JP2011122560A - Fuel supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel supply system uneventfully supplying fuel to an engine even if horizontal force acts on the fuel and also achieving energy saving. <P>SOLUTION: This fuel supply system 100 includes: a fuel pump unit 40; a sub tank 30 forming a storage chamber 30a and a first supply passage 32 supplying the fuel to the storage chamber 30a; and a pressure regulator 46 discharging excessive fuel in the fuel expelled by the fuel pump unit 40. In the fuel supply system, a stock chamber 60a stocking the excessive fuel discharged from the drain port 48 of the pressure regulator 46, and a stock tank 60 forming a second supply passage 62 supplying the fuel stocked in the stock chamber 60a to the storage chamber 30a, are provided in the sub tank 30. A float valve 66 is provided in the second supply passage 62. The float valve 66 cancels disconnection of the second supply passage 62 when the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber 30a falls below the float valve 66. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel supply device that is installed in a fuel tank and supplies the fuel stored in the fuel tank to the outside.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a fuel supply device that includes a sub tank that houses a fuel pump and stores fuel sucked by the fuel pump is known. As a kind of such fuel supply device, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 include a jet pump for forcibly injecting fuel in the vicinity of the fuel supply device outside the sub tank into the sub tank. A fuel supply apparatus is disclosed. These jet pumps realize the forced inflow of fuel into the sub tank by using surplus fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine among the fuel discharged from the fuel pump.

  In the fuel supply apparatuses described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the jet pump is a supply path formed in the sub tank, and can supply the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply apparatus into the sub tank. It is provided in the supply path. The jet pump is composed of a nozzle portion for injecting fuel, a throat portion for narrowing the supply path, etc., and by generating surplus fuel from the nozzle portion toward the throat portion, a low pressure portion is generated by a high-speed jet flow, The fuel near the nozzle can be forced to flow.

  Specifically, in the fuel supply device of Patent Document 1, surplus fuel that is diverted in a pressure regulator that adjusts the pressure of fuel supplied to the engine to a predetermined pressure and discharged from the pressure regulator is supplied to the nozzle portion of the jet pump. It is supplied and sprayed from the nozzle part. Further, in the fuel supply device of Patent Document 2, the fuel pump includes the vapor generated in the fuel pump in the surplus fuel that is diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine, and the surplus fuel is supplied to the engine. Vomiting from a different location. And the surplus fuel containing this vapor is supplied to the nozzle part of a jet pump, and is injected from the said nozzle part.

  Due to the configuration in which the fuel is forced to flow into the sub tank by the jet pump, the liquid level of the fuel in the sub tank is maintained higher than the liquid level of the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device outside the sub tank. obtain. Therefore, even if the supply of fuel to the sub tank is interrupted due to the fact that the fuel is not in the vicinity of the fuel supply device due to the deviation of the fuel in the fuel tank due to the action of the horizontal force, The fuel will not run out. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which fuel supply to the engine is delayed.

JP 2008-248801 A Special table 2003-536005 gazette

  In the fuel supply devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the jet pump flows more fuel into the sub tank than is sucked into the fuel pump in order to keep the fuel level in the sub tank high. I have to let it. Therefore, a large amount of surplus fuel was supplied to the jet pump. Specifically, in the fuel supply device of Patent Document 1, the flow rate of the surplus fuel that is diverted in the pressure regulator greatly exceeds the flow rate required to adjust the pressure of the fuel supplied to the engine. Further, in the fuel supply device of Patent Document 2, the flow rate of the surplus fuel discharged from the fuel pump including the vapor is significantly higher than the flow rate required to discharge the vapor from the fuel pump.

  In these fuel supply devices described above, the fuel pump must discharge a large amount of surplus fuel for maintaining the liquid level in the subtank high in addition to the fuel supplied to the engine, thereby reducing the discharge flow rate. It was difficult. Therefore, although it is possible to prevent a situation in which fuel supply to the engine is delayed, an increase in energy consumed by the fuel pump has been caused.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a fuel supply device that can supply fuel to an engine without delay even when a horizontal force acts on the fuel and realizes energy saving. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel supply device that is installed in a fuel tank and supplies the fuel stored in the fuel tank to the engine. A fuel pump that discharges toward the fuel, a storage chamber that houses the fuel pump and stores fuel sucked by the fuel pump, and a first supply path that can supply fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device to the storage chamber Of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump, the sub-tank to be formed, the surplus fuel discharge part that discharges surplus fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine, and the sub-tank that is stored in the sub-tank and discharged from the surplus fuel discharge part A storage chamber for storing surplus fuel, and a valve mechanism for connecting the storage chamber to the storage chamber, forming a second supply path capable of supplying the fuel stored in the storage chamber to the storage chamber, and blocking the second supply path A storage tank, and the valve mechanism is configured to release the cutoff of the second supply path by lowering the level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber and lowering the valve mechanism around the valve mechanism. And a fuel supply device.

  According to the present invention, the first supply passage formed in the sub tank can supply the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device to the storage chamber storing the fuel sucked by the fuel pump. Therefore, when there is fuel in the vicinity of the fuel supply device, the fuel naturally flows from the vicinity into the storage chamber through the first supply path in accordance with the decrease in the liquid level in the storage chamber due to the suction of the fuel pump. The fuel pump sucks the fuel supplied to the storage chamber and discharges it toward the engine.

  A part of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump is diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine and discharged from the surplus fuel discharge section as surplus fuel. The discharged surplus fuel is stored in a storage room formed in a storage tank accommodated in the sub tank. Since the second supply path that communicates the storage chamber with the storage chamber of the sub tank is blocked by the valve mechanism, the fuel level in the storage chamber gradually increases.

  Under the above conditions, when there is no fuel near the fuel supply device due to the deviation of the fuel in the fuel tank due to the action of the force in the horizontal direction, the fuel passes through the first supply path from the vicinity to the storage chamber. Fuel supply is interrupted. Then, the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber gradually decreases due to the suction of the fuel by the fuel pump. When the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber falls below the valve mechanism around the valve mechanism, the shutoff of the second supply path by the valve mechanism is released, and the fuel stored in the storage chamber enters the storage chamber. Supply becomes possible. Therefore, the fuel stored in the storage room is supplied to the storage room through the second supply path. In this way, by receiving the supply of fuel stored in the storage chamber through the second supply path, even if the supply of fuel through the first supply path is interrupted, the fuel in the storage chamber of the sub tank is not immediately exhausted.

  According to the above configuration, in addition to the fuel supplied to the engine, the fuel pump does not have to discharge excess fuel for maintaining the liquid level in the storage chamber high. Therefore, since the discharge flow rate of the fuel pump can be reduced, the energy consumed by the fuel pump can also be suppressed. Therefore, even when a horizontal force is applied to the fuel, the fuel can be supplied to the engine without delay, and a fuel supply device that realizes energy saving can be provided.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the storage tank forms the second supply path along the direction of gravity, and the valve mechanism includes a valve seat portion provided on a flow path wall of the second supply path, and a valve seat portion. On the other hand, the second supply path is provided on the downstream side in the supply direction from the storage chamber toward the storage chamber and is seatable on the valve seat portion and has a valve body having a lighter specific gravity than the fuel. And

  According to the present invention, in a state where the fuel naturally flows into the storage chamber of the sub tank, buoyancy can be generated in the valve body having a lighter specific gravity than the fuel. This valve body is located on the downstream side in the supply direction from the storage chamber to the storage chamber with respect to the valve seat portion. In addition, since the valve seat is provided on the flow path wall of the second supply passage formed along the direction of gravity, the valve body is urged in the direction of seating on the valve seat by buoyancy, and the valve Sit on the seat.

  From the above state, when the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber is lowered due to the interruption of the fuel supply through the first supply path to the storage chamber, the fuel seat is below the valve seat portion around the valve mechanism. Then, due to the decrease in the buoyancy in the direction of seating on the valve seat portion that has acted on the valve body, the valve body receives the pressure of the fuel in the second supply path and separates from the valve seat portion. Therefore, the interruption | blocking of the 2nd supply path by a valve mechanism is cancelled | released, and the fuel stocked by the storage chamber is supplied to a storage chamber through a 2nd supply path.

  Even if the valve mechanism as described above has a simple configuration, the second supply path is shut off so that the fuel can be stored in the storage chamber, and the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber is lowered. When the valve mechanism is below the valve seat, the second supply path can be reliably released from being shut off.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sub tank forms an introduction path through which fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device can be introduced into the storage chamber, is located in the introduction path, and narrows the introduction path The throttle part and the introduction throttle part are located upstream of the introduction throttle part in the introduction direction of the fuel flowing toward the storage chamber, and the surplus fuel discharged from the surplus fuel discharge part is directed to the introduction throttle part. And an introduction jet pump having an introduction injection unit for injection.

