JP2006037870A - Motor pump and fuel supply system equipped with motor pump - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable cooling of a motor with fluid and lubricating of a sliding portion, while directly discharging of the fluid containing no motor foreign substances from the pump into the pump outside. <P>SOLUTION: A fuel pump 1 is integrally provided with the pump 3 to suck and pressurize fuel into the pump 11, and the motor 2 rotatably installed in the motor chamber 10 for an armature 14 to drive the pump 3. A discharge port 45 to directly discharge fuel sucked and pressurized into the pump 3, and a communicating port 48 to flow out part of fuel from the pump 3 into the motor chamber 10 are installed. The fuel discharged from the pump chamber 11 is discharged from the discharge port 45 without via the motor chamber 10. A part of the fuel is flowed out from the pump 3 into the motor chamber 10 through the communicating port 48, and discharged from a second discharge port 30 through the motor chamber 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric pump used as, for example, an in-tank type fuel pump and a fuel supply device including the electric pump.

A conventional example of a fuel pump as an electric pump will be described with reference to a sectional view of FIG.
The fuel pump 201 is integrally provided with a motor unit 202 and a pump unit 203 provided on one end side (the lower end side in FIG. 27) of the motor unit 202.
A pump casing 205 that forms the outer shell of the fuel pump 201 includes a substantially cylindrical housing cylinder 206, a motor cover 207 that closes one end face (the upper end face in FIG. 27) of the housing cylinder 206, and the housing cylinder 206. A pump cover 208 that closes the other end surface (the lower end surface in FIG. 27), and a pump housing 209 that is provided in a superposed manner on the pump cover 208 and partitions the housing cylinder 206 into a motor chamber 210 and a pump chamber 211. ing.

The motor unit 202 is composed of, for example, a DC motor with a brush, and includes a magnet 213 fixed in the housing cylinder 206 and an armature 214 that is rotationally driven in the housing cylinder 206.
The armature 214 includes an armature main body 215 including an iron core, a coil, a commutator 216, and the like, and a shaft 218 penetrating the axial center portion of the armature main body 215.
One end of the shaft 218 (the upper end in FIG. 27) is rotatably supported by the motor cover 207 via a bearing 221. Further, the other end portion (the lower end portion in FIG. 27) of the shaft 218 is rotatably supported by the pump housing 209 via a bearing 222 in a state of penetrating the pump housing 209. A lower end portion of the shaft 218 protruding into the pump chamber 211 is a connecting shaft portion 219 having a deformed cross section (for example, a D-shaped cross section).

The motor cover 207 incorporates a brush 224 that slides into contact with the commutator 216 of the armature 214, a spring 225 that presses the brush 224 against the commutator 216, and the like. Further, the motor cover 207 is provided with a connector portion 228 including a terminal 227 electrically connected to the brush 224. The armature 214 is driven to rotate when a coil (not shown) of the armature 214 is energized through the terminal 227, the brush 224, and the commutator 216.
The motor cover 207 is formed with a discharge port 230 that communicates with the motor chamber 210 and opens to the outside of the pump, that is, upward.

In the pump unit 203, a substantially disk-shaped impeller 234 is rotatably accommodated in the pump chamber 211. A large number of blade grooves 235 arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the impeller 234 in a symmetrical manner. The front and back blade grooves 235 are communicated with each other through a communication hole 236.
A shaft hole 238 is formed at the center of the impeller 234. The shaft hole 238 is formed by a deformed hole (for example, a D-shaped hole) corresponding to the connecting shaft portion 219 of the shaft 218 of the armature 214. In the shaft hole 238, a connecting shaft portion 219 of the armature 214 is inserted and engaged so as to transmit torque.

Wall surfaces facing the front and back surfaces of the impeller 234 of the pump housing 209 and the pump cover 208 (reference numerals 209a and 208a) are substantially circular grooves corresponding to both the front and back surfaces of the periphery of the shaft hole 238 of the impeller 234. A concave groove 239 is formed symmetrically in the vertical direction. A bearing chamber 263 is formed by the recessed groove 239 of the pump cover 208 and the recessed groove 239 of the pump housing 209.
Further, on the wall surfaces 209a and 208a facing both the front and back surfaces of the impeller 234 of the pump housing 209 and the pump cover 208, a substantially arc-shaped channel groove 240 corresponding to the blade grooves 235 on the front and back surfaces of the impeller 234 is formed. Yes.

The pump cover 208 is formed with a suction port 242 that communicates with the start end of the flow channel 240 and opens to the outside of the pump, that is, downward. Further, the pump cover 208 is formed with a vapor discharge port 276 that communicates in the middle from the start end to the end of the flow channel 240 and opens to the outside of the pump, that is, downward.
The pump housing 209 is formed with a discharge port 245 that communicates with the terminal end of the flow channel 240 and opens into the motor chamber 210.
Note that the first discharge port 245 and the vapor discharge port 276 in FIG. 27 are actually formed with a positional relationship shifted by a predetermined amount with respect to the circumferential direction of the impeller 234.

Next, the operation of the fuel pump 201 will be described. The armature 214 is rotationally driven by energization of a coil (not shown) of the armature 214 of the motor unit 202. Then, the impeller 234 is rotated in a predetermined direction in conjunction with the shaft 218 of the armature 214, thereby generating a pump action. As a result, the fluid fuel is sucked into the flow channel 240 from the suction port 242 of the pump cover 208. The fuel receives kinetic energy from the blade grooves 235 on both the front and back surfaces that communicate with each other through the communication hole 236 of the impeller 234, and adds the fuel in the flow passage grooves 240 of the pump cover 208 and the pump housing 209 from the start end to the end. It is sent while being pressed. The fuel sent to the end portions of both flow channel grooves 240 is discharged from the discharge port 245 of the pump housing 209 into the motor chamber 210 of the motor unit 202. Further, the fuel is discharged from the discharge port 230 of the motor cover 207 after passing through the motor chamber 210. In the present specification, for convenience of explanation, the fuel discharge port 245 of the pump unit 203 is referred to as a “first discharge port”, and the fuel discharge port 230 of the motor unit 202 is referred to as a “second discharge port”. .
Further, the vapor contained in the fuel sent while being pressurized in the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller 234 is discharged from the vapor discharge port 276 of the pump cover 208 to the outside of the pump.

Next, a conventional example of a fuel supply apparatus provided with the above-described fuel pump (electric pump) 201 as an in-tank type fuel pump will be described with reference to the flow path system diagram of FIG.
In addition to the fuel pump 201, the fuel supply device 284 includes a high pressure filter 330, a pressure regulator 286, and a low pressure filter 332, and is a modularized reserve cup (also simply referred to as a cup) installed in the fuel tank 292. 290. The high-pressure filter 330 is also referred to as “fuel filter” or “post-filter”. The pressure regulator 286 is also referred to as a “pressure regulating valve”, and the low pressure filter 332 is also referred to as a “suction filter” or a “pre-filter”.

The fuel pump 201 sucks and pressurizes the fuel in the reserve cup 290 and discharges it to the high pressure filter 330.
The high-pressure filter 330 removes foreign matter in the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump 201 and discharges the pressurized fuel to the pressure regulator 286. The high-pressure filter 330 includes a fine filter element (not shown) that removes foreign matter so that foreign matter in the fuel does not reach the pressure regulator 286 and the injector 312 and cause problems.
The pressure regulator 286 adjusts the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the high pressure filter 330 and discharges excess high pressure fuel into the reserve cup 290. The pressurized fuel whose fuel pressure is adjusted by the pressure regulator 286 is discharged to the fuel supply line 311 outside the fuel tank 292. The fuel supply line 311 is connected to an injector 312 (see FIG. 28) (not shown).
The low-pressure filter 332 removes foreign matters in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump 201 from the reserve cup 290. The low-pressure filter 332 includes a coarse filter (not shown) that removes foreign matter so that foreign matter in the fuel does not reach the fuel pump and cause problems.

  When the fuel pump 201 is driven in the fuel supply device 284, the fuel in the reserve cup 290 is sucked and pressurized through the low pressure filter 332 and supplied into the high pressure filter 330. The fuel that has passed through the high-pressure filter 330 is supplied to the fuel supply line 311 outside the fuel tank 292 via the pressure regulator 286. The fuel supplied to the fuel supply line 311 is supplied to the injector 312. Further, the high-pressure fuel that is surplus by adjusting the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel by the pressure regulator 286 is discharged into the reserve cup 290.

  In addition, among the foreign matters contained in the fuel, relatively large foreign matters (see □ in FIG. 28) are removed by the low pressure filter 332. Further, in the high-pressure filter 330, relatively small foreign matters (see Δ in FIG. 28) and brush wear powder, that is, motor foreign matters (see ○ in FIG. 28) are removed.

As the above-described fuel supply device 284 (see FIG. 28), for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1.
Further, as the above-described fuel pump 201 (see FIG. 27), for example, there is one described in Patent Document 2.
Moreover, as a pump in which the 1st discharge port 245 was provided so that the fuel of the pump part 203 could be directly discharged to the exterior of a pump, there exist some which were described in patent document 3, for example.
JP 2003-293881 A JP 2002-303219 A Japanese Patent Publication No.46-33853

In the fuel pump 201 (see FIG. 27), the pressurized fuel is discharged from the second discharge port 230 after passing through the motor chamber 210 from the first discharge port 245.
Further, in the motor unit 202 of the fuel pump 201, the abrasion powder (brush abrasion powder) of the brush 224 due to the sliding contact between the brush 224 and the commutator 216 of the armature 214 which is a sliding portion, that is, motor foreign matter ( Occurs).
Accordingly, the fuel discharged from the second discharge port 230 of the fuel pump 201 contains motor foreign matter. The same applies to the fuel pumps of Patent Documents 1 and 2.

