JP2019183656A - Connection structure between filter and fuel pump - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide technique enabling a filter to be smoothly connected to a fuel pump.SOLUTION: A connection structure comprises: a filter-side communication pipe provided at a filter side, and extending from a filter; a filter-side engagement member fitted to the filter-side communication pipe, and comprising an engagement protrusion protruding from the filter-side communication pipe; a pump-side communication pipe extending from a suction port of a fuel pump; and a pump-side engagement member provided at an external periphery of the pump-side communication pipe. The pump-side engagement member comprises: an engagement recess located below the pump-side communication pipe, and engaged with the engagement protrusion; and a guide part having a guide surface extending upward while being inclined along the engagement member from the engagement recess.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  This specification discloses the connection structure which connects a filter and a fuel pump.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a connection structure that connects a filter and a fuel pump. The coupling structure includes a pump side pipe member provided on the fuel pump side, a filter side pipe member provided on the fuel filter side, and a first part disposed between the pump side pipe member and the filter side pipe member. 1 engagement means and 2nd engagement means. The first engagement means includes a first engagement recess and a first engagement protrusion that can be engaged with each other. The second engagement means includes a second engagement recess and a second engagement protrusion that can be engaged with each other.

  When attaching the filter to the fuel pump, first, the first engagement convex portion is inserted into the first engagement concave portion, and the first engagement convex portion is engaged with the first engagement concave portion. Next, the second engagement convex portion is engaged with the second engagement concave portion.

JP 2014-136970 A

  When attaching the filter to the fuel pump, it is preferable to complete the work as early as possible so that foreign matter does not enter the fuel pump. However, when the first engagement convex portion is inserted into the first engagement concave portion, the first engagement convex portion and the first engagement concave portion may be difficult to see. In this case, it may take time to insert the first engaging convex portion into the first engaging concave portion and to attach the filter to the fuel pump.

  In this specification, the technique which can connect a filter to a fuel pump smoothly is provided.

  The technique disclosed by this specification is related with the connection structure which connects a filter and a fuel pump. The connection structure is provided on the filter side, and includes a filter-side communication pipe extending from the filter, and an engagement protrusion that is attached to the filter-side communication pipe and protrudes from the filter-side communication pipe. A pump-side engagement member, a pump-side communication pipe extending from an inlet of the fuel pump, and a pump-side engagement member disposed on an outer periphery of the pump-side communication pipe. The member is positioned below the pump-side communication pipe, and engages with the engagement convex portion, and extends upwardly from the engagement concave portion along the engagement member. And a guide part provided with a guide surface.

  According to this configuration, when the engaging convex portion is inserted into the engaging concave portion, the engaging convex portion is inclined to the guide surface even if the engaging convex portion cannot be directly inserted into the engaging concave portion. The engaging convex part can be inserted into the engaging concave part. As a result, the filter side engaging member and the pump side engaging member can be connected by engaging the engaging convex portion and the engaging concave portion. Thereby, a filter can be smoothly connected with a fuel pump.

  The guide portion may extend from both ends of the engagement recess. According to this configuration, the engaging convex portion can be moved along the guide surfaces arranged at either end of the engaging concave portion. Thereby, an engagement convex part and an engagement recessed part can be engaged more smoothly.

  The guide surface may have a curved surface that swells downward. According to this configuration, the engaging convex portion can be inserted into the engaging concave portion by moving the engaging convex portion along the curved surface of the guide surface. Thereby, an engagement convex part can be smoothly guided to an engagement recessed part from a guide surface.

  The engagement concave portion, the engagement convex portion, and the guide portion may be accommodated in a reserve cup. In this configuration, when the engaging convex portion and the engaging concave portion are engaged with each other in the reserve cup, the engaging convex portion and the engaging concave portion are surrounded by the reserve cup. It is difficult to visually recognize the joint recess. According to said structure, even if it is a case where an operator cannot visually recognize an engagement convex part and an engagement recessed part, it is along a guide surface in the state which made the engagement convex part contact | abut to a guide surface. By moving, the engaging convex portion can be easily inserted into the engaging concave portion.

