JP2015137633A - fuel tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel tank collecting foreign matters adhering to a filter.SOLUTION: On an upper surface 52A of a filter 16 disposed in a sub tank 14, a low part 54 where a vehicle height is lower than the periphery and an inclination part 56 having a down gradient toward the low part 54 are included. Consequently, foreign matter adhering to the upper surface 52A of the filter 16, such as water droplets P, are guided to the inclination part 56 and collected to the low part 54. As the result, by inserting a suction tool or the like from an opening 34 of a fuel tank body 12 into an opening part 42 of the sub tank 14 in service, foreign matters accumulated in the low part 54 can be recovered.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel tank.

  In a fuel tank for a vehicle, in order to stably supply fuel from the fuel pump to the engine even when the fuel is unevenly distributed or when the liquid level of the fuel is lowered, a certain amount of fuel is locally supplied in the fuel tank. A sub-tank is provided on the bottom wall side of the fuel tank. A filter for removing foreign substances from the fuel is disposed inside the sub tank, and fuel is supplied from the inside of the filter to the engine via a fuel pump. As such a prior art, there exists a technique as described in patent document 1, for example.

JP 2012-36584 A

  However, there was no description about removing foreign substances adhering to the filter.

  In view of the above facts, the present invention has an object to provide a fuel tank that collects foreign matter adhering to a filter at a specific location.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a fuel tank body that stores fuel therein, a subtank that is disposed inside the fuel tank body and has an opening in the upper portion, and is disposed within the subtank, And a filter that removes foreign matter from the fuel on a surface including a top surface including a lower portion that is lower than the lower portion and an inclined portion that is inclined downward from the periphery toward the lower portion.

  In this fuel tank, the foreign matter contained in the fuel in the sub tank is removed from the fuel on the filter surface and adheres to the filter surface. Here, on the upper surface of the filter, there are provided a lower part lower than the surroundings and an inclined part inclined downward toward the lower part. Therefore, the foreign matter adhering to the upper surface of the filter is guided to the inclined portion, moves to the lower portion, and is collected at the lower portion. Therefore, for example, at the time of service, a suction device or the like can be inserted into the opening of the sub tank from the opening of the fuel tank, and the foreign matter accumulated in the lower portion can be efficiently recovered.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the low portion is located below the opening.

  In this fuel tank, the lower part of the filter is provided below the opening of the sub tank. As a result, foreign matter is collected below (the lower part of) the opening of the sub tank on the upper surface of the filter. Therefore, for example, during service, it becomes easy to insert a suction device or the like from the opening of the fuel tank into the opening of the sub tank and collect the foreign matter accumulated in the lower part.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a fuel pump that guides the fuel that has passed through the filter to the outside of the fuel tank main body, and the fuel inside the fuel tank main body. A fuel delivery passage provided on the fuel delivery side of the pump, a fuel return portion provided on the fuel delivery passage, for returning a part of the fuel to the inside of the sub tank, and one end connected to the fuel return portion; A fuel return passage having the other end opened in the upper part of the filter inside the sub tank.

  In this fuel tank, the fuel that has passed through the filter is sucked by the fuel pump and supplied to the engine via the fuel delivery passage. At this time, a part of the fuel is returned to the inside of the sub tank through the fuel return passage from the fuel return portion provided on the fuel delivery passage. Here, since the tip of the fuel return passage is open in the upper part of the filter inside the sub tank, the fuel in the upper part of the filter flows due to the inflow of fuel from the fuel return passage in the sub tank. As a result, the foreign matter accumulated in the lower part of the upper surface of the filter is scattered, and the foreign matter can be discharged from the opening of the sub tank to the outside of the sub tank.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the other end of the fuel return passage opens toward the lower portion.

  In this fuel tank, the tip of the fuel return passage opens toward the lower portion in the upper part of the filter inside the sub tank, so that the flow of fuel flowing in from the fuel return passage directly hits the lower portion. In other words, the foreign matter accumulated in the lower portion of the fuel flowing in from the fuel return passage can be scattered, and the foreign matter can be discharged from the opening of the sub tank to the outside of the sub tank.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the filter has an internal space surrounded by a surface including the upper surface, and the fuel tank main body includes an internal space from the internal space. A fuel pump for deriving the fuel to the outside of the fuel tank main body, a fuel delivery passage provided on the fuel delivery side of the fuel pump, a fuel delivery passage provided on the fuel delivery passage, and a part of the fuel for the sub tank A fuel return portion returning to the inside, and a fuel return passage having one end connected to the fuel return portion and the other end opened in the internal space.