For this reason, in the fuel supply device 284, motor foreign matter generated in the motor unit 202 of the fuel pump 201 (see a circle in FIG. 28) and relatively small foreign matter that has passed through the low-pressure filter 332 (see Δ in FIG. 28). However, it is necessary to place the high-pressure filter 330 behind the fuel pump 201 so as not to cause a problem by reaching the pressure regulator 286 and the injector 312.
Further, the fuel pump 201 prevents the relatively large foreign matter (see circles in FIG. 28) contained in the fuel in the reserve cup 290 of the fuel tank 292 from reaching the fuel pump 201 and causing a problem. On the other hand, the low-pressure filter 332 needs to be placed in front.

That is, in the conventional fuel supply device 284, both the low pressure filter 332 and the high pressure filter 330 are required. For this reason, the fuel supply device 284 has to be enlarged. In particular, if the low-pressure filter 332 is disposed below the fuel pump 201 as described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to reduce the overall height of the fuel supply device 284.
Further, since both the low pressure filter 332 and the high pressure filter 330 are necessary, there is a problem that the cost of the fuel supply device 284 is inevitably increased. The same applies to the fuel supply device of Patent Document 2.

  Further, in the pump described in Patent Document 3, since a discharge port capable of directly discharging the fluid of the pump unit to the outside of the pump is provided, there is a problem that motor foreign matter is included in the fluid discharged from the discharge port. Is resolved. However, since the fluid does not pass through the motor chamber, the motor unit cannot be cooled, and the sliding part in the motor unit (for example, between the armature shaft and the bearing, between the armature commutator and the brush). The problem remains that the sliding part) cannot be lubricated. Such a pump is not suitable for use as, for example, an in-tank type fuel pump disposed in a fuel tank.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electric pump capable of cooling a motor part with a fluid and lubricating a sliding part while discharging a fluid containing no motor foreign matter directly from the pump part to the outside of the pump. The object is to provide a fuel supply device including the electric pump.

The above-described problems can be solved by an electric pump having the configuration described in the claims of the present invention and a fuel supply device including the electric pump.
That is, according to the electric pump described in claim 1 of the claims, the discharge port that discharges the fluid sucked into the pump unit and pressurized directly to the outside of the pump (for convenience of explanation, “first Is referred to as an “eject port”. For this reason, the fluid discharged from the pump chamber is directly discharged from the first discharge port without passing through the motor chamber. Thereby, the fluid which does not contain a motor foreign material can be discharged directly from a pump part to the pump exterior. In this specification, “fluid is directly discharged to the outside of the pump” means that the fluid in the pump chamber does not pass through the motor chamber and other flow paths, but directly from the pump chamber to the outside of the pump. Means to be discharged.
In addition, a communication port through which a part of the fluid flows out from the pump unit into the motor chamber is provided. For this reason, when a part of fluid flows out from a pump part to a motor chamber through a communicating port, a motor part can be cooled and a sliding part can be lubricated. The sliding portion refers to a portion that slides between a fixed member (bearing, brush, etc.) and a movable member (armature shaft and commutator).
As described above, while fluid that does not contain motor foreign matter is directly discharged from the pump portion to the outside of the pump, the motor portion can be cooled by the fluid and the sliding portion can be lubricated.

  According to the electric pump described in claim 2 of the claims, the armature body and the impeller are engaged via the engaging means so as to transmit torque. Thereby, the axial direction length of an electric pump can be shortened and an electric pump can be reduced in size.

  Further, according to the electric pump described in claim 3 of the claims, the communication port is provided after the ¼ stroke from the start end of the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller. For this reason, vapor bubbles, so-called vapor, contained in the fluid during the pump stroke at high temperature or the like can be effectively discharged to the motor chamber through the communication port. It should be noted that the pressure of the fluid is not sufficiently increased before the ¼ stroke from the start end of the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller, so that the vapor cannot be discharged effectively.

  Further, according to the electric pump described in claim 4 of the claims, the vapor discharge port for discharging the vapor contained in the fluid of the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller to the outside of the pump is provided. For this reason, the vapor contained in the fluid during the pump stroke at a high temperature or the like can be discharged from the vapor discharge port to the outside of the pump. In addition, a vapor | steam discharge port can discharge | emit a vapor | steam effectively by providing after a 1/4 stroke from the start end of the pump strokes by 1 rotation of an impeller.

  Further, according to the electric pump described in claim 5 of the claims, the second discharge port capable of discharging the fluid flowing out from the pump part through the communication port into the motor chamber is provided. For this reason, the fluid which flowed out from the pump part through the communication port into the motor chamber can be discharged from the second discharge port to the outside of the pump. Thereby, when the fluid flows in the motor chamber, the cooling performance of the motor section and the lubricity of the sliding portion can be improved.

  According to the electric pump described in claim 6, the second discharge port is provided in the end plate member of the motor unit. For this reason, the fluid that has flowed into the motor chamber through the communication port from the pump unit can be discharged from the second discharge port to the outside of the pump after flowing from the pump unit side to the counter pump unit side of the motor chamber. Therefore, when the fluid flows over almost the entire length of the motor chamber, the cooling performance of the motor portion and the lubricity of the sliding portion can be further improved.

  Further, according to the electric pump described in claim 7 of the claims, the second discharge port is provided with a check valve. For this reason, the check valve can prevent the fluid from flowing back into the motor chamber from the outside of the pump through the second discharge port.

  Further, according to the electric pump described in claim 8 of the claims, the jet pump that drives the fluid flow discharged from the second discharge port as the drive source is provided. For this reason, when the jet pump is driven using the fluid flow discharged from the second discharge port as a drive source, the fluid outside the pump can be sucked and transferred to a predetermined position. Therefore, the pressure energy of the fluid flow discharged from the second discharge port can be efficiently used.

  According to the electric pump described in claim 9 of the claims, the discharge port (first discharge port) that discharges the fluid sucked into the pump unit and pressurized directly to the outside of the pump, It is provided on the end plate member of the pump part. For this reason, the fluid sucked into the pump unit and pressurized can be discharged directly from the first discharge port of the end plate member of the pump unit to the outside of the pump.

  According to the electric pump described in claim 10 of the claims, the suction port of the pump part is opened on the outer surface. For this reason, the fluid can be sucked into the pump unit from the suction port opened in the outer surface.

According to the fuel supply device described in claim 11 of the claims, an in-tank type fuel pump that sucks in and pressurizes fuel in the fuel tank, and in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump. It is modularized with a pre-filter that removes foreign matter. And the electric pump as described in any one of Claims 1-10 is used as a fuel pump.
Therefore, a fuel supply device provided with an electric pump as a fuel pump that discharges fluid that does not contain motor foreign matter directly from the pump portion to the outside of the pump, while cooling the motor portion with the fluid and lubricating the sliding portion. Can be provided.
Further, since fuel that does not contain motor foreign matter is discharged from the discharge port (first discharge port) of the electric pump as a fuel pump, a high-pressure filter that conventionally has to be placed behind the fuel pump is omitted. can do. As a result, the fuel supply device can be made compact and the cost can be reduced.
Also, in the pre-filter, by removing foreign matters in the fuel sucked into the electric pump, especially small foreign matters that adversely affect the sliding portion of the electric pump, the life of the electric pump is increased and troubles in the sliding portion are caused. Can be prevented or reduced.

Further, according to the fuel supply device described in claim 12, the in-tank type fuel pump that sucks in and pressurizes the fuel in the fuel tank, and in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump. A front filter that removes the foreign matter and a reserve cup that is installed in the fuel tank and stores fuel sucked through the front filter by the fuel pump are modularized. And the electric pump as described in any one of Claims 5-7 is used as a fuel pump.
Therefore, a fuel supply device provided with an electric pump as a fuel pump that discharges fluid that does not contain motor foreign matter directly from the pump portion to the outside of the pump, while cooling the motor portion with the fluid and lubricating the sliding portion. Can be provided.
Further, since fuel that does not contain motor foreign matter is discharged from the discharge port (first discharge port) of the electric pump as a fuel pump, a high-pressure filter that conventionally has to be placed behind the fuel pump is omitted. can do. As a result, the fuel supply device can be made compact and the cost can be reduced.
Also, in the pre-filter, by removing foreign matters in the fuel sucked into the electric pump, especially small foreign matters that adversely affect the sliding portion of the electric pump, the life of the electric pump is increased and troubles in the sliding portion are caused. Can be prevented or reduced.
Further, there is provided a jet pump that uses the fluid flow discharged from the second discharge port of the electric pump as a drive source to transfer the fuel inside the fuel tank and outside the reserve cup into the reserve cup. For this reason, when the jet pump is driven using the fluid flow (fuel flow) discharged from the second discharge port of the electric pump as a drive source, the fuel in the fuel tank and outside the reserve cup is sucked into the reserve cup. Can be transported in. Therefore, the pressure energy of the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port of the electric pump can be efficiently used.

According to the fuel supply device described in claim 13, the in-tank type fuel pump that sucks in and pressurizes the fuel in the fuel tank, and in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump. A front filter that removes the foreign matter and a reserve cup that is installed in the fuel tank and stores fuel sucked through the front filter by the fuel pump are modularized. And the electric pump of Claim 8 is used as a fuel pump.
Therefore, a fuel supply device provided with an electric pump as a fuel pump that discharges fluid that does not contain motor foreign matter directly from the pump portion to the outside of the pump, while cooling the motor portion with the fluid and lubricating the sliding portion. Can be provided.
Further, since fuel that does not contain motor foreign matter is discharged from the discharge port (first discharge port) of the electric pump as a fuel pump, a high-pressure filter that conventionally has to be placed behind the fuel pump is omitted. can do. As a result, the fuel supply device can be made compact and the cost can be reduced.
Also, in the pre-filter, by removing foreign matters in the fuel sucked into the electric pump, especially small foreign matters that adversely affect the sliding portion of the electric pump, the life of the electric pump is increased and troubles in the sliding portion are caused. Can be prevented or reduced.
Further, by using the fluid flow discharged from the second discharge port of the electric pump as a drive source, the jet pump of the electric pump is driven, so that the fuel in the fuel tank and outside the reserve cup is transferred into the reserve cup. It is set as the structure transferred to. For this reason, when the jet pump is driven using the fluid flow (fuel flow) discharged from the second discharge port of the electric pump as a drive source, the fuel in the fuel tank and outside the reserve cup is sucked into the reserve cup. Can be transported in. Therefore, the pressure energy of the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port of the electric pump can be efficiently used.

