JP5195560B2 - Moisture collector and fuel filter device including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a moisture collector that collects moisture contained in fuel and a fuel filter device including the moisture collector.

  Conventionally, a fuel filter device described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 is known. In this fuel filter device, in addition to a solid filter for removing minute solids in the fuel, a water collector for capturing water mixed in the fuel is provided. The moisture collector is provided with a fiber assembly having a sufficiently low density as compared with the fixed filter. When the fuel passes through the fiber assembly, moisture in the fuel is trapped and aggregated to grow into water droplets. The water droplet settles and is stored at the bottom of the container, and is appropriately taken out from the drain passage.

JP 2005-147087 A JP 2006-521497 A

  In the techniques of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a fiber assembly having a uniform fiber density is used for the moisture collector. For this reason, it has been difficult to obtain a fiber density suitable for water droplet growth. For example, on the inlet side, the fiber density is too low for water molecules or minute water droplets, and there is a risk that the trapping efficiency will be low. Further, on the outlet side, the fiber density is too high with respect to the grown water droplets, and there is a possibility that the aggregation and growth of the water droplets are inhibited.

  Further, the fiber aggregate having a uniform fiber density holds water droplets uniformly. For this reason, when the water droplets remaining in the fiber assembly are frozen at a low temperature, there is a possibility that problems such as a decrease in passage area and blockage of the passage may occur.

  Further, both fuel and water droplets flow out from the outlet of the moisture collector. For this reason, water may be dispersed again in the fuel at the outlet of the water collector or downstream thereof. For example, there is a risk that moisture will be swept away by the fuel flow before growing into large water droplets. Further, the flow of fuel from the outlet may cause the water droplets to be dispersed again, or the water droplets may be rolled up from the stored water surface.

  An object of this invention is to provide the improved water | moisture-content collector and a fuel filter apparatus provided with the same in view of the said problem.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a moisture collector excellent in moisture trapping performance and a fuel filter device including the moisture collector.

  In view of the above problems, another object of the present invention is to provide a moisture collector excellent in the performance of discharging captured moisture and a fuel filter device including the same.

  In view of the above problems, it is another object of the present invention to provide a moisture collector excellent in moisture trapping performance and excellent in draining trapped moisture and a fuel filter device including the same.

  In view of the above problems, it is another object of the present invention to provide a moisture collector that suppresses redispersion of trapped moisture and a fuel filter device including the moisture collector.

  Descriptions of patent documents listed as prior art can be introduced or incorporated by reference as explanations of technical elements described in this specification.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following technical means can be employed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the fiber assembly is formed by collecting the fibers, and passes through the fiber assembly that collects moisture from the fuel, the first opening as an inlet for supplying the fuel to the fiber assembly, and the fiber assembly. A second opening is formed as an outlet through which fuel can flow out, and is a support member that supports the fiber assembly and is positioned below the fiber assembly, and is inclined so as to gradually become lower toward the second opening. And a technical means including a supporting member having a lower surface. According to this invention, water droplets captured by the fiber assembly flow down along the inclined lower surface. For this reason, discharge of water droplets can be promoted.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in the fiber assembly, a high density portion having a high fiber density is located on the upstream side in the fuel flow direction, and a low density portion having a fiber density lower than that of the high density portion is located on the downstream side. The technical means of having a series distribution of fiber density is adopted. According to the present invention, the moisture capturing is promoted by the high density portion on the upstream side, and the growth of water droplets is promoted by the low density portion on the downstream side. For this reason, it is possible to improve moisture capturing performance and aggregation performance.

In the invention according to claim 3 , the fiber assembly further includes a low density portion having a low fiber density and a high density portion having a fiber density higher than the low density portion on the surface of the fiber assembly facing the second opening. Adopt a technical means that has a parallel fiber density distribution located in parallel. According to this invention, the low density part and the high density part appear on the surface of the exit side of the fiber assembly facing the second opening. In the low density part, separation of water droplets from the fiber aggregate is promoted. For this reason, the drainage performance of moisture can be improved.

Invention of Claim 4 employ | adopts the technical means that a support member is provided with the compression member which forms a low density part and a high density part by compressing a fiber assembly. According to the present invention, the fiber aggregate can be compressed to give a series distribution of fiber density and / or a parallel distribution of fiber density.

