JP4239685B2 - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel supply device that supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine via a fuel pump, and more particularly to a fuel supply device in which a jet pump is provided at the bottom of a swirl tank in the fuel tank.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, fuel tanks mounted on vehicles such as automobiles include a fuel pump that sucks fuel in the fuel tank, a fuel filter that filters the fuel sucked by the fuel pump, and a fuel provided downstream of the fuel supply pipe. A pressure regulator that prevents the fuel pressure in the supply pipe from rising above a predetermined value and a fuel passage from the pressure regulator toward the fuel pump. A fuel pump module is housed as a fuel supply device in which components such as a jet pump that discharges into the unit are integrated into a module.
[0003]
This fuel pump module has a fuel tank so that a modular part such as a fuel pump, a fuel filter, and a pressure regulator is suspended from the general surface of the upper part of the fuel tank into the fuel tank by a mounting portion to the fuel tank above the fuel pump module. It is attached to the tank.
[0004]
In addition, such a fuel pump module is provided with a swirl tank below the fuel pump at the bottom of the fuel tank for storing the fuel so that the fuel pump can suck the fuel even when the vehicle is inclined. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0005]
The fuel pump module supplies fuel to a fuel injection device such as an injector via a fuel supply pipe, and injects the fuel into the combustion chamber by the fuel injection device, thereby supplying the fuel to an internal combustion engine such as an engine. To supply.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-257524
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the pressure regulator in such a fuel pump module, the fuel pressure is controlled so as to always maintain a constant fuel pressure during the operation of the internal combustion engine. (Including when starting). For this reason, the jet pump secures an excess amount of fuel to be discharged into the fuel tank, and the fuel required by the internal combustion engine is stored in the swirl tank even when the internal combustion engine is stopped (ie, when the key is off). In order to ensure this, the swirl tank is provided with a one-way flow valve, a so-called check valve.
[0008]
However, the jet pump in such a fuel pump module is normally disposed outside the bottom of the swirl tank, and its periphery, that is, the vicinity of the fuel discharge port, is surrounded by the bottom of the fuel tank and the bottom of the swirl tank. Because of the structure, when water enters the fuel tank and freezes, the discharge port of the jet pump may be blocked by the ice.
[0009]
In addition, due to the recent demand for miniaturization of the fuel pump module, the check valve is disposed at the fuel supply position sucked up by the jet pump in the swirl tank, and thus the discharge port of the jet pump is blocked. In this case, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to supply the fuel from the jet pump, and the fuel is not supplied into the swirl tank.
[0010]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and is capable of preventing the jet pump from being blocked and allowing fuel to be supplied into the swirl tank under any environment. An object is to provide a supply device.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, a fuel pump that is accommodated in the fuel tank and sucks the fuel in the fuel tank, a fuel filter that filters the fuel sucked by the fuel pump, and provided downstream of the fuel supply pipe. A pressure regulator that prevents the fuel pressure in the fuel supply pipe from rising above a predetermined value; and a fuel regulator that is provided at the bottom of the fuel tank below the fuel pump, so that the fuel pump can be used even when the vehicle is inclined. A swirl tank for storing the fuel so that the fuel can be sucked in, and a fuel passage from the pressure regulator toward the fuel pump, and the surplus fuel sucked by the fuel pump is supplied to the swirl tank. And a jet pump that discharges the fuel into a fuel supply device in which these components are integrated into a module. The discharge port around the fuel in the pump, by discharging around the discharge port of the jet pump to divert part of the discharge port is fed from the pressure regulator of the excess fuel to be discharged into the swirl chamber is characterized in that foreign matters mixed into the fuel tank is so provided foreign matter removing means you removed to integrated around the discharge port.
