JP2008229593A - Filter device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filter device having higher durability of a pump than conventional ones. <P>SOLUTION: Provision of a melting/solidifying part 48 at a position facing a suction port 22 prevents pass of fuel through the melting/solidifying part 48, and prevents a roughly linear flow from the position facing the suction port 22 to the suction port of a fuel pump, thus the fuel turns around the suction port 22 and flows to the suction port of the fuel pump. This configuration suppresses deformation of a filter 16 at the position of the filter 16 facing the suction port 22. Accordingly, a sticking phenomenon to the suction port 22 can be suppressed, pressure loss through the filter is lowered, to enhance the durability of the fuel pump. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a filter device provided at a suction port of a fuel pump.

  Fuel in a fuel tank of an automobile or the like is delivered to the engine room by a fuel pump, and a filter device for filtering the fuel in the fuel tank is provided at the suction port of the fuel pump. .

  It is known that a bone member made of resin is provided on the lower surface side of the filter medium of this filter device (Patent Document 1). However, in the conventional filter, it is necessary to bond the bone member to the filter medium or insert-mold it, and it takes time to manufacture.

In addition, there is a technique of spot welding (so-called dot welding) of a plurality of filter media (Patent Document 2), but the welding point is small, and under the fuel pump suction port, the entire or innermost layer is formed by the suction force of the fuel pump. The filter medium may be deformed. In this case, a burden is imposed on the suction force of the fuel pump, which may affect the durability of the fuel pump.
DE36099905 gazette JP 2000-246026 A

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a filter device in which the durability of a pump is made higher than before.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a filter device that is provided in a suction port of a pump that sucks fluid, and filters the fluid with a filter formed of resin fiber, and the filter is formed in a bag shape and fluid is passed through the internal space. A filter member that can flow, a suction part that is formed in the filter member and allows the internal space and the suction port to communicate with each other, and a melting and solidifying part that melts the filter that faces the suction part. It is characterized by.

  At the position facing the suction part communicating with the suction port of the pump, the suction force by the pump is the largest, the filter is bent toward the suction part side, and a sticking phenomenon to the suction part may occur. For this reason, in the first aspect of the present invention, a melt-solidified portion obtained by melting the filter is provided at a position facing the suction portion of the filter.

  Since the fluid does not pass through the melt-solidified part, there is no linear flow from the position facing the suction part to the suction port of the pump, and the pump sucks into the suction part of the pump from around the suction part. It will flow to the mouth.

  Thereby, the suction force of the pump at the position facing the suction part can be reduced, and deformation of the filter can be suppressed. Therefore, the sticking phenomenon to the suction portion can be suppressed, the pressure loss of the filter can be reduced, and the durability of the pump can be improved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the filter device according to the first aspect, the filter is formed by spot welding a plurality of resin fibers, and the melt-solidified portion is larger than the spot welded portion. Features.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the filter is formed by spot welding a plurality of resin fibers so that the resin fibers are integrated. Thereby, the resin fiber located inside the filter is prevented from bending in the internal space. And the melt-solidification part is made larger than this point welding part.

  When the areas of the spot welded portion and the melt-solidified portion are increased, the filtration area of the filter device is reduced accordingly. Since the spot welded portion is formed for the purpose of integrating the resin fibers, it is preferable that the point welded portion be as small as possible in consideration of the filtration area. On the other hand, since the melt-solidified part is provided for the purpose of changing the flow of fluid, a certain size is required. For this reason, the melt-solidified part is made larger than the point welded part.

  In addition, by configuring the filter with a plurality of resin fibers, impurities contained in the fluid can be efficiently removed according to the particle size. Moreover, the use of the filter device can be expanded by changing the combination of the material and fiber diameter of each resin fiber according to the fluid.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the filter device according to the first or second aspect, the melt-solidified portion extends radially from a portion facing the suction portion.

  In the invention described in claim 3, since the melt-solidified part is radially extended around the portion facing the suction part, a plurality of straight lines can be connected to each other. From the invention, it is possible to further increase the strength of the filter and further suppress the deformation of the filter.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the filter device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a rib that secures an internal space of the filter is provided around the suction portion, and at least the melt solidification A part of the portion overlaps the top surface of the rib.

  In the invention according to claim 4, a rib for securing the internal space of the filter is provided around the suction portion, and at least a part of the melt-solidified portion is overlapped with the top surface of the rib, whereby the melt-solidified portion Compared with the case where a part of the surface does not overlap the top surface of the rib, the strength of the filter can be increased and the deformation of the filter can be suppressed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the filter device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the shape of the melt-solidified portion is a line, a point, or a circle, and these are formed singly or in combination. It is characterized by that.

