JP4561599B2 - Evaporative fuel treatment system for portable fuel tank for outboard motor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel vapor processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor.

  A conventional fuel tank for an outboard motor includes an air vent valve in a filler cap that closes a fuel filler port. The air vent valve is opened and closed by operating the air vent knob. The air vent valve is opened when the outboard motor is in operation, and external air is introduced into the fuel tank as fuel is supplied to the outboard motor so that the fuel tank does not become negative pressure. The air vent valve is blocked when the outboard motor is stopped.

  In such a conventional fuel tank for an outboard motor, when the air vent valve is closed, the pressure in the fuel tank rises due to the generation of evaporated fuel in the fuel tank. When the air vent valve is opened for starting, there is a problem that the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank is released into the atmosphere all at once. For this reason, a conventional fuel tank for an outboard motor requires an evaporative fuel processing apparatus that performs a process for suppressing the release of the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank to the atmosphere.

  Here, as a conventional evaporative fuel processing apparatus, an apparatus for processing evaporative fuel generated in an outboard motor is provided. As such an evaporative fuel processing apparatus, a vapor separator for an electronic fuel injection system for an outboard motor, a canister built-in vapor separator in which a canister is provided to process evaporative fuel in the vapor separator is disclosed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Further, a canister built-in vapor separator disposed between the outboard motor and the separately installed fuel tank is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  However, the conventional evaporative fuel processing apparatus performs a process of separating evaporative fuel (fuel vapor) that causes engine malfunction from the supplied fuel, and releases the evaporative fuel generated in the fuel tank to the atmosphere. Processing to suppress this cannot be performed.

Conventionally, an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a fuel tank fixed to a vehicle such as a fuel tank of a vehicle such as a four-wheeled vehicle has been disclosed as an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for processing evaporative fuel generated in a fuel tank. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).
JP 2002-161813 A JP 2002-138920 A JP 2003-328865 A

  However, fuel tanks for outboard motors, in particular portable fuel tanks, are configured to be detachable from the hull. In the evaporated fuel processing apparatus of Patent Document 3, the evaporated fuel generated in the portable fuel tank is removed. Processing that suppresses release into the atmosphere cannot be performed. Specifically, when the portable fuel tank is removed from the outboard motor, the evaporative fuel treatment device of Patent Document 3 cannot perform any process on the evaporative fuel in the fuel tank. When the pressure in the fuel tank has increased due to the generation of fuel, if the air vent valve is opened to attach the fuel tank to the outboard motor and start the outboard motor, the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank will be in the atmosphere. Will be released.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an evaporative fuel processing apparatus capable of suppressing the release of evaporative fuel generated in a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor to the atmosphere.

  In order to achieve the above object, an evaporative fuel processing device for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 1 includes a fuel supply port to which a fuel supply path can be attached and detached. An evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank that supplies fuel to an outboard motor through a port and the fuel supply path, the canister for adsorbing the evaporated fuel generated in the fuel tank, and the outboard motor A purge passage that is detachably attachable to the intake system and communicates between the canister and the intake system of the outboard motor, an air vent passage that allows the canister to communicate with the atmosphere, and communicates the fuel tank and the canister. A bypass passage, a purge valve that opens and closes the purge passage, an air vent valve that opens and closes the air vent valve, and a canister protection valve that opens and closes the bypass passage.

  The evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 2, wherein the evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the fuel tank is disposed on the hull. An evaporative fuel treatment device for the outboard motor portable fuel tank has an evaporating fuel tank for the outboard motor on the lower surface of the fuel tank. The upper surface of the fuel processing device is disposed at substantially the same height as the upper surface of the fuel tank.

  The evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 3 is the evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the fuel tank includes a gripping portion, The bypass passage is connected to the vicinity of the grip portion at an upper surface portion of the fuel tank disposed in the hull.

  The evaporative fuel treatment device for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 4 is the evaporative fuel treatment device for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Each of the valve, the air vent valve, and the canister protection valve is an electromagnetic valve, and is configured to be controlled to be opened and closed by an ECU of the outboard motor.

  The evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 5 is the evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to any one of claims 1 to 4. At least one of the tank and the canister is connected to a vapor separator of the outboard motor.

  The evaporative fuel treatment apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 6 is the evaporative fuel treatment apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A high-pressure fuel pump disposed in the tank is provided.

  An evaporative fuel treatment apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the canister for adsorbing the evaporative fuel is configured such that the purge passage and the purge valve can communicate with the intake system of the outboard motor, and the air vent passage and the air vent valve. Allows communication with the atmosphere, and bypass passages and canister protection valves allow communication with the fuel tank. In addition, the purge passage is detachable from the outboard motor intake system. Thereby, the canister can adsorb the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank. Further, by removing the purge passage from the outboard motor intake system, the user can carry the evaporated fuel processing apparatus together with the fuel tank removed from the outboard motor. Therefore, the evaporated fuel processing apparatus can adsorb evaporated fuel generated in the fuel tank by the canister even when the fuel tank is removed from the outboard motor. Can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the evaporative fuel processing device for the outboard motor portable fuel tank according to the first aspect, the release of the evaporated fuel generated in the outboard motor portable fuel tank to the atmosphere can be suppressed. .

  The evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 2 is configured such that an upper surface of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus is formed on a lower step surface formed on an upper surface portion of the fuel tank in an installed state on the hull. Is disposed so as to be substantially the same height as the upper step surface of the step of the fuel tank. Therefore, according to the evaporative fuel treatment apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 2, the evaporative fuel treatment apparatus is damaged by contact with an object or the like when the fuel tank is transported or installed on the hull. This can be suppressed.

  According to the evaporative fuel processing device for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 3, the bypass passage is connected to the upper surface portion of the fuel tank in the state of being installed in the hull in the vicinity of the grip portion provided in the fuel tank. Therefore, the canister can be prevented from coming into direct contact with the fuel in the fuel tank when the fuel tank is transported or installed on the hull.

  According to the evaporative fuel processing device for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 4, each of the purge valve, the air vent valve, and the canister protection valve is an electromagnetic valve, and is controlled to be opened and closed by an ECU of the outboard motor. Therefore, each valve can be controlled accurately.

  According to the evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 5, since at least one of the fuel tank and the canister is connected to the vapor separator of the outboard motor, the evaporated fuel separated in the vapor separator is removed. Can be adsorbed by canister. Thereby, the canister can be eliminated from the fuel supply system of the engine including the vapor separator, and the structure of the vapor separator can be simplified.