[0012]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, by providing the foreign matter removing means for removing foreign matter mixed in the fuel tank around the discharge port in the jet pump, the fuel tank is provided. Even when water is mixed in and freezes, it is possible to prevent the discharge port of the jet pump from being blocked by the ice, so that the jet pump absorbs excess fuel sucked by the fuel pump. It is possible to provide a fuel supply device that can discharge into the swirl tank and thus can supply fuel into the swirl tank under any environment.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
[First Embodiment]
1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a fuel supply apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a vehicle on which the fuel supply apparatus is mounted, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the fuel supply device in the fuel tank of FIG.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle, and a fuel tank 2 having a fuel pump module 10 as a fuel supply device of the present invention, which will be described later, is mounted on the rear lower portion thereof, and an internal combustion engine 3 such as an engine is mounted in front. Do it. The fuel tank 2 and the internal combustion engine 3 are connected via a fuel supply pipe 4 that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1, and the fuel F in the fuel tank 2 is supplied by the fuel pump module 10. A combustion chamber (not shown) of the internal combustion engine 3 is supplied via a pipe 12.
[0016]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the fuel tank 2 has a fuel pump module 10 attached to the upper surface 2 a thereof. This fuel pump module 10 is also shown in FIG. In addition, a swirl tank 11 is provided at the bottom of the fuel tank 2 to store the fuel F so that the fuel pump 12 can suck the fuel F even when the vehicle 1 (FIG. 1) is inclined.
[0017]
At the same time, the fuel pump module 10 includes a fuel pump 12 that sucks the fuel F into the swirl tank 11, a fuel filter 13 that filters the fuel F sucked by the fuel pump 12, and a pressure regulator 14 that adjusts the pressure of the fuel pump 12. A jet pump 16 that discharges the surplus fuel F sucked by the fuel pump 12 into the swirl tank 11, and a check that prevents the fuel F supplied from the jet pump 16 from flowing out from the bottom of the swirl tank 11. The valve 20 is provided, and these components are integrated into a module. Further, a quick connector 5 for connecting a fuel pipe P such as a discharge pipe or a return pipe protrudes from the upper surface 10 a of the fuel pump module 10.
[0018]
The fuel pump module 10 includes the fuel pump 12, the fuel filter 13, the pressure regulator 14, and the like from the upper surface 2 a of the fuel tank 2 into the fuel tank 2 by the upper surface 10 a that functions as an attachment portion to the fuel tank 2. It is attached to hang down the modularized parts.
[0019]
In the case of this embodiment, the fuel pump 12 includes a fuel filter 13 disposed so as to surround the outer periphery, and is operated by a drive signal input via the wiring 21, and from a suction port 22 disposed below. The introduced fuel F is supplied from the discharge port 23 to the fuel filter 13 through the discharge passage 24 and is discharged to the fuel supply pipe 25 after passing through the fuel filter 13.
[0020]
Further, a pressure regulator 14 is provided in the fuel supply pipe 25 on the downstream side of the fuel pump 12, that is, on the internal combustion engine 3 (FIG. 1) side. In order to adjust the pressure of the fuel pump 12, the pressure regulator 14 supplies the surplus fuel F out of the fuel F sucked by the fuel pump 12 from the pressure regulator 14 toward the fuel pump 12, that is, in the swirl tank 11. The fuel is supplied to a fuel passage 15 extending toward the bottom side.
[0021]
Furthermore, a jet pump 16 for discharging the surplus fuel F sucked by the fuel pump 12 into the swirl tank 11 is provided at the bottom end of the swirl tank 11 in the fuel passage 15. The jet pump 16 discharges the surplus fuel F supplied to the fuel passage 15 by the pressure regulator 14 toward the swirl tank 11.
[0022]
On the other hand, a fuel supply port 11a, which is a supply part of the fuel F from the jet pump 16, is provided at the bottom of the swirl tank 11, and a check valve 20 is provided inside the fuel supply path 11a. The fuel F supplied from the jet pump 16 is prevented from flowing out from the fuel supply port 11a.
[0023]
On the other hand, a relief valve 17 for reducing the pressure of the fuel F discharged from the jet pump 16 is provided around the jet pump 16.
[0024]
The relief valve 17 is provided with a relief flow path 17b above the jet pump 16 toward the bottom of the swirl tank 11 provided with the jet pump 16, and the swirl tank 11 in the relief flow path 17b. At the bottom side end, the one end of the leaf spring 18 supported on the bottom of the swirl tank 11 is closed in the relief channel 17b (that is, inside the jet pump 16 in the relief channel 17b). A valve body 17a having a spherical shape or the like that is biased toward the surface is disposed.