  When the area of the melt-solidified portion is increased, the filtration area is reduced correspondingly. Therefore, in the invention according to claim 5, the pressure loss of the filter is reduced by combining lines, dots, or circles alone or in combination. Therefore, the shape of the melt-solidified portion can be effectively suppressed.

  Since the present invention has the above configuration, the durability of the pump can be made higher than before.

  Next, a filter device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, a fuel pump 10 provided in a vehicle or the like is provided with a fuel pump 12, and the fuel in the fuel tank 10 is sucked by the fuel pump 12, and an engine room (illustrated) is shown. (Omitted). Here, a filter device 14 is provided on the suction port side of the fuel pump 12, and the fuel in the fuel tank 10 is filtered by the filter device 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the filter device 14 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and a filter 16 in which the outer edge is welded in a folded state to form a bag, and is provided inside the filter 16. The resin-made bone member 18 is comprised. Note that the shape of the filter 16 varies depending on the shape of the fuel tank 10 and the location of the fuel pump 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the filter 16 includes a plurality of resin fibers 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D (here, the resin fibers have a four-layer structure), and the resin fibers 16A, 16B, and 16C. Is formed of a heat-meltable resin nonwoven fabric. The resin fibers 16A, 16B, and 16C have different fiber diameters, and the resin fibers 16A, 16B, and 16C can efficiently remove impurities contained in the fuel according to the particle diameter.

  Further, the outermost resin fiber 16D has a larger outer shape than the resin fibers 16A, 16B, and 16C, and a resin having high heat-welding property such as polypropylene is used. The resin fibers 16D facing each other are reliably welded.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4B, the bone member 18 has a substantially flat plate shape and is covered with the filter 16. A hole 20 is formed in the filter 16, and a cylindrical suction port 22 (described later) provided in the bone member 18 can be inserted therethrough.

  A plurality of openings 24 are formed in the bone member 18, and the fuel filtered by the filter 16 can pass through the openings 24. The bone member 18 is provided with a suction port 22 that communicates with the suction port of the fuel pump 12 (see FIG. 1), and the fuel filtered by the filter 16 passes through the suction port 22 to the fuel pump 12. Inhaled.

  A connection member 28 connected to the suction port of the fuel pump 12 is attached to the suction port 22. In addition, a disc-shaped sandwiching portion 30 having a diameter larger than that of the suction port 22 is provided at the base of the suction port 22, and the connection member 28 has substantially the same size as the sandwiching portion 30 and the suction port 22. A holding part 32 and a suction port 34 are provided. When the suction port 34 and the suction port 22 are integrated by welding or the like, the suction port 34 and the suction port 22 communicate with each other, and fuel can flow in the suction port 34 and the suction port 22.

  Here, the suction port 34 and the suction port 22 are welded through the hole 20 formed in the filter 16. However, in the state where the suction port 22 and the suction port 34 are integrated, the sandwiching unit 30 and the sandwiching unit 32. A gap is provided between them, and the peripheral portion of the hole 20 of the filter 16 is sandwiched between the sandwiching portion 30 and the sandwiching portion 32 in a compressed state.

  An annular rib 36 projects from the inside of the sandwiching portion 30 (on the sandwiching portion 32 side). When the filter 16 is sandwiched between the sandwiching portion 30 and the sandwiching portion 32, the annular rib 36 bites into the filter 16. Thus, the filter 16 is prevented from shifting with respect to the sandwiching portion 32.

  Thereby, the connecting member 28, the bone member 18, and the filter 16 are integrated, and the suction port 34 of the connecting member 28 is connected to the suction port of the fuel pump 12 as the filter device 14 as shown in FIG.

  By the way, as shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), a plurality (three in this case) of arcs on the same circumference at intervals of 120 ° are provided on the outer side of the clamping part 30 (on the opposite side of the clamping part 32). A rib 38 protrudes. Since the arc rib 38 provides flow resistance for the fuel flowing to the suction ports 22 and 34, it is preferable to provide the arc rib 38 on the outer edge side as much as possible.

