JP2004137936A - Fuel feed module for engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the work for electrically connecting an electric motor and a coupler to each other without being obstructed by other members in a fuel feed module for an engine. <P>SOLUTION: The electric motor M and a fuel pump P are connected to each other through a coupler base 56 provided with a coupler 55 projected in one side thereof. A connection terminal 57 connected to a lead wire 13a of the electric motor M is embedded over from the coupler base 56 to the coupler 55. Inside of an outer housing 37 for housing and holding the electric motor M and the fuel pump P is divided into a high-pressure fuel chamber 41 communicating with a discharge port 3 of the fuel pump P and a low-pressure fuel chamber 40 communicating with a suction port 2 by the coupler base 56. The coupler base 56 is provided with an opening part 52 to expose a part of the connection terminal 57 in the low-pressure fuel chamber 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel supply module for an engine applicable to an automobile, a motorcycle, an outboard motor, and the like, and more particularly, to an electric motor, a coupler for supplying power to the electric motor, and a fuel tank driven by the electric motor. And a fuel pump for sucking the fuel and increasing the pressure to feed the fuel to the fuel injection valve of the engine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Such an engine fuel supply module is already known, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-257525 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a conventional engine fuel supply module, a unitized electric motor and a fuel pump are housed in an outer housing, and the inside of the outer housing is used as a fuel chamber for introducing fuel from a fuel tank. Is sucked and discharged into the fuel filter housing joined to the outer housing. The unitized electric motor and fuel pump are supported by the fuel filter housing, and a coupler for supplying power to the electric motor is also mounted on the fuel filter housing.
[0005]
By the way, in such a fuel supply module, the electric connection between the electric motor and the coupler must be performed after the electric motor and the coupler are attached to the fuel filter housing. Is very troublesome.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has been made in view of the above-mentioned fuel for an engine, which makes it possible to easily perform an electrical connection operation between an electric motor and a coupler without being obstructed by other members. It is intended to provide a supply module.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electric motor, a coupler for supplying power to the electric motor, and a fuel injection valve of an engine driven by the electric motor to draw in fuel in a fuel tank and increase the pressure. And a fuel pump for pumping the fuel to the engine, the electric motor and the fuel pump are connected to each other through a coupler base that projects the coupler to one side, and a lead wire of the electric motor is connected from the coupler base to the coupler. A high-pressure fuel that houses the electric motor and opens the outer end of the discharge port of the fuel pump by the coupler base in the outer housing that embeds a connection terminal connected to the electric motor and that houses and holds the electric motor and the fuel pump. Chamber and a low-pressure fuel chamber under substantially atmospheric pressure, and a part of the connection terminal is connected to the low-pressure fuel chamber on the coupler base. Providing the opening for exposing the first feature of the.
[0008]
According to the first feature, when the coupler base is used alone, the connection terminal can be connected to the lead wire of the electric motor. Therefore, the connection operation is completely hindered by the outer housing and the fuel pump. The connection can be performed easily and efficiently, and the connection work can be automated. The inner end of the connection terminal is exposed to the high-pressure fuel chamber, but the terminal is embedded from the coupler base to the coupler. As a result, the close contact with the coupler base and the coupler is good, and the fuel in the high-pressure fuel chamber can be prevented from entering around the connection terminal.
[0009]
Also, even if fuel in the high pressure fuel chamber enters between the connection terminal and the coupler base, the above-mentioned infiltrated fuel cannot be removed because the middle part of the connection terminal faces the low pressure fuel chamber through the opening of the coupler base. The gas moves to the low-pressure opening side and is discharged to the low-pressure fuel chamber. Therefore, fuel leakage to the connection port of the coupler can be prevented.
[0010]
According to a second feature of the present invention, in addition to the first feature, the low-pressure fuel chamber has an opening at an outer end of a suction port of a fuel pump and a fuel outlet connected to a fuel tank.
