JP2011157848A - Fuel supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent electric corrosion even if a highly-conductive component is contained in fuel and, in addition, fuel has permeated into housings 6, 7 through an interface between the conductive core wire 88 of a positive-electrode electric cable 18 and an insulating coating by capillarity. <P>SOLUTION: A sealing member 22 for fluid-tightly sealing an annular clearance formed between the outer wall surface of the square cylindrical portion of a block and the wall surface of the terminal storage chamber 31 of the housing 6 and isolating positive-electrode terminals 11, 16 from negative-electrode terminals 12, 17 is pressure-fitted onto only the outer wall surface of the square cylindrical portion 69 of the block 41 provided in the housing 7 and storing the positive-electrode terminals 11, 16 and positive-electrode electric cable 18. Thereby, the positive-electrode terminals 11, 16 and negative-electrode terminals 12, 17 are mutually electrically independent. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent such malfunction that the electric corrosion is generated between the positive-electrode terminals 11, 16 and the negative-electrode terminals 12, 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel supply device that supplies fuel stored in a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine, and more particularly, to a flange-side connector installed on a flange that closes an opening of the fuel tank, and to a terminal of the flange-side connector The present invention relates to a fuel supply device including a connector connecting device having a fuel pump-side connector for accommodating a wire lead wire.

[Conventional technology]
In recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental protection, for example, attempts have been made to use a biological alcohol such as ethanol mixed with gasoline.
An alcohol-mixed fuel in which gasoline and alcohol are mixed at an arbitrary ratio, or a fuel containing 100% ethanol, that is, a fuel containing a highly conductive component (electrolyte component) has a significantly higher conductivity than ordinary gasoline, and the connector electrode The electric corrosion of becomes a problem.
In particular, this problem becomes apparent in FFV vehicles capable of handling up to 85% of alcohol (contains much water at the same time).

Here, an in-tank type pump module (fuel supply device) in which a sub tank and a fuel pump are accommodated in a fuel tank is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This pump module includes a lid member (flange) that closes an opening formed in the upper wall of the fuel tank, a sub tank installed in the fuel tank, and a pressure received in the fuel sucked in the sub tank. And an electric fuel pump (fuel pump) for discharging the fuel.
The flange includes a first housing extending from the lower surface of the flange to the sub tank side (fuel pump side), and a pair of male terminals protruding into a recess surrounded by a peripheral wall (hood portion) of the first housing A first electrical connector having metal fittings (electrodes, terminals) is provided.
Further, the first electrical connector includes a convex second housing that fits into the concave portion of the first housing, a pair of female terminal fittings inserted into a cavity formed in the second housing, and the female molds thereof. A second electrical connector having a pair of lead wires (insulated wires) connected to the terminal fitting is coupled.

Here, when the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal coexist in one recess formed in the first housing of the first electrical connector, the fuel penetrates into the first housing along the bottom surface of the recess. Thus, a current path is formed. As a result, electrochemical corrosion (electrolytic corrosion, electrolytic corrosion) occurs between both terminals.
When electrolytic corrosion occurs between the two terminals in this way, the metal is ionized and eluted from the positive terminal, which causes a problem that the positive terminal becomes thin and breaks, and the fuel pump does not operate. When this problem occurs, vehicle troubles such as engine stalls occur, or plating (tin, silver, gold, etc.) applied to the positive terminal in advance elutes, so that the male terminal fitting and female terminal fitting Corrosion of the electrical connection portion with the lead increases, electric resistance rises, heat is generated, and the mold resin portion that embeds the base portion of the positive electrode terminal may melt. In particular, the flange that closes the opening formed in the upper wall of the fuel tank shuts off the fuel storage chamber and the outside of the fuel tank, but there is a hole in the melted part, and fuel leaks to the outside. There are concerns that lead to defects.

To prevent galvanic corrosion that occurs between the positive terminal (male positive terminal, female positive terminal) and the negative terminal (male negative terminal, female negative terminal), between the positive terminal and the negative terminal It is conceivable to lengthen the creepage distance or to reduce the opening area (cross-sectional area) through which current flows. However, this method has a limit in gap reduction and cannot completely eliminate electric corrosion.
Then, next, the method of isolating a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal separately can be considered. As a means to eradicate galvanic corrosion, a method in which resin is overmolded (secondary molding) in a state in which lead wires are first joined to both terminals (primary molding) can be considered. There is an inconvenience in equipment and cost that the next molding must be performed.

  Further, as a method for separating the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal individually, a waterproof connector as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is generally considered. The waterproof connector includes a first electrical connector that houses a pair of first different polarity terminals inside the housing 101, a second electrical connector that houses a pair of second different polarity terminals inside the housing 102, a housing 102, A cylindrical rubber plug 103 that seals the gap between the second positive terminal, a cylindrical rubber plug 104 that seals the gap between the housing 102 and the second negative terminal, and the housing 101 and the housing 102. And a cylindrical sealing member 105 for sealing a gap formed therebetween. The housing 102 is fitted with a cap 106 for preventing the rubber plugs 103 and 104 from coming off.

  The pair of first different-polarity terminals are assembled so as to penetrate through the flange 107 separating the inside and the outside of the fuel tank in the plate thickness direction. The pair of first different polarity terminals includes a male positive terminal (positive terminal) 111 having a terminal contact portion connected to the second positive terminal, and a male negative terminal having a terminal contact portion connected to the second negative terminal. (Negative electrode terminal) 112. The housing 101 of the first electrical connector extends from the lower surface of the flange 107 to the fuel pump side, and has a cylindrical peripheral wall (hood portion) 113 surrounding the space opened toward the fuel pump side. A pair of terminal accommodating chambers (terminal accommodating recesses) 114 and 115 that individually accommodate the pair of positive and negative terminals 111 and 112 in the enclosed space, and a partition wall (partition wall) that separates these terminal accommodating chambers 114 and 115 116 and the like.

The pair of second different-polarity terminals are inserted into the cylindrical terminal contact portion into which the positive electrode terminal 111 is inserted, the female positive terminal (positive electrode terminal) 121 having the electric wire connecting portion for fixing the positive electric wire, and the negative electrode terminal 112. And a female negative electrode terminal (negative electrode terminal) 122 having an electric wire connecting portion for fixing the negative electrode electric wire.
The housing 102 of the second electrical connector includes a pair of terminal accommodating portions 123 and 124 that individually accommodate the pair of positive and negative terminals 121 and 122, and a coupling portion that couples the base end portions of the terminal accommodating portions 123 and 124 to each other. 125.
Inside the terminal accommodating portion 123 of the housing 102, a terminal accommodating hole (positive electrode cavity) 126 for accommodating the positive terminal 121 and the positive electric wire is formed. A terminal accommodating hole (negative electrode cavity) 127 that accommodates the negative electrode terminal 122 and the negative electrode electric wire is formed inside the terminal accommodating portion 124 of the housing 102.

  An insulated wire (positive electrode lead wire) 131 having a structure in which a conductive core wire is covered with an insulating coating is used as a positive electrode wire fixed to the wire connection portion of the positive electrode terminal 121. An insulated wire (negative lead wire) 132 having a structure in which a conductive core wire is covered with an insulating coating is used as a negative wire fixed to the wire connecting portion of the negative terminal 122. Here, when connecting the pair of positive and negative electrode lead wires 131 and 132 to the wire connecting portions of the pair of positive and negative electrode terminals 121 and 122, the insulating coating on the terminal side of the pair of positive and negative electrode lead wires 131 and 132 is peeled off. Thus, the conductive core wire is exposed and fixed to the electric wire connecting portions of the positive and negative electrode terminals 121 and 122 by caulking or the like, thereby performing electrical connection and mechanical connection.