The perspective view with the fuel supply apparatus of an Example is shown. The disassembled perspective view of the fuel supply apparatus of an Example is shown. The perspective view of the pump side connection member of an Example is shown. The perspective view of the filter side connection member of an Example is shown. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state which the pump side connection member and filter side connection member of an Example are engaging is shown. The side view for demonstrating the operation | work which engages the filter side engaging part with the pump side engaging part of an Example is shown. The perspective view for demonstrating the operation | work which engages the filter side engaging part with the pump side engaging part of an Example is shown.

(Example)
A connecting structure 100 between the fuel pump 12 and the filter 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the fuel supply device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The fuel supply device 10 is accommodated in a fuel tank of a motorcycle. In the present embodiment, the vertical direction is defined in the direction of FIG. 1, but this direction does not limit the actual use posture.

  The fuel supply device 10 includes a fuel pump 12, a lower cover 14, an upper cover 16, a pressure regulator 18, a filter 30, a liquid level detection unit 50, and a connection structure 100. In FIG. 2, the liquid level detection unit 50 is omitted.

  The fuel pump 12 rotates the impeller by a motor, sucks fuel into the fuel pump 12 from the suction port 12a, boosts the fuel, and discharges it from the discharge port 12b. A pressure regulator 18 is connected to the discharge port 12b. The pressure regulator 18 regulates the fuel discharged from the discharge port 12b and sends it out to the engine. The pressure regulator 18 is attached to the upper cover 16 by a cover 18a. The upper cover 16 is connected to the discharge port 12b with the O-ring 40 interposed therebetween.

  The upper cover 16 covers the upper end portion of the fuel pump 12. The upper cover 16 includes a pipe portion 16a through which the fuel regulated by the pressure regulator 18 passes. In addition to the pressure regulator 18, the wiring 26 and the liquid level detection unit 50 are attached to the upper cover 16.

  The liquid level detection unit 50 includes a sensor support unit 52, a sensor (not shown), and a cover 54. The sensor support 52 is attached to the upper cover 16 at the lower end. The sensor support 52 is gradually narrowed upward. A sensor is attached to the upper end of the sensor support portion 52. The sensor includes a temperature sensor. The detected temperature differs depending on whether the sensor is immersed in fuel or not. Thereby, it is detected whether the liquid level in the fuel tank is located above or below the sensor. The sensor and sensor support portion 52 is covered with a cover 54. Thus, for example, when the liquid level of the fuel in the fuel tank is shaken due to the shaking of the vehicle, the fuel comes into contact with the sensor due to the fluctuation of the liquid level even though the liquid level of the fuel is below the sensor. Therefore, a situation in which the sensor erroneously detects can be avoided.

  The wiring 26 connects the fuel pump 12 and a control unit (not shown). Electric power is supplied to the fuel pump 12 from the outside via the wiring 26.

  The lower end of the fuel pump 12 is accommodated in the lower cover 14. The lower cover 14 includes a cover portion 14a that covers the side surface of the fuel pump 12, a reserve cup 14b, a pipe portion 14c, and a nozzle 14d. The cover part 14a, the reserve cup 14b, the pipe part 14c, and the nozzle 14d are integrally manufactured by resin molding. The cover portion 14 a has a substantially cylindrical shape that is disposed along the side surface of the fuel pump 12.

  On the outer side of the cover part 14a, a pipe part 14c connected to the lower end of the pipe part 16a of the upper cover 16 with an O-ring 42 interposed is disposed. The fuel that has passed through the pipe portion 16a passes through the pipe portion 14c. A nozzle 14d is connected to the lower end of the tube portion 14c. The nozzle 14 d is connected to a supply pipe that communicates fuel that has passed through the pipe portion 14 c with an engine located outside the fuel supply apparatus 10.

  A reserve cup 14b is disposed at the lower end of the cover portion 14a. The reserve cup 14 b accommodates the suction port 12 a of the fuel pump 12. The reserve cup 14b surrounds the suction port 12a of the fuel pump 12 at the lower end portion on the fuel pump 12 side.

  The reserve cup 14b further accommodates the lower end of the filter 30. The filter 30 is connected to the suction port 12 a of the fuel pump 12 via the connection structure 100. The filter 30 is produced by overlapping a plurality of nonwoven fabrics. The filter 30 is disposed along the cover portion 14a. The filter 30 removes foreign matters contained in the fuel by filtering the fuel sucked into the fuel pump 12.