  According to the evaporative fuel processing device for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 6, since the high pressure fuel pump disposed in the fuel tank is provided, the vapor separator and the squeeze pump can be eliminated from the outboard motor. The structure of the outboard motor can be simplified.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a left side surface of an outboard motor-driven fuel tank to which an evaporative fuel treatment device for an outboard motor-driven fuel tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. Hereinafter, the right side (outboard motor side) of the figure is called “rear”, the left side is called “front”, the upper side is called “upper”, and the lower side is called “lower”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an evaporative fuel treatment apparatus 1 as an evaporative fuel treatment of an outboard motor-driven fuel tank according to the present embodiment is a portable type for an outboard motor disposed on a bottom 21 of a hull 2. It is attached to a fuel tank 3 which is a fuel tank. The fuel tank 3 is detachably fixed on the ship bottom 21 by an attachment mechanism 24 disposed on the ship bottom 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the hull 2 includes a transom board 22 at the rear and a motor well 23 in front of the transom board 22, and the outboard motor 4 is attached to the transom board 22. The fuel tank 3 and the outboard motor 4 are connected by a fuel hose 5 for supplying fuel. A manual squeeze pump 6 is provided in the middle of the fuel hose 5. The evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 and the outboard motor 4 are connected by an evaporative fuel hose 7c for supplying evaporative fuel.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outboard motor 4 includes an engine holder 43, and the engine 42 is disposed above the engine holder 43. The engine 42 is, for example, a water-cooled four-cycle in-line four-cylinder engine in which a crankshaft 74 (see FIG. 3) is disposed substantially vertically (vertically).

  An oil pan 44 is joined and fixed to the lower surface of the engine holder 43, and a drive shaft housing 45 and a gear case 46 are sequentially disposed below the oil pan 44, and the engine 42, the engine holder 43, and the oil pan 44 are surrounded by an engine cover 47. Covered.

  A drive shaft (not shown) is disposed substantially vertically in the engine holder 43, the oil pan 44, and the drive shaft housing 45. The drive shaft receives rotational force from the crankshaft, and a bevel gear and a propeller shaft (in the gear case 46). A propeller 48 as a propulsion device is driven via any of them (not shown).

  A clamp bracket bracket 49 is fixed to the main body 41 of the outboard motor 4 via a swivel bracket 50, and the outboard motor 4 is fixed to the transom board 22 of the hull 2 via the clamp bracket 49. Yes.

  The clamp bracket 49 is provided with a swivel bracket 50 via a tilt shaft 50a, and a pilot shaft 50b is pivotally supported in the swivel bracket 50 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The main body 41 of the outboard motor 4 can be steered left and right around the pilot shaft 50b with respect to the clamp bracket 49, and can be tilted up around the tilt shaft 50a.

  The fuel supply system of the outboard motor 4 includes a vapor separator. In this fuel supply system, the vapor separator separates the fuel supplied from the fuel tank 3 through the fuel hose 5 into liquid fuel and fuel vapor that is evaporated fuel obtained by evaporating the fuel. The separated liquid fuel is injected from the injector into the intake port, introduced into each cylinder, and burned. On the other hand, the fuel vapor is introduced into the intake port via the canister and purge valve of the fuel supply system. The fuel supply system of the outboard motor 4 is configured as shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a right side view of the engine 42 of the outboard motor 4, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a horizontal section of the outboard motor 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a low-pressure fuel filter 51 and a low-pressure fuel pump 52 connected to the low-pressure fuel filter 51 are disposed at the rear of the engine 42, and a fuel cooler 53 and a delivery pipe 54 are both provided. It is arranged in the vertical direction. A high pressure fuel filter 55 is disposed on the engine 42.

  A fuel connector 56 is provided at the front of the engine cover 47 above the tilt shaft 50a. The fuel connector 56 is configured such that a fuel hose 5 (see FIG. 1) for supplying fuel from the fuel tank 3 to the engine 42 is detachable. The fuel connector 56 is connected to the low pressure fuel filter 51 via a fuel hose 57.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an intake manifold 58 is provided on the right side of the engine 42. The intake manifold 58 has a surge tank 58a and four intake branch pipes 58b. The intake branch pipes 58b are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction so as to correspond to the cylinders 59 of the cylinder block 65, and communicate with the corresponding intake ports 61 (see FIG. 3) of the cylinder head 60. Each intake port 61 is provided with an electronically controlled injector 62.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the engine 42 is provided with an intake silencer 63, and the intake silencer 63 communicates with an intake manifold 58 via a throttle body 64.

  A vapor separator 66 is disposed in the space formed between the intake branch pipe 58b and the cylinder block 65. The vapor separator 66 includes a vapor separator tank, a pressure regulator, and a high pressure fuel pump (all not shown). The vapor separator 66 is connected to the low pressure fuel pump 52 by a fuel hose 67 and is delivered via a high pressure fuel filter 55. A pipe 54 is connected. The high pressure fuel filter 55 is connected to the fuel cooler 53, and the fuel cooler 53 is connected to the vapor separator 66 via the fuel return hose 75.

  The vapor separator 66 separates fuel vapor from the liquid fuel introduced from the fuel tank 3 through the fuel hose 5, the fuel connector 56, the fuel hose 57, and the low-pressure fuel filter 51 from the fuel tank 3 by the low-pressure fuel pump 52. The liquid fuel from which the fuel vapor has been separated is pumped to the high-pressure fuel filter 55 at a predetermined pressure by a high-pressure fuel pump built in the vapor separator 66, and from each injector 62 through the delivery pipe 54 to the corresponding intake port 61. And is introduced into each cylinder 59 and combusted.

  Part of the fuel (surplus fuel) pumped to the high-pressure fuel filter 55 is cooled by the fuel cooler 53 and returned to the pressure regulator built in the vapor separator 66 via the fuel return hose 75. The pressure regulator depressurizes the high-pressure return fuel and sends it to the vapor separator tank.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the engine 42 includes a canister 68, and the canister 68 is provided in an intake silencer 63, for example. The canister 68 is connected by a vapor separator 66 and a fuel vapor hose 69, and a two-way valve 70 is provided in the middle of the fuel vapor hose 69. The two-way valve 70 has a bidirectional check valve (not shown), and normally prevents the backflow of fuel vapor from the canister 68 to the vapor separator 66, but the degree of negative pressure of the vapor separator 66 is large. If this happens, the fuel vapor is returned from the canister 68 to the vapor separator 66. The canister 68 is connected to a surge tank 58 a of the intake manifold 58 via a fuel vapor hose 71, a purge valve 72, and a fuel vapor hose 73.

  The fuel vapor separated by the vapor separator 66 is supplied to the canister 68 through the fuel vapor hose 69 and the two-way valve 70, and is adsorbed and held. The fuel vapor stored in the canister 68 is purged by the purge valve 72, supplied to the intake manifold 58, mixed with the fuel injected from each injector 62, introduced into each cylinder 59, and combusted.

  Further, an evaporated fuel hose 7 a (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is connected to the intake manifold 58 in the vicinity of the connection position of the fuel vapor hose 73. The evaporated fuel hose 7 a is connected to an evaporated fuel connector 7 b provided in the vicinity of the fuel connector 56. The evaporated fuel connector 7b is configured to be detachable from an evaporated fuel hose 7c (see FIG. 1) for supplying evaporated fuel from the fuel tank 3 to the intake system (intake manifold 58) of the outboard motor 4. Thereby, the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 and the intake manifold 58 are connected by the evaporated fuel hoses 7a and 7c via the evaporated fuel connector 7b.

