JP2008195201A - Fuel storage device of internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a sufficient cruising distance even when only one kind of fuel can not be fed, in an internal combustion engine using a plurality of kinds of fuels, in a fuel storage device of the internal combustion engine. <P>SOLUTION: This fuel storage device 10 has a box-shaped fuel tank body 12 and a bag-shaped vessel 14 arranged inside the fuel tank body 12. A space surrounded by an inner surface of the fuel tank body 12 and an outside surface of the bag-shaped vessel 14, is formed as a first storage chamber 16, and an inside space of the bag-shaped vessel 14 is formed as a second storage chamber 18. Different fuels can be stored in the first storage chamber 16 and second storage chamber 18. The volume ratio of the first storage chamber 16 and the second storage chamber 18 changes by expanding or contracting the bag-shaped vessel 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-105043 discloses an apparatus capable of operating an internal combustion engine using both 100% gasoline fuel and a mixed fuel of gasoline and alcohol. In this apparatus, a gasoline tank for storing gasoline and a mixed fuel tank for storing mixed fuel are provided individually, and the capacities of both tanks are fixed.

JP 2006-105043 A JP 2006-242084 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-33961

  As in the above-described conventional apparatus, in a vehicle provided with individual fuel tanks with fixed capacities for each of a plurality of fuels used in an internal combustion engine, only one type of fuel is prepared at the gas station where the vehicle stops. In some cases, only the fuel tank can be refueled, so the other fuel tanks must be restarted with a low remaining capacity. For this reason, there arises a disadvantage that the cruising distance of the vehicle is limited.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in an internal combustion engine using a plurality of types of fuel, even when only some types of fuel can be supplied, a sufficient cruising distance is ensured. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine.

In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is a fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine,
A box-shaped fuel tank body;
A plurality of storage chambers that are formed inside the fuel tank body and store a plurality of fuels having different properties;
Volume ratio varying means for varying the volume ratio between the plurality of storage chambers;
It is characterized by providing.

The second invention is the first invention, wherein
A bag-like container installed inside the fuel tank body,
A space surrounded by an inner surface of the fuel tank main body and an outer surface of the bag-like container and an inner space of the bag-like container are respectively set as the storage chambers.

The third invention is the first invention, wherein
Comprising a plurality of bag-like containers installed inside the fuel tank body;
The internal space of each bag-like container is the storage chamber.

Moreover, 4th invention is 2nd or 3rd invention,
The bag-like container can be expanded to a size that occupies most of the internal space of the fuel tank body.

According to a fifth invention, in any one of the second to fourth inventions,
Detecting means for detecting tension or internal pressure of the bag-like container;
Fuel remaining amount calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of fuel in the bag-like container based on the detection result of the detecting means;
It is characterized by providing.

The sixth invention is the first invention, wherein
Partitioning the inside of the fuel tank body, comprising a partition member installed movably inside the fuel tank body;
Each space partitioned by the partition member is the storage chamber.

The seventh invention is the sixth invention, wherein
The partition member is freely movable so that the liquid level in the storage chamber located on both sides thereof is equal.

The eighth invention is the sixth or seventh invention, wherein
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the partition member;
A liquid level detecting means for detecting a liquid level in the storage chamber;
Based on the position of the partition member and the liquid level, a fuel remaining amount calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of fuel in the storage chamber;
It is characterized by providing.

According to a ninth invention, in any one of the first to eighth inventions,
A main oiling passage,
A plurality of branch oil supply passages branched from the main oil supply passage and leading to the respective storage chambers;
A switching valve for selectively communicating the main oil supply passage with one of the plurality of branch oil supply passages;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the volume ratio between the plurality of storage chambers formed therein can be made variable without changing the size of the fuel tank body. For this reason, when refueling, if only some types of fuel among the plurality of fuels used in the internal combustion engine can be refueled, the volume of the fuel storage chamber that can be refueled can be increased. Therefore, even when only some types of fuel among a plurality of fuels can be refueled, it is possible to avoid the amount of fuel refining being limited, and therefore it is possible to prevent the cruising distance from being shortened. . Further, since the cruising distance does not become short, it is not necessary to increase the size as compared with a normal fuel tank that stores only one type of fuel. Therefore, it can be installed in the same installation space as a normal fuel tank when mounted on a vehicle.

  According to the second invention, the volume ratio between the storage chamber inside the bag-like container and the storage chamber outside the bag-like container is obtained by expanding / shrinking the bag-like container installed inside the fuel tank body. Can be freely changed.