(Composition structure)
The connection structure 100 connects the fuel pump 12 and the filter 30. The connection structure 100 includes a pump-side connection member 110 and a filter-side connection member 130 (see FIG. 4). Both the pump side connecting member 110 and the filter side connecting member 130 are made of a resin material.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pump-side connecting member 110 includes a pump-side communication pipe 112 and a pump-side engaging member 114. The pump side communication pipe 112 has a cylindrical shape. The pump side communication pipe 112 extends from the suction port 12a. One end of the pump side communication pipe 112 opens upward and is connected to the suction port 12a. An intermediate portion of the pump side communication pipe 112 extends in the vertical direction in the vertical direction. A pump side engagement member 114 is disposed at the other end of the pump side communication pipe 112.

  The pump side engaging member 114 is integrally formed with the pump side communication pipe 112 by resin molding. The pump side engaging member 114 has a flat plate-shaped main body 114b through which the pump side communication pipe 112 passes. The pump side engaging member 114 is disposed on the outer periphery of the pump side communication pipe 112. The pump side engaging member 114 further includes two engaging recesses 116 and 120. The engagement recess 120 has a rectangular opening penetrating the main body 114 b at the upper end portion of the pump side engagement member 114. The engaging recess 116 includes a notch 116a penetrating the main body 114b and an engaging piece 116b disposed on the filter 30 side of the notch 116a at the lower end portion of the pump side engaging member 114. The engagement piece 116b is disposed with a space from the main body 114b. The engagement piece 116b has a partial arc shape.

  The pump-side engagement member 114 further includes a pair of guide portions 118 disposed between the engagement piece 116b and the main body 114b. The pair of guide portions 118 extend from both ends of the engagement recess 116 in a direction away from the engagement recess 116. A guide surface 118 a is disposed at the upper end of each guide portion 118. The guide surface 118a is inclined upward from both ends of the engagement recess 116, and is curved into a partial cylindrical shape (that is, bulges downward) disposed on an extension of the partial arc shape of the engagement piece 116b. Having a curved surface. Note that the “upper” and “lower” defining the guide surface 118a are in the vertical direction of FIG. 1, that is, so that the suction port 12a of the fuel pump 12 is positioned below the discharge port 12b. Is the upper direction when the vertical direction is defined by the direction of the rotation axis of the fuel pump 12 or the assembly posture of the connecting structure described later, and is not necessarily upward in the use state.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the filter-side connection member 130 includes a filter-side communication tube 132 and a filter-side engagement member 134. The filter side communication tube 132 has a cylindrical shape. The filter side communication tube 132 extends from the filter 30. One end of the filter side communication pipe 132 communicates with the internal space of the filter 30. The filter side communication pipe 132 extends coaxially with the pump side communication pipe 112. A filter side engagement member 134 is disposed at an intermediate position of the filter side communication tube 132. The filter side communication pipe 132 protrudes from the filter side engagement member 134 toward the pump side communication pipe 112 side. The outer diameter of the filter side communication pipe 132 is smaller than the inner diameter of the pump side communication pipe 112. The filter side communication pipe 132 is inserted into the pump side communication pipe 112. An O-ring 44 (see FIG. 2) is sandwiched between the filter side communication pipe 132 and the pump side communication pipe 112.

  The filter side engaging member 134 is integrally formed with the filter side communication pipe 132 by resin molding. The filter side engaging member 134 has a flat plate-shaped main body 134b through which the filter side communication tube 132 passes. The filter side engaging member 134 further includes two engaging convex portions 136 and 140. The engagement protrusion 140 protrudes from the main body 134 b toward the pump-side engagement member 114 at the upper end portion of the filter-side engagement member 134. The engagement convex portion 140 includes a claw portion 140a protruding upward at the end on the pump side engagement member 114 side.

  The engagement protrusion 136 protrudes downward at the lower end portion of the filter side engagement member 134 while inclining from the main body 134b to the pump side engagement member 114 side.

