JP2008180112A - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a fuel supply device capable of positively retaining a liquid film seal of a fuel discharge port of a jet pump and smoothly performing pumping action of the jet pump. <P>SOLUTION: A lower end of a fuel discharge pipe 8b of a first jet pump for sucking fuel inside a sub tank 3S is surrounded by a fuel sump 30. A communication passage 31 is provided for connecting the fuel sump 30 with a vapor vent hole 6d of an electric pump 6. Fuel discharged from the vapor vent hole 6d is filled inside the fuel sump 30. Thereby, leakage of air from the first jet pump 8 is prevented by sealing the fuel discharge port 8c with a liquid film of the fuel filled inside the fuel sump 30, so that the fuel can remain inside the first jet pump 8. When driving the electric pump 6 again, the fuel inside the sub tank 3S can be smoothly introduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel supply device that supplies fuel in a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine.

  Conventionally, various fuel supply apparatuses have been proposed. For example, the fuel supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to supply the fuel in the fuel tank to the outside of the tank by a fuel pump, and the fuel tank is provided with a plurality of divided tanks. The fuel pump is arranged in one of the divided tanks.

A jet pump is provided to collect the fuel in the other split tank in one split tank provided with a fuel pump, and the fuel supplied from the return pipe is jetted from the nozzle of the jet pump, and the jet flow So that the fuel in the other split tank is sucked by the tube by the negative pressure generated in the tank, and the sucked fuel is introduced into the split tank in which the fuel pump is arranged through the fuel discharge pipe suspended from the nozzle. It has become.
JP 2004-137985 A

  In the fuel supply device, the fuel in each division tank can be collected in the division tank in which the fuel pump is arranged by the jet pump using the fuel supplied from the return pipe.

  Here, the lower end position which becomes the fuel discharge port of the fuel discharge pipe of the jet pump is located above the bottom surface of the fuel tank by a predetermined height.

  For this reason, when the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank decreases and the liquid level becomes lower than the lower end of the fuel discharge pipe, the fuel discharge port of the fuel discharge pipe is opened to the tank inner space, and the fuel discharge port The liquid film cannot be sealed, causing air leakage in the jet pump.

  In such a state where air leaks, negative pressure cannot be generated in the jet pump, and when the fuel pump is re-driven, fuel in the divided tank cannot be smoothly introduced.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device that can more reliably hold a liquid film seal at a fuel discharge port of a jet pump and make the jet pump operate more smoothly.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the fuel supply device, a fuel reservoir portion is provided that surrounds the lower end portion of the fuel discharge pipe of the jet pump, and a communication passage that communicates the fuel reservoir portion with the vapor hole of the fuel pump is provided. The fuel reservoir is filled with the fuel discharged from the vapor punching hole.

  The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that the fuel reservoir is formed integrally with a case for housing the fuel pump.

  The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the communication passage is formed integrally with a case for housing the fuel pump.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lower end portion of the fuel discharge pipe of the jet pump is surrounded by the fuel reservoir portion, and the fuel reservoir portion and the vapor vent hole of the fuel pump are communicated with each other through the communication passage. Since the fuel discharged from the tank is filled in the fuel reservoir, the liquid discharge port provided at the lower end of the fuel discharge pipe is sealed with a liquid film with the fuel from the vapor hole filled in the fuel reservoir. Air leakage of the jet pump can be prevented. As a result, fuel can remain in the jet pump, and even when the fuel pump is re-driven, the fuel in the other divided tanks can be sucked smoothly and introduced into the reservoir. it can.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the fuel reservoir portion is formed integrally with the case of the fuel pump, the fuel reservoir portion can be formed using the existing case, so that the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. Can be reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the communication path is formed integrally with the case of the fuel pump, the communication path can be formed using the existing case, so that the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. Can do.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the entire fuel supply apparatus according to this embodiment in which a pump module is incorporated in a fuel tank, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pump module. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a developed cross-sectional view showing a fuel flow path of the pump module, and FIG. 5 is taken along line BB in FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply device 1 according to the present embodiment sucks fuel in a fuel tank 3 by a pump module 2 and supplies the fuel to an internal combustion engine (not shown) outside the fuel tank 3. It is.

