JP2005153574A - Fuel tank - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel tank in which a separating work for moisture mixed into this fuel tank can be performed for a long period of time, an amount of separated moisture can be easily held and its cost is low. <P>SOLUTION: This fuel tank 18 comprises a hollow tank body 40, an oil feeding port 19 opened at an upper surface of the tank body 40, a fed oil feeding passage 41 extending from the oil feeding port 19 into the tank body 40 and a filter member 42 arranged at the midway part of the fed oil feeding passage 41. The filter member 42 is provided with a fluorine resin element 45 having a characteristic in which water is not permitted to penetrate but fuel is permitted to pass through it. Then, the fluoroplastic-made element 45 is installed to be inclined to a horizontal plane at a position where it can be put through the oil feeding port 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel tank provided with a filter member in a fuel supply introduction path in order to separate foreign matters such as water and dust mixed in fuel.

Conventionally, a fuel tank provided with a filter member (or strainer) in a fuel inlet of a fuel tank main body is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-83187 A (FIG. 1)

Patent document 1 is demonstrated based on the following figure.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the basic structure of the prior art. A fuel injection port 102 is provided on the upper portion of the tank body 101, a strainer 103 and a cap 104 are attached in the injection port 102, and one end is connected to the cap 104. 103 is attached to the string body 105, and the other end of the string body 105 is provided with a locking body 106.
The strainer 103 is a member composed of a plurality of openings 108 formed in the side wall portion 107 and the like, and a metal mesh 109 that captures and filters foreign matters stuck to these openings 108.

The string body 105 cannot be pulled out beyond the tank body 101 by the locking body 106.
Since the cap 104 and the strainer 103 are connected to the string body 105, it is possible to prevent the strainer 103 and the cap 104 from being detached or lost from the tank body 101.

When the fuel is injected, the foreign matter mixed in the fuel can be captured by the metal mesh 109 attached to the strainer 103. However, water mixed in the fuel cannot be separated.
There is a possibility that the fuel mixed with water accumulates in the fuel tank or enters the engine and its intake system.

Therefore, in general, a water reservoir and a drain plug are provided at the bottom of the fuel tank main body, and the water accumulated in the bottom is appropriately removed, but it is not easy to grasp the presence and amount of moisture etc. accumulated in the tank. Absent.
In order to grasp the presence and amount of moisture and the like, a method such as attaching an observation window to the fuel tank is used. However, the addition of a drain plug or an observation window leads to an increase in product cost.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel tank that can perform separation of moisture and the like mixed in a fuel tank over a long period of time, can easily grasp the amount of separated water, and is low in cost.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a hollow tank body, an oil supply opening opened on the upper surface of the tank body, an oil supply introduction path extending from the oil supply opening into the tank body, and a lower end or halfway of the oil supply introduction path. The fuel tank comprising the provided filter member is characterized by comprising a fluororesin element having a property of passing water but not allowing water to pass through the filter member.

When the fuel containing water enters the filter member through the fuel inlet from the fuel filler port, the fuel component passes through the filter member and accumulates in the fuel tank, and moisture remains inside the filter member.
Since moisture remains inside the filter member, moisture mixed in the fuel tank can be separated.

In addition, since the filter member is attached to the fuel introduction path, moisture accumulated in the filter member can be easily removed by tilting the filter member or the like.
As a result, moisture does not stay in the fuel tank, and the problem of entering the engine and its intake system can be suppressed.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the fluororesin element is provided in a direction or a position where it can face from the fuel filler opening.

Since the fluororesin element is provided at a position where it can face from the fuel filler opening, the water accumulated in the filter member can be easily visually confirmed.
Since the water accumulated in the fuel tank can be easily seen, the presence or absence of water in the fuel tank can be immediately determined.
Therefore, for example, by visually recognizing the fluororesin element after refueling or the like, it can be seen that moisture has accumulated, and it is possible to quickly move to a moisture removal operation.
Furthermore, an observation window for grasping the water accumulated in the fuel tank is not necessary.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the fluororesin element is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.
Since the fluororesin element is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the moisture separated in the fluororesin element is increased, and a margin for covering all the lower surfaces constituting the filtration surface can be secured.
Since the allowance can be ensured, moisture and the like can be separated over a longer period of time compared to the case where the slant is not inclined. In addition, the smooth fuel supply into the fuel tank can be maintained.