  According to the fuel supply device described in claim 14 of the claims, the pre-filter includes a filter element having a hierarchical structure in which the outer layer side is coarse and the inner layer side is fine. For this reason, foreign matters contained in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump can be effectively removed by the filter element having a hierarchical structure in which the outer layer side of the pre-filter is coarse and the inner layer side is fine.

  According to the fuel supply device of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the pre-filter includes a filter element formed in a substantially cylindrical shape surrounding the fuel pump. For this reason, the filter element formed in the substantially cylindrical shape surrounding the fuel pump of the front filter can effectively remove foreign matters contained in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump. Moreover, the filtration area of the filter element can be increased, the fuel suction resistance of the fuel pump can be reduced, and the current consumption of the fuel pump can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the fuel supply device described in claim 16 of the claims, the pressure regulator for adjusting the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump is provided. For this reason, the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump can be adjusted by the pressure regulator.

Further, according to the fuel supply device described in claim 17, the pressure regulator for adjusting the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump is provided. For this reason, the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump can be adjusted by the pressure regulator.
Further, the pressure regulator is arranged in a radial overlapping relationship with the fuel pump and the pre-filter. For this reason, a pressure regulator can be provided compactly in a fuel supply device.

  According to the fuel supply device described in claim 18, at least a part of the regulator housing of the pressure regulator is formed integrally with the filter case. For this reason, the pressure regulator can be simplified and reduced in weight by omitting at least a part of the regulator housing of the pressure regulator.

  Moreover, according to the fuel supply device described in claim 19, the pressure regulator is fitted in the mounting recess provided in the filter case. For this reason, the pressure regulator comprised as another component can be easily assembled | attached to the attachment recessed part of a filter case.

  According to the fuel supply device of claim 20, the discharge port through which the pre-filter directly discharges the pressurized fluid sucked into the pump portion of the fuel pump to the outside of the pump. A discharge-side passage is connected to the (first discharge port) and distributes the fuel discharged from the discharge port to a predetermined portion. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated member for forming the discharge side passage, so that the fuel supply device can be made compact and lightweight, and the cost can be reduced.

  According to the fuel supply device described in claim 21 of the claims, the inlet of the fuel pump and the passage outlet of the inlet side passage of the pre-filter connected to the inlet are inserted into the receptacle. They are connected by a fitting structure with the mouth. For this reason, the suction port of the fuel pump and the passage outlet of the suction side passage of the front filter can be easily connected.

  According to the fuel supply device described in claim 22 of the claims, the sealing material is interposed between the suction port of the fuel pump and the passage outlet of the suction side passage of the pre-filter. For this reason, it is possible to prevent or reduce fuel leakage from the connecting portion between the suction port of the fuel pump and the passage outlet of the suction side passage of the front filter.

  Further, according to the fuel supply device described in claim 23 of the claims, the passage inlet of the discharge side passage of the pre-filter and the discharge port of the fuel pump connected to the passage inlet are inserted into the receptacle. They are connected by a fitting structure with the mouth. For this reason, the passage inlet of the discharge side passage of the pre-filter and the discharge port (first discharge port) of the fuel pump can be easily connected.

  Further, according to the fuel supply device described in claim 24 of the claims, the sealing material is interposed between the passage inlet of the discharge side passage of the pre-filter and the discharge port of the fuel pump. For this reason, it is possible to prevent or reduce fuel leakage from the connection portion between the passage inlet of the discharge side passage of the pre-filter and the discharge port (first discharge port) of the fuel pump.

  Moreover, according to the electric pump described in claim 25 of the claims, a check valve is provided at the communication port. For this reason, when the pump is stopped, the backflow of the fluid from the motor chamber to the pump unit through the communication port can be prevented. Therefore, when the pump is stopped, the fluid containing the motor foreign matter in the motor chamber is prevented from flowing into the pump section, and the fluid containing the motor foreign matter is prevented from being discharged from the first discharge port to the outside of the pump during the next pump operation. Alternatively, it can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, an electric pump that discharges a fluid that does not contain motor foreign matter directly from the pump unit to the outside of the pump, while cooling the motor unit with the fluid and lubricating the sliding portion, and the electric pump. The fuel supply apparatus provided can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the following examples.

  A Wesco type (also referred to as impeller type) fuel pump will be described as the electric pump according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a fuel pump, FIG. 2 is a top view of the fuel pump, FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the fuel pump, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a suction port and a first discharge port of the fuel pump. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a pump portion of the fuel pump, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a relationship between a flow passage groove and a communication port in the pump casing, and FIG. 7 is a flow passage system diagram of the fuel pump.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel pump 1 integrally includes a motor unit 2 and a pump unit 3 provided on one end side (the lower end side in FIG. 1) of the motor unit 2.
A pump casing 5 that forms the outer shell of the fuel pump 1 includes a substantially cylindrical housing cylinder 6, a motor cover 7 that closes one end face (the upper end face in FIG. 1) of the housing cylinder 6, and the other end face of the housing cylinder 6. A pump cover 8 that closes (the lower end surface in FIG. 1) and a pump housing 9 that is provided in a superposed manner on the pump cover 8 and divides the pump casing 5 into a motor chamber 10 and a pump chamber 11 are provided. . The motor cover 7 corresponds to the “end plate member of the motor unit” in this specification. The pump cover 8 corresponds to the “end plate member of the pump portion” in this specification. In this embodiment, the pump chamber 11 includes a pump cover 8 and a pump housing 9 having a circular groove (reference numeral omitted) that is superposed on the upper surface of the pump cover 8 and whose lower surface opening is closed by the pump cover 8. It is formed by.

First, the motor unit 2 will be described. The motor unit 2 is composed of, for example, a brushed DC motor, and includes a magnet 13 fixed in the housing cylinder 6 and an armature 14 that is rotationally driven in the housing cylinder 6.
The armature 14 has a substantially cylindrical armature body 15 provided with an iron core, a coil, a commutator 16, and the like, and a substantially round bar-shaped shaft 18 penetrating the axial center portion of the armature body 15 in the vertical direction. One end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 1) of the shaft 18 is rotatably supported by the motor cover 7 via a bearing 21. Further, the other end portion (the lower end portion in FIG. 1) of the shaft 18 is rotatably supported by the pump housing 9 via a bearing 22 while penetrating the pump housing 9. A connecting shaft portion 19 having an irregular cross section (for example, a D-shaped cross section) is formed at an end portion of the shaft 18 protruding into the pump chamber 11.

  The motor cover 7 incorporates a brush 24 that slides into contact with the commutator 16 of the armature 14 and a spring 25 that presses the brush 24 against the commutator 16. Further, the motor cover 7 is provided with a connector portion 28 including a terminal 27 electrically connected to the brush 24 (see FIG. 2). The armature 14 is rotationally driven by energizing a coil (not shown) of the armature 14 through the terminal 27, the brush 24, and the commutator 16.

  The motor cover 7 is formed with a discharge port (referred to as “second discharge port” for convenience of description) 30 that communicates with the motor chamber 10 and opens to the outside of the pump, that is, upward. The motor cover 7 is provided with a substantially cylindrical second discharge cylinder portion 31 that protrudes coaxially on the cover and forms the outlet portion of the second discharge port 30.

Next, the pump unit 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, a substantially disk-shaped impeller 34 is rotatably provided in the pump chamber 11. A large number of blade grooves 35 arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the impeller 34 in a symmetrical manner. The front and back blade grooves 35 are communicated with each other through a communication hole 36.
A shaft hole 38 is formed at the center of the impeller 34. The shaft hole 38 is formed as a deformed hole (for example, a D-shaped hole) corresponding to the connecting shaft portion 19 of the shaft 18 of the armature 14. In the shaft hole 38, the connecting shaft portion 19 of the armature 14 is inserted and engaged so that torque can be transmitted.

Wall surfaces facing the front and back surfaces of the impeller 34 of the pump housing 9 and the pump cover 8 (reference numerals 9a and 8a) are substantially circular grooves corresponding to both the front and back surfaces of the periphery of the shaft hole 38 of the impeller 34. A concave groove 39 is formed symmetrically in the vertical direction. A bearing chamber 63 is formed by the recessed groove 39 of the pump cover 8 and the recessed groove 39 of the pump housing 9.
Further, on the wall surfaces 9a, 8a facing the front and back surfaces of the impeller 34 of the pump housing 9 and the pump cover 8, arc-shaped (for example, C-shaped) flow channel grooves corresponding to the blade grooves 35 on the front and back surfaces of the impeller 34 40 is formed substantially symmetrical in the vertical direction (see FIG. 6).

The pump cover 8 is formed with a suction port 42 that communicates with the start end of the flow channel groove 40 and opens to the outside of the pump, that is, downward. Further, a substantially cylindrical suction cylinder portion 43 that forms the inlet portion of the suction port 42 is discharged on the lower surface of the pump cover 8.
Furthermore, the pump cover 8 is formed with a discharge port (referred to as a “first discharge port” for convenience of description) 45 that communicates with the terminal end of the flow channel groove 40 and opens toward the outside of the pump, that is, downward. ing. A substantially cylindrical first discharge cylinder portion 46 that forms an outlet portion of the first discharge port 45 is discharged to the lower surface of the pump cover 8.

The pump housing 9 is formed with a communication port 48 that communicates in the middle from the start end to the end of the flow channel 40 and is open to the motor chamber 10. Note that the first discharge port 45 and the communication port 48 in FIGS. 1 and 5 are actually formed with a positional relationship shifted by a predetermined amount with respect to the circumferential direction of the impeller 34 (see FIG. 6).
Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the communication port 48 has a ¼ stroke (in FIG. 6) from the start end of the pump stroke (see range A in FIG. 6) by one rotation of the impeller 34. It is provided after the range B (see range C in FIG. 6). In addition, by providing the communication port 48 from the start end of the pump stroke (see the range A in FIG. 6) by one rotation of the impeller 34 after the 1/4 stroke (see the range C in FIG. 6), Vapor bubbles, so-called vapor, contained in the fluid in the pump stroke at high temperature or the like, that is, fuel, can be effectively discharged to the motor chamber 10 through the communication port 48. Incidentally, even if the communication port 48 is provided in the 1/4 stroke (see range B in FIG. 6) from the start end of the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller, the pressure of the fluid is not sufficiently increased. Therefore, the vapor cannot be discharged effectively.

