JP2004293457A

JP2004293457A - Fuel tank

Info

Publication number: JP2004293457A
Application number: JP2003088183A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Masayuki Sasagawa; 雅之笹川; Yuichi Wada; 祐一和田
Original assignee: Sumitomo Riko Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Riko Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-27
Publication date: 2004-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-27
Also published as: JP4001038B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure sealability by suppressing needless deformation of an elastic body seal member when press-fitting a pump supporting member into the mounting cylindrical part of a fuel tank. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel tank 10 is equipped with a resin made tank body 11 having the mounting cylindrical part 13 projecting toward external part at the opening part 12. An elastic body seal member 21 having an annular main seal part 23 projecting radially outward at its one end is inserted in the mounting cylindrical part at a sub seal part, and placed on the tip of the mounting cylindrical part at the main seal part. The pump supporting member 32 is inserted into the tank body from the mounting cylindrical part, the sub seal part 22 is pressed to an inner peripheral surface at an outer peripheral surface of an engaging end part of the one end side, and a flange part 36 provided at one end is overlapped to the main seal part 23. An annular fastening member 17 is fit to the outer periphery of the mounting cylindrical part and mounted to the mounting cylindrical part by being overlapped to the flange part. A reinforcing member 26 made of wire netting plate is embedded in the main seal part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、自動車用の樹脂製の燃料タンクであって、特にタンク本体の開口部にて外部に突出する円筒形の取付筒部に、シール部材を介してポンプ支持部材が気密状態で固定されて開口部が気密封止される燃料タンクに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、この種の樹脂製の燃料タンクは、例えば、特許文献１に示すように、壁に形成した開口に連なる筒状内周面を設けると共に、被取付部品（ポンプ支持部材）に筒状内周面と対向する筒状外周面を設け、さらに筒状内周面と筒状外周面との間にシール部材を装着したうえで、燃料タンク内に被取付部品を挿入することにより開口を気密状態で閉じている。しかし、この燃料タンクの場合、被取付部品を燃料タンク内に挿入する際に、筒状内周面と筒状外周面との間に装着されるシール部材が位置ずれしたり、外れたりするおそれがあり、シール構造として不安定である。また、この燃料タンクは、筒状内周面と筒状外周面との間に挟まれたシール部材による１箇所のみでシールが行われるものであり、気密シールの信頼性が必ずしも十分ではない。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−１４０７１８号公報（第２頁、図１−図３）
【０００４】
これに対して、他の構造の燃料タンクとして、筒状のサブシール部とその一端にて径方向外方にわずかに突出する環状のメインシール部を有する耐ガソリン透過性の例えばＮＢＲ／ＰＶＣ製の弾性体シール部材を用いたものが知られている。この弾性体シール部材が、サブシール部にて燃料タンクのタンク本体の開口部から外方に突出した取付筒部内に挿入されると共にメインシール部にて取付筒部の先端に載置される。つぎに、燃料タンク内に挿入されるポンプ支持部材が、その一端側の筒状の係合端部にて弾性体シール部材のサブシール部を取付筒部の内周面に押圧して密着させると共に係合端部の一端にて径方向外方にわずかに延びた鍔部がメインシール部に重ね合される。さらに、締付部材が、取付筒部の外周に嵌合されると共に鍔部に重ね合されて、弾性体シール部材のメインシール部を押圧した状態で取付筒部に固定される。これにより、樹脂製のタンク本体の開口部が気密状態で封止される。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上記燃料タンクの場合、ポンプ支持部材の係合端部をタンク本体の取付筒部に圧入する際に、弾性体シール部材の特にメインシール部がポンプ支持部材の挿入の際の押圧力により引っ張られて無用な変形が生じ、取付筒部と係合端部との間にかみ込みが生じ易い。その結果、弾性体シール部材によるタンク本体の取付筒部とポンプ支持部材の係合端部の間のシール性能が低下して、ガソリン漏れが生じやすいという問題がある。また、タンク本体のブロー成形のバラツキや、経時変化によるタンク本体の変形等により、タンク本体とサブシール部との間に隙間が生じて、サブシール部によるタンク本体とポンプ支持部材間のシール性能が低下するという問題がある。
【０００６】
本発明は上記した問題を解決しようとするもので、ポンプ支持部材を燃料タンクのタンク本体の開口部に圧入する際の弾性体シール部材のメインシール部の無用な変形を抑えて、弾性体シール部材のシール性能を確保できる燃料タンクを提供することを目的とする。また、本発明の他の目的は、タンク本体の成形のバラツキや、経時変化による変形等によるタンク本体とサブシール部との間のシール性能の低下を抑え、弾性体シール部材のシール性能を確保できる燃料タンクを提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、上記請求項１に記載の発明の構成上の特徴は、壁面に設けた開口部にて外部に突出する円筒形の取付筒部を有する樹脂製で中空箱状のタンク本体と、筒状のサブシール部とサブシール部の一端にて径方向外方に突出する環状のメインシール部とを一体で有し、サブシール部にて取付筒部内に挿入されると共にメインシール部にて取付筒部の先端部に載置された弾性体シール部材と、燃料ポンプを支持する基部の一端側に筒状の係合端部を有し、係合端部の開口が封止されると共に係合端部の一端側にて径方向外方に延びた鍔部を設けており、基部が取付筒部から挿入されてタンク本体内に配置され、係合端部の外周面にてサブシール部を取付筒部内周面に押圧すると共に鍔部がメインシール部に重ね合されたポンプ支持部材と、ポンプ支持部材に被せられて、取付筒部の外周に嵌合されると共に鍔部に重ね合されてメインシール部を押圧した状態で取付筒部に取り付けられた環状の締付部材とを備えた燃料タンクにおいて、弾性体シール部材の少なくともメインシール部内に、周方向に沿って金網板製で環状の補強部材が埋設されたことにある。
【０００８】
上記のように構成した請求項１の発明においては、弾性体シール部材のサブシール部にて、ポンプ支持部材の係合端部の外周面に押圧されて取付筒部に押し付けられることにより、取付筒部とポンプ支持部材の係合端部間がシールされる。さらに、メインシール部にて、締付部材によって取付筒部に押圧されることによりポンプ支持部材の鍔部とタンク本体の取付筒部間がシールされる。そして、弾性体シール部材の少なくともメインシール部内には、金網板製で環状の補強部材が周方向に沿って埋設されており、この部分が変形し難いように補強されている。そのため、弾性体シール部材が装着された取付筒部に、ポンプ支持部材を挿入する際に、ポンプ支持部材の押圧力によって弾性シール部材のメインシール部が引っ張られるが、メインシール部は補強部材により強化されているため、その無用な変形が抑えられる。そのため、ポンプ支持部材の係合端部とタンク本体の取付筒部間でのメインシール部のかみ込みの発生が防止され、メインシール部によるシール性能が確保される。さらに、補強部材が金網板製であることにより、金網の隙間に弾性体が食い込むアンカー効果が得られ、補強部材と弾性体シール部材との一体性が高められる。その結果、弾性体シール部材から補強部材が外れるといった不具合が確実に防止される。
【０００９】
また、上記請求項２に記載の発明の構成上の特徴は、前記請求項１に記載の燃料タンクにおいて、補強部材が、平坦な環状板であり、メインシール部に同軸状に埋設されたことにある。このように、補強部材が、平坦な環状板であることにより、ポンプ支持部材からの軸方向の押圧力に対するメインシール部の変形が抑えられる。
【００１０】
また、上記請求項３に記載の発明の構成上の特徴は、前記請求項２に記載の燃料タンクにおいて、補強部材が、環状板の径方向内端にて一体でサブシール部側に延びた垂直筒部を設けたことにある。このように、補強部材が環状板と垂直筒部とを設けていることにより、請求項２の作用に加えて、補強部材による弾性体シール部の補強がさらに高められ、弾性体シール部材の無用な変形がさらに確実に抑えられる。
【００１１】
また、上記請求項４に記載の発明の構成上の特徴は、壁面に設けた開口部にて外部に突出する円筒形の取付筒部を有する樹脂製で中空箱状のタンク本体と、筒状のサブシール部とサブシール部の一端にて径方向外方に突出する環状のメインシール部とを一体で有し、サブシール部にて取付筒部内に挿入されると共にメインシール部にて取付筒部の先端部に載置された弾性体シール部材と、燃料ポンプを支持する基部の一端側に筒状の係合端部を有し、係合端部の開口が封止されると共に係合端部の一端側にて径方向外方に延びた鍔部を設けており、基部が取付筒部から挿入されてタンク本体内に配置され、係合端部の外周面にてサブシール部を取付筒部内周面に押圧すると共に鍔部がメインシール部に重ね合されたポンプ支持部材と、ポンプ支持部材に被せられて、取付筒部の外周に嵌合されると共に鍔部に重ね合されてメインシール部を押圧した状態で取付筒部に取り付けられた環状の締付部材とを備えた燃料タンクにおいて、弾性体シール部材は、サブシール部の内周面及び外周面側にてそれぞれ内外方に向けて突出した少なくとも一対の突出部を設け、取付筒部とポンプ支持部材の係合端部間に挟まれた状態においてサブシール部の厚さがメインシール部の厚さと略同一にされたことにある。