Further, the rubber plug 103 seals a gap formed between the outer periphery of the positive electrode lead wire 131 (the outer periphery of the insulating coating) and the hole wall surface of the positive electrode cavity 126. Further, the rubber plug 104 seals a gap formed between the outer periphery of the negative electrode lead wire 132 (the outer periphery of the insulating coating) and the hole wall surface of the negative electrode cavity 127.
Further, the seal member 105 seals a gap formed between the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 113 of the housing 101 and the outer periphery of the two terminal accommodating portions 123 and 124 of the housing 102.

[Conventional technical problems]
However, when the above-described waterproof connector is used in an in-tank type pump module, it is caused by capillary action through the interface between the conductive core wires of the positive and negative electrode lead wires 131 and 132 immersed in the fuel in the fuel tank and the insulating coating. There is a concern that liquid (in this case, fuel) may enter the waterproof connector (first and second electrical connectors).
When fuel permeates into the terminal accommodating chambers 114 and 115 through the interface between the conductive core wires of the positive and negative electrode lead wires 131 and 132 and the insulating coating, the positive and negative electrode cavities 126 and 127, the terminals are connected by the rubber plugs 103 and 104 and the seal member 105. Fuel cannot flow out from the storage chambers 114 and 115 to the outside of the waterproof connectors (first and second electrical connectors).
As a result, electric corrosion is generated by the fuel that has penetrated into the waterproof connector, leading to poor conduction or breakage between the positive and negative terminals 111 and 112 of the first electrical connector and the positive and negative terminals 121 and 122 of the second electrical connector. . For this reason, the first electrical connector that does not have the rubber plug fitted to the second electrical connector having the rubber plugs 103 and 104 needs to have a waterproof connector structure (for example, the periphery of the different polarity terminal is covered with a molded resin, etc.). And it becomes expensive.

JP 2004-257347 A

  An object of the present invention is that even if a high conductive component is contained in the fuel and the fuel penetrates into the terminal accommodating chamber through the interface between the conductive core wire and the insulating coating of the heteropolar electric wire due to capillary action, It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel supply device that can prevent the above-described problem.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first housing of the first electrical connector isolates the pair of terminal accommodating chambers that individually accommodate the pair of first different polarity terminals, and the terminal accommodating chambers. And a partition wall that separates the inside and the outside of each terminal receiving chamber. The pair of second different polarity terminals includes a terminal contact portion to which the pair of first different polarity terminals can be connected, a wire connection portion for connecting the core wires of the pair of different polarity wires, and a pair of different polarity wires, respectively. An electric wire fixing part for holding and fixing is provided.
Thereby, the terminal accommodating chamber (A) on one side (for example, the positive electrode side) accommodating the first and second different polarity terminals (A) of the same polarity and the first and second different polarity terminals (A) Since the terminal housing chamber (B) on the other side (for example, the negative electrode side) that accommodates the first and second different polarity terminals (B) having the same polarity and the same polarity can be isolated, a pair of first electrodes having different polarities from each other The first and second different polarity terminals (A, B) can be electrically independent from each other. Therefore, for example, current leakage from the first and second different polarity terminals (A) to the first and second different polarity terminals (B) can be prevented, and therefore a pair of first and second different polarity terminals ( It is possible to prevent electrolytic corrosion between A and B).
The second housing of the second electrical connector is provided so as to surround each terminal contact portion, each wire connection portion, and each wire fixing portion of the pair of second different polarity terminals, and a pair of second different extremes. It has a pair of terminal accommodating part which accommodates a child separately.

Then, the terminal housing on one side is accommodated only on the outer periphery of the terminal housing portion (A) on one side housing the first and second different polarity terminals (A) of the same polarity among the pair of first and second different polarity terminals. The gap formed between the outer periphery of the portion (A) and the wall surface surrounding the terminal housing portion (A) on one side is sealed, and the first and second different-polarity terminals (A) having the same polarity and the first The first and second different polarity terminals (A) have different polarities and have the same polarity by separating the first and second different polarity terminals (B). The pole terminal (A) and the first and second different polarity terminals (B) can be electrically independent from each other.
As a result, a highly conductive component is contained in the fuel, and the conductive core wire and the insulating coating of the different polarity electric wire (on one side connected to the electric wire connection portion of the second different polarity terminal (A)) by capillary action Even when the fuel penetrates through the interface into the terminal accommodating chamber into which the terminal accommodating portion on one side of the pair of terminal accommodating portions fits, the first and second different-polarity terminals (A) to Since current leakage to the first and second different polarity terminals (B) can be prevented, electrolytic corrosion between the pair of first and second different polarity terminals (A, B) having different polarities can be prevented.
In addition, the first and second electrical connectors can be configured at low cost.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the fuel pump has a DC motor that receives a supply of DC power from an external power source and generates a driving force, and an impeller driven by the DC motor. In this case, the fuel pump has a positive polarity external connection terminal with a positive polarity of power (voltage) supplied from an external power supply (DC power supply) via a power supply line, and a negative polarity external connection terminal with a negative polarity Is provided.
According to invention of Claim 3, the partition of a 1st housing has a wall surface (inner wall surface) surrounding the circumference | surroundings of the terminal accommodating part of one side among a pair of terminal accommodating parts.
Further, when the two first and second housings are fitted together, the seal member is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the terminal housing portion on one side of the pair of terminal housing portions, and the wall surface (inner wall of the first housing) It is a cylindrical seal rubber that is in close contact with the wall surface.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first and second different polarity terminals of the same polarity among the pair of first and second different polarity terminals are the first (second) voltage having a positive polarity. 1 and the second positive terminal. And the one side terminal accommodating part of a pair of terminal accommodating parts is a positive terminal accommodating part which accommodates a 1st, 2nd positive electrode terminal. The terminal housing part on the positive electrode side is provided so as to surround the first and second positive electrode terminals.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the terminal accommodating portion on one side for accommodating the one-polarity different-polarity electric wire among the pair of different-polarity electric wires opens toward the fuel pump side and has the same polarity. 1. Sealing a gap formed between one outer cavity of the second different polarity terminal and one polarity different polarity electric wire and between the outer circumference of the one polarity different polarity electric wire and the inner wall surface of the one side cavity. Has a rubber stopper.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the one of the pair of different-polarity electric wires refers to a positive-polarity electric wire having a positive polarity. And the one side terminal accommodating part of a pair of terminal accommodating parts is a terminal accommodating part of the positive electrode side which accommodates a positive electrode electric wire. The terminal housing part on the positive electrode side is provided so as to surround the periphery of the positive electrode electric wire.
According to invention of Claim 7, it has the electrical component installed in a fuel tank. This electrical component has a positive external connection terminal having a positive polarity (voltage) and a negative external connection terminal having a negative polarity (voltage). As a result, a highly conductive component is contained in the fuel, and the conductive core wire and the insulating coating of the different polarity electric wire (on one side connected to the electric wire connection portion of the second different polarity terminal (A)) by capillary action Even when the fuel penetrates into the terminal accommodating chamber into which the terminal accommodating portion on one side of the pair of terminal accommodating portions fits, the first and second electric terminals are connected to the first and second electric terminals. Since current leakage to an electrical component outside the connector can be prevented, it is possible to prevent a problem that electrolytic corrosion occurs between the first and second positive terminals and the negative external connection terminal of the electrical component.