  According to the present invention, the introduction injection section is located upstream of the introduction throttle section in the introduction direction with respect to the introduction throttle section provided in the introduction path to throttle the introduction path. The introduction injection unit injects the surplus fuel discharged from the surplus fuel discharge unit toward the introduction throttle unit. This excess fuel injection reduces the pressure in the introduction throttle. When the pressure is reduced at the introduction throttle located in the introduction path, the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device can be sucked into the introduction path and introduced as it is into the storage chamber. According to the above, since the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device together with the surplus fuel is introduced into the storage chamber, the fuel in the storage chamber can be quickly raised. Therefore, even when a horizontal force repeatedly acts on the fuel, it is possible to prevent a situation where the fuel in the storage chamber of the sub tank is exhausted.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the sub tank allows inflow of fuel from the vicinity of the fuel supply device outside the sub tank to the storage chamber and outflow of fuel from the storage chamber to the outside in the first supply path. It has the check valve which prevents this.

  According to the present invention, the check valve allows inflow of fuel from the vicinity of the fuel supply device outside the sub tank toward the storage chamber in the first supply path, so that the fuel is supplied from the outside of the sub tank to the first supply path. Can naturally flow into the storage chamber. In addition, the check valve prevents the fuel from flowing out from the storage chamber to the outside of the sub tank in the first supply path, so that the fuel is stored in the storage chamber even when there is no fuel in the vicinity of the fuel supply device. Can stay on. Furthermore, the fuel supplied from the storage chamber to the storage chamber can also reliably stay in the storage chamber. According to the above, by providing the check valve, the fuel in the storage chamber and the storage chamber can be reliably sucked into the fuel pump, so that the effect of the present invention that can supply fuel to the engine without delay is ensured. Can be.

  In the fifth aspect of the present invention, a pressure-regulating fuel discharge portion that discharges fuel to the outside is provided, and a part of the fuel discharged by the fuel pump is separated from the fuel supplied to the engine on the downstream side of the fuel pump. And a pressure adjusting mechanism for adjusting the pressure of fuel supplied to the engine by discharging from the pressure adjusting fuel discharging portion, and the surplus fuel discharging portion is a pressure adjusting fuel discharging portion. .

  According to the present invention, the pressure of fuel generally supplied to the engine must be adjusted. The pressure is adjusted by diverting a part of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump from the fuel supplied to the engine by a pressure adjusting mechanism provided on the downstream side of the fuel pump. This is done by discharging to the outside. The fuel pump is stored in the storage room by using the pressure-regulating fuel discharge part as a surplus fuel discharge part and storing the fuel discharged from the pressure-regulating fuel discharge part as surplus fuel in the storage room. Therefore, it may not be necessary to discharge the surplus fuel.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 6, the fuel pump has a bubble discharge part that discharges the bubble generated in the fuel pump into the fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine. The fuel discharge unit is a bubble discharge unit.

  According to the present invention, generally, when the fuel pump is operated, bubbles are generated in the fuel pump. In order for the fuel pump to continue discharging, the bubbles must be discharged from the fuel pump. Therefore, the fuel pump includes bubbles in the fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine and discharges the bubbles from the bubble discharge unit. By making this bubble discharge part into the surplus fuel discharge part, the fuel pump may not have to discharge the surplus fuel only for being stored in the storage room.

  By using the surplus fuel as in the inventions of the fifth and sixth aspects, the stockpile can be reliably stored while the flow rate discharged from the fuel pump is suppressed. Furthermore, the form which stores both the fuel discharged | emitted from a pressure regulation fuel discharge part and the fuel discharged | emitted from a bubble discharge part in a storage room may be sufficient. In this embodiment, the liquid level of the fuel in the storage chamber can be quickly raised, so that even when a horizontal force is repeatedly applied to the fuel, it is possible to prevent a situation where the fuel in the storage chamber of the sub tank is depleted. .

  In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the fuel pump includes a bubble discharge portion that discharges the bubbles generated in the fuel pump by including the bubbles separated from the fuel supplied to the engine. An inflow restrictor that restricts the first supply passage and is located upstream of the inflow restrictor in the inflow direction of the fuel that flows toward the storage chamber. It further includes an inflow jet pump having an inflow injection portion that injects surplus fuel discharged from the flow toward the inflow throttle portion.

  According to the present invention, when the surplus fuel discharged from the pressure adjusting fuel discharge portion of the pressure adjusting mechanism is stored in the storage chamber, the fuel discharged from the bubble discharge portion of the fuel pump is stored in the storage chamber. It does not have to be. Therefore, the fuel supply apparatus may include an inflow jet pump that assists the flow of fuel that naturally flows into the sub tank from the vicinity of the fuel supply apparatus using the fuel discharged from the bubble discharge section.

  On the other hand, in the invention according to claim 8, the fuel is provided with a pressure-regulating fuel discharge portion for discharging the fuel to the outside, and a part of the fuel discharged by the fuel pump is supplied to the engine on the downstream side of the fuel pump. And a pressure adjusting mechanism that adjusts the pressure of the fuel supplied to the engine by discharging the pressure from the pressure adjusting fuel discharge section, and an inflow that is located in the first supply path and throttles the first supply path The throttle portion and the inflow throttle portion are positioned upstream of the inflow throttle portion in the inflow direction of the fuel flowing toward the storage chamber, and the fuel discharged from the pressure regulating fuel discharge portion is directed toward the inflow throttle portion. And an inflow jet pump having an inflow injection portion for injecting, and the fuel pump discharges bubbles generated in the fuel pump included in the fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine It has a bubble discharge part, and the surplus fuel discharge part Characterized in that it is a foam discharging unit.

  According to the present invention, when the surplus fuel discharged from the bubble discharge portion of the fuel pump is stored in the storage chamber, the fuel discharged from the pressure adjusting fuel discharge portion of the pressure adjusting mechanism is stored in the storage chamber. It does not have to be. Therefore, an inflow jet pump that assists the flow of the fuel that naturally flows into the storage chamber from the vicinity of the fuel supply device using the fuel discharged from the pressure-regulating fuel discharge portion may be provided.

  The inflow jet pump according to the seventh and eighth aspects of the invention is located in the first supply path, and flows into the storage chamber through the inflow throttle section that throttles the first supply path and the inflow throttle section. And an inflow injection portion located upstream of the inflow restricting portion in the fuel inflow direction. The inflow jet pump injects surplus fuel discharged from the pressure-regulating fuel discharge section or the bubble discharge section from the inflow injection section toward the inflow throttle section on the downstream side in the inflow direction. Reduce. By reducing the pressure in the inflow restrictor located in the first supply path, the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device can be sucked into the first supply path and flow into the storage chamber as it is. According to the above, the fuel supply device can reliably perform the inflow of fuel into the storage chamber through the first supply path while reducing the flow rate discharged from the fuel pump.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel supply apparatus by 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of FIG. It is a figure which shows another modification of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of FIG. It is a figure which shows another modification of FIG. It is a figure which shows another modification of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol to the corresponding component in each embodiment.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a fuel supply apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The fuel supply device 100 is a device that is installed in a fuel tank 13 mounted on a vehicle together with an internal combustion engine or the like, and supplies the fuel stored in the fuel tank 13 to an external internal combustion engine or the like. Here, for convenience, the following description will be made with the ceiling 13a side of the fuel tank 13 as the upper side of the fuel supply device 100 and the bottom 13b side as the lower side. In addition, this up-down direction shall be along the gravity direction.

  The fuel supply device 100 includes a flange 20, a sub tank 30, a fuel pump unit 40, a pressure regulator 46, a housing 50, a suction filter 70, and the like.

  The flange 20 is a lid that is formed in a disk shape by a resin material or the like and closes the opening 13 c opened in the ceiling 13 a of the fuel tank 13. An upper portion of the flange 20 is provided with a flange projecting annularly outward in the radial direction, and is in liquid-tight contact with the outer surface of the ceiling portion 13a. In addition, the flange 20 is formed with a fuel discharge pipe 21, a power supply socket 22, and the like, and a fuel hose 25, a power supply wiring (not shown), a guide shaft 24a, a spring 24b, and the like are assembled.

  The fuel discharge pipe 21 and the power supply socket 22 are integrally formed when the flange 20 is molded. The fuel discharge pipe 21 is connected to a pressure regulator 46 by a fuel hose 25, and discharges the fuel pumped up from the fuel pump unit 40 toward the internal combustion engine. The power supply socket 22 is connected to the fuel pump unit 40 via a power supply wiring. Electric power is supplied to the fuel pump unit 40 by connecting an external power supply plug (not shown) to the power supply socket.

  The guide shaft 24a is a columnar bar made of a metal material, and has a proximal end attached to the flange 20 so that the distal end protrudes toward the sub tank 30 side. The guide shaft 24a is disposed at two locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the flange 20 (only one of the two locations is shown in FIG. 1). A sub tank 30 is slidably attached to the guide shaft 24a in the vertical direction. The spring 24b is a coil spring formed by winding a metal wire in a spiral shape, and is coaxial with the guide shaft 24a radially outward of the guide shaft 24a in a state compressed between the flange 20 and the sub tank 30. Is arranged. According to the cooperation of the guide shaft 24 a and the spring 24 b, the sub tank 30 is pressed downward with respect to the flange 20 and is fixed to the bottom 13 b of the fuel tank 13.