【００１２】
上記のように構成した請求項４の発明においては、弾性体シール部材のサブシール部にて、ポンプ支持部材の係合端部の外周面に押圧されて取付筒部に押し付けられることにより、取付筒部とポンプ支持部材の係合端部間がシールされる。また、メインシール部にて、締付部材によって取付筒部に押圧されることにより、ポンプ支持部材の鍔部とタンク本体の取付筒部間がシールされる。そして、サブシール部の内周面及び外周面側にてそれぞれ内外方に向けて突出した少なくとも一対の突出部を設けたことにより、燃料タンクのタンク本体の成形のバラツキにより大きめに形成されたり、あるいは経時変化によるタンク本体の変形等があっても、タンク本体の取付筒部とサブシール部との間に生じた隙間を、外周面側の突出部によりカバーすることができ、この部分でのシール性能が確保される。また、内周面側の突出部により、ポンプ支持部材側とのシール性が確保される。
【００１３】
さらに、取付筒部とポンプ支持部材の係合端部との間に挟まれた状態のサブシール部の厚さがメインシール部の厚さと略同一にされたことにより、弾性体シール部材が装着された取付筒部にポンプ支持部材を挿入する際に、ポンプ支持部材のサブシール部に対する引っ掛かりが少なくされてスムーズな挿入が可能になる。そのため、ポンプ支持部材の係合端部とタンク本体の取付筒部間でのサブシール部のかみ込みの発生が防止され、弾性体シール部材によるシール性能が確保される。
【００１４】
また、上記請求項５に記載の発明の構成上の特徴は、前記請求項４に記載の燃料タンクにおいて、メインシール部の軸心側内端の角部が切り欠かれたことにある。これにより、弾性体シール部材が装着された取付筒部に、ポンプ支持部材を挿入する際に、角部によってポンプ支持部材のメインシール部に対する引っ掛かりが抑えられ、ポンプ支持部材の押圧力によって弾性シール部材のメインシール部が引っ張られ難くされるため、メインシール部の変形が抑えられる。そのため、メインシール部のポンプ支持部材とタンク本体の取付筒部間でのかみ込みの発生が防止され、メインシール部によるシール性能が確保される。
【００１５】
また、上記請求項６に記載の発明の構成上の特徴は、前記請求項４又は５に記載の燃料タンクにおいて、サブシール部の外周面側の突出部の長さが、内周面側の突出部の長さより長くされたことにある。これにより、弾性体シール部材が装着された取付筒部にポンプ支持部材を挿入する際に、ポンプ支持部材は、長さの短い径方向内側の突出部にほとんど拘束されること無く、スムーズに挿入される。そのため、ポンプ支持部材の押圧力により弾性シール部材が引っ張られ難くされるため、弾性体シール部材の不要な変形が抑えられる。また、タンク本体の成形のバラツキにより大きめに形成されたり、あるいは経時変化によるタンク本体の変形等により、タンク本体の取付筒部とサブシール部との間に生じた隙間については、径方向外方に延びた長さの長い突出部によりカバーすることができ、サブシール部によるシール性能が確保される。
【００１６】
また、上記請求項７に記載の発明の構成上の特徴は、前記請求項４から６のいずれか１項に記載の燃料タンクにおいて、弾性体シール部材の少なくともメインシール部内に、周方向に沿って環状の補強部材が埋設されたことにある。このように、弾性体シール部材の少なくともメインシール部に埋設された環状の補強部材により、この部分が変形し難いように補強されている。そのため、上記請求項４，５，６の発明の作用効果に加えて、弾性体シール部材が装着された取付筒部に、ポンプ支持部材を挿入する際に、ポンプ支持部材の押圧力によって弾性シール部材のメインシール部が引っ張られるが、メインシール部は補強部材により強化されているため、その変形が抑えられる。そのため、メインシール部のポンプ支持部材とタンク本体の取付筒部間でのかみ込みの発生が防止され、メインシール部によるシール性能が確保される。
【００１７】
また、上記請求項８に記載の発明の構成上の特徴は、前記請求項７に記載の燃料タンクにおいて、補強部材が金網板製であることにある。このように、補強部材が金網板製であることにより、金網の隙間に弾性体が食い込むアンカー効果が得られ、補強部材と弾性体シール部材との一体性が高められる。その結果、弾性体シール部材から補強部材が外れるといった不具合が確実に防止される。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態について図面を用いて説明する。図１は、第１実施形態である自動車用の樹脂製の燃料タンク１０の全体を一部破断正面図により示し、図２は、燃料タンクの要部を一部破断正面図により示し、図３から図５は、弾性体シール部材を一部破断正面図、一部破断平面図及び拡大断面図により示したものである。
【００１９】
燃料タンク１０は、図１及び図２に示すように、上壁１１ａに設けた開口部１２にて外部（上方）に突出する円筒形の取付筒部１３を有する樹脂製のタンク本体１１を備えている。筒状のサブシール部２２とサブシール部の一端にて径方向外方に突出する環状のメインシール部２３を有する弾性体シール部材２１が、サブシール部２２にて取付筒部１３内に挿入されると共にメインシール部２３にて取付筒部１３の先端に載置される。さらに、燃料ポンプ３１を支持する基部３３の一端側（図示上端側）に筒状の係合端部３４を設け、係合端部３４の開口が封止されると共に係合端部３４の一端（図示上端）にて径方向外方に延びた鍔部３６を設けたポンプ支持部材３２が、取付筒部１３からタンク本体１１内に挿入されて、係合端部３４の外周面にてサブシール部２２を取付筒部１３の内周面に押圧すると共に鍔部３６がメインシール部２３に重ね合されている。ポンプ支持部材３２に、環状の締付部材１７が被せられて、取付筒部１３の外周に嵌合されると共に鍔部３６に重ね合されてメインシール部２３を押圧した状態で取付筒部１３に取り付けられている。そして、弾性体シール部材２１のメインシール部２３内には、金網板製の環状の補強部材２６が埋設されている。
【００２０】
タンク本体１１は、図１に示すように、略直方体で中空の箱形状であり、その上壁１１ａに円形の開口部１２を有し、開口部１２の全周縁において上壁１１ａに対して垂直に外方に突出した円筒形の取付筒部１３を設けている。取付筒部１３は、先端側が軸心方向にわずかに伸びた平坦なフランジ状の取付端部１４になっており、外周面には螺旋状にねじ部１５が形成されている。タンク本体１１は、樹脂材料を用いてブロー成形により一体形成されるが、そのため、製造ロット等によって、取付筒部１３の寸法形状にばらつきが生じやすい。
【００２１】
弾性体シール部材２１は、図３から図５に示すように、筒状のサブシール部２２と、その軸方向一端（図示上端）の周方向全周にて径方向外方に突出する環状のメインシール部２３とを一体で有している。弾性体シール部材２１は、耐ガソリン透過性のゴム材料である、例えばＮＢＲ・ＰＶＣ等が用いられている。サブシール部２２は、軸方向中間位置にてその内周面及び外周面からそれぞれ周方向全周において軸方向他端側（図示下端）に向けて鋭角に傾斜して突出した軸線位置での断面形状が楔状である一対の環状の第１突出部２４を有している。さらに、サブシール部２２は、軸方向他端側にて、周方向全周において内外周面から軸方向他端に向けて鋭角に傾斜すると共に径方向中間で枝分かれして突出した均一な肉厚の一対の第２突出部２５を有している。そして、サブシール部２２は、図６に示すように、ポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４によって取付筒部１３に押圧された状態での肉厚がメインシール部２３の肉厚と略同一になるようにされている。
【００２２】
メインシール部２３は、上下両平面の外周縁から径方向わずかに内側位置にて、わずかに突出すると共に周方向全周に延びた円環状のシール突起２３ａを有している。さらに、メインシール部２３には、外周縁の厚さ方向の中間位置から軸心方向にその内周縁近傍まで延びた金網板製で平坦な円環板である補強部材２６が埋設されている。弾性体シール部材２１は、サブシール部２２にて取付筒部１３内にその内壁面にほぼ密着した状態で挿嵌されると共にメインシール部２３にて取付筒部１３の上端の取付端部１４に載置される。
【００２３】
ポンプ支持部材３２は、図１及び図７に示すように、樹脂製の半円弧状で長尺の基部３３と、基部３３の軸方向一端（図示上端）にて同軸状に一体で取り付けられた円筒状で基部３３の外周からわずかに膨出した係合端部３４とを設けており、基部３３の内壁には燃料ポンプ３１が固定されている。さらに、係合端部３４の上端開口には円板状の蓋板３５が取付けられて開口が塞がれており、蓋板３５の外周縁は、周方向全周に沿って係合端部３４の外周面から外方にわずかに突出した環状の鍔部３６になっている。蓋板３５には、燃料ポンプ３１の燃料吐出口から延びた吐出パイプ３７が板面を貫通して取り付けられており、またエンジン側からの余剰燃料を戻す必要がある場合は、タンク本体１１内に還流する戻しパイプ３８が板面を貫通して取り付けられる。ポンプ支持部材３２は、取付筒部１３からタンク本体１１内に挿入されて、係合端部３４にて弾性体シール部材２１のサブシール部２２を取付筒部１３に押圧し、鍔部３６をメインシール部２３に重ねることにより取付筒部１３に設置され、基部３３及び基部３３に取り付けられた燃料ポンプ３１がタンク本体１１内に配置される。
【００２４】
締付部材１７は、図２に示すように、樹脂製薄肉の環状部材であり、円筒状の筒部１８と、その一端（図示上端）にて径方向内方に延びた円環状のフランジ部１９とを一体で有している。筒部１８は、軸方向長さが上記取付筒部１３の軸方向長さととほぼ同一であり、その内周面に取付筒部１３の外周面に設けたねじ部１５に螺合する雌ねじ部１８ａを有している。フランジ部１９は、中心の円形穴１９ａの内径が、ポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４の外径よりわずかに小さくなっている。締付部材１７は、弾性体シール部材２１及びポンプ支持部材３２が取付けられたタンク本体１１の取付筒部１３のねじ部１５に雌ねじ部１８ａを螺着させることにより、取付筒部１３に固定される。これにより、ポンプ支持部材３２の鍔部３６を介してメインシール部２３が取付筒部１３先端の取付端部１４に押し付けられ、その結果、メインシール部２３による取付筒部１３とポンプ支持部材３２間のシール性能が確保されるようになっている。
【００２５】
上記実施形態においては、弾性体シール部材２１のサブシール部２２にて、ポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４の外周面に押圧されてタンク本体１１の取付筒部１３に押し付けられることにより、取付筒部１３とポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４間がシールされる。また、メインシール部２３にて、締付部材１７によって取付筒部１３に押圧されることにより、ポンプ支持部材３２の鍔部３６とタンク本体１１の取付筒部１３間がシールされる。そして、弾性体シール部材２１のメインシール部２３内には、金網板製の補強部材２６が埋設されており、この部分が変形し難いように補強されている。
【００２６】
そのため、弾性体シール部材２１が装着された取付筒部１３に、ポンプ支持部材３２を挿入する際に、ポンプ支持部材３２の押圧力によって弾性体シール部材２１のメインシール部２３が引っ張られるが、メインシール部２３は補強部材２６により強化されているため、その無用な変形が抑えられる。そのため、メインシール部２３のポンプ支持部材３２とタンク本体１１の取付筒部１３間でのかみ込みの発生が防止され、メインシール部２３によるシール性能が確保される。その結果、第１実施形態においては、ポンプ支持部材３２とタンク本体１１間からのガソリンの透過が確実に抑えられる。さらに、補強部材２６が金網板製であることにより、ゴム弾性体が金網の隙間に食い込むアンカー効果が得られ、補強部材２６と弾性体シール部材２１との一体性が高められる。その結果、弾性体シール部材２１から補強部材２６が外れるといった不具合が確実に防止される。