Here, the first housing is individually resin-molded around a pair of first different polarity terminals having different polarities, and the first different polarity terminal having one polarity and the first different polarity terminal having the other polarity are provided. You may provide the mold resin part which isolates.
In addition, the second housing is individually resin-molded around each wire connecting portion and each wire fixing portion of a pair of second different polarity terminals having different polarities, and the second different polarity terminal on one side and this You may provide the mold resin part which isolates the different polarity electric wire connected to a 2nd different polarity terminal, the 2nd different polarity terminal of the other side polarity, and the different polarity electric wire connected to this 2nd different polarity terminal.

Moreover, you may employ | adopt the male terminal metal fitting which has a terminal insertion part inserted in each terminal contact part of a pair of 2nd different polarity terminal as a pair of 1st different polarity terminal, respectively. The pair of first different polarity terminals includes a first positive terminal having a positive polarity (voltage) and a first negative terminal having a negative polarity (voltage).
Moreover, you may employ | adopt the female terminal metal fitting which has a cylindrical terminal contact part in which each terminal insertion part of a pair of 1st different polarity terminal is each inserted as a pair of 2nd different polarity terminal. The pair of second different-polarity terminals includes a second positive terminal having a positive polarity (voltage) and a second negative terminal having a negative polarity (voltage).

The pair of different-polarity wires is an insulated wire in which a conductive core wire is covered with an insulating coating.
In addition, the pair of different-polarity electric wires includes a positive electric wire having a positive polarity (voltage) and a negative electric wire having a negative polarity (voltage). And the conductive core wire of the insulated wire used as a positive electrode electric wire has connected the 2nd positive electrode terminal and the positive electrode external connection terminal of the fuel pump. Moreover, the conductive core wire of the insulated wire used as the negative electrode wire connects the second negative electrode terminal and the negative electrode external connection terminal of the fuel pump.

(Example 1) which is the schematic which showed the in-tank type pump module (fuel supply apparatus). (A) is the top view which showed the upper surface of the flange of a pump module, (b) is the side view which showed the side surface of the flange of a pump module (Example 1). (A) is the side view which showed the 1st electrical connector, (b) is the top view which showed the lower housing of the 1st electrical connector (Example 1). (Example 1) which is the exploded view which showed the 2nd electrical connector, the rubber stopper, and the cap. (A) is AA sectional drawing of (b), (b) is the top view which showed the lower housing of the 1st electrical connector (Example 1). (Example 1) which is BB sectional drawing of Fig.5 (a). It is sectional drawing which showed the waterproof connector (prior art). It is the exploded view which showed the housing, the rubber stopper, and the cap of the 2nd electrical connector (conventional technique).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the present invention, a highly conductive component is contained in the fuel, and even if the fuel penetrates into the terminal accommodating chamber through the interface between the conductive core wire and the insulating coating of the different-polarity wire due to capillary action, the electrolytic corrosion is prevented. Of the pair of first and second different-polarity terminals, only the outer periphery of the positive-side terminal accommodating part that accommodates the first and second positive-polarity terminals of the same polarity is provided on the positive-side terminal accommodating part. Sealing the gap formed between the outer periphery and the wall surface surrounding the periphery of the terminal housing part on the positive electrode side, the first and second positive terminals and the first and second positive terminals have different polarities and the same The first and second positive electrode terminals and the first and second negative electrode terminals are electrically independent from each other by mounting a seal member that separates the first and second negative electrode terminals having polarities from each other.

[Configuration of Example 1]
1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a fuel supply device.

The fuel supply device of this embodiment is a device (pump module) that supplies fuel in a fuel tank (not shown) to a fuel injection valve (injector) of an internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as an engine) at a predetermined pressure. .
A fuel storage chamber for storing fuel is formed inside the fuel tank. In addition, a circular opening is formed in the upper wall portion of the fuel tank (the tank upper wall portion provided on the upper side of the vehicle in the vertical direction and the gravity direction of an automobile or the like).
Here, the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank is a highly conductive component such as a high-concentration alcohol mixed fuel obtained by mixing alcohol such as ethanol and gasoline at an arbitrary ratio, bioethanol and 100% ethanol fuel, etc. It is a fuel containing (a highly conductive component). Note that a low-concentration alcohol mixed fuel, gasoline, diesel oil, or the like may be used as the fuel.

  The fuel tank of this embodiment is provided with an in-tank pump module including a sub tank 1, a fuel pump 2, a sender gauge (liquid level detection device) 3, and the like. The flange (lid member, closing member) 4 of the pump module is attached to the upper wall portion of the fuel tank so as to cover an opening (fitting hole: not shown) provided in the upper wall portion of the fuel tank. Yes. Other parts of the pump module are installed in the fuel tank.

The sub tank 1 is formed in a container shape having an open flange side (the upper side in the drawing in FIG. 1). The sub tank 1 is supported by the flange 4 and is accommodated in the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank. Further, inside the sub tank 1, a fuel pump 2 that pumps inhaled fuel to the engine and a cylindrical fuel filter (not shown) arranged so as to surround the periphery of the fuel pump 2 in the circumferential direction. Etc. are housed.
Inside the sub tank 1, a fuel pump 2, a fuel filter, a suction filter 5 and the like are accommodated. The suction filter 5 has an outer periphery covered with a non-woven fabric, and removes relatively large foreign matters contained in the fuel sucked from the fuel storage chamber of the sub tank 1 by the fuel pump 2.
A sender gauge (electric part) 3 for detecting the liquid level of the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank, that is, the remaining amount of fuel, is attached to the outer side surface of the side wall portion of the sub tank 1.

The fuel pump 2 is an in-tank electric fuel pump installed in the fuel tank. The fuel pump 2 is a direct current motor drive type fuel pump (electric pump), and a motor part (a direct current motor with a brush) that receives a direct current power supply from an external power source (a direct current power source) to generate a driving force. And a pump unit (turbine pump) having an impeller coupled to the rotor of the DC motor. Further, the fuel pump 2 rotates the pump portion by the driving force of the DC motor, thereby sucking up (inhaling) the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber of the sub tank 1 and discharging it at a high pressure.
In addition, the fuel pump 2 has a pump portion disposed on one end side of a metal housing having both ends opened in the axial direction, a direct current motor disposed on the middle portion of the housing, and an end made of synthetic resin on the other end side of the housing. A cover is placed. The end cover is provided with a pump-side connector. The pump side connector housing is supplied with DC power from the outside (DC power supply or engine control unit (ECU) or pump control circuit or pump drive circuit) via a power supply line. A positive external connection terminal (positive terminal) and a negative external connection terminal (negative terminal) are provided.

The fuel filter has a cylindrical filter element disposed so as to surround the periphery of the fuel pump 2 in the circumferential direction, and a filter case that accommodates the filter element. The filter element removes foreign matters contained in the fuel discharged from the discharge port of the fuel pump 2. The inlet of the filter case is fitted with the discharge port of the fuel pump 2.
The sender gauge 3 has a sensor part 3a installed on the outer side surface of the side wall part of the sub tank 1, a float 3b provided in the fuel tank, and one end rotatably attached to the sensor part 3a, and a float 3b attached to the other end. The remaining amount of fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank is detected.

