JP2005188300A - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel supply device for preventing disengagement of a part which is connected by snap fit. <P>SOLUTION: A pump module comprises: a first fuel system part 23 and a second fuel system part for treating fuel; a first holder 22 for holding the first fuel system part 23 and having a recess part 35; a second holder 24 for holding the second fuel system part 25, connected with the first holder 22 with a state where at least a part of the second holder is inserted into the first holder 22, and having a hook part 52 engaged with the recess part 35 by the snap fit and an elastic part 54 extending from the hook part 52 along an axis in a direction of insertion of the second holder 24 into the first holder 22; and a reinforcement part for suppressing deformation of the elastic part 54 in a shape in which the hook part 52 is disengaged from the recess part 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel supply device that supplies fuel in a fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank.

Conventionally, a pump module that supplies fuel in a fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank is known as a fuel supply device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a pump module is composed of a fuel pump, a fuel filter, a pressure regulator, a fuel pipe connecting these, and the like.
When the components of the pump module are connected to each other by snap fitting, assembly and disassembly are facilitated, and the number of parts can be reduced.

JP 2002-276696 A

However, there is a possibility that a part coupled to another component part by snap fit may be detached due to environmental changes such as engine vibration and temperature. For example, when the pressure regulator is held by a member coupled by snap-fit, the member may be detached together with the pressure regulator while the vehicle is running.
An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device in which separation of parts connected by a snap fit is prevented.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the elastic portion extends along the insertion direction axis of the second holder to the first holder, and the elastic portion is reinforced to be deformed into a shape in which the second holder is detached from the first holder. Since the portion is suppressed, the second holder can be prevented from being detached from the first holder.
According to invention of Claim 2, the collar part of a 2nd holder is latched by the recessed part of the 1st holder which is a counterpart member. The collar portion is locked to the concave portion by the elastic force of the elastic portion extending from the collar portion along the axis line in the direction in which the second holder is inserted into the first holder. That is, the collar portion is locked to the recess by snap fitting. The second holder can be prevented from detaching from the first holder by suppressing the elastic portion from being deformed into a shape in which the collar portion is detached from the recess.

In the invention according to claim 3, since the reinforcing portion extending in the circumferential direction of the axis in the direction in which the second holder is inserted into the first holder resists the force that separates the flange portion from the concave portion, It is possible to prevent detachment from the holder.
In the invention according to claim 4, since the two flanges are locked to the two recesses, it is possible to more reliably prevent the second holder from being detached from the first holder. Further, the structure can be simplified by adopting a configuration in which the reinforcing portion has an arc shape, both ends of the reinforcing portion are connected to the two flange portions, and the reinforcing portion resists the force that brings the two flange portions close to each other.

In the invention according to claim 5, the structure can be simplified by integrally forming the flange portion, the elastic portion, and the reinforcing portion.
In the invention according to claim 6, the elastic portion and the reinforcing portion are integrally formed in a plate shape that is curved in an arc shape, thereby increasing a force that resists the force for detaching the collar portion from the concave portion with a simple structure. Can be made.

In invention of Claim 7, it can prevent that a 2nd holder detaches | leaves from a 1st holder by pinching the collar part and 1st holder which are latched by the recessed part with a reinforcement part.
In the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the pressure regulator that adjusts the pressure of the discharged fuel from being detached.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the fuel supply device of the present invention is applied to a pump module that supplies fuel in a fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank will be described. 2 and 3 show the pump module 10 of the first embodiment. The flange 11 of the pump module 10 is formed in a generally disc shape and is attached to the upper wall of a fuel tank (not shown). A fuel discharge pipe 12 and an electrical connector 13 are assembled to the flange 11. The fuel discharge pipe 12 is a pipe that supplies the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 20 to the outside of the fuel tank. The electrical connector 13 supplies power to the electrically driven fuel pump 20 through the lead wire 14.

Parts other than the flange 11 of the pump module 10, for example, parts 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, etc. are accommodated in the fuel tank.
The suction filter 21 collects relatively large foreign matter in the fuel that the fuel pump 20 sucks from the fuel tank.