The invention according to claim 5 employs a technical means characterized in that the fiber assembly is annular and the lower surface has an annular tapered surface provided on the compression member. According to the present invention, it is possible to use an annular fiber assembly capable of reducing the height dimension.

The invention described in claim 6 employs technical means in which a ridge and a valley extending between the first opening side and the second opening side are provided on the lower surface. According to this invention, water droplets can be collected in the valley, and the discharge performance can be further improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the support member is further provided with a third opening as an outlet that is located above the second opening and through which the fuel that has passed through the fiber assembly can flow out. Adopt means. According to this invention, even if water droplets may accumulate near the second opening, the fuel can flow out from the third opening.

The invention according to claim 8 employs technical means that the fiber assembly is composed of hydrophilic fibers. According to this invention, moisture is easily trapped in the fibers of the fiber assembly. For this reason, the moisture capture performance can be improved.

Invention of Claim 9 employ | adopts the technical means that a fiber assembly has the 1st part which shows predetermined | prescribed hydrophilic property, and the 2nd part which shows lipophilicity higher than a 1st part. According to this invention, water droplets can easily pass through the first portion of the fiber assembly, and fuel can easily pass through the second portion. For this reason, a fuel passage can be secured.

In the invention according to claim 10 , the first portion faces the first opening and the second opening and is disposed in contact with the lower surface of the support member, and the second portion faces the third opening, The technical means of being disposed in contact with the upper surface of the support member is employed. According to the present invention, moisture is guided to the second opening through the first portion, and fuel is guided to the third opening through the second portion.

The invention described in claim 11 employs technical means in which the first portion is disposed below and the second portion is disposed above the first portion. According to the present invention, it is possible to pass water droplets that are likely to settle through the first portion and to secure a fuel passage in the second portion.

The invention according to claim 12 employs technical means in which a guide plate for guiding the flow of fuel from the first opening is arranged in the fiber assembly. According to the present invention, the flow of fuel in the fiber assembly can be induced so that moisture capture and aggregation are not hindered by the flow of fuel.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a technical device comprising the moisture collector according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects and a filter provided downstream of the moisture collector in the fuel flow direction. Adopt means. According to this invention, clogging of the filter due to moisture can be suppressed.

It is typical sectional drawing of the fuel filter provided with the moisture collector which is 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing the moisture collector of a 1st embodiment. It is a top view which shows the shape of the support member of 1st Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the shape of the connection means of the supporting member of 1st Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view showing the moisture collector of a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the shape of the supporting member of 2nd Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view showing the moisture collector of a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the shape of the supporting member of 3rd Embodiment. It is a disassembled sectional view which shows the moisture collector of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded sectional view showing the moisture collector of a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing the moisture collector of a 6th embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing the moisture collector of a 7th embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing the moisture collector of the 8th embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing a moisture collector of a 9th embodiment of the present invention. It is typical sectional drawing of the fuel filter provided with the moisture collector which is 10th Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a fuel filter device will be described. The fuel filter device includes the moisture collector according to the present invention. The fuel filter device is a component of a fuel supply device for supplying fuel to a diesel engine or other internal combustion engine, and is provided in a fuel supply path. The internal combustion engine is mounted as a power source for a vehicle or a ship, or is installed as a power source for power generation or air conditioning. As the fuel, light oil, which is a hydrocarbon liquid, is used and contains predetermined moisture.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fuel filter device 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the moisture collector of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the shape of the support member, and shows the surface of the support member in contact with the fiber assembly. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the shape of the connecting means of the support member.

  In FIG. 1, a cross section of the fuel filter device 10 is shown. The vertical direction in FIG. 1 coincides with the vertical direction in the usage state of the fuel filter device 10. The fuel filter device 10 includes a container 20 and a filter assembly 30.

  The container 20 defines a fuel passage, and has at least a fuel inlet 10a and a fuel outlet 10b. The container 20 has a base portion 21 and a cup portion 22. A cylindrical storage space is formed between the base portion 21 and the cup portion 22. The cup portion 22 is fixed to the base portion 21 by a retainer 23. A filter housing space 24 and an oil / water separation space 25 are formed between the base portion 21 and the cup portion 22. A manually operable valve 26 is provided at the lower end in the direction of gravity when the container 20 is in use. Water and foreign matters stored in the oil / water separation space 25 are taken out from the fuel passage by opening the valve 26.

  The filter assembly 30 is accommodated in the container 20. The filter assembly 30 can be replaced by separating the cup portion 22 from the base portion 21 with the retainer 23 in a released state.