  The sub tank 30 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with a resin material or the like, has a bottom wall portion 31 and a side wall portion 33, and opens upward. The subtank 30 accommodates the fuel pump unit 40 and is a container for storing fuel around the fuel pump unit 40 even when acceleration in the horizontal direction acts on the fuel. In the sub tank 30, the bottom wall portion 31 and the side wall portion 33 form a storage chamber 30 a for storing fuel sucked by the fuel pump unit 40.

  In addition, the bottom wall portion 31 of the sub tank 30 is formed with a first supply passage 32 that can supply fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 100 to the storage chamber 30a, and the umbrella valve 37 and the leg portion. 31a is provided. The first supply path 32 has a communication hole 32b penetrating the bottom wall portion 31 in the vertical direction, and a cylindrical flow path that is bent in the horizontal direction above the communication hole 32b and extends in the horizontal direction. It is formed by a wall 32a or the like. The umbrella valve 37 is located in the first supply path 32, and allows the fuel to flow from the vicinity of the fuel supply device 100 outside the sub tank 30 toward the storage chamber 30 a in the first supply path 32. It is a check valve that prevents fuel from flowing out from the storage chamber 30a. The umbrella valve 37 is formed of a flexible material, and has a cylindrical shaft portion 37a attached to the bottom wall portion 31 of the sub tank 30, and a dome shape extending radially outward from the shaft portion 37a. And an umbrella portion 37 b that covers the communication hole 32 b from the inside of the sub tank 30. When the fuel flows in the direction of flowing into the storage chamber 30a, the flow of fuel is allowed by the umbrella portion 37b that bends away from the bottom wall portion 31. On the other hand, when the fuel is about to flow out of the storage chamber 30a, the fuel is prevented from flowing out by the umbrella portion 37b that is pressed against the bottom wall portion 31 and closes the communication hole 32b. The leg portion 31 a protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion 31 and forms a gap between the bottom portion 13 b of the fuel tank 13 and the bottom wall portion 31 of the sub tank 30. The fuel in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 100 passes through this gap, and then is sucked into the first supply path 32 and reaches the storage chamber 30a.

  A shaft support 34 is formed on the side wall 33. The shaft support portion 34 is formed outside the side wall portion 33 and is slidable with respect to the guide shaft 24a by penetrating the guide shaft 24a in the vertical direction. In addition, the lower side of the spring 24 b is seated on the upper surface of the shaft support portion 34. As described above, the sub tank 30 is fixed to the bottom portion 13b by the urging force of the spring 24b acting via the shaft support portion 34.

  The fuel pump unit 40 is configured to suck in fuel and discharge it toward an internal combustion engine or the like. The fuel pump unit 40 has a columnar shape as a whole, and includes a pump casing 41 and an electric motor 44a and an impeller 44b incorporated in the pump casing 41. A suction part 43 and a vapor discharge part 42 are formed on the lower surface of the pump casing 41. The suction part 43 is a part for sucking the fuel stored in the storage chamber 30 a of the sub tank 30, has a cylindrical shape, and projects downward from the lower surface of the pump housing 41. The lower end of the suction part 43 is accommodated in the suction filter 70. The vapor discharge part 42 is a part for discharging bubbles (vapor) generated in the fuel pump unit 40. In general, when the fuel pump unit 40 is operated, vapor is generated in the fuel pump unit 40. In order for the fuel pump unit 40 to continue discharging, the vapor must be discharged from the pump housing 41. Therefore, the fuel pump unit 40 includes vapor in the fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine, and discharges it from the vapor discharge portion 42 as surplus fuel.

  Further, on the upper surface of the pump housing 41, a fuel discharge portion 45 that discharges fuel similar to the vapor discharge portion 42 and mainly discharges fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine is formed. The electric motor 44a includes a drive shaft that is driven by electric power supplied via the power supply socket 22 and the power supply wiring. The impeller 44b is an impeller having a plurality of blade portions, and is assembled to a drive shaft of the electric motor 44a and rotates integrally with the drive shaft. The impeller 44b and the electric motor 44a are arranged above the suction portion 43 in this order. According to the above structure, the fuel is sucked into the pump housing 41 from the suction portion 43 and pumped up by the impeller 44b rotated by driving the drive shaft of the electric motor 44a, and then the fuel discharge portion 45 or the vapor discharge. It is discharged from any of the parts 42.

  The pressure regulator 46 has a regulator housing 46 a and a regulator valve 47 and is located above the fuel pump unit 40. The regulator housing 46a includes a suction port 49a, a discharge port 49b, and a drain port 48. The intake port 49a is located below the regulator valve 47, and is connected to the fuel discharge part 45 of the fuel pump unit 40 to suck the fuel discharged from the fuel discharge part 45 into the regulator housing 46a. The discharge port 49 b is located above the regulator valve 47 and is connected to the fuel discharge pipe 21 of the flange 20 via the fuel hose 25 to discharge the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine to the fuel discharge pipe 21. The drain port 48 is located between the suction port 49a and the discharge port 49b in the regulator housing 46a. The drain port 48 discharges, as surplus fuel, fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine out of the fuel discharged by the fuel pump unit 40 sucked from the suction port 49a. The regulator valve 47 is accommodated in the regulator housing 46a and is held by the regulator housing 46a.

  With the above configuration, the pressure regulator 46 supplies the internal combustion engine with a part of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump unit 40 on the downstream side of the fuel pump unit 40 from the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine. The pressure of the fuel to be applied can be adjusted to a predetermined pressure. In the fuel supply device 100, fuel having a pressure slightly higher than a predetermined pressure is supplied from the fuel discharge unit 45 to the pressure regulator 46. Due to the pressure of the fuel, the regulator valve 47 continues to divert the fuel to the drain port 48. Therefore, when the fuel pump unit 40 is operated, surplus fuel is continuously discharged from the drain port 48.

  The housing 50 is formed of a resin material or the like, and is supported on the side wall 33 of the sub tank 30 by a bracket (not shown). The housing 50 has a fuel pump housing portion 55 that forms a housing chamber 55 a that houses the fuel pump unit 40. The storage chamber 55 a is a cylindrical hole whose axial direction is along the vertical direction of the fuel supply device 100. The inner diameter of the fuel pump housing 55 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the fuel pump unit 40. Thereby, the fuel pump housing part 55 is fitted to the outer peripheral part of the fuel pump unit 40 and holds the fuel pump unit 40 while housing the fuel pump unit 40 in the housing chamber 55a.

  In addition, a vapor discharge hole 51 and a suction hole 53 are formed at the bottom of the housing 50 and below the storage chamber 55a. The vapor discharge hole 51 and the suction hole 53 are holes that penetrate the bottom of the housing 50 in the vertical direction. The vapor discharge hole 51 is located below the vapor discharge part 42 of the fuel pump unit 40 accommodated in the fuel pump accommodation part 55. Further, the suction portion 43 of the fuel pump unit 40 extends downward of the housing 50 through the suction hole 53.

  The suction filter 70 is attached to the lower side of the housing 50 and is accommodated in the sub tank 30 together with the housing 50 and the like. The suction filter 70 covers the lower end of the suction part 43 through which the fuel pump unit 40 sucks fuel, and filters the fuel sucked from the suction part 43. The suction filter 70 includes a filter cloth 73, a filter frame (not shown), and an air vent valve 72. The filter cloth 73 is made of a non-woven fabric made of resin fibers that can remove foreign substances in the fuel. The filter cloth 73 is formed in a bag shape by stacking non-woven fabrics cut into a predetermined shape, and heating and welding the overlapped outer edges. In addition, the filter cloth 73 used in the fuel supply apparatus 100 is bent in the middle along the outer shape of the housing 50 so as to be accommodated in a space formed between the housing 50 and the sub tank 30. ing.

  The filter frame is made of, for example, a resin material and is accommodated inside the filter cloth 73. In this filter frame, the filter cloth 73 is spread from the inside toward the outside to maintain the form. The air bleeding valve 72 is a valve that is generated when the fuel passes through the suction filter 70 and discharges the vapor accumulated in the suction filter 70 to the outside. The air bleeding valve 72 is attached to the upper part of the filter cloth 73.

  Hereinafter, the storage tank 60, the inflow jet pump 90, and the like, which are characteristic parts of the fuel supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail.

  The storage tank 60 is formed in a container shape with a resin material or the like, has a bottom wall portion 61 and a side wall portion 63, and opens upward. The storage tank 60 is assembled to the housing 50 and accommodated in the sub tank 30 together with the housing 50 and the like. In addition, the storage tank 60 forms a storage room 60 a separated from the storage room 30 a in the storage room 30 a by the bottom wall part 61 and the side wall part 63. The storage chamber 60a is a space for storing surplus fuel, and in the first embodiment, stores the fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine in the pressure regulator 46. Therefore, the drain port 48 corresponds to an “excess fuel discharge portion” recited in the claims. Excess fuel discharged from the drain port 48 is introduced into the storage chamber 60a by gravity.