The fuel pump 20 has a motor inside, and generates a fuel suction force by rotation of an impeller that rotates together with the motor. A fuel discharge port 28 of the fuel pump 20 is connected to a fuel inlet 38 of the filter holder 22 through a communication pipe 29.
The filter holder 22 as the first holder is formed of a resin in a generally hollow rice bowl shape, and the fuel filter 23 as the first fuel system component is accommodated in the internal space 30 having a circular arc cross section. The fuel filter 23 is composed of, for example, a honeycomb-shaped filter element, is formed in a circular arc shape in cross section, and is held on the inner wall of the filter holder 22. The fuel filter 23 collects relatively small foreign matters in the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 20. The filter holder 22 is coupled to the flange 11 with the opening 31 facing upward, and the opening 31 is covered with the flange 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the regulator holder 24 as the second holder is formed in a hollow bottomed cylindrical shape with resin, and is coupled to the periphery of the fuel outlet 32 of the filter holder 22 with the opening 50 facing upward. . The regulator holder 24 holds the fuel discharge port side end portion 40 of the pressure regulator 25 as the second fuel system component. A seal portion 51 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the opening 50, and the lower end surface of the seal portion 41 provided on the outer peripheral wall of the pressure regulator 25 is in liquid-tight contact with the seal portion 51. The fuel inlet 42 of the pressure regulator 25 is coaxially fitted to the inner peripheral side of a cylindrical fuel outlet 32 provided in the filter holder 22. By this fitting, the pressure regulator 25 is also held by the filter holder 22. The fuel outlet 32 of the filter holder 22 and the fuel inlet 42 of the pressure regulator 25 are sealed with an O-ring 26. The pressure regulator 25 regulates the pressure of the fuel that passes through the fuel filter 23 and travels toward the fuel discharge pipe 12. The surplus fuel due to the pressure regulating action of the pressure regulator 25 is returned from the fuel discharge port side end 40 of the pressure regulator 25 into the fuel tank via the fuel return port 58 of the regulator holder 24.

Next, the coupling structure between the regulator holder 24 and the filter holder 22 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, the regulator holder 24 has a base portion 56 that extends from the outermost peripheral edge of the seal portion 51 toward the opposite bottom side of the regulator holder 24. As shown in FIG. 6, the base portion 56 has a partially cut cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the regulator holder 24 with a space from the pressure regulator 25, that is, a plate shape curved in an arc shape. The base portion 56 is elastically deformable in the generally radial direction of the regulator holder 24, that is, in the normal direction of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 56.

  The flange portions 52 are formed at two positions sandwiching the pressure regulator 25 at the tip portion of the base portion 56, and protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 56 toward the radially outer side of the regulator holder 24. A portion 54 of the base portion 56 that connects the flange portion 52 and the seal portion 51 corresponds to an elastic portion, and extends in the axial direction of the regulator holder 24. The other part of the base part 56 excluding the part 54 corresponds to a reinforcing part.

  The filter holder 22 has engaging portions 34 at two locations sandwiching the fuel outlet 32 and the pressure regulator 25. The engaging portion 34 is plate-shaped and extends in the axial direction of the fuel outlet 32 with a space from the fuel outlet 32, and is provided with a rectangular engaging hole 35 as a concave portion. The engagement hole 35 penetrates the engagement portion 34 in the plate thickness direction along the radial direction of the fuel outlet 32. A corresponding flange 52 is engaged with the engagement hole 35 from the fuel outlet 32 side.

In order to couple the regulator holder 24 to the filter holder 22 in the manufacture of the pump module 10, the flange portion 52 is locked in the engagement hole 35 of the engagement portion 34 by snap fitting.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the pressure regulator 25 held by the regulator holder 24 is inserted into the fuel outlet 32, and the regulator holder 24 is inserted into the two engaging portions 34 from the tip side where the flange portion 52 is provided. Insert between. Then, the base portion 56 that receives a pressing force from the engaging portion 34 through the flange portion 52 is elastically deformed in a direction in which the two flange portions 52 approach each other. When the regulator holder 24 is inserted until the flange portion 52 reaches the position of the engagement hole 35, the flange portion 52 enters the engagement hole 35 by the elasticity of the base portion 56. As a result, the flange portion 52 is moved into the engagement hole. 35.

  In the pump module 10 in which the holders 22 and 24 are coupled to each other, the engagement portion 34 is engaged due to vibration transmitted to the holders 22 and 24, swelling and creep of the holders 22 and 24, fuel pressure acting on the holders 22 and 24, and the like. A force may be generated to move the collar portion 52 toward the side away from the hole 35. However, in the pump module 10, since the flange portion 52 is formed on the plate-like base portion 56 that is curved in an arc shape, when the flange portion 52 is about to be displaced in the direction away from the engagement hole 35, the flange portion is The movement of the collar part 52 is suppressed compared with the case where it is supported in the shape of a cantilever. More specifically, a cantilever-shaped elastic portion (a portion corresponding to the elastic portion of the present invention) extends from the flange portion 52 in the axial direction of the regulator holder 24, and the flange portion 52 is formed only by the elasticity of these elastic portions. In the pump module 10 according to the present embodiment, the cantilever-like portion 54 (corresponding to the elastic portion) of the base portion 56 is deformed as compared with the regulator holder that suppresses the movement in the direction away from the engagement hole 35. Since it is restrained by a plate-like portion (corresponding to a reinforcing portion) that is curved in an arc shape, the collar portion 52 is difficult to move in the direction away from the engagement hole 35. Therefore, in the pump module 10, it is possible to prevent the regulator holder 24 from being detached from the filter holder 22. Further, since the two flange portions 52 are locked in the two engagement holes 35, the regulator holder 24 can be more reliably prevented from being detached from the filter holder 22. Further, the regulator holder 24 can be prevented from being detached from the filter holder 22 by the base portion 56 having a simple structure.