  In the invention according to claim 1, since the fluororesin element is provided in the oil supply port and the oil supply introduction path extending from the fuel supply port into the tank body, moisture remains in the filter member in the vicinity of the fuel supply port. There is an advantage that moisture does not stay inside, and that it is possible to suppress a problem of entering the engine and its intake system.

  In the invention according to claim 2, since the fluororesin element is provided in a direction or a position where the fluororesin element can face from the fuel filler opening, the moisture accumulated in the fuel tank can be easily visually confirmed. There is an advantage that the removal work can be started.

  In the invention according to claim 3, since the fluororesin element is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, it is possible to maintain a smooth fuel supply into the fuel tank over a longer period than when the element is not inclined. There is.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are viewed in the direction of the reference numerals.
FIG. 1 is a side view of an engine according to the present invention. The engine 11 includes a crankcase 12, a cylinder block 13 that is bolted to the crankcase 12, and a crankshaft 14 that extends vertically from the crankcase 12. .

  Then, the recoil starter 15 is attached to the upper end of the crankshaft 14, the starter grip 16 is attached to the recoil starter 15 via a string, and the lower end of the crankshaft 14 is configured to be the output shaft.

In the figure, 17 is a fan cover, 18 is a fuel tank, 19 is a filler port, and 21 is a filler port cap. In order to supply fuel, the fuel supply pipe 23 was extended from below the fuel tank 18 and connected to the carburetor 25 via the fuel cock switch 24. Reference numeral 26 denotes a throttle lever.
Reference numeral 28 denotes an air cleaner unit that supplies clean air filtered to the carburetor 25.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the engine according to the present invention, and shows that the fan cover 17 is attached to the engine with fixing bolts 29. 31 is a weir provided on the upper surface of the fan cover 17 and is a member for preventing the fuel from entering the inside of the fan cover 17 when fuel is injected.
In addition, 32 is a brake lever and 33 is a silencer unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the fuel tank according to the present invention. A hole 36 for the recoil starter is formed in a substantially central portion of the upper surface of the fan cover 17 which is a member also serving as the upper half of the fuel tank 18. It is shown that a fuel filler port 19 is provided on the fuel cover member 37 and a fuel tank member 37 that forms the lower half of the fuel tank 18 is fixed to the fan cover 17.
A fuel discharge port 38 is extended to the fuel tank member 37.

  4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. In the fuel tank 18 including the passage 41 and the filter member 42 provided in the middle of the oil supply introduction passage 41, a fluororesin element 45 having a property of allowing water to pass through the filter member 42 but allowing fuel to pass therethrough is provided. This fluororesin element 45 was provided at a position where it could face from the fuel filler opening 19.

  Specifically, the element 45 is stretched on a cylindrical member 47 having a flange 46 at the upper end, and the filter member 42 composed of the cylindrical member 47 and the element 45 is inserted toward the fuel introduction path 41, and the filter member 42. The lower surface 48 of the flange portion 46 was brought into contact with the upper end surface 49 of the oil supply port 19, and the filter member 42 was fixed to the oil supply port 19 by fixing means. The fixing means is based on heat bonding, but other methods may be used.

  The tubular member 47 is a member having an opening 51 on the upper surface and a flange 46 around the opening 51, a plurality of openings 51 on the side surface, and the opening 51 on the lower surface. The filter member 42 was formed by attaching the element 45 to these openings 51.

  The reason why the filter member 42 is fixed to the fuel supply port 19 is that when the upper surface of the fuel in the tank body 40 exceeds the lower end portion 52 of the filter member 42 and is almost full due to the fuel supply, buoyancy acts on the filter member 42, This is to prevent the filter member 42 from floating.

However, the filter member 42 may not be fixed to the fuel filler opening 19 depending on the situation.
The material of the fan cover 17 that forms the upper side of the fuel tank 18 and has the fuel filler port 19 and the fuel tank member 37 that forms the lower side are both olefin materials and are fixed by heat bonding. It is not limited to fixing by a bond. For example, a steel plate can be used, and the periphery of one member can be bent and folded, and the other member can be clamped to fix the member.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and shows that the fluororesin element 45 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.
That is, the lower surface 47a of the cylindrical member 47 is inclined, and the element 45 is attached to the opening 51 of the lower surface 47a inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.
If necessary, the inclined lower surface 47a of the cylindrical member 47 may be changed to a bottom plate that does not allow fuel, moisture, etc. to pass through instead of attaching the element to the opening.

