JP2009236061A - Fuel supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the diverted use of a fuel supply device between fuel tanks of different shapes, restraining the displacement of a sub-tank at the time of fixing a lid-member while enhancing the sub-tank's capability to follow the altered form of a fuel tank, with regard to the fuel supply device that has a sub-tank with a fuel-pool formed at the in-take port side of a fuel pump within a fuel tank, and a lid-member that closes the opening at the upper part of the fuel tank, wherein the sub-tank and the lid-member are arranged to become closer or separated each other and coupled while being energized toward separating directions. <P>SOLUTION: The upper end part of a connection mechanism 35 and the lid-member 31 are coupled, in the vicinity of the opening 16, mutually tiltable relative to each other, so that the angles of the lid-member 31 against the sub-tank 26 and connection mechanism 35 become adjustable, in the full area within a mutually relative displacement range of the lid-member 31 of the connection mechanism 35 and the sub-tank 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  Conventionally, in the above-described fuel supply apparatus, in an in-tank type in which a fuel pump that sucks and discharges fuel in a fuel tank is installed in the fuel tank, a fuel pool should be formed on the suction side of the fuel pump. A sub-tank installed in the fuel tank, a lid member that closes an opening for inserting a fuel pump or the like in the upper part of the fuel tank, and the lid member and the sub-tank are urged and connected to the side that can be moved away from each other and separated from each other And connecting the sub-tank to the bottom of the fuel tank with the lid member attached, so that the sub-tank is kept in contact with the bottom even when the fuel tank expands or contracts. There is something like that (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

By the way, since the fuel tank has a complicated shape corresponding to its mounting space, a portion for attaching the lid member at the upper portion of the fuel tank may be provided to be inclined with respect to the portion for pressing the sub tank at the bottom portion of the fuel tank. is there. The portion for pressing the sub tank at the bottom of the fuel tank is usually provided so as to be substantially orthogonal to the pressing direction (the approaching / separating direction). On the other hand, the part to which the lid member is attached in the upper part of the fuel tank is provided inclined with respect to the approaching / separating direction. For this reason, in the said patent document 1, it fixes to the upper end part of the said connection mechanism in the state inclined suitably.
JP 2006-9583 A

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, it is necessary to set a plurality of types of fuel supply devices according to the shape of various fuel tanks depending on the vehicle type and the like, which may reduce the versatility of the device and increase the cost. There is.
In addition, the lid member is usually fixed to the upper opening of the fuel tank using an annular lock nut having substantially the same diameter as the above, but in the conventional configuration, the lid member is shared when the lock nut is tightened. If it rotates, the sub tank may be greatly displaced, and the sub tank may float with respect to the bottom of the fuel tank.
Further, in the configuration in which the sub tank is simply brought close to and away from the lid member as in the conventional case, the sub tank hardly follows the deformation of the fuel tank, and the sub tank may be lifted from the bottom of the fuel tank as described above.

  Therefore, the present invention urges a sub tank that forms a fuel reservoir on the suction side of the fuel pump in the fuel tank and a lid member that closes the opening of the upper portion of the fuel tank toward the side that can be moved away from each other and separated from each other. An object of the fuel supply device to be connected is to allow diversion between fuel tanks of different shapes, to suppress displacement of the sub tank when the lid member is fixed, and to improve the followability of the sub tank to deformation of the fuel tank.