  According to the third invention, each of the plurality of bag-like containers installed inside the fuel tank main body expands / shrinks, so that the volume ratio between the storage chambers constituted by the internal space of each bag-like container is increased. It can be changed freely.

  According to the fourth invention, the bag-like container can be expanded to a size that occupies most of the internal space of the fuel tank body. For this reason, even when only one type of fuel can be supplied, the total volume of the fuel storage device can be almost full.

  According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to detect the tension or the internal pressure of the bag-like container and calculate the remaining amount of fuel in the bag-like container based on the detection result. In the bag-like container, the remaining amount of fuel cannot be detected from the liquid level. On the other hand, according to the fifth aspect, the remaining amount of fuel in the bag-like container can be accurately detected by a simple method.

  According to the sixth invention, the partition member that partitions the inside of the fuel tank main body into a plurality of storage chambers moves, so that the volume ratio between the plurality of storage chambers can be freely changed.

  According to the seventh invention, the partition member is freely movable. For this reason, a partition member moves automatically so that the liquid level height in the storage chamber located in the both sides may become equal. Therefore, the volume ratio between the storage chambers can be automatically changed according to the fuel remaining amount of each storage chamber.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount of fuel in each storage chamber can be accurately calculated based on the position of the partition member and the liquid level.

  According to the ninth aspect, by switching the switching valve, the main oil supply passage can be selectively communicated with one of the plurality of branch oil supply passages that communicate with each storage chamber. For this reason, a plurality of fuels can be supplied to the respective storage chambers from one fuel supply port.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element which is common in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a fuel storage device 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A fuel storage device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that stores fuel for supplying an internal combustion engine (not shown) that can use two types of fuel (for example, gasoline and ethanol).

  The fuel storage device 10 has a box-shaped fuel tank body (housing) 12. The fuel tank main body 12 is made of, for example, a metal material, a resin material, or the like, and has a rigidity that does not substantially change its internal volume.

  Inside the fuel tank body 12, a bag-like container (a bladder tank) 14 is installed. The bag-like container 14 is made of a rubber material or a resin material having flexibility (stretchability). The internal volume of the bag-like container 14 can be changed by freely expanding and contracting according to the amount of fuel stored in the bag-like container 14. FIG. 1 shows a state where the bag-like container 14 is expanded to a middle level. The bag-like container 14 is further expanded from this state, and can be expanded to a size that occupies most of the internal space of the fuel tank body 12.

  As described above, the volume of the bag-like container 14 changes according to the amount of fuel stored therein. For this reason, it is possible to keep almost no air inside the bag-like container 14. As a result, there is almost no contact between the fuel and the air inside the bag-like container 14, and generation of fuel vapor can be prevented, which can contribute to reduction of emissions.

  In such a fuel storage device 10, a space surrounded by the inner surface of the fuel tank body 12 and the outer surface of the bag-like container 14 is the first storage chamber 16, and the inner space of the bag-like container 14 is the second. It is a storage chamber 18. Different types of fuel can be stored in the first storage chamber 16 and the second storage chamber 18. Hereinafter, the fuel (for example, gasoline) stored in the first storage chamber 16 is referred to as “first fuel”, and the fuel (for example, ethanol) stored in the second storage chamber 18 is referred to as “second fuel”.

  Branch fuel supply passages 20 and 22 are connected to the fuel tank body 12. The branch oil supply passage 20 communicates with the first storage chamber 16, and the branch oil supply passage 22 communicates with the second storage chamber 18. The branch oil supply passages 20 and 22 merge with the main oil supply passage 24 on the upstream side. The main oil supply passage 24 is connected to a vehicle oil supply port. A switching valve 26 is installed at a location where the branch oil supply passages 20 and 22 branch from the main oil supply passage 24. The switching valve 26 can be switched so that the main oil supply passage 24 is selectively communicated with one of the branch oil supply passages 20 and 22.

  In the present embodiment, the first fuel and the second fuel are supplied to the first storage chamber 16 and the second storage chamber 18 from one fuel supply port by switching the switching valve 26 according to the type of fuel to be supplied. Each can be introduced. Note that, unlike such a configuration, the first storage chamber 16 and the second storage chamber 18 may be refueled from separate fuel filler ports, respectively.

  The first fuel stored in the first storage chamber 16 is sucked out from the suction port 28 and supplied to the internal combustion engine through the fuel supply passage 30. The suction port 28 is fixed to the outer wall of the bag-like container 14. Thus, the suction port 28 can be displaced as the bag-like container 14 expands and contracts.

  The second fuel stored in the second storage chamber 18 is sucked out from the suction port 32 and supplied to the internal combustion engine through the fuel supply passage 34. The suction port 34 is fixed to the inner wall of the bag-like container 14.