【００２７】
つぎに、上記第１実施形態の変形例１について説明する。
変形例１においては、図８に示すように、弾性体シール部材４１は、筒状のサブシール部４２が、軸方向中間部に突出部を設けず、その軸方向他端（図示下端）にて径方向内外方に広がると共に軸方向に延びた軸線位置での断面形状が略逆Ｕ字状をなす一対の突出部４３，４４を設けたものである。また、突出部４３，４４は、その内外周面のそれぞれ外方向に膨らんだ円弧形状にされている。メインシール部４５については、上記実施形態に示したものと同様に補強部材４６が埋設されている。
【００２８】
変形例１によれば、タンク本体１１の成形のバラツキにより大きめに形成されたり、あるいは経時変化によるタンク本体１１の変形等があっても、外側の突出部４３によってタンク本体１１の取付筒部１３とサブシール部４２との間に生じた隙間がカバーされ、この部分でのシール性能が確保される。さらに、突出部４３の外周面が円弧状にされていることにより、取付筒部１３との接触が確実に得られ、サブシール部４２によるシール性能が一層確実に発揮される。また、弾性体シール部材４１が装着された取付筒部１３にポンプ支持部材３２を挿入する際に、内側の突出部４４が径方向外方に容易に変形可能になっているため、ポンプ支持部材３２のサブシール部４２に対する引っ掛かりが少なくスムーズに挿入される。そのため、補強部材４６を設けた効果に加えて、ポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４とタンク本体１１の取付筒部１３間でのメインシール部４５のかみ込みの発生がより確実に防止され、弾性体シール部材４１によるシール性能が確保される。
【００２９】
つぎに、上記第１実施形態の変形例２について説明する。
変形例２においては、図９に示すように、弾性体シール部材２１に埋設された補強部材２７が、平坦な環状部２８に加えて、その径方向内端にて直角に曲げられてサブシール部２２側に延びた垂直筒部２９を設け、軸線位置での断面が略Ｌ字形状としたことにある。このように、補強部材２７が、環状部２８に加えて垂直筒部２９を設けたことにより、補強部材２７による弾性体シール部材２１の補強がさらに高められ、その無用な変形がさらに確実に抑えられる。
【００３０】
つぎに、第２実施形態について説明する。
本実施形態においては、図１０に示すように、弾性体シール部材５１は、筒状のサブシール部５２とその軸方向一端（図示上端）にて径方向外方に突出する環状のメインシール部５３とを一体で有している。サブシール部５２は、その軸方向一端近傍位置にてその内外周面から周方向全周において軸方向他端側（図示下端）に向けて鋭角に傾斜した環状の第１内突起部５４及び第１外突起部５５を有している。第１内突起部５４は、軸線位置での断面形状が楔状になっており、突出長さが非常に短くされている。第１外突起部５５は、サブシール部の下端近傍まで突出しており、突出長さが第１内突起部５４に比べて非常に長くなっている。さらに、サブシール部５２は、軸方向他端側にて、周方向全周において内外周面から軸方向他端に向けて鋭角に傾斜すると共に径方向中間で枝分かれして突出した均等な肉厚の一対の第２突出部５６を有している。
【００３１】
サブシール部５２は、第１内及び外突起部５４，５５取付位置を挟んだ先端側の厚さが、メインシール部５３側の厚さより薄くされている。これにより、取付筒部１３とポンプ支持部材３２の間に挟まれた状態で、サブシール部５２の第１内及び外突起部５４，５５が厚さの薄い中心部分に重ね合されることにより、全体としてサブシール部５２の厚さがメインシール部５３の厚さと略同一にされる。一方、メインシール部５３は、上下両平面の外周縁から径方向わずかに内側位置にて、わずかに突出すると共に周方向全周に延びた円環状のシール突起を有し、さらに、軸心側内端の角部５３ｂが滑らかな円弧状に切り欠かれて凸曲面状にされている。
【００３２】
上記のように構成した第２実施形態においては、取付筒部１３とポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４の間に挟まれた状態のサブシール部５２の厚さがメインシール部５３の厚さと略同一にされたことにより、弾性体シール部材５１が装着された取付筒部１３にポンプ支持部材３２を挿入する際に、ポンプ支持部材３２のサブシール部５２に対する引っ掛かりが無くスムーズに挿入される。その結果、ポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４とタンク本体１１の取付筒部１３間でのサブシール部５２のかみ込みの発生が防止され、サブシール部５２によるシール性能が確保される。
【００３３】
また、メインシール部５３の軸心側内端の角部５３ｂが凸曲面状に切り欠かれていることにより、弾性体シール部材５１が装着された取付筒部１３に、ポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４を挿入する際に、曲面状の角部５３ｂによってポンプ支持部材３２のメインシール部５３に対する引っ掛かりが抑えられる。そのため、ポンプ支持部材３２の押圧力によってメインシール部５３が引っ張られ難くされ、メインシール部５３の無用な変形が抑えられる。その結果、本実施形態においては、ポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４とタンク本体１１の取付筒部１３間でのメインシール部５３のかみ込みの発生が防止され、メインシール部５３によるシール性能が確保される。
【００３４】
さらに、第２実施形態においては、サブシール部５２の第１内突起部５４の長さが非常に短くされていることにより、弾性体シール部材５１が装着された取付筒部１３にポンプ支持部材３２を挿入する際に、ポンプ支持部材３２は、長さの短い第１内突起部５４にほとんど拘束されることなくスムーズに挿入される。そのため、ポンプ支持部材３２の押圧力によりサブシール部５２が引っ張られ難くされるため、サブシール部５２の無用な変形が抑えられる。また、タンク本体１１が成形のバラツキにより大きめに形成されたり、あるいは経時変化によるタンク本体１１の変形等により、タンク本体１１の取付筒部１３とサブシール部５２との間に生じた隙間については、径方向外方に延びた長さの長い第１外突起部５５によりカバーすることができる。その結果、サブシール部５２によるシール性能がさらに良好に確保される。
【００３５】
なお、第２実施形態においては、弾性体シール部材５１は、取付筒部１３とポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４との間に挟まれた状態のサブシール部５２の厚さがメインシール部５３の厚さと略同一にされていること、メインシール部５３の軸心側内端の角部５３ｂが凸曲面状に切り欠かれていること、及びサブシール部５２の第１外突起部５５の長さが第１内突起部５４の長さより長くされていること、の３つの要件を具備しているが、これらのいずれか１つあるいは２つを備えたものであってもよい。それにより、弾性体シール部材のそれぞれの要件に伴う上記した効果が、燃料タンクにおいてそれぞれ得られる。
【００３６】
つぎに、第２実施形態の変形例１について説明する。
本変形例１においては、図１１に示すように、弾性体シール部材６１は、筒状のサブシール部６２が、メインシール部６３からわずかに突出したストレート部の軸方向他端（図示下端）にて径方向内外方に広がると共に軸方向下方に向けて延びた内突出部６４及び外突出部６５を一体で有している。内及び外突出部６４，６５は、軸線位置での断面形状がそれぞれ内側と外側に向けて膨らんだ凸円弧状になっている。内突出部６４は、その長さが非常に短くされており、一方、外突出部６５は、内突出部６４に比べて長さが十分に長くされている。メインシール部６３については、上記第２実施形態に示したものと同様の形態である。
【００３７】
本変形例１によれば、弾性体シール部材６１の内突出部６４及び外突出部６５により、上記弾性体シール部材５１の第１内突起部５４及び第１外突起部５５と同様の作用効果が得られる。さらに、内突出部６４及び外突出部６５は、凸円弧形状になっているため、取付筒部１３及びポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４との接触が確実に得られ、サブシール部６２のシール効果がさらに良好に確保される。
【００３８】
つぎに、上記第２実施形態の変形例２について説明する。
変形例２においては、図１２に示すように、弾性体シール部材５１のメインシール部５３内に、金網板製の補強部材２６が埋設されていることにある。これにより、変形例２においては、弾性体シール部材５１について、上記第２実施形態に示したと同様の効果が得られると共に、補強部材２６が埋設されていることにより、補強部材２６による弾性体シール部材５１の補強がさらに高められ、メインシール部５３の無用な変形が防止され、メインシール部５３によるシール効果がさらに良好に確保される。さらに、補強部材２６が金網板製であることにより、ゴム弾性体が金網の隙間に食い込むアンカー効果が得られ、補強部材２６と弾性体シール部材５１との一体性が高められる。その結果、弾性体シール部材５１から補強部材２６が外れるといった不具合が確実に防止される。なお、本変形例２に係る補強部材２６については、上記変形例１のメインシール部６３に対しても同様に適用することができる。
【００３９】
なお、上記第２実施形態及び変形例においては、メインシール部５３の角部５３ｂは、凸曲面状にされているが、これに限らず、平面状、あるいは凹曲面状等種々の形状であってもよい。また、上記実施形態においては、ポンプ支持部材３２は、半円弧形の基部３３と筒状の係合端部３４とを一体で有しているが、これに代えて、基部と係合端部とが全体として筒状であってもよく、さらに筒状の基部の底が底板で封鎖された容器であってもよい。
【００４０】
なお、上記各実施形態においては、補強部材２６，２７については、いずれも円環状で一体にされているが、これに代えて、周方向で分離された複数の補強片をメインシール部の周方向に分散して配設することも可能である。その他、上記実施形態に示した燃料タンクについては一例であり、本発明の主旨を逸脱しない範囲において、種々変更して実施することができる。
【００４１】
【発明の効果】
上記請求項１の発明によれば、弾性体シール部材のメインシール部内に金網板製で環状の補強部材が周方向に沿って埋設されて補強されているため、取付筒部にポンプ支持部材を挿入する際に、ポンプ支持部材の押圧力によって弾性シール部材のメインシール部の変形が抑えられる。その結果、請求項１の発明においては、ポンプ支持部材の係合端部とタンク本体の取付筒部間でのメインシール部のかみ込みの発生が防止され、メインシール部によるシール性能が確保されることにより、タンクからの燃料のもれが確実に防止される。さらに、補強部材が金網板製であることにより、補強部材と弾性体シール部材との一体性が高められ、弾性体シール部材から補強部材が外れるといった不具合が確実に防止される。また、補強部材が、平坦な環状であることにより、さらには、補強部材の軸線位置での断面が略Ｌ字形状にされていることにより、ポンプ支持部材からの軸方向の押圧力に対するメインシール部の変形が確実に抑えられる（請求項２、３の発明の効果）。
【００４２】
また、サブシール部の内周面及び外周面側に突出部を設けたことにより、タンク本体の成形のバラツキや経時変化によるタンク本体の変形等があっても、取付筒部とサブシール部との間に生じた隙間を、突出部によりカバーすることができ、この部分でのシール性能が確保される。さらに、取付筒部とポンプ支持部材の係合端部との間に挟まれた状態のサブシール部の厚さがメインシール部の厚さと略同一にされたことにより、取付筒部にポンプ支持部材を挿入する際に、ポンプ支持部材のサブシール部に対する引っ掛かりが少なくスムーズに挿入される。そのため、ポンプ支持部材の係合端部とタンク本体の取付筒部間でのサブシール部のかみ込みの発生が防止され、弾性体シール部材によるシール性能が確保される（請求項４の発明の効果）。
