JP2021124078A - Fuel supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress the flow of liquid fuel in a storage tank to the outside of the storage tank.SOLUTION: A fuel supply system can include the storage tank arranged in a fuel tank, a fuel pump for sucking and discharging the liquid fuel, and a return flow path for returning part of the liquid fuel discharged from the fuel pump into the storage tank. The storage tank can include a container part for storing the liquid fuel, and a lid part for closing the container part. At the bottom of the container part, an outflow port can be provided via which the liquid fuel flows out of the container part. In the lid part, an inflow port can be provided via which the liquid fuel returned by the return flow path flows into the container part. In the outflow port, a filter can be arranged for filtering the liquid fuel. The return flow path can be arranged close to the inflow port so that the liquid fuel is discharged from a discharge port provided at the front end to the inflow port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The techniques disclosed herein relate to fuel supply equipment.

Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel supply device. The fuel supply device of Patent Document 1 includes a storage tank arranged in the fuel tank, and a fuel pump that sucks in and discharges the liquid fuel in the fuel tank and the liquid fuel in the storage tank. The storage tank includes a container portion for storing liquid fuel and a lid portion extending from an upper end portion of a side wall portion of the container portion toward a central portion. The lid has an insertion hole through which the fuel supply pipe is inserted. The inner diameter of the insertion hole is larger than the outer diameter of the fuel supply pipe. The liquid fuel in the fuel tank flows into the storage tank through the insertion hole. The fuel pump sucks the liquid fuel through the fuel supply pipe inserted into the insertion hole.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-149397

In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the storage tank may be tilted when the vehicle equipped with the fuel supply device travels on a slope, for example. Further, when the vehicle accelerates / decelerates or turns left or right, the liquid level of the liquid fuel in the container portion of the storage tank may be tilted. In these cases, the liquid fuel in the container portion of the storage tank may flow out to the outside of the storage tank through the insertion hole provided in the lid portion. As a result, a sufficient amount of liquid fuel may not be discharged from the fuel pump.

The present specification provides a technique capable of suppressing the liquid fuel in the storage tank from flowing out to the outside of the storage tank.

The fuel supply device disclosed in the present specification includes a storage tank arranged in a fuel tank, a fuel pump that sucks and discharges liquid fuel in the fuel tank and liquid fuel in the storage tank, and discharges from the fuel pump. It may be provided with a return flow path for returning a part of the liquid fuel to the storage tank. The storage tank may include a container portion for storing the liquid fuel and a lid portion for closing the container portion. The bottom of the container may be provided with an outlet through which the liquid fuel sucked into the fuel pump flows out of the container. The lid portion may be provided with an inflow port into which the liquid fuel returned by the return flow path flows into the container portion. A filter for filtering the liquid fuel flowing out of the container may be arranged at the outlet. The return flow path may be arranged close to the inflow port so that the liquid fuel is discharged from the discharge port provided at the tip thereof toward the inflow port.

The storage tank may tilt when a vehicle equipped with a fuel supply device travels, for example, on a sloping slope. Further, when the vehicle accelerates / decelerates or turns left or right, the liquid level of the liquid fuel in the container portion in the storage tank may be tilted. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid fuel in the storage tank from flowing out to the outside of the storage tank due to the liquid fuel discharged from the discharge port of the return flow path toward the inflow port.

The fuel supply device may further include a liquid film forming portion in which a liquid film for suppressing the liquid fuel in the storage tank from flowing out from the inflow port provided in the lid portion is formed. The liquid film forming portion may be formed between the tip portion of the return flow path and the lid portion and / or at the outlet. The width of the liquid film forming portion may be 1/2 or less of the width of the discharge port at the tip of the return flow path.

According to this configuration, the liquid fuel discharged from the discharge port of the return flow path causes the liquid fuel to form a liquid film forming portion between the tip portion and the lid portion of the return flow path and / or at the outlet. A liquid film is formed. With this liquid film, it is possible to prevent the liquid fuel in the storage tank from flowing out to the outside of the storage tank.

The tip of the return flow path may be inserted into the inflow port.

According to this configuration, the liquid fuel discharged from the discharge port of the return flow path can be efficiently returned to the storage tank.

A pressure adjusting device for adjusting the pressure of the liquid fuel after being discharged from the fuel pump may be arranged in the return flow path.

According to this configuration, the pressure of the liquid fuel after being discharged from the fuel pump can be adjusted by the pressure adjusting device arranged in the return flow path.

