JP2003049729A - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To mount a fuel supply device on a shallow fuel tank through a small mounting hole. SOLUTION: The fuel supply device 1 has, as functional parts, a fuel pump 4, a strainer 6, a pressure regulator 7, and a flange portion 20. The functional parts are arranged in series, and a connection portion 9 is provided between a first unit 5 on which the fuel pump 4 is mounted and a second unit 8 on which the strainer 6 is mounted for turnably connecting both units 5, 8 with a pivot shaft 10 as a center. The connection portion 9 is provided with the pressure regulator 7 in an area to be a dead space with both units 5, 8 in bent arrangement. With the fuel supply device 1, the units 5, 8 are formed into a linear shape, and the unit 5 only is first inserted into an opening 3 of the fuel tank and then turned to be slid into the tank. The fuel supply device is mounted on the fuel tank 2 by fitting the flange portion 20 into the opening.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel supply device, and more particularly to a technique effective when applied to an in-tank type fuel supply device in which a fuel pump is arranged in a fuel tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in many automobiles and motorcycles with a large displacement, fuel injection devices (fuel injection devices) have been used instead of carburetors because of the demand for low fuel consumption and low pollution.
e) is adopted. Further, in recent years, the number of cases in which the fuel injection device is also used in two-wheeled vehicles having a small displacement is increasing.
To this fuel injection device, fuel is supplied from a fuel tank using a fuel pump, in which a so-called in-tank type fuel supply device in which a fuel pump, a strainer and the like are arranged is widely used. There is.

In such an in-tank type fuel supply device, a fuel pump, a strainer and the like are unitized as one pump module, and are inserted and installed in the fuel tank through an opening formed in the fuel tank. Here, as the form of the pump module, there are a type in which functional parts such as a fuel pump, a strainer, and a pressure regulator are arranged in series in the vertical direction, and a type in which they are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. In this case, in the vertically arranged device, the fuel tank has a small hole, but the fuel tank is required to have a large depth. On the other hand, in a horizontally arranged device, the tank depth can be shallow, but a large mounting hole diameter is required. That is, when the functional parts are unitized, the mounting work is facilitated, but the degree of freedom in designing the fuel tank is reduced, and generally the fuel tank itself tends to be large.

Further, in a large-displacement two-wheeled vehicle, a fuel pump for a four-wheeled vehicle is often used, for example, a fuel pump for a light vehicle is applied. For this reason, the fuel supply device itself is large, and the module mounting hole for inserting it into the fuel tank tends to be large.

[0005]

In such a situation,
Especially in motorcycles, the capacity of the fuel tank is generally small and the tank is small, and when the fuel tank is placed at your feet,
The tank tends to be thin. In this case, a module having a small height is required due to the demand for flattening the fuel tank, and the above-mentioned laterally arranged module is usually applied. However, there is also a demand for reducing the size of the module mounting hole at the same time, and it is necessary to mount the horizontally arranged module in the same opening hole as that for the vertically arranged module.
That is, it is required to attach the fuel supply device to the shallow fuel tank through the small hole, and the conventional fuel supply device cannot cope with this, and the improvement thereof has been demanded.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device which can be installed in a shallow fuel tank through a small mounting hole.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A fuel supply system of the present invention comprises a fuel pump arranged in a fuel tank, a strainer for filtering fuel, and a pressure regulator for adjusting the pressure of fuel discharged from the fuel pump. And a lid that fits into an opening formed in the fuel tank as a functional component, wherein the functional components are arranged in series and the functional components are flexibly connected. It is characterized in that a connecting portion is provided which allows the functional component to be bent and arranged.

In the fuel supply device of the present invention, the functional parts such as the fuel pump are arranged in series, and the connecting parts are provided between the functional parts so that the functional parts can be bent and arranged. By bending the device, the height of the entire device can be suppressed. Therefore, the fuel supply device can be attached to the shallow fuel tank through the small hole, and the fuel supply device can be laid out without increasing the size of the fuel tank.

In the fuel supply device, the connecting portion is provided between the fuel pump and the strainer,
The fuel pump and the strainer may be rotatably connected about a pivot shaft. Further, the pivot shaft may be arranged on the strainer side, and the fuel pump may be held by a pump holding member rotatably attached to the pivot shaft.

Further, in the fuel supply system of the present invention, the functional parts may be arranged in series along a reference line including the center line in the longitudinal direction of the fuel pump, whereby the entire system is made smaller. Can be formed into

Further, in the fuel supply device, the pressure regulator may be arranged so as to face the connecting portion. As a result, the pressure regulator can be disposed by utilizing the dead space generated when the fuel supply device is bent, and the entire device can be downsized.

