JP2004293459A

JP2004293459A - Fuel tank

Info

Publication number: JP2004293459A
Application number: JP2003088284A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yuichi Wada; 祐一和田; Masayuki Sasagawa; 雅之笹川
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

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure the sealing performance of a fuel tank while suppressing the unnecessary deformation of an elastic sealing member when a pump supporting member is pressed into a fitting cylinder of a fuel tank. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel tank 10 comprises a resin tank body 11 having a fitting cylinder 13 protruding outside through an opening 12 thereof. An elastic sealing member 21 having a cylindrical auxiliary sealing part 22 and an annular main sealing part 23 radially and outwardly protruding from one end thereof is inserted into the fitting cylinder at the auxiliary sealing part 22 thereof until the main sealing part is placed on the top end thereof. A pump supporting member 32 is inserted into the tank body through the opening thereof so that the outer peripheral surface of the engaging tip end 34 thereof presses the auxiliary sealing part onto the inner peripheral surface of the fitting cylinder, and a flange 36 provided at one tip end thereof is placed on top of the main sealing part. An annular clamping member 17 is fit onto the outer periphery of the fitting cylinder and placed on top of the flange to be fit to the fitting cylinder. An annular reinforcing member 26 made of a rigid metal is embedded in the main sealing member. <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燃料タンクの取付筒部に挿入する際に、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、取付筒部とポンプ支持部材の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間のシール性能が低下して、ガソリン漏れが生じやすくな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。
【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、周方向に沿って剛性の高い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外周面に押圧されて取付筒部内周面に押し付けられることにより、取付筒部の内周面とポンプ支持部材の係合端部の外周面との間がシールされる。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、剛性の高い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。
【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、前記請求項１から３のいずれか１項に記載の燃料タンクにおいて、補強部材が周方向の複数箇所で分離されており、弾性体シール部材の周方向に分散して配置されたものであることにある。このように、補強部材が弾性体シール部材の周方向に分散して埋設されることによっても、メインシール部の無用の変形を抑えられ、上記請求項１，２，３と同様の効果が得られる。また、補強部材を分割したことにより、ゴム弾性体の加硫成形後の収縮に対して、補強部材の各分離部分が追従することができる。そのため、補強部材と弾性体シール部材との収縮の違いによるゴム弾性体部分におけるしわの発生が防止される。さらに、メインシール部の周方向への変形が容易になるため、ポンプ支持部材の取付筒部への挿入がスムーズに行われる。また、補強部材の重量も軽減されることにより、弾性体シール部材の重量増加が抑えられる。
【００１２】
【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。
【００１３】
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、金属板製の環状の補強部材２６が埋設されている。
【００１４】
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に対して垂直に上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。
【００１５】
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て軸線位置での断面形状が楔状に突出した一対の環状の第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。
【００１６】
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属製で平坦な円環板である補強部材２６が埋設されている。なお、補強部材については、金属製に限らず、その他、セラミック、プラスチック等の剛性の高い材料製の円環板であればよい。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。
【００１７】
ポンプ支持部材３２は、図１及び図６に示すように、樹脂製の半円弧状で縦長の基部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。
【００１８】
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。
【００１９】
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、金属板製の補強部材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。
【００２０】
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、ポンプ支持部材３２の係合端部３４外周面とタンク本体１１の取付筒部１３内周面間でのメインシール部２３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が金属板製であることにより、ゴム弾性体に金属板が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。
【００２１】
つぎに、上記第１実施形態の変形例について説明する。
変形例においては、図７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を一体で設け、軸線位置での断面が略Ｌ字形状にされたことにある。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。
【００２２】
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８に示すように、補強部材４１が、周方向に複数箇所で分離された複数の小補強部４２によって構成されており、各小補強部４２が、弾性体シール部材２１のメインシール部２３内に、周方向の略等間隔位置に分散して埋設されたものである。
【００２３】
上記構成の第２実施形態においては、補強部材４１の複数の小補強部４２が、弾性体シール部材２１の周方向に分散して埋設されることにより、第１実施形態と同様に、ポンプ支持部材３２の取付筒部１３への挿入の際のメインシール部２３の変形を抑える効果が得られる。また、補強部材４１を分割したことにより、ゴム弾性体の加硫成形後の収縮に対して、小補強部４２が追従することができるため、補強部材４１とメインシール部２３との収縮のばらつきによるゴム弾性体部分におけるしわの発生が防止される。その結果、弾性体シール部材２１のシール性能が良好に確保される。さらに、メインシール部２３の周方向への変形が容易になるため、ポンプ支持部材３２の取付筒部１３への挿入がスムーズに行われ、作業効率が高められる。さらに、補強部材４１の重量も軽減されることにより、弾性体シール部材２１の重量増加が抑えられる。
【００２４】
なお、補強部材４１を分離させる構造については、上記変形例の補強部材２７に対しても同様に適用することができる。また、弾性体シール部材のサブシール部の構造についても、上記実施形態に示した構造には限らない。さらに、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。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。
【００２５】
【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高い剛性の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。また、補強部材が、平坦な環状板であることにより、さらには、環状板の径方向内端に垂直筒部を一体で設けたことにより、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）。
【００２６】
また、補強部材が弾性体シール部材の周方向に分散して埋設されることによっても、メインシール部の変形を抑える効果が得られる。さらに、ゴム弾性体の加硫成形後のしわの発生が防止され、弾性体シール部のシール性能が確保される。また、メインシール部の周方向への変形が容易になり、ポンプ支持部材の取付筒部への挿入がスムーズに行われる。また、補強部材の重量も軽減されることにより、弾性体シール部材の重量増加が抑えられる（請求項４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】ポンプ支持部材の一部を示す部分断面図である。
【図７】変形例である弾性体シール部材の一部を示す拡大断面図である。
【図８】第２実施形態である弾性体シール部材を示す一部破断平面図である。