[0011]
According to the second feature, since the low-pressure fuel chamber for receiving the leaked fuel from the opening portion is to suck the fuel received from the fuel tank into the fuel pump, a special place for storing the leaked fuel is prepared. Not only does it need to be done, but the leaked fuel is again sucked into the fuel pump, and there is no waste.
[0012]
Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the second feature, the outer housing is connected to the low-pressure fuel chamber, extends above the suction port of the fuel pump, and separates the vapor generated in the low-pressure fuel chamber from the fuel. A third feature is that a vapor separator chamber that is opened to the air is formed.
[0013]
According to the third feature, the vapor generated in the low-pressure fuel chamber can be released to the fuel tank through the vapor separator chamber, so that good fuel without vapor can be sucked into the fuel pump.
[0014]
Still further, according to the present invention, in addition to the third feature, when the pressure of the high-pressure fuel chamber rises to a prescribed value or more, the fuel corresponding to the excess pressure is returned to the fuel tank when the pressure of the high-pressure fuel chamber rises to a specified value. A fourth feature is that a pressure regulator for adjusting the pressure of the fuel chamber to a specified value is provided, and a vapor discharge hole of the vapor separator chamber is opened at an outlet side of the pressure regulator.
[0015]
According to the fourth feature, the fuel return passage for guiding excess fuel from the pressure regulator to the fuel tank can be used for discharging the vapor from the vapor separator chamber to the fuel tank. Can be simplified.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an engine fuel supply module according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, an engine fuel supply module A of this embodiment includes an electric motor M, a coupler 55 for supplying power to the electric motor M, a Wesco-type fuel pump P driven by the electric motor M, A fuel strainer S for filtering the intake fuel, a fuel filter F for filtering the fuel discharged from the fuel pump P, a pressure regulator R for adjusting the outlet pressure of the fuel, and a fuel for injecting the fuel pumped from the fuel pump P into the engine. And an injection valve I.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the pump housing 1 of the fuel pump P has a first pump housing half 1a made of an aluminum alloy having an intake port 2 opening on the lower surface, and a first pump housing having an outlet port 3 opening on the upper surface. A second pump housing half 1b, also made of an aluminum alloy, is connected to the half 1a. In the second pump housing half 1b, a pump chamber 5 is formed in which the inner ends of the suction port 2 and the discharge port 3 are opened, and a pump impeller 6 is rotatably fitted in the pump chamber 5.
[0020]
The electric motor M includes a stator 10 including a stator core 12 and a stator coil 13, an outer rotor 11 including a bottomed cylindrical rotor body 14 surrounding the stator 10 and a permanent magnet 15 attached to an inner peripheral surface thereof, and a rotor body. An output shaft 16 fixed to the hub 14a at the center of the end wall of the unit 14 constitutes a brushless type.
[0021]
The stator core 12 is formed integrally with the second pump housing half 1b, and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of a hollow cylindrical motor support portion 20 protruding from the upper surface thereof by press-fitting.
[0022]
First and second bearing housings 21 and 22 are formed on inner peripheral surfaces of a base portion and a tip portion of the motor support portion 20, and first and second bearings 23 and 24 are mounted on these by press-fitting, respectively. Both ends of the output shaft 16 are supported by first and second bearings 23 and 24. In the illustrated example, metal bearings are used for the first and second bearings 23 and 24.
[0023]
The output shaft 16 has a tip part 16 a having a semicircular cross section, and is fitted to the semicircular connection hole 6 a at the center of the pump impeller 6 to be connected to the pump impeller 6.
[0024]
A plurality of through holes 17 are formed in the end wall of the rotor body 14 to communicate the inside and the outside thereof.
[0025]
In a concave portion 25 of the second pump housing half 1b that opens into the pump chamber 5, a retaining member 26 for preventing the output shaft 16 from coming off from the first and second bearings 23 and 24 is press-fitted into the output shaft 16. Is done.