In the sensor unit 3a, a plurality of conductive patterns having different electric resistance values are formed. The sensor unit 3a is provided with a connector for external connection. In this connector, a positive electrode connection terminal (positive electrode (input) terminal), a negative electrode connection terminal (negative electrode (ground) terminal), and a positive electrode connection terminal (positive electrode (output) terminal) are installed.
The end on the anti-float side of the float arm 3c can contact the conductive pattern of the sensor unit 3a. When the float 3b floating in the fuel in the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank moves according to the fuel level, the float arm 3c rotates with the movement of the float 3b. As a result, the contact state between the float arm 3c and the conductive pattern of the sensor unit 3a changes, and the fuel level in the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank, that is, the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank is detected. .
The electrical signal (detection signal) output from the sender gauge 3 is output to the ECU via the signal transmission line.

  The flange 4 is a partition plate that separates the inside (fuel storage chamber) and the outside of the fuel tank, and is integrally formed of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal (POM). A fuel discharge pipe 4c into which the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 2 flows through the fuel supply pipe (in-tank fuel supply pipe) 4a and the fuel connector 4b is assembled on the upper surface of the flange 4. The fuel discharge pipe 4c is a pipe (fuel supply pipe) that supplies the fuel discharged from the discharge port of the fuel pump 2 to the outside of the fuel pump 2 (delivery pipe or injector that is an engine side component). Here, the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 2 and from which foreign matter has been removed by the filter element of the fuel filter is the fuel supply pipe 4a in the tank, the fuel connector 4b, the fuel discharge pipe 4c, and the fuel supply pipe outside the tank (not shown). Then, it is guided to a plurality of injectors (not shown) via delivery pipes (not shown), and injected from each injector into a combustion chamber or an intake port for each cylinder of the engine.

The flange 4 is connected to the sub tank 1 by a guide rod (shaft) 4d extending in the illustrated vertical direction (gravity direction, axial direction).
One end of the guide rod 4d in the axial direction (upper end in the gravitational direction) is press-fitted into the flange 4, and the other end in the axial direction (lower end in the gravitational direction) is inserted into an insertion portion (not shown) formed in the sub tank 1. It is inserted loosely.
In addition, a coil spring (not shown) that urges the sub tank 1 and the flange 4 in a direction (vehicle vertical direction, vertical direction in the drawing) to be separated from each other is installed on the outer peripheral side of the guide rod 4d. Thereby, the sub tank 1 and the flange 4 are relatively reciprocally movable in the plate thickness direction of the flange 4, that is, in the axial direction of the guide rod 4d (the vertical direction shown in FIG. 1). Therefore, the distance between the wall surface of the upper wall portion of the fuel tank and the bottom surface of the lower wall portion (bottom portion) fluctuates because the fuel tank expands or contracts due to a change in internal pressure due to a temperature change or a change in the fuel amount. However, since the bottom portion of the sub tank 1 is always pressed against the bottom inner wall (bottom surface) of the fuel tank by the biasing force (spring load) of the coil spring, the sub tank 1 is allowed to follow the position fluctuation of the bottom inner wall (bottom surface) of the fuel tank. Can do.

The flange 4 is provided with a flange-side connector (first electrical connector).
The first electrical connector is provided on both upper and lower surfaces so as to penetrate the flange 4 in the plate thickness direction. This first electrical connector extends from the outer surface (upper surface) of the flange 4 to the side opposite to the sub tank side (fuel pump side) (upper side in the direction of gravity: hereinafter referred to as the upper side in the drawing). And extends from the inner surface (lower surface) of the flange 4 to the sub tank side (fuel pump side, the lower side in the direction of gravity: hereinafter referred to as the lower side in the drawing).

The first electrical connector has a cylindrical connector housing (first housing, female housing: hereinafter referred to as housing 6) integrally formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the flange 4. Then, the housings 7 and 8 of the second and third electrical connectors can be fitted into the housing 6 of the first electrical connector.
A second electrical connector coupled to the first electrical connector on the flange side from the lower side (sub tank side, fuel pump side) than the flange 4 is a second housing (male type) having a rectangular tube shape that is fitted (coupled) to the housing 6. Housing: hereinafter referred to as housing 7).
The third electrical connector coupled to the first electrical connector on the flange side from the lower side (sub tank side, fuel pump side) than the flange 4 is a third cylindrical housing (fitted to the housing 6). Male housing: hereinafter referred to as housing 8).

The first electrical connector is a five-pole connector that houses five male terminal fittings (a pair of positive and negative terminals 11 and 12 and three positive and negative terminals 13 to 15) inside the housing 6.
The pair of positive and negative terminals 11 and 12 and the three positive and negative terminals 13 to 15 are arranged in parallel with each other.
The positive terminal 13 is a positive terminal (input terminal) connected to the input terminal of the sender gauge 3 through the positive electric wire 23. The positive terminal 13 protrudes upward in the figure from the upper surface of the flange 4, protrudes downward in the figure from a terminal insertion portion to be inserted into a mating connector (not shown), and protrudes downward in the figure from the lower surface of the flange 4 (not shown). ) And a middle portion (base portion, held portion) molded by a synthetic resin (mold resin).

The negative electrode terminal 14 is a negative electrode terminal (ground terminal) connected to the ground terminal of the sender gauge 3 via the negative electrode electric wire 24. The negative terminal 14 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the flange 4 and is inserted into a mating connector (not shown), protrudes downward from the lower surface of the flange 4, and is connected to the negative terminal (not shown) of the third electrical connector. ) And a middle portion (base portion, held portion) molded by a mold resin.
The positive terminal 15 is a positive terminal (output terminal) connected to the output terminal of the sender gauge 3 via the positive electric wire 25. The positive terminal 15 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the flange 4 and is inserted into a mating connector (not shown). The positive terminal 15 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the flange 4 and is connected to the positive terminal (not shown) of the third electrical connector. ) And a middle portion (base portion, held portion) molded by a mold resin.

The second electrical connector includes two female terminal fittings (a pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17) and two insulated wires (a pair of positive and negative electrode lead wires: hereinafter, a pair of positive and negative electrodes 18 and 19) inside the housing 7. 2 pole connector that accommodates the terminal portion of
The pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 are arranged in parallel with each other.
Further, the second electrical connector is formed between the housing 6 and the housing 7, and the rubber plug 21 for sealing (sealing) a gap formed between the housing 7 and the positive electrode wire 18 in a liquid-tight manner. A seal member 22 for sealing (sealing) the gap in a liquid-tight manner is provided.
Details of the housings 6 and 7, the pair of positive and negative terminals 11 and 12, the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17, the pair of positive and negative electric wires 18 and 19, the rubber plug 21 and the seal member 22 will be described later.

The third electrical connector includes three female terminal fittings (three positive and negative terminals: not shown) and three insulated wires (three positive and negative lead wires: hereinafter, three positive and negative wires 23 to) inside the housing 8. 25)).
The three positive and negative terminals are arranged in parallel with each other.
The third electrical connector includes a housing 8 that can be fitted into the housing 6, three positive and negative terminals accommodated in the housing 8, and three positive and negative electric wires 23 that are fixed to the electric wire connecting portions of these positive and negative terminals. ~ 25.
The positive electrode terminal is a rectangular tube-shaped third positive electrode terminal (female positive electrode metal fitting) into which the positive electrode terminal 13 of the first electrical connector is inserted in the terminal insertion portion. The negative electrode terminal is a rectangular tube-shaped third negative electrode terminal (female negative electrode terminal fitting) into which the negative electrode terminal 14 of the first electrical connector is inserted in the terminal insertion portion. The positive electrode terminal is a third positive electrode terminal (female positive electrode terminal fitting) having a rectangular tube shape into which the positive electrode terminal 15 of the first electric connector is inserted into the terminal insertion portion.