  Further, reinforcing ribs 42 having substantially the same height as the arc ribs 38 project from the bone portions 40 constituting the bone member 18 along the same direction as the arc ribs 38. The reinforcing rib 42 is formed at a portion where the length of the bone portion 40 is longer than that of the other bone portion 40, an intersection of the bone portion 40 and the bone portion 40, etc., and reinforces the bone member 18, as well as the reinforcing rib 42 and the arc. The rib 38 secures a space 44 in the filter 16, and fuel can flow in the space 44.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the filter 16 is composed of a plurality of resin fibers 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D, and therefore, the spot welded portions 46 (see FIG. 3 (B)) at predetermined intervals. The resin fibers 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D are integrated with each other. Accordingly, the resin fibers 16A and the like located inside the filter 16 are prevented from bending in the space 44.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4A, a Y-shaped melt-solidified portion 48 extending outward from the axial center of the suction port 22 is provided at a position facing the suction port 22 of the filter 16. As shown in FIG. 5, the resin fibers 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D are integrated. Accordingly, the resin fibers 16A and the like located inside the filter 16 are prevented from bending in the space 44. And the tip part overlaps with the top face of arc rib 38, respectively, and three arc ribs 38 are bridged mutually by melt solidification part 48.

  Here, the point welded portion 46 and the melt-solidified portion 48 are formed before the substantially rectangular filter 16 is folded in half. For example, a method of welding the filter 16 with an ultrasonic welder (not shown). There is.

  In addition to ultrasonic welding, the melt-solidified portion 48 and the spot welded portion 46 may be formed by thermal welding using a heater. A melted and solidified portion 48 is formed by bringing a hot plate (not shown) through which heat from the heater is conducted into contact with the filter 16, and Y for forming the melted and solidified portion 48 is formed on this hot plate. A character-shaped projecting portion is provided.

  In addition to this, the melt-solidified portion 48 may be formed by thermal welding with a laser. A laser head (not shown) can be moved in parallel with the filter 16, or a jig (not shown) for placing the filter 16 is provided so as to be horizontally movable, and a laser is provided at a place where the melt-solidified portion 48 and the spot weld portion 46 are formed. To be irradiated. In addition to this, the filter 16 may be melted by applying heat to the filter 16 by induction heating or hot air.

  Next, the operation of the filter device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the present embodiment, the holding portion 30 is protruded at a position facing the suction port 22 communicating with the suction port of the fuel pump 12 (see FIG. 1). A Y-shaped melted and solidified portion 48 is provided so as to bridge the three arc ribs 38.

  The position of the filter 16 facing the suction port of the fuel pump 12 has the largest suction force by the fuel pump 12, and the filter 16 bends toward the suction port 22 as shown in FIG. May occur.

  For this reason, by providing the melt-solidified portion 48 at a position facing the suction port 22, the fuel does not pass through the melt-solidified portion 48, so that the position from the position facing the suction port 22 toward the suction port of the fuel pump 12 is substantially reduced. The straight flow (see FIG. 6) disappears, and the fuel pump 12 flows around the suction port 22 around the suction port (see FIG. 4B).

  Thereby, the deformation | transformation of the filter 16 in the position which faces the suction port 22 of the filter 16 can be suppressed. Therefore, the sticking phenomenon to the suction port 22 can be suppressed, the pressure loss of the filter 16 can be reduced, and the durability of the fuel pump 12 can be improved.

  In addition, since the shape of the melt-solidified portion 48 is Y-shaped and extends radially from the portion facing the suction port 22, a plurality of straight lines can be connected to each other. The strength of the part can be increased. Further, the filter 16 is melted and solidified by causing the tip of the melt-solidified portion 48 to overlap the top surface of the arc-shaped rib 38 protruding from the sandwiching portion 30 so that the arc-shaped ribs 38 are bridged over each other. The strength of the portion can be further increased and deformation of the filter 16 can be suppressed.

  In addition to the Y-shape, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a spot-like melt-solidified portion 66 having a diameter larger than that of the point welded portion 46 is provided at a position facing the suction port 22. Also good. Thereby, compared with the case where the melt-solidification part 66 is not provided, the intensity | strength of the filter 16 can be raised.

  The position facing the suction port 22 that communicates with the suction port of the fuel pump 12 has the largest suction force by the fuel pump 12, and thus the melt-solidification unit 66 is provided by providing the melt-solidification unit 66 in this portion. The deformation of the filter 16 can be suppressed compared to the case where there is no filter.

  Here, if the areas of the spot welded portion 46 and the melt-solidified portion 66 are increased, the filtration area of the filter device 14 is reduced accordingly. Since the spot welded portion 46 is formed for the purpose of integrating the resin fibers 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D, it is preferable that the point welded portion 46 be as small as possible in consideration of the filtration area. On the other hand, since the melt-solidifying part 66 is provided for the purpose of changing the flow of fluid, a certain size is required. For this reason, it is better to make the melt-solidified portion 66 larger than the spot welded portion 46.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, linear melt-solidified portions 68 are provided which are respectively formed radially so as to straddle the top surfaces of the three arc ribs 38 of the sandwiching portion 30. May be. By allowing the melt-solidified portion 68 to straddle the top surface of the arc rib 38, the strength of the filter 16 around the top surface of the arc rib 38 is increased, compared with the case where the melt-solidified portion 68 is not provided, The deformation of the filter 16 can be suppressed.