  The filter assembly 30 has a filter 40 for mainly removing minute solids in the fuel and a moisture collector 50 for mainly collecting moisture in the fuel. The moisture collector 50 removes moisture before reaching the filter 40 to prevent the filter 40 from being clogged with moisture. The filter 40 and the moisture collector 50 are connected so as to be integrally handled. The filter 40 is composed of filter paper for capturing minute solids. The moisture collector 50 captures moisture, aggregates the captured minute water droplets, and grows them into large water droplets. The grown water droplets are discharged into the oil / water separation space 25, settled by gravity, and stored in the cup portion 22. The moisture collector 50 can capture large solids, but has almost no ability to capture minute solids as foreign matters mixed in the fuel. Thus, the filter 40 and the water collector 50 are clearly distinguished by their filtration performance. However, the moisture collector 50 can also be grasped as a filter in a broad sense. For example, the filter 40 can be called a main filter, and the moisture collector 50 can be called a prefilter.

  The filter 40 and the moisture collector 50 are arranged in series with respect to the fuel flow direction in the fuel passage formed by the container 20. With respect to the fuel flow direction, the moisture collector 50 is located on the upstream side, and the filter 40 is located on the downstream side. As a result, the fuel passes through the filter 40 after passing through the moisture collector 50. On the other hand, the moisture collector 50 is positioned below the filter 40 in the direction of gravity. With this arrangement, the fuel flows upward from the moisture collector 50 toward the filter 40, and the water droplets sink downward. As a result, the water droplet separation performance is improved.

  The filter 40 includes a filter element 41 and a resin frame 42. The filter element 41 is formed by forming filter paper into a honeycomb shape or a chrysanthemum shape. In this embodiment, a honeycomb filter element is illustrated. The frame 42 is a support member that supports the filter element 41. The frame 42 has a pipe that provides a fuel passage for introducing the fuel flowing in from the inlet 10 a into the moisture collector 50. The filter element 41 is disposed in a sealed state between the pipe and the container 20. As a result, the filter element 41 filters the fuel flowing from the lower side to the upper side in the drawing. The fuel that has passed through the filter element 41 flows out from the outlet 10b and is supplied to the internal combustion engine.

  In FIG. 2, the moisture collector 50 has a flat columnar appearance. The moisture collector 50 is connected to the lower end of the frame 42. The moisture collector 50 includes a support member 52 and a fiber assembly 51. The support member 52 includes a ring-shaped upper plate 53 connected to the lower end of the pipe of the frame 42, a cylindrical outer plate 54 suspended downward from the outer peripheral end of the upper plate 53, and a predetermined plate between the upper plate 53. And a disk-like lower plate 55 supported through a gap. A first opening 52a is formed in the center of the upper plate 53 as a fuel inlet. An annular gap is provided between the outer plate 54 and the lower plate 55. This gap is a second opening 52b as a fuel outlet. The second opening 52b is divided into a plurality of openings by connecting means described later. The support member 52 can also be grasped as a container for partitioning and forming a passage having a first opening 52a through which fuel flows into the fiber assembly 51 and a second opening 52b through which fuel that has passed through the fiber assembly 51 flows out.

  A fiber assembly 51 is housed and supported between an upper plate 53 as a compression member and a lower plate 55 as a compression member. The fiber assembly 51 is configured in an annular shape. The fiber assembly 51 has an inner peripheral surface 51a as an inlet-side surface into which fuel flows and an outer peripheral surface 51b as an outlet-side surface from which fuel flows out. The fiber assembly 51 is a collection of fibers that collect moisture from the fuel. The fiber assembly 51 captures moisture in the fuel on the fiber surface and gradually accumulates it to cause the water to aggregate and grow into large water droplets. On the other hand, the fiber density of the fiber assembly 51 is sufficiently coarse for a minute solid mixed in the fuel. Therefore, the fiber assembly 51 hardly removes minute solids. The fiber assembly 51 is configured by laminating a plurality of annular nonwoven fabrics in the thickness direction. The fiber assembly 51 is compressed in the axial direction, that is, in the thickness direction by the upper plate 53 and the lower plate 55. As a result, the fiber density of the fiber assembly 51 is higher than the fiber density before compression.