【００４３】
また、取付筒部にポンプ支持部材を挿入する際に、曲面状の角部によってポンプ支持部材のメインシール部に対する引っ掛かりが抑えられることにより、メインシール部の変形が抑えられ、そのため、ポンプ支持部材の係合端部とタンク本体の取付筒部間でのメインシール部のかみ込みの発生が防止され、メインシール部によるシール性能が確保される（請求項５の発明の効果）。
【００４４】
また、弾性体シール部材が装着された取付筒部にポンプ支持部材を挿入する際に、ポンプ支持部材は、長さの短い径方向内側の突出部にほとんど拘束されること無く、スムーズに挿入されるため、弾性体シール部材の無用な変形が抑えられる。また、燃料タンクのタンク本体の成形のバラツキやタンク本体の変形等により、タンク本体の取付筒部とサブシール部との間に生じた隙間については、径方向外方に延びた長さの長い突出部によりカバーすることができ、サブシール部によるシール性能が確保される（請求項６の発明の効果）。加えて、メインシール部が環状の補強部材によって補強されていることにより、取付筒部にポンプ支持部材を挿入する際にその変形が抑えられ、メインシール部によるシール性能がさらに良好に確保される（請求項７の発明の効果）。また、補強部材を金網板製とすることにより、補強部材と弾性体シール部材との一体性が高められ、弾性体シール部材から補強部材が外れるといった不具合が確実に防止される（請求項８の発明の効果）。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態である燃料タンクを示す一部破断正面図である。
【図２】燃料タンクの要部であるポンプ支持部材の取り付け部分を示す一部破断正面図である。
【図３】弾性体シール部材を示す一部破断正面図である。
【図４】弾性体シール部材を示す一部破断平面図である。
【図５】弾性体シール部材の一部を示す拡大断面図である。
【図６】弾性体シール部材がポンプ支持部材と取付筒部に挟まれた状態の一部を示す部分断面図である。
【図７】ポンプ支持部材の要部を示す部分断面図である。
【図８】変形例１である弾性体シール部材の一部を示す部分断面図である。
【図９】変形例２である弾性体シール部材の一部を示す部分断面図である。
【図１０】第２実施形態である弾性体シール部材の一部を示す部分断面図である。
【図１１】第２実施形態の変形例１である弾性体シール部材の一部を示す部分断面図である。
【図１２】変形例２である弾性体シール部材の一部を示す部分断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…燃料タンク、１１…タンク本体、１２…開口部、１３…取付筒部、１４…取付端部、１７…締付部材、２１，４１，５１，６１…弾性体シール部材、２２，４２，５２，６２…サブシール部、２３，４５，５３，６３…メインシール部、２４…第１突出部、２５…第２突出部、２６，２７，４６…補強部材、３１…燃料ポンプ、３２…ポンプ支持部材、３３…基部、３４…係合端部、３５…蓋板、３６…鍔部、４３，４４…突出部、５３ｂ…角部、５４…第１内突起部、５５…第１外突起部、５６…第２突出部、６４…内突出部、６５…外突出部。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel tank made of resin for an automobile, and in particular, a pump support member is fixed in an airtight state via a seal member to a cylindrical mounting cylinder portion projecting outside at an opening of the tank body. And a fuel tank whose opening is hermetically sealed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of resin fuel tank is provided with a cylindrical inner peripheral surface connected to an opening formed in a wall and a cylindrical inner peripheral surface attached to a component (pump support member), as shown in Patent Document 1, for example. A cylindrical outer peripheral surface facing the peripheral surface is provided, and a sealing member is further mounted between the cylindrical inner peripheral surface and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface. Closed in state. However, in the case of this fuel tank, when the mounted component is inserted into the fuel tank, the seal member mounted between the cylindrical inner peripheral surface and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface may be displaced or detached. And is unstable as a seal structure. Further, in this fuel tank, sealing is performed only at one place by a sealing member sandwiched between the cylindrical inner peripheral surface and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface, and the reliability of the hermetic seal is not always sufficient.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-140718 A (Page 2, FIG. 1 to FIG. 3)
[0004]
On the other hand, as a fuel tank having another structure, a gasoline-permeable, e.g., NBR / PVC-made fuel tank having a cylindrical sub-seal portion and an annular main seal portion slightly protruding radially outward at one end thereof is used. One using an elastic seal member is known. The elastic seal member is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion that protrudes outward from the opening of the tank body of the fuel tank at the sub-seal portion, and is mounted at the tip of the mounting cylinder portion at the main seal portion. Next, the pump support member inserted into the fuel tank presses the sub-sealing portion of the elastic seal member against the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder portion at the cylindrical engagement end portion at one end thereof so that the sub-sealing portion is brought into close contact therewith. A flange portion slightly extending radially outward at one end of the engagement end portion is overlapped with the main seal portion. Further, the fastening member is fitted to the outer periphery of the mounting cylinder and overlaps the flange, and is fixed to the mounting cylinder while pressing the main seal of the elastic seal member. Thus, the opening of the tank body made of resin is sealed in an airtight state.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the fuel tank, when the engagement end of the pump support member is press-fitted into the mounting cylinder portion of the tank body, the elastic seal member particularly the main seal portion is pressed by the pressing force when the pump support member is inserted. It is unnecessarily deformed due to being pulled, so that it is easy for bite to occur between the mounting cylinder and the engagement end. As a result, there is a problem that the sealing performance between the mounting cylinder portion of the tank body and the engagement end portion of the pump support member by the elastic seal member is reduced, and gasoline leakage is likely to occur. Also, due to variations in blow molding of the tank body and deformation of the tank body due to aging, a gap is formed between the tank body and the sub-sealing portion, and the sealing performance between the tank body and the pump support member by the sub-sealing portion is reduced. There is a problem of doing.