[0025]
When the jet pump 16 discharges the surplus fuel F out of the fuel F sucked up by the fuel pump 12 from the discharge port 16 a toward the swirl tank 11, the fuel F is supplied to the relief flow path 17 b of the relief valve 17. The pressure of the fuel F discharged in the jet pump 16 is reduced by pushing up the valve body 17a against the urging force and discharging the valve body 17a toward the inside of the swirl tank 11.
[0026]
In addition to this configuration, in the case of the fuel pump module 10, foreign matter such as ice formed by freezing of water mixed in the fuel tank 2 is accumulated around the discharge port 16a around the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16. A hole 16b, which is a foreign matter removing means for removing this, is formed.
[0027]
More specifically, the hole 16b is formed in the vicinity of the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16 so as to be inclined from the inside of the jet pump 16 to the outside. The diameter is not reduced.
[0028]
Incidentally, in the case of the present embodiment, the fuel pump 12 is configured as an in-tank system that is immersed in a fuel F such as gasoline in the fuel tank 2.
[0029]
In the fuel pump module 10 configured as described above, when the jet pump 16 discharges the surplus fuel F out of the fuel F sucked up by the fuel pump 12 toward the fuel supply path 11a of the swirl tank 11, Since a part of the discharged fuel F is ejected as a jet from each hole 16b, the water mixed in the fuel tank 2 for some reason is frozen near the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16 such as ice. Even when there is a foreign object, the foreign object can be removed.
[0030]
Therefore, in this fuel pump module 10, it is possible to prevent the vicinity of the discharge port 16a in the jet pump 16 from being blocked by foreign matter, and thus the fuel F into the swirl layer 11 by the jet pump 16 under any environment. Supply can be made possible.
[0031]
In addition, in the case of the fuel pump module 10, the diameter of the hole 16b provided around the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16 is formed with a diameter that does not deteriorate the performance of the jet pump 16. Since the performance degradation of the pump 16 can be prevented, the static and dynamic suction performance of the jet pump 16 can be ensured.
[0032]
[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part (near the outlet of the jet pump) in the second embodiment of the fuel supply apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the vicinity of the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16 in the fuel pump module 10 as the fuel supply device in the second embodiment, and a plurality of holes 16b as foreign matter removing means in the vicinity of the discharge port 16a are provided. Except for this point, the fuel pump module 10 of the first embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner.
[0033]
Specifically, in this embodiment, a plurality of (in this case, two) holes 16b are formed along the outer periphery of the jet pump 16 below the discharge port 16a. When the jet pump 16 discharges the surplus fuel F out of the fuel F sucked up by the fuel pump 12 toward the fuel supply path 11a of the swirl tank 11, a part of the discharged fuel F is It is ejected as a jet from the hole 16b.
[0034]
At this time, since each hole 16b of the jet pump 16 is provided in various directions in the vicinity of the discharge port 16a, the jet can be ejected in each direction.
[0035]
Therefore, in this fuel pump module 10, even when foreign matter such as ice is present in various directions in the vicinity of the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16, the foreign matter can be removed. In this way, it is possible to improve the prevention rate of clogging by foreign matter in the vicinity of the discharge port 16a, and thus it is possible to supply the fuel F into the swirl layer 11 by the jet pump 16 in any environment.
[0036]
[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the fuel supply apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 5, in which the same reference numerals are assigned to the parts corresponding to FIG. 3, shows a fuel pump module 10 as a fuel supply device in the third embodiment, and in the vicinity of the jet pump 16 side in the return flow path 15 as foreign matter removing means. Except for the point where the branch channel 19 is provided, the fuel pump module 10 of the first embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner.
[0037]
Specifically, in the case of this embodiment, the fuel F is branched toward the vicinity of the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16 near the jet pump 16 side in the return flow path 15, that is, toward the vicinity of the discharge port 16a. A branch channel 19 that can be ejected is provided.