(Second embodiment)
7 and 8 show the main part of the pump module according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Components corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, only one collar portion 52 is formed on the base portion 56. Since the engaging portion 34 is provided at two positions so as to sandwich the regulator holder 24, and the base portion 56 engages with the two engaging portions 34, the regulator holder 24 can be attached to the filter holder only by a snap fit of one flange portion 52. 22 can be coupled.

(Third embodiment)
9 and 10 show a main part of a pump module according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the elastic portion 54 and the reinforcing portion 57 are formed separately. In other words, the elastic portion 54 projects from the seal portion 51 in a cantilever shape, and a flange portion 52 is formed at the tip of the elastic portion 54. The reinforcement part 57 is comprised by the leaf | plate spring curved in the C shape, for example, both ends are latched by the two elastic parts 54, and the two elastic parts 54 are urged | biased in the direction mutually spaced apart. Since the reinforcing portion 57 resists the force that causes the elastic portion 54 to approach each other, the elastic portion 54 is prevented from being deformed in a direction in which the two flange portions 52 approach each other in a state where the regulator holder 24 is assembled to the filter holder 22. Is done. Therefore, the regulator holder 24 is prevented from being detached from the filter holder 22.

(Fourth embodiment)
11, 12 and 13 show the main part of a pump module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Components corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the elastic portion 54 protrudes in a cantilever shape from the seal portion 51, and a flange portion 52 is formed at the distal end portion of the elastic portion 54. The reinforcing portion 62 is a U-shaped curved plate that is assembled so as to sandwich the flange portion 52 and the engagement portion 34 in a state where the two flange portions 52 are respectively locked in the engagement holes 35. It is a spring. Since the reinforcing portion 62 resists the force with which the flange portion 52 is released from the engagement hole 35, the elastic portion 54 is moved in the direction in which the flange portion 52 is released from the engagement hole 35 in the state where the regulator holder 24 is assembled to the filter holder 22. Is prevented from deforming. Therefore, the regulator holder 24 is prevented from being detached from the filter holder 22.

It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the pump module by 1st embodiment. It is a partially notched front view which shows the pump module by 1st embodiment. It is a partially cutaway side view showing the pump module according to the first embodiment. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the regulator holder which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the pump module by 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the pump module by 2nd embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the pump module by 2nd embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the pump module by 3rd embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the pump module by 3rd embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the pump module by 4th embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the pump module by 4th embodiment. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the pump module by 4th embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 pump module, 20 fuel pump, 22 filter holder (first holder), 23 fuel filter (first fuel system part), 24 regulator holder (second holder), 25 pressure regulator (second fuel system part), 35 Joint hole (concave part), 52 collar part, 54 elastic part, 56 base part, 56, 62 reinforcing part

Claims (8)

A fuel supply device for supplying fuel in a fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank,
In a fuel supply device that stores fuel system parts for processing fuel between a first holder and a second holder, and holds the fuel system parts by engaging and fixing the first holder and the second holder. ,
An elastic part extending along an insertion direction axis of the second holder to the first holder; and a reinforcing part for suppressing deformation of the elastic part into a shape in which the second holder is detached from the first holder;
A fuel supply device comprising: The first holder has a recess,
The second holder holds the fuel system component, is coupled to the first holder in a state in which at least a part is inserted into the first holder, and is a hook that is locked to the recess by a snap fit, The elastic part extending from the collar part,
The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion suppresses deformation of the elastic portion into a shape in which the flange portion is detached from the concave portion.   The fuel supply device according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing portion extends from the flange portion in a circumferential direction of the insertion direction axis, and resists a force that causes the flange portion to be detached from the concave portion. The first holder has two recesses spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the insertion direction axis.
The second holder has the two flanges between the two recesses,
The fuel supply device according to claim 3, wherein the reinforcing portion has an arc shape in which both end portions communicate with the two flange portions, and resists a force that causes the two flange portions to approach each other. .   The fuel supply device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the flange portion, the elastic portion, and the reinforcing portion are integrally formed.   The fuel supply device according to claim 4, wherein the elastic portion and the reinforcing portion are integrally formed in a plate shape curved in an arc shape.   The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion sandwiches a flange portion and the first holder that are locked to the concave portion.   The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fuel system component is a pressure regulator that adjusts a pressure of discharged fuel.

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