  The three positive and negative electric wires 23 to 25 are positive and negative electrode insulated wires having a structure in which a conductive core wire is covered with an insulating coating. The positive electrode wire 23 connects the positive electrode terminal 13 of the first electric connector and the positive electrode (input) terminal of the sender gauge 3 via the positive electrode terminal of the third electric connector. The negative electric wire 24 connects the negative terminal 14 of the first electrical connector and the negative (ground) terminal of the sender gauge 3 via the negative terminal of the third electrical connector. The positive wire 25 connects the positive terminal 15 of the first electrical connector and the positive (output) terminal of the sender gauge 3 via the positive terminal of the third electrical connector.

Next, details of the first electrical connector of the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.
The first electrical connector includes a cylindrical housing 6 integrally formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the flange 4, and five male members molded so as to penetrate the substrate portion (flange 4) of the housing 6 in the vertical direction in the figure. It is comprised by type | mold terminal metal fittings (a pair of positive / negative terminal 11, 12, three positive / negative terminals 13-15) etc.
The housing 6 is integrally formed of the same synthetic resin as the flange 4 (for example, polyacetal: POM). The housing 6 has an upper housing provided on the upper surface side of the bottom wall (molded resin portion) 26 integral with the flange 4 and a lower housing provided on the lower surface side of the bottom wall 26.

The upper housing is a terminal accommodating chamber (accommodating recess) 27 that accommodates terminal insertion portions (external connection terminals for connection with external devices such as an ECU, a pump control circuit, and a pump drive circuit) of the five male terminal fittings, In addition, a partition wall (hood portion: hereinafter referred to as a hood wall 28) is provided to separate the inside and the outside of the terminal accommodating chamber 27 from each other.
The lower housing isolates the terminal housing chambers 31 to 35 and the plurality of terminal housing chambers 31 to 35, which individually house five male terminal fittings, and the terminal housing chambers 31 to 35. 35 has a partition wall that separates the inside from the outside.

The terminal housing chamber 31 of the housing 6 is a housing recess on the positive electrode side that houses the positive terminal 11, the block 41 of the housing 7, the positive terminal 16, and the positive wire 18. The terminal housing chamber 32 of the housing 6 is a housing recess on the negative electrode side that houses the negative terminal 12, the block 42 of the housing 7, the negative terminal 17, and the negative wire 19.
The plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 31 to 35 are open toward the sub tank side (fuel pump side).
The partition wall surrounds the periphery of the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 31 to 35 in the circumferential direction to isolate the inside and the outside of the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 31 to 35 (hood portion: hereinafter referred to as the hood wall 36), and Partition walls 37 to 39 that partition the internal space of the hood wall 36 into a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 31 to 35 are provided.

On the hood wall 36 of the lower housing of the housing 6, an engaging protrusion 46 for snap-fit connection is formed. The engaging protrusion 46 has a locking portion (step) between the outer wall surface of the hood wall 36.
The partition walls 37 to 39, particularly the partition wall 39, have the same amount of protrusion (height) from the lower surface of the flange 4, that is, the lower surface of the bottom wall 26 toward the fuel pump, as the protrusion amount (height) of the hood wall 36. is there. The partition wall 37 is a partition wall that partitions the three terminal accommodating chambers 33 to 35 so as to be electrically independent. The partition wall 38 is a partition wall that partitions the space for accommodating the three terminal accommodating chambers 33 to 35 and the space for accommodating the pair of terminal accommodating chambers 31 and 32 so as to be electrically independent. The partition wall 39 is a partition wall that partitions the pair of terminal accommodating chambers 31 and 32 so as to be electrically independent.
Here, the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 31 to 35 have inner wall surfaces that are opposed to each other with the fitting portion between the outer surfaces of the terminals 11 to 15.
In the terminal accommodating chamber 31 that accommodates the positive electrode terminal 11, the opening sectional area on the rear side of the step 47 is larger than the opening sectional area on the front side (flange 4 side) of the step 47.

The pair of positive and negative terminals 11 and 12 are a pair of first different polarity terminals having different polarities, and are formed in a predetermined shape by press punching a flat conductive metal plate.
The positive terminal 11 is a first positive terminal (male positive terminal fitting). The positive terminal 11 protrudes upward in the figure from the upper surface of the flange 4 and protrudes downward in the figure from the lower surface of the flange 4 and is inserted into the positive terminal 16 of the second electrical connector. Terminal insertion portion, and an intermediate portion (base portion, held portion) molded by a molding resin.
The negative electrode terminal 12 is a first negative electrode terminal (male negative electrode terminal fitting). The negative terminal 12 protrudes upward in the figure from the upper surface of the flange 4 and is inserted into the negative terminal 17 of the second electrical connector. The terminal insertion portion is inserted into a mating connector (not shown), protrudes downward in the figure from the lower surface of the flange 4. Terminal insertion portion, and an intermediate portion (base portion, held portion) molded by a molding resin.

Next, the details of the second electrical connector of the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.
The second electrical connector includes a housing 7 that can be fitted into the housing 6 of the first electrical connector, a pair of female terminal fittings (a pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17) accommodated in the housing 7, and these positive and negative terminals. A pair of positive and negative electric wires 18 and 19 fixed to the electric wire connecting portions 16 and 17, a rubber plug 21 that seals a gap formed between the housing 7 and the positive electric wire 18, and between the housings 6 and 7. It has the sealing member 22 which seals the gap formed.

  The housing 7 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin (for example, polyacetal: POM) similarly to the housing 6 of the first electrical connector. The housing 7 includes a pair of blocks 41 and 42 installed so as to surround the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 and the terminal sides of the pair of positive and negative electrodes 18 and 19 in the circumferential direction, and these blocks 41, It has the connection part 43 which connects 42 mutually.

The block 41 of the housing 7 is a positive terminal housing part that houses and holds the positive terminals 11 and 16 and the positive electric wire 18. Further, the block 42 of the housing 7 is a negative terminal accommodating part that accommodates and holds the negative terminals 12 and 17 and the negative electric wire 19.
Cavities 51 and 52 are formed in the pair of blocks 41 and 42 and open in both axial directions (vertical direction in the drawing) of the positive and negative terminals 16 and 17. The cavity 51 of the block 41 is a positive terminal receiving hole into which the positive terminals 11 and 16 and the positive electric wire 18 are inserted. The cavity 52 of the block 42 is a terminal housing hole on the negative electrode side into which the negative terminals 12 and 17 and the negative electrode wire 19 are inserted.

On the upper side (flange side) of the pair of blocks 41, 42, a pair of insertion holes 53, 54 into which the respective wire contact portions of the mating positive / negative terminals 11, 12 can enter are formed. The pair of insertion holes 53 and 54 are provided through the flange side walls of the blocks 41 and 42 so as to communicate with the cavities 51 and 52. In addition, on the front side of the pair of insertion holes 53 and 54 (on the end surface side in contact with the lower surface of the bottom wall 26), inclined surfaces for guiding (guide) the positive and negative terminals 11 and 12 into the cavities 51 and 52. (Guide surfaces that gradually narrow the opening cross-sectional areas of the insertion holes 53 and 54 from the front surface toward the cavity side) are formed. Further, the positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 can be inserted into the cavities 51 and 52, respectively.
In addition, a pair of insertion holes 55 and 56 into which the pair of positive and negative electric wires 18 and 19 can be inserted are formed on the lower side (fuel pump side and rear side) of the pair of blocks 41 and 42.