In addition, in the fuel supply device, the fuel pump may be pressed and held on the bottom of the fuel tank by the end of the pressure regulator. In this case, the end of the pressure regulator may be brought into contact with a pump holding member that holds the fuel pump, and the pump holding member may be pressed by the pressure of fuel. Thus, the fuel pump can be held by the pressing force of the pressure regulator generated by the fuel pressure, and unlike the pressing by the spring, resonance of the fuel pump can be prevented and a pressing force larger than that of the spring can be obtained. Further, a spring as a pressing member is not necessary, and the number of parts can be reduced. Further, since no spring is attached to the connecting portion, there is no resistance load when the device is bent, and the assembling work becomes easy.

On the other hand, in the fuel supply apparatus of the present invention, the fuel supply apparatus includes a fuel pump arranged in the fuel tank, and is assembled in the fuel tank through an opening formed in the fuel tank. A second unit including a first unit equipped with a pump, a strainer for fuel filtration, and a lid fitted into the opening, and the first unit and the second unit are rotatably connected. It may be configured to have a connecting portion.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fuel supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view when the fuel supply device of FIG. 1 is linearly arranged, and FIG. 3 is an arrow of FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view in the X direction, and FIG. 4 is a front view when the fuel supply device of FIG. 1 is bent and arranged. 5 to 8 are explanatory views showing the procedure for mounting the fuel supply device of FIG. 1 on the fuel tank.

The fuel supply device 1 of FIG. 1 is a gasoline supply device for a two-wheeled vehicle, and as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, it is attached to the opening 3 formed in the upper surface 2a of the fuel tank 2 from above the fuel tank 2. To be The fuel supply device 1 has a fuel pump 4, a strainer 6, a pressure regulator 7, and a flange portion (lid body) 20 as functional parts,
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel pump 4 is a first unit 5 (hereinafter abbreviated as unit 5), and the strainer 6, the pressure regulator 7 and the flange portion 20 are a second unit 8 (hereinafter abbreviated as unit 8). It is located in.
The units 5 and 8 are rotatably connected to each other around a pivot shaft 10 by a connecting portion 9, thereby forming one pump module.

In this case, the fuel supply device 1 is configured such that the units 5 and 8 are rotated by the connecting portion 9 so that the units shown in FIGS.
The shape can be freely changed from a linear shape as shown in FIG. 4 to an L-shaped bent shape as shown in FIG. Further, in the fuel supply device 1, the respective functional components are arranged in series, and in the present embodiment, the flange portion 20, the strainer 6, the pressure regulator 7, and the fuel pump 4 are arranged in this order from the top. Further, when the fuel supply device 1 has a linear form, these functional parts include the center line of the fuel pump 4 as shown in FIG. 3, and are extended and projected over the entire fuel supply device 1 as a reference. Line BL
Are arranged so as to be aligned on a substantially straight line. Therefore, in the fuel supply device 1, as will be described later, by inserting the device in a linear form from the opening 3, and then making the device in a bent form, the device is inserted from the small-diameter opening 3 into the shallow fuel tank 2. Can be installed.

The unit 5 is provided with a fuel pump 4 and a filter 12, in which the fuel pump 4 is held by a pump cover (pump holding member) 13 made of synthetic resin.
It is fixed. The fuel pump 4 is attached to the pump cover 13.
A holder portion 14 that holds the side surface of the holder portion 14 and an arm portion 15 that extends from one end side of the holder portion 14 are provided. The pump cover 13 is rotatably connected to the second unit 8 by the arm 15 while holding the fuel pump 4 by the holder 14.

A U-shaped engaging groove 16 is formed at the tip of the arm portion 15. The engagement groove 16 is rotatably fitted to the pivot shaft 10 provided in the unit 8. In this case, the opening of the engaging groove 16 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the pivot shaft 10, and the pivot shaft 1 fitted in the groove inner part is formed.
0 does not drop out from the engaging groove 16. Thereby, the pump cover 13 is rotatably attached to the pivot shaft 10, and the unit 5 is rotatably connected to the unit 8. In addition, the arm portion 15 is a pivot shaft 10.
With a torsion coil spring (not shown) attached to
The fuel supply device 1 is biased in a linear direction (Y direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2).