It is sectional drawing of the fuel supply apparatus of 1st Example. It is a cross-sectional view which expanded the vicinity of the return flow path of 1st Example. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the return flow path of the 2nd Example.

(First Example)
The fuel supply device 2 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The fuel supply device 2 is mounted on a vehicle such as a gasoline vehicle, for example. The fuel supply device 2 is a device for supplying liquid fuel (for example, gasoline) to a vehicle engine (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply device 2 includes an upper member 16, a fuel pump 24, a case member 28, a storage tank 32, a filter member 48, and a return flow path 58 (see FIG. 2). I have. The upper member 16 is made of, for example, a resin material. The upper member 16 includes a lid member 18, a flow path member 20, and a connecting member 22. The lid member 18, the flow path member 20, and the connecting member 22 are integrally formed. The lid member 18 is fixed to the upper part of the fuel tank 10 in which the liquid fuel is stored. As a result, the fuel supply device 2 is attached to the fuel tank 10. The lid member 18 closes the opening 12 formed in the upper part of the fuel tank 10. As a result, the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 10 does not flow out to the outside of the fuel tank 10 through the opening 12. The flow path member 20 is fixed to the lid member 18. The flow path member 20 is arranged inside and outside the fuel tank 10. The flow path member 20 is formed with a flow path through which the liquid fuel flows. The connecting member 22 is fixed to the flow path member 20.

The fuel pump 24 is connected to the flow path member 20. The fuel pump 24 includes a motor (not shown) and an impeller (not shown). The liquid fuel is discharged from the fuel pump 24 by operating the motor and the impeller of the fuel pump 24. The liquid fuel flows through the flow path member 20 and is supplied to the engine of the vehicle. A detailed description of the internal configuration of the fuel pump 24 will be omitted.

The upper part of the case member 28 is connected to the connecting member 22. The case member 28 is made of, for example, a resin material. The case member 28 has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The case member 28 covers a part of the fuel pump 24. The case member 28 holds the fuel pump 24.

The case member 28 includes a suction unit 30. The suction portion 30 is located at the lower part of the case member 28. The suction unit 30 is formed with a flow path through which the liquid fuel sucked into the fuel pump 24 flows.

The storage tank 32 is arranged in the fuel tank 10. The storage tank 32 is made of, for example, a resin material. The storage tank 32 is integrally formed with the case member 28.

The storage tank 32 includes a container portion 34 and a lid portion 38. The container unit 34 stores liquid fuel inside. The liquid fuel inside the container portion 34 is sucked into the fuel pump 24. The container portion 34 is integrated with the case member 28 on the outer peripheral surface of the case member 28. The container portion 34 is arranged adjacent to the case member 28. The container portion 34 has a substantially tubular shape extending in the vertical direction. The container portion 34 surrounds the filter member 48 on the upper side along the peripheral edge of the filter member 48.

An outlet 36 is provided at the bottom of the container portion 34. The outlet 36 is arranged below the fuel tank 10 with respect to the suction portion 30 of the case member 28. When the outlet 36 is open, the inside and the outside of the container portion 34 communicate with each other.

The lid portion 38 includes an upper wall portion 40 and a peripheral wall portion 42 (see FIG. 2). The upper wall portion 40 closes the upper opening of the container portion 34. The upper wall portion 40 is horizontal with respect to the lower surface of the fuel tank 10. The upper wall portion 40 is integrated with the case member 28 on the outer peripheral surface of the case member 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral wall portion 42 extends upward from the upper wall portion 40. The peripheral wall portion 42 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The peripheral wall portion 42 is provided with an inflow port 44. The inflow port 44 corresponds to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 42. The inflow port 44 communicates the inside and the outside of the storage tank 32. When the liquid level of the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 10 is located above the peripheral wall portion 42, the liquid fuel flows into the inside of the container portion 34 from the inflow port 44.

As shown in FIG. 1, the filter member 48 includes a filter 50, a bone member 52, and a connecting member 54. The filter 50 is made of, for example, a non-woven fabric. The filter 50 has a bag shape in which the first filter 50a and the second filter 50b are bonded together at the peripheral edge. The first filter 50a and the second filter 50b are bonded together by, for example, welding.

The first filter 50a faces the container portion 34. The first filter 50a abuts on the bottom of the container portion 34 and closes the outflow port 36. As a result, the liquid fuel in the container portion 34 is stored in the container portion 34 without flowing out from between the first filter 50a and the container portion 34 to the outside of the container portion 34. Further, the liquid fuel is stored above the first filter 50a. The second filter 50b is arranged on the lower surface side of the fuel tank 10 with respect to the first filter 50a. The second filter 50b faces the lower surface of the fuel tank 10. The second filter 50b is separated from the lower surface of the fuel tank 10.