  Further, not only the linear melt-solidified portions 48 and 68 but also a circular melt-solidified portion 70 as shown in FIG. 9A. In this case, it overlaps with the top surface of each arc rib 38.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, a melt-solidified portion 75 configured by a double circle of an inner circle 72 and an outer circle 74 may be formed. Here, the arc rib 38 is arranged between the inner circle 72 and the outer circle 74, but one of the inner circle 72 and the outer circle 74 overlaps the top surface of the arc rib 38. Alternatively, the inner circle 72 and the outer circle 74 may overlap the top surface of the arc rib 38.

  Further, the melt-solidified part may be formed so as to intersect a plurality of straight lines. As shown in FIG. 9C, in the case of the cross-shaped melt-solidified portion 76, if the axis of the suction port 22 and the intersection of the two straight lines of the melt-solidified portion 76 coincide with each other, only one arc rib 38 is a straight line. Will not be applied.

  For this reason, the position of the intersection of the straight lines may be shifted so that each straight line is applied to the top surface of the arc rib 38, or each straight line is applied to the arc rib 38 at intervals of 90 °. good. When each straight line is placed on the arc rib 38, the strength of the filter 16 increases, and the deformation of the filter 16 can be more effectively suppressed.

  In addition to continuous straight lines and circles, as shown in FIG. 9D, a plurality of dot-shaped melt-solidified portions 78 may be provided. Further, here, the melt-solidified part is formed with lines, circles, and points independently, but a shape in which these are combined may be used. Thereby, it can be set as the shape of the fusion | melting solidification part effective in reducing the pressure loss of the filter 16 and suppressing the deformation | transformation of the filter 16. FIG.

Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated as the filter apparatus 14 which filters fuel, the fluid to filter is not restricted to fuel. Therefore, depending on the type of fluid, the material, fiber diameter, and the like of the resin fibers 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D constituting the filter 16 may be changed.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rectangular filter 16 is folded in half and the outer edge portion is welded to form a bag, but it is not always necessary to fold it in half, and prepare a filter for the upper surface and the lower surface, The outer edge portions of the upper surface and lower surface filters may be overlapped and welded to form a bag shape.

It is a whole sectional view of a fuel tank provided with a filter device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a perspective view of a filter device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing of the filter which comprises the filter apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (A) is before welding, (B) is after welding. It is an enlarged view which shows the summary of the filter apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (A) is a top view, (B) is sectional drawing. It is sectional drawing which shows the summary of the filter which comprises the filter apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the comparative example for demonstrating the effect | action of the filter apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view which shows the 1st modification of the filter apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (A) is a top view, (B) is sectional drawing. It is an enlarged view which shows the 2nd modification of the filter apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (A) is a top view, (B) is sectional drawing. (A)-(D) are the top views which show the other modification of the filter apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

14 Filter Device 16 Filter 16A Resin Fiber 16B Resin Fiber 16C Resin Fiber 16D Resin Fiber 22 Suction Port (Suction Port)
38 Arc Rib (Rib)
46 Point Welding Portion 48 Melting and Solidifying Portion 66 Melting and Solidifying Portion 68 Melting and Solidifying Portion 70 Melting and Solidifying Portion 72 Inner Circle (Melt and Solidifying Portion)
74 Outer circle (melt-solidified part)
75 Melting and solidifying part 76 Melting and solidifying part 78 Melting and solidifying part

Claims (5)

A filter device that is provided at a suction port of a pump that sucks fluid and filters the fluid with a filter formed of resin fibers,
A filter member capable of flowing a fluid in an internal space with the filter as a bag,
A suction part that is formed in the filter member and communicates the internal space with the suction port;
A melt-solidified part in which the filter facing the suction part is melted;
A filter device comprising:   The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the filter is formed by spot welding a plurality of resin fibers, and the melt-solidified portion is larger than the spot weld portion.   3. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the melted and solidified portion extends radially around a portion facing the suction portion. 4.   A rib for securing an internal space of the filter is provided around the suction portion, and at least a part of the melt-solidified portion overlaps with a top surface of the rib. The filter device according to claim 1.   The filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shape of the melt-solidified portion is a line, a point, or a circle, and these are formed alone or in combination.

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