[0026]
The coupler 55 is formed integrally with a projecting portion 56a from one side surface of an annular coupler base 56 disposed between the electric motor M and the fuel pump P with the connection port 55a facing upward. The coupler base 56, the overhang portion 56a, and the coupler 55 are integrally formed of a synthetic resin, and the connection terminal 57 is embedded from the coupler base 56 to the coupler 55 at the time of the molding.
[0027]
The coupler base 56 has a cylindrical center fitting portion 56b projecting upward from its center, a cylindrical upward fitting portion 56c projecting upward from its outer peripheral portion, and a cylindrical projecting portion 56c projecting downward from the outer peripheral portion. And an inner end of the connection terminal 57 protrudes from an inner peripheral surface of the upward fitting portion 56c, and a lead wire 13a extending from the stator coil 13 is connected to the inner end. You.
[0028]
The center fitting portion 56b and the downward fitting portion 56d of the coupler base 56 are fitted to the outer peripheral surfaces of the motor support portion 20 and the second pump housing half 1b, and the downward fitting portion 56d, the first and the second The three pump housing halves 1a and 1b are connected by a caulking ring 58.
[0029]
A bottomed cylindrical upper outer housing half 37 a that accommodates the electric motor M is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the upward fitting portion 56 c of the coupler base 56 via a seal member 59. A side projection is formed in the upper outer housing half body 37a corresponding to the projection 56a of the coupler base 56, and a coupler 55 is inserted into a coupler hole 61 provided therein, and a sealing member surrounding the coupler hole 61. Reference numeral 62 is interposed between the overhang portion 56a of the coupler base 56 and the overhang portion of the upper outer housing half body 37a.
[0030]
The lower end surface of the upper outer housing half 37a is joined with the upper end surface of the lower outer housing half 37b that accommodates the fuel pump P while cooperating with the coupler base 56 with a seal member 60 interposed therebetween. The upper and lower outer housing halves 37a and 37b constitute an outer housing 37 that houses and holds the electric motor M and the fuel pump P.
[0031]
In FIG. 1 again, the inside of the outer housing 37 is partitioned by the coupler base 56 into a low-pressure fuel chamber 40 that houses the fuel pump P and a high-pressure fuel chamber 41 that houses the electric motor M. The suction port 2 of the pump P opens, and the discharge port 3 of the fuel pump P opens in the high-pressure fuel chamber 41 through a through hole 84 of the coupler base 56.
[0032]
In the low-pressure fuel chamber 40, an intermediate portion of the connection terminal 57 is exposed through an opening 52 provided in a coupler base 56.
[0033]
A fuel strainer S is mounted on the first pump housing half 1a so as to cover the suction port 2.
[0034]
The lower outer housing half body 37b has a fuel inlet pipe 63 which opens to the low pressure fuel chamber 40 on the bottom wall, and a low pressure fuel conduit 66 connected to the fuel outlet of the fuel tank T is connected to the fuel inlet pipe 63. A fuel strainer 67 is interposed. The fuel in the fuel tank T flows down to the low-pressure fuel chamber 40 due to gravity, so that the low-pressure fuel chamber 40 is maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure.
[0035]
On one side wall of the upper outer housing half body 37a, a vapor separator chamber 65 extending upward from the low-pressure fuel chamber 40 outside the fuel strainer S is formed.
[0036]
A fuel outlet pipe 69 that opens to the high-pressure fuel chamber 41 is formed integrally with the ceiling wall of the upper outer housing half body 37 a, and the fuel filter F is connected to the high-pressure fuel chamber 41 so as to cover the opening of the fuel outlet pipe 69. Will be arranged.
[0037]
An injection valve holder 70 that holds the fuel injection valve I is connected to the fuel outlet pipe 69. The injection valve holder 70 has a fuel passage 71 communicating between the fuel outlet pipe 69 and the fuel injection valve I. The fuel passage 71 is provided with a residual pressure holding valve C for preventing backflow of fuel.