  The upper plate 53 of the support member 52 provides an upper surface that comes into contact with the fiber assembly 51 by its lower surface. This upper surface is annular and flat. The lower plate 55 provides a lower surface in contact with the fiber assembly 51 by its upper surface.

  In FIG. 3, the shape of the lower plate 55 is illustrated. The lower plate 55 has a substantially disk shape. The outer peripheral surface 51 b of the fiber assembly 51 is located at the outer peripheral edge of the lower plate 55. The inner peripheral surface 51 a of the fiber assembly 51 is located on a two-dot chain line on the lower plate 55. The lower surface of the lower plate 55 is the highest at the center and is inclined so as to gradually become lower toward the outer peripheral edge. This lower surface can be referred to as a substantially polygonal pyramid surface. The lower surface has an annular tapered surface at a portion in contact with the fiber assembly 51. A first opening 52a serving as an inlet opens in the center. Moreover, the 2nd opening 52b as an exit is opened to the outer periphery part. For this reason, the lower surface inclines so that it may become low gradually toward the 2nd opening 52b from the 1st opening 52a. The lower surface provided by the lower plate 55 is desirably inclined so as to gradually become lower toward the second opening 52b in a range including at least the outer peripheral surface 51b of the fiber assembly 51. Such an inclined surface guides the water droplet toward the second opening 52b.

  Furthermore, a ridge 55a and a valley 55b extending between the first opening side and the second opening side are provided on the lower surface. A plurality of peaks 55a and a plurality of valleys 55b are provided on the lower surface. A plurality of peaks 55a and a plurality of valleys 55b are provided alternately. The plurality of peaks 55a and the plurality of valleys 55b are arranged radially. On the same circumference in the figure, the valley 55b is formed lower than the peak 55a. Each peak 55a is inclined so as to gradually decrease from the center toward the outer peripheral edge, that is, from the first opening 52a toward the second opening 52b. Each valley 55b is inclined so as to gradually become lower from the center toward the outer peripheral edge, that is, from the first opening 52a toward the second opening 52b. As a result, an inclined surface 55c is formed between the peak 55a and the valley 55b, which is inclined from the center toward the outer peripheral edge and further inclined from the peak 55a toward the valley 55b.

  Between the upper surface provided by the upper plate 53 and the lower surface provided by the lower plate 55, the fiber assembly 51 is supported in a state compressed in the thickness direction. Further, since the lower plate 55 has the shape as described above, the fiber assembly 51 is formed with a low density portion having a low fiber density and a high density portion having a fiber density higher than the low density portion. ing.

  As described above, the lower plate 55 has a tapered surface. For this reason, in the fiber assembly 51, portions 51c and 51d as high density portions with high fiber density are located on the inner peripheral surface 51a on the upstream side in the fuel flow direction, and as high density portions on the outer peripheral surface 51b on the downstream side. The fibers 51 have the series distribution DR of the fiber density in which the portions 51e and 51f as the low density portions having lower fiber density than the portions 51c and 51d are located. In the peak 55a, the part 51c as a high density part is located in the inner peripheral surface 51a, and the part 51e as a low density part is located in the outer peripheral surface 51b. In the valley 55b, a portion 51d as a high density portion is located on the inner peripheral surface 51a, and a portion 51f as a low density portion is located on the outer peripheral surface 51b. In the fiber assembly 51, the fiber density gradually changes and has a density gradient. The fiber density of the part 51e as the low density part in the peak 55a can be lower than or equal to the fiber density of the part 51d as the high density part in the valley 55b.

  The lower plate 55 has a peak 55a and a valley 55b. For this reason, the fiber assembly 51 has a circumferential parallel distribution DC in which the fiber density decreases from the peak 55a toward the valley 55b. In this parallel distribution DC, a part 51d as a low density part having a low fiber density and a part 51c as a high density part having a fiber density higher than the part 51d as a low density part are arranged in parallel on the inner peripheral surface 51a. Appear as a parallel distribution of the density of the fibers located in the target. Further, on the outer peripheral surface 51b of the fiber assembly 51 facing the second opening 52b, a part 51f as a low density part having a low fiber density and a high density part having a fiber density higher than the part 51f as a low density part are provided. It appears as a parallel distribution of the fiber density where the part 51e is located in parallel. In the fiber assembly 51, the fiber density gradually changes and has a density gradient.