  The fuel tank 3 is formed as a sealed container having a substantially rectangular cross section. In the present embodiment, the fuel tank 3 is configured as a bowl-shaped tank in which the internal space is divided into two by a tunnel-shaped recessed portion 3b provided on the bottom wall 3a. A main tank 3M as one division tank and a sub tank 3S as the other division tank are provided with the concave portion 3b as a boundary. Note that the capacity of the main tank 3M is larger than that of the sub tank 3S.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pump module 2 is fixed to the ceiling wall 3c of the main tank 3M and attached in a suspended state in the main tank 3M.

  The bottom wall 3a of the main tank 3M is provided with a container-like reservoir 4 whose upper side is opened to ensure a predetermined fuel height even when the fuel tank 3 is tilted. A minimum amount of fuel is stored, and the pump module 2 is accommodated in the reservoir 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pump module 2 includes a case 5, an electric pump 6 as a fuel pump, a fuel filter 7 for removing dust discharged from the electric pump 6, and the fuel in the sub tank 3S on the main tank 3M side. The first jet pump 8 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) for transferring to the fuel tank and the second jet pump 9 (see FIG. 4) for taking the fuel in the main tank 3M into the reservoir 4 are schematically configured. ing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a regulator 10 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, is provided integrally in the pump module 2, whereby the fuel supply device 1 of the present embodiment provides fuel from the pump module 2 to the internal combustion engine. Therefore, a so-called non-return type fuel supply system that does not require the surplus fuel to be returned from the internal combustion engine is configured.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the case 5 has a mounting bracket 5 a provided on the upper side thereof detachably sealed and attached to a mounting port 3 d formed on the ceiling wall 3 c of the main tank 3 </ b> M. Are provided with a fuel supply port 11 for supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine, and a connector 13 for energizing electrical components such as an electric pump 6 and a liquid level gauge 12 provided in the pump module 2. And each electrical component are connected by a harness 13a. The liquid level gauge 12 is provided on the side surface of the reservoir 4, and the liquid level gauge 12 is provided with a float 12b at the tip of a stay 12a projecting so as to be rotatable.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the main body portion 5 b of the case 5 is supplied with the fuel discharged from the pump storage portion 14 of the electric pump 6, the filter storage portion 15 of the fuel filter 7, and the electric pump 6. A fuel feed port 11 and a fuel passage 16 for feeding the first jet pump 8 and the second jet pump 9 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the electric pump 6 housed in the pump housing part 14 supplies the fuel introduced from the lower part of the reservoir 4 to the upper end part via a suction filter 17 connected to the introduction port 6 a provided at the lower end part. It discharges from the provided discharge port 6b.

  At this time, a vapor extraction hole 6d is provided in the lower part of the electric pump 6 where the introduction port 6a is provided, and a part of the fuel is discharged outward from the vapor extraction hole 6d.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel passage 16 includes a discharge fuel passage 16 </ b> A that guides the fuel discharged from the electric pump 6 to the upper end of the filter housing 15, and the fuel that has passed through the fuel filter 7 from the upper side to the lower side. A main fuel passage 16B that guides to the fuel delivery port 11, a branch passage 16C that branches from the middle of the main fuel passage 16B and communicates with the regulator 10, and a distribution chamber in which the fuel that has passed through the regulator 10 is provided above the case 5 And a return passage 16D for feeding to 16E.

  The fuel introduced into the distribution chamber 16E is distributed and fed to the first jet pump 8 and the second jet pump 9.

  The first jet pump 8 includes a jet nozzle 8a that communicates with the distribution chamber 16E, and a fuel discharge pipe 8b that covers the outside of the jet nozzle 8a and hangs substantially vertically downward. An introduction passage 18 for introducing the fuel in the sub tank 3S is provided at the peripheral edge of the fuel outlet.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a sub-fuel introduction chamber 18a of the sub-tank 3S is provided adjacent to the jet nozzle 8a, and an introduction tube 19 (introducing the fuel of the sub-tank 3S is provided on the bottom of the sub-fuel introduction chamber 18a. A sub fuel port 18b and an introduction passage 18 are formed to connect each other (see FIG. 1). A suction filter 19 a is attached to the fuel introduction port (tip portion) of the introduction tube 19.