[0038]
When the jet pump 16 discharges the surplus fuel F out of the fuel F sucked up by the fuel pump 12 toward the fuel supply path 11 a of the swirl tank 11, a part of the discharged fuel F is discharged. Passes through the branch channel 19 and is discharged toward the vicinity of the discharge port 16a.
[0039]
Thereby, since the fuel F in the vicinity of the discharge port 16a is agitated, the branch flow path 19 functions as a foreign matter removing means, and even when foreign matters such as ice are accumulated in the vicinity of the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16. This accumulated foreign matter can be removed.
[0040]
Moreover, the fuel pump module 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a branch flow path 19 in the vicinity of the jet pump 16 side of the return flow path 15 toward the vicinity of the discharge port 16a of the current fuel pump module. Since the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16 can be prevented from being blocked only by making a slight change, design values such as the diameter and back pressure in the current fuel pump module are not changed. The fuel F can be supplied into the swirl layer 11 by the jet pump 16 in any environment while reducing the cost.
[0041]
In addition, since the branch flow path 19 is provided separately from the jet pump 16, the branch direction (that is, the direction in which the fuel F is ejected) can be freely set.
[0042]
[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the fuel supply apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6, in which the same reference numerals are assigned to the parts corresponding to FIG. 3, shows the fuel pump module 10 as the fuel supply device in the fourth embodiment, and the relief valve 17 provided around the discharge port 16 a of the jet pump 16 is Except for the point opened toward the bottom of the fuel tank 2 in which the swirl tank 11 is arranged, the fuel pump module 10 of the first embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner.
[0043]
Specifically, in the case of this embodiment, a relief flow path 17b is drilled below the periphery of the jet pump 16 toward the bottom of the fuel tank 2 at the position where the swirl tank 11 in which the jet pump 16 is provided. The bottom end of the fuel tank 2 in the relief channel 17b is closed by the other end of the leaf spring 18 supported at the bottom of the swirl tank 11 (ie, the closing direction of the relief channel 17b (that is, A valve element 17a having a spherical shape or the like that is biased toward the inside of the jet pump 16 in the relief flow path 17b is disposed.
[0044]
When the jet pump 16 discharges the surplus fuel F out of the fuel F sucked up by the fuel pump 12 toward the fuel supply path 11a of the swirl tank 11, the pressure of the discharged fuel F is reduced. Accordingly, the fuel F pushes up the valve body 17a against the urging force through the relief flow path 17b of the relief valve 17, and is discharged toward the bottom of the fuel tank 2.
[0045]
As a result, the fuel F at the bottom of the fuel tank 2 is agitated, so that the relief valve 17 functions as a foreign matter removing means, and foreign matter such as ice is accumulated near the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16. This accumulated foreign matter can be removed.
[0046]
In addition, the fuel pump module 10 of the present embodiment is configured so that the discharge port of the jet pump 16 can be obtained by simply changing the relief direction of the relief valve 17 toward the bottom of the fuel tank 2 with respect to the current fuel pump module. Since it is possible to prevent the block 16a from being blocked by foreign matter, the jet pump can be used in any environment while suppressing the cost because the design values such as the diameter and back pressure in the current fuel pump module are not changed. The supply of the fuel F into the swirl layer 11 by 16 can be enabled.
[0047]
[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the fuel supply apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 7, in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. 3 are assigned the same reference numerals, shows a fuel pump module 10 as a fuel supply device in the fifth embodiment. Except for this point, the fuel pump module 10 of the first embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner.
[0048]
Specifically, in the case of this embodiment, the relief flow path 17b is drilled downwardly in the vicinity of the jet pump 16 toward the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16, and the relief flow path 17b At the discharge port 16a side end, the other end of the leaf spring 18 whose one end is supported by the bottom of the swirl tank 11 closes the relief channel 17b (that is, inside the jet pump 16 in the relief channel 17b). A valve element 17a having a spherical shape or the like that is urged toward is provided.