【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…弾性体シール部材、２２…サブシール部、２３…メインシール部、２６，２７，４１…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、４２…小補強部。[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 described above, when the engagement end of the pump support member is inserted into the mounting cylinder of the fuel tank, the main seal portion, particularly the elastic seal member, is pulled by the pressing force of the insertion of the pump support member. Unnecessary deformation occurs, and biting easily occurs between the mounting cylinder portion and the engagement end portion of the pump support member. As a result, there is a problem that the sealing performance between the mounting cylinder portion of the tank body and the pump support member by the elastic seal member is reduced, and gasoline leakage is likely to occur.
[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 fuel tank, and seals the elastic seal member. An object is to provide a fuel tank that can ensure performance.
[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 having high rigidity 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, the sub seal 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 inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder portion, thereby mounting the pump support member. A seal is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the engagement end of the pump support member. Further, by being pressed against the mounting cylinder by the fastening member at the main seal portion, a seal is provided 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, a high-rigidity annular reinforcing member 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.
[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]
Further, a structural feature of the invention according to claim 4 is that, in the fuel tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the reinforcing member is separated at a plurality of positions in a circumferential direction, and the elasticity is increased. That is, the body seal member is dispersedly arranged in the circumferential direction. In this way, even when the reinforcing member is buried dispersedly in the circumferential direction of the elastic seal member, unnecessary deformation of the main seal portion can be suppressed, and the same effects as those of the first, second, and third aspects can be obtained. Can be Further, by dividing the reinforcing member, each separated portion of the reinforcing member can follow the contraction of the rubber elastic body after vulcanization molding. Therefore, generation of wrinkles in the rubber elastic portion due to a difference in contraction between the reinforcing member and the elastic seal member is prevented. Further, since the circumferential deformation of the main seal portion is facilitated, the pump support member can be smoothly inserted into the mounting cylinder portion. Further, since the weight of the reinforcing member is reduced, an increase in the weight of the elastic seal member is suppressed.
[0012]
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.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel tank 10 includes a resin tank main body 11 having a cylindrical mounting cylinder 13 protruding upward from an opening 12 provided in an upper wall 11 a. 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 overlapped with 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 metal plate is embedded in the main seal portion 23 of the elastic seal member 21.
[0014]
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 cylinder 13 projecting upward. 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.
[0015]
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 part 22 is inclined at an acute angle from the inner and outer peripheral surfaces at the axial middle position toward the other axial end (the lower end in the figure) in the entire circumferential direction and has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape at the axial position. The first protrusion 24 has an annular shape. 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.
[0016]
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, a reinforcing member 26, which is a flat annular plate made of metal, is buried in the main seal portion 23 and extends 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 reinforcing member is not limited to metal, but may be an annular plate made of a highly rigid material such as ceramic or plastic. 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.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the pump support member 32 is a resin-made semi-circular, vertically-long base 33, and a cylinder integrally mounted coaxially at one axial end (upper end in the figure) of the base 33. An engagement end 34 slightly bulging from the outer periphery of the base 33 is provided, and the fuel pump 31 is fixed to the 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.
[0018]
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 tube portion 13 via the flange portion 36 of the pump support member 32, and as a result, the sealing performance between the mounting tube portion 13 and the pump support member 32 by the main seal portion 23 is ensured. It is supposed to be.
[0019]
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. A reinforcing member 26 made of a metal plate is embedded in the main seal portion 23 of the elastic seal member 21, and this portion is reinforced so as not to be easily deformed.
[0020]
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 the main seal portion 23 being caught between the outer peripheral surface of the engagement end portion 34 of the pump support member 32 and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting cylinder portion 13 of the tank body 11 is prevented, and the sealing performance of the main seal portion 23 is reduced. Secured. 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. Further, since the reinforcing member 26 is made of a metal plate, an anchor effect of the metal plate biting into the rubber elastic body is obtained, and the integrity of the reinforcing member 26 and the elastic body sealing 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.
