JP4299589B2 - Fuel gauge mounting structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel gauge mounting structure in which fuel gauges are respectively disposed in two tank chambers formed in a vertical fuel tank.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In rear-wheel drive vehicles and four-wheel drive vehicles, a propeller shaft and the like for transmitting the driving force of the engine mounted on the front portion of the vehicle body to the rear wheels are extended rearward from the center of the vehicle body. For this reason, the fuel tank mounted in the lower portion near the rear seat is formed into a saddle shape having a recess at the bottom of the fuel tank in order to avoid interference with a power transmission system such as a propeller shaft.
[0003]
Since the vertical fuel tank has two tank chambers, the amount of fuel stored needs to be added to the amount of fuel stored in both tank chambers. Therefore, in the vertical fuel tank, a fuel gauge is provided in each tank chamber, the amount of fuel detected by each fuel gauge is added, and the fuel remaining amount is displayed on the fuel indicator in the driver's seat based on the value. .
[0004]
For example, in Patent Document 1, float type fuel gauges are arranged in a first tank chamber and a second tank chamber formed in a fuel tank, and can be changed to each float that varies according to the fuel level. A technique is disclosed in which a resistance is connected to each other, a change in both variable resistance values is detected as a change in potential difference, and a fuel remaining amount is displayed on a fuel indicator based on a value obtained by adding the potential difference detected by each fuel gauge. Yes.
[0005]
On the other hand, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 2, the fuel gauge generally has an integral structure that is suspended downward from a flange attached to the upper surface of the fuel tank via a stay.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-35356 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-292244
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a vehicle with a low vehicle height, such as a sports type vehicle, it is difficult to secure a sufficient fuel tank height, so it is difficult to make an integral structure such as suspending the fuel gauge from the flange via a stay. is there. As a result, the fuel gauge is fixed to a bracket standing on the inner bottom surface of the fuel tank, and the fuel gauge and the flange are offset to secure a mounting space.
[0008]
In such a structure, since the flange and the fuel gauge are separated from each other, when the harness extending from the fuel gauge is guided to the flange, the harness is likely to be loosened. There is a possibility that the harness interferes with the floating arm to cause trouble in operation.
[0009]
Therefore, even if the fuel gauge is mounted separately from the flange that is mounted on the upper surface of the fuel tank, the object of the present invention is that there is no slack in the harness that extends from the fuel gauge, and the liquid level of the fuel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel gauge mounting structure that does not hinder the detection operation.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a first tank chamber and a second tank are formed in a bowl shape with a recess at the bottom, and communicate with each other via a communication chamber formed above the recess . Each of the tank chambers, a first bracket and a second bracket which are respectively provided on the inner bottom of each of the tank chambers and extend upward substantially along the inclination of the recess. The first fuel gauge body and the second fuel gauge body having the same shape as the float type fixed to the bracket, and the same length connected to each of the first fuel gauge body and the second fuel gauge body. A harness, and a first flange and a second flange that are provided on an upper surface of each tank chamber and hold the harness extending from each fuel gauge body, and each bracket includes the fuel gauge body. Same surface Thereby fixedly provided to face, is directed to a harness extending from said first fuel gauge body upward, the harness extending from said second fuel gauge body is directed downward, to the first bracket A harness that extends downward from the first fuel gauge body is guided downward and folded and guided upward, and a harness that extends downward from the second fuel gauge body is hooked on the second bracket. Provided is a fuel gauge mounting structure in which a hook for stopping and guiding upward is provided , and a float arm of each fuel gauge body is extended so as to rotate along an inclined surface of a corresponding bracket. Is.
[0011]
In such a configuration, first, a first fuel gauge body and a second fuel gauge body having the same shape are first provided in a first tank chamber and a second tank chamber that are in communication with each other. The bracket and the second bracket are fixed to each other with the same surface facing each other, and the harness extending from the first fuel gauge body is directed upward to extend from the second fuel gauge body. Direct the harness downward. Then, a harness extending from the first fuel gauge body is hooked on a hook provided on the first bracket, guided downward, then folded back and guided upward, and provided on the upper surface of the first tank chamber. The first flange is held. On the other hand, a harness extending from the second fuel gauge body is hooked on a hook provided on the second bracket, guided upward, and held on a second flange provided on the upper surface of the second tank chamber. . Thus, by hooking the harness extending from each fuel gauge body with the hook, the shapes of the first fuel gauge body and the second fuel gauge body can be made identical, and the harness connected to each fuel gauge body Even if the length is the same, the slack of the harness around each bracket is prevented.