The filter 12 is attached to the end portion of the fuel pump 4 opposite to the arm portion 15 side. When the fuel supply device 1 is installed in the fuel tank 2, the filter 12 has a bottom surface contacting the bottom surface 2b of the tank. Then, the fuel in the fuel tank 2 is sucked by the fuel pump 4 after the coarse dust is removed by the filter 12.

A fuel discharge port 17 for discharging the fuel sucked by the fuel pump 4 is provided at the end of the fuel pump 4 on the side of the arm portion 15. At the fuel outlet 17,
A flexible hose 18 is attached. The other end of the flexible hose 18 is connected to the fuel inlet 19 of the second unit 8 and forms an oil feed passage for feeding fuel from the fuel pump 4 to the strainer 6. The flexible hose 18 is adapted to bend appropriately in accordance with the rotation of the unit 5.

The unit 8 is provided with a strainer 6 and a pressure regulator 7, and a flange portion (lid) 20 that fits into the opening 3 of the fuel tank 2. The flange portion 20 is provided in a disk shape in a part of a flange case 21 made of synthetic resin, and has the same diameter as the opening 3 of the fuel tank 2. Then, when the fuel supply device 1 is attached to the opening 3, the flange portion 20 fits into the opening 3,
It functions as a lid that closes the opening 3.

A strainer 6 is housed inside the flange case 21. A synthetic resin pressure regulator holder 22 is attached below the flange case 21, and a pressure regulator 7 is attached below it. In this case, the pressure regulator 7 is provided between the units 5 and 8 so as to face the connecting portion 9. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressure regulator 7 can be disposed in the dead space generated in the connecting portion 9 when the fuel supply device 1 is bent into an L-shape, and the overall size of the device is reduced.

Further, the pressure regulator holder 22
A fuel inlet 19 is provided on the side surface of the. An oil passage communicating with the strainer 6 is provided inside the fuel inlet 19. A flexible hose 18 is attached to the fuel inlet 19 and is connected to the fuel outlet 17. Therefore, the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 4 reaches the fuel inlet 19 through the flexible hose 18 and is introduced into the strainer 6. And strainer 6
After being cleaned by, the pressure is adjusted by the pressure regulator 7 and sent from the fuel pipe 11 to the engine. The excess fuel is returned from the pressure regulator 7 to the fuel tank 2.

In the unit 8, the pressure regulator holder 22 is provided with the pivot shaft 10.
The pivot shaft 10 is integrally provided on the pressure regulator holder 22 so as to project therefrom, and is fitted into the engagement groove 16 of the arm portion 15 as described above. Note that the pivot shaft 1
No. 0 may be provided by inserting a metal pin into the pressure regulator holder 22 by insert molding, or may be installed by press-fitting a pin separately instead of integrally molding.

Next, the fuel supply device 1 is connected to the fuel tank 2
The procedure for mounting the inside will be described. 5 to 8, the details of the fuel supply device 1 are slightly omitted. Here, first, as shown in FIG.
After arranging the units 5 and 8 linearly, only the unit 5 is inserted into the opening 3. After inserting the unit 5 into the opening 3, lower it as it is, as shown in FIG.
The filter 12 is moved to a position in contact with the bottom surface 2b of the fuel tank 2. After the filter 12 contacts the bottom surface 2b, the unit 5 is rotated about the pivot shaft 10 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring, and the unit 5 is moved into the tank along the bottom surface 2b as shown in FIG. Slide it in. At this time, the unit 8 is also lowered at the same time, and the pressure regulator 7 and the strainer 6 are also opened from the opening 3 to the fuel tank 2.
Housed inside. Then, by fitting the flange portion 20 into the opening 3, the state shown in FIG. 8 is obtained, and the fuel supply device 1 is attached to the fuel tank 2.

In the state of FIG. 8, the unit 5 is installed in a state of being pressed against the bottom surface 2b by the torsion coil spring, so that vibration (so-called pump runaway) during operation of the fuel pump is also prevented. At this time, the filter 12 is also pressed against the bottom surface 2b, and the fuel pump 4
Can be installed near the bottom surface 2b of the fuel tank 2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the fuel (ineffective remaining amount) that cannot be sucked by the fuel pump 4 and remains in the fuel tank 2.