  In this fuel tank, fuel is sucked from the internal space of the filter by the fuel pump and supplied to the engine via the fuel delivery passage. At this time, a part of the fuel is returned to the inside of the sub tank through the fuel return passage from the fuel return portion provided on the fuel delivery passage. Here, the other end of the fuel return passage is opened in the internal space of the filter. Therefore, fuel flows from the fuel return passage into the internal space of the filter, and a fuel flow is generated from the internal space of the filter toward the outside (upward) of the filter. This flow of fuel to the upper side of the filter scatters foreign matter accumulated in the lower part of the filter to the upper side of the vehicle. As a result, the scattered foreign matter is discharged to the outside of the sub tank from the opening provided in the upper part of the sub tank.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the other end of the fuel return passage is located below the lower vehicle in the internal space and opens toward the upper side of the vehicle.

  In this fuel tank, the other end of the fuel return passage is positioned below the lower vehicle in the filter and opens toward the lower portion above the vehicle. Accordingly, a fuel flow is generated from the inner space of the filter toward the lower portion of the upper surface. The flow of fuel toward the upper part of the vehicle directly hits the lower part, and the foreign matter accumulated in the lower part is scattered to the upper part of the vehicle. As a result, the scattered foreign matter is discharged from the opening of the sub tank to the outside of the sub tank.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the low portion is provided at an upper end portion of the filter, communicates with the low portion in the sub tank, and is provided below the upper end portion. A foreign matter container for containing foreign matter is provided.

  In this fuel tank, a lower portion is provided at the upper surface end portion of the filter, and a foreign substance containing portion communicating with the lower portion is provided below the upper surface end portion where the low portion is provided. Accordingly, the foreign matter adhering to the upper surface of the filter in the sub tank is guided to the inclined portion and collected in the lower portion provided at the upper end portion, and is connected to the lower portion and communicated with the lower portion. It can be moved (accommodated).

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the inclined portion having a downward slope is provided from at least a lower portion of the opening portion toward the upper surface end portion on which the foreign substance accommodating portion is provided.

  In this fuel tank, an inclined part having a downward slope is provided from the lower part of the opening part of the sub tank toward the upper end part of the filter provided with the low part. Therefore, a foreign matter having a specific gravity greater than the fuel that has entered the sub tank through the opening of the sub tank reaches the low part provided at the upper end of the filter by being guided by the inclined part, and is provided below the low part. It is accommodated in the foreign substance accommodating part.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the foreign matter is allowed to move from the upper surface end portion to the foreign matter storage portion between the foreign matter storage portion and the upper surface end portion. A check valve that does not allow movement of the foreign matter from the foreign matter storage portion to the upper end portion is provided.

  In this fuel tank, the movement of the foreign material from the upper surface end toward the foreign material container is allowed between the upper surface edge of the filter provided with the low part and the foreign material container, and the movement in the opposite direction is not permitted. A check valve is provided. Therefore, the foreign substance accommodated in the foreign substance accommodating part is suppressed or prevented from returning to the upper part of the filter.

  Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, foreign substances adhering to the filter surface of the fuel tank can be collected at a specific location.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fuel tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fuel tank which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fuel tank which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fuel tank which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fuel tank which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a partially notched top view of the sub tank which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a top view of the sub tank which concerns on the variation of 5th Embodiment of this invention, (B) is BB sectional drawing of (A). It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fuel tank which concerns on the variation of 5th Embodiment of this invention.