The bone member 52 is made of a resin material. The bone member 52 is arranged between the first filter 50a and the second filter 50b. The bone member 52 keeps the distance between the first filter 50a and the second filter 50b at a predetermined value. As a result, the first filter 50a and the second filter 50b do not come into contact with each other, and a space through which the liquid fuel can pass is formed between the first filter 50a and the second filter 50b.

The connecting member 54 is made of a resin material. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the connecting member 54 is integrally formed with the bone member 52. The connecting member 54 is arranged above the bone member 52. The connecting member 54 penetrates the first filter 50a and extends from the inside to the outside of the filter 50. The connecting member 54 is connected to the suction portion 30 of the case member 28. As a result, the filter member 48 is connected to the case member 28. The connecting member 54 is formed with a flow path through which the liquid fuel passes.

The flow of the liquid fuel sucked into the fuel pump 24 when the fuel pump 24 is operated will be described. When the fuel pump 24 operates, the liquid fuel in the container portion 34 passes through the first filter 50a and flows into the space inside the filter 50. The liquid fuel in the container section 34 flows out of the container section 34 from the outlet 36 of the container section 34. Further, the liquid fuel inside the fuel tank 10 and outside the container portion 34 passes through the second filter 50b from between the second filter 50b and the lower surface of the fuel tank 10 and enters the space inside the filter 50. It flows. By passing through the first filter 50a and the second filter 50b, the foreign matter contained in the liquid fuel is removed, and the liquid fuel is filtered. The liquid fuel in the space inside the filter 50 passes through the connecting member 54 and is sucked from the suction unit 30 into the fuel pump 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel supply device 2 includes a return flow path 58. A part of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 24 flows through the return flow path 58. The return flow path 58 is made of a resin material. The return flow path 58 is connected to the branch flow path 20a of the flow path member 20 located above the upper wall portion 40. The return flow path 58 extends horizontally from the branch flow path 20a with respect to the upper wall portion 40, and then bends and extends downward toward the upper wall portion 40. The tip of the return flow path 58 is arranged above the upper wall portion 40. The tip of the return flow path 58 is inserted into the inflow port 44 provided in the peripheral wall portion 42. The outer peripheral surface of the tip of the return flow path 58 is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 42. The width D1 of the discharge port 60 provided at the tip of the return flow path 58 is narrower than the width of the inflow port 44. The outer peripheral surface of the tip of the return flow path 58 is slightly separated from the peripheral wall portion 42. The tip of the return flow path 58 is arranged close to the inflow port 44. The liquid fuel flowing through the return flow path 58 is discharged from the discharge port 60 toward the inflow port 44. While the liquid fuel is being discharged from the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58, the inflow port 44 is blocked by the liquid fuel.

The fuel supply device 2 further includes a liquid film forming portion 70. The liquid film forming portion 70 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the return flow path 58 and the peripheral wall portion 42 of the lid portion 38. In the liquid film forming portion 70, for example, due to the liquid fuel discharged from the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58, a liquid fuel film of the liquid fuel is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the return flow path 58 and the peripheral wall portion 42. It is formed. The formed liquid film of the liquid fuel suppresses the liquid fuel in the container portion 34 from flowing out from the inflow port 44 to the outside of the container portion 34. The width C1 of the liquid film forming portion 70 (that is, the width between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the return flow path 58 and the peripheral wall portion 42) is 1/2 or less of the width D1 of the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58. be. When the width C1 of the liquid film forming portion 70 is larger than 1/2 of the width D1 of the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58, the state of the liquid film of the formed liquid fuel is unstable, and the liquid film of the liquid fuel is formed. Is easy to tear. In the modified example, the width C1 of the liquid film forming portion 70 is 1/3 or less of the width D1 of the discharge port 60.

The fuel supply device 2 further includes a pressure adjusting device 62. The pressure adjusting device 62 is arranged in the return flow path 58. The pressure adjusting device 62 adjusts the pressure of the liquid fuel after being discharged from the fuel pump 24. The pressure adjusting device 62 is normally closed. In this state, the liquid fuel cannot flow through the return flow path 58. All the liquid fuel discharged from the fuel pump 24 flows through the flow path member 20 and is supplied to the engine of the vehicle. When the pressure of the liquid fuel after being discharged from the fuel pump 24 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the spring 64 contracts and the pressure adjusting device 62 opens. In this state, a part of the liquid fuel discharged from the fuel pump 24 passes through the branch flow path 20a, flows through the return flow path 58, and is discharged from the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58 as surplus fuel. The liquid fuel discharged from the discharge port 60 returns from the inflow port 44 to the inside of the container portion 34 (that is, the inside of the storage tank 32).