Next, the operation of the fuel pump 1 will be described. The armature 14 is driven to rotate by energizing a coil (not shown) of the armature 14 of the motor unit 2 (see FIG. 1). Then, the impeller 34 is rotated in a predetermined direction in conjunction with the shaft 18 of the armature 14, thereby generating a pump action. Along with this, fuel, which is a fluid, is sucked into the start end of the flow channel groove 40 from the suction port 42 of the pump cover 8 (see FIG. 5). The fuel receives kinetic energy from the blade grooves 35 on both the front and back surfaces that communicate with each other through the communication hole 36 of the impeller 34, and adds the fuel in the flow passage grooves 40 of the pump cover 8 and the pump housing 9 from the start end to the end. It is sent while being pressed. The fuel sent to the end portions of both flow channel grooves 40 is discharged from the first discharge port 45 of the pump cover 8 to the outside of the pump.
Further, the vapor contained in the fuel sent while being pressurized in the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller 34 is discharged from the communication port 48 of the pump housing 9 into the motor chamber 10 of the motor unit 2, and the motor chamber 10 is passed through the motor chamber 10. After that, the ink is discharged from the second discharge port 30 (see FIG. 1) of the motor cover 7.

According to the fuel pump 1 described above, the first discharge port 45 for directly discharging the fluid sucked into the pump unit 3 and pressurized to the outside of the pump is provided (see FIG. 5). For this reason, the fluid discharged from the pump chamber 11 is discharged directly from the first discharge port 45 without passing through the motor chamber 10 (see FIG. 7). Thereby, the fluid which does not contain a motor foreign material can be discharged directly from a pump part to the pump exterior.
Further, a communication port 48 through which a part of the fluid flows from the pump unit 3 into the motor chamber 10 is provided (see FIG. 5). For this reason, when a part of fluid flows out from the pump part 3 to the motor chamber 10 through the communication port 48, the motor part 2 can be cooled and the sliding part can be lubricated.
As described above, while fluid that does not include motor foreign matter is directly discharged from the pump portion to the outside of the pump, the motor portion 2 can be cooled by the fluid and the sliding portion can be lubricated.

  Further, the communication port 48 of the pump housing 9 is provided after the 1/4 stroke from the start end of the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller 34 (see FIG. 6). For this reason, the vapor contained in the fluid during the pump stroke at a high temperature or the like can be effectively discharged from the communication port 48 to the motor chamber 10.

  Further, a second discharge port 30 is provided that can discharge the fuel that has flowed into the motor chamber 10 from the pump unit 3 through the communication port 48 (see FIG. 1). For this reason, the fuel that has flowed into the motor chamber 10 from the pump unit 3 through the communication port 48 can be discharged from the second discharge port 30 to the outside of the pump. Thereby, the fuel flows through the motor chamber 10, whereby the cooling performance of the motor unit 2 and the lubricity of the sliding portion can be improved.

  Moreover, the 2nd discharge port 30 is provided in the motor cover 7 which is an end plate member of the motor part 2 (refer FIG.1 and FIG.2). For this reason, after the fuel that has flowed into the motor chamber 10 from the pump unit 3 through the communication port 48 is circulated from the pump unit 3 side to the counter pump unit 3 side of the motor chamber 10, the fuel is discharged from the second discharge port 30 to the outside of the pump. Can be discharged. Therefore, the fuel flows through substantially the entire length of the motor chamber 10, whereby the cooling performance of the motor portion 2 and the lubricity of the sliding portion can be further improved.

  Further, a communication port 48 is provided in the pump housing 9 of the pump unit 3, and a second discharge port 30 is provided in the motor cover 7 of the motor unit 2 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, since the vapor from the pump unit 3 is likely to escape upward in order toward the communication port 48, the motor chamber 10, and the second discharge port 30, the performance of the fuel pump 1 at a high temperature can be improved.

  Further, a first discharge port 45 for directly discharging the fuel sucked and pressurized into the pump unit 3 to the outside of the pump is provided in the pump cover 8 which is an end plate member of the pump unit 3 (FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 and 4). For this reason, the fuel sucked into the pump unit 3 and pressurized can be discharged directly from the first discharge port 45 of the pump cover 8 to the outside of the pump.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the present embodiment is a modification of part of the first embodiment, a duplicate description is omitted. In the following embodiments, the same description will be omitted. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a pump portion of the fuel pump.
As shown in FIG. 8, the second embodiment is a modification of the bearing structure on the pump unit 3 side of the armature 14 in the fuel pump 1 in the first embodiment and the connection structure between the armature 14 and the impeller 34. is there.
That is, the end of the shaft 18 on the pump portion 3 side, that is, the lower end portion of the armature 14 of the fuel pump 1 is a simple round rod-shaped shaft portion 18 a that does not have the connecting shaft portion 19 (see FIG. 5). A lower end shaft portion 18 a of the shaft 18 is rotatably supported by a bearing 50 supported in a support hole 49 formed in the bottom surface of the concave groove 39 of the pump cover 8.

On the lower end surface of the armature body 15 of the armature 14, a substantially columnar protrusion 52 protrudes on the same axis. On the outer peripheral portion of the lower end surface of the protrusion 52, an appropriate number (FIG. 8 shows two) of engaging protrusions 53 protrudes.
Further, the projecting portion 52 having the engaging convex portion 53 is loosely inserted into a through hole 55 formed in the pump housing 9. The through hole 55 penetrates the pump housing 9 including the concave groove 39 of the pump housing 9 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5).

  On the other hand, a through hole 57 having a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the bearing 50 is formed in the impeller 34 instead of the shaft hole 38. The through hole 57 is fitted in the upper part of the bearing 50 in a loosely inserted state. Further, both engagement recesses 58 corresponding to the both engagement protrusions 53 of the armature 14 are formed in the upper edge of the through hole 57. Both engaging convex portions 53 are engaged with both engaging concave portions 58 so that torque can be transmitted radially outward of the shaft 18 of the armature 14 (specifically, the lower end shaft portion 18a). The engaging convex portion 53 and the engaging concave portion 58 constitute “engaging means” in this specification.

The communication port 48 of the pump housing 9 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5) is omitted. Instead, on the wall surface 9 a facing the impeller 34 of the pump housing 9, a communication groove 60 extending in the radial direction and communicating the flow channel groove 40 and the through hole 55 is formed. The communication groove 60 communicates with the motor chamber 10 through the through hole 55.
A communication groove 61 that extends in the radial direction and communicates the flow groove 40 and the concave groove 39 is formed on the wall surface 8 a facing the impeller 34 of the pump cover 8. The communication groove 61 communicates with the motor chamber 10 through the concave groove 39, the through hole 57 of the impeller 34, and the through hole 55 of the pump housing 9.
The communication groove 60 of the pump housing 9 and the communication groove 61 of the pump cover 8 are the same as the communication port 48 in the first embodiment after the 1/4 stroke from the start end of the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller 34. Is provided.

  According to the fuel pump 1 of the present embodiment, the armature main body 15 and the impeller 34 are engaged with each other so as to be able to transmit torque via the engaging means by the engaging convex portion 53 and the engaging concave portion 58 (see FIG. 8). ). Accordingly, the axial length of the fuel pump 1 (vertical length in FIG. 8) can be shortened, and the fuel pump 1 can be downsized. Note that the engagement convex portion 53 and the engagement concave portion 58 may be engaged with each other, and the shapes thereof can be changed as appropriate. Further, the engaging convex portion 53 and the engaging concave portion 58 can be formed in an opposite arrangement, that is, the engaging concave portion 58 can be formed in the armature body 15, and the engaging convex portion 53 can be formed in the impeller 34.

Further, the vapor contained in the fuel sent while being pressurized in the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller 34 is discharged from the communication groove 60 to the motor chamber 10 of the motor unit 2 through the through hole 55 on the pump housing 9 side. At the same time, the pump cover 8 is discharged from the communication groove 61 into the motor chamber 10 of the motor section 2 through the concave groove 39, the through hole 57 of the impeller 34, and the through hole 55 of the pump housing 9. The vapor is discharged from the second discharge port 30 of the motor cover 7 after passing through the motor chamber 10 as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). Therefore, the vapor contained in the fluid during the pump stroke at a high temperature or the like can be effectively discharged.
In this embodiment, the through hole 55 and the communication groove 60 of the pump housing 9, the concave groove 39 and the communication groove 61 of the pump cover 8, and the through hole 57 of the impeller 34 are referred to as “communication” in this specification. Mouth "is configured. The “bearing chamber” referred to in this specification is formed by the through hole 55 of the pump housing 9 and the concave groove 39 of the pump housing 9.

  Further, as described above, the communication port (through holes 55 and 57 and the communication grooves 60 and 61 and the concave groove 39) through which a part of the fluid flows from the pump unit 3 into the motor chamber 10 is provided. The fuel pressure in the chamber 10 is equal to the fuel pressure in the bearing chamber (reference numeral 64) formed by the through hole 55 of the pump housing 9 and the concave groove 39 of the pump housing 9. Therefore, as will be described below, the fuel pump 1 can be made compact and lightweight, and cost can be reduced.