  In FIG. 4, connection means for connecting the lower plate 55 and the upper plate 53 is shown. The connecting means includes an engaging portion 55d and an engaged portion 54a. The engaging portion 55d has a J-shaped elastic piece extending from the outer peripheral edge portion of the lower plate 55, and an engaging claw provided at the tip thereof. The engaged portion 54 a is provided by an engagement hole provided in the outer plate 54. The engaging portion 55d connects the lower plate 55 and the upper plate 53 in a state where the fiber assembly 51 is compressed by engaging with the engaged portion 54a. Three connecting means are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the lower plate 55.

  In the embodiment described above, when the fuel flows from the inlet 10a, the fuel passes through the moisture collector 50. In the moisture collector 50, the fuel is supplied from the first opening 52a, passes through the fiber assembly 51, and flows out into the container 20 from the second opening 52b. The fuel flows in the fiber assembly 51 mainly in the radial direction. At this time, the fuel is given a flow component in the circumferential direction in the fiber assembly 51 by the fiber density distributions DR and DC of the fiber assembly 51 and the peaks 55a and valleys 55b of the lower plate 55. As a result, in the fiber assembly 51, a fuel flow is formed from the top of the peak 55a to the top of the valley 55b. In the outer peripheral surface 51b of the fiber assembly 51, more fuel flows out from the valley 55b than from the peak 55a.

  In the moisture collector 50, the moisture dispersed in the fuel is captured by the fibers of the fiber assembly 51. The trapped moisture becomes water droplets that travel along the fiber and gradually aggregate. The water droplets grow gradually and are maximized on the outer peripheral surface 51 b that is the exit side of the fiber assembly 51. Water droplets captured and aggregated by the fiber assembly 51 flow out from the second opening 52b to the oil / water separation space 25. The water droplets settle in the oil / water separation space 25 by gravity and are stored at the bottom of the cup portion 22. The stored water is taken out by opening the valve 26. On the other hand, the fuel flowing out from the second opening 52b flows upward from the oil / water separation space 25, passes through the filter 40, and flows out from the outlet 10b.

  The fiber assembly 51 of this embodiment has a series distribution DR of fiber densities in which a high density portion is located on the inlet side and a low density portion is located on the outlet side along the radial direction. This series distribution DR of fiber density provides at least one of the following effects. 1stly, since the fiber space | interval in the fiber assembly 51 spreads along the process in which a water droplet aggregates and grows gradually, the growth of a water droplet is accelerated | stimulated. This is because a fiber interval capable of holding the grown water droplets is provided. Second, the low fiber density at the outlet side prevents the grown water droplets from forming a water film between the fibers. As a result, an increase in pressure loss due to the water film is suppressed. Moreover, an increase in pressure loss or clogging due to freezing of the water film is suppressed. Third, the low fiber density on the exit side facilitates the removal of water droplets from the fiber assembly 51. As a result, excessive accumulation of water droplets on the outer peripheral surface 51b of the fiber assembly 51 is prevented. Further, an increase in pressure loss or clogging due to freezing of accumulated water droplets is suppressed.

  Moreover, from another viewpoint, the fiber assembly 51 of this embodiment has a parallel distribution DC of fiber density on the outer peripheral surface on the outlet side. This parallel distribution DC of fiber density provides at least one of the following effects. First, the parallel distribution DC of the fiber density provides a portion where water droplets tend to concentrate and is relatively easy to separate from the fiber assembly 51, and promotes the removal of water droplets from the fiber assembly 51. As a result, excessive accumulation of water droplets on the outer peripheral surface 51b of the fiber assembly 51 is prevented. Further, an increase in pressure loss or clogging due to freezing of accumulated water droplets is suppressed. Secondly, the parallel distribution DC of the fiber density provides a site where a water film is hardly formed between the fibers and the water film is easily broken. As a result, an increase in pressure loss due to the water film is suppressed. Moreover, an increase in pressure loss or clogging due to freezing of the water film is suppressed.

  From another viewpoint, the lower plate 55 of this embodiment has a tapered surface that decreases toward the second opening 52b. This tapered surface guides water droplets that have settled in the lower part of the fiber assembly 51 to the second opening 52b. For this reason, it is suppressed that a water droplet stays in the fiber assembly 51.

  From another viewpoint, the lower plate 55 of this embodiment has a peak 55a and a valley 55b extending from the first opening 52a toward the second opening 52b. Thereby, since a water droplet flows from the peak 55a to the trough 55b, aggregation is accelerated | stimulated. Further, on the outer