[First Embodiment]

  A fuel tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Although various members are disposed in the fuel tank, members not related to the gist of the present invention are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel tank 10 is provided at the bottom of the fuel tank main body 12 that stores the fuel S therein, and can supply fuel to the outside even when the remaining capacity of the fuel is small. The sub tank 14, the filter 16 disposed at the bottom of the sub tank 14, the fuel pump 18 for supplying fuel from the inside of the filter 16 to the outside (engine), and the pressure of the fuel led out by the fuel pump 18 are kept constant. For this purpose, a pressure regulator 20 for returning excess fuel to the inside of the sub tank 14 and a pump module 22 for leading the fuel from the fuel pump 18 to the outside of the fuel tank 10 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel tank body 12 is a rectangular box-shaped body, and includes a bottom wall 24, side walls 26 and 28 extending upward from both ends of the bottom wall 24, and upper ends of the side walls 26 and 28. A closed space 32 in which fuel is stored is formed. The upper wall 30 is formed with an opening 34 to which the pump module 22 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sub tank 14 has a rectangular box shape having side walls 36, 38 and an upper wall 40, and is placed on the bottom wall 24 of the fuel tank main body 12 with the opening being a vehicle downward direction. The Note that the fuel S can flow into the sub tank 14 from between the bottom wall 24 and the side walls 36 and 38.

  The upper wall 40 has an opening 42 for allowing the fuel S to flow into the sub tank 14 and a circular pipe line constituting a fuel return passage 62 for returning a part of the fuel S from the pressure regulator 20 to the sub tank 14. 44 is formed.

  The filter 16 is disposed on the bottom wall 24 of the fuel tank main body 12 on the bottom side of the sub tank 14, and is fixed between the side walls 36 and 38 of the sub tank 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the filter 16 includes a bottom portion 46, side portions 48 and 50, and an upper portion 52, and forms an internal space 53 having a substantially rectangular cross section surrounded by these. The upper surface 52 </ b> A of the upper part 52 includes a low part 54 that is lower than the surrounding part (located downward in the vehicle vertical direction) and an inclined part 56 that is inclined downward toward the low part 54. The low portion 54 is located immediately below the opening 42 of the sub tank 14. Here, the “bottom portion” refers to a portion that is lower than all the upper surfaces 52A in the adjacent surroundings, or lower than the other portions at the same level as the upper surface 52A of a part of the adjacent surroundings.

  The filter 16 ensures water repellency by forming an oil film on the surface of the filter 16 when the fuel S comes into contact therewith. Therefore, as long as the fuel S is present in the sub tank 14, the fuel S always contacts the filter 16, so that the water repellency of the filter 16 is ensured.

  The fuel supply system that supplies the fuel S from the inside of the fuel tank 10 to the outside includes the fuel suction passage 58 that communicates from the inside of the filter 16 to the fuel pump 18, the fuel pump 18, and the fuel pump 18 to the pump module 22. A fuel delivery passage 60 to be supplied and a fuel return passage 62 for returning a part of the fuel S from the pressure regulator 20 provided on the fuel delivery passage 60 to the inside of the sub tank 14 are configured.

  The pump module 22 is integrally formed inside a cylindrical cylindrical body 64, and a flange 66 provided at the upper end of the pump module 22 is provided in the opening 34 of the fuel tank body 12 and is not shown. It is locked with.

  The operation of the fuel tank 10 thus formed will be described.

  In the fuel tank 10, when the liquid level L of the fuel S stored in the fuel tank main body 12 is higher than the upper wall 40 of the subtank 14, the subtank 14 is opened from the opening 42 provided in the upper wall 40 of the subtank 14. The fuel S flows into the inside of the sub tank 14 and flows into the sub tank 14 through the gap between the side walls 36 and 38 of the sub tank 14 and the bottom wall 24 of the fuel tank body 12. As a result, the fuel S flows into the internal space 53 of the filter 16 from the upper portion 52 and the bottom portion 46 of the filter 16 disposed on the bottom wall 24 side in the sub tank 14. By driving the fuel pump 18 in this state, the fuel S is supplied from the internal space 53 of the filter 16 to the outside (engine) via the fuel suction passage 58, the fuel pump 18, the fuel delivery passage 60, and the pump module 22. The Here, a part of the fuel S is returned to the inside of the sub tank 14 through the fuel return passage 62 by the pressure regulator 20.