That is,
(1) According to the conventional fuel pump 201 (see FIG. 27), high-pressure fuel from the pump unit 203 flows into the motor chamber 210, so the fuel pressure in the motor chamber 210, the pump housing 209, and the pump cover The pressure difference from the fuel pressure in the bearing chamber 263 formed by the 208 concave groove 239 increases. The connecting shaft portion 219 of the shaft 218 of the armature 214 is loosely inserted into the shaft hole 238 of the impeller 234, so that the fuel pressure in the bearing chamber 263 of the pump cover 8 and the bearing chamber 263 of the pump housing 209 is substantially equal. It can be said. Accordingly, the pump cover 208 and the pump housing 209 need to have high strength, and the thickness of the pump cover 208 and the pump housing 209 is inevitably increased, thereby increasing the weight of the fuel pump 201 and the fuel pump 201. This will increase the axial length.
(2) According to the conventional fuel pump 201 (see FIG. 27), the bearing 222 and the armature 214 provided in the pump housing 209 are prevented in order to prevent a decrease in pump efficiency due to pressure leakage from the pump chamber 211 to the bearing chamber 263. By narrowing the gap with the shaft 218, the space between the motor chamber 210 and the bearing chamber 263 is sealed. Therefore, since the axial length of the shaft 218 of the armature 214 is increased, the weight of the fuel pump 201 is increased and the axial length of the fuel pump 201 is increased.
(3) According to the conventional fuel pump 201 (see FIG. 27), in order to connect the shaft 218 of the armature 214 to the impeller 234, the connecting shaft portion 219 of the shaft 218 must be machined into a deformed cross section. Costs will be forced up. In addition, the process of the connection shaft part 219 is a process called “D cut” in the case where the connection shaft part 19 has a D-shaped cross section, for example.

In contrast to the above-described conventional fuel pump 201 (see FIG. 27), according to the fuel pump 1 of the second embodiment, as described above, the fuel pressure in the motor chamber 10 and the bearing of the pump unit 3 The fuel pressure in the chamber 63 becomes equal. Therefore, since the pump cover 8 and the pump housing 9 do not require great strength, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the pump cover 8 and the pump housing 9, thereby reducing the size and weight of the fuel pump 1 and reducing the cost. it can.
Further, since there is no need to seal between the motor chamber 10 and the bearing chamber 63, the shaft length of the shaft 18 of the armature 14 is shortened, thereby reducing the fuel pump 1 in size and weight and reducing the cost. be able to.
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to perform processing such as D-cut processing on the shaft 18 for connecting the shaft 18 of the armature 14 to the impeller 34, the processing cost can be reduced.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a part of the first embodiment is modified. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the fuel pump, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the suction port and the first discharge port of the fuel pump.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a ball valve is connected to the second discharge port 30 in the second discharge cylinder portion 31 of the motor cover 7 of the fuel pump 1 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). A check valve 67 is provided. A valve seat 68 that is opened and closed by a check valve 67 is formed below the second discharge port 30 in the second discharge cylinder portion 31. Further, a retaining member 69 that has a C-ring shape and prevents the check valve 67 from coming off is mounted on the second discharge port 30 in the second discharge cylinder portion 31.
The check valve 67 allows the fuel to be discharged by opening the valve seat 68 with the fuel discharged from the motor chamber 10 through the second discharge port 30 to the outside of the pump, and from the outside of the pump. By closing the valve seat 68 with the fuel which is going to flow back into the motor chamber 10 through the discharge port 30, the back flow of the fuel is prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a pair of upper and lower suction ports (denoted by reference numeral 65) are opened on the outer surface of the fuel pump 1. For this reason, the suction port 42 and the suction cylinder part 43 in Example 1 (refer FIG. 1) are abbreviate | omitted.
As shown in FIG. 9, both the suction ports 65 penetrate the housing cylinder 6, the pump cover 8, and the pump housing 9 in the pump casing 5 in the radial direction. The flow path grooves 40 and the flow path grooves 40 of the pump housing 9 are communicated with respective start ends.

  According to the fuel pump 1 of the present embodiment, the check valve 67 is provided in the second discharge port 30 of the motor cover 7 (see FIG. 9). For this reason, the check valve 67 can prevent the fuel from flowing back into the motor chamber 10 from the outside of the pump through the second discharge port 30.

  Further, the suction port 65 of the pump unit 3 is opened on the outer surface of the fuel pump 1 (see FIG. 9). For this reason, fuel can be sucked into the pump unit 3 from the suction port 65 on the outer surface of the fuel pump 1.

  In addition to the third embodiment (see FIGS. 9 and 10), the suction port 42 and the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) are changed as follows. You can also. That is, as shown in a perspective view in FIG. 11, an intake port (referenced by 70) and a first discharge port (referenced by 73) can be opened on the outer surface of the fuel pump 1. In FIG. 11, a substantially cylindrical suction cylinder portion 71 that forms the inlet portion of the suction port 70 protrudes from the outer surface of the housing tube 6, and an outlet portion of the first discharge port 73 is formed. A substantially cylindrical discharge cylinder 74 is projected.

Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a part of the first embodiment is modified. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a pump portion of the fuel pump.
In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a vapor discharge port 76 communicated with the pump cover 8 of the fuel pump 1 on the way from the start end portion to the end portion of the flow channel 40 and opened outside the pump, that is, downward. Is added. The vapor discharge port 76 discharges the vapor contained in the fuel in the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller 34 to the outside of the pump. Similar to the communication port 48 in the first embodiment, the vapor discharge port 76 includes the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller 34. It is provided after the 1/4 stroke from the starting end.

  According to the fuel pump 1 of the present embodiment, the vapor discharge port 76 for discharging the vapor contained in the fuel in the pump chamber 11 to the outside of the pump is provided. For this reason, the vapor contained in the fuel in the pump stroke at the time of high temperature or the like can be discharged from the vapor discharge port 76 to the outside of the pump. In addition, the vapor discharge port 76 can discharge the vapor effectively by providing the vapor discharge port 76 after the 1/4 stroke from the start end of the pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller 34.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a part of the first embodiment is modified. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the fuel pump 1.
In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the second discharge port 30 of the motor cover 7 in the fuel pump 1 of the first embodiment is closed.
Instead, an appropriate number (two are shown in FIG. 13) of second discharge ports 78 communicating with the upper end of the motor chamber 10 and opening radially outward in the housing cylinder 6. Is formed.

Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a part of the first embodiment is modified. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the fuel pump 1.
In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the fuel pump 1 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) is modified. That is, a jet pump 80 is provided on the motor cover 7 to drive a fuel flow that is a fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 as a drive source. In FIG. 14, the terminal 27 and the connector portion 28 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) are not shown for convenience.

  The jet pump 80 sucks and injects fuel from a suction port 82 that opens to the side by a negative pressure generated when the fuel discharged from the second discharge port 30 is jetted upward from the jet port 81. It is ejected from the outlet 81. In other words, the jet pump 80 performs a pumping action of transferring fuel to a predetermined site using the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 as a drive source. In addition, since the basic structure of the jet pump 80 is a well-known thing, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  According to the fuel pump 1 of the present embodiment, the jet pump 80 that drives the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 as a drive source is provided. For this reason, by driving the jet pump 80 using the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 as a drive source, fuel outside the pump can be sucked and transferred to a predetermined position. Therefore, the pressure energy of the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 can be efficiently used.

A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the fuel pump (electric pump) 1 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) is provided as an in-tank type fuel pump, and the fuel supply of the returnless system does not return excess fuel from the engine side to the fuel tank. An apparatus is illustrated. 15 is a side sectional view showing the fuel supply device, FIG. 16 is a plan sectional view showing the fuel supply device, and FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a connecting portion of the fuel pump suction port and first discharge port to the filter case 18 is a flow system diagram of the fuel supply device.
As shown in FIG. 15, in addition to the fuel pump 1, the fuel supply device 84 includes a pre-filter 85, a pressure regulator (also referred to as a pressure regulating valve) 86, a jet pump 87, and a set plate 88 and is modularized. And disposed in a reserve cup (also simply referred to as a cup) 90 installed in the fuel tank 92. The fuel tank 92 is provided with an opening 93 for charging the fuel supply device 84 on the upper surface thereof. The fuel tank 92 forms a substantially sealed fuel storage space by closing the opening hole 93 by the set plate 88. The reserve cup 90 is also called a sub tank, a reservoir cup, etc., and is disposed at a position close to the bottom plate portion 92a of the fuel tank 92. The reserve cup 90 flows into the cup from the fuel tank 92 and is fed by the fuel pump 1. Stores inhaled fuel.

First, the pre-filter 85 will be described. The pre-filter 85 is an “integrated filter” having both functions of the low-pressure filter 332 and the high-pressure filter 330 in the conventional example (see FIG. 27).
The pre-filter 85 includes a filter case 95 and a filter element 96.
The filter case 95 is made of, for example, resin, and as shown in FIG. 16, the filter case 95 has a substantially C-shaped cylindrical shape and accommodates the fuel pump 1 in the hollow portion thereof, and a filter chamber on the outer peripheral side of the main body portion 97. The upper wall part 99 and the lower wall part 100 (refer FIG. 15) which form 98, and the both-ends wall part 101 (refer FIG. 16) are provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the filter case 95 is formed with a suction side passage 102, a discharge side passage 103, and an introduction passage 104.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the suction side passage 102 extends from the lower part of the main body 97 of the filter case 95 toward the radially inner side (rightward in FIG. 15), and the lower end of the filter chamber 98. Is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape capable of communicating with the suction port 42 of the fuel pump 1. The suction-side passage 102 has a passage outlet 106 that opens upward at the downstream end thereof and serves as a receiving port that can be fitted with the suction cylinder portion 43 of the suction port 42 of the fuel pump 1 as an insertion port (see FIG. 17). ).