  As a means for solving the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is a fuel supply device (for example, the pump module of the embodiment) for supplying the fuel in the fuel tank (for example, the fuel tank 1 of the embodiment) to equipment outside the fuel tank. 20) a fuel pump (for example, fuel pump 22 of the embodiment) installed in the fuel tank, and a sub-tank installed in the fuel tank so as to form a fuel reservoir on the suction side of the fuel pump. For example, the sub-tank 26 of the embodiment and a lid member (for example, the lid of the embodiment) that closes the opening for inserting the fuel pump or the like (for example, the opening 16 of the embodiment) in the upper portion of the fuel tank (for example, the upper portion 2 of the embodiment). Member 31), and a connecting mechanism (for example, connecting mechanism 35 of the embodiment) for urging and connecting the lid member and the sub-tank toward and away from each other. In the fuel supply device, in the entire relative movement range of the lid member and the sub-tank by the coupling mechanism, the angle of the lid member with respect to the sub-tank and the coupling mechanism is variable in the vicinity of the opening. The upper end portion and the lid member are connected to each other so as to be relatively tiltable.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an urging means (for example, each of the springs 42 and 43 in the embodiment) for urging the lid member and the coupling mechanism to have a predetermined relative tilt angle.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a defining means (for example, the tilt stoppers 45 and 46 in the embodiment) for defining a relative tilt range of the lid member and the coupling mechanism.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lid member can be tilted with respect to the sub tank and the coupling mechanism, so that the sub tank can be pressed against the bottom of the fuel tank in a predetermined direction, and the upper portion of the fuel tank Since the lid member can be tilted and fixed in accordance with the inclination of the fuel tank, the degree of freedom of installation of the device relative to the fuel tank can be increased, and the device can be diverted between fuel tanks of different shapes. The versatility can be improved and the cost can be reduced.
In addition, when the lid member is fixed to the upper opening of the fuel tank with an annular lock nut having substantially the same diameter as these, even if the lid member rotates slightly together when the lock nut is tightened, the lid member tilts appropriately. By doing so, the displacement of the sub-tank can be suppressed, and the floating of the sub-tank relative to the bottom of the fuel tank can be suppressed.
Furthermore, in addition to the proximity and separation of the sub tank with respect to the lid member, the sub tank tilts with respect to the lid member (upper part of the fuel tank), so that the followability of the sub tank when the fuel tank is deformed is increased. The sub tank can be prevented from floating with respect to the bottom.

  According to the second and third aspects of the invention, the relative tilting between the coupling mechanism (and the sub tank) and the lid member is suppressed, so that the assembling property of the apparatus to the fuel tank is improved, and the coupling mechanism after the assembly and Tilt of the sub tank can be suppressed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the directions such as front, rear, left and right in the following description are the same as those in the vehicle unless otherwise specified. In the figure, the arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, the arrow LH indicates the left side of the vehicle, and the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle.

1-3, the code | symbol 1 shows the fuel tank mounted under the floor 12 under the rear seat 11 of a motor vehicle, for example.
The fuel tank 1 is, for example, a resin hollow molded product, and is formed in a flat shape with reduced vertical thickness, which contributes to lowering the cabin floor and lowering the center of gravity of the vehicle. The fuel tank 1 is long in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and for example, in rear-wheel drive vehicles and 4WD vehicles, it is curved so that the left and right middle part of the lower surface protrudes upward, avoiding the propeller shaft extending forward and backward in the center below the floor. It is said to be a bowl-shaped tank. Below the left and right intermediate portions of the fuel tank 1, an underfloor load 13 that extends in the front and rear of the vehicle body such as a propeller shaft and an exhaust pipe is disposed. In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes an upper upper protrusion formed at the left and right intermediate portion of the upper portion 2 of the fuel tank 1, and reference numeral 5 denotes a bottom upper protrusion formed at the left and right intermediate portion of the bottom 3 of the fuel tank 1. Show.

  A filler pipe 6 extends obliquely upward and outward from one side of the fuel tank 1, and fuel can be supplied into the fuel tank 1 by inserting a fuel nozzle 6 b into a fuel inlet 6 a at the tip of the filler pipe 6. In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes a full tank detection valve attached to the top of the upper upper projecting portion 4 of the fuel tank 1, reference numeral 8 denotes a breather tube extending from the full tank detection valve 7 to the outside of the fuel tank 1, and reference numeral 9 denotes Each of the canisters provided in the middle of the breather tube 8 is shown.

  The floor 12 below the rear seat 11 is provided so as to incline forward, and a protrusion 12a that protrudes upward is formed on the lower side of the front portion of the rear seat 11 so that the body of the occupant can be seen from below the seat belt at the time of a vehicle front collision. Submarine phenomenon that slips through is suppressed. The fuel tank 1 disposed below the floor 12 is provided so as to incline forward so that the upper portion 2 is along the floor 12.