A rubber plug accommodation chamber 57 that can accommodate the rubber plug 21 is formed on the rear side of the cavity 51, that is, in the cavity 51 in the vicinity of the insertion hole 55 through which the positive electrode wire 18 is inserted. The rubber plug housing chamber 57 is provided on the most fuel pump side in the cavity 51 and opens toward the fuel pump side.
Here, at least one of the pair of blocks 41 and 42 or the connecting portion 43 is provided with an elastic engagement claw piece (lock arm) 58 protruding in a T shape from the outer wall surface. This elastic engagement claw piece 58 is formed with an engagement claw 59 that engages with an engagement projection 46 provided on the hood wall 36 of the housing 6. The elastic engagement claw piece 58 is provided with a pressing wall 60 that is pressed by an operator when the engagement claw 59 is released from the engagement projection 46.

In addition, a U-shaped cap 9 for preventing the rubber stopper 21 from coming off is fitted to the lower end portion of the housing 7. The cap 9 is formed with through holes 61 and 62 through which the pair of positive and negative electric wires 18 and 19 penetrates, and is connected to a closed portion that closes the insertion holes 55 and 56, and the outer wall surfaces of the blocks 41 and 42. And a facing portion that faces the surface. Engagement holes 65 and 66 for engaging engagement claws 63 and 64 provided on the outer wall surfaces of the blocks 41 and 42 are provided in the facing portion.
The pair of blocks 41 and 42 are respectively formed with lances 67 that hold the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 accommodated in the cavities 51 and 52 in a retaining state. The lance 67 is formed in a cantilever shape projecting from the central portion of the pair of blocks 41 and 42 toward the flange side, and can be elastically deformed in the plate thickness direction of the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17. .

In addition, the block 41 that accommodates the positive terminal 16 and the positive electric wire 18 is behind the step 68 compared to the thickness (size) of the rectangular tubular portion 69 provided on the flange side (front side) with respect to the step 68. The thickness (size) of the rectangular tubular portion (or cylindrical portion) 70 is larger.
Further, the seal member 22 is locked and sealed to the outer wall surfaces of the two opposite sides of the outer wall surface of the front side portion (square tubular portion 69) of the block 41 that accommodates the positive electrode terminal 16 and the positive electrode electric wire 18. Locking grooves 71 and 72 for preventing the member 22 from coming off and positioning are formed, respectively.
Further, a slit 73 that can be fitted to the partition wall 39 of the housing 6 of the first electrical connector is formed between the rectangular tubular portion 69 of the block 41 and the front side portion (square tubular portion) of the block 42. ing.

The pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 are a pair of second different polarity terminals that have different polarities and are connected to the pair of positive and negative terminals 11 and 12, respectively. The positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 are constituted by a positive terminal 16 that is a second positive terminal (female positive terminal fitting) and a negative terminal 17 that is a second negative terminal (female negative terminal fitting).
The pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 are formed by pressing a flat conductive metal plate into a predetermined shape and then bending it into a predetermined shape. The pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 are a rectangular cylindrical terminal contact portion 81 to which a terminal insertion portion of the positive and negative terminals 11 and 12 of the mating first electrical connector can be connected, respectively, and a pair of positive and negative wires 18 and 19. An electric wire connecting portion 82 for connecting the conductive core wires, an electric wire fixing portion 83 for holding and fixing the terminal portions of the pair of positive and negative electric wires 18 and 19, a connecting portion 84 for connecting the terminal contact portion 81 and the electric wire connecting portion 82, And a connecting portion 85 for connecting the wire connecting portion 82 and the wire fixing portion 83.

  Each of the terminal contact portions 81 of the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate so as to have a rectangular cylindrical shape, and a part thereof overlaps. The terminal insertion portions of the pair of positive and negative terminals 11 and 12 are inserted into the terminal contact portion 81, respectively. In addition, an engagement hole (lance hole) 86 that is locked to the lance 67 is formed in the side wall of the terminal contact portion 81. Thus, when the positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 are inserted into the cavities 51 and 52 from the sub tank side, the lance 67 is elastically deformed upward in the drawing. When the positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 reach predetermined positions in the cavities 51 and 52, the lance 67 enters the lance hole 86 and locks the opening edge of the lance hole 86.

  Further, an elastic contact piece 87 is formed at the flange side end of the terminal contact portion 81 by folding back from the side wall of the terminal contact portion 81, and can be elastically deformed in the plate thickness direction of the terminal contact portion 81. As a result, the terminal insertion portions of the positive and negative terminals 11 and 12 that have entered through the insertion holes 53 and 54 are sandwiched between the elastic contact piece 87 and the side wall facing the elastic contact piece 87, thereby A stable conduction state (electrical connection) is obtained at the terminal connection portions between the terminal insertion portions of the negative electrode terminals 11 and 12 and the terminal contact portions 81 of the positive and negative electrode terminals 16 and 17.

Each electric wire connection part 82 of a pair of positive / negative terminal 16 and 17 is comprised by a pair of caulking piece, and carries out caulking connection of the conductive core wire 88 of a pair of positive / negative electric wire 18 and 19. As a result, a stable conduction state (electrical connection) is obtained at the terminal wire connection portion between each wire connecting portion 82 of the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 and the conductive core wire 88 of the pair of positive and negative wires 18 and 19. It is done.
Each electric wire fixing portion 83 of the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 is constituted by a pair of caulking pieces, and each terminal portion of the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 is caulked and fixed. As a result, a stable connection state (mechanical connection) is obtained at the terminal wire connection portion between each wire connection portion 82 of the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17 and the conductive core wire 88 of the pair of positive and negative wires 18 and 19. It is done.

The pair of positive and negative electric wires 18 and 19 are a pair of different polarity electric wires having different polarities and connected to the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17, respectively. These positive and negative electric wires 18 and 19 are a positive electric wire 18 connected to a positive external connection terminal (positive electrode terminal) of the fuel pump 2 and a negative electric wire 19 connected to a negative external connection terminal (negative electrode terminal) of the fuel pump 2. It is comprised by.
The positive electrode electric wire 18 is a positive electrode electric insulated wire having a structure in which a conductive core wire 88 as a conductor is covered with an insulating coating (insulating coating).
The negative electrode wire 19 is a negative electrode insulated wire having a structure in which the periphery of a conductive core wire 88 that is a conductor is covered with an insulating coating (insulating coating).
Then, the pair of positive and negative electric wires 18 and 19 peels off the end portions of the insulating coating to expose the conductive core wires 88, and the exposed conductive core wires 88 are connected to the electric wire connecting portions 82 of the pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17. Connected.

The rubber plug 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape by synthetic rubber such as fluorosilicone rubber. The rubber plug 21 is inserted and assembled into the rear side (rubber plug storage chamber 57) of the cavity 51 through the insertion hole 55 opened on the rear surface of the block 41 that stores the positive electrode terminal 16.
A through hole 90 penetrating in the axial direction is formed inside the rubber plug 21. In the through hole 90, the terminal portion of the positive electrode electric wire 18 is inserted so as to penetrate the rubber plug 21.
A plurality of annular ridges (lip portions) extending in the circumferential direction (outer peripheral direction) of the rubber plug 21 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rubber plug 21. In addition, a plurality of annular ridges (lip portions) extending in the circumferential direction (inner circumferential direction) of the rubber plug 21 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rubber plug 21.