(effect)
The fuel supply device 2 of the first embodiment has been described above. In the first embodiment described above, the fuel supply device 2 sucks in and discharges the storage tank 32 arranged in the fuel tank 10, the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 10, and the liquid fuel in the storage tank 32. It includes a pump 24 and a return flow path 58 that returns a part of the liquid fuel discharged from the fuel pump 24 into the storage tank 32. The storage tank 32 includes a container portion 34 for storing liquid fuel and a lid portion 38 for closing the container portion 34. At the bottom of the container portion 34, an outlet 36 is provided so that the liquid fuel sucked into the fuel pump 24 flows out from the container portion 34. The lid 38 is provided with an inflow port 44 into which the liquid fuel returned by the return flow path 58 flows into the container 34. At the outlet 36, a filter 50 for filtering the liquid fuel flowing out of the container portion 34 is arranged. The return flow path 58 is arranged close to the inflow port 44 so that the liquid fuel is discharged from the discharge port 60 provided at the tip thereof toward the inflow port 44.

When a vehicle equipped with the fuel supply device 2 travels on a slope, for example, the storage tank 32 may be tilted. Further, when the vehicle accelerates / decelerates or turns left or right, the liquid level of the liquid fuel in the container portion 34 in the storage tank 32 may incline. According to the above configuration, the liquid fuel discharged from the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58 toward the inflow port 44 suppresses the liquid fuel in the storage tank 32 from flowing out to the outside of the storage tank 32. Can be done. As a result, it is possible to prevent the fuel pump 24 from not discharging a sufficient amount of liquid fuel.

Further, in the conventional storage tank, the storage tank has been enlarged on the assumption that the liquid fuel will flow out to the outside of the storage tank. In the storage tank 32 of the first embodiment described above, since it is possible to prevent the liquid fuel in the storage tank 32 from flowing out to the outside, the capacity of the storage tank 32 can be controlled by the liquid fuel flowing out to the outside. It can be smaller than the capacity of the conventional storage tank designed assuming it. As a result, the storage tank 32 can be miniaturized.

Further, the fuel supply device 2 further includes a liquid film forming portion 70 in which a liquid film for suppressing the liquid fuel in the storage tank 32 from flowing out from the inflow port 44 is formed. The liquid film forming portion 70 is formed between the tip end portion of the return flow path 58 and the peripheral wall portion 42. The width C1 of the liquid film forming portion 70 is ½ or less of the width of the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58. According to this configuration, the liquid fuel discharged from the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58 forms a liquid film of the liquid fuel between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the return flow path 58 and the peripheral wall portion 42. With this liquid film, it is possible to prevent the liquid fuel in the storage tank 32 from flowing out to the outside of the storage tank 32.

Further, in the fuel supply device 2 described above, the tip end portion of the return flow path 58 is inserted into the inflow port 44. According to this configuration, the liquid fuel discharged from the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58 can be efficiently returned to the storage tank 32.

Further, in the fuel supply device 2 described above, the pressure adjusting device 62 adjusts the pressure of the liquid fuel after being discharged from the fuel pump 24. The pressure adjusting device 62 is arranged in the return flow path 58. According to this configuration, the pressure of the liquid fuel after being discharged from the fuel pump 24 can be adjusted by the pressure adjusting device 62 arranged in the return flow path 58.

Although one embodiment has been described above, the specific embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those in the above description will be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Second Example)
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, only the points different from those in the first embodiment will be described, and the same points as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, in the second embodiment, the lid portion 38 includes only the upper wall portion 40. That is, in the second embodiment, the lid portion 38 does not have a component corresponding to the peripheral wall portion 42 of the first embodiment. The upper wall portion 40 is provided with an inflow port 44. The inflow port 44 penetrates the upper wall portion 40 in the thickness direction. The inflow port 44 communicates the inside and the outside of the container portion 34.

The tip portion of the return flow path 58 is arranged apart from the upper side of the upper wall portion 40. The tip of the return flow path 58 is not inserted into the inflow port 44. The tip of the return flow path 58 is arranged close to the inflow port 44 of the upper wall portion 40.

