuel, and a return pipe from the engine. A jet pump section for sending fuel in the fuel tank into the swirl tank body by using a negative pressure generated by a jet pressure of return fuel returning through the swirl tank structure. In parallel with the above, the fuel in the fuel tank is provided with an auxiliary introduction opening for introducing into the swirl tank body, and the presence or absence of return fuel in the return pipe is detected,
When the return fuel is present, the auxiliary introduction opening is closed, and when the return fuel is not present, a swirl tank structure is provided with opening / closing means for opening the auxiliary introduction opening. And

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the presence / absence of return fuel in the return pipe is detected by opening / closing means for an auxiliary introduction opening provided in parallel with the jet pump section. When the return fuel is not present, the auxiliary introduction opening is opened.

[0013] For this reason, the fuel in the fuel tank is introduced into the swirl tank body through the auxiliary introduction opening, and when the engine is started, the amount of suction of the pump body is increased by the swirl tank body. There is no fear that the inflow amount flowing into the inside catches up and the engine becomes difficult to start.

When the return fuel exists in the return pipe, the auxiliary introduction opening is closed.

Therefore, the return fuel does not flow out of the return pipe through the auxiliary introduction opening into the main body of the swirl tank, and does not affect the suction performance of the jet pump. Absent.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the opening / closing means is swingably provided at a position facing the auxiliary introduction opening in the return pipe, and a pressing surface on which return fuel acts. And, in a state where the return fuel is acting on the pressing surface, a valve body having a sealing portion pressed against the peripheral edge of the auxiliary introduction opening, and a direction in which the valve body is separated from the auxiliary introduction opening. 2. An urging means for urging the fuel tank and the swirl tank body through the auxiliary introduction opening when the return fuel is not acted on the pressing surface. It features a swirl tank structure.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in a state where the return fuel is flowing through the return pipe, the return fuel acts on the pressing surface of the valve body, and the urging means is actuated. The valve body is moved against the biasing force of the valve body, and the valve body is pressed against the periphery of the auxiliary introduction opening.

For this reason, the auxiliary introduction opening is closed.

Further, when the return fuel is not acting on the pressing surface, the urging force of the urging means moves the valve body, and separates the valve body from the auxiliary introduction opening. For this reason, the inside of the fuel tank and the inside of the swirl tank main body are electrically connected via the auxiliary introduction opening.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary introduction opening is provided at a lower portion of the swirl tank main body and near a bottom surface of the fuel tank.
It features the swirl tank structure described.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary introduction opening is provided at a lower portion of the swirl tank main body and near a bottom surface of the fuel tank. Even when the fuel is low,
Fuel in the fuel tank can flow into the swirl tank body.

Further, according to the fourth aspect,
The said urging means is a spring member.
It features the swirl tank structure described.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the urging means is a spring member, the revolving tub structure can be configured with a simple configuration at a low cost.

[0024]

First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a swirling tank structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

First, the structure will be described. In the turning tank structure of the first embodiment, the swivel tank structure is connected to the engine 5 of the vehicle 8 via a fuel pipe 11 as a feed pipe and a return pipe 12 as a return pipe. A swirl tank module 10 is mounted in the fuel tank 9.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the swirl tank module 10 is provided with a swirl tank main body 13 capable of storing fuel 3 and an injection pressure of return fuel 3 a returning from the direction of the engine 5 via the return pipe 12. A jet pump section 6 for sending the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 1 into the swirl tank body 13 using the generated negative pressure.

The nozzle tip 6a of the jet pump section 6
Is inserted into a suction port 13b formed in a side surface portion 13a of the swirl tank body 13 for a predetermined length.
The width between the inner wall surface and the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tip 6a is set to be narrow.

The pump body 7 is disposed inside the swirl tank body 13, and the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 9 is shifted due to the inclination of the vehicle, and the liquid level of the fuel 3 is temporarily reduced. Even when the pressure drops below the suction port 7a of the pump main body 7, the pump main body 7 sucks the fuel 3b remaining in the swirl tank main body 13 without sucking the air, and supplies the engine 5 through the fuel pipe 11. It is configured so that the fuel 3c can be continuously supplied to the fuel cell.

The fuel 3 in the fuel tank 9 is arranged in parallel with the suction port 13b of the jet pump section 6.
Into the swirl tank body 13 through the auxiliary introduction opening 13c
Are provided on the side surface portion 13a.

In the first embodiment, the auxiliary introduction opening 1
3 c is provided at the lower portion of the swirl tank main body 13 near the bottom surface 9 a of the fuel tank 9.

The presence or absence of return fuel in the return pipe 12 is detected at a position outside the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, and when the return fuel 3a is present, the auxiliary introduction opening 13c is closed and return is performed. When the fuel 3a does not exist, a valve body 15 is provided as opening / closing means for opening the auxiliary introduction opening 13c.