[0006]
The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and suppresses unnecessary deformation of a main seal portion of an elastic seal member when a pump support member is press-fitted into an opening of a tank body of a fuel tank. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank that can ensure the sealing performance of a member. Further, another object of the present invention is to suppress the deterioration of the sealing performance between the tank main body and the sub-sealing portion due to the variation in the molding of the tank main body and the deformation due to the aging, and to ensure the sealing performance of the elastic seal member. It is to provide a fuel tank.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a structural feature of the invention according to claim 1 is a resin-made hollow box-shaped resin having a cylindrical mounting cylinder portion protruding outside at an opening provided on a wall surface. A tank main body, a cylindrical sub-seal part, and an annular main seal part protruding radially outward at one end of the sub-seal part are integrally formed. The main seal part is inserted into the mounting cylinder part at the sub-seal part. An elastic seal member mounted on the distal end portion of the mounting cylinder portion, and a cylindrical engagement end portion on one end side of the base supporting the fuel pump, and the opening of the engagement end portion is sealed. And a flange extending radially outward at one end of the engagement end is provided.The base is inserted from the mounting cylinder and disposed in the tank body. The sub-sealing part is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder part and the flange is overlapped with the main sealing part. A ring-shaped tightening member that is mounted on the support member and the pump support member, is fitted to the outer periphery of the mounting tube portion, is superimposed on the flange portion, and is attached to the mounting tube portion while pressing the main seal portion. In the fuel tank provided with the above, an annular reinforcing member made of a wire mesh plate is embedded in at least the main seal portion of the elastic seal member along the circumferential direction.
[0008]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the sub-sealing portion of the elastic seal member is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the engaging end of the pump support member and is pressed against the mounting cylinder portion, thereby forming the mounting cylinder. A seal is formed between the section and the engagement end of the pump support member. Further, the main seal portion is pressed against the mounting cylinder by the fastening member, thereby sealing between the flange of the pump support member and the mounting cylinder of the tank body. At least in the main seal portion of the elastic seal member, an annular reinforcing member made of a wire mesh plate is embedded along the circumferential direction, and this portion is reinforced so as not to be easily deformed. Therefore, when the pump support member is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion on which the elastic seal member is mounted, the main seal portion of the elastic seal member is pulled by the pressing force of the pump support member. Because it is reinforced, its useless deformation is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the main seal portion from biting between the engagement end portion of the pump support member and the mounting cylinder portion of the tank main body, and the sealing performance of the main seal portion is ensured. Further, since the reinforcing member is made of a wire mesh plate, an anchor effect of the elastic body biting into the gap of the wire mesh is obtained, and the integrity of the reinforcing member and the elastic member sealing member is enhanced. As a result, the problem that the reinforcing member comes off from the elastic seal member is reliably prevented.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank according to the first aspect, the reinforcing member is a flat annular plate and is coaxially embedded in the main seal portion. It is in. As described above, since the reinforcing member is a flat annular plate, the deformation of the main seal portion due to the axial pressing force from the pump support member is suppressed.
[0010]
A structural feature of the invention according to claim 3 is that, in the fuel tank according to claim 2, the reinforcing member extends vertically toward the sub-seal portion at the radially inner end of the annular plate. That is, a tubular portion is provided. Since the reinforcing member has the annular plate and the vertical cylindrical portion, the reinforcement of the elastic seal portion by the reinforcing member is further enhanced in addition to the function of claim 2, and the use of the elastic seal member is unnecessary. Deformation is more reliably suppressed.
[0011]
A structural feature of the invention according to claim 4 is that a hollow box-shaped tank body made of resin and having a cylindrical mounting tube portion protruding to the outside at an opening provided in a wall surface, The sub-seal part and an annular main seal part that protrudes radially outward at one end of the sub-seal part are integrally formed, inserted into the mounting cylinder part at the sub-seal part, and An elastic seal member mounted on the distal end portion, and a cylindrical engagement end portion on one end side of the base supporting the fuel pump, wherein the opening of the engagement end portion is sealed and the engagement end portion is provided. A flange portion extending radially outward is provided at one end side of the mounting portion, the base portion is inserted from the mounting tube portion, and is disposed in the tank body, and the sub-seal portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the engagement end portion in the mounting tube portion. A pump support member that presses against the peripheral surface and has a flange portion overlapped with the main seal portion; An annular tightening member which is mounted on the holding member, fitted to the outer periphery of the mounting cylinder portion, overlapped with the flange portion, and attached to the mounting cylinder portion while pressing the main seal portion. In the tank, the elastic seal member is provided with at least a pair of projecting portions projecting inward and outward on the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface side of the sub-seal portion, respectively, between the mounting cylinder portion and the engagement end portion of the pump support member. The thickness of the sub-seal portion is substantially the same as the thickness of the main seal portion in the state of being sandwiched between the main seal portions.
[0012]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, as described above, the sub-sealing portion of the elastic seal member is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the engagement end portion of the pump support member and pressed against the mounting cylinder portion, thereby forming the mounting cylinder. A seal is formed between the section and the engagement end of the pump support member. Further, the main seal portion is pressed against the mounting cylinder by the fastening member, thereby sealing between the flange of the pump support member and the mounting cylinder of the tank body. And, by providing at least a pair of protrusions protruding inward and outward on the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface side of the sub-seal portion, respectively, it is formed larger due to variation in molding of the tank body of the fuel tank, or Even if the tank body is deformed due to aging, the gap formed between the mounting cylinder part of the tank body and the sub-seal part can be covered by the protrusion on the outer peripheral surface side, and the sealing performance in this part Is secured. Further, the sealability with the pump support member side is ensured by the protrusion on the inner peripheral surface side.
[0013]
Further, the thickness of the sub-seal portion sandwiched between the mounting cylinder portion and the engagement end portion of the pump support member is substantially the same as the thickness of the main seal portion, so that the elastic seal member is mounted. When the pump support member is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion, the catch of the pump support member with respect to the sub-seal portion is reduced, and smooth insertion is possible. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the sub-sealing portion from being caught between the engagement end portion of the pump support member and the mounting cylinder portion of the tank body, and the sealing performance of the elastic seal member is ensured.