  In such a fuel storage device 10, when the bag-like container 14 expands or contracts and the volume of the second storage chamber 18 increases or decreases, the volume of the first storage chamber 16 decreases or increases accordingly. That is, the total volume of the first storage chamber 16 and the second storage chamber 18 can be kept constant, and the volume ratio of both can be continuously changed.

  When the remaining amount of fuel in the second storage chamber 18 is small, the bag-like container 14 is crushed and thinned. In this state, the volume of the first storage chamber 16 occupies most of the total volume. Therefore, in this case, the storage amount of the first fuel can be increased to an amount corresponding to the majority of the total volume.

  On the other hand, in the state where the remaining amount of fuel in the first storage chamber 16 is small, the bag-like container 14 can be expanded to the maximum, that is, the size that occupies most of the internal space of the fuel tank body 12. is there. When the bag-like container 14 is expanded to the maximum extent, the volume of the second storage chamber 18 occupies most of the total volume. Therefore, in this case, the storage amount of the second fuel can be increased to an amount corresponding to most of the total volume.

  The fuel storage device 10 as described above has the following advantages. In a vehicle that can use two types of fuel, when stopping at a gas station, only one of the first fuel and the second fuel is placed, and only one of the fuels can be refueled. . In such a case, in the fuel storage device 10, since the volume ratio between the first storage chamber 16 and the second storage chamber 18 is variable, even when only one fuel is supplied, the fuel storage device 10 The total volume of can be filled. In other words, even if only one of the first fuel and the second fuel can be refueled, it is not possible to fill only about half of the total volume, so that it is possible to avoid shortening the cruising distance. it can. Further, since the cruising distance does not become short, it is not necessary to increase the size as compared with a normal fuel tank that stores only one type of fuel. Therefore, it can be installed in the same installation space as a normal fuel tank when mounted on a vehicle.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the same matters will be simplified or described. Omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a fuel storage device 10 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, in the fuel storage device 10 of the present embodiment, a similar bag-like container 36 is further installed inside the fuel tank body 12 in addition to the bag-like container 14. The internal space of the bag-like container 36 is the first storage chamber 16. A suction port 28 for sucking out the first fuel stored in the first storage chamber 16 is fixed to the inner wall of the bag-like container 36.

  According to the fuel storage device 10 of the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, there are the following advantages. In the present embodiment, not only the second storage chamber 18 that stores the second fuel but also the first storage chamber 16 that stores the first fuel changes in volume according to the remaining amount of fuel. Almost no air can enter the storage chamber 16. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the fuel vapor of both the 1st fuel and the 2nd fuel can be prevented, and it can contribute to the further reduction of an emission.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the same matters will be simplified or described. Omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a fuel storage device 10 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, in the fuel storage device 10 of the present embodiment, a partition plate 38 is installed inside the fuel tank body 12. The internal space of the fuel tank body 12 is divided into two by a partition plate 38, one of which is the first storage chamber 16 and the other of which is the second storage chamber 18.

  The partition plate 38 is installed so as to be freely movable left and right in FIG. A pressure corresponding to the height of the liquid level 40 in the first storage chamber 16 acts on the right side surface of the partition plate 38 in FIG. 3, and the left side surface of the partition plate 38 in FIG. 2 The pressure according to the height of the liquid level 42 in the storage chamber 18 acts. As a result, the partition plate 38 automatically moves to a position where the height of the liquid level 40 in the first storage chamber 16 is equal to the height of the liquid level 42 in the second storage chamber 18.

  The fuel storage device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a sender gauge 44 that detects the liquid level of the fuel, and a position sensor 46 that detects the position of the partition plate 38. Signals from the sender gauge 44 and the position sensor 46 are input to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 50.

  In this embodiment, the volume ratio of the 1st storage chamber 16 and the 2nd storage chamber 18 can change freely by the partition plate 38 moving right and left. For this reason, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the ECU 50 determines each of the first fuel and the second fuel based on the liquid level detected by the sender gauge 44 and the position of the partition plate 38 detected by the position sensor 46. The remaining amount can be calculated. That is, the total remaining amount of fuel can be calculated from the liquid level height, and the remaining amount ratio between the first fuel and the second fuel can be calculated from the position of the partition plate 38, so that the first fuel and the second fuel can be calculated. The remaining amount of each can be obtained. The calculated remaining information of the first fuel and the second fuel is displayed on the instrument panel of the vehicle and is notified to the driver.

  In addition, in this embodiment, since the liquid level height of the 1st storage chamber 16 and the 2nd storage chamber 18 becomes equal, there exists an advantage that only one sender gauge 44 needs to be installed.