As described above, in the fuel supply device 1, since the functional parts are arranged in series, the entire module becomes slender. First, by arranging both units 5 and 8 linearly,
The fuel supply device 1 can be inserted through the small-diameter opening 3. Further, since the functional parts can be flexibly connected by the connecting portion 9 and the functional parts can be bent and arranged, the height of the entire module can be suppressed. Therefore, it becomes possible to accommodate the entire apparatus in the shallow fuel tank 2 while the basic configuration is a vertically arranged module in which the fuel pump 4 and the strainer 6 are arranged in series. In other words, as a vertically arranged module, the projected area is kept small so that it can be installed from a small hole, and after it is housed in the fuel tank, the module bends into a horizontally arranged module shape, so I am also able to attach it to.
Therefore, for example, a fuel supply device can be mounted in a shallow fuel tank having a depth of about 100 mm through a small hole having a diameter of about 50 mm, and the fuel supply device 1 can be laid out without increasing the size of the fuel tank 2. It will be possible.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a fuel supply system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration. The same parts and members as those of the fuel supply device 1 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Fuel supply device 31 according to the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 9, the lower end of the pressure regulator 7 attached to the unit 8 contacts the pressure regulator holding portion 32 provided on the arm portion 15 of the pump cover 13. In this case, in the unit 8, the strainer 6 is housed in the flange case 21, and the pressure regulator 7 is directly attached to the lower portion thereof, and the pressure regulator holder 22 in the first embodiment is omitted. Further, a pivot arm 33 to which the pivot shaft 10 is attached is integrally provided below the flange case 21.

On the other hand, on the unit 5 side, the tip of the arm portion 15 is rotatably attached to the pivot shaft 10, and the pivot shaft 10, the pivot arm 33, and the arm portion 15 form a connecting portion 9 at which both ends are formed. The units 5 and 8 are rotatably connected. Further, a pressure regulator holding portion 32 is provided in the middle of the arm portion 15 so as to project, and when the fuel supply device 31 is bent into an L shape as shown in FIG. 9, the end portion of the pressure regulator 7 is on its upper surface. It comes to abut. It should be noted that a bottomed portion 34 that comes into contact with the bottom surface 2b of the fuel supply device 31 when the fuel supply device 31 is installed in the fuel tank 2 is provided on the lower surface side of the pump cover 13 in FIG. The fuel pump 4 and the strainer 6 are connected by a flexible hose (not shown).

The fuel supply device 31 having such a structure
Is also installed in the fuel tank 2 in the same procedure as in FIGS. Then, when the fuel pump 4 operates, the pressure regulator 7 generates downward pressing force due to the pressure of the fuel, and the pressure regulator holding portion 32.
Press down. In this case, the pump cover 13 is connected to the unit 8 by the connecting portion 9, and the bottomed portion 34 of the pump cover 13 is pressed against the bottom surface 2b of the fuel tank 2 by the pressing force of the pressure regulator 7.
As a result, the fuel pump 4 can be prevented from running out of control, and damage to the device can be prevented.

Further, since the pressing force of the pressure regulator 7 is generated by the pressure of the fuel, it does not have a specific natural frequency unlike the pressing by the spring, and the resonance of the fuel pump 4 can be prevented. Furthermore, according to the pressure regulator 7, a larger pressing force than that of the coil spring or the leaf spring can be obtained, and the spring itself is unnecessary, and the number of parts can be reduced. In this case, the pressure regulator holding portion 32 also serves as a retainer for the pressure regulator 7, and it is not necessary to use a specific retainer member. In addition, since no spring is attached to the connecting portion 9, there is no resistance load when the device is bent into an L shape, and the assembling work becomes easy.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the arrangement of the fuel pump 4, the strainer 6, the pressure regulator 7 and the like and the position of the connecting portion 9 are not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiment, and various arrangements such as disposing the pressure regulator 7 on the unit 5 side are possible. Arrangement patterns are possible. When the fuel supply device 1 is attached to the fuel tank 2, the process of bringing the filter 12 of FIG. 6 into contact with the bottom surface 2b is not essential. For example, immediately after inserting the unit 5 into the opening 3, the unit 8 is rotated. 7 may be used, or both units 5 and 8 may be formed in a "doglegged" shape from the beginning of the insertion to obtain the state shown in FIG.

Further, as the functional parts mounted on the fuel supply devices 1 and 31, other than the fuel pump 4 or the like, a fuel level gauge or the like can be mounted. At this time, the fuel level gauge can be provided in parallel with the units 5 and 8 as well as in the case where the fuel pump 4 and the like are connected in series by disposing the third unit.