The valve body 15 is provided with an extension 1 extending from the return pipe 12 toward the auxiliary introduction opening 13c.
In the position opposite to the auxiliary introduction opening 13c in 2a, it is housed so as to be swingable in the approaching / separating direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 3 and 4). In addition, a disc-shaped pressing surface 16 on which the return fuel 3a acts is formed integrally with the valve body 15. This pressing surface 16
A locking flange 16a for stopping the swinging movement by being locked to an annular flange portion 12b projecting inward by a predetermined amount into the extension portion 12a is provided around the extension portion 12a.

Further, a sealing surface portion 17 as a sealing portion is formed on the valve body 15 so as to exhibit a substantially conical tapered shape.

When the return fuel is acting on the pressing surface 16, the sealing surface 17 is provided with the auxiliary introduction opening 13 c.
Is configured to be pressed into contact with a tapered portion 13d formed on the periphery of.

In the first embodiment, the spring member 18 as the urging means is provided with one end 18a abutting on the locking flange 16a and the other end 18b abutting on the tapered portion 13d. Have been.

The spring member 18 allows the valve body 15 to
In a state in which the return fuel is not acting on the pressing surface 16, the annular slit portion 19 formed between the tapered portion 13 d and the extension portion 12 a and the auxiliary slit portion 19 are urged in a direction to separate from the auxiliary introduction opening 13 c. Through the introduction opening 13c, the inside of the fuel tank 9 and the inside of the swirl tank main body 13 are conducted,
In a state where the return fuel is acting on the pressing surface 1b, the sealing surface portion 17 of the valve body 15 is configured to be in close contact with the tapered portion 13d so that the fuel in the swirl tank body 13 does not flow back into the fuel tank 9. ing.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the return fuel is not acting on the pressing surface 16 of the valve body 15, such as when starting the engine, the spring member 1
The valve body 15 is moved leftward in FIG. 3 by the urging force of 8, and is separated from the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, whereby the auxiliary introduction opening 13c is opened.

Therefore, the inside of the fuel tank 9 and the swirl tank body 1
3 and the fuel in the fuel tank 9 flows into the swirl tank body 13 through the slit 19 and the auxiliary introduction opening 13c.

The fuel flows into the swirl tank body 13 also from the gap between the nozzle tip 6a of the jet pump section 6 and the suction port 13b. It cannot be made too large, so that the fuel inflow from the gap is very small.

As described above, by the valve element 15 of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c provided in parallel with the jet pump section 6,
The presence or absence of return fuel in the return pipe 12 is detected, and if there is no return fuel, the auxiliary introduction opening 13c is opened.

For this reason, the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 9 is introduced into the swirl tank body 13 through the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, and when the engine is started, the amount of pumping of the pump body 7 is reduced. Since the amount of inflow flowing into 13 catches up, there is no possibility that the engine is difficult to start.

The return fuel is supplied to the return pipe 12
In the state where it flows inside, as shown in FIG.
Return fuel acts on the pressing surface 16 of the valve body 15.

Therefore, the valve body 15 is moved in the right direction on the paper in FIG. 4 which is the direction of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c against the urging force of the spring member 18, and the auxiliary introduction opening 1 is moved.
A valve body 15 is formed on a tapered portion 13d formed on the periphery of the valve body 3c.
Are pressed against each other.

Accordingly, the auxiliary introduction opening 13c is closed.

As described above, the return fuel 3a does not flow out of the return pipe 12 through the auxiliary introduction opening 13c into the swirl tank body 13 or into the fuel tank 9 through the slit 19, The suction performance of the jet pump section 6 is not affected.

Further, in the first embodiment, the auxiliary introduction opening 13 c is formed in
Of the fuel tank 9
The fuel in the fuel tank 9 can flow into the swirl tank body 13 even when the fuel inside the tank is low.

Further, the biasing means is provided by the spring member 18.
Therefore, the swirling tank structure can be configured at a low cost with a simple configuration.

[0050]

[Modification 1] FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
9 shows a swirling tank structure of Modification Example 1 of FIG.

The same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment are described with the same reference numerals.

In the swirling tank structure of the first modification, the presence or absence of the return fuel in the return pipe 12 is detected at a position outside the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, and when the return fuel 3a exists, the auxiliary introduction is performed. A valve body 115 is provided as opening / closing means for closing the opening 13c and opening the auxiliary introduction opening 13c when the return fuel 3a does not exist.

The valve body 115 has a piston portion 115b on which a sealing surface portion 117 having a substantially conical tapered shape is formed.
And a disc-shaped rear end flange 115c having a pressing surface 116 on which the return fuel 3a acts,
5a, they are integrally connected.

The cylindrical extension 1 extending from the return pipe 112 toward the auxiliary introduction opening 13c.
At least a pair of locking claws 112c, 112c are formed at the tip 112b of the 12a.

The distal end surface of the distal end 112b is provided with the valve body 11
Insertion opening 112 for slidably inserting the shaft portion 115a
Are formed.

A spring member 18 as an urging means is interposed between the periphery of the insertion opening 112 and the rear end flange 115c, so that the valve body 115 moves away from the auxiliary introduction opening 13c. Being energized.