[0014]
A structural feature of the invention according to the fifth aspect is that, in the fuel tank according to the fourth aspect, a corner portion of the inner end of the main seal portion on the axial center side is cut out. Thus, when the pump support member is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion on which the elastic seal member is mounted, the corner portion suppresses the pump support member from being caught on the main seal portion, and the elastic seal is pressed by the pump support member. Since the main seal portion of the member is hardly pulled, the deformation of the main seal portion is suppressed. Therefore, the occurrence of biting between the pump support member of the main seal portion and the mounting cylinder portion of the tank body is prevented, and the sealing performance of the main seal portion is ensured.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel tank according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the length of the projecting portion on the outer peripheral surface side of the sub-seal portion is larger than the projecting length on the inner peripheral surface side. It has been made longer than the length of the part. Thereby, when inserting the pump support member into the mounting cylinder portion on which the elastic seal member is mounted, the pump support member can be smoothly inserted without being substantially restrained by the short radially inner protruding portion. Is done. Therefore, the elastic seal member is hardly pulled by the pressing force of the pump support member, and unnecessary deformation of the elastic seal member is suppressed. In addition, the gap formed between the mounting cylinder portion and the sub-seal portion of the tank body due to deformation of the tank body due to aging, or due to the deformation of the tank body due to aging, should be radially outward. It can be covered by the extended protrusion having a long length, and the sealing performance by the sub-seal part is ensured.
[0016]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fuel tank according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein at least the main seal portion of the elastic seal member extends along the circumferential direction. That is, the annular reinforcing member is embedded. As described above, this portion is reinforced so as not to be easily deformed by the annular reinforcing member embedded at least in the main seal portion of the elastic seal member. Therefore, in addition to the functions and effects of the fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects of the present invention, when the pump support member is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion on which the elastic seal member is mounted, the elastic seal is pressed by the pump support member. Although the main seal portion of the member is pulled, the deformation is suppressed because the main seal portion is reinforced by the reinforcing member. Therefore, the occurrence of biting between the pump support member of the main seal portion and the mounting cylinder portion of the tank body is prevented, and the sealing performance of the main seal portion is ensured.
[0017]
A structural feature of the invention according to claim 8 is that, in the fuel tank according to claim 7, the reinforcing member is made of a wire mesh plate. As described above, since the reinforcing member is made of a wire mesh plate, an anchor effect of the elastic body biting into the gap of the wire mesh is obtained, and the integrity of the reinforcing member and the elastic body sealing member is enhanced. As a result, the problem that the reinforcing member comes off from the elastic seal member is reliably prevented.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing the entirety of a resin fuel tank 10 for a vehicle according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of a main part of the fuel tank, and FIG. 5 to 5 show a partially cutaway front view, a partially cutaway plan view, and an enlarged sectional view of the elastic seal member.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel tank 10 includes a resin tank main body 11 having a cylindrical mounting tube portion 13 protruding outward (upward) through an opening 12 provided in an upper wall 11a. ing. An elastic seal member 21 having a cylindrical sub-seal portion 22 and an annular main seal portion 23 protruding radially outward at one end of the sub-seal portion is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion 13 by the sub-seal portion 22. It is mounted on the tip of the mounting cylinder 13 by the main seal 23. Further, a cylindrical engagement end 34 is provided at one end (upper end in the drawing) of the base 33 supporting the fuel pump 31, the opening of the engagement end 34 is sealed, and one end of the engagement end 34 is provided. The pump support member 32 provided with a flange portion 36 extending radially outward at the upper end (shown in the figure) is inserted into the tank body 11 from the mounting cylinder portion 13, and a sub-seal is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the engagement end portion 34. The part 22 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder part 13 and the flange part 36 is overlaid on the main seal part 23. An annular tightening member 17 is put on the pump support member 32, is fitted on the outer periphery of the mounting cylinder portion 13, and is superimposed on the flange portion 36 so that the main sealing portion 23 is pressed. Attached to. An annular reinforcing member 26 made of a wire mesh plate is embedded in the main seal portion 23 of the elastic seal member 21.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the tank body 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped hollow box shape, has a circular opening 12 in an upper wall 11 a, and has a vertical periphery with respect to the entire wall of the opening 12 with respect to the upper wall 11 a. Is provided with a cylindrical mounting tube portion 13 protruding outward. The mounting cylinder portion 13 is a flat flange-shaped mounting end portion 14 slightly extending in the axial direction on the distal end side, and a screw portion 15 is spirally formed on the outer peripheral surface. The tank body 11 is integrally formed by blow molding using a resin material. Therefore, the dimensions and the shape of the mounting cylinder 13 tend to vary depending on the production lot or the like.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the elastic seal member 21 has a cylindrical sub-seal portion 22 and an annular main portion protruding radially outward at the entire circumferential end of one end (upper end in the figure) in the axial direction. It has the seal part 23 integrally. The elastic seal member 21 is made of a gasoline-resistant rubber material, such as NBR / PVC. The sub-seal portion 22 has a cross-sectional shape at an axial position protruding from the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface thereof at an axially intermediate position toward the other axial end (the lower end in the figure) at the entire circumferential direction. Has a pair of annular first protrusions 24 that are wedge-shaped. Further, the sub-seal portion 22 has a uniform thickness at the other end in the axial direction, which is inclined at an acute angle from the inner and outer peripheral surfaces to the other end in the axial direction in the entire circumferential direction and is branched and protruded in the middle in the radial direction. It has a pair of second protrusions 25. As shown in FIG. 6, the thickness of the sub-seal portion 22 in a state where the sub-seal portion 22 is pressed against the mounting cylinder portion 13 by the engagement end portion 34 of the pump support member 32 is substantially equal to the thickness of the main seal portion 23. Has been to be.
[0022]
The main seal portion 23 has an annular seal projection 23a slightly protruding from the outer peripheral edge of each of the upper and lower planes in a radially slightly inner position and extending all around the circumferential direction. Further, the main seal portion 23 embeds a reinforcing member 26 which is a flat annular plate made of a wire mesh plate extending from an intermediate position in the thickness direction of the outer peripheral edge to the vicinity of the inner peripheral edge in the axial direction. The elastic seal member 21 is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion 13 by the sub-seal portion 22 in a state of being substantially in close contact with the inner wall surface thereof, and is attached to the mounting end portion 14 at the upper end of the mounting cylinder portion 13 by the main seal portion 23. Is placed.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the pump support member 32 is integrally mounted coaxially with a resin-made semicircular long base 33 at one axial end (upper end in the figure) of the base 33. An engagement end 34 which is cylindrical and slightly bulges from the outer periphery of the base 33 is provided, and the fuel pump 31 is fixed to an inner wall of the base 33. Further, a disc-shaped lid plate 35 is attached to the upper end opening of the engagement end portion 34 to close the opening, and the outer peripheral edge of the lid plate 35 extends along the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. An annular flange 36 slightly protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 34. A discharge pipe 37 extending from the fuel discharge port of the fuel pump 31 is attached to the cover plate 35 so as to penetrate the plate surface. When it is necessary to return surplus fuel from the engine side, the inside of the tank body 11 is removed. A return pipe 38 is mounted to penetrate the plate surface. The pump support member 32 is inserted into the tank main body 11 from the mounting cylinder portion 13, presses the sub-seal portion 22 of the elastic seal member 21 against the mounting cylinder portion 13 at the engagement end portion 34, and fixes the flange portion 36 to the main body. The base 33 and the fuel pump 31 attached to the base 33 are disposed in the tank main body 11 by being placed on the mounting cylinder 13 by overlapping the seal 23.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, the fastening member 17 is a thin annular member made of resin, and has a cylindrical tubular portion 18 and an annular flange portion extending radially inward at one end (upper end in the drawing). 19 are integrally provided. The cylindrical portion 18 has an axial length substantially the same as the axial length of the mounting cylindrical portion 13, and a female screw portion screwed to a screw portion 15 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral surface of the mounting cylindrical portion 13. 18a. The inner diameter of the center circular hole 19 a of the flange portion 19 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the engagement end portion 34 of the pump support member 32. The fastening member 17 is fixed to the mounting cylinder 13 by screwing the female thread 18 a to the thread 15 of the mounting cylinder 13 of the tank body 11 to which the elastic seal member 21 and the pump support member 32 are mounted. You. As a result, the main seal portion 23 is pressed against the mounting end portion 14 at the tip of the mounting cylinder portion 13 via the flange portion 36 of the pump support member 32. As a result, the mounting cylinder portion 13 and the pump support member 32 The sealing performance between them is ensured.
[0025]
In the above embodiment, the sub-sealing portion 22 of the elastic seal member 21 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the engagement end portion 34 of the pump support member 32 and pressed against the mounting cylinder portion 13 of the tank main body 11, whereby the mounting is performed. The space between the cylindrical portion 13 and the engagement end portion 34 of the pump support member 32 is sealed. The main seal portion 23 presses the mounting member 13 by the fastening member 17, thereby sealing between the flange 36 of the pump support member 32 and the mounting tube 13 of the tank body 11. In the main seal portion 23 of the elastic seal member 21, a reinforcing member 26 made of a wire mesh plate is embedded, and this portion is reinforced so as not to be easily deformed.