  Referring also to FIG. 4, an inclined flat surface portion 15 is formed on one side portion of the upper upper projecting portion 4 of the fuel tank 1 so as to be inclined along the same. An opening 16 communicating with the inside of the fuel tank 1 is formed in the inclined plane portion 15, and a module main body portion 21 of a pump module (fuel supply device) 20 is inserted into the fuel tank 1 through the opening 16.

  The pump module 20 supplies the fuel in the fuel tank 1 to the outside of the fuel tank 1 (fuel injection device of the engine). The module main body 21, the lid member 31 that closes the opening 16, A connecting mechanism 35 for connecting the lid member 31 and the module main body 21 to each other in a state where they can be moved toward and away from each other and are separated from each other, and a pipe 39 extending between the fuel outlet 32 of the lid member 31 and the module main body 21. With.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the module main body 21 includes a fuel pump 22 that sucks and discharges fuel in the fuel tank 1, a suction filter 23 provided on the suction side of the fuel pump 22, and a discharge side of the fuel pump 22. And a fuel filter 24 and a pressure regulator 25, and a fuel tank 22, a suction filter 23, a bottomed cylindrical sub tank 26 for housing the fuel filter 24 and the pressure regulator 25.

  The fuel pump 22 operates by supplying electric power from the outside, sucks the fuel in the fuel tank 1 through the suction filter 23 and discharges the fuel in a pressurized state. The fuel discharged from the fuel pump 22 is supplied to the pressure regulator 25 through the fuel filter 24 and adjusted to a predetermined pressure, and then reaches the fuel outlet 32 of the lid member 31 through the pipe 39. The fuel that has reached the fuel outlet 32 is supplied to the fuel injection device through a pipe (not shown) outside the fuel tank 1.

  The surplus return fuel resulting from the pressure adjustment by the pressure regulator 25 is supplied to a jet pump 29 formed in the bottom 27 of the sub tank 26. The jet pump 29 includes a nozzle portion 29 a provided outside the sub tank 26 in the step portion 28 of the bottom portion 27 of the sub tank 26, and a throat portion 29 b adjacent to the step portion 28 in the sub tank 26.

  The return fuel from the pressure regulator 25 is supplied to the nozzle portion 29a, and the fuel is injected from the nozzle portion 29a toward the throat portion 29b. The throat portion 29b has a cylindrical shape that communicates with the inside and outside of the sub tank 26. By fuel injection from the nozzle portion 29a, surrounding fuel is drawn into the sub tank 26 together with the fuel, and a fuel reservoir is formed in the sub tank 26. To do. The suction filter 23 is disposed in the bottom 27 of the sub tank 26, and the suction filter 23 is immersed in the fuel reservoir.

The lid member 31 has a disk shape that can close the circular opening 16 in the plan view of the inclined flat portion 15.
Here, the inclined flat surface portion 15 is formed with a cylindrical collar portion 17 that protrudes from the periphery of the opening 16 to the outside of the fuel tank 1. A thread is formed on the outer periphery of the collar portion 17, and an annular lock nut 18 can be screwed onto the outer periphery of the collar portion 17.

  The lid member 31 includes a cylindrical portion 33a that is inserted into the collar portion 17 via a cylindrical seal S, and a flange portion 33 that contacts the tip of the collar portion 17 via a seal flange SF. The lock nut 18 and the collar portion 17 are inserted into the collar portion 17 and the lock nut 18 is screwed and tightened to the collar portion 17 in a state where the flange portion 33 is in contact with the tip of the collar portion 17. The flange portion 33 is sandwiched and fixed therebetween, so that the opening 16 is closed while the lid member 31 is inclined in parallel with the inclined flat surface portion 15. Hereinafter, a direction orthogonal to the front and back surfaces of the lid member 31 (a direction orthogonal to the inclined flat surface portion 15) may be referred to as a perpendicular direction of the lid member 31. Note that the cylindrical seal S and the seal flange SF are integrally formed of a collapsible resin such as rubber.