(Assembly method of connecting structure)
Next, an assembly method for assembling the filter-side engagement member 134 to the pump-side engagement member 114 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the step of assembling the filter-side engagement member 134 to the pump-side engagement member 114, first, the filter-side engagement member 134 is inclined upwardly away from the fuel pump 12, and the engagement protrusion 136 is formed. Insert into the engaging recess 116. Next, in a state where the engaging convex portion 136 is inserted into the engaging concave portion 116, the filter side engaging member 134 is rotated to insert the filter side communicating tube 132 into the pump side communicating tube 112, and the engaging convex portion. 140 is inserted into the engaging recess 120.

  When the engaging convex portion 140 is inserted into the engaging concave portion 120, the claw portion 140 a comes into contact with the main body 114 b above the engaging concave portion 120 and is elastically bent. When the claw portion 140a passes through the engaging concave portion 120, the elastic deformation of the engaging convex portion 140 is restored. Thereby, the nail | claw part 140a engages with the main body 114b. The engagement convex portion 140 and the engagement concave portion 120 are engaged by a so-called snap fit structure. As a result, the pump-side engaging member 114 and the filter-side engaging member 134 are engaged with the engaging convex portion 136 and the engaging concave portion 116 at the lower end, and with the engaging convex portion 140 and the engaging concave portion 120 at the upper end. Are engaged with each other.

  In the step of assembling the filter side engagement member 134 to the pump side engagement member 114, the pump side engagement member 114 is disposed below the fuel pump 12 and is accommodated in the reserve cup 14 b of the lower cover 14. Yes. In FIG. 6, the inner peripheral surface of the reserve cup 14b is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the filter 30 to which the filter-side engagement member 134 is attached is brought closer to the pump-side engagement member 114 obliquely from above while being accommodated in the reserve cup 14 b. In this method, it is difficult to visually recognize the pump side engaging member 114 and the filter side engaging member 134 by the reserve cup 14 b and the filter 30.

  A guide portion 118 is disposed on the pump side engaging member 114. A curved guide surface 118 a is provided on the upper surface of the guide portion 118. In this configuration, when the engaging convex portion 136 is inserted into the engaging concave portion 116, the engaging convex portion 136 slides on the guide surface 118a by bringing the lower end of the engaging convex portion 136 into contact with the guiding surface 118a. It moves and is guided to the engaging recess 116. According to this configuration, even if the engaging convex portion 136 is not directly inserted into the engaging concave portion 116, if the engaging convex portion 136 is brought into contact with the guide surface 118a, the engaging convex portion 136 is guided. It is guided to the engaging recess 116 along the surface 118a. Thereby, the filter side engaging member 134 and the pump side engaging member 114 can be connected by engaging the engaging convex part 136 with the engaging concave part 116. Thereby, the filter 30 can be smoothly connected to the fuel pump 12.

  Since the guide surface 118a is disposed to be inclined with respect to the engagement recess 116, the engagement protrusion 136 is inserted into the engagement recess 116 by moving the engagement protrusion 136 along the inclination. Can do. According to this configuration, it is easier to guide the engaging convex portion 136 to the engaging concave portion 116 than in a mode in which guide surfaces extending vertically in the vertical direction are arranged on both sides of the engaging concave portion 116. Specifically, in a mode in which the guide surface extends vertically in the vertical direction, the engagement convex portion 136 is in contact with the guide surface in a situation where the engagement convex portion 136 and the engagement concave portion 116 cannot be visually recognized. In this state, it cannot be determined which side is moved along the guide surface to be inserted into the engagement recess 116, and it is difficult to smoothly insert the engagement projection 136 into the engagement recess 116. By inclining the guide surface 118a, the moving direction of the engaging convex portion 136 can be specified without visually recognizing the engaging convex portion 136 and the engaging concave portion 116.

  In the replacement work of the filter 30, the suction port 12a of the fuel pump 12 is opened during the work of attaching a new filter 30 after removing the used filter 30. For this reason, if it takes time to install the filter 30, foreign matter may enter the fuel pump 12 from the suction port 12a. In the connection structure 100 of the present embodiment, the filter 30 can be smoothly connected to the fuel pump 12, so that foreign matter can be prevented from entering the fuel pump 12.