  Meanwhile, in the fuel tank 10, water droplets P may be generated inside the fuel tank main body 12 for various reasons, and may enter the sub tank 14 from the opening 42. Since the specific gravity of the water droplets P is greater than that of the fuel S, the water droplets P sink inside the sub tank 14 below the vehicle. As a result, the water droplet P reaches the upper surface 52A of the filter 16.

  Here, the filter 16 of the fuel tank 10 has water repellency when even part of the filter 16 is immersed in the fuel S. Therefore, the water droplets P that have reached the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 are prevented or suppressed from entering the inside of the filter 16. The

  In addition, the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 is formed with an inclined portion 56 that is inclined downward toward the low portion 54 that is lower than the surroundings (located below the vehicle), and therefore attached to the upper surface 52A of the filter 16. Water droplets P having a specific gravity greater than that of the fuel S are guided by the inclined portion 56 and collected in the low portion 54.

  Therefore, when the pump module 22 is removed from the opening 34 at the time of service of the fuel tank 10, a suction tool or the like is inserted into the opening 42 of the sub tank 14 from the opening 34, thereby lowering the lower portion of the filter 16. The water droplets P collected at 54 can be efficiently sucked and collected. In particular, since the low portion 54 is provided immediately below the opening 42 of the sub tank 14, the water droplets P can be easily collected.

  Further, since the fuel return passage 62 is opened to the upper portion of the filter 16 in the sub tank 14 by the pipe 44, the fuel S in the upper portion of the filter flows by the fuel S flowing in from the fuel return passage 62. As a result, the water droplets P accumulated in the low portion 54 are scattered, and the water droplets P are discharged from the opening 42 to the outside of the sub tank 14.

  Furthermore, by collecting the water droplets P in the low part 54, the area where the water droplets P adhere to the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 is reduced. As a result, the filter 16 is prevented from being deteriorated in filtration performance and can secure a predetermined filtration performance. In particular, the water droplets P accumulated in the low part 54 are scattered and discharged from the opening 42 of the sub tank 14 to the outside of the sub tank 14, whereby the filtration performance of the filter 16 is further recovered.

  As described above, the fuel tank 10 according to the present embodiment collects the water droplets P reaching the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 in the lower portion 54 by the lower portion 54 and the inclined portion 56 provided on the upper surface 52A of the filter 16. it can. Moreover, since the low portion 54 is located immediately below the opening 42 of the sub tank 14, it is collected by inserting a suction tool or the like from the opening 34 of the fuel tank 10 into the opening 42 of the sub tank 14 during service or the like. The water droplet P can be sucked easily.

  Further, since a part of the fuel S is returned from the pressure regulator 20 into the sub tank 14 by the fuel return passage 62, the water droplets P accumulated in the lower portion 54 are scattered by the flow of the fuel S flowing from the vehicle return passage 62. Then, it is discharged from the opening 42 to the outside of the sub tank 14. That is, the water droplets P attached to the filter 16 due to the recirculation of the fuel S can be automatically removed.

  Further, the filter 16 collects the water droplets P in the lower portion 54 or scatters the collected water droplets P by the recirculation of the fuel S and discharges a part of the water droplets P from the opening 34 to the outside of the sub tank 14 so that the filter 16 performs predetermined filtration. Performance can be ensured.

  Since the filter 16 is water repellent, the water droplets P that have reached the upper surface 52A are prevented or suppressed from entering the inside of the filter.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the low part 54 provided on the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 is one place, but a plurality of parts may be provided. Furthermore, although the inclined portion 56 is continuously formed with a single downward gradient, the downward gradient may be changed. Furthermore, there may be a horizontal portion in the middle of the inclined portion 56.

  Furthermore, although the low part 54 is provided just under the opening part 42, it is not the meaning limited to this.

[Second Embodiment]

  Next, a fuel tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Since the fuel return passage 62 is different from the first embodiment, only this portion will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the fuel tank 70, the fuel return passage 62 includes a pipe 44 provided in the upper wall 40 of the subtank 14 and a tube 72 provided in the subtank 14 continuously to the pipe 44. With. The tube 72 extends from the lower end of the conduit 44 along the inclined portion 56 toward the low portion 54. The distal end of the tube 72 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the low portion 54 and opens toward the low portion 54.