  The coupling mechanism 35 includes a guide portion 36 fixedly provided to the sub tank 26, and a coupling rod that is supported by the guide portion 36 so as to be movable along the axial direction of the sub tank 26 and whose one end side is coupled to the lid member 31. 37 and a coil spring 38 that is contracted between one end of the connecting rod 37 and the guide portion 36.

  The connecting rod 37 has a linear shape along the axial direction of the sub tank 26. When the connecting rod 37 reciprocates with respect to the guide portion 36, the lid member 31 and the sub tank 26 (module main body portion 21) are moved closer to and away from each other. At the same time, the cover member 31 and the sub-tank 26 are biased toward the side away from each other by the spring force of the coil spring 38 wound around the outer periphery of the connecting rod 37.

  Referring also to FIG. 1, the module main body 21 is in a slightly vertically long state in which the axial direction of the sub tank 26 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction, and in this embodiment, in the vicinity of the bottom upper protrusion 5 in the fuel tank 1. Placed in. In this portion, a substantially horizontal pressing plane portion 19 adjacent to the bottom upper protrusion 5 is formed on the bottom 3 of the fuel tank 1. The inclined plane portion 15 is located above the pressing plane portion 19.

  In a state where the lid member 31 is attached to the inclined flat surface portion 15 (a state where the pump module 20 is attached to the fuel tank 1), the bottom portion 27 of the sub tank 26 (the bottom portion of the module main body portion 21) is caused by the biasing force of the coil spring 38. When pressed against the pressing flat portion 19, the sub tank 26 is in a state of being stroked upward (on the side approaching the lid member 31) by a predetermined amount.

As a result, even when the fuel tank 1 is deformed such as expansion or contraction due to a change in temperature or a change in the remaining amount of fuel, the bottom 27 of the sub-tank 26 is kept in contact with the bottom 3 of the fuel tank 1, Even when the fuel in the tank 1 decreases or the oil level is inclined, the fuel reservoir in the sub-tank 26 is secured, and the fuel pump 22 can be stably operated.
The pipe 39 can be appropriately expanded or contracted or bent according to the proximity and separation of the lid member 31 and the module main body 21.

  Here, referring to FIG. 4, the upper end member 37 a forming the one end side (upper end side) of the coupling mechanism 35 and the lid member 31 are coupled to each other via the tilt shaft 34 in the vicinity of the opening 16 so as to be relatively tiltable. Has been. The upper end member 37 a and the lid member 31 can be tilted regardless of the relative position between the lid member 31 and the sub tank 26, that is, in the entire range of relative movement between the lid member 31 and the sub tank 26.

  As a result, the module main body portion 21 is placed vertically, the lid member 31 and the sub-tank 26 are brought close to and away from each other, and the sub-tank 26 (module main body portion 21) is pressed substantially horizontally at the bottom 3 of the fuel tank 1. The lid member 31 can be tilted and fixed in accordance with the inclination of the inclined flat surface portion 15 in the upper portion 2 of the fuel tank 1 in a state in which the flat surface portion 19 can be pressed substantially along the vertical direction.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, a rod-shaped guide member 41 that is curved in a semicircular arc around the tilting shaft 34 is provided on the back surface side (inside the fuel tank 1) of the lid member 31. The guide member 41 is provided, for example, so as to penetrate the upper end member 37a of the coupling mechanism 35 in the longitudinal direction. Coil springs 42 are provided on both sides of the upper end member 37a of the guide member 41 so as to wind the outer periphery thereof. Each coil spring 42 is contracted between the back surface of the lid member 31 and the side surface of the upper end member 37a with the same spring force, and the lid member 31 and the upper end member 37a are moved at a predetermined relative tilt angle (for example, the upper end member 37a ( The connecting rod 37) is biased so that the longitudinal direction of the connecting rod 37 and the direction perpendicular to the surface of the lid member 31 are substantially parallel to each other.