[0012]
The second of the present invention, the features in the first invention, in that the hooks provided in the upper Symbol bracket, provided on the opposite side of the float arm extending and from the fuel gauge body on the side of the bracket A fuel gauge mounting structure is provided. Thereby, interference with a harness and a float arm can be prevented more effectively.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vertical fuel tank to which a first fuel gauge and a second fuel gauge are attached.
[0015]
The saddle type fuel tank 1 is disposed near the lower part of the rear seat of a rear wheel drive vehicle or a four wheel drive vehicle, and a concave portion 1a is formed at substantially the center in the vehicle width direction so as to straddle the propeller shaft. The fuel tank 1 is formed with a first tank chamber 2 and a second tank chamber 3 sandwiching a recess 1a on the left and right sides, and a communication chamber 4 in which both tank chambers 2 and 3 are formed above the recess 1a. Are in communication with each other.
[0016]
Mounting holes 2a and 3a for attaching the first flange 5 and the second flange 6 are formed on the upper surfaces of the tank chambers 2 and 3, and the first flange 5 is formed in each of the mounting holes 2a and 3a. And the second flange 6 are attached in an airtight state through a packing (not shown).
[0017]
A main pump unit 7 is disposed in the first tank chamber 2, and a fuel pipe 8 extending from the main pump unit 7 protrudes to the outside through the first flange 5. The protruding end of the fuel pipe 8 communicates with a fuel supply system of an engine mounted on the front of the vehicle body via a fuel tube (not shown).
[0018]
On the other hand, the second tank chamber 3 is provided with a sub-pump unit 9 that returns return fuel from the engine side to the first tank chamber 2 via a return pipe (not shown).
[0019]
Further, pedestals 10 and 11 are respectively fixed to the bottoms of the tank chambers 2 and 3, and a first bracket 12 and a second bracket 13 are fixed to the pedestals 10 and 11. Both brackets 12 and 13 are resin molded products, and mounting portions 12a and 13a for the bases 10 and 11 are formed in the lower part thereof.
[0020]
The first bracket 12 is erected between the main pump unit 7 and the recess 1a, and the second bracket 13 is erected between the sub pump unit 9 and the recess 1a. It extends upward in a state substantially along the inclination.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, housing recesses 12 b and 13 b are formed on the upper opposing surfaces of the brackets 12 and 13. Respective main body portions of the first fuel gauge 14 and the second fuel gauge 15 (hereinafter referred to as “first fuel gauge main body, second fuel gauge main body”) 16a, 16b are provided in the respective housing recesses 12b, 13b. Is installed. Both fuel gauges 14 and 15 are well-known float type fuel gauges, the fuel gauge bodies 16a and 16b have the same shape, and the harnesses 17 connected to each of them have the same length.
[0022]
And the connector 18 is connected to the front-end | tip of the harness 17 extended from one side of both fuel gauge main bodies 16a, 16b, and the connector socket 19 connected to this connector 18 is fixed to each flange 5,6. ing.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first fuel gauge body 16 a is attached to the housing recess 12 b formed in the first bracket 12 with the harness 17 directed upward. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the second fuel gauge body 16 b is attached to the housing recess 13 b formed in the second bracket 13 with the harness 17 directed downward.
[0024]
By doing so, the float arm can be extended in the same direction using the same fuel gauge, and there is no layout restriction.
[0025]
The two fuel gauge bodies 16a and 16b are fixed to the brackets 12 and 13 with the same surfaces facing each other. As shown in FIG. 1, the first flange 5 and the first fuel gauge body are fixed. 16a and the second flange 6 and the second fuel gauge body 16b are offset. The float arms 21 extending from the side surfaces of the fuel gauge bodies 16a and 16b are attached symmetrically to each other, and a float 22 is fixed to the tip thereof.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the base of each float arm 21 is rotatably supported with respect to each fuel gauge body 16a, 16b, and the float arm 21 is attached to each fuel gauge body 16a, 16b. Is detected by a contact type using a variable resistor or the like, or a non-contact type using a Hall element or the like, and a detection signal is output to the outside via the harness 17.