  Therefore, in the first jet pump 8, when the fuel supplied from the distribution chamber 16E is ejected from the jet nozzle 8a, the negative pressure generated in the fuel jet flow of the jet nozzle 8a causes the sub fuel introduction chamber 18a to enter. The introduced fuel in the sub tank 3S is sucked from the introduction passage 18, and the fuel is introduced into the reservoir 4 from the fuel discharge pipe 8b together with the fuel ejected from the jet nozzle 8a. At this time, the fuel discharge port 8c formed at the lower end of the fuel discharge pipe 8b is disposed above the bottom surface of the reservoir 4 by a predetermined height H as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, on the bottom surface of the distribution chamber 16E, an upper pipe 20 communicating with the distribution chamber 16E is suspended substantially vertically downward, and a lower pipe 21 is erected from the bottom of the reservoir 4, and the lower pipe 21 The upper end of the upper tube 20 is slidably closely fitted to the outer periphery of the lower end of the upper tube 20, and a coil spring 22 is interposed between the upper end of the lower tube 21 and the lower surface of the distribution chamber 16E in a compressed state. .

  Accordingly, the reservoir 4 is pressed downward by the urging force of the coil spring 22 and is stably brought into contact with the bottom wall 3a of the main tank 3M.

  The second jet pump 9 is configured at the lower part of the lower pipe 21, is fitted to the lower end of the lower pipe 21, and extends along the bottom wall 3 a of the main tank 3 M toward the inside of the reservoir 4. And a fuel discharge pipe 9b that covers the outside of the jet nozzle 9a and extends in the fuel injection direction of the jet nozzle 9a, and has a tip opening located in the reservoir 4. An opening 9c that communicates with the bottom of the main tank 3M is formed in the lower portion of the jet nozzle 9a of the fuel discharge pipe 9b.

  Therefore, in the second jet pump 9, when the fuel supplied from the distribution chamber 16E is ejected from the jet nozzle 9a via the upper pipe 20 and the lower pipe 21, the opening is caused by the negative pressure generated in the fuel jet flow. The fuel in the main tank 3M is sucked from the portion 9c, and the sucked fuel is introduced into the reservoir 4 from the fuel discharge pipe 9b.

  Here, in the fuel supply apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a jet pump that sucks fuel in the sub tank 3 </ b> S, that is, a lower end portion of the fuel discharge pipe 8 b of the first jet pump 8. And a communication passage 31 that communicates between the fuel reservoir 30 and the vapor vent hole 6d of the electric pump 6 is provided, and the fuel discharged from the vapor vent hole 6d is stored in the fuel reservoir. The part 30 is filled.

  That is, the fuel reservoir 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape whose inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fuel discharge pipe 8b, and the upper portion of the fuel reservoir 30 is placed below the fuel discharge pipe 8b by a predetermined amount L. They are overlapped and fitted.

  Therefore, the fuel discharged from the fuel discharge pipe 8 b overflows from the gap δ 1 between the fuel discharge pipe 8 b and the fuel reservoir 30 and is supplied into the reservoir 4.

  The fuel reservoir 30 is formed integrally with the case 5 that houses the electric pump 6. That is, the fuel reservoir 30 is integrally formed so as to protrude from the side wall 14 a of the pump storage portion 14 of the case 5.

  Further, even in the communication path 31, it is formed integrally with the case 5, and a predetermined gap δ2 is provided between the bottom surface 14b of the pump housing portion 14 and the lower surface of the electric pump 6, and the gap δ2 is defined as the communication path 31. Of course, the vapor punching hole 6d communicates with the gap δ2.