  Next, the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 and the fuel tank 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the left side surfaces of the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 and the fuel tank 3, and FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the upper surfaces of the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 and the fuel tank 3.

  First, the fuel tank 3 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fuel tank 3 is attached to a main body 31 that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-like container, and to the rear side surface 32 in a state where the fuel tank 3 is attached to the hull 2 (see FIG. 1). And a generally U-shaped gripping portion 33 (see FIG. 5). The user can carry the fuel tank 3 removed from the hull 2 by gripping the grip portion 33 of the fuel tank 3. Further, the upper surface 34 of the main body 31 of the fuel tank 3 is formed with a step in the vertical direction, and includes an upper step surface 34a on the front side and a lower step surface 34b positioned at a lower level than the upper step surface 34a on the rear side.

  Further, the fuel tank 3 has a fuel supply hole 35 for supplying the fuel in the fuel tank 3 to the engine 42 of the outboard motor 4 in the vicinity of the left corner of the lower step surface 34b. One end of a substantially L-shaped cylindrical fuel connector 36 is screwed into the fuel supply hole 35 substantially vertically. The fuel connector 36 and the fuel supply hole 35 are hermetically sealed by a sealing material such as an O-ring. A cylindrical outlet pipe 37 extending in the vertical direction is attached to the one end of the fuel connector 36, and a fuel filter 38 is attached to the lower end of the outlet pipe 37. The other end of the fuel connector 36, that is, the outer end is formed so that the fuel hose 5 (see FIG. 1) can be attached and detached.

  With the above-described configuration, the inside of the fuel tank 3 communicates with the outside via the fuel connector 36, the outlet pipe 37, and the fuel filter 38.

  Further, the fuel tank 3 has a fuel supply port 81 for fuel supply in the vicinity of the right corner of the lower step surface 34b. A filler cap 82 for sealing the fuel supply port 81 is screwed into the fuel supply port 81. Further, the filler cap 82 is formed with an attachment hole 83 for attaching the fuel vapor processing apparatus 1 as will be described later on the upper surface thereof.

  Next, the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 includes a bypass passage 101, a canister protection valve 102, a purge passage 103, a purge valve 104, an air vent passage 105, an air vent valve 106, and a canister 107. .

  The bypass passage 101 is a pipe that extends in a straight line, and includes an attachment end 101 a formed at one end thereof so as to be attachable to the attachment hole 83 of the filler cap 82, and a connection end 101 b for connecting to the canister 107 at the other end. Is provided.

  The canister protection valve 102 is provided in the middle of the bypass passage 101 and allows the bypass passage 101 to be opened and closed.

  The purge passage 103 is a pipe that extends in a straight line. The purge passage 103 includes an attachment end 103 a that is detachably attached to the evaporative fuel hose 7 c, and a connection end 103 b that is connected to the canister 107 at the other end.

  The purge valve 104 is provided in the middle of the purge passage 103 and allows the purge passage 103 to be opened and closed.

  The air vent passage 105 is a substantially J-shaped pipe, and has an opening end 105 a that opens to the atmosphere at one end and a connection end 105 b that connects to the canister 107 at the other end. The open end 105a opens downward.

  The air vent valve 106 is provided in the middle of the air vent passage 105 and allows the air vent passage 105 to be opened and closed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 are electronically controlled valves, and the evaporated fuel processing device 1 transports the fuel tank 3 as shown in FIG. And a sensor 111 for determining whether or not the adsorption activator 108 may come into direct contact with the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 3 due to the shaking of the hull 2 or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 are connected to the ECU 112 of the outboard motor 4, and the ECU 112 refers to the detection value of each sensor, and the canister protection valve 102, purge The supply of driving power to the valve 104 and the air vent valve 106 is controlled, and the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 are controlled to open and close. Specifically, the ECU 112 opens the valves by supplying power to the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106, and closes the valves by stopping the power supply. To.

  As the sensor 111, for example, posture detecting means for detecting the posture (tilt) of the hull 2 can be used. The attitude detection means is disposed on the transom board 22 of the hull 2 near the fuel tank 3, for example. The ECU 112 detects the attitude of the hull 2 from the detection signal of the sensor 111 to detect the shaking of the hull 2, and the level of this shaking may cause the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 3 to directly contact the adsorption activator 108. The canister protection valve 102 is controlled by discriminating whether it is at the level or not.

  The canister 107 includes an adsorption activator 108 that adsorbs evaporated fuel such as activated carbon, and a case 109 that seals the adsorption activator 108 inside. The connecting end 101b of the bypass passage 101 is connected to the lower surface of the case 109, the connecting end 105b of the air vent passage 105 is connected to the upper surface, and the connecting end 103b of the purge passage 103 is connected to the side surface. Note that the connection positions of the purge passage 103 and the air vent passage 105 to the canister 107 may be reversed, or the connection positions may be provided on the same surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 is attached to a fuel tank 3. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the attachment end 101 a of the bypass passage 101 of the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 is attached to the attachment hole 83 of the filler cap 82 of the fuel tank 3 in an airtight manner, whereby the evaporated fuel processing is performed. The device 1 is attached to the fuel tank 3. The attachment end 101a of the bypass passage 101 and the attachment hole 83 of the filler cap 82 are configured to be screwed together and attached in an airtight manner, for example. The shapes of the attachment end 101a and the attachment hole 83 are not limited to this, and for example, the attachment end 101a may be inserted into the attachment hole 83 and attached to each other in an airtight manner.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface of the canister 107 is positioned higher than the lower step surface 34 b of the upper surface 34 of the fuel tank 3 in a state where the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 is attached to the fuel tank 3.

  With the above-described configuration, the inside of the case 109 of the canister 107 can communicate with the inside of the fuel tank 3 via the bypass passage 101. Therefore, when the canister protection valve 102 is open and the bypass passage 101 is open, the canister 107 can adsorb the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank 3 by the adsorption activator 108. Further, the inside of the case 109 of the canister 107 can communicate with the atmosphere through the air vent passage 105 and can communicate with the intake manifold 58 of the engine 42 through the purge passage 103 and the evaporated fuel hose 7.

  The canister protection valve 102 is configured so that the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107 is a liquid fuel in the fuel tank 3 when the surface of the fuel in the fuel tank 3 changes greatly due to transportation of the fuel tank 3 or shaking of the hull 2. It is comprised so that it may not contact directly. Specifically, based on the detection result of the sensor 111, the magnitude of the shaking of the fuel tank 3, the magnitude of the shaking of the hull 2, or the magnitude of the change in the fuel surface (oil level) in the fuel tank 3 is The canister protection valve 102 is controlled to be closed when the ECU 112 determines that the predetermined level at which the fuel is in direct contact with the adsorption activator 108 has been determined. As a result, when the adsorption activator 108 may come into direct contact with the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 3 due to transportation of the fuel tank 3 or shaking of the hull 2, the canister protection valve 102 is closed and the bypass passage 101 is closed. Since it is closed, liquid fuel can be prevented from entering the canister 107, and the adsorption activator 108 can be prevented from coming into direct contact with or immersed in the liquid fuel.