The fuel supply device 2 includes liquid film forming portions 170 and 172. The liquid film forming portion 170 is formed at the inflow port 44. The width C2 of the liquid film forming portion 170 (that is, the width of the inflow port 44) is ½ or less of the width D1 of the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58. For example, the liquid fuel discharged from the return flow path 58 or the liquid fuel passing through the inflow port 44 forms a liquid film of the liquid fuel at the inflow port 44. The liquid film forming portion 172 is formed between the tip end portion of the return flow path 58 and the upper wall portion 40. The width C3 of the liquid film forming portion 172 (that is, the width between the tip end portion of the return flow path 58 and the upper wall portion 40) is ½ or less of the width D1 of the discharge port 60. For example, between the tip of the return flow path 58 and the upper wall portion 40 due to the liquid fuel discharged from the return flow path 58 or the liquid fuel passing between the tip portion of the return flow path 58 and the upper wall portion 40. Is formed with a liquid film of liquid fuel. In the modified example, each of the width C2 of the liquid film forming portion 170 and the width C3 of the liquid film forming portion 172 may be 1/3 or less of the width D1 of the discharge port 60.

(Modification example)
(1) In the modified example of the first embodiment described above, the lid portion 38 of the storage tank 32 may not include the peripheral wall portion 42 but may include only the upper wall portion 40. In this case, the inflow port 44 is provided on the upper wall portion 40. Since the tip of the return flow path 58 is arranged above the upper wall portion 40, the tip of the return flow path 58 is not inserted into the inflow port 44. The liquid fuel flowing through the return flow path 58 is discharged from the discharge port 60 to the inflow port 44 provided in the upper wall portion 40. As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid fuel in the storage tank 32 from flowing out from the inflow port 44 to the outside of the storage tank 32.

(2) In the modified example of the second embodiment described above, the tip end portion of the return flow path 58 may be arranged far away from the inflow port 44 of the upper wall portion 40. For example, the width C3 between the tip end portion of the return flow path 58 and the upper wall portion 40 may be wider than 1/2 of the width D1 of the discharge port 60 of the return flow path 58. In this configuration, a liquid film of liquid fuel is stably formed only at the inflow port 44.

(3) In each of the above embodiments, the pressure adjusting device 62 may not be arranged in the return flow path 58.

(4) In each of the above embodiments, the storage tank 32 is not integrally formed with the case member 28, and may be a separate body from the case member 28.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and modifications of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in the present 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 techniques illustrated in the present specification or drawings can achieve a plurality of purposes at the same time, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical usefulness.

2: Fuel supply device 10: Fuel tank 12: Opening 16: Upper member 20: Flow path member 20a: Branch flow path 24: Fuel pump 28: Case member 32: Storage tank 34: Container section 36: Outlet 38: Lid Part 40: Upper wall part 42: Peripheral wall part 44: Inflow port 50: Filter 50a: First filter 50b: Second filter 58: Return flow path 60: Discharge port 62: Pressure adjusting device 70, 170, 172: Liquid film formation Department

Claims (4)

The storage tank located inside the fuel tank and
A fuel pump that sucks in and discharges the liquid fuel in the fuel tank and the liquid fuel in the storage tank,
It is provided with a return flow path for returning a part of the liquid fuel discharged from the fuel pump into the storage tank.
The storage tank
The container that stores liquid fuel and
It is provided with a lid portion that closes the container portion.
The bottom of the container is provided with an outlet for the liquid fuel sucked into the fuel pump to flow out of the container.
The lid portion is provided with an inflow port into which the liquid fuel returned by the return flow path flows into the container portion.
A filter for filtering the liquid fuel flowing out of the container is arranged at the outlet.
The return flow path is a fuel supply device arranged close to the inflow port so that liquid fuel is discharged toward the inflow port from a discharge port provided at the tip thereof. The fuel supply device according to claim 1.
Further, a liquid film forming portion for forming a liquid film for suppressing the liquid fuel in the storage tank from flowing out from the inflow port provided in the lid portion is further provided.
The liquid film forming portion is formed between the tip portion and the lid portion of the return flow path and / or at the outlet.
A fuel supply device in which the width of the liquid film forming portion is ½ or less of the width of the discharge port at the tip end portion of the return flow path. The fuel supply device according to claim 1 or 2.
A fuel supply device in which the tip of the return flow path is inserted into the inflow port. The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A fuel supply device in which a pressure adjusting device for adjusting the pressure of the liquid fuel after being discharged from the fuel pump is arranged in the return flow path.

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