Further, in the second embodiment, the lower end of the pressure regulator 7 is connected to the arm portion 1 of the pump cover 13.
5 is in contact with the pressure regulator holding portion 32 provided in FIG. 5, but if the fuel pump 4 can be pressed downward by the lower end of the pressure regulator 7, the contact position is the pressure regulator holding portion 32.
It is not limited to That is, the pressure regulator holding portion 32 can be set so as to abut on a part of the arm portion 15 or a portion of the holder portion 14 without particularly protruding.

[0036]

In the fuel supply device of the present invention, the functional parts such as the fuel pump are arranged in series, and the connecting parts are provided between the functional parts so that the functional parts can be bent and arranged.
The entire device becomes slender and the height of the entire device can be suppressed by bending the device. Therefore, the fuel supply device can be attached to the shallow fuel tank through the small hole, and the fuel supply device can be laid out without increasing the size of the fuel tank.

Further, by disposing the pressure regulator so as to face the connecting portion, it is possible to dispose the pressure regulator by utilizing the dead space generated when the fuel supply device is bent, and it is possible to downsize the entire device. Becomes

Further, since the fuel pump is pressed and held on the bottom of the fuel tank by the end of the pressure regulator, the fuel pump can be held by the pressing force of the pressure regulator generated by the fuel pressure. Therefore, unlike the pressing by the spring, resonance of the fuel pump can be prevented and a pressing force larger than that of the spring can be obtained. Further, a spring as a pressing member is not necessary, and the number of parts can be reduced. Further, since no spring is attached to the connecting portion, there is no resistance load when the device is bent, and the assembling work becomes easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fuel supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view when the fuel supply device of FIG. 1 is linearly arranged.

FIG. 3 is a side view in the direction of the arrow X in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the fuel supply device of FIG. 1 when the fuel supply device is folded and arranged.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for mounting the fuel supply device of FIG. 1 on a fuel tank.

6 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure following FIG. 5 when the fuel supply device of FIG. 1 is attached to a fuel tank.

7 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure following FIG. 6 when the fuel supply device of FIG. 1 is attached to a fuel tank.

8 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure following FIG. 7 when the fuel supply device of FIG. 1 is attached to a fuel tank.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a fuel supply device that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Fuel supply device 2 fuel tank 2a upper surface 2b bottom 3 openings 4 fuel pump 5 First unit 6 strainers 7 Pressure regulator 8 Second unit 9 connection 10 pivot axis 11 Fuel piping 12 filters 13 Pump cover (pump holding member) 14 Holder 15 Arm 16 engagement groove 17 Fuel outlet 18 Flexible hose 19 Fuel inlet 20 Flange 21 Flange case 22 Pressure regulator holder 31 Fuel supply device 32 Pressure regulator holder 33 pivot arm 34 Bottom BL reference line

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Katsutoshi Ito             Gunma Prefecture Kiryu-shi Hirosawa-cho 1-26-181 Stock             Company Mitsuba

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A fuel pump arranged in a fuel tank, a strainer for filtering fuel, a pressure regulator for adjusting the pressure of fuel discharged from the fuel pump, and an opening formed in the fuel tank. A fuel supply device including a mating lid as a functional component, wherein the functional components are arranged in series, and the functional components are flexibly connected so that the functional component can be bent and arranged. A fuel supply device comprising: 2. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein
The fuel supply device, wherein the connecting portion is provided between the fuel pump and the strainer, and the fuel pump and the strainer are connected so as to be rotatable about a pivot shaft. 3. The fuel supply device according to claim 2, wherein
The fuel supply device, wherein the pivot shaft is arranged on the strainer side, and the fuel pump is held by a pump holding member rotatably attached to the pivot shaft. 4. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the functional parts are arranged in series along a reference line including a center line in a longitudinal direction of the fuel pump. A fuel supply device characterized by the above. 5. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure regulator is arranged so as to face the connecting portion. 6. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel pump is pressed and held on a bottom portion of the fuel tank by an end portion of the pressure regulator. Fuel supply device. 7. The fuel supply device according to claim 6,
A fuel supply device, wherein an end portion of the pressure regulator contacts a pump holding member that holds the fuel pump, and presses the pump holding member by the pressure of fuel. 8. A fuel supply device comprising a fuel pump arranged in a fuel tank and assembled in the fuel tank through an opening formed in the fuel tank, the first unit having the fuel pump mounted thereon. A second unit having a strainer for fuel filtration and a lid that fits into the opening, and a connecting portion that rotatably connects the first unit and the second unit. And fuel supply device.