  The purge valve 104 is configured to open the purge valve 104 when the pressure difference between the pressure in the case 109 of the canister 107 and the pressure in the intake manifold 58 becomes a predetermined value or more. Specifically, during operation of the engine 42, the magnitude of the differential pressure in the intake manifold 58 with respect to the case 109 of the canister 107 becomes a predetermined value or more, and the evaporation adsorbed by the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107. The purge valve 104 is controlled to open when the ECU 112 determines that the intake manifold 58 can easily suck the fuel.

  The air vent valve 106 is configured to open and close in conjunction with the opening and closing of the purge valve 104 during operation of the engine 42 of the outboard motor 4. Specifically, the air vent valve 106 is controlled by the ECU 112 so as to open and close in conjunction with the opening and closing of the purge valve 104 during operation of the engine 42 of the outboard motor 4.

  4 and 5 schematically show the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 and the fuel tank 3, and the size and arrangement position of each component are not limited to those shown in the drawings. For example, the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 is disposed on the lower surface 34b of the fuel tank 3 so that the uppermost portion (upper surface) of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 is at the same level as or lower than the upper stage surface 34a of the fuel tank 3. You may set up. Thereby, when the fuel tank 3 is transported or installed on the hull 2, it is possible to prevent the evaporated fuel processing device 1 from coming into contact with an object or the like and being damaged.

  A filter is provided in the air vent passage 105 or in the case 109 of the canister 107 on the side of the air vent passage 105 from the adsorbent activator 108 to prevent dust in the atmosphere or intrusion of rainwater or seawater. Also good.

  Next, the operation of the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  When the fuel tank 3 is attached to the outboard motor 4, the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107 may come into direct contact with the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 3 due to transportation of the fuel tank 3, shaking of the hull 2, or the like. If there is no, the canister protection valve 102 remains open. For this reason, when there is no possibility that the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107 directly contacts the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 3, the inside of the fuel tank 3 communicates with the inside of the canister 107 via the bypass passage 101. 3 is adsorbed by the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107.

  On the other hand, in a state where the fuel tank 3 is removed from the outboard motor 4, power is not supplied to the canister protection valve 102, so that the canister protection valve 102 remains closed. Therefore, even when the fuel tank 3 is attached to the outboard motor 4 or when the fuel tank 3 is detached from the outboard motor 4, the fuel tank 3 is adsorbed by the transportation of the fuel tank 3 or the shaking of the hull 2. If the activator 108 may come into direct contact with the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 3, the canister protection valve 102 remains closed. For this reason, when there is a possibility that the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107 directly contacts the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 3, the bypass passage 101 is closed, and the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank 3 is absorbed by the canister 107. It is not adsorbed by the agent 108.

Further, while the fuel tank 3 is attached to the outboard motor 4, the air vent valve 106 is opened while the purge valve 104 is kept open, and the inside of the canister 107 communicates with the atmosphere via the air vent passage 105. To do.
On the other hand, when the fuel tank 3 is removed from the outboard motor 4, the air vent valve 106 is kept closed.

  When the intake manifold 58 is in a state where it is easy to suck the evaporated fuel adsorbed by the adsorption activator 108 in the operation state of the engine 42, that is, the differential pressure in the intake manifold 58 with respect to the case 108 of the canister 107. The purge valve 104 is opened when the magnitude of is greater than the predetermined value. As a result, the purge passage 103 is opened, and the evaporated fuel adsorbed by the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107 is purged and sucked into the intake manifold 58 via the evaporated fuel hose 7. The evaporated fuel sucked into the intake manifold 58 is mixed with the fuel injected from each injector 62 alone or together with the fuel vapor from the canister 68 purged by the purge valve 72 of the engine 42 and introduced into each cylinder 59. Burned.

  When the purge valve 104 is opened as described above and the evaporated fuel adsorbed by the adsorption activator 108 is purged, the air drawn from the atmosphere through the air vent passage 105 passes through the canister 107. The adsorption performance of the evaporative fuel of the adsorption activator 108 can be regenerated.

  Note that when the fuel tank 3 is detached from the outboard motor 4, the purge valve 104 is kept closed.

  As described above, according to the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the canister 107 is caused by the shaking of the fuel tank 3 or the like when the fuel tank 3 is attached to the outboard motor 4. When there is no possibility that the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 3 directly contacts the adsorption activator 108, the adsorption activator 108 in the canister 107 adsorbs the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank 3. Thus, when the fuel tank 3 is attached to the outboard motor 4 from the state where the fuel tank 3 is detached from the outboard motor 4 and the engine 42 is put into operation, the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank 3 is absorbed by the adsorbent activator of the canister 107. Therefore, even if the fuel tank 3 removed from the outboard motor 4 is attached to the outboard motor 4 and the engine 42 is started, the fuel vapor is prevented from being released into the atmosphere from the air vent passage 105. can do. Therefore, according to the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1, it is possible to suppress the release of the evaporated fuel generated in the outboard motor-carrying fuel tank 3 into the atmosphere.

  Further, the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 has a position where the lower surface of the canister 107 is higher than the lower step surface 34b of the upper surface 34 of the fuel tank 3 when the fuel tank 3 is in use (the filler cap 82 is installed so as to face upward). Therefore, even when the maximum amount of fuel is supplied into the fuel tank 3 in this state, the adsorption activator 108 is not directly in contact with or immersed in the fuel.

  Further, the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 is attached to the corner of the lower stage surface 34 b of the fuel tank 3, that is, in the vicinity of the grip portion 33. Therefore, when the user holds the grip portion 33 and carries the fuel tank 3, the fuel tank 3 is in an upright state in which the grip portion 33 is on the upper side. Even in this state, the adsorbent activator 108 is directly applied to the fuel. Contact and immersion can be suppressed.

  Further, since the canister protection valve 102 is kept closed when the fuel tank 3 is detached from the outboard motor 4, the adsorbent activator 108 comes into direct contact with or is immersed in the fuel due to the shaking of the fuel tank 3. Can be prevented.

  Even when the fuel tank 3 is attached to the outboard motor 4, if there is a possibility that the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107 may come into direct contact with the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 3, the canister protection valve Since 102 maintains the closed state, it is possible to prevent the adsorption activator 108 from directly contacting or being immersed in the fuel due to the shaking of the fuel tank 3.

  Further, in the fuel vapor processing apparatus 1, the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 are opened or closed under the control of the ECU 112. For this reason, the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 can reliably control the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106, and further suppress the release of the evaporated fuel generated in the fuel tank 3 into the atmosphere. can do.