[0038]
Further, a pressure regulator R for adjusting the pressure of the high-pressure fuel chamber 41 to a specified value is attached to the upper outer housing half 37a. The pressure regulator R includes a valve case 72 attached to the ceiling wall of the upper outer housing half 37a, a cylindrical valve chamber 73 communicating with the fuel chamber 41, and an atmosphere chamber 74 communicating with the atmosphere. A diaphragm 75 is provided at the lower end of the valve chamber 73 to form four valve seats 76. The valve chamber 73 is provided with a spherical valve body 68 which can be seated on a valve seat 76, while an operating member 77 in contact with the valve body 68 is provided at the center of a diaphragm 75. The pressure regulating spring 78 for pressing the valve body 68 toward the valve seat 76 with a predetermined load via the pressure chamber 78 is compressed in the atmosphere chamber 74. The valve case 72 is provided with an opening spring 79 that urges the valve body 68 with a much weaker load than the pressure regulating spring 78 in a direction to separate the valve body 68 from the valve seat 76.
[0039]
In the upper outer housing half body 37a, a relief hole 80 communicating with the downstream side of the valve seat 76 is provided, and a fuel return pipe 81 communicating with the relief hole 80 is provided on the outer surface to protrude therefrom. Is connected to the fuel return conduit 83 which is opened to the fuel cell.
[0040]
The upper part of the vapor separator chamber 65 is opened to the escape hole 80 through a vapor discharge hole 82.
[0041]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0042]
When the electric motor M operates, the pump impeller 6 is driven to rotate by the output shaft 16. Accordingly, the fuel in the low-pressure fuel chamber 40, which is first filtered by the fuel strainer S, is sucked into the pump chamber 5 from the suction port 2, is pressurized by the pump impeller 6, and is discharged from the discharge port 3 to the high-pressure fuel chamber 41. Then, it is filtered by the fuel filter F, is supplied to the fuel injection valve I by opening the residual pressure holding valve C, and is injected toward the intake port (not shown) of the engine when the valve is opened.
[0043]
During this time, in the high-pressure fuel chamber 41, each part of the electric motor M and the second bearing 24 are cooled by the flowing fuel, and in the concave portion 25 of the second pump housing half 1b, the first bearing 23 is cooled by the fuel in the pump chamber 5. Is done.
[0044]
When the pressure in the high-pressure fuel chamber 41 rises above a specified value, the diaphragm 75 moves upward against the load of the adjusting spring 78, and the valve body 68 opens with the urging force of the opening spring 79. Therefore, the fuel in the high-pressure fuel chamber 41 returns to the fuel tank T through the escape hole 80 and the fuel return conduit 83 by the amount of the excess pressure. Thereby, the pressure of the high-pressure fuel chamber 41 is adjusted to be constant.
[0045]
When vapor is generated in the fuel introduced from the low-pressure fuel conduit 66 into the low-pressure fuel chamber 40, the fuel strainer S prevents the fuel from being transferred to the suction port 2 and moves upward to the vapor separator chamber 65 on the side. Then, the fuel is discharged from the vapor discharge hole 82 to the release hole 80 and sent to the fuel tank T together with the fuel passing through the release hole 80. Therefore, the fuel pump P can suck in good fuel not containing vapor. By discharging the vapor from the vapor separator chamber 65 to the relief hole 82 of the pressure regulator R, the fuel return conduit 83 can be used for discharging the vapor to the fuel tank T. Can be simplified.
[0046]
By the way, when assembling into the engine fuel supply module A, first, when the coupler base 56 is used alone, the lead wire 13 a extending from the stator coil 13 of the electric motor M is connected to the inner end of the connection terminal 57. Therefore, the connection operation can be easily and efficiently performed without any hindrance by the outer housing 37 and the fuel pump P, and the connection operation can be automated. Thereafter, the fuel pump P, the electric motor M, the upper housing half 37b, and the lower outer housing half 37b are sequentially assembled to the coupler base 56.