  The operation of the fuel tank 70 configured as described above will be described.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the water droplet P that has entered the inside of the sub tank 14 is guided by the inclined portion 56 provided on the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 and collected in the low portion 54. Here, in the fuel return passage 62, the tube 72 following the pipe line 44 is disposed along the inclined portion 56, and the distal end of the tube 72 opens toward the low portion 54. Therefore, when a part of the fuel S is recirculated from the pressure regulator 20 to the fuel return passage 62, the fuel S is ejected from the tip of the tube 72 toward the low portion 54. As a result, the water droplets P accumulated in the low part 54 are scattered, and the water droplets P are discharged from the opening 42 of the sub tank 14 to the outside of the sub tank 14.

  As described above, in the fuel tank 70, the tube 72 constituting the fuel return passage 62 is disposed up to the vicinity of the low portion 54, and the tip of the tube 72 opens toward the low portion 54, so that the fuel recirculates from the pressure regulator 20. S can be directly sprayed toward the water droplets P accumulated in the low part 54. Accordingly, the water droplets P can be efficiently scattered and discharged efficiently from the opening 42 of the sub tank 14 to the outside of the sub tank 14.

  Further, since the water droplets P can be efficiently discharged from the opening 42 of the sub tank 14 to the outside of the sub tank 14, it is possible to further suppress the deterioration of the filtration performance of the filter 16 due to the adhesion of the water droplets P.

[Third Embodiment]

  Subsequently, a fuel tank according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Since the fuel return passage 62 is different from the first embodiment, only that portion will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the fuel tank 80, the fuel return passage 62 includes a pipe line 44 provided in the upper wall 40 of the sub tank 14 and a tube 82 continuous with the pipe line 44.

  The tube 82 extends from the lower end of the conduit 44 through the upper part 52 of the filter 16 to the internal space 53 of the filter. In the internal space 53 of the filter 16, the filter 16 extends along the slope 56 of the filter 16 to below the low part 54 of the filter 16. Further, an opening 84 is formed on the upper side surface of the tip of the tube 82 (the portion facing the low portion 54) toward the low portion 54.

  The operation of the fuel tank 80 configured as described above will be described.

  In the fuel return passage 62, the tube 82 extends through the upper portion 52 of the filter 16 following the conduit 44 and extends below the low portion 54 in the internal space 53. Moreover, a plurality of openings 84 are provided at the tip of the tube 82 on the upper side surface facing the low portion 54.

  Therefore, when the fuel S is recirculated from the pressure regulator 20 to the fuel return passage 62, the fuel S is directed from the opening 84 provided at the tip of the tube 82 toward the lower portion 54, that is, from the vehicle lower side to the vehicle upper side. Erupts. As a result, the water droplets P accumulated in the low part 54 are scattered upward of the vehicle, and the water droplets P are discharged to the outside of the sub tank 14 from the opening 42 of the sub tank 14.

  As described above, in the fuel tank 80, the tube 82 constituting the fuel return passage 62 is disposed below the lower portion 54 inside the filter, and the opening 84 is provided on the upper side surface of the tip, so that the pressure regulator 20 The recirculating fuel S can be injected from below the vehicle to the water droplets P accumulated in the low portion 54, and the water droplets P can be scattered upwards of the vehicle. That is, it becomes easier to discharge the water droplets P from the opening 42 of the sub tank 14 to the outside.

  Moreover, since the water droplets P adhering to the filter 16 are further discharged to the outside of the sub-tank 14, it is possible to further suppress the filtration performance deterioration of the filter 16 due to the adhesion of the water droplets P.

  Even in the configuration in which only the tip of the fuel return passage 62 is opened in the internal space 53 of the filter 16, the flow of the fuel S from the lower side of the vehicle to the upper side of the vehicle is generated in the internal space 53 of the filter 16 and accumulated in the lower portion 54. The water droplets P can be scattered and discharged from the opening 42 of the sub tank 14 to the outside.

[Fourth Embodiment]

  A fuel tank according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel tank 90 is a fuel tank applied to a diesel engine. Therefore, a fuel pump and a pump module are not arranged inside the fuel tank 90.