  Further, in the operating state of the engine 42, the pressure difference in the intake manifold 58 with respect to the case 109 of the canister 107 becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and the intake manifold 58 is adsorbed by the adsorption activator 108. When it becomes easy to suck the fuel, the purge valve 104 is opened, and the evaporated fuel adsorbed by the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107 is purged. In addition, at this time, the air vent valve 106 is opened and air passes through the adsorption activator 108. As a result, saturation of the adsorption amount of the evaporated fuel by the adsorption activator 108 can be suppressed, and the evaporation fuel in the fuel tank 3 is not adsorbed by the adsorption activator 108 due to saturation of the adsorption amount of the evaporated fuel. Can be suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to further suppress the release of the evaporated fuel generated in the fuel tank 3 into the atmosphere.

  In the fuel vapor processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 are electronically controlled valves, but are not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the engine 42 of the outboard motor 4 is operated by using the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 as a negative pressure operation type one-way valve such as a diaphragm type valve or a float type valve. In the state, each valve may be opened when the negative pressure in the intake manifold 58 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value. This eliminates the need for connecting the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 to the ECU 112 of the outboard motor 4.

  Further, even when the fuel tank 3 is detached from the outboard motor 4, the valves are kept closed, so that the release of the evaporated fuel generated in the fuel tank 3 to the atmosphere can be further suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the engine 42 of the outboard motor 4 includes an electronic fuel injection system that includes a vapor separator 66 in a fuel supply system and an injector 62 that is an electronically controlled fuel injection device. However, in the case of the evaporated fuel processing apparatus shown in FIG. 6, the engine of the outboard motor 4 may not be provided with the electronic fuel injection system. Even if the engine 42 of the outboard motor 4 does not include an electronic fuel injection system, it is not necessary to change the configurations of the evaporated fuel processing device 1 and the fuel tank 3. The present invention can also be easily applied to an engine that does not include the engine, for example, an outboard motor that includes a carburetor.

  Next, an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for an outboard motor-driven fuel tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and a left side surface of an outboard motor-driven fuel tank to which the evaporative fuel processing apparatus is applied. It is a fragmentary perspective view showing typically. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the top surfaces of the fuel vapor processing apparatus and the outboard motor fuel tank shown in FIG.

  In the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  First, the outboard motor portable fuel tank in the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the portable fuel tank 210 for the outboard motor is similar to the main body 211, the fuel tank 3 (see FIG. 4), the fuel supply hole 35, the fuel connector 36, An outlet pipe 37, a fuel filter 38, and a fuel filler port 81 are provided. The fuel tank 210 has substantially the same shape as the fuel tank 3 and is different in that an evaporative fuel discharge port 212 is formed at substantially the center in the left-right direction of the rear end edge of the lower step surface 34b.

  In addition, the fuel tank 210 includes a filler cap 213 for sealing the fuel supply port 81. The filler cap 213 is different from the filler cap 82 (see FIG. 4) of the fuel tank 3 in that the attachment hole 83 is not formed. In the fuel tank 210, the filler cap 213 is screwed into the fuel supply port 81.

  Next, an evaporative fuel processing device 220 for an outboard motor-driven fuel tank according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the evaporated fuel processing device 220 includes a bypass passage 221, a canister protection valve 102, a purge passage 223, a purge valve 104, an air vent passage 225, an air vent valve 106, and a canister 227. .

  The bypass passage 221 is a substantially L-shaped pipe, and is provided with an attachment end 221a attached to the evaporated fuel discharge port 212 of the fuel tank 210 at one end and a connection end 221b connected to the canister 227 at the other end. The attachment ends 221a are attached to the fuel vapor discharge port 212 in an airtight manner. As shown in FIG. 7, the end of the bypass passage 221 on the attachment end 221 a side is formed so as to extend obliquely upward rearward from the fuel tank 210 when attached to the fuel tank 210.

  The canister protection valve 102 is provided in the middle of the bypass passage 221 and operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  The air vent passage 225 is a pipe formed by bending one end of a substantially straight pipe into a substantially L shape and the other end into a substantially U shape. And a connection end 225b connected to the canister 227 at the substantially L-shaped end.

  The air vent valve 106 is provided in the middle of the air vent passage 225 and operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

  The purge passage 223 is a substantially L-shaped pipe, and has an attachment end 223a formed so that the evaporative fuel hose 7c can be attached and detached at one end and a connection end 223b connected to the air vent passage 225 at the other end. The purge passage 223 is connected in communication with the air vent passage 225 at the connection end 223b. The connection end 223b of the purge passage 223 may be connected to the canister 227.

  The purge valve 104 is provided in the middle of the purge passage 223 and operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

  The canister 227 includes an adsorption activator 108 and a case 229 that seals the adsorption activator 108 inside. The canister 227 is attached to the upper surface 34 of the fuel tank 210 by arranging the case 229 in the vicinity of the front end of the lower step surface 34b of the upper surface 34 of the fuel tank 210 and in the center in the left-right direction. In addition, the connection end 221b of the bypass passage 221 is connected to the rear side surface of the case 229, and the connection end 225b of the air vent passage 225 is connected to the front side surface. The air vent passage 225 is attached to the canister 227 attached to the fuel tank 210 so as to extend in the vertical direction (see FIG. 7).

  7 and 8 schematically show the evaporated fuel processing device 220 and the fuel tank 210, and the size and arrangement position of each component are not limited to those shown in the drawings. For example, the evaporative fuel processing device 220 is disposed on the lower stage surface 34b of the fuel tank 210 so that the uppermost part of the evaporative fuel processing device 220 is at a level substantially equal to or lower than the upper stage surface 34a of the fuel tank 210. Also good. Thereby, when the fuel tank 220 is transported or installed on the hull 2, it is possible to suppress the evaporated fuel processing device 220 from coming into contact with an object or the like and being damaged. Further, the connection positions of the air vent passage 225, the purge passage 223, and the bypass passage 221 to the canister 227 may be changed as appropriate.

  According to the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 220 according to the present embodiment, the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 operate in the same manner as the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. For this reason, the effect similar to the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 can be show | played.

  Further, in the fuel vapor processing apparatus 220, the bypass passage 221 is substantially L-shaped so that the end on the attachment end 221a side extends obliquely upward rearward from the fuel tank 210 when attached to the fuel tank 210. (See FIG. 7). In addition, a canister 227 is attached to the upper surface 34 of the fuel tank 210. Therefore, even when the fuel tank 210 is attached to the hull 2 or when the fuel tank 210 is detached from the hull 2, the adsorbent activator 108 may come into direct contact with the fuel due to the shaking of the fuel tank 210. It can prevent being immersed.