  Further, by bending the guide surface 118a, the engaging recess 116 and the guide surface 118a can be smoothly connected. Thereby, the engaging convex part 136 can be smoothly guided from the guide surface 118a to the engaging concave part 116.

  Further, by disposing the guide surfaces 118 a on both sides of the engagement recess 116, the engagement projection 136 is guided to the engagement recess 116 regardless of which side the engagement projection 136 is disposed. can do.

  Further, after inserting the engaging convex portion 136 into the engaging concave portion 116, the filter side communication tube 132 is inserted into the pump side communication tube 112. Thereby, the filter side communication pipe 132 and the pump side communication pipe 112 are positioned by the engagement convex portion 136 and the engagement concave portion 116. As a result, when the filter-side communication pipe 132 is inserted into the pump-side communication pipe 112, the positional relationship between the filter-side communication pipe 132 and the pump-side communication pipe 112 is shifted, and the filter-side communication pipe 132 and the pump-side communication pipe 112 are displaced. It is possible to suppress biting of the O-ring 44 therebetween.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

(Modification)
(1) In the above embodiment, the fuel supply device 10 is disposed in the fuel tank of the motorcycle. However, the fuel supply device 10 may be arranged in a vehicle other than a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a four-wheeled vehicle.

(2) In the above embodiment, the connecting structure 100 is accommodated in the reserve cup 14b. However, the reserve cup 14b may be disposed at a position where the connecting structure 100 is not accommodated. Alternatively, the reserve cup 14b may have a relatively large size with respect to the connection structure 100, and may be visible from a position inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

(3) In the above embodiment, the guide surface 118a is curved. However, the guide surface 118a may have a planar shape.

(4) In the above embodiment, the guide surface 118 a and the guide portion 118 are disposed on both sides of the engaging recess 116. However, the guide surface 118a and the guide portion 118 may be disposed only on one side of the engagement recess 116.

(5) In the above embodiment, the pump-side engagement member 114 and the filter-side engagement member 134 have a combination of one engagement recess 116 and one engagement protrusion 136 at their lower ends. I have. However, the pump side engagement member 114 may include two or more engagement recesses at the lower end thereof. In this case, the filter side engaging member 134 may include two or more engaging recesses at the lower end thereof. For example, two or more engaging recesses may be arranged side by side in the vertical direction in the vertical direction. In this case, a guide portion including a guide surface may be disposed in each of the two or more engagement recesses, and, of the two or more engagement recesses, at either end in the vertical direction. The guide part provided with a guide surface may be arrange | positioned at the end on the opposite side to the adjacent engagement recessed part of the arrange | positioned engagement recessed part.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of purposes at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Fuel supply apparatus 12: Fuel pump 14b: Reserve cup 16: Upper cover 16a: Pipe part 17: Pressure regulator 18: Guide part 18a: Guide surface 30: Filter 100: Connection structure 110: Pump side connection member 112: Pump side Communication pipe 114: Pump side engagement member 114b: Main body 116: Engagement recess 116a: Notch 116b: Engagement piece 118: Guide part 118a: Guide surface 120: Engagement recess 130: Filter side connection member 132: Filter side communication Pipe 134: Filter side engaging member 134b: Main body 136: Engaging convex part 140: Engaging convex part 140a: Claw part

Claims (4)

A connecting structure for connecting the filter and the fuel pump,
A filter-side communication pipe provided on the filter side and extending from the filter;
A filter-side engagement member that is attached to the filter-side communication pipe and includes an engagement projection that protrudes from the filter-side communication pipe;
A pump side communication pipe extending from the suction port of the fuel pump;
A pump-side engagement member disposed on the outer periphery of the pump-side communication pipe,
The pump side engaging member is
An engagement recess located below the pump side communication pipe and engaged with the engagement protrusion;
And a guide portion provided with a guide surface extending obliquely upward along the engagement member from the engagement recess. The connection structure according to claim 1,
The said guide part is a connection structure extended from each of the both ends of the said engagement recessed part. The connection structure according to claim 1 or 2,
The guide surface has a curved surface that swells downward. The connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The engagement concave portion, the engagement convex portion, and the guide portion are connected structures accommodated in a reserve cup.

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