[0026]
Therefore, when the pump support member 32 is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion 13 to which the elastic seal member 21 is attached, the main seal portion 23 of the elastic seal member 21 is pulled by the pressing force of the pump support member 32. Since the main seal portion 23 is reinforced by the reinforcing member 26, unnecessary deformation thereof is suppressed. Therefore, the occurrence of biting between the pump support member 32 of the main seal portion 23 and the mounting cylinder portion 13 of the tank body 11 is prevented, and the sealing performance of the main seal portion 23 is ensured. As a result, in the first embodiment, permeation of gasoline from between the pump support member 32 and the tank body 11 is reliably suppressed. Furthermore, since the reinforcing member 26 is made of a wire mesh plate, an anchor effect of the rubber elastic body biting into the gap of the wire mesh is obtained, and the integrity of the reinforcing member 26 and the elastic seal member 21 is enhanced. As a result, the problem that the reinforcing member 26 comes off from the elastic seal member 21 is reliably prevented.
[0027]
Next, a first modification of the first embodiment will be described.
In the first modification, as shown in FIG. 8, in the elastic seal member 41, the cylindrical sub-seal portion 42 does not have a protruding portion at the axial middle portion, and is provided at the other axial end (lower end in the drawing). A pair of projections 43 and 44 having a substantially U-shaped cross section at an axial position extending radially inward and outward and extending in the axial direction are provided. In addition, the protruding portions 43 and 44 are each formed in an arc shape bulging outward in the inner and outer peripheral surfaces thereof. In the main seal portion 45, a reinforcing member 46 is embedded as in the above-described embodiment.
[0028]
According to the first modification, even if the tank main body 11 is formed to be large due to a variation in molding, or the tank main body 11 is deformed due to a change with time, the mounting projection 13 on the outer side of the tank main body 11 is used. The gap created between the sub seal portion 42 and the sub seal portion 42 is covered, and the sealing performance at this portion is ensured. Further, since the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 43 is formed in an arc shape, the contact with the mounting cylinder portion 13 is reliably obtained, and the sealing performance of the sub-seal portion 42 is more reliably exhibited. Further, when the pump support member 32 is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion 13 on which the elastic seal member 41 is mounted, the inner protruding portion 44 can be easily deformed radially outward. 32 can be smoothly inserted with little catch on the sub-seal portion 42. Therefore, in addition to the effect of providing the reinforcing member 46, the occurrence of the main seal portion 45 being caught between the engagement end portion 34 of the pump support member 32 and the mounting cylinder portion 13 of the tank body 11 is more reliably prevented. Thus, the sealing performance of the elastic seal member 41 is ensured.
[0029]
Next, a modified example 2 of the first embodiment will be described.
In the second modification, as shown in FIG. 9, the reinforcing member 27 embedded in the elastic seal member 21 is bent at a right angle at its radial inner end in addition to the flat annular portion 28 so that the sub-sealing portion is formed. That is, a vertical cylindrical portion 29 extending toward the side 22 is provided, and the cross section at the axial position is substantially L-shaped. As described above, the reinforcing member 27 is provided with the vertical cylindrical portion 29 in addition to the annular portion 28, whereby the reinforcement of the elastic seal member 21 by the reinforcing member 27 is further enhanced, and unnecessary deformation thereof is more reliably suppressed. Can be
[0030]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the elastic seal member 51 includes a cylindrical sub-seal portion 52 and an annular main seal portion 53 projecting radially outward at one axial end (upper end in the figure). Are integrally provided. The sub-seal portion 52 has an annular first inner protruding portion 54 that is inclined at an acute angle from the inner and outer peripheral surfaces to the other axial end (the lower end in the drawing) in the entire circumferential direction at a position near one axial end. The outer projection 55 is provided. The first inner projection 54 has a wedge-shaped cross section at the axial position, and the projection length is very short. The first outer protrusion 55 protrudes to the vicinity of the lower end of the sub-seal, and the protrusion length is much longer than that of the first inner protrusion 54. Further, the sub-seal portion 52 has an even thickness at the other end in the axial direction, which is inclined at an acute angle from the inner and outer peripheral surfaces to the other end in the axial direction in the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and is branched and projected in the middle in the radial direction. It has a pair of second protrusions 56.
[0031]
The thickness of the sub-seal portion 52 on the tip side across the mounting positions of the first inner and outer protrusions 54 and 55 is smaller than the thickness on the main seal portion 53 side. As a result, the first inner and outer protrusions 54 and 55 of the sub-seal part 52 are superimposed on the thin central part while being sandwiched between the mounting cylinder part 13 and the pump support member 32, The thickness of the sub-seal portion 52 is made substantially the same as the thickness of the main seal portion 53 as a whole. On the other hand, the main seal portion 53 has an annular seal projection slightly projecting from the outer peripheral edges of the upper and lower flat surfaces at a position slightly inward in the radial direction and extending all around in the circumferential direction. A corner 53b at the inner end is cut into a smooth arc to form a convex curved surface.
[0032]
In the second embodiment configured as described above, the thickness of the sub-seal part 52 sandwiched between the mounting cylinder part 13 and the engagement end part 34 of the pump support member 32 is equal to the thickness of the main seal part 53. When the pump support member 32 is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion 13 on which the elastic seal member 51 is mounted, the pump support member 32 is smoothly inserted without being caught on the sub-seal portion 52 by being substantially the same. As a result, the occurrence of biting of the sub-seal portion 52 between the engagement end portion 34 of the pump support member 32 and the mounting tube portion 13 of the tank body 11 is prevented, and the sealing performance of the sub-seal portion 52 is ensured.
[0033]
In addition, since the corner 53 b of the inner end of the main seal 53 on the axial center side is cut out in a convex curved shape, the engagement of the pump support member 32 with the mounting cylinder 13 on which the elastic seal member 51 is mounted is provided. When the mating end portion 34 is inserted, the curved corner portion 53b prevents the pump support member 32 from catching on the main seal portion 53. Therefore, the main seal portion 53 is hardly pulled by the pressing force of the pump support member 32, and unnecessary deformation of the main seal portion 53 is suppressed. As a result, in the present embodiment, the occurrence of the main seal portion 53 being caught between the engagement end portion 34 of the pump support member 32 and the mounting cylinder portion 13 of the tank body 11 is prevented, and the seal by the main seal portion 53 is prevented. Performance is ensured.
[0034]
Furthermore, in the second embodiment, since the length of the first inner projection 54 of the sub-seal portion 52 is very short, the pump support member 32 is attached to the mounting cylinder portion 13 on which the elastic seal member 51 is mounted. When inserting the pump support member 32, the pump support member 32 is inserted smoothly without being substantially restrained by the first inner projection 54 having a short length. Therefore, the sub-seal portion 52 is hardly pulled by the pressing force of the pump support member 32, and unnecessary deformation of the sub-seal portion 52 is suppressed. In addition, the gap formed between the mounting cylinder portion 13 of the tank body 11 and the sub-seal portion 52 due to the tank body 11 being formed to be large due to molding variation, or deformation of the tank body 11 due to aging, etc. It can be covered by the first outer projection 55 having a long length extending radially outward. As a result, the sealing performance of the sub-seal portion 52 is further ensured.
[0035]
In the second embodiment, the thickness of the sub-seal portion 52 of the elastic seal member 51 sandwiched between the mounting cylinder portion 13 and the engagement end portion 34 of the pump support member 32 is the main seal portion. The thickness of the first outer projection 55 of the sub-seal portion 52 is substantially the same as the thickness of the main seal portion 53. The three requirements that the length is longer than the length of the first inner projection 54 are provided, but any one or two of these may be provided. Thus, the above-described effects associated with the respective requirements of the elastic seal member can be obtained in the fuel tank.
[0036]
Next, a first modification of the second embodiment will be described.
In the first modified example, as shown in FIG. 11, the elastic body sealing member 61 has a cylindrical sub-seal portion 62 at the other axial end (lower end in the drawing) of a straight portion slightly projecting from the main seal portion 63. And an inner protrusion 64 and an outer protrusion 65 which extend radially inward and outward and extend downward in the axial direction. Each of the inner and outer projecting portions 64 and 65 has a convex arc shape in which the cross-sectional shape at the axial position swells inward and outward, respectively. The length of the inner protrusion 64 is very short, while the length of the outer protrusion 65 is sufficiently longer than that of the inner protrusion 64. The main seal portion 63 has the same form as that described in the second embodiment.
[0037]
According to the first modification, the same effect as the first inner protrusion 54 and the first outer protrusion 55 of the elastic seal member 51 is provided by the inner protrusion 64 and the outer protrusion 65 of the elastic seal member 61. Is obtained. Further, since the inner protruding portion 64 and the outer protruding portion 65 have a convex arc shape, contact with the mounting cylinder portion 13 and the engagement end portion 34 of the pump support member 32 is reliably obtained, and the sub-seal portion 62 A better sealing effect is ensured.
[0038]
Next, a second modification of the second embodiment will be described.