  In addition, the bottom wall 61 of the storage tank 60 is formed with a second supply path 62 that allows the storage chamber 60a to communicate with the storage chamber 30a and the fuel stored in the storage chamber 60a can be supplied to the storage chamber 30a. . The second supply path 62 is formed along the direction of gravity by a cylindrical flow path wall 62a, and the fuel stored in the storage chamber 60a can naturally flow into the storage chamber 30a by gravity.

  Furthermore, the storage tank 60 has a float valve 66 that shuts off the second supply path 62. The float valve 66 is located above the lower end of the suction portion 43, and has a valve seat 67 provided on the flow path wall 62a that forms the second supply path, and a float that can be seated on the valve seat 67. 68. The valve seat portion 67 forms a seating surface facing the radially inner side and the lower side of the flow path wall 62a. The throat diameter that is the inner diameter of the valve seat 67 is set so that the flow rate of fuel from the storage chamber 60 a toward the storage chamber 30 a exceeds the suction flow rate of the fuel pump unit 40. On the other hand, the float 68 is a spherical component located on the downstream side in the supply direction from the storage chamber 60 a to the storage chamber 30 a in the second supply path 62 with respect to the valve seat 67. The float 68 is formed of a material (about 0.3) having a specific gravity lower than that of fuel (about 0.76 for gasoline) so that the float 68 can be reliably seated on the valve seat 67 by buoyancy received from the fuel.

  The float valve 66 configured as described above releases the cutoff of the second supply path 62 when the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber 30a drops and falls below the valve seat portion 67 around the float valve 66. Specifically, in a state where fuel is stored around the float valve 66, the float 68 having a specific gravity lower than that of the fuel can generate buoyancy in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity. The float 68 is urged in a direction to be seated on the valve seat portion 67 by buoyancy, and is seated on the valve seat portion 67. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber 30 a is lowered and falls below the valve seat portion 67, the buoyancy that urges the float 68 to the valve seat portion 67 is reduced. Therefore, the float 68 is separated from the valve seat portion 67 by the pressure of the fuel in the storage chamber 60a on the upstream side in the supply direction. Therefore, the float valve 66 releases the interruption of the second supply path 62.

  In addition, a float stopper 39 that restricts the movement of the float 68 separated from the valve seat 67 is further formed on the bottom wall portion 31 of the sub tank 30. The float stopper 39 protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the bottom wall portion 31 located below the float valve 66 toward the float valve 66. The float stopper 39 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the float 68, and can accommodate the float 68 (see FIG. 1, two-dot chain line). The float stopper 39 forms a gap with the flow path wall 62a in the vertical direction. The fuel that has passed through the second supply path 62 can flow toward the suction portion 43 through this gap. In addition, the gap is made smaller than the outer diameter of the float 68 to prevent the float 68 from separating between the float stopper 39 and the flow path wall 62a.

  The inflow jet pump 90 has an inflow throat portion 91 and an inflow nozzle portion 93. The inflow throat portion 91 is located in the first supply path 32 and inside the flow path wall 32a extending in the horizontal direction, and protrudes radially inward from the flow path wall 32a. The first supply path 32 is narrowed by partially reducing the inner diameter of the flow path wall 32a. The inflow nozzle portion 93 is located on the upstream side of the inflow throat portion 91 in the inflow direction of the fuel flowing through the inflow throat portion 91 toward the storage chamber 30a. The inflow nozzle portion 93 is attached to the vapor discharge portion 42 of the fuel pump unit 40. Therefore, the fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine is discharged to the inflow nozzle portion 93 as surplus fuel while containing the vapor generated in the pump housing 41. The inflow nozzle portion 93 injects the surplus fuel toward the inflow throat portion 91 through the hole provided in the flow path wall 32a, thereby reducing the pressure in the inflow throat portion 91. The fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 100 is sucked into the first supply path 32 as the pressure in the inflow throat portion 91 located in the first supply path 32 is reduced, and the storage chamber 30a is kept as it is. Can flow in. Therefore, the inflow jet pump 90 can assist the flow of the fuel that naturally flows into the storage chamber 30a using the surplus fuel discharged from the fuel pump unit 40.

  In the fuel supply device 100 described above, the first supply path 32 formed in the sub tank 30 can supply the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 100 to the storage chamber 30a. Therefore, when there is fuel in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 100, the fuel enters the storage chamber 30 a from the vicinity through the first supply path 32 according to the decrease in the liquid level in the storage chamber 30 a due to the suction of the fuel pump unit 40. Naturally flows in. The fuel pump unit 40 can suck the fuel supplied to the storage chamber 30a and discharge it toward the internal combustion engine.

  A part of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump unit 40 to the pressure regulator 46 is diverted from the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine in the pressure regulator 46 and discharged from the drain port 48 as surplus fuel. The discharged surplus fuel is stored in a storage room 60a formed in a storage tank. Since the second supply path 62 that communicates the storage chamber 60a with the storage chamber 30a is blocked by the float valve 66, the fuel level in the storage chamber 60a gradually increases.

  Under the above conditions, if there is no more fuel near the fuel supply device 100 due to the deviation of the fuel in the fuel tank 13 due to the action of the force in the horizontal direction, the first from the vicinity to the storage chamber 30a will occur. The supply of fuel through the supply path 32 is interrupted. Then, the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber 30a gradually falls due to the suction of the fuel by the fuel pump unit 40. When the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber 30a falls below the valve seat 67 around the float valve 66, the second supply path 62 is blocked by the float valve 66 and stored in the storage chamber 60a. The fuel thus made can be supplied to the storage chamber 30a. Since the second supply path 62 has a form along the bottom wall 61 of the storage tank 60 along the direction of gravity, the fuel stored in the storage chamber 60 a is supplied to the storage chamber 30 a through the second supply path 62. . In this way, by receiving the supply of fuel stored in the storage chamber 60a through the second supply path 62, even if the supply of fuel through the first supply path 32 is interrupted, the fuel in the storage chamber 30a is immediately depleted. do not do.

  According to the above configuration, the fuel pump unit 40 does not have to discharge the surplus fuel for maintaining the liquid level in the storage chamber 30a high in addition to the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine. Therefore, since the discharge flow rate of the fuel pump unit 40 can be reduced, the energy consumed by the fuel pump unit 40 can also be suppressed. Therefore, even when a horizontal force acts on the fuel, the fuel can be supplied to the internal combustion engine without delay, and the fuel supply device 100 that realizes energy saving can be provided.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, in a state where the fuel naturally flows into the storage chamber 30a, the float valve 66 uses the buoyancy generated in the float 68 so that the fuel can be stored in the storage chamber 60a. The two supply paths 62 can be reliably shut off. In addition, the float valve 66 interrupts the second supply path 62 when the natural flow of fuel into the storage chamber 30a is interrupted and the fuel level in the storage chamber 30a falls below the float valve 66. Release can be performed reliably. Thus, the float valve 66 can perform a reliable operation even with a simple configuration, and thus is particularly suitable as the valve mechanism of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, the umbrella valve 37 allows the fuel to flow from the outside of the sub tank 30 toward the storage chamber 30a in the first supply path 32, so that the fuel is stored in the storage chamber through the first supply path 32 from the outside. It can naturally flow into 30a. In addition, since the umbrella valve 37 prevents the fuel from flowing out from the storage chamber 30a to the outside in the first supply path 32, the fuel is stored even if the fuel is not in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 100. It can remain in the chamber 30a. Furthermore, since the fuel supplied from the storage chamber 60a to the storage chamber 30a is prevented from flowing out by the umbrella valve 37, the fuel can stay in the storage chamber 30a with certainty. As described above, by providing the umbrella valve 37, the fuel in the storage chamber 30a and the storage chamber 60a can be reliably sucked into the fuel pump unit 40. Therefore, the effect of the present invention that can be performed without delay in the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine can be ensured.

  In addition, the pressure of the fuel generally supplied to the internal combustion engine must be adjusted. The pressure is adjusted by diverting a part of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump unit 40 from the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine in the pressure regulator 46 provided on the downstream side of the fuel pump unit 40. Done. In the first embodiment, the fuel that is diverted in the pressure regulator 46 and discharged from the drain port 48 is stored in the storage chamber 60a as surplus fuel, so that only the fuel that is stored in the storage chamber 60a is stored. It is not necessary to exhale. Therefore, the situation where the discharge flow rate of the fuel pump unit 40 increases can be avoided. Therefore, the fuel supply apparatus 100 can reliably carry out stockpiling in the stockpiling chamber 60a while suppressing the discharge flow rate of the fuel pump unit 40.

  In addition, when the surplus fuel discharged from the pressure regulator 46 is stored in the storage chamber 60a as in the first embodiment, the surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge unit 42 is stored in the storage chamber 60a. It does not have to be. By providing an inflow jet pump 90 that assists the flow of fuel that naturally flows into the storage chamber 30 a using the surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge unit 42, the fuel supply device 100 passes through the first supply path 32. The fuel can be reliably introduced into the storage chamber 30a. In addition, since the inflow jet pump 90 is configured to assist natural inflow, the inflow jet pump 90 may be supplied with the minimum surplus fuel required for vapor discharge. Therefore, even in the fuel supply device 100 including the inflow jet pump 90, the discharge flow rate of the fuel pump unit 40 can be suppressed.