[0027]
As described above, both fuel gauge bodies 16a and 16b have the same shape, and the length of the harness 17 is also the same. In the case where the harness 17 is oriented upward as in the first fuel gauge body 16a, and in the case where the harness 17 is oriented downward as in the second fuel gauge body 16b, the flanges 5, 6 are used. Since the distance to the connector socket 19 attached to the cable is different, slack is likely to occur in the middle, and this slack is adjusted by routing the harness 17. Therefore, hooks for adjusting the slackness of the harness 17 are provided on the side surfaces of both the brackets 12 and 13.
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, first and second hooks 23 a and 23 b for guiding the harness 17 in a staggered manner on the upper portion of the first bracket 12 on the side opposite to the extending direction of the float arm 21. Is formed. In the present embodiment, both the hooks 23a and 23b are arranged with a predetermined gap therebetween and the openings facing each other.
[0029]
Further, a third hook 24 is formed below the third hook 24. The third hook 24 has an opening on the lower side, a protrusion 24a is formed in the opening, and more than the protrusion 24a on the side surface of the first bracket 12 facing the protrusion 24a. A protrusion 25 is formed slightly inside. The entrance of the third hook 24 is narrowed by the convex portion 24a and the protruding portion 25, and the harness 17 is attached by pushing and spreading between the convex portion 24a and the protruding portion 25, so that it is detached after assembly. There is nothing.
[0030]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a fourth hook 26 is formed in the middle of the side surface of the second bracket 13 in the extending direction of the float arm 21. The fourth hook 26 is opened downward similarly to the third hook 24, and a convex portion 26a is formed in the opening, and the side surface of the second bracket 13 facing the convex portion 26a A protrusion 27 is formed slightly inside the protrusion 24a. The entrance of the fourth hook 26 is narrowed by the convex portion 26a and the protruding portion 27, and the harness 17 is attached by pushing between the convex portion 26a and the protruding portion 27, so that it is detached after assembly. There is nothing.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, first, the first fuel gauge body 16 a is attached to the housing recess 12 b formed in the upper portion of the first bracket 12 with the harness 17 directed upward. Further, the second fuel gauge main body 16b is attached to the accommodation recess 13b formed in the upper part of the second bracket 13 with the harness 17 directed downward. At this time, the float arms 21 projecting from one side of the fuel gauge bodies 16a and 16b are assembled symmetrically with each other, and thus extend in the same direction.
[0032]
Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the harness 17 extending from above the first fuel gauge body 16 a is guided to the side surface of the first bracket 12 opposite to the extending direction of the float arm 21, The hooks 23 a and 23 b are hooked in a zigzag manner, and further guided downward along the first bracket 12 to be hooked on the third hook 24. Thereafter, it is folded and guided upward.
[0033]
Since the entrance of the third hook 24 is narrowed by the convex portion 24a and the protruding portion 25, the harness 17 is attached to the inside by pushing between the convex portion 24a and the protruding portion 25. Therefore, the harness 17 does not come off from the third hook 24. In this case, if the third hook 24 is formed to be slightly narrower than the diameter of the harness 17, the harness 17 can be pressed by the third hook 24, so that loosening of the harness 17 can be more effectively prevented.
[0034]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the harness 17 extending downward of the second fuel gauge body 16 b is guided to the side surface of the second bracket 13 in the extending direction of the float arm 21, and the fourth hook 26. After being hooked on, it is folded and guided upward. Since the entrance of the fourth hook 26 is narrowed by the convex portion 26a and the protruding portion 27, the harness 17 is mounted between the convex portion 26a and the protruding portion 27 while being widened. Therefore, the harness 17 does not come off from the fourth hook 26. In this case, if the fourth hook 26 is formed to be slightly narrower than the diameter of the harness 17, the harness 17 can be pressed by the fourth hook 26, so that loosening of the harness 17 can be effectively prevented.
[0035]
By the way, the harness 17 extending from both the fuel gauge bodies 16a (16b) is hooked on the hooks 23a, 23b, 24 (26) because the harness 17 is loosened around the bracket 12 (13) and floats. This is to prevent problems such as entanglement with the arm 21.