  Next, an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 9 shows an evaporative fuel processing device for an outboard motor-driven fuel tank according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and a left side surface of an outboard motor-driven fuel tank to which the evaporative fuel processing device is applied. It is a fragmentary perspective view showing typically. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the top surfaces of the fuel vapor processing apparatus and the outboard motor fuel tank shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the same components as those of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  A portable fuel tank 310 for an outboard motor in the present embodiment is not an evaporated fuel discharge port 212 but an evaporated fuel discharge port compared to the fuel tank 210 (see FIG. 7) in the second embodiment. 311 differs in that it is formed at the rear end corner of the lower step surface 34b, for example, the left corner (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The fuel tank 310 has a canister holding flange 312 extending in the horizontal direction at the rear, for example, on the left side of the grip 33.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an evaporative fuel processing apparatus 320 as an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to the present embodiment includes a bypass passage 321, a canister protection valve 102, a purge passage. 323, a purge valve 104, an air vent passage 325, an air vent valve 106, and a canister 327.

  The bypass passage 321 is a substantially S-shaped pipe having an attachment end 321a attached to the evaporated fuel discharge port 311 of the fuel tank 310 at one end and a connection end 321b connected to the canister 327 at the other end. The attachment ends 321a are attached to the evaporated fuel discharge port 311 in an airtight manner.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the bypass passage 321 extends obliquely upward rearward from the fuel tank 310 in a state where the attachment end 321 a is attached to the evaporated fuel discharge port 311 of the fuel tank 310, and the upper surface 34 of the fuel tank 310. The bending point 321c located at substantially the same height is bent substantially vertically downward. The bypass passage 321 is bent in a substantially U shape at a bending point 321d in the vicinity of the flange 312 of the fuel tank 310 and extends vertically upward to the connection end 321b.

  The canister protection valve 102 is provided in the middle of the bypass passage 321 and at a position higher than the lower stage surface 34 b of the fuel tank 310. For example, it is provided between the attachment end 321a of the bypass passage 321 and the bending point 321c.

  The purge passage 323 is a substantially L-shaped pipe, and has an attachment end 323a on which one end of the evaporative fuel hose 7 is detachable and a connection end 323b connected to the canister 327 on the other end. The purge valve 104 is provided in the middle of the purge passage 323.

  The air vent passage 325 is a substantially J-shaped pipe, and has an opening end 325 a that opens to the atmosphere at one end and a connection end 325 b that connects to the canister 327 at the other end. The open end 325a opens downward. The air vent valve 106 is provided in the middle of the air vent passage 325.

  The canister 327 includes an adsorption activator 108 and a case 329 that seals the adsorption activator 108 inside. The case 329 is erected vertically upward on the flange 312 when the fuel tank 3 is in use. The canister 327 has a connection end 321b of the bypass passage 321 in communication with the lower surface of the case 329, and a connection end 325b of the air vent passage 325 and a connection end 323b of the purge passage 323 in communication with the upper surface.

  9 and 10 schematically show the evaporative fuel processing device 320 and the fuel tank 310, and the size and arrangement position of each component are not limited to those shown in the drawings. For example, the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 320 is disposed on the lower stage surface 34b of the fuel tank 310 so that the uppermost part of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 320 is at the same level as or lower than the upper stage surface 34a of the fuel tank 310. Also good. Further, the flange 312 may not be the same height as the grip portion 33. Thereby, when the fuel tank 310 is transported or installed on the hull 2, it is possible to prevent the evaporated fuel processing device 320 from coming into contact with an object or the like and being damaged.

  According to the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 320 according to the present embodiment, the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 operate in the same manner as the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. For this reason, the effect similar to the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 can be show | played.

  In the fuel vapor processing apparatus 320, the bypass passage 321 extends obliquely upward from the fuel tank 310 to the rear between the attachment end 321a and the bending point 321c. Further, the bending point 321 c is located at substantially the same height as the upper surface 34 of the fuel tank 310. Therefore, even when the fuel tank 310 is attached to the hull 2 or when the fuel tank 310 is detached from the hull 2, the adsorbent activator 108 comes into direct contact with the fuel due to the shaking of the fuel tank 310. It can prevent being immersed.

  Further, since the canister protection valve 102 is provided in the middle of the bypass passage 321 and higher than the lower step surface 34b of the fuel tank 310, the adsorbent activator 108 comes into direct contact with the fuel by the shaking of the fuel tank 310. It can prevent more reliably being immersed.

  Next, an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 11 shows an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and a left side surface of the portable fuel tank for an outboard motor to which the evaporative fuel processing apparatus is applied. It is a fragmentary perspective view showing typically. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the upper surfaces of the evaporated fuel processing device and the outboard motor fuel tank shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  The evaporative fuel processing apparatus 410 as the evaporative fuel processing apparatus of the portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to the present embodiment is different from the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above in the bypass passage 101. The only difference is that a fuel vapor hose 411 is provided which is connected in communication with the canister 108 via the canister protection valve 102. The fuel hose 411 is configured to be detachable from the fuel vapor hose 69 of the engine 42 of the outboard motor 4.

  According to the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 410 according to the present embodiment, the canister 107 can communicate with the vapor separator 66 of the engine 42 via the canister protection valve 102, the bypass passage 101, the fuel vapor hose 411, and the fuel vapor hose 69. Since they are connected, the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107 can adsorb not only the evaporated fuel of the fuel tank 210 but also the fuel vapor separated by the vapor separator 66. Thereby, the canister 68, the fuel vapor hose 71, the purge valve 72, and the fuel vapor hose 73 can be eliminated from the fuel supply system of the engine 42. Therefore, according to the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 410, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the structure of the fuel supply system of the engine including the vapor separator can be simplified.

  The evaporative fuel processing apparatus 410 has a configuration in which the fuel vapor hose 411 is connected to the bypass passage 101 of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 in FIG. 4, but the configuration of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 410 is not limited to this, and the first described above. The fuel vapor hose 411 may be connected in communication with the bypass passage of the evaporated fuel processing apparatus according to the second and third embodiments.

  Next, an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 13 shows an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and a left side surface of the portable fuel tank for an outboard motor to which the evaporative fuel processing apparatus is applied. It is a fragmentary perspective view showing typically. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the upper surfaces of the fuel vapor processing apparatus and the outboard motor fuel tank shown in FIG.

  In the following, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different portions are described.

  The evaporative fuel processing apparatus 510 as the evaporative fuel processing apparatus of the portable fuel tank for outboard motor according to the present embodiment is different from the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 410 (see FIG. 11) according to the fourth embodiment described above. The only difference is that a fuel vapor hose 511 is connected to the upper surface 34 of the fuel tank 3 in place of the fuel vapor hose 411. Similar to the fuel vapor hose 411, the fuel vapor hose 511 is configured to be detachable from the fuel vapor hose 69 of the engine 42 of the outboard motor 4. Further, the connection position of the fuel vapor hose 511 to the fuel tank 3 is not limited to the upper surface 34.