  In the first embodiment, the umbrella valve 37 is the “check valve” described in the claims, the fuel pump unit 40 is the “fuel pump” described in the claims, and the pressure regulator 46 is “ In the pressure adjusting mechanism, the float valve 66 is in the “valve mechanism” described in the claims, the float 68 is in the “valve body” in the claims, and the inflow throat portion 91 is in the “inflow restrictor”. The inflow nozzle portion 93 corresponds to the “inflow injection portion” recited in the claims. In addition, as described above, out of the drain port 48 and the vapor discharge portion 42 for discharging surplus fuel, in the first embodiment, the drain port 48 is the “pressure-regulating fuel discharge portion” and “surplus fuel” recited in the claims. Corresponds to the “discharge section”.

(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is a modification of the first embodiment. The fuel supply apparatus 200 of the second embodiment stores fuel in a storage chamber 260a formed by a storage tank 260 that is substantially the same as the storage tank 60 of the first embodiment, using an introduction jet pump 280. It is. On the other hand, a configuration corresponding to the inflow jet pump 90 in the first embodiment is omitted in the sub tank 230 of the second embodiment.

  In the sub tank 230 of the second embodiment, the tubular member 236a forms an introduction path 236 through which fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 200 can be introduced into the storage chamber 260a. The tubular member 236a is a cylindrical member formed of a resin material or the like, and is attached to the side wall portion 233 of the sub tank 230 with the axial direction facing the vertical direction. In addition, the upper end of the tubular member 236a is bent upward of the storage tank 260 so that the fuel can be reliably introduced into the storage chamber 260a.

  The introduction jet pump 280 has an introduction throat portion 281 and an introduction nozzle portion 283. The introduction throat portion 281 is located in the introduction path 236, and protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral wall of the tubular member 236a, thereby partially reducing the inner diameter of the tubular member 236a. 236 is squeezed. The introduction nozzle portion 283 is located upstream of the introduction throat portion 281 in the introduction direction of the fuel flowing through the introduction throat portion 281 toward the storage chamber 260a.

  A container-like closing member 286 that closes the vapor discharge portion 242 is attached to the vapor discharge portion 242 provided on the lower surface of the fuel pump unit 40 and substantially the same as the vapor discharge portion 42 of the first embodiment. Yes. The closing member 286 passes through the vapor discharge hole 51 formed in the bottom portion of the housing 50 and extends into the storage chamber 230 a of the sub tank 230. A discharge hole 286a for discharging surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge portion 242 to the outside is formed at a lower end side of the closing member 286 and located in the storage chamber 230a. The discharge hole 286a is connected to the introduction nozzle portion 283 via a flexible surplus fuel hose 285.

  In the above configuration, surplus fuel is supplied to the introduction nozzle portion 283 via the surplus fuel hose 285. The surplus fuel is injected by the introduction nozzle portion 283 toward the introduction throat portion 281, thereby reducing the pressure in the introduction throat portion 281. When the pressure is reduced in the introduction throat portion 281 located in the introduction passage 236, the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 200 is sucked into the introduction passage 236 and introduced into the storage chamber 260a as it is. Can be done. According to the above, since the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 200 together with the surplus fuel is introduced into the storage chamber 260a, the fuel in the storage chamber 260a can be quickly raised.

  In addition, the pressure regulator 246 in the second embodiment includes a regulator valve 47 and a regulator housing 246a corresponding to the regulator housing 46a of the first embodiment. The pressure regulator 246 is configured to discharge the fuel to the storage chamber 260a as in the first embodiment, and the regulator housing 246a ensures that the excess fuel discharged from the drain port 248 is put into the storage chamber 260a. An introduction guide portion 248a for guiding is formed. The introduction guide portion 248 a is formed along the shape of the side wall portion 263 and the bottom wall portion 261 of the storage tank 260.

  According to the above, in the second embodiment, the vapor discharge part 242 and the drain port 248 both correspond to the “surplus fuel discharge part” described in the claims.

  In the second embodiment described above, the surplus fuel discharged from the drain port 248 and the vapor discharge unit 242 is stored in the storage chamber 260a, so that the fuel level in the storage chamber 260a can be quickly adjusted. Can rise. Further, by supplying the surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge part 242 to the introduction jet pump 280, the fuel in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 200 is stored in the storage chamber 260a in addition to the surplus fuel. Can do. Therefore, the liquid level of the fuel in the storage chamber 260a can rise more rapidly. As described above, even when a horizontal force repeatedly acts on the fuel, it is possible to reliably prevent the fuel in the storage chamber 230a of the sub tank 230 from being exhausted. Since this action can be obtained while suppressing the discharge flow rate of the fuel pump unit 40, the fuel supply device 200 can perform the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine without delay and can save energy. .

  In the second embodiment, the vapor discharge part 242 is described in the “bubble discharging part” described in the claims, the pressure regulator 246 is described in the “pressure regulating mechanism” in the claims, and the drain port 248 is described in the claims. In the “pressure-regulating fuel discharge portion”, the introduction throat portion 281 corresponds to the “introduction throttling portion” recited in the claims, and the introduction nozzle portion 283 corresponds to the “introduction injection portion” recited in the claims. .

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 is another modification of the first embodiment. In the fuel supply device 300 according to the third embodiment, the surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge portion 342 of the fuel pump unit 340 is stored in the storage chamber 360a together with the surplus fuel discharged from the drain port 48 of the pressure regulator 46. It is a form. In addition, a configuration corresponding to the inflow jet pump 90 in the first embodiment is omitted from the sub tank 330. Hereinafter, the configuration of the fuel supply apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment will be described in detail.

  The housing 350, the fuel pump unit 340, the storage tank 360, the sub tank 330, and the suction filter 370 are respectively equivalent to the housing 50, the fuel pump unit 40, the storage tank 60, the sub tank 30, and the suction filter 70 of the first embodiment. .

  The housing 350 has a fuel pump housing portion 355 that forms a housing chamber 355 a that houses the fuel pump unit 340. The housing 350 is adjacent to the storage tank 360 and is housed in the sub tank 330 together with the storage tank 360. In addition, a suction hole 353 is formed at the bottom of the housing 350 and below the storage chamber 355a. On the other hand, the configuration corresponding to the vapor discharge hole 51 of the first embodiment is omitted in the housing 350.

  A vapor discharge part 342 and a suction part 343 are provided on the lower surface of the fuel pump unit 340. The vapor discharge part 342 is a hole formed in the bottom of the pump housing 341 for discharging the vapor generated in the fuel pump unit 340. The suction part 343 protrudes downward from the bottom of the pump housing 341 and is a part for sucking fuel into the fuel pump unit 340. In the third embodiment, the bottom surface of the pump casing 341 and the periphery of the suction hole 353 of the housing 350 are in close contact with the fuel pump unit 340 accommodated in the housing 350. As a result, the fuel discharged from the vapor discharge part 342 into the storage chamber 355a does not leak into the storage chamber 330a from between the bottom surface of the pump housing 341 and the periphery of the suction hole 353.

  In the third embodiment, the configuration corresponding to the inflow jet pump 90 in the sub tank 330 is omitted, and the forms of the sub tank 330, the storage tank 360, and the suction filter 370 are changed. The positions of the umbrella valve 37 and the communication hole 32 b provided in the bottom wall portion 331 of the sub tank 330 are moved to the vicinity of the side wall portion 333. In the first embodiment, the float stopper 39, the float valve 66, the second supply path 62, and the like that are located in the vicinity of the side wall 333 of the sub tank 330 are moved to the fuel pump unit 340 side.

  Further, the suction filter 370 is enlarged in size with respect to the suction filter 70 of the first embodiment. In addition, the suction filter 370 has a fitting port 374 that fits in the suction portion 343 of the fuel pump unit 340 in the suction hole 353 of the housing 350. As a result, the fuel filtered by the suction filter 370 passes through the fitting port 374 and the suction portion 343 in order, and is sucked into the fuel pump unit 340.

  In the fuel supply device 300 described above, the surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge unit 342 is accumulated in the storage chamber 355 a formed by the housing 350. And it is introduce | transduced from the storage chamber 355a into the storage chamber 360a of the storage tank 360 adjacent to the housing 350. In addition, surplus fuel discharged from the drain port 48 of the pressure regulator 46 is also introduced into the storage chamber 360a. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the vapor discharge part 342 and the drain port 48 both correspond to the “surplus fuel discharge part” recited in the claims.

  In the third embodiment described so far, by setting the surplus fuel discharged from the drain port 48 and the vapor discharge part 342 to be stored in the storage chamber 360a, the liquid level of the fuel in the storage chamber 360a can be quickly adjusted. Can rise. According to the above, even when a horizontal force repeatedly acts on the fuel, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation where the fuel in the storage chamber 330a of the sub tank 330 is exhausted. Since this action can be obtained while suppressing the discharge flow rate of the fuel pump unit 340, the fuel supply device 300 can perform the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine without delay and can save energy. .