[0036]
Therefore, the position, number, and shape of each hook 23a, 23b, 24 (26) are not limited to the present embodiment as long as the harness 17 can be prevented from slackening. The manner of winding the harness 17 around the hooks 23a, 23b, 24 (26) is not limited to the present embodiment.
[0037]
And each bracket 12 (13) is inserted in the inside from the attachment hole 2a (3a) each formed in the upper surface of the 1st tank chamber 2 and the 2nd tank chamber 3 of the fuel tank 1, and it is in a lower end. The formed attaching portion 12a (13a) is attached to the base 10 (11) fixedly provided on the inner bottom surface of each tank chamber 2 (3), and is positioned and fixed.
[0038]
Next, the main pump unit 7 is attached to the first tank chamber 2, while the sub pump unit 9 is attached to the second tank chamber 3. Thereafter, the connector 18 connected to the tip of the harness 17 extending from each fuel gauge body 16a (16b) is connected to the connector socket 19 of the flange 5 (6). Since this connection work is performed outside the fuel tank 1, the harness 17 is secured to the hooks 23a, 23b, 24 (26) with a minimum length necessary for the connection work.
[0039]
Then, after the main pump unit 7 and the sub pump unit 9 are connected to each other in a predetermined manner, each flange 5 (6) is attached to the mounting hole 2a (3a) via a packing (not shown), and is airtight. Fix it while holding it.
[0040]
According to the present embodiment, when the harness 17 is hooked on the hooks 23a, 23b, 24 (26) formed on the bracket 12 (13), the fuel gauge body 16a (16b) is formed on the bracket 12 (13). The harness 17 can be easily hooked on the hooks 23a, 23b, and 24 (26) since it is fixed in advance to the housing recess 12b (13b).
[0041]
Further, since the bracket 12 (13), the fuel gauge body 16a (16b), and the harness 17 are integrated, there is no variation when the bracket 12 (13) is inserted from the mounting hole 2a (3a). Since it can be easily attached to the base 10 (11), the working efficiency is good.
[0042]
The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the hook formed on the second bracket 13 may be formed on the side surface opposite to the extending direction of the float arm. A plurality of hooks may be provided.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when the fuel gauge is attached separately from the flange attached to the upper surface of the fuel tank, the harness extending from the fuel gauge does not sag, and the fuel The liquid level detection operation is not hindered and high reliability can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vertical fuel tank to which a first fuel gauge and a second fuel gauge are attached.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which first and second gauges are attached to first and second brackets.
3A is a front view of a first bracket, and FIG. 3B is a left side view of FIG.
4A is a front view of a second bracket, and FIG. 4B is a right side view of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part in a state in which a first fuel gauge is attached to a first bracket.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an essential part in a state in which a second fuel gauge is attached to a second bracket.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel tank 2 1st tank chamber 3 2nd tank chamber 5 1st flange 6 2nd flange 12 1st bracket 13 2nd bracket 14 1st fuel gauge 15 2nd fuel gauge 16a 1st Fuel gauge body 16b Second fuel gauge body 17 Harness 21 Float arm 23a First hook 23b Second hook 24 Third hook 26 Fourth hook

Claims (2)

A fuel tank having a first tank chamber and a second tank chamber which are formed in a bowl shape with a recess at the bottom and communicate with each other via a communication chamber formed above the recess ;
A first bracket and a second bracket which are respectively erected on the inner bottom of each tank chamber and extend upward substantially along the inclination of the recess ;
A float-type first fuel gauge body and a second fuel gauge body fixed to each bracket;
A harness of the same length connected to each of the first fuel gauge body and the second fuel gauge body;
A first flange and a second flange provided on the upper surface of each tank chamber and holding the harness extending from each fuel gauge body;
The fuel gauge bodies are fixed to the brackets with the same surface facing each other, and a harness extending from the first fuel gauge body is directed upward to extend from the second fuel gauge body. Direct the harness downwards,
The first bracket is provided with a hook for guiding a harness extending upward from the first fuel gauge body downward and for folding back and leading upward,
A hook for hooking a harness extending downward from the second fuel gauge body to the second bracket and guiding it upward is provided ,
A fuel gauge mounting structure in which a float arm of each fuel gauge body is extended so as to rotate along an inclined surface of a corresponding bracket . Said hook provided in the upper Symbol bracket, fuel gauge mounting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that on the opposite side of the float arm extending and from the fuel gauge body on the side of the bracket.

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