  Further, the discharge side passage 103 includes a horizontal tube portion 107 extending from a lower portion of the main body portion 97 of the filter case 95 toward a radially inner side (left side in FIG. 15), and an outer end portion of the horizontal tube portion 107. And a vertical pipe portion 108 that is continuous in an L shape and extends upward along one end wall portion 101 of the filter case 95. The horizontal tube portion 107 has a passage inlet 109 as a receiving port that is opened upward at the inner end portion and can be fitted with the discharge cylinder portion 46 of the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1 as an insertion port ( FIG. 17).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, one end of a connecting pipe 110 made of a flexible pipe is connected to the upper end of the vertical pipe 108 of the discharge side passage 103. The other end of the connection pipe 110 is connected to an internal / external communication pipe 89 provided on the set plate 88. The inner and outer communication pipes are connected to a fuel supply line 111 that leads to an injector 112 (see FIG. 18) outside the tank.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the introduction passage 104 is formed so as to be branched from the middle of the discharge side passage 103 and to be parallel to the vertical pipe portion 108 of the discharge side passage 103. ing. A pressure regulator 86 is disposed at the upper end of the introduction passage 104. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the pressure regulator 86 is disposed with the fuel pump 1 so as to overlap in the radial direction with respect to the pre-filter 85. The lower half member 115 of the regulator housing 114 of the pressure regulator 86 (described later) is formed integrally with the upper end portion of the introduction passage 104. The upper half member 114 a of the regulator housing 114 and the components in the regulator housing 114 are assembled to the lower half member 115.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the filter element 96 is formed in a substantially C-shaped cylinder surrounding the outer periphery of the filter chamber 98 of the filter case 95, and is sucked into the fuel pump 1 from the reserve cup 90. Foreign matter in the fuel is removed. The filter element 96 is disposed so as to close the outer peripheral side opening of the filter chamber 98 of the filter case 95.
Further, the filter element 96 has a two-layered inner and outer layer structure that is parallel with a predetermined gap. The filter material on the outer layer side is formed of a coarse filter material 116 made of, for example, a woven filter sheet. Further, the filter material on the inner layer side is formed of a fine filter material 117 made of, for example, a paper filter. Accordingly, the coarse filter material 116 removes relatively large foreign matter contained in the fuel, and the fine filter material 117 removes relatively small foreign matter contained in the fuel and motor foreign matter that is brush wear powder).

  Next, the pressure regulator 86 will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, the pressurized fuel discharged from the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1 flows into the pressure regulator 86 through the introduction passage 104 of the filter case 95. The pressure regulator 86 adjusts the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump 1 and discharges excess high-pressure fuel into the fuel tank 92 (specifically, the reserve cup 90).

Next, the jet pump 87 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the jet pump 87 is provided at the lower portion of the side wall (reference numeral 91) of the reserve cup 90. One end of the communication pipe 119 is connected to the second discharge cylinder portion 31 of the fuel pump 1, and the other end of the communication pipe 119 is connected to the fuel introduction port 120 located in the reserve cup 90 of the jet pump 87. It is connected. For this reason, the fuel discharged from the second discharge port 30 of the fuel pump 1 is introduced into the fuel introduction port 120 of the jet pump 87 through the communication pipe 119.
The jet pump 87 fuels the fuel inside the fuel tank 92 and outside the reserve cup 90 by the negative pressure generated when the fuel introduced from the fuel introduction port 120 is ejected from the injection port 121 into the reserve cup 90. The air is sucked from the suction port 122 and ejected from the ejection port 121 into the reserve cup 90. That is, the jet pump 87 performs a pumping action of transferring fuel outside the reserve cup 90 into the reserve cup 90 using the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 of the fuel pump 1 as a drive source. In addition, since the basic structure of the jet pump 87 is a well-known thing, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

The operation of the above-described fuel supply device 84 (see FIGS. 15 to 17) will be described (see FIG. 18).
In FIG. 15, when the fuel pump 1 is driven, the fuel in the reserve cup 90 is filtered through the filter element 96 of the front filter 85, and then passes from the filter chamber 98 of the filter case 95 through the suction side passage 102. After being sucked into the pump unit 3 from the suction port 42 of the fuel pump 1 and pressurized, it is discharged from the first discharge port 45 to the discharge side passage 103 of the filter case 95. The pressurized fuel supplied to the discharge side passage 103 is supplied from the connecting pipe 110 to the injector 112 (see FIG. 18) through the fuel supply line 111 outside the set plate 88.

The fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel supplied to the discharge side passage 103 of the filter case 95 is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by a pressure regulator 86 communicated with the discharge side passage 103 through the introduction passage 104. Due to this pressure adjustment, surplus high pressure fuel is discharged from the pressure regulator 86 into the reserve cup 90.
In addition, fuel inside the fuel tank 92 and outside the reserve cup 90 is transferred into the reserve cup 90 by the jet pump 87 using the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 of the fuel pump 1 as a drive source.

Further, when the fuel sucked into the fuel pump 1 passes through the filter element 96 of the pre-filter 85, relatively large foreign matters (see □ in FIG. 18) in the fuel are removed in the coarse filter material 116, Subsequently, relatively small foreign matter (see Δ in FIG. 18) in the fuel is removed in the fine filter material 117.
In addition, after the motor foreign matter (see circles in FIG. 18), which is brush wear powder generated in the fuel pump 1, is discharged from the second discharge port 30, the inside of the reserve cup 90 through the communication pipe 119 and the jet pump 87. Even after passing through the coarse filter material 116 of the filter element 96 of the pre-filter 85, the fine filter material 117 is finally removed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent or reduce the intake of the motor foreign matter (see circles in FIG. 18), which is brush wear powder, into the fuel pump 1.

  According to the fuel supply device 84 described above, the fuel pump 1 is provided that can discharge the fuel containing no motor foreign matter from the first discharge port 45 while cooling the motor unit 2 with the fluid and lubricating the sliding portion. A fuel supply device 84 can be provided.

Further, since fuel that does not contain motor foreign matter is discharged from the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1, the high-pressure filter 330 (see FIG. 28) that conventionally has to be placed behind the fuel pump is omitted. can do. Thereby, the fuel supply device 84 can be made compact and the cost can be reduced.
Incidentally, in the prior art (see FIG. 28), since both the low pressure filter 332 and the high pressure filter 330 are necessary, the fuel supply device must be enlarged. In particular, since the low-pressure filter 332 is provided on the lower side of the fuel pump, it is difficult to reduce the overall height of the fuel supply device. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the high pressure filter 330 is omitted, and the low pressure filter 332 disposed on the lower side of the fuel pump 1 is omitted, thereby making the fuel supply device 84 compact and reducing the cost. be able to.

Further, in the front filter 85, foreign matters in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump 1, particularly small foreign matters (see Δ in FIG. 18) that may adversely affect the sliding portion of the fuel pump 1, and motor foreign matters ( 18 is removed, it is possible to increase the life of the fuel pump 1 and to prevent or reduce the trouble of the sliding portion.
Incidentally, conventionally, since the small foreign matter that has passed through the low-pressure filter has passed through the pump portion 3 and the motor portion 2 of the fuel pump 1, there is a possibility that the life of the sliding portion of the fuel pump 1 may be shortened. On the other hand, according to the fuel supply device 84 of the present embodiment, the foreign matter in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump 1 in the front filter 85, in particular, a small foreign matter that may adversely affect the sliding portion of the fuel pump 1. By removing the motor foreign matter (see ◯ mark in FIG. 18) and the motor foreign matter (see ◯ mark in FIG. 18), the life of the fuel pump 1 can be increased and the trouble of the sliding portion can be prevented or reduced.

  In addition, a jet pump 87 is provided for transferring fuel in the fuel tank 92 and outside the reserve cup 90 into the reserve cup 90 using the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 of the fuel pump 1 as a drive source. (See FIGS. 15 and 16). For this reason, the jet pump 87 is driven using the fuel flow (fuel flow) discharged from the second discharge port 30 of the fuel pump 1 as a drive source, so that the fuel inside the fuel tank 92 and outside the reserve cup 90 is sucked. Then, it can be transferred into the reserve cup 90. Therefore, the pressure energy of the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 of the fuel pump 1 can be used efficiently.

  The pre-filter 85 includes a filter element 96 having a hierarchical structure in which the outer layer side is coarse and the inner layer side is fine (see FIGS. 15 and 16). Therefore, the foreign matter contained in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump 1 can be effectively removed by the filter element 96 having a hierarchical structure in which the outer layer side of the pre-filter 85 is coarse and the inner layer side is fine.

  The pre-filter 85 includes a filter element 96 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape surrounding the fuel pump 1 (see FIG. 16). Therefore, foreign matters contained in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump 1 can be effectively removed by the filter element 96 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape surrounding the fuel pump 1 of the front filter 85. Further, the filtration area of the filter element 96 can be increased, the fuel suction resistance of the fuel pump 1 can be reduced, and the current consumption of the fuel pump 1 can be reduced.

Moreover, the pressure regulator 86 which adjusts the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump 1 is provided (refer FIG.15 and FIG.16). For this reason, the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump 1 by the pressure regulator 86 can be adjusted.
Further, the pressure regulator 86 is disposed in a radial overlapping relationship with the fuel pump 1 and the pre-filter 85 (see FIGS. 15 and 16). Therefore, the pressure regulator 86 can be provided in the fuel supply device 84 in a compact manner.

  Further, the lower half member 115 of the regulator housing 114 of the pressure regulator 86 is integrally formed with the filter case 95 (see FIG. 15). For this reason, by omitting at least a part (lower half member 115) of the regulator housing 114 of the pressure regulator 86, the pressure regulator 86 can be simplified and reduced in weight.

  The pre-filter 85 is connected to and discharged from the first discharge port 45 that directly discharges the fuel sucked and pressurized by the pump unit 3 of the fuel pump 1 to the outside of the pump. The discharge side passage 103 is provided for circulating the fuel to the predetermined site (see FIGS. 15 and 16). For this reason, there is no need to provide a dedicated member for forming the discharge side passage 103, so that the fuel supply device 84 can be made compact and light, and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, the suction cylinder portion 43 of the suction port 42 of the fuel pump 1 and the passage outlet 106 of the suction side passage 102 of the pre-filter 85 connected to the suction port 42 have a fitting structure with a receiving port and an insertion port. They are connected (see FIG. 17). For this reason, the suction port 42 of the fuel pump 1 and the passage outlet 106 of the suction side passage 102 of the pre-filter 85 can be easily connected.

  Further, the passage inlet 109 of the discharge side passage 103 of the pre-filter 85 and the discharge cylinder portion 46 of the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1 connected to the passage inlet 109 are fitted by the receiving port and the insertion port. They are connected by a joint structure (see FIG. 17). For this reason, the passage inlet 109 of the discharge side passage 103 of the pre-filter 85 and the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1 can be easily connected.