  In the third embodiment, the fuel pump unit 340 corresponds to the “fuel pump” recited in the claims, and the vapor discharge portion 342 corresponds to the “bubble discharging portion” recited in the claims.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 is a modification of the third embodiment. The storage tank 460 and the housing 450 of the fuel supply apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment correspond to the storage tank 360 and the housing 350 of the third embodiment, respectively, and the housing 450 is accommodated in the storage tank 460. Hereinafter, the configuration of the fuel supply apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail.

  The storage tank 460 forms a storage room 460a for storing surplus fuel. In addition, a suction hole 461 a penetrating in the vertical direction of the bottom wall portion 461 is formed in the bottom wall portion 461 of the storage tank 460.

  The housing 450 is accommodated in the storage tank 460, and is located in the storage room 460a. The housing 450 forms a storage chamber 455a in the storage chamber 460a by the fuel pump storage portion 455. Further, the suction hole 453 provided at the bottom of the housing 450 overlaps the suction hole 461a of the storage tank 460 in the axial direction due to the arrangement of the housing 450 in the storage tank 460. In addition, the suction portion 343 of the fuel pump unit 340 is located in the suction holes 453 and 461a.

  The suction filter 470 corresponds to the suction filter 370 of the third embodiment, and has a fitting port 474. The fitting port 474 is fitted into the suction part 343 of the fuel pump unit 340 in the suction holes 453 and 461a.

  In the fuel supply apparatus 400 described above, the surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge unit 342 is accumulated in the storage chamber 455a formed by the housing 450. Then, it overflows from the storage chamber 455 a and is introduced into the storage chamber 460 a of the storage tank 460 that stores the housing 450. In addition, surplus fuel discharged from the drain port 48 of the pressure regulator 46 is also introduced into the storage chamber 460a. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the vapor discharge part 342 and the drain port 48 both correspond to the “surplus fuel discharge part” recited in the claims.

  In the fourth embodiment described so far, the constitution of the storage tank 460 that can be formed in the sub-tank 330, that is, the volume of the storage chamber 460a can be expanded by the configuration in which the housing 450 is accommodated in the storage tank 460. By increasing the amount of fuel that can be stored in the storage room 460a, fuel can be more reliably supplied from the storage room 460a to the storage room 330a.

(Fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5 is a modification of the second embodiment. The fuel supply apparatus 500 of the fifth embodiment further includes an introduction jet pump 580 separately from the introduction jet pump 280, and stores fuel in the storage chamber 560a using the introduction jet pump 580. It is. Hereinafter, the configuration of the fuel supply apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment will be described in detail.

  The sub tank 530, the pressure regulator 546, and the storage tank 560 are structures corresponding to the sub tank 230, the pressure regulator 246, and the storage tank 260 of the second embodiment, respectively.

  The sub tank 530 and the pressure regulator 546 cooperate to form an introduction path 536 through which fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 500 can be introduced into the storage chamber 560a of the storage tank 560. Specifically, the introduction path 536 includes a tubular portion 536a projecting upward from the bottom wall portion 531 near the center of the bottom wall portion 531 of the sub tank 530, and an introduction pipe formed in the regulator housing 546a of the pressure regulator 546. Part 548a. The tubular portion 536 a is a circular tubular portion extending in the axial direction of the sub tank 530 and passes between the housing 50 and the storage tank 560. The introduction tube portion 548a includes a fitting portion 548b that is located above the tubular portion 536a and is fitted to the upper end of the tubular portion 536a. The introduction pipe portion 548a has a circular tubular shape and extends in the horizontal direction toward the axial direction. One end of the introduction pipe portion 548a in the horizontal direction is integrated with the drain port 548. The other end of the introduction pipe portion 548a opposite to the drain port 548 is positioned above the storage tank 560 and is bent downward toward the storage chamber 560a.

  The introduction jet pump 580 includes an introduction throat portion 581 and a drain port 548. The introduction throat portion 581 is located in the introduction passage 536 and protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral wall of the introduction tube portion 548a, thereby partially reducing the inner diameter of the introduction tube portion 548a. The introduction path 536 is narrowed. In the introduction direction in which the introduction throat portion 581 flows toward the storage chamber 560a, the drain port 548 is located on the upstream side of the introduction throat portion 581 with the fitting portion 548b interposed therebetween. The drain port 548 injects surplus fuel diverted by the pressure regulator 546 toward the introduction throat portion 581.

  In the above configuration, surplus fuel is injected from the drain port 548 to the introduction throat portion 581, thereby reducing the pressure in the introduction throat portion 581. When the pressure is reduced in the introduction throat portion 581 located in the introduction passage 536, the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 500 is sucked into the introduction passage 536 and lifted up to the introduction pipe portion 548a. After that, it can be introduced into the storage room 560a as it is. According to the above, since the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 500 together with the surplus fuel diverted in the pressure regulator 546 is introduced into the storage chamber 560a, the fuel in the storage chamber 560a is quickly raised. It is done.

  In addition, as in the second embodiment, the introduction jet pump 280 uses the surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge unit 242 to store surplus fuel in the reserve chamber 560a and the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 500. Has been introduced. Therefore, a large amount of fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 500 can be introduced into the storage chamber 560 a together with surplus fuel by the function of the introduction jet pumps 280 and 580. Thereby, the liquid level of the fuel in the stockpiling chamber 560a will rise more rapidly.

  According to the above, even when a horizontal force repeatedly acts on the fuel, the situation in which the fuel in the storage chamber 530a of the sub tank 530 is exhausted due to the liquid level in the storage chamber 560a rising rapidly. It can be surely prevented. Since this action can be obtained while suppressing the discharge flow rate of the fuel pump unit 40, the fuel supply device 500 can supply the fuel to the internal combustion engine without any delay, and energy saving is realized.

  Here, in the fifth embodiment, with the provision of the tubular portion 536a in the sub tank 530, the forms of the sub tank 530 and the storage tank 560 are changed. The positions of the umbrella valve 37 and the communication hole 32 b provided in the bottom wall portion 531 of the sub tank 530 are moved to the vicinity of the side wall portion 533. In the second embodiment, the float stopper 39, the float valve 66, the second supply path 62, and the like located near the side wall 533 of the sub tank 530 are moved toward the fuel pump unit 40.

  In the fifth embodiment, the pressure regulator 546 is provided in the “pressure adjusting mechanism” described in the claims, the introduction throat portions 281 and 581 are provided in the “introduction throttle portion” described in the claims, and the introduction nozzle portion 283. And the drain port 548 correspond to the “introducing injection section” recited in the claims. The vapor discharge section 242 corresponding to the “bubble discharge section” described in the claims and the drain port 548 corresponding to the “pressure-regulating fuel discharge section” described in the claims are both included in the “excess fuel”. Corresponds to the “discharge section”.

(Sixth embodiment)
6th embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 6 is another modification of 2nd embodiment. In the fuel supply device 600 of the sixth embodiment, a sub-tank 630 corresponding to the sub-tank 230 of the second embodiment, a stockpile tank 660 corresponding to the stockpile tank 360 of the third embodiment, and a detailed configuration in the third embodiment The housing 350, the fuel pump unit 340, the suction filter 370, and the like described above are accommodated. The surplus fuel that has been diverted in the pressure regulator 646 corresponding to the pressure regulator 246 of the second embodiment is supplied to the introduction jet pump 280 of the fuel supply device 600. Hereinafter, the configuration of the fuel supply device 600 according to the sixth embodiment will be described in detail.

  The pressure regulator 646 includes a regulator valve 47 and a regulator housing 646a corresponding to the regulator housing 246a of the second embodiment. In the pressure regulator 646, the drain port 648 of the regulator housing 646a is closed so that excess fuel does not fall into the storage chamber 660a. In addition, the drain port 648 is provided with a discharge hole 648a for discharging excess fuel. One end of a flexible surplus fuel hose 685 is connected to the discharge hole 648a.

  In the sixth embodiment, the other end of the above-described surplus fuel hose 685 is connected to the introduction nozzle portion 283 of the introduction jet pump 280, and is discharged from the drain port 648 via the excess fuel hose 685. Surplus fuel is supplied. By surplus fuel being injected from the introduction nozzle portion 283 toward the introduction throat portion 281, the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 600 is sucked into the introduction passage 236 and remains in the storage chamber. 660a may be introduced. According to the above, since the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 600 together with the surplus fuel is introduced into the storage chamber 660a, the liquid level of the fuel in the storage chamber 660a can be quickly raised.

  In addition, surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge portion 342 of the fuel pump unit 340 is introduced into the storage chamber 660 a after filling the storage chamber 355 a formed by the housing 350. Therefore, the liquid level of the fuel in the storage chamber 660a can rise more rapidly.

  Here, the positions of the umbrella valve 37, the communication hole 32b, and the float stopper 39 provided on the bottom wall portion 631 of the sub tank 630 conform to the positions of these elements 37, 32b, 39 in the sub tank 330 of the third embodiment. .