[0021]
Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described.
In the modified example, as shown in FIG. 7, a reinforcing member 27 embedded in an elastic seal member 21 is bent at a right angle at a radially inner end thereof in addition to a flat annular portion 28 so that a sub seal portion 22 is formed. That is, the vertical cylindrical portion 29 extending to the side is provided integrally, 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
[0022]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the reinforcing member 41 is constituted by a plurality of small reinforcing portions 42 separated at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, and each small reinforcing portion 42 is formed of an elastic seal member. In the main seal portion 21, they are dispersedly embedded at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
[0023]
In the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the plurality of small reinforcing portions 42 of the reinforcing member 41 are dispersedly embedded in the circumferential direction of the elastic seal member 21, so that the pump support is formed similarly to the first embodiment. The effect of suppressing the deformation of the main seal portion 23 when the member 32 is inserted into the mounting tube portion 13 is obtained. In addition, since the reinforcing member 41 is divided, the small reinforcing portion 42 can follow the contraction of the rubber elastic body after vulcanization molding, so that the variation in contraction between the reinforcing member 41 and the main seal portion 23 varies. The generation of wrinkles in the rubber elastic body portion due to the above is prevented. As a result, good sealing performance of the elastic seal member 21 is ensured. Further, since the circumferential deformation of the main seal portion 23 is facilitated, the pump support member 32 can be smoothly inserted into the mounting tube portion 13, thereby improving the working efficiency. Further, since the weight of the reinforcing member 41 is reduced, an increase in the weight of the elastic seal member 21 is suppressed.
[0024]
The structure for separating the reinforcing member 41 can be similarly applied to the reinforcing member 27 of the above-described modification. Further, the structure of the sub-seal portion of the elastic seal member is not limited to the structure described in the above embodiment. 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. 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.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the high-rigidity annular reinforcing member is buried along the circumferential direction and reinforced in the main seal portion of the elastic seal member, the pump support member is inserted into the mounting cylinder portion. At this time, 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, in the first aspect of the present invention, the occurrence of the main seal portion from being caught between 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. The leakage of fuel from the fuel is reliably prevented. In addition, the reinforcing member is a flat annular plate, and furthermore, the vertical cylindrical portion is integrally provided at the radially inner end of the annular plate, so that the main seal against the axial pressing force from the pump support member is provided. The deformation of the portion is reliably suppressed (the effects of the inventions of claims 2 and 3).
[0026]
Also, the effect of suppressing deformation of the main seal portion can be obtained by embedding the reinforcing member dispersedly in the circumferential direction of the elastic seal member. Further, the occurrence of wrinkles after vulcanization molding of the rubber elastic body is prevented, and the sealing performance of the elastic body sealing portion is ensured. Further, the circumferential deformation of the main seal portion is facilitated, and the pump support member is smoothly inserted into the mounting cylinder portion. Further, since the weight of the reinforcing member is reduced, an increase in the weight of the elastic seal member is suppressed (the effect of the invention of claim 4).
[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 sectional view showing a part of the pump support member.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of an elastic seal member according to a modified example.
FIG. 8 is a partially broken plan view showing an elastic seal member according to a second embodiment.
[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 ... Elastic seal member, 22 ... Sub-seal part, 23 ... Main seal part , 26, 27, 41: reinforcement member, 31: fuel pump, 32: pump support member, 33: base, 34: engagement end, 35: lid plate, 36: flange, 42: small reinforcement.

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 that is fitted to 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 an annular reinforcing member having high rigidity is embedded in 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.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is separated at a plurality of positions in a circumferential direction, and the reinforcing member is dispersedly arranged in a circumferential direction of the elastic seal member. 5. A resin fuel tank as described.