  According to the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 510 according to the present embodiment, the fuel tank 3 is connected to the vapor separator 66 of the engine 42 via the fuel vapor hose 511 and the fuel vapor hose 69. The separated fuel vapor can be supplied into the fuel tank 3. Therefore, the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107 can adsorb not only the evaporated fuel of the fuel tank 3 but also the fuel vapor separated by the vapor separator 66. Therefore, according to the evaporative fuel processing device 510, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the structure of the fuel supply system of the engine including the vapor separator can be simplified as in the fourth embodiment. Can do.

  The evaporative fuel processing apparatus 510 according to the present embodiment includes the fuel vapor hose 511 in which the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 of FIG. 4 is connected to the fuel tank 3, but the configuration of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 510 is the same. However, the fuel vapor processing apparatus according to the second and third embodiments described above may include a fuel vapor hose 511 that is connected to the fuel tank.

  Next, an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the left side surface of the evaporative fuel treatment device for the outboard motor-driven fuel tank according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  The evaporative fuel processing device 610 as the evaporative fuel processing device of the portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to the present embodiment is a canister protection valve with respect to the evaporative fuel processing device 1 according to the first embodiment described above. 102, a control device 611 for controlling the purge valve 104 and the air vent valve 106, a tank internal pressure sensor 612 for detecting the internal pressure in the fuel tank 3, and a fuel oil level position for detecting the oil level of the fuel in the fuel tank 3. A sensor 613 and a fuel temperature sensor 614 that detects the temperature of the fuel in the fuel tank 3 are provided. The control device 611 is attached to the fuel tank 3. In this embodiment, the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 are electronically controlled valves.

  Next, the operation of the control device 611 will be described. The control device 611 operates with power supplied from the power source of the outboard motor 4.

  If the internal pressure of the fuel tank 3 becomes excessive or excessive, the fuel tank 3 may be damaged due to expansion, rupture or depression. In order to prevent these, the control device 611 determines whether or not the fuel tank internal pressure is within a predetermined pressure range set in advance based on the detection value of the tank internal pressure sensor 612, thereby determining the internal pressure of the fuel tank 3. Is over or under, and if the internal pressure of the fuel tank 3 is over or under, the opening control is performed so that the canister protection valve 102 and the air vent valve 106 are opened so that the fuel tank 3 is not damaged.

  In addition, unlike a four-wheeled vehicle, a ship may shake greatly, and the oil level in the fuel tank changes greatly at this time. If the oil level in the fuel tank changes greatly, the fuel flows into the bypass passage 101 and the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107 may come into contact with the fuel. On the other hand, the control device 611 determines whether or not the oil level fluctuation is larger than a predetermined level set in advance from the detection value of the fuel oil level position sensor 613, and the adsorption activator 108 is directly applied to the fuel. Determine if there is a risk of contact. As a result of this determination, when the oil level is greatly shaken and the adsorption activator 108 may directly contact the fuel, the canister protection valve 102 is used to prevent the fuel from directly contacting the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107. Is closed.

  Further, based on the detection value of the tank internal pressure sensor 612, the control device 611 increases the pressure difference in the intake manifold 58 with respect to the case 109 of the canister 107 to a predetermined value or more, and the adsorption activator 108 of the canister 107. It is determined whether or not the evaporative fuel adsorbed on the intake manifold 58 is in a state where it can be easily sucked. When the pressure difference in the intake manifold 58 with respect to the case 109 of the canister 107 exceeds a predetermined value, the control device 611 opens the purge valve 103 and evaporates the adsorbed in the canister 107. Purge the fuel.

  Here, the ship is often used under hot weather, and the fuel tank 3 disposed in the hull 2 becomes considerably hot. At this time, the amount of evaporated fuel generated in the fuel tank 3 becomes very large. In this case, when purging the evaporated fuel adsorbed in the canister 107, the air-fuel ratio (A / F) of the air-fuel mixture introduced into the cylinder 59 via the intake port 58 becomes smaller, and the fuel in the air-fuel mixture becomes smaller. Concentration becomes excessive. In order to prevent this, in the case of an outboard motor having a system capable of changing the setting of the fuel injection amount of the electronic fuel injection device, the control device 611 controls the electronic fuel injection device to change the fuel injection amount. To do.

  According to the evaporated fuel processing device 610 according to the present embodiment, the control device 611 attached to the fuel tank 3 controls the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106. Wiring from the outboard motor 4 to the fuel tank 3 required when the canister protection valve 102, the purge valve 104, and the air vent valve 106 are controlled by the ECU is not required, and the degree of freedom of the location of the fuel tank 3 in the hull 2 is increased. Can be increased. In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, the control device 611 of the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 610 according to the present embodiment is supplied with power from the power source of the outboard motor 4, but the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 610 supplies power to the control apparatus 611. You may make it provide the power supply for doing. Thereby, the freedom degree of the arrangement place of the fuel tank 3 in the hull 2 can further be increased. In this case, for example, a solar cell is used as the power source. The power source is attached to the fuel tank 3.

  The evaporative fuel processing apparatus 610 according to the present embodiment is similar to the evaporative fuel processing apparatus 1 (see FIG. 4) according to the first embodiment in that a control device 611, a tank internal pressure sensor 612, a fuel oil level position sensor 613, and a fuel Although the temperature sensor 614 is mounted, the fuel vapor processing apparatus according to another embodiment described above is mounted with the control device 611, the tank internal pressure sensor 612, the fuel oil level position sensor 613, and the fuel temperature sensor 614. It is good.

  Next, an evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 16 shows an evaporative fuel processing device for an outboard motor-driven fuel tank and a left side surface of an outboard motor-driven fuel tank to which the evaporative fuel processing device is applied according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary perspective view showing typically.

  The evaporated fuel processing apparatus 710 according to the present embodiment is different from the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 in that the evaporated fuel processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a high-pressure pump 711 built in the fuel tank 3. In the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  The evaporated fuel processing apparatus 710 according to the present embodiment includes a high-pressure pump 711, and the high-pressure pump 711 is provided in the middle of the outlet pipe 37 (see FIG. 4) of the fuel tank 3. Further, a low pressure fuel filter is used as the fuel filter 38 of the fuel tank 3.

  According to the present embodiment, since the high-pressure pump 711 is provided in the middle of the outlet pipe 37 of the fuel tank 3, the vapor separator 66 of the outboard motor 42 and the squeeze pump 6 of the fuel hose 5 can be dispensed with.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the squeeze pump 6 is not provided in the middle of the fuel hose 5. The fuel hose 5 functions as a high pressure fuel forward path.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the engine 42 does not include the vapor separator 66 and does not include the low pressure fuel filter 51. In the engine 42, the fuel hose 57 is directly connected to the high pressure filter 55. Accordingly, fuel is supplied from the fuel tank 3 to the high-pressure fuel filter 55 via the fuel hose 5, the fuel connector 56, and the fuel hose 57 by the high-pressure fuel pump 711 provided in the fuel tank 3.