  In the third embodiment described above, the partition plate 38 is the “partition member” in the sixth aspect of the invention, the position sensor 46 is the “position detecting means” in the eighth aspect of the invention, and the sender gauge 44 is the first part. The ECU 50 corresponds to the “liquid level detecting means” in the eighth invention, and the “fuel remaining amount calculating means” in the eighth invention.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the same matters will be simplified or described. Omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a fuel storage device 10 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, in the fuel storage device 10 of the present embodiment, a strain gauge 48 is attached to the container wall of the bag-like container 14. A signal from the strain gauge 48 is input to the ECU 50.

  The bag-like container 14 expands greatly as the amount of remaining fuel in the interior (second storage chamber 18) increases. For this reason, the greater the remaining amount of fuel in the second storage chamber 18, the greater the tension acting on the container wall of the bag-like container 14. That is, the remaining amount of fuel in the second storage chamber 18 and the tension of the container wall of the bag-like container 14 have a correlation. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the ECU 50 stores a map or an arithmetic expression indicating the correlation in advance. The ECU 50 can calculate the remaining amount of the second fuel in the second storage chamber 18 based on the tension of the container wall of the bag-like container 14 detected by the strain gauge 48. The calculated remaining fuel amount information is displayed on the instrument panel of the vehicle and is notified to the driver.

  In the present embodiment, the internal pressure of the bag-like container 14 increases as the remaining amount of fuel in the bag-like container 14 increases. For this reason, the remaining amount of fuel in the second storage chamber 18 is also correlated with the internal pressure of the bag-like container 14. Therefore, the internal pressure of the bag-like container 14 may be calculated based on the tension detected by the strain gauge 48, and the remaining amount of fuel in the second storage chamber 18 may be calculated based on the internal pressure. Further, the pressure in the second storage chamber 18 may be detected by a pressure sensor, and the remaining fuel amount in the second storage chamber 18 may be calculated from the pressure value.

  Further, when there are a plurality of bag-like containers as in the second embodiment, the remaining amount of fuel in each bag-like container can be detected by installing a strain gauge in each.

  In the fourth embodiment described above, the strain gauge 48 corresponds to the “detecting means” in the fifth invention, and the ECU 50 corresponds to the “fuel remaining amount calculating means” in the fifth invention.

  In each embodiment described above, the case where there are two storage chambers has been described, but the fuel storage device of the present invention may include three or more storage chambers.

It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel storage apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel storage apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel storage apparatus of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel storage apparatus of Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fuel supply apparatus 12 Fuel tank main body 14 Bag-like container 16 1st storage chamber 18 2nd storage chamber 20, 22 Branch oil supply passage 24 Main oil supply passage 26 Switching valve 30, 34 Fuel supply passage 36 Bag-like container 38 Partition plate 40, 42 Liquid level 44 Sender gauge 46 Position sensor 48 Strain gauge 50 ECU

Claims (9)

A box-shaped fuel tank body;
A plurality of storage chambers that are formed inside the fuel tank body and store a plurality of fuels having different properties;
Volume ratio varying means for varying the volume ratio between the plurality of storage chambers;
A fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine, comprising: A bag-like container installed inside the fuel tank body,
2. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein a space surrounded by an inner surface of the fuel tank body and an outer surface of the bag-like container and an inner space of the bag-like container are each the storage chamber. Fuel storage device. Comprising a plurality of bag-like containers installed inside the fuel tank body;
2. The fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein an internal space of each bag-like container is the storage chamber.   The fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the bag-like container is expandable to a size that occupies most of the internal space of the fuel tank body. Detecting means for detecting tension or internal pressure of the bag-like container;
Fuel remaining amount calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of fuel in the bag-like container based on the detection result of the detecting means;
The fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising: Partitioning the inside of the fuel tank body, comprising a partition member installed movably inside the fuel tank body;
2. The fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein each of the spaces partitioned by the partition member is the storage chamber.   The fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 6, wherein the partition member is freely movable so that the liquid level heights in the storage chambers located on both sides thereof are equal. Position detecting means for detecting the position of the partition member;
A liquid level detecting means for detecting a liquid level in the storage chamber;
Based on the position of the partition member and the liquid level, a fuel remaining amount calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of fuel in the storage chamber;
The fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: A main oiling passage,
A plurality of branch oil supply passages branched from the main oil supply passage and leading to the respective storage chambers;
A switching valve for selectively communicating the main oil supply passage with one of the plurality of branch oil supply passages;
The fuel storage device for an internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by comprising:

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