  With the above configuration, according to the fuel supply device 1 of the present embodiment, the fuel reservoir 30 surrounds the lower end of the fuel discharge pipe 8b of the first jet pump 8 that sucks the fuel in the sub tank 3S, and the fuel reservoir 30 is filled with the fuel discharged from the vapor extraction hole 6d fed from the communication passage 31, so that the fuel level in the reservoir 4 is more than the fuel discharge port 8c provided at the lower end of the fuel discharge pipe 8b. Even in the case of lowering, the fuel discharge port 8c can be liquid-sealed with fuel from the vapor extraction hole 6d filled in the fuel reservoir 30, and air leakage of the first jet pump 8 can be suppressed.

  For this reason, fuel can be left in the first jet pump 8, and as a result, fuel can be left in the introduction tube 19 communicating with the sub tank 3S, and the electric pump 6 is re-driven. In this case, the fuel in the sub tank 3S can be sucked smoothly and introduced into the reservoir 4.

  In addition, since the lower end portion of the fuel discharge pipe 8b is surrounded by the fuel reservoir 30, the position of the fuel discharge port 8c of the fuel discharge pipe 8b can be freely set. If it is set higher than the liquid level of the tank 3M, even if the fuel tank 3 is tilted and the liquid level of the main tank 3M is higher than the liquid level of the sub tank 3S, the main tank It is possible to prevent the fuel from returning from 3M to the sub tank 3S.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the fuel reservoir 30 is formed integrally with the case 5 of the electric pump 6, since the fuel reservoir 30 can be formed using the existing case 5, the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. Can be made.

  Furthermore, the communication passage 31 for feeding the fuel discharged from the vapor punching hole 6d to the fuel reservoir 30 is formed integrally with the case 5, so that the communication passage 31 is similarly formed using the existing case 5. Therefore, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  By the way, although the fuel supply device of the present invention has been described by taking an example as an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various other embodiments can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. As the fuel tank 3, a vertical tank in which the upper space of the main tank 3M and the sub tank 3S is communicated has been disclosed. However, the main tank and the sub tank are not limited to this, and the bottoms of the two divided tanks are separated from each other. The present invention can also be applied to a fuel tank that is communicated by a communication pipe.

  Further, technical ideas other than the claims that can be grasped from the above-described embodiments are described below together with the effects thereof.

  (A) In the fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, it is preferable that the fuel discharged from the vapor punching hole is discharged upward.

  Thereby, since it can prevent that the fuel discharged | emitted from the vapor | steam extraction hole applies to the suction filter provided under the fuel pump, generation | occurrence | production of the noise which arises when a fuel pump inhales a bubble can be eliminated.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an entire fuel supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a pump module is incorporated in a fuel tank. The top view of the pump module of the fuel supply apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing along the AA line in FIG. Sectional drawing which expand | deploys and shows the fuel distribution path of the pump module of the fuel supply apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing along the BB line in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Fuel supply device 3 Fuel tank 3M Main tank (one split tank)
3S sub tank (the other divided tank)
4 Reservoir 5 Case 6 Electric pump (fuel pump)
6d Vapor hole 8 First jet pump (jet pump)
8a Jet nozzle 8b Fuel discharge pipe 30 Fuel reservoir 31 Communication path

Claims (3)

A fuel tank composed of a plurality of divided tanks;
A reservoir provided in one split tank of the fuel tank for storing fuel;
A fuel pump that is housed in the reservoir, sucks the fuel in the reservoir and feeds the fuel tank outward, and has a vapor vent hole;
A fuel supply apparatus comprising: a jet pump that introduces a part of fuel discharged from the fuel pump and ejects the fuel from a jet nozzle, sucks fuel in another divided tank by the ejected flow, and introduces the fuel into the reservoir In
A fuel reservoir that surrounds the lower end of the fuel discharge pipe of the jet pump and a communication passage that communicates the fuel reservoir with the vapor vent of the fuel pump are provided, and fuel discharged from the vapor vent Is filled in the fuel reservoir.   The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fuel reservoir is formed integrally with a case that houses the fuel pump.   The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the communication path is formed integrally with a case that houses the fuel pump.

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