In the modified example 2, as shown in FIG. 12, a reinforcing member 26 made of a wire mesh plate is embedded in a main seal portion 53 of an elastic seal member 51. Thus, in Modification 2, the same effect as that described in the second embodiment can be obtained for the elastic seal member 51, and the elastic seal by the reinforcing member 26 can be obtained by embedding the reinforcing member 26. The reinforcement of the member 51 is further enhanced, and unnecessary deformation of the main seal portion 53 is prevented, and the sealing effect of the main seal portion 53 is further ensured. Further, since the reinforcing member 26 is made of a wire mesh plate, an anchor effect of the rubber elastic body biting into the gap of the wire mesh is obtained, and the integrity of the reinforcing member 26 and the elastic body sealing member 51 is enhanced. As a result, the problem that the reinforcing member 26 comes off from the elastic seal member 51 is reliably prevented. The reinforcing member 26 according to the second modification can be similarly applied to the main seal portion 63 of the first modification.
[0039]
In the second embodiment and the modified example, the corner portion 53b of the main seal portion 53 is formed in a convex curved shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have various shapes such as a flat shape or a concave curved shape. You may. Further, in the above embodiment, the pump support member 32 has the semi-circular base 33 and the cylindrical engagement end 34 integrally, but instead, the base and the engagement end The part may be cylindrical as a whole, and the bottom of the cylindrical base may be closed with a bottom plate.
[0040]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the reinforcing members 26 and 27 are both annularly integrated, but instead of this, a plurality of reinforcing pieces separated in the circumferential direction are used in the circumferential direction of the main seal portion. It is also possible to dispose them in different directions. In addition, the fuel tank shown in the above embodiment is an example, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the annular reinforcing member made of a wire mesh plate is buried along the circumferential direction and reinforced in the main seal portion of the elastic seal member, the pump support member is attached to the mounting cylinder portion. At the time of insertion, the deformation of the main seal portion of the elastic seal member is suppressed by the pressing force of the pump support member. As a result, according to the first aspect of the invention, the occurrence of the main seal portion from being caught between the engagement end portion of the pump support member and the mounting cylinder portion of the tank body is prevented, and the sealing performance of the main seal portion is ensured. This reliably prevents fuel from leaking from the tank. Furthermore, since the reinforcing member is made of a wire mesh plate, the integrity of the reinforcing member and the elastic seal member is enhanced, and the problem that the reinforcing member comes off from the elastic seal member is reliably prevented. Further, since the reinforcing member has a flat annular shape and further has a substantially L-shaped cross section at the axial position of the reinforcing member, the main seal against the axial pressing force from the pump supporting member is provided. The deformation of the portion is reliably suppressed (the effects of the inventions of claims 2 and 3).
[0042]
In addition, since the projections are provided on the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the sub-seal part, even if there is a variation in the molding of the tank main body or deformation of the tank main body due to aging, the distance between the mounting cylinder part and the sub-seal part is reduced. Can be covered by the protruding portion, and the sealing performance at this portion is ensured. Further, the thickness of the sub-seal portion sandwiched between the mounting cylinder portion and the engagement end portion of the pump support member is substantially the same as the thickness of the main seal portion, so that the pump support member is attached to the mounting cylinder portion. When inserting the pump support member, the pump support member can be smoothly inserted with little catch on the sub seal portion. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the sub-seal portion from being caught between the engagement end portion of the pump support member and the mounting cylinder portion of the tank body, thereby ensuring the sealing performance of the elastic seal member (the effect of the invention of claim 4). ).
[0043]
Further, when the pump support member is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion, the curved corner portion prevents the pump support member from being caught on the main seal portion, thereby suppressing deformation of the main seal portion. Engagement of the main seal portion between the engagement end portion and the mounting cylinder portion of the tank body is prevented, and the sealing performance of the main seal portion is secured (the effect of the invention of claim 5).
[0044]
Further, when inserting the pump support member into the mounting cylinder portion on which the elastic seal member is mounted, the pump support member is smoothly inserted without being substantially restrained by the short radially inner protruding portion. Therefore, unnecessary deformation of the elastic seal member is suppressed. In addition, the gap formed between the mounting cylinder portion and the sub-seal portion of the tank body due to variations in the molding of the tank body of the fuel tank, deformation of the tank body, and the like, has a long protrusion extending radially outward. The sealing performance can be ensured by the sub-seal part (the effect of the invention of claim 6). In addition, since the main seal portion is reinforced by the annular reinforcing member, deformation when the pump support member is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion is suppressed, and the sealing performance of the main seal portion is further ensured. (Effect of the invention of claim 7). In addition, since the reinforcing member is made of a wire mesh plate, the integration between the reinforcing member and the elastic seal member is enhanced, and the problem that the reinforcing member comes off from the elastic seal member is reliably prevented. The invention's effect).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially broken front view showing a fuel tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view showing a mounting portion of a pump support member, which is a main part of the fuel tank.
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view showing an elastic seal member.
FIG. 4 is a partially broken plan view showing an elastic seal member.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of the elastic seal member.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of a state in which an elastic seal member is sandwiched between a pump support member and a mounting cylinder.
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing a main part of the pump support member.
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of an elastic seal member according to a first modification;
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of an elastic seal member according to a second modification.
FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view showing a part of an elastic seal member according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an elastic seal member that is a first modification of the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of an elastic seal member according to a second modification.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel tank, 11 ... Tank main body, 12 ... Opening part, 13 ... Mounting cylinder part, 14 ... Mounting end part, 17 ... Tightening member, 21, 41, 51, 61 ... Elastic body sealing member, 22, 42, 52, 62 ... sub-seal part, 23, 45, 53, 63 ... main seal part, 24 ... first projecting part, 25 ... second projecting part, 26, 27, 46 ... reinforcing member, 31 ... fuel pump, 32 ... pump Support member, 33 base, 34 engagement end, 35 cover plate, 36 flange, 43, 44 protrusion, 53b corner, 54 first inner protrusion, 55 first outer protrusion Part, 56: second protrusion, 64: inner protrusion, 65: outer protrusion.

Claims

A hollow box-shaped tank body made of resin having a cylindrical mounting cylinder portion protruding to the outside at an opening provided on the wall surface,
A cylindrical sub-seal portion and an annular main seal portion protruding radially outward at one end of the sub-seal portion, which are integrally inserted into the mounting cylinder portion at the sub-seal portion and the main seal portion; An elastic seal member placed at the tip of the mounting cylinder at
One end of the base supporting the fuel pump has a cylindrical engagement end, the opening of the engagement end is sealed, and extends radially outward at one end of the engagement end. The base portion is inserted from the mounting cylinder portion, is disposed in the tank body, and presses the sub-seal portion against the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder portion at the outer peripheral surface of the engagement end portion. A pump support member having the flange portion superimposed on the main seal portion,
An annular tightening which is placed on the pump support member, fitted to the outer periphery of the mounting cylinder, overlapped with the flange, and attached to the mounting cylinder while pressing the main seal. In a fuel tank provided with a member,
A fuel tank, wherein a ring-shaped reinforcing member made of a wire mesh plate is embedded along at least the main seal portion of the elastic seal member along a circumferential direction.

The fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is a flat annular plate and is coaxially embedded in the main seal portion.

3. The fuel tank according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing member includes a vertical tubular portion integrally extending at a radially inner end of the annular plate toward the sub-seal portion. 4.

A hollow box-shaped tank body made of resin having a cylindrical mounting cylinder portion protruding to the outside at an opening provided on the wall surface,
A cylindrical sub-seal portion and an annular main seal portion protruding radially outward at one end of the sub-seal portion, which are integrally inserted into the mounting cylinder portion at the sub-seal portion and the main seal portion; An elastic seal member placed at the tip of the mounting cylinder at
One end of the base supporting the fuel pump has a cylindrical engagement end, the opening of the engagement end is sealed, and extends radially outward at one end of the engagement end. The base portion is inserted from the mounting cylinder portion, is disposed in the tank body, and presses the sub-seal portion against the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder portion at the outer peripheral surface of the engagement end portion. A pump support member having the flange portion superimposed on the main seal portion,
An annular tightening which is placed on the pump support member, fitted to the outer periphery of the mounting cylinder, overlapped with the flange, and attached to the mounting cylinder while pressing the main seal. In a fuel tank provided with a member,
The elastic seal member is provided with at least a pair of protrusions protruding inward and outward on an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface side of the sub seal portion, respectively, and an engagement end portion between the mounting cylinder portion and the pump support member. A fuel tank wherein the thickness of the sub-seal portion is substantially the same as the thickness of the main seal portion in a state sandwiched therebetween.

The fuel tank according to claim 4, wherein a corner of an inner end of the main seal portion on the axial center side is cut off.

The fuel tank according to claim 4, wherein a length of the protrusion on the outer peripheral surface side of the sub-seal portion is longer than a length of the protrusion on the inner peripheral surface side.

The fuel tank according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein an annular reinforcing member is buried along a circumferential direction at least in the main seal portion of the elastic seal member.

The fuel tank according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcing member is made of a wire mesh plate.