  That is, a fuel suction passage 58 that is inserted from the outside of the fuel tank 90 to the internal space 53 of the filter 16 and a fuel return passage 62 that returns a part of the fuel S to the inside of the sub tank 14 are attached to the flange 66. .

  The operation of the fuel tank 90 configured as described above will be described.

  In the fuel tank 90, the water droplet P that has entered the sub tank 14 adheres to the upper surface 52 </ b> A of the filter 16, is guided by the inclined portion 56, and is collected in the lower portion 54. Therefore, by opening the opening 34 of the fuel tank main body 12 at the time of service or the like, and inserting a suction tool or the like into the opening 42 of the sub tank 14 from the opening 34, the low portion 54 provided directly below the opening 42. The water droplets P collected in (1) can be efficiently recovered.

  Further, since the fuel return passage 62 opens to the upper portion of the filter 16 in the sub tank 14 by the pipe 44, the fuel S in the upper portion of the filter 16 flows by the fuel S discharged from the fuel return passage 62. As a result, the water droplets P accumulated in the low portion 54 are scattered, and the water droplets P are discharged from the opening 42 to the outside of the sub tank 14.

  As described above, the fuel tank 90 for the diesel engine has the same effects as the fuel tank 10.

  The fuel tank 90 corresponds to the fuel tank 10 of the first embodiment, but has a configuration corresponding to the fuel tanks 70 and 80 of the second and third embodiments in which the configuration of the fuel return passage 62 is changed. It may be applied.

[Fifth Embodiment]

  Next, a fuel tank according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Since the fuel tank of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the shape of the sub tank, only the sub tank will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fuel tank 100 includes a lower tank 102 and an upper member 104 that fits the lower member 102.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower member 102 is a cylindrical body in which the vertical wall 106 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and the lower member 102 of the vertical wall 106 that constitutes one short side forming the rectangle. A foreign substance storage chamber 110 serving as a foreign substance storage part 108 to be described later is formed outside.

  The foreign substance storage chamber 110 is a room having a rectangular cross section as shown in FIG. 5, and extends over the entire width of the vertical wall 106 constituting one short side forming a rectangle in plan view as shown in FIG. Exist. A rectangular inlet 112 communicating with a notch 120 of the upper member 104 described later is formed on the vehicle upper side at the center in the width direction of the vertical wall 106 corresponding to the short side.

  In addition, the filter 16 is fixed between the vertical walls 106, 106 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lower member 102, with a downward slope toward the foreign substance container 108 side. The filter 16 is formed into a shape having a space between the upper filter 16A and the lower filter 16B, which are joined at the ends so that the upper filter 16A and the lower filter 16B face each other.

  In this manner, by arranging the filter 16 itself so as to be inclined, the portion excluding the end portion of the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 corresponds to the inclined portion 56, and the end portion of the upper surface 52A on the foreign matter container 108 side corresponds to the low portion 54. Will do.

  Note that a mesh 114 is disposed below the filter 16 to support the filter 16 from below.

  The upper member 104 includes a side wall 116 and an upper wall 118 arranged in a rectangular shape in plan view. As shown in FIG. 6, the side wall 116 arranged in a rectangular shape in plan view can be inserted inside the vertical wall 106 of the lower member 102, and the lower end portion is placed on the joint portion of the filter 16. Yes.

  A rectangular notch 120 is formed at the lower end portion of the central portion in the short side direction on the side of the foreign material container 108 on the side wall 116. The notch 120 and the inlet 112 of the foreign matter storage portion 108 communicate the low portion 54 side (upper portion of the low portion 54) of the sub tank 14 with the foreign matter storage chamber 110.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper wall 118 includes an inclined surface 124 that is inclined downward from the flat surface portion 122 toward the opening 42, a vertical wall portion 126 that is disposed to face the inclined surface 124, and an inclined surface An opening 42 surrounded by a bottom surface 128 and 130 connecting the surface 124 and the lower end portion of the vertical wall portion 126 is formed.

  The fuel tank 100 is of a type without the pressure regulator 20 and does not have the fuel return passage 62.

  The operation of the fuel tank 100 configured as described above will be described.