  Further, in this embodiment (see FIG. 17), both are fitted with the passage outlet 106 of the suction side passage 102 of the pre-filter 85 as a receiving port and the suction cylinder portion 43 of the suction port 42 of the fuel pump 1 as an insertion port. However, instead of this, as shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. That is, a substantially cylindrical outlet tube portion 123 that forms an outlet of the passage outlet 106 of the suction side passage 102 is provided in the suction side passage 102 of the pre-filter 85, and the outlet tube portion 123 serves as an outlet, and the fuel pump 1 The suction cylinder portion 43 of the suction port 42 is fitted as a receiving port.

  Further, in the present embodiment (see FIG. 17), both of them are provided with the passage inlet 109 of the discharge side passage 103 of the pre-filter 85 as a reception port and the discharge cylinder portion 46 of the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1 as an insertion port. However, instead of this, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 19, the receiving port and the insertion port can be reversed. That is, the discharge side passage 103 of the pre-filter 85 is provided with a substantially cylindrical inlet tube portion 125 that forms the inlet of the passage inlet 109, and the inlet tube portion 125 serves as an outlet, and the first discharge port of the fuel pump 1. The 45 discharge tube portions 46 are fitted as receiving holes.

In the present embodiment (see FIG. 17), the passage outlet 106 of the suction side passage 102 of the pre-filter 85 is used as a receiving port, and the suction cylinder portion 43 of the suction port 42 of the fuel pump 1 is used as an insertion port. Although fitted, as shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 20, a sealing material 126 made of a rubber material may be interposed between the two. The seal material 126 is formed, for example, in a ring shape, and is pressed and sandwiched between the pump cover 8 and the suction side passage 102 while being fitted to the suction cylinder portion 43.
As described above, the seal member 126 is interposed between the suction port 42 of the fuel pump 1 and the passage outlet 106 of the suction side passage 102 of the pre-filter 85, so that the fuel pump 1 is sealed in the axial direction. The fuel leakage from the connection portion between the suction port 42 and the passage outlet 106 of the suction side passage 102 of the pre-filter 85 can be prevented or reduced.
Further, the vibration of the fuel pump 1 can be prevented or reduced due to the elasticity of the sealing material 126 from being transmitted to the filter case 95.

Further, in the present embodiment (see FIG. 17), both of them are provided with the passage inlet 109 of the discharge side passage 103 of the pre-filter 85 as a reception port and the discharge cylinder portion 46 of the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1 as an insertion port. Although directly fitted, as shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 20, a sealant 126 may be interposed between them in the same manner as described above. The seal material 126 is pressed and sandwiched between the pump cover 8 and the suction side passage 102 while being fitted to the discharge cylinder portion 46.
As described above, the seal material 126 is interposed between the passage inlet 109 of the discharge side passage 103 of the pre-filter 85 and the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1 in the axial direction. It is possible to prevent or reduce fuel leakage from the connecting portion between the passage inlet 109 of the discharge side passage 103 of the pre-filter 85 and the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1.

  Further, the jet pump 87 in this embodiment (see FIG. 17) can be omitted as shown in FIGS. FIG. 21 is a side sectional view showing another example of the fuel supply device, and FIG. 22 is a flow path system diagram of another example of the fuel supply device. In this case, the communication pipe 119 can be omitted together with the jet pump 87.

Embodiment 8 of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, a part of the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 15) is modified. FIG. 23 is a side sectional view showing the fuel supply device, and FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a mounting recess of the filter case.
In the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, instead of the lower half member 115 (see FIG. 15) of the introduction passage 104 of the filter case 95 of the pre-filter 85 in the seventh embodiment, the introduction passage 104 of the filter case 95 is used. A mounting recess 128 (see FIG. 24) into which a pressure regulator (reference numeral 86A) can be fitted from above is formed at the upper end of the lens.
A pressure regulator 86 </ b> A formed as a separate part with respect to the filter case 95 is fitted in the mounting recess 128 of the filter case 95. For this reason, the pressure regulator 86A as a separate part can be easily assembled in the mounting recess 128 of the filter case 95.

Embodiment 9 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a part of the embodiment 7 is changed. FIG. 25 is a side sectional view showing the fuel supply device.
In the ninth embodiment, instead of the fuel pump 1 in the fuel supply device 84, the fuel pump 1 provided with the jet pump 80 of the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 14) is used. Accordingly, the jet pump 87 and the communication pipe 119 in the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 17) are omitted.
One end of the return pipe 130 is connected to the jet port 81 of the jet pump 80 in the fuel pump 1 of the present embodiment, and the other end of the return pipe 130 is opened to the bottom in the reserve cup 90. In addition, one end of the introduction pipe 132 is connected to the suction port 82 of the jet pump 80, and the other end of the introduction pipe 132 is open to the bottom outside the reserve cup 90 in the fuel tank 92.

According to the fuel supply device 84 (see FIG. 25) of this embodiment, the fuel tank 92 is driven by the jet pump 80 that uses the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 (see FIG. 14) of the fuel pump 1 as a drive source. The fuel inside and outside the reserve cup 90 is sucked from the introduction pipe 132 and transferred into the reserve cup 90 through the return pipe 130.
Therefore, the pressure energy of the fuel flow discharged from the second discharge port 30 of the fuel pump 1 can be used efficiently.

A tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a part of the embodiment 7 is changed. FIG. 26 is a plan sectional view showing the fuel supply device 84.
In Example 10, an annular filter chamber (reference numeral 98A) is formed in the filter case 95, an annular shape is formed on the outer periphery of the filter chamber 98, and a coarse filter material (reference numeral, 116A) and a fine filter material (reference numeral 117A) and a filter element (reference numeral 96A) having a two-layered inner / outer layer structure are arranged.
For this reason, foreign matters contained in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump 1 can be effectively removed by the filter element 96 </ b> A formed in a substantially annular shape surrounding the fuel pump 1 of the front filter 85. Further, the filtration area of the filter element 96A can be increased as compared with that of the seventh embodiment, the fuel suction resistance by the fuel pump 1 can be reduced, and the current consumption of the fuel pump 1 can be further reduced. In FIG. 26, the pressure regulator 86, the jet pump 87, the discharge side passage 103, and the introduction passage 104 in the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 15) are not shown.

Embodiment 11 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a part of the embodiment 7 is changed. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a pump portion of the fuel pump.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29, a check valve 157 made of a ball valve is provided at the communication port 48 in the pump housing 9 of the fuel pump 1 of the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 20). A valve seat 158 that is opened and closed by a check valve 157 is formed at the center lower portion of the communication port 48. In addition, a stopper member 159 that has, for example, a C-ring shape and prevents the check valve 157 from coming off is mounted on the communication port 48.
The check valve 157 allows the fuel to be discharged into the motor chamber 10 by opening the valve seat 158 with the fuel discharged from the pump chamber 11 of the pump unit 3 into the motor chamber 10 through the communication port 48. Further, the fuel is prevented from flowing back by closing the valve seat 158 with the fuel that is going to flow back into the pump chamber 11 from the motor chamber 10 through the communication port 48.

  According to the fuel pump 1 of this embodiment, the communication port 48 is provided with the check valve 157. For this reason, when the pump is stopped, the backflow of fuel from the motor chamber 10 to the pump chamber 11 of the pump section 3 through the communication port 48 can be prevented. Accordingly, the fuel containing the motor foreign matter in the motor chamber 10 is prevented from flowing into the pump chamber 11 when the pump is stopped, and the fuel containing the motor foreign matter flows from the first discharge port 45 to the outside of the pump, that is, the discharge side at the next pump operation. The discharge into the passage 103 can be effectively prevented or reduced.

A twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a part of the embodiment 7 is changed. FIG. 30 is a sectional view showing a pump portion of the fuel pump.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30, an annular ring groove 106 a is formed at the upper end of the passage outlet 106 of the suction side passage 102 of the filter case 95 of the pre-filter 85. A sealing material (reference numeral 126) is formed of an O-ring that elastically seals between the suction cylinder portion 43 of the fuel pump 1 and the passage outlet 106 of the filter case 95 in the radial direction with respect to the ring groove 106a. It is fitted.
As described above, the sealing material 126 is interposed between the suction port 42 of the fuel pump 1 and the passage outlet 106 of the suction side passage 102 of the pre-filter 85, so that the suction port 42 and the pre-filter of the fuel pump 1 are disposed. It is possible to prevent or reduce fuel leakage from the connection portion of the 85 suction side passage 102 to the passage outlet 106.

An annular ring groove 109a is formed at the upper end of the passage inlet 109 of the discharge side passage 103 of the filter case 95 of the pre-filter 85. A sealing material (reference numeral 126) is formed of an O-ring that elastically seals between the discharge cylinder portion 46 of the fuel pump 1 and the passage inlet 109 of the filter case 95 with respect to the ring groove 109a in the radial direction. It is fitted.
As described above, the seal material 126 is interposed between the first discharge port 45 of the fuel pump 1 and the passage inlet 109 of the discharge side passage 103 of the pre-filter 85, so that the first discharge of the fuel pump 1 is performed. It is possible to prevent or reduce fuel leakage from the connection portion between the outlet 45 and the passage inlet 109 of the discharge side passage 103 of the pre-filter 85.
Further, the vibration of the fuel pump 1 can be prevented or reduced due to the elasticity of the sealing material 126 from being transmitted to the filter case 95.

A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a part of the embodiment 7 is changed. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing the fuel supply device.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, instead of the pre-filter 85, a pre-filter 135 having a configuration similar to that of the low-pressure filter 332, which is also called a suction filter in the conventional example (see FIG. 28), is provided. It is what was used. Further, the fuel supply device 84 of the present embodiment is disposed in the fuel tank 92, and the reserve cup 90 and the jet pump 87 in the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 15) are omitted.

  As the filter medium 136 of the front filter 135, one having a hierarchical structure is used in the same manner as the filter element 96 in the seventh embodiment, and relatively large foreign matter, relatively small foreign matter and brush wear powder contained in the fuel are removed. It is supposed to be removed. The mounting port 137 of the front filter 135 has a passage inlet 146 that is opened upward and can be fitted with the suction cylinder portion 43 of the fuel pump 1 as an insertion port.