  In the sixth embodiment, the pressure regulator 646 includes a “pressure adjusting mechanism” described in the claims, a vapor discharge unit 342 corresponding to the “bubble discharging unit” described in the claims, and a “regulation” described in the claims. The drain ports 648 corresponding to “pressure fuel discharge portions” respectively correspond to “excess fuel discharge portions” recited in the claims.

(Seventh embodiment)
7th embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 7 is another modification of 1st embodiment. The sub tank 730 of the fuel supply device 700 according to the seventh embodiment has an inflow jet pump 790 corresponding to the inflow jet pump 90 of the first embodiment. The sub tank 730 includes a housing 350 and a fuel pump unit 340 described in detail in the third embodiment, and a pressure regulator 746 substantially the same as the pressure regulator 646 of the sixth embodiment. Is housed together. Hereinafter, the configuration of the fuel supply apparatus 700 according to the seventh embodiment will be described in detail.

  In the seventh embodiment, surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge part 342 of the fuel pump unit 340 fills the storage chamber 355a formed by the housing 350 and then from the storage chamber 355a, as in the third embodiment. Overflowing. Surplus fuel overflowing from the storage chamber 355a is introduced into the storage chamber 60a of the storage tank 60 adjacent to the housing 350. Therefore, even when a horizontal force is applied to the fuel, the fuel can be supplied to the internal combustion engine without delay, and the fuel supply device 700 can realize energy saving.

  Furthermore, in the seventh embodiment, the first supply path 732 is formed on the bottom wall portion 731 of the sub tank 730 forming the storage chamber 730a by the flow path wall 732a corresponding to the flow path wall 32a of the first embodiment. Has been. The inflow jet pump 790 provided on the bottom wall portion 731 of the sub tank 730 has an inflow throat portion 791 and an inflow nozzle portion 793. The inflow throat portion 791 is located in the first supply path 732 and inside the flow path wall 732a extending in the horizontal direction, and the inner diameter of the flow path wall 732a is partially reduced to reduce the first flow path wall 732a. The supply path 732 is narrowed. The inflow nozzle portion 793 is formed in the flow path wall 732a located on the upstream side of the inflow throat portion 791 in the inflow direction of the fuel flowing through the inflow throat portion 791 toward the storage chamber 730a. In the seventh embodiment, the inflow nozzle portion 793 is connected to the discharge hole 748 a formed in the drain port 748 of the pressure regulator 746 by the surplus fuel hose 795.

  With the above configuration, the surplus fuel that has been diverted in the pressure regulator 746 is supplied to the inflow nozzle portion 793. The inflow nozzle portion 793 injects the surplus fuel toward the inflow throat portion 791, thereby reducing the pressure in the inflow throat portion 791. Therefore, the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 700 can be sucked into the first supply path 732 and flow into the storage chamber 730a as it is. Accordingly, the inflow jet pump 790 of the seventh embodiment naturally flows into the storage chamber 730a using the surplus fuel discharged from the fuel pump unit 340, similarly to the inflow jet pump 90 of the first embodiment. Can assist fuel flow.

  The suction filter 770 in the seventh embodiment has a configuration corresponding to the suction filter 370 in the third embodiment. The suction filter 770 is smaller in size than the suction filter 370 because the inflow jet pump 790 is provided on the bottom wall portion 731 of the sub tank 730.

  Further, in the seventh embodiment, the pressure regulator 746 corresponds to the “pressure adjusting mechanism” described in the claims, and the vapor discharge unit 342 corresponding to the “bubble discharging unit” described in the claims includes “excess fuel”. The throat portion 791 for inflow corresponds to the “throttle portion for inflow” described in the claims, and the nozzle portion 793 for inflow corresponds to the “injection portion for inflow” described in the claims.

(Eighth embodiment)
The eighth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 is a modification of the seventh embodiment. In the sub tank 830 of the fuel supply device 800 according to the eighth embodiment, the inflow jet pump 790 of the seventh embodiment is omitted. In addition, the sub tank 830 has a flapper valve 838 as a check valve corresponding to the umbrella valve 37 of the seventh embodiment, and an inflow nozzle portion 893. Hereinafter, the configuration of the fuel supply device 800 according to the eighth embodiment will be described in detail.

  In the eighth embodiment, the sub tank 830 includes a fuel pump unit 340, a housing 350, and a pressure regulator 746 similar to those in the seventh embodiment, and a storage tank 860 and a suction filter 870 corresponding to the storage tank 60 and the suction filter 770. Contained. The storage tank 860 is reduced in width in the horizontal direction with respect to the storage tank 60. On the other hand, the suction filter 870 is enlarged with respect to the suction filter 770 due to the omission of the inflow jet pump 790.

  In the eighth embodiment, surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge part 342 of the fuel pump unit 340 fills the storage chamber 355a formed by the housing 350 and then stores the storage chamber 355a, as in the seventh embodiment. Overflow from. Excess fuel overflowing from the storage chamber 355a is introduced into a storage chamber 860a formed by a storage tank 860 adjacent to the housing 350. Therefore, even when a horizontal force is applied to the fuel, the fuel can be supplied to the internal combustion engine without any delay, and the fuel supply device 800 can realize energy saving.

  Further, the sub tank 830 forms a first supply path 832 corresponding to the first supply path 32 of the first embodiment by the side wall portion 833. The first supply path 832 is located on the bottom 13b side of the side wall part 833, and is formed by a flow path wall 832a extending in the horizontal direction from the side wall part 833 toward the inside of the sub tank 830. A flapper valve 838 is attached to the inner end of the flow path wall 832a. The flapper valve 838 allows inflow of fuel from the vicinity of the fuel supply device 800 outside the sub tank 830 to the storage chamber 830a in the first supply path 832 and prevents outflow of fuel from the storage chamber 830a to the outside. This is a check valve. The flapper valve 838 is formed of a flexible material, and the upper end is held by the end of the flow path wall 832a and the lower end can be supported toward the inside of the sub tank 830 by the end of the flow path wall 832a. It has become. When the fuel flows in the direction of flowing into the storage chamber 830a through the first supply path 832, the flapper valve 838 bends to the inside of the sub tank 830, so that its lower end is separated from the end of the flow path wall 832a, Allow fuel flow. On the other hand, when the fuel is about to flow out of the storage chamber 830a, the lower end of the flapper valve 838 is supported by the end of the flow path wall 832a. Thereby, the outward deflection of the sub tank 830 is restricted, and the flapper valve 838 prevents the fuel from flowing out.

  Further, an inflow nozzle portion 893 is provided on the flow path wall 832 a of the sub tank 830. The inflow nozzle portion 893 is located on the upstream side of the flapper valve 838 in the inflow direction of the fuel flowing through the first supply path 832 toward the storage chamber 830a. This inflow nozzle portion 893 is connected to a discharge hole 748a formed in the drain port 748 of the pressure regulator 746 by an excess fuel hose 895, and the excess fuel divided in the pressure regulator 746 is downstream along the inflow direction. Inject to the side. Therefore, the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 800 can be pulled by the flow of surplus fuel flowing through the first supply path 832 toward the storage chamber 830a and flow into the storage chamber 830a. Therefore, the surplus fuel discharged from the vapor discharge part 342 of the fuel pump unit 340 can be used to assist the flow of fuel that naturally flows into the storage chamber 830a.

  In the eighth embodiment, the flapper valve 838 corresponds to a “check valve” recited in the claims.

(Ninth embodiment)
The ninth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9 is a modification of the eighth embodiment. In the fuel supply apparatus 900 according to the ninth embodiment, the fuel pump unit 40, the housing 50, the suction filter 70, and the like described in detail in the first embodiment are accommodated in the sub tank 830 described in detail in the eighth embodiment. ing. In the ninth embodiment, surplus fuel discharged from the drain port 48 of the pressure regulator 46 is introduced into a storage chamber 860a formed by the storage tank 860. Therefore, even when a horizontal force acts on the fuel, the fuel can be supplied to the internal combustion engine without any delay, and the fuel supply device 900 can realize energy saving.

  Further, a closing member 286 described in detail in the second embodiment is attached to the lower surface of the fuel pump unit 40. In the ninth embodiment, the discharge hole 286a provided at the lower end of the closing member 286 is connected to the inflow nozzle portion 893 of the sub tank 830 via the surplus fuel hose 995.

  According to the above configuration, the inflow nozzle portion 893 injects the surplus fuel containing the vapor separated in the fuel pump unit 40 toward the flapper valve 838 located on the downstream side in the inflow direction. it can. Therefore, the fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device 900 can be pulled by the flow of surplus fuel flowing through the first supply path 832 toward the storage chamber 830a, and can flow into the storage chamber 830a. Therefore, in the fuel supply device 900 according to the ninth embodiment, as in the fuel supply device 800 according to the eighth embodiment, the surplus fuel discharged from the fuel pump unit 40 is used to supply the fuel that naturally flows into the storage chamber 830a. Can assist the flow.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although several embodiment by this invention was described, this invention is limited to these embodiment and is not interpreted and can be applied to various embodiment in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a float valve having a valve seat portion and a float is used as a valve mechanism that blocks the second supply path and releases the block is described. However, the configuration corresponding to the valve mechanism is not limited to the float valve. For example, a liquid level sensor that electrically detects the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber of the sub tank, and the detection of the liquid level sensor. Based on a result, you may comprise by the solenoid valve which implements interruption | blocking of the 2nd supply path, and cancellation | release of the said interruption | blocking.