  When the rubber plug 21 is housed in the rubber plug housing chamber 57, the annular protrusion and the outer circumferential portion on the outer peripheral side of the rubber plug 21 are inside the cavity 51 of the block 41 (the rubber plug housing chamber 57). Adheres closely to the wall (inner circumferential surface). Further, the annular protrusion and the inner peripheral portion on the inner peripheral side of the rubber plug 21 are peeled off from the end portion of the positive electrode wire 18 (the end portion of the positive electrode insulated wire in which the periphery of the conductive core wire 88 is covered with the insulating coating, that is, the insulating coating). In addition, the conductive core wire 88 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the positive-insulated electric wire that is not exposed. Thereby, the annular clearance formed between the terminal accommodating hole wall surface of the block 41 of the housing 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the positive electrode electric wire 18 is liquid-tightly sealed. Accordingly, the intrusion of fuel from the insertion hole 55 into the cavity 51 is prevented.

The seal member 22 is a rectangular tube-shaped seal rubber, and is formed in a rectangular tube shape by synthetic rubber such as fluorosilicone rubber, for example. This seal member 22 is press-fitted (fitted) to the outer peripheral surface of the front side portion (square tubular portion 69) of the block 41 that accommodates the positive electrode terminal 16 and the positive electrode electric wire 18.
A through hole 91 penetrating in the axial direction is formed inside the seal member 22. In this through hole 91, the rectangular tubular portion 69 of the block 41 is inserted so as to penetrate the seal member 22.

  A plurality of annular ridges (lip portions) extending in the outer peripheral direction of the seal member 22 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member 22. A plurality of annular ridges (lip portions) extending in the inner peripheral direction of the seal member 22 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the seal member 22. Further, one end face (front end face) of the seal member 22 faces a step 47 provided in the terminal accommodating chamber 31 of the housing 6 with an axial gap therebetween when the housings 6 and 7 are coupled. Further, the other end surface (rear end surface) of the seal member 22 faces the step 68 provided on the block 41 of the housing 7 with a minute gap therebetween.

  Further, two engagements provided on the outer wall surface of the rectangular tubular portion 69 of the block 41 are provided on the inner peripheral portion (two opposite sides of the four sides) of the other end portion (rear end portion) of the seal member 22. Inner peripheral projections 92 and 93 that are respectively engaged with the stop grooves 71 and 72 are provided. As a result, when the seal member 22 is fitted (press-fitted) into the outer periphery of the rectangular tubular portion 69 of the block 41 from the front side of the block 41 toward the step 68, the seal member 22 is placed at a predetermined position of the block 41. As a result, the inner peripheral projections 92 and 93 of the seal member 22 are fitted into the locking grooves 71 and 72 and the seal member 22 is locked. Therefore, the seal member 22 is prevented from coming off and the seal member 22 is prevented from rotating relative to the block 41.

  Then, when the housings 6 and 7 are joined in a state where the sealing member 22 is attached to the outer wall surface of the rectangular tube-shaped portion 69 of the block 41 of the housing 7, the annular protrusions and the outer peripheral portion on the outer peripheral side of the sealing member 22 are The housing 6 is in close contact with the wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 31 (that is, the wall surface surrounding the front portion of the block 41 in the hood wall 36 and the partition walls 38 and 39). Further, the annular ridge portion and the inner peripheral portion on the inner peripheral side of the seal member 22 are in close contact with the outer wall surface of the rectangular tubular portion 69 of the block 41. As a result, an annular gap formed between the wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 31 of the housing 6 and the outer wall surface of the rectangular tubular portion 69 of the block 41 of the housing 7 is liquid-tightly sealed. Therefore, the intrusion of fuel into the terminal accommodating chamber 31 is prevented from the gap between the opening of the hood wall 36 of the housing 6 and the outer periphery of the block 41 of the housing 7.

[Operation of Example 1]
Next, the operation of the fuel supply device (pump module) of this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

  The pair of positive and negative terminals 16 and 17, the pair of positive and negative wires 18 and 19, and the rubber plug 21 are inserted into the cavities 51 and 52 of the housing 7 of the second electrical connector, and the sealing member 22 is inserted into the block 41 of the housing 7. The blocks 41 and 42 of the housing 7 are fitted into the fitting portions of the housing 6 of the first electrical connector while being press-fitted into the outer wall surface of the front side portion (rectangular tubular portion 69).

When the front surfaces of the blocks 41 and 42 of the housing 7 enter a position where the front surfaces of the blocks 41 and 42 abut against the bottom wall 26 of the housing 6 (may be positions facing each other with a minute gap), elastic engagement claws provided on the outer wall surface of the housing 7 The engagement claw 59 of the piece 58 gets over the engagement protrusion 46 provided on the hood wall 36 of the housing 6 and is locked to the engagement protrusion 46. Thereby, both housings 6 and 7 are locked in a state in which detachment is restricted.
At this time, the seal member 22 is sandwiched between the wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 31 of the housing 6 and the outer wall surface of the rectangular tubular portion 69 of the block 41 of the housing 7 and elastically deforms. The annular clearance formed between the wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 31 of the housing 6 and the outer wall surface of the rectangular tubular portion 69 of the block 41 of the housing 7 is liquid-tightly sealed by the elastic restoring force of the seal member 22. Is done.

[Effect of Example 1]
As described above, in the fuel supply device (pump module) according to the present embodiment, the front portion of the block 41 that accommodates the positive terminals 11 and 16 and the positive electric wire 18 provided in the housing 7 (rectangular tubular portion 69). An annular gap formed between the outer wall surface of the rectangular tubular portion 69 of the block 41 and the wall surface (hood wall 36, partition walls 38, 39) of the terminal accommodating chamber 31 of the housing 6 is liquid-tight only on the outer wall surface of the block 41. The positive electrode terminals 11 and 16 and the negative electrode terminals 12 and 17 are electrically isolated from each other by press-fitting a seal member 22 that seals the positive electrode terminals 11 and 16 and the negative electrode terminals 12 and 17. Can do.

  Thus, a highly conductive component is contained in the fuel, and the fuel passes through the interface between the conductive core wire 88 and the insulating coating of the positive electrode wire 18 and the insulating coating, the cavity 51, and the insertion hole 53 due to capillary action. Even when the portion (square tube portion 69) penetrates into the terminal accommodating chamber 31, the current from the terminal accommodating chamber 31 through the partition wall 39, the terminal accommodating chamber 32, and the insertion hole 54 to the cavity 52 is reached. The path (current path formed between the positive terminals 11 and 16 and the negative terminals 12 and 17 via the fuel containing the highly conductive component) is liquid-tightly blocked by the seal member 22. Thereby, current leakage from the positive terminals 11 and 16 to the negative terminals 12 and 17 can be reliably prevented. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem that electrolytic corrosion occurs between the positive terminals 11 and 16 and the negative terminals 12 and 17.

  In addition, a rubber plug 21 that liquid-tightly seals an annular gap formed between the wall surface of the terminal receiving hole of the block 41 of the housing 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the positive electrode electric wire 18 is provided only on the outer periphery of the terminal portion of the positive electrode electric wire 18. Since it is fitted (press-fitted), the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be reduced as compared with the conventional technique in which the rubber plugs 103 and 104 are mounted on the outer periphery of both the pair of positive and negative lead wires 131 and 132. Therefore, the product price of the flange side connector connecting device constituted by the first and second electrical connectors is reduced. Therefore, the cost of the in-tank pump module can be reduced.