Further, on the side of the swirl tank main body 13, a receiving extension 113 having a cylindrical cylinder 113c extending from the auxiliary introduction opening 13c toward the return pipe 112 is provided integrally. Locking holes 113b, 113b for locking the locking claws 112c, 112c, respectively, are formed on the side surface of the receiving recess 113a formed at the tip.

Further, on the side surface of the cylinder portion 113c, there are formed inflow holes 119, 119 through which the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 9 can be introduced in the direction of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c. An inflow passage 114 leading into the swirling tank body 13 is formed.

Then, the tip 112b of the extension 112a
Is inserted into the receiving recess 113a, and the locking claw 112
When c and 112c are locked in locking holes 113b and 113b, return pipe 112 and swirl tank main body 13 are connected, and piston 115d faces auxiliary introduction opening 13c in cylinder 113c. It is configured to be housed so as to be swingable in the approaching / separating direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6).

Next, the operation of the first modification will be described.

In this first modified example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the return fuel is acting on the pressing surface 116, the sealing surface portion 117 has a tapered portion 13d formed on the peripheral edge of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c. Is pressed against.

The piston 115d is connected to the cylinder 113
Since the inflow hole 119 is located at the position where the inflow hole 119 is formed, the inflow hole 119 is also closed, and the inflow passage 114 is reliably closed by the piston 115d.

Therefore, the return fuel 3a does not flow out of the return pipe 112 through the auxiliary introduction opening 13c into the swirl tank body 13 or into the fuel tank 9 through the inflow hole 119, and the jet pump The suction performance of the portion 6 is not affected.

When the return fuel is not acting on the pressing surface 116 of the valve body 115, such as when starting the engine,
By the urging force of the spring member 18, the valve body 115
By moving the inside of the cylinder 113c to the left in FIG. 3,
By separating from the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, the auxiliary introduction opening 13c and the inflow hole 1 forming the inflow passage 114 are formed.
19 is released.

For this reason, the inside of the fuel tank 9 and the swirl tank body 1
The fuel in the fuel tank 9 flows into the swirl tank body 13 through the inflow hole 119 and the auxiliary introduction opening 13c.

The fuel flows into the swirling tank body 13 also from the gap between the nozzle tip 6a of the jet pump section 6 and the suction port 13b. It cannot be made too large, so that the fuel inflow from the gap is very small.

When the fuel flows into the swirl tank main body 13, since there is no biasing member such as the spring member 18 in the inflow passage 114, the inflow resistance is smaller than in the first embodiment, and the fuel 3 is smoothly introduced. Is possible.

The other configuration, operation, and effect are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the valve bodies 15, 115 and the jet pump unit 6 are described above and below for ease of description of the drawings.
The lower the mounting position of the fuel tank 9 in the fuel tank 9 is, the more the function can be performed even when the remaining fuel amount is small.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a fuel tank illustrating a swirling tank structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention and illustrating an entire configuration.

FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view of a vehicle illustrating a swirling tank structure according to the first embodiment and illustrating an entire configuration.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part, illustrating a state in which return fuel is not flowing in the return pipe, showing the swirling tank structure of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating a state in which return fuel is flowing in a return pipe, showing a swirling tank structure according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a swirling tank structure according to a first modification of the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating a state where return fuel is not flowing in a return pipe.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating a state in which return fuel flows in a return pipe, illustrating a swirling tank structure according to a first modification;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a fuel tank showing a conventional swirling tank structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 6 Jet pump unit 7 Pump body 8 Vehicle 9 Fuel tank 9a Bottom part 10 Swirling tank module 12 Return pipe 13 Swirling tank body 13c Auxiliary introduction opening 13d Taper part 15,115 Valve body (opening / closing means) 16,116 Pressing surface 17, 117 Sealing surface part (sealing part) 18 Spring member (biasing means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A fuel tank, comprising: a swirling tank main body provided in a fuel tank for storing fuel; and a negative pressure generated by an ejection pressure of return fuel returning from an engine through a return pipe. A swirl tank structure having a jet pump unit for delivering fuel in a tank into the swirl tank main body; auxiliary introduction for introducing fuel in the fuel tank into the swirl tank main body in parallel with the jet pump unit Along with providing an opening, the presence or absence of return fuel in the return pipe is detected, if the return fuel is present, the auxiliary introduction opening is closed, and if the return fuel is not present, A swirling tank structure provided with opening and closing means for opening the auxiliary introduction opening. 2. The opening / closing means is swingably provided at a position in the return pipe opposite to the auxiliary introduction opening, and a pressing surface on which the return fuel acts, and a return fuel acting on the pressing surface. In this state, the valve body having a sealing portion pressed against the peripheral edge of the auxiliary introduction opening, and the valve body are urged in a direction of separating from the auxiliary introduction opening, and the return fuel is pressed onto the pressing surface. 2. The swirling tank structure according to claim 1, further comprising: an urging means for electrically connecting the inside of the fuel tank and the inside of the swirling tank main body via the auxiliary introduction opening when no is acting. 3. The swirling tank structure according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary introduction opening is provided at a lower portion of the swirling tank body and near a bottom surface of the fuel tank. 4. The swirling tank structure according to claim 2, wherein said urging means is a spring member.