  In the fuel tank 100, the water droplets P enter the sub tank 14 through the opening 42 provided in the upper member 104 of the sub tank 14. The water droplets P having a specific gravity greater than that of the fuel S settle inside the sub tank 14 and reach the upper surface 52A (upper filter 16A) of the filter 16. Since the filter 16 is disposed so as to be inclined so that the foreign substance containing portion 108 side is lowered, the water droplet P that has reached the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 is guided by the inclined portion 56 of the filter 16 and is located at the lower end of the vehicle. Move to the part (low part 54). The water droplets P that have moved to the low part 54 move to the foreign substance storage chamber 110 of the foreign substance storage part 108 through the notch 120 provided in the side wall 116 and the inlet 112 provided in the vertical wall 106. That is, the water droplets P are stored in the foreign material storage unit 108 (foreign material storage chamber 110).

  The foreign matter container 108 has an inlet 112 at the upper end and extends downward from the inlet 112 so that the water droplet P having a specific gravity greater than that of the fuel S is stored on the filter 16 after being stored in the foreign material container 110. Return is prevented or suppressed.

  As described above, in the fuel tank 100, the filter 16 is disposed in the sub tank 14 so as to incline with a downward slope toward the foreign substance container 108, and therefore, the water droplet P that has reached the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 in the sub tank 14 is provided. Moves toward the foreign object storage part 108 (low part 54) and is stored in the foreign object storage part 108 through the notch 120 and the inlet 112. Therefore, the water droplet P that has reached the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 is favorably prevented or suppressed from stopping on the upper surface 52A.

  As a result, a decrease in the filtration performance of the filter 16 due to the adhesion of the water droplets P is suppressed.

  Further, since the foreign substance storage chamber 110 is provided below the vehicle in the lower portion 54 and the inlet 112 of the foreign substance storage chamber 110 is provided at the upper part of the foreign substance storage chamber 110, the water droplets P stored in the foreign substance storage chamber 110 are filtered. Returning to 16 is prevented or suppressed.

  Further, by removing the upper member 104 from the lower member 102 of the sub-tank 14 at the time of service or the like, the water drop P is sucked by inserting a suction tool from the opening 34 of the fuel tank body 12 into the inlet 112 of the foreign substance storage chamber 110. can do.

  In this embodiment, the filter 16 itself is inclined with respect to the sub tank 14 to collect all the water droplets P adhering to the upper surface 52A of the filter 16 in the lower portion 54 formed at the end of the upper surface 52A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, considering that the water droplet P enters from the opening 42 of the sub tank 14, at least an inclination that is downwardly inclined from directly below the opening 42 toward the lower part 54 on the end side where the foreign substance storage chamber 110 is formed. It is conceivable to provide the portion 56 on the upper surface 52A. By comprising in this way, the water droplet P which approachs in the sub tank 14 can be collect | recovered efficiently, suppressing the area of the inclination part 56. FIG.

  Moreover, the foreign material storage part 108 (foreign material storage chamber 110) may be formed so as to surround the periphery of the lower member 102 (vertical wall 106), as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. By comprising in this way, the foreign material accommodation amount of the foreign material storage part 108 (foreign material storage chamber 110) can be increased.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a check valve 132 may be provided at the inlet 112 of the foreign material storage chamber 110 of the foreign material storage unit 108. The check valve 132 is a shaft body 134 inserted into the inlet 112, a spherical locking portion 136 bulged on one end side of the shaft body 134, and an arc-shaped valve body on the other end side in a side view. And a flange portion 138.

  On the other hand, the inlet 112 includes a plurality of tongue pieces 140 formed to protrude radially inward from the peripheral wall at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a circular opening 142 formed at the center of the plurality of tongue pieces 140. The shaft 142 of the check valve 132 can be inserted into the opening 142, but the diameter of the locking portion 136 cannot be inserted.

  Therefore, when the water droplet P reaches the inlet 112 of the foreign matter container 108 from the notch 120, the water droplet P passing between the opening 142 of the inlet 112 and the plurality of tongue pieces 140 presses the flange portion 138. The shaft body 134 moves to the foreign substance storage chamber 110 side until the stop portion 136 comes into contact with the tongue piece 140, and the flange portion 138 is separated from the vertical wall 106. As a result, the check valve 132 is opened, and the water droplet P moves from the low part 54 to the foreign matter storage chamber 110.