A fuel pump 2 having a pair of positive and negative electrode connection terminals and a sender gauge 3 having three positive and negative electrode connection terminals are installed inside the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank of this embodiment. In this case, even if fuel containing a highly conductive component due to capillary phenomenon penetrates into the terminal accommodating chamber 31 into which the front side portion (square tube portion 69) of the block 41 fits, the square tube portion of the block 41 Since the seal member 22 is provided for liquid-tightly sealing the annular gap formed between the outer wall surface 69 and the wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 31 of the housing 6 (hood wall 36, partition walls 38, 39). The current leakage from the positive terminals 11 and 16 to the outside of the first and second electrical connectors can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that electrolytic corrosion occurs between the positive terminals 11 and 16 and the negative connection terminal of the fuel pump 2 or the negative connection terminal of the sender gauge 3.
In addition, the housing 6 of the first electrical connector according to the present embodiment can be coupled with the housing 8 of the third electrical connector as well as the housing 7 of the second electrical connector. Therefore, a current path is formed between the positive terminals 11 and 16 of the first and second electrical connectors and the negative terminal 14 of the first and third electrical connectors via the fuel containing the highly conductive component. However, current leakage from the positive terminals 11 and 16 to the negative terminals 14 of the first and third electrical connectors can be prevented by installing the seal member 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that electrolytic corrosion occurs between the positive terminals 11 and 16 and the negative terminal 14.

[Modification]
In this embodiment, the rubber plug 21 on the positive electrode side is inserted (press-fit) between the wall surface of the terminal receiving hole of the block 41 on the positive electrode side of the housing 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the positive electrode electric wire 18. A rubber plug on the negative electrode side may be installed between the wall surface of the terminal accommodating hole of the block 42 and the outer peripheral surface of the negative electrode electric wire 19.
In the present embodiment, the positive seal member 22 is attached only to the outer periphery of the front side portion (square tubular portion 69) of the positive block 41 that accommodates the positive terminal 16 and the positive electric wire 18, but the negative terminal 17 and the negative electrode side sealing member may be provided only on the outer periphery of the negative electrode side block 42 that accommodates the negative electrode electric wire 19. In this case, the leakage current can be prevented by installing the negative side rubber plug and the negative side seal member together in the negative side block 42.
Further, the pair of positive and negative terminals 11 and 12 may be assembled to the bottom wall 26 of the flange 1 by press fitting.
Further, a sealing member or a rubber plug may be attached to the terminal accommodating portion of the third electrical connector.

In this embodiment, the rubber plug 21 is inserted (press-fitted) between the wall surface of the terminal accommodating hole of the block 41 of the housing 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the positive electrode electric wire 18, but the terminal accommodating of the cavity 51 of the block 41 of the housing 7 is accommodated. Synthetic resin (mold resin) may be filled between the hole wall surface and the wire connecting portion 82 and the wire fixing portion 83 of the positive terminal 16. That is, the gap formed between the wire connecting portion 82 and the wire fixing portion 83 of the positive terminal 16 and the block 41 of the housing 7 may be sealed (sealed) with the mold resin.
Further, a synthetic resin (mold resin) may be filled between the terminal accommodating hole wall surface of the cavity 52 of the block 42 of the housing 7 and the wire connecting portion 82 and the wire fixing portion 83 of the negative terminal 17. That is, the gap formed between the wire connecting portion 82 and the wire fixing portion 83 of the negative electrode terminal 17 and the block 42 of the housing 7 may be sealed (sealed) with the mold resin.

1 Sub tank 2 Fuel pump (electrical parts)
3 Sender gauge (liquid level detector, electrical parts)
4 Flange (lid member)
6 Housing of first electrical connector (first housing)
7 Second electrical connector housing (second housing)
11 Positive terminal (first different polarity terminal, first positive terminal, male terminal fitting)
12 Negative terminal (first different polarity terminal, first negative terminal, male terminal fitting)
16 Positive terminal (second different terminal, second positive terminal, female terminal fitting)
17 Negative terminal (second different terminal, second negative terminal, female terminal fitting)
18 Positive wire (different pole wire, insulated wire)
19 Negative wire (different polarity wire, insulated wire)
21 Rubber stopper 22 Seal member (seal rubber)
31 Terminal receiving chamber 32 Terminal receiving chamber 36 Hood wall (partition wall, peripheral wall)
38 Partition wall
39 Partition wall (partition wall)
41 blocks (terminal housing)
42 blocks (terminal housing)
51 Cavity 52 Cavity 81 Terminal Contact Portion 82 Wire Connection Portion 83 Wire Fixing Portion 88 Conductive Core Wire

Claims (7)

In a fuel supply device that supplies fuel stored in a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine,
A lid member for closing the opening of the fuel tank;
A fuel pump installed in the fuel tank and pressurizing and discharging the fuel sucked from the fuel tank;
A first housing extending from the lid member toward the fuel pump, and a first electrical connector housed in the first housing and having a pair of first different polarity terminals having different polarities from each other;
A second housing that fits into the first housing, a pair of second different-polarity terminals housed in the second housing and connected to the pair of first different-polarity terminals (with the same polarity), and these A second electrical connector having a pair of different polarity wires respectively connected to the second different polarity terminal (with the same polarity),
The first housing isolates the terminal housing chambers from a pair of terminal housing chambers that individually house the pair of first different-polarity terminals, and separates the terminal housing chambers from each other. Having a partition,
The pair of second different-polarity terminals include a terminal contact portion to which the pair of first different-polarity terminals can be connected, an electric wire connection portion for connecting core wires of the pair of different-polarity wires, and the pair of different-polarity wires, respectively. Each having a wire fixing part for holding and fixing,
The second housing is provided so as to surround each terminal contact portion, each wire connection portion, and each wire fixing portion of the pair of second different polarity terminals, and the pair of second different polarity terminals individually. A pair of terminal accommodating portions for accommodating;
The second electrical connector is mounted only on the outer periphery of a terminal accommodating portion on one side that accommodates the first and second different polarity terminals of the same polarity among the pair of first and second different polarity terminals, A fuel supply device comprising: a seal member that seals a gap formed between an outer periphery of a terminal housing portion on one side and a wall surface surrounding the periphery of the terminal housing portion on one side. The fuel supply device according to claim 1,
The fuel pump includes a direct current motor that receives a direct current power supply from an external power source to generate a driving force, and an impeller driven by the direct current motor. The fuel supply device according to claim 1 or 2,
A wall surface surrounding the one-side terminal accommodating portion is provided on the partition wall,
The seal member is a cylindrical seal rubber that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the terminal housing portion on one side and in close contact with the wall surface of the partition wall when the second housing is fitted into the first housing. A fuel supply device. In the fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Among the pair of first and second different polarity terminals, the first and second different polarity terminals having the same polarity are the first and second positive polarity terminals having a positive polarity.
The terminal housing part on one side is a terminal housing part on the positive electrode side that is provided so as to surround the first and second positive terminals and houses the first and second positive terminals. A fuel supply device. In the fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A terminal accommodating portion on one side that accommodates one of the pair of different polarity electric wires is opened toward the fuel pump side, and the first and second different polarity terminals having the same polarity are connected to each other. A cavity on one side for accommodating the one-polarity different polarity electric wire, and a rubber plug for sealing a gap formed between an outer periphery of the one-polarity different polarity electric wire and an inner wall surface of the one-side cavity; The fuel supply apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The fuel supply device according to claim 5, wherein
Among the pair of different polarity electric wires, the one of the different polarity electric wires is a positive polarity positive polarity electric wire,
The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one-side terminal housing portion is a positive-side terminal housing portion that is provided so as to surround the positive-electrode electric wire and accommodates the positive-electrode electric wire. The fuel supply device according to claim 4 or 6,
Comprising electrical components installed in the fuel tank;
The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical component has a positive polarity external connection terminal having a positive polarity and a negative polarity external connection terminal having a negative polarity.

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