[0047]
Although the inner end of the connection terminal 57 is exposed to the high-pressure fuel chamber 41, the terminal 57 extends from the coupler base 56 to the coupler 55 and is buried at the time of molding them. The adhesion is good, and the fuel in the high-pressure fuel chamber 41 can be prevented from entering around the connection terminal 57.
[0048]
Even if the fuel in the high pressure fuel chamber 41 enters between the connection terminal 57 and the coupler base 56, the intermediate portion of the connection terminal 57 faces the low pressure fuel chamber 40 through the opening 52 of the coupler base 56. Therefore, the infiltrated fuel moves to the low-pressure opening 52 side and is discharged to the low-pressure fuel chamber 40. Therefore, fuel leakage to the connection port 55a of the coupler 55 can be prevented.
[0049]
In addition, since the low-pressure fuel chamber 40 that receives the leaked fuel from the opening 52 allows the fuel pump P to suck the fuel received from the fuel tank T, it is not necessary to prepare a special place for storing the leaked fuel. Since the leaked fuel is sucked into the fuel pump P again, there is no waste.
[0050]
A motor support 20 is formed integrally with the second pump housing half 1b having the pump chamber 5, and a stator 10 of the electric motor M is fixed to the outer periphery of the motor support 20 and an outer rotor 11 Since both ends of the output shaft 16 are supported via a pair of bearings 23 and 24, the coaxiality of the pump impeller 6 and the output shaft 16 fitted in the pump chamber 5 due to an error in integrated production is prevented. Therefore, the manufacturing is facilitated. The coaxial accuracy of the pump impeller 6 and the output shaft 16 is increased, and the fitting gap between the connection hole 6a of the pump impeller 6 and the tip end 16a of the output shaft 16 is reduced. It is possible to prevent hitting wear and vibration of the joint portion, and at the same time, stabilize the support of the output shaft 16 and prevent rotational vibration of the outer rotor 11 and uneven wear of the bearings 23 and 24.
[0051]
Moreover, when the electric motor M is attached to the motor support 20 of the pump housing 1, the connection with the fuel pump P is completed, so that the performance inspection of the electric motor M and the fuel pump P can be performed at that time. , Is reasonable.
[0052]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various design changes can be made without changing the gist. For example, the first and second pump housing halves 1a, 1b can be made of synthetic resin.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an electric motor, a coupler for supplying power to the electric motor, and a motor driven by the electric motor to inhale fuel in a fuel tank to increase the pressure, thereby increasing the engine speed. In a fuel supply module for an engine, comprising a fuel pump for pumping fuel to a fuel injection valve, an electric motor and a fuel pump are connected to each other with a coupler base projecting to one side therebetween, and the electric motor is connected to the coupler base through the coupler. The outer terminal that embeds the connection terminal connected to the lead wire and accommodates and holds the electric motor and the fuel pump is opened by the coupler base to accommodate the electric motor and to open the outer end of the discharge port of the fuel pump. A high-pressure fuel chamber to be operated and a low-pressure fuel chamber at substantially atmospheric pressure, and a part of the connection terminal is connected to the coupler base by the low-pressure fuel chamber. With the opening exposed to the fuel chamber, the connection terminal and the lead wire of the electric motor can be connected when the coupler base is used alone. Therefore, the connection work can be completely performed on the outer housing and the fuel pump. It can be performed easily and efficiently without being disturbed, and the connection work can be automated. The inner end of the connection terminal is exposed to the high-pressure fuel chamber. However, since the terminal is buried from the coupler base to the coupler, the adhesion between the coupler base and the coupler is good, and the fuel in the high-pressure fuel chamber is excellent. Can be prevented from entering around the connection terminal. Also, should the fuel in the high pressure fuel chamber intrude between the connection terminal and the coupler base, the infiltrated fuel will be discharged to the low pressure fuel chamber through the opening, and the connection to the connection port of the coupler will be lost. Fuel leakage can be prevented.