  Further, in the engine 42, the canister 68 does not include the fuel vapor hose 71, the purge valve 72, and the fuel vapor hose 73. In the present embodiment, a fuel return hose 712 is connected in communication with the fuel tank 3, and this fuel return hose 712 is connected to a fuel return hose connected to the fuel cooler 53 of the engine 42 via the fuel connector 56. Has been. The fuel return hose 712 functions as a low pressure fuel return path. That is, a part of the fuel (excess fuel) pumped to the high pressure fuel filter 55 is cooled in the fuel cooler 53, and passes through the fuel return hose, the fuel connector 56, and the fuel return hose 712 connected to the fuel cooler 53. Returned to the fuel tank 3.

  With the above-described configuration, according to the present embodiment, the vapor separator 66, the canister 68, the fuel vapor hose 71, the purge valve 72, and the fuel vapor hose 73 can be eliminated from the fuel supply system of the engine 42 of the outboard motor 4. it can. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the structure of the engine fuel supply system can be simplified.

  Further, the squeeze pump 6 can be eliminated from the fuel hose 5. Thereby, the piping configuration of the evaporated fuel processing device and the outboard motor can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, the fuel hose 5, the fuel return hose 712, and the evaporated fuel hose 7c are provided as separate bodies. However, as shown in FIG. Thereby, the piping configuration of the evaporated fuel processing device and the outboard motor can be further simplified.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a pressure regulator is provided on the upstream side of the high pressure pump 711 of the outlet pipe 37 of the fuel tank 3 to connect to the fuel return hose 712, the high pressure fuel filter 55, the fuel cooler 53, and the fuel cooler 53. The spent fuel return hose can be eliminated.

  In the present embodiment, a high-pressure pump 711 is provided in the middle of the outlet pipe 37 of the fuel tank 3 in the first embodiment, and a fuel return hose 712 is connected to the fuel tank 3 in the first embodiment. However, the high pressure pump 711 may be provided in the middle of the outlet pipe of the fuel tank in another embodiment, and the fuel return hose 712 may be connected to the fuel tank.

  The position of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus in the above-described embodiments in the fuel tank and the position of the constituent elements in the evaporative fuel processing apparatus are not limited to those described above. You may change to arbitrary arrangement | positioning positions in the range to fulfill.

1 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a left side surface of an outboard motor-driven fuel tank to which an evaporative fuel treatment device for an outboard motor-driven fuel tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. 1 is a right side view of an engine of an outboard motor in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a horizontal section of the outboard motor of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a left side surface of the fuel vapor processing apparatus and the fuel tank of FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the upper surface of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus and fuel tank of FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a left side surface of a modified example of the evaporative fuel treatment apparatus for the outboard motor-borne fuel tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The evaporative fuel processing apparatus of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the left side surface of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors to which this evaporative fuel processing apparatus is applied are shown typically. It is a partial perspective view. It is a schematic diagram which shows the upper surface of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus of FIG. 7, and the portable fuel tank for outboard motors. The evaporative fuel processing apparatus of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and the left side surface of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors to which this evaporative fuel processing apparatus is applied are shown typically. It is a partial perspective view. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the upper surfaces of the fuel vapor processing apparatus and the outboard motor fuel tank of FIG. 9. The evaporative fuel processing apparatus of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention, and the left side surface of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors to which this evaporative fuel processing apparatus is applied are shown typically. It is a partial perspective view. It is a schematic diagram which shows the upper surface of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus of FIG. 11, and the portable fuel tank for outboard motors. The evaporative fuel processing apparatus of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention, and the left side surface of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors to which this evaporative fuel processing apparatus is applied are shown typically. It is a partial perspective view. It is a schematic diagram which shows the upper surface of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus of FIG. 13, and the portable fuel tank for outboard motors. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows typically the left side of the evaporative fuel processing apparatus of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors concerning the 6th Embodiment of this invention. The evaporative fuel processing apparatus of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors which concerns on the 7th Embodiment of this invention, and the left side surface of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors to which this evaporative fuel processing apparatus is applied are shown typically. It is a partial perspective view. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the piping structure of the fuel-generation processing apparatus and outboard motor in the 7th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 220, 320, 410, 510, 610, 710 Evaporated fuel processing device 2 Hull 3, 210, 310 Fuel tank 4 Outboard motor 5 Fuel hose 6 Squeeze pumps 7a, 7c Evaporated fuel hose 7b Evaporated fuel connector 42 Engine 36, 56 Fuel connector 66 Vapor separator 82, 213 Filler cap 83 Mounting hole 101, 221, 331 Bypass passage 102 Canister protection valve 103, 223, 323 Purge passage 104 Purge valve 105, 225, 325 Air vent passage 106 Air vent valve 107, 227, 327 Canister 108 Adsorption activator 109, 229, 329 Case 111 Sensor 112 ECU
212, 311 Evaporated fuel discharge port 312 Flange 411, 511 Fuel vapor hose 611 Control device 612 Tank internal pressure sensor 613 Fuel oil level position sensor 614 Fuel temperature sensor 711 High pressure pump 712 Fuel return hose 720 Hose

Claims (6)

An evaporative fuel processing apparatus for a portable fuel tank, which has a fuel supply port to which a fuel supply path can be attached and detached, is disposed in a hull, and supplies fuel to an outboard motor via the fuel supply port and the fuel supply path. There,
A canister for adsorbing evaporated fuel generated in the fuel tank;
A purge passage that is detachable from the intake system of the outboard motor and communicates the canister and the intake system of the outboard motor;
An air vent passage allowing the canister to communicate with the atmosphere;
A bypass passage communicating the fuel tank and the canis;
A purge valve for opening and closing the purge passage;
An air vent valve for opening and closing the air vent valve;
An evaporative fuel treatment apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor, comprising a canister protection valve for opening and closing the bypass passage.   The fuel tank includes an upper stage surface and a lower stage surface that form a step in an upper surface portion in the arrangement state in the hull, and the evaporative fuel treatment device of the portable fuel tank for an outboard motor has the lower stage surface of the fuel tank. 2. The portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the evaporative fuel treatment device of the portable fuel tank for the outboard motor is disposed at substantially the same height as the upper surface of the fuel tank. Evaporative fuel processing equipment.   2. The outboard according to claim 1, wherein the fuel tank includes a gripping portion, and the bypass passage is connected to the vicinity of the gripping portion on an upper surface portion of the fuel tank in a state where the fuel tank is disposed on the hull. Evaporative fuel processing equipment for portable fuel tanks for aircraft.   4. The purge valve, the air vent valve, and the canister protection valve are electromagnetic valves, respectively, and are configured to be controlled to be opened and closed by an ECU of the outboard motor. The evaporative fuel processing apparatus of the portable fuel tank for outboard motors described in 1.   The evaporated fuel of the portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the fuel tank and the canister is connected to a vapor separator of the outboard motor. Processing equipment.   5. The evaporative fuel treatment apparatus for a portable fuel tank for an outboard motor according to claim 1, further comprising a high-pressure fuel pump disposed in the fuel tank.

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