  On the other hand, when the water droplet P stored in the foreign material storage chamber 110 reaches the inlet 112, the water droplet P presses the flange portion 138, so that the flange portion 138 comes into contact with the vertical wall 106 and closes the inlet 112. That is, the check valve 132 closes the inlet 112 and prevents or suppresses the water droplet P from returning onto the filter 16.

  As described above, by providing the check valve 132 at the inlet 112 of the foreign matter storage portion 108 (foreign matter storage chamber 110), the water droplets P stored in the foreign matter storage chamber 110 are more reliably prevented from returning onto the filter 16 again. Or it can be suppressed.

  In the fifth embodiment, the fuel tank 100 does not have the pressure regulator 20, but a configuration with the pressure regulator 20 may be used. In this case, as in the first to fourth embodiments, the water droplets P may be scattered by the flow of the fuel S recirculated from the fuel return passage 62 and discharged from the opening 42 to the outside of the sub tank 14. .

  In the series of embodiments, the water droplet P has been described as an example of the foreign matter, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Droplets other than water and fuel may be used, or a solid that can move on the filter 16 may be used.

  Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, the pressure regulator 20 and the fuel return passage 62 are provided, but a configuration without them may be used. Alternatively, a configuration in which a part of the fuel S is returned to the outside of the sub tank 14 by the fuel return passage 62 may be used.

10, 70, 80, 90, 100 Fuel tank 12 Fuel tank body 14 Sub tank 16 Filter 18 Fuel pump 20 Pressure regulator (fuel return part)
42 Opening 52A Upper surface (surface)
53 Internal space 54 Low portion 56 Inclined portion 60 Fuel delivery passage 62 Fuel return passage 108 Foreign matter storage portion 132 Check valve P Water droplet (foreign matter)
S fuel

Claims (9)

A fuel tank body for storing fuel therein;
A sub-tank disposed inside the fuel tank body and having an opening at the top;
Foreign matter is removed from the fuel at a surface including an upper surface disposed in the sub-tank and including a lower portion that is lower than the periphery and an inclined portion that is inclined downward from the periphery toward the lower portion. A filter to
With fuel tank.   The fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the low portion is located below the opening. Inside the fuel tank body, a fuel pump that leads the fuel that has passed through the filter to the outside of the fuel tank body; and
A fuel delivery passage provided on the fuel delivery side of the fuel pump;
A fuel return portion provided on the fuel delivery path and returning a part of the fuel to the inside of the sub tank;
A fuel return passage having one end connected to the fuel return portion and the other end opened at an upper portion of the filter inside the sub tank;
A fuel tank according to claim 1 or 2.   The fuel tank according to claim 3, wherein the other end of the fuel return passage is opened toward the lower portion. The filter has an internal space surrounded by a surface including the upper surface,
Inside the fuel tank body, a fuel pump for leading the fuel from the internal space to the outside of the fuel tank body;
A fuel delivery passage provided on the fuel delivery side of the fuel pump;
A fuel return portion provided on the fuel delivery path and returning a part of the fuel to the inside of the sub tank;
A fuel return passage having one end connected to the fuel return portion and the other end opened in the internal space;
A fuel tank according to claim 1 or 2.   The fuel tank according to claim 5, wherein the other end of the fuel return passage is located below the lower vehicle in the internal space and opens toward the vehicle upper side.   The low portion is provided at an upper surface end portion of the filter, and includes a foreign matter storage portion that communicates with the low portion in the sub tank and is provided below the upper surface end portion to store the foreign matter. Fuel tank.   The fuel tank according to claim 7, wherein the inclined portion having a downward slope is provided from at least a lower portion of the opening portion toward the upper surface end portion on which the foreign substance accommodating portion is provided.   Between the foreign material container and the upper surface edge, the foreign material is allowed to move from the upper surface edge to the foreign material container, and the foreign material is not allowed to move from the foreign material container to the upper surface edge. The fuel tank according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a stop valve is provided.

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