[0054]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the low-pressure fuel chamber has an opening at an outer end of a suction port of a fuel pump and a fuel outlet of a fuel tank. The low-pressure fuel chamber, which receives the leaked fuel from the opening, allows the fuel pump to draw the fuel received from the fuel tank, so there is no need to prepare a special place for storing the leaked fuel, and the leaked fuel is re-used. There is no waste because it is drawn into the fuel pump.
[0055]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second aspect, a vapor generated in the low-pressure fuel chamber is provided in the outer housing so as to be connected to the low-pressure fuel chamber and extend above the suction port of the fuel pump. Since the vapor separator chamber is separated from the fuel and released to the fuel tank, the vapor generated in the low-pressure fuel chamber can be released to the fuel tank through the vapor separator chamber. Can be inhaled.
[0056]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the third aspect, when the pressure of the high-pressure fuel chamber rises to a specified value or more, the fuel corresponding to the excess pressure is supplied to the outer housing. Returning to the tank, a pressure regulator for adjusting the pressure of the high-pressure fuel chamber to a specified value was provided, and a vapor discharge hole of the vapor separator chamber was opened at the outlet side of the pressure regulator. The fuel return path for guiding the excess fuel from the pressure regulator to the fuel tank can be used for discharging the vapor, and this can contribute to simplifying the piping between the fuel supply module and the fuel tank.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an engine fuel supply module according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1;
A: Fuel supply module I: Fuel injection valve M: Electric motor P: Fuel pump R: Pressure regulator T: Fuel tank 2, suction port 3, discharge port 13a, lead wire 37, outer housing 40, low pressure fuel chamber 41, high pressure fuel chamber 52, etc. Opening part 55 Coupler 55a Connection port 56 Coupler base 57 Connection terminal 65 Vapor separator chamber

Claims (4)

An electric motor (M); a coupler (55) for supplying power to the electric motor (M); An engine fuel supply module including a fuel pump (P) for pumping the fuel to the fuel injection valve (I);
The electric motor (M) and the fuel pump (P) are connected to each other with a coupler base (56) projecting the coupler (55) to one side, and the electric motor (M) is connected to the coupler (55). A connection terminal (57) to be connected to the lead wire (13a) of (M) is buried, and an outer housing (37) for housing and holding the electric motor (M) and the fuel pump (P) is housed in the coupler base. According to (56), the high-pressure fuel chamber (41) that accommodates the electric motor (M) and opens the outer end of the discharge port (3) of the fuel pump (P), and the low-pressure fuel chamber (40) that is substantially under atmospheric pressure An engine fuel supply module characterized in that an opening (52) for exposing a part of the connection terminal (57) to the low-pressure fuel chamber (40) is provided in the coupler base (56). . The engine fuel supply module according to claim 1,
An engine fuel supply module characterized in that the low-pressure fuel chamber (40) has an opening at an outer end of a suction port (2) of a fuel pump (P) and a fuel outlet of a fuel tank (T). The engine fuel supply module according to claim 2,
The outer housing (37) is connected to the low-pressure fuel chamber (40) and extends above the suction port (2) of the fuel pump (P) to separate the vapor generated in the low-pressure fuel chamber (40) from the fuel. A fuel supply module for an engine, wherein a vapor separator chamber (65) to be released is formed in a fuel tank (T). The engine fuel supply module according to claim 3,
When the pressure of the high-pressure fuel chamber (41) rises to a specified value or more, the outer housing (37) returns fuel corresponding to the excess pressure to the fuel tank (T) and returns the fuel to the high-pressure fuel chamber (41). An engine characterized in that a pressure regulator (R) for adjusting the pressure of the fuel cell to a specified value is provided, and a vapor discharge hole (82) of the vapor separator chamber (65) is opened at an outlet side of the pressure regulator (R). For fuel supply module.

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