  In addition, in the above embodiment, the second supply path is provided on the bottom wall portion of the storage tank along the direction of gravity, but if the fuel supply from the storage chamber to the storage chamber is possible, The shape is not limited. For example, the storage tank may be provided with a second supply path in a form that once protrudes in the horizontal direction from the lower end of the side wall of the storage tank and then bent downward. Even in the second supply path of this form, by providing a float valve in a portion that is bent downward and along the direction of gravity, the float valve can block and release the second supply path. It can be carried out. Furthermore, the 2nd supply path of the form protruded in a horizontal direction from the lower end of the side wall part of a stockpile tank may be sufficient. Even if it is the 2nd supply path of this form, the fuel supply apparatus which can perform the interruption | blocking of the said 2nd supply path and cancellation | release of interruption | blocking reliably can be provided by using an electromagnetic valve as mentioned above. .

  In the above embodiment, either the umbrella valve 37 or the flapper valve 838 corresponding to the check valve is provided in the first supply path. However, if the fuel pump unit can reliably suck the fuel supplied from the storage chamber to the storage chamber via the second supply path and the fuel supplied to the storage chamber via the first supply path, A configuration corresponding to the check valve may be omitted from the sub tank 830.

  In the above embodiment, an air vent valve for discharging the vapor accumulated in the suction filter to the outside is provided on the suction filter. However, the air vent valve 72 may be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, when only one of the surplus fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine in the pressure regulator or the fuel pump unit is stored in the reserve chamber, the other surplus fuel is transferred to the storage chamber. Was used to assist the natural flow of fuel. However, if the surplus fuel discharged from either one can be stored in the storage chamber, the other surplus fuel may be returned to the storage chamber without being used in the inflow jet pump 90 or the like. Further, as in the above-described embodiment, even if the surplus fuel is caused by factors other than the adjustment of the pressure of the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine and the discharge of the vapor from the fuel pump unit, the liquid of the fuel stored in the storage chamber It is good also as a form which stocks the surplus fuel except the thing resulting from the pushing up of a rank in a stockpiling room.

13 Fuel tank, 13a Ceiling, 13b Bottom, 13c Opening, 20 Flange, 21 Fuel discharge pipe, 22 Power supply socket, 24a Guide shaft, 24b Spring, 25 Fuel hose, 30, 230, 330, 530, 630, 730, 830 Sub tank, 30a, 230a, 330a, 530a, 630a, 730a, 830a Reservoir chamber, 31, 531, 631, 731 Bottom wall part, 31a Leg part, 32, 732, 832 First supply path, 32a, 732a, 832a Flow Road wall, 32b communication hole, 33,233,333,533,833 side wall part, 34 shaft support part, 236,536 introduction path, 236a tubular member, 536a tubular part, 37 umbrella valve (check valve), 37a shaft part 37b Umbrella, 838 Flapper valve (check valve) , 39 Float stopper, 40, 340 Fuel pump unit (fuel pump), 41, 341 Pump housing, 42 Vapor discharge part (bubble discharge part), 242, 342 Vapor discharge part (excess fuel discharge part, bubble discharge part), 43,343 Suction part, 44a Electric motor, 44b Impeller, 45 Fuel discharge part, 46, 246, 546, 646, 746 Pressure regulator (pressure regulating mechanism), 46a, 246a, 546a, 646a, 746a Regulator housing, 47 Regulator valve , 48, 248, 648 Drain port (excess fuel discharge part, pressure-regulating fuel discharge part), 548 Drain port (excess fuel discharge part, pressure-control fuel discharge part, introduction injection part), 748 Drain port, 248a Introduction guide part 548a introduction pipe part, 648a, 748a discharge Hole, 548b fitting portion, 49a suction port, 49b discharge port, 50, 350, 450 housing, 51 vapor discharge hole, 53, 353, 453 suction hole, 55, 355, 455 Fuel pump housing portion, 55a, 355a, 455a Storage chamber, 60, 260, 360, 460, 560, 660, 860 Stockpile tank, 60a, 260a, 360a, 460a, 560a, 660a, 860a Stockpile chamber, 61, 261, 461 Bottom wall, 461a Suction hole, 62nd Double supply path, 62a Channel wall, 63,263 Side wall, 66 Float valve (valve mechanism), 67 Valve seat, 68 Float (valve), 70, 370, 470, 770, 870 Suction filter, 72 Air vent Valve, 73 Filter cloth, 374,474 Fitting port, 280,580 Inlet jet pump, 281,581 Introducing throat part (introducing throttle part), 283 Introducing nozzle part (introducing injection part), 285,685 Surplus fuel hose, 286 Closing member, 286a Discharge hole, 90,790 Inflow Jet pump, 91,791 Inflow throat section (inflow throttle section), 93,793 Inflow nozzle section (inflow injection section), 893 Inflow nozzle section, 795,893,993 Surplus fuel hose, 100,200 , 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 Fuel supply device

Claims (8)

A fuel supply device that is installed in a fuel tank and supplies fuel stored in the fuel tank to an engine,
A fuel pump that draws in fuel and discharges it toward the engine;
A storage tank that houses the fuel pump and stores fuel sucked by the fuel pump; and a sub-tank that forms a first supply path capable of supplying fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device to the storage chamber; ,
Of the fuel discharged by the fuel pump, a surplus fuel discharge unit that discharges surplus fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine;
A storage room that stores the surplus fuel that is accommodated in the subtank and is discharged from the surplus fuel discharge section in the storage chamber, and the storage chamber is in communication with the storage chamber, and the fuel stored in the storage chamber is stored in the storage chamber. A storage tank having a valve mechanism for forming a second supply path that can be supplied to the storage chamber and blocking the second supply path;
The valve mechanism releases the shutoff of the second supply path when the liquid level of the fuel stored in the storage chamber drops and falls below the valve mechanism around the valve mechanism. apparatus. The storage tank forms the second supply path along the direction of gravity,
The valve mechanism is
A valve seat provided on the flow path wall of the second supply path;
A valve body that is positioned downstream of the valve seat portion in the supply direction from the storage chamber toward the storage chamber in the second supply path and is seatable on the valve seat portion and has a lower specific gravity than fuel. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, comprising: The sub tank forms an introduction path through which fuel stored in the vicinity of the fuel supply device can be introduced into the storage chamber,
An introduction throttle that is located in the introduction path and narrows down the introduction path;
The introduction restrictor is positioned upstream of the introduction restrictor in the introduction direction of the fuel flowing toward the storage chamber, and the excess fuel discharged from the excess fuel discharge part is directed to the introduction restrictor. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an introduction jet pump having an introduction injection unit that injects the fuel.   The sub tank allows inflow of fuel from the vicinity of the fuel supply device outside the sub tank to the storage chamber in the first supply path, and prevents outflow of fuel from the storage chamber to the outside. It has a check valve, The fuel supply apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. A pressure-regulating fuel discharge portion for discharging fuel to the outside, and at a downstream side of the fuel pump, a part of the fuel discharged by the fuel pump is diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine, and the pressure-controlled fuel discharge A pressure adjusting mechanism that adjusts the pressure of the fuel supplied to the engine by discharging from the section;
The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the surplus fuel discharge unit is the pressure-regulated fuel discharge unit. The fuel pump has a bubble discharge unit for discharging bubbles generated in the fuel pump into the fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine, and discharging the fuel.
The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the surplus fuel discharge unit is the bubble discharge unit. The fuel pump has a bubble discharge unit that discharges bubbles generated in the fuel pump by including them in fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine,
An inflow throttle portion that is located in the first supply path and throttles the first supply path; and an upstream side of the inflow throttle portion in the inflow direction of the fuel that flows through the inflow throttle portion toward the storage chamber. The fuel according to claim 5, further comprising an inflow jet pump that is located and has an inflow injection section that injects the fuel discharged from the bubble discharge section toward the inflow throttle section. Feeding device. A pressure-regulating fuel discharge portion for discharging fuel to the outside, and at a downstream side of the fuel pump, a part of the fuel discharged by the fuel pump is diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine, and the pressure-controlled fuel discharge A pressure regulating mechanism that adjusts the pressure of the fuel supplied to the engine by discharging from the section;
An inflow throttle portion that is located in the first supply path and throttles the first supply path; and an upstream side of the inflow throttle portion in the inflow direction of the fuel that flows through the inflow throttle portion toward the storage chamber. An inflow jet pump that is positioned and injects the fuel discharged from the pressure-regulating fuel discharge section toward the inflow throttle section, and the fuel pump includes the fuel pump A bubble discharge part for discharging bubbles generated in the pump into the fuel diverted from the fuel supplied to the engine;
The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the surplus fuel discharge unit is the bubble discharge unit.

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