  Thereby, the tilting neutral position of the lid member 31 with respect to the coupling mechanism 35 and the module main body 21 in the pump module 20 alone is determined, and the relative tilt between the lid member 31 and the coupling mechanism 35 and the module main body 21 is suppressed. Assembly of the module 20 to the fuel tank 1 is facilitated, and tilting of the pump module 20 after assembly is suppressed.

In addition, by changing the spring force of each coil spring 42 from each other, the tilting neutral position of the lid member 31 is changed (these are such that the perpendicular direction of the lid member 31 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper end member 37a). Can also be activated).
Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the lid member 31 and the upper end member 37a are urged to have a predetermined relative tilt angle by a pair of torsion springs 43 provided so as to wind the tilt shaft 34, for example. Even if it is the structure to perform, it is possible to obtain the effect similar to the above.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, on the both sides of the upper end member 37a of the guide member 41, instead of the coil springs 42 (or in combination with the coil springs 42), in the longitudinal direction of the guide member 41 It is good also as a structure which each provided the tilting stopper 45 which can be fixed in arbitrary positions. These tilting stoppers 45 define the tilting range of the lid member 31 with respect to the coupling mechanism 35 and the module main body 21 in the pump module 20 alone, and the relative relationship between the lid member 31 and the coupling mechanism 35 and the module main body 21 as described above. Tilt is suppressed, the assembly of the pump module 20 to the fuel tank 1 is facilitated, and the tilt of the pump module 20 after assembly is suppressed.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.6 (b), it is good also as a structure which provided the bracing-like tilting stopper 46 ranging over the back surface of the cover member 31, and the side surface of the upper end member 37a. The tilt stopper 46 is, for example, a curved plate having elasticity, and both ends thereof are fixed to the lid member 31 and the upper end member 37a, respectively, so that the lid member 31 and the upper end member 37a have a predetermined relative tilt angle. In addition to supporting, the relative tilting of the lid member 31 and the upper end member 37a is allowed by a predetermined amount when there is an input exceeding a predetermined value.

  As described above, the pump module 20 in the above embodiment supplies the fuel in the fuel tank 1 to equipment outside the fuel tank 1, and includes the fuel pump 22 installed in the fuel tank 1. A sub-tank 26 installed in the fuel tank 1 to form a fuel reservoir on the suction side of the fuel pump 22 and a lid for closing the opening 16 for inserting the fuel pump 22 in the upper part 2 of the fuel tank 1 A member 31 and a connecting mechanism 35 that urges and connects the lid member 31 and the sub tank 26 to the sides that can be moved away from each other and separated from each other; The opening is set so that the angle of the lid member 31 with respect to the sub-tank 26 and the coupling mechanism 35 is variable over the entire relative movement range. The upper end portion of the coupling mechanism 35 at 6 near and the lid member 31 is the concatenation to be relatively tilted to each other.

According to this configuration, the lid member 31 can be tilted with respect to the sub tank 26 and the coupling mechanism 35, so that the sub tank 26 can be pressed against the bottom 3 of the fuel tank 1 in a predetermined direction, and then the fuel tank 1. Since the lid member 31 can be tilted and fixed in accordance with the inclination of the upper part 2, the degree of freedom of installation of the device with respect to the fuel tank 1 can be increased and the device can be diverted between fuel tanks of different shapes. In addition, the versatility of the device can be improved and the cost can be reduced.
Further, when the lid member 31 is fixed to the opening 16 of the upper portion 2 of the fuel tank 1 with the annular lock nut 18 having substantially the same diameter as these, even if the lid member 31 rotates slightly when the lock nut 18 is tightened. The displacement of the sub tank 26 is suppressed by appropriately tilting the lid member 31, and the sub tank 26 can be prevented from floating with respect to the bottom 3 of the fuel tank 1.
Furthermore, the sub tank 26 tilts with respect to the lid member 31 (the upper part 2 of the fuel tank 1) in addition to the proximity and separation of the sub tank 26 with respect to the lid member 31, so that the followability of the sub tank 26 when the fuel tank 1 is deformed. In the same manner as above, the sub tank 26 can be prevented from floating with respect to the bottom 3 of the fuel tank 1.