Hereinafter, the operation of the fuel tank according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 6 is an operation diagram at the time of fuel supply. When the fuel supply port 19 of the fuel tank 18 is opened and fuel is supplied, the fuel is supplied into the fuel tank 18 through the filter member 42 that selectively passes the fuel component. Indicates that

  FIG. 7 is an operation diagram showing that moisture and the like are separated from the fuel. When fuel containing water enters the filter member 42 from the fuel filler port 19 through the fuel introduction path 41, the fluororesin element attached to the filter member 42 is shown. Due to 45, the fuel component passes through the filter member 42 and accumulates in the fuel tank 18, and moisture remains inside the filter member 42.

Since the filter member 42 is attached to the fuel introduction path 41, moisture accumulated in the filter member 42 can be easily removed by tilting the filter member 42 or the like.
As a result, moisture does not stay in the fuel tank 18, and the problem that moisture enters the fuel tank, the engine, and its intake system can be suppressed.

Since the fluororesin element 45 is provided in a direction or a position where it can face from the fuel filler port 19, the moisture accumulated in the filter member 42 can be easily visually confirmed.
Since the water accumulated in the fuel tank 18 can be easily visually confirmed, the presence or absence of water in the fuel tank 18 can be immediately determined.
As a result, for example, by visually recognizing the fluororesin element after refueling or the like, it can be seen that moisture has accumulated, and it is possible to quickly move to a moisture removal operation.

FIG. 8 is an operation diagram showing the removal of water and the like separated from the fuel. By removing the fuel remaining in the fuel tank 18 and then removing the fuel tank 18 from the engine and lying down, the separated water and the like are removed. It can be removed from the fuel tank 18.
Alternatively, without removing the fuel tank 18 from the engine, for example, moisture may be sucked out by a suction means such as a syringe.

  As described above, since the water accumulated in the fuel tank 18 can be easily seen and removed without adding a drain plug or an observation window, the cost of the fuel tank can be reduced.

FIG. 9 is an operation diagram of the fluororesin element disposed at an inclination. The fluororesin element 45 is disposed at an inclination with respect to a horizontal plane.
In (a), when the element 45 is horizontally arranged on the lower surface 47a of the cylindrical member, the moisture separated and accumulated in the fluororesin element 45 immediately covers the entire lower surface 47a.
Therefore, if the water W accumulates on the element 45 even in a small amount, the water W covers the element 45, so that fuel filtration cannot be continued.

In (b), since the element 45 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the allowance Rb can be secured even if the separated water W accumulates on the element 45.
Therefore, since the secured margin is as large as Rb, smooth fuel filtration can be continued while separating moisture and the like from the fuel.

In (c), when the separated water W accumulates on the element 45 and the accumulated amount increases, the margin Rc is reduced, but it does not cover all the inclined surfaces formed on the lower surface, and the fuel is filtered. Can continue.
As described above, since the margin R can be secured, it is possible to separate moisture and the like over a long period of time compared to the case where the fuel tank 18 is not inclined, and the smooth fuel supply into the fuel tank 18 can be maintained.

  The fuel tank according to the present invention is applied to a general-purpose gasoline engine in the embodiment, but may be applied to a fuel tank of a general-purpose diesel engine.

  The fuel tank according to the present invention is suitable for a general-purpose gasoline engine.

1 is a side view of an engine according to the present invention. 1 is a plan view of an engine according to the present invention. It is a top view of the fuel tank concerning the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. It is an effect | action figure at the time of fuel supply. It is an effect | action figure which shows having isolate | separated the water | moisture content etc. from the fuel. It is an effect | action figure which shows removing the water | moisture content etc. which were isolate | separated from the fuel. It is an effect | action figure of the fluororesin element arrange | positioned inclined. It is a figure explaining the basic composition of the prior art.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Fuel tank, 19 ... Refueling port, 40 ... Tank main body, 41 ... Refueling introduction path, 42 ... Filter member, 45 ... Element, 46 ... Saddle (of cylindrical member), 47 ... Cylindrical member, 47a ... Tube A lower surface of the cylindrical member, 51... An opening of the cylindrical member.

Claims (3)

A fuel comprising a hollow tank body, a fuel filler opening on the upper surface of the tank body, a fuel inlet passage extending from the fuel inlet into the tank body, and a filter member provided at the lower end or halfway of the fuel inlet passage In the tank
A fuel tank comprising a fluororesin element having a property that water does not pass through the filter member but fuel can pass through.   The fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the fluororesin element is provided in a direction or a position where it can face from the fuel filler opening.   The fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the fluororesin element is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

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