[0049]
When the jet pump 16 discharges the surplus fuel F out of the fuel F sucked up by the fuel pump 12 toward the fuel supply path 11a of the swirl tank 11, the pressure of the discharged fuel F is reduced. Therefore, the fuel F pushes up the valve body 17a against the urging force through the relief flow path 17b of the relief valve 17, and is discharged toward the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16.
[0050]
As a result, the fuel F in the vicinity of the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16 is agitated, so that the relief valve 17 functions as a foreign matter removing means, and foreign matter such as ice is accumulated in the vicinity of the discharge port 16a. This accumulated foreign matter can be removed efficiently and reliably.
[0051]
In addition, the fuel pump module 10 of the present embodiment can be obtained by simply changing the relief direction of the relief valve 17 toward the discharge port 16a of the jet pump 16 with respect to the current fuel pump module. Can be prevented from being blocked, so that the design value such as the diameter and back pressure in the current fuel pump module is not changed, so that the rotation by the jet pump 16 can be performed in any environment while suppressing the cost. The supply of fuel F into the layer 11 can be made possible.
[0052]
The fuel supply device according to the present invention has been described by taking the above-described first to fifth embodiments as examples. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can be adopted.
[0053]
For example, in the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the case where the valve body 17a of the relief valve 17 is spherical has been described. On the other hand, as long as the pressure of the fuel F discharged from the jet pump 16 can be reduced while being held in the open state and the closed state, various other shapes are widely applied as the shape of the valve body 17a. be able to.
[0054]
In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the case where the fuel pump 12 is configured as an in-tank system that is immersed in the fuel F such as gasoline in the fuel tank 2 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which a fuel supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fuel tank of FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the fuel supply device in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a fuel supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a fuel supply apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a fuel supply apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a fuel supply apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 ... Fuel tank 10 ... Fuel pump module (fuel supply device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Swivel tank 11a ... Fuel supply path 12 ... Fuel pump 13 ... Fuel filter 14 ... Pressure regulator 15 ... Fuel passage 16 ... Jet pump 16a ... Discharge port 16b ... Hole (foreign matter removing means)
17 ... Relief valve (foreign matter removing means)
17a ... Valve body 17b ... Relief channel 19 ... Branch channel (foreign matter removing means)
F ... Fuel

Claims (7)

A fuel pump that is housed in the fuel tank and sucks the fuel in the fuel tank, a fuel filter that filters the fuel sucked by the fuel pump, and a fuel filter that is provided on the downstream side of the fuel supply pipe. A pressure regulator that prevents the pressure from rising above a predetermined value and a bottom of the fuel tank below the fuel pump so that the fuel pump can suck the fuel even when the vehicle is inclined And a jet pump that is provided in a fuel passage from the pressure regulator toward the fuel pump and discharges excess fuel sucked by the fuel pump into the swirl tank. In a fuel supply device in which these components are integrated into a module,
A portion of the surplus fuel that is supplied from the pressure regulator and discharged from the discharge port into the swirl tank is diverted around the fuel discharge port of the jet pump and discharged to the periphery of the jet pump discharge port. it is, fuel supply system, characterized in that foreign matters mixed into the fuel tank provided foreign matter removing means you removed to integrated around the discharge port. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the foreign matter removing means is a hole formed in the vicinity of a discharge port of the jet pump. The fuel supply device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the holes are provided in the vicinity of a discharge port of the jet pump. The fuel supply device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the diameter of the hole is a diameter that does not deteriorate the performance of the jet pump. The foreign matter removing means is a branch passage provided in a fuel passage from the pressure regulator provided with the jet pump to the fuel pump direction and branched toward the vicinity of the discharge port of the jet pump. The fuel supply device according to claim 1. The foreign matter removing means is a relief valve provided in the vicinity of the discharge port of the jet pump for reducing the pressure of fuel discharged from the jet pump, and the relief valve is disposed on the swirl tank. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel supply device is opened toward a bottom portion of the fuel tank. The foreign matter removing means is a relief valve provided around the discharge port of the jet pump for reducing the pressure of fuel discharged from the jet pump, and the relief valve is directed toward the discharge port of the jet pump. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel supply device is opened.

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