  Further, the pump module 20 includes a coil spring 42 (or a torsion spring 43) that urges the lid member 31 and the coupling mechanism 35 to have a predetermined relative tilt angle, whereby the coupling mechanism 35 (and the sub tank). 26) and the lid member 31 can be prevented from being tilted relative to each other, so that the assembly of the apparatus to the fuel tank 1 can be improved, and the tilting of the coupling mechanism 35 and the sub tank 26 after assembly can be suppressed.

  Further, the pump module 20 is provided with a tilt stopper 45 (or tilt stopper 46) that defines the relative tilt range of the lid member 31 and the coupling mechanism 35, so that the apparatus can be assembled to the fuel tank 1 as described above. In addition, the tilting of the coupling mechanism 35 and the sub tank 26 after assembly can be suppressed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pressure regulator 25 is integrally provided in the module main body 21 in the fuel tank 1 and the discharged fuel is discharged when the fuel pump 22 is operated. Although a returnless type fuel supply system that returns a part of the fuel directly to the fuel tank 1 is provided, a pressure regulator 25 is provided outside the fuel tank 1, and the pressure regulator 25 is connected to the fuel tank 1 via a separate pipe or the like. It is good also as a return type fuel supply system which returns a fuel.

Further, the sub tank 26 may be configured to accommodate at least the periphery of the suction filter 23 (the suction side of the fuel tank 1) to constitute the fuel reservoir, and the suction filter 23 is immersed in the fuel reservoir. If only the sub-tank 26 is close to or away from the lid member 31, the sub-tank 26 may be configured to be separated.
In addition, the lid member 31 and the upper end member 37a of the coupling mechanism 35 may be coupled so as to be tiltable (can be tilted in multiple directions) via a universal joint or the like. At this time, the urging means such as the springs 42 and 43 in FIG. 5 and the restricting means such as the tilt stoppers 45 and 46 in FIG. 6 may be used in appropriate combination.
And the structure in the said Example is an example of this invention, For example, it can apply also to the fuel tank for normal FF vehicles which are not saddle-shaped tanks, and RR vehicles, Of course, in the range which does not deviate from the summary of the said invention It goes without saying that changes are possible.

It is a front view including the partial cross section around the fuel tank in the Example of this invention. It is a top view around the fuel tank. FIG. 3 is a left side view around the fuel tank. It is a front view including the partial cross section which shows the attachment before the pump module of the said fuel tank. (A), (b) is the elements on larger scale of Drawing 4 showing the energizing means which energizes the lid member of the above-mentioned pump module to a predetermined tilt angle. (A), (b) is the elements on larger scale of FIG. 4 which show the prescription | regulation means which prescribes | regulates the tilting range of the cover member of the said pump module.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel tank 2 Upper part 16 Opening 20 Pump module (fuel supply apparatus)
22 Fuel pump 26 Sub tank 31 Lid member 35 Connection mechanism 42 Coil spring (biasing means)
43 Torsion spring (biasing means)
45 Tilt stopper (regulating means)
46 Tilt stopper (regulation means)

Claims (3)

A fuel supply device for supplying fuel in a fuel tank to equipment outside the fuel tank,
A fuel pump installed in the fuel tank;
A sub-tank installed in the fuel tank to form a fuel reservoir on the suction side of the fuel pump;
A lid member for closing the opening for inserting the fuel pump or the like in the upper part of the fuel tank;
A fuel supply device comprising: a connecting mechanism that urges and connects the lid member and the sub-tank to the sides that can be moved away from each other and separated from each other;
In the entire relative movement range of the lid member and the sub tank by the coupling mechanism,
In order to make the angle of the lid member relative to the sub tank and the coupling mechanism variable,
A fuel supply apparatus, wherein an upper end portion of the coupling mechanism and the lid member are coupled to each other so as to be relatively tiltable in the vicinity of the opening.   The fuel supply device according to claim 1, further comprising an urging unit that urges the lid member and the coupling mechanism to have a predetermined relative tilt angle.   The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a defining unit that defines a relative tilt range of the lid member and the coupling mechanism.

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