Further, a connection pipe 140 that communicates with the inner and outer communication pipes 89 and forms the discharge side passage 143 is connected to the lower surface side of the set plate 88. The connecting pipe 140 has a vertical pipe part 148 extending downward from the set plate 88 and a horizontal pipe part 147 continuous to the lower end of the vertical pipe part 148 in an L shape and extending in the horizontal direction. The horizontal tube portion 147 has a passage inlet 149 as a receiving port that is open upward at the distal end thereof and can be fitted with the discharge cylinder portion 46 of the fuel pump 1 as an insertion port. The connecting pipe 140 is integrally provided with an attachment port 137 for the pre-filter 135.
A pressure regulator 86 is disposed on the side wall of the lower end portion of the vertical pipe portion 148 of the connection pipe 140. The pressure regulator 86 adjusts the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump 1 and discharges excess high-pressure fuel into the fuel tank 92.
The fuel pump 1 is provided with a cover member 150 that surrounds the fuel pump 1.

In the fuel supply device 84 described above, when the fuel pump 1 is driven, the fuel in the fuel tank 92 is filtered through the filter medium 136 of the front filter 135 and then sucked into the pump unit 3 of the fuel pump 1 and After being pressurized, it is discharged to the discharge side passage 143 of the connecting pipe 140. The pressurized fuel supplied to the discharge side passage 143 is supplied to the injector through the fuel supply line 111 from the inner and outer communication pipes 89 of the set plate 88.
In addition, the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel supplied to the discharge side passage 143 of the connection pipe 140 is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the pressure regulator 86 communicating with the discharge side passage 143. Due to this pressure adjustment, surplus high pressure fuel is discharged from the pressure regulator 86 into the fuel tank 92.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the electric pump of the present invention can be widely applied as a pump for fluids other than fuel. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a multistage electric pump provided with a plurality of impellers 34. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the fuel supply device 84 of the returnless system but also to a fuel supply device of a system that returns excess fuel from the engine side to the fuel tank 92. In addition, at least one of the suction port 42, the first discharge port 45, the second discharge port 30, the communication port 48, and the vapor discharge port 76 of the fuel pump 1 can be installed in plural.

It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel pump concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is a top view of a fuel pump. It is a bottom view of a fuel pump. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the suction inlet and discharge outlet of a fuel pump. It is sectional drawing which shows the pump part of a fuel pump. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the flow-path groove | channel and communication port in a pump casing. It is a flow-path system diagram of a fuel pump. It is sectional drawing which shows the pump part of the fuel pump concerning Example 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel pump concerning Example 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the suction inlet and discharge outlet of a fuel pump. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the relationship between the suction inlet and discharge outlet of a fuel pump. It is sectional drawing which shows the pump part of the fuel pump concerning Example 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel pump concerning Example 5 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel pump concerning Example 6 of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the fuel supply apparatus concerning Example 7 of this invention. It is a plane sectional view showing a fuel supply device. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection part of the suction inlet and discharge outlet of a fuel pump with respect to a filter case. It is a flow-path system diagram of a fuel supply apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of the fitting structure of the suction inlet and discharge outlet of a fuel pump with respect to a front filter. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of the fitting structure of the suction inlet and discharge outlet of a fuel pump with respect to a front filter. It is a sectional side view which shows another example of a fuel supply apparatus. It is a flow-path system diagram of the example of a line of a fuel supply device. It is a sectional side view which shows the fuel supply apparatus concerning Example 8 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment recessed part of a filter case. It is a sectional side view which shows the fuel supply apparatus concerning Example 9 of this invention. It is a plane sectional view showing a fuel supply device concerning Example 10 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel pump concerning a prior art example. It is a flow-path system diagram of a fuel supply apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the pump part of the fuel pump concerning Example 11 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the pump part of the fuel pump concerning Example 12 of this invention. It is side sectional drawing which shows the fuel supply apparatus concerning Example 13 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel pump 2 Motor part 3 Pump part 5 Pump casing 7 Motor cover (end plate member of a motor part)
8 Pump cover (It is an end plate member of the pump part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Motor chamber 11 Pump chamber 14 Armature 15 Armature main body 18 Shaft 30 2nd discharge port 34 Impeller 42 Suction port 45 1st discharge port 48 Communication port 53 Engagement convex part (a part of engagement means)
58 engaging recess (part of engaging means)
65 Inlet port 67 Check valve 71 Inlet port 73 First outlet port 76 Vapor outlet port 78 Second outlet port 80 Jet pump 84 Fuel supply device 85 Pre-filter 86 Pressure regulator 86A Pressure regulator 87 Jet pump 90 Reserve cup 96 Filter element 96A Filter element 102 Suction side passage 103 Discharge side passage 106 Passage outlet 109 Passage inlet 114 Regulator housing 115 Lower half member (part of regulator housing)
116 Coarse filter material 116A Coarse filter material 117 Fine filter material 117A Fine filter material 126 Seal material 128 Mounting recess

Claims (25)

An electric pump integrally including a pump unit that sucks and pressurizes fluid by rotation of the impeller, and a motor unit that is rotatably provided in the motor chamber with an armature that drives the impeller of the pump unit,
A discharge port for directly discharging the fluid sucked and pressurized into the pump unit to the outside of the pump and a communication port for allowing a part of the fluid to flow out from the pump unit into the motor chamber are provided. Electric pump to do. The electric pump according to claim 1,
The armature includes an armature main body that forms the main body, and shafts that protrude from both end faces of the armature main body,
An electric pump comprising an engagement means for engaging the armature body and the impeller so as to be able to transmit torque on the outer side in the radial direction of the shaft. The electric pump according to claim 1 or 2,
The electric pump according to claim 1, wherein the communication port is provided after a ¼ stroke from a start end of a pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller. The electric pump according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An electric pump comprising a vapor discharge port for discharging vapor contained in a fluid in a pump stroke by one rotation of the impeller to the outside of the pump. The electric pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
2. An electric pump comprising: a second discharge port capable of discharging fluid that has flowed from the pump unit into the motor chamber through the communication port to the outside of the pump. The electric pump according to claim 5,
The electric pump, wherein the second discharge port is provided in an end plate member of the motor unit. The electric pump according to claim 5 or 6,
An electric pump comprising a check valve at the second discharge port. The electric pump according to claim 5 or 6,
A pump comprising: a jet pump that drives a fluid flow discharged from the second discharge port as a drive source. The electric pump according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An electric pump characterized in that the discharge port for directly discharging the fluid sucked and pressurized into the pump unit to the outside of the pump is provided in an end plate member of the pump unit. The electric pump according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An electric pump characterized in that a suction port of the pump part is opened on an outer surface. A fuel supply device modularized, comprising an in-tank type fuel pump that sucks and pressurizes and discharges fuel in a fuel tank, and a pre-filter that removes foreign matters in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump Because
A fuel supply device using the electric pump according to any one of claims 1 to 10 as the fuel pump. An in-tank type fuel pump that sucks and pressurizes and discharges fuel in a fuel tank, a pre-filter that removes foreign matters in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump, and is installed in the fuel tank and A fuel supply device modularized with a reserve cup for storing fuel sucked through the front filter by a fuel pump,
Using the electric pump according to any one of claims 5 to 7 as the fuel pump,
A jet pump is provided that uses the fluid flow discharged from the second discharge port of the electric pump as a drive source to transfer fuel inside the fuel tank and outside the reserve cup into the reserve cup. Fuel supply device. An in-tank type fuel pump that sucks and pressurizes and discharges fuel in a fuel tank, a pre-filter that removes foreign matters in the fuel sucked into the fuel pump, and is installed in the fuel tank and A fuel supply device modularized with a reserve cup for storing fuel sucked through the front filter by a fuel pump,
Using the electric pump according to claim 8 as the fuel pump,
By using the fluid flow discharged from the second discharge port of the electric pump as a drive source, the jet pump of the electric pump is driven, so that the fuel in the fuel tank and outside the reserve cup is taken into the reserve cup. The fuel supply device is configured to be transferred to The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front filter includes a filter element having a hierarchical structure in which the outer layer side is coarse and the inner layer side is fine. The fuel supply apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14,
The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the front filter includes a filter element formed in a substantially cylindrical shape surrounding the fuel pump. The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 15,
A fuel supply device comprising a pressure regulator for adjusting the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump. The fuel supply device according to claim 15,
A pressure regulator for adjusting the fuel pressure of the pressurized fuel discharged from the fuel pump;
The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure regulator is arranged in a radial overlapping relationship with respect to the fuel pump and the pre-filter. The fuel supply device according to claim 16 or 17,
A fuel supply apparatus, wherein at least a part of a regulator housing of the pressure regulator is formed integrally with the filter case. The fuel supply device according to claim 16 or 17,
A fuel supply device, wherein the pressure regulator is fitted in a mounting recess provided in the filter case. The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 19,
The pre-filter is connected to a discharge port that directly discharges the fluid sucked and pressurized by the pump portion of the fuel pump to the outside of the pump, and distributes the fuel discharged from the discharge port to a predetermined part. A fuel supply apparatus comprising a discharge side passage. The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 20,
A fuel supply device, wherein a suction port of the fuel pump and a passage outlet of a suction side passage of the pre-filter connected to the suction port are connected by a fitting structure including a receiving port and an insertion port. The fuel supply device according to claim 21, wherein
A fuel supply device, wherein a sealing material is interposed between an inlet of the fuel pump and an outlet of a suction side passage of the front filter. The fuel supply device according to claim 20, wherein
A fuel supply apparatus, wherein a passage inlet of a discharge side passage of the pre-filter and a discharge port of the fuel pump connected to the passage inlet are connected by a fitting structure including a receiving port and an insertion port. The fuel supply device according to claim 23, wherein
A fuel supply device, wherein a sealing material is interposed between a passage inlet of a discharge side passage of the pre-filter and a discharge port of the fuel pump. It is an electric pump as described in any one of Claims 1-10,
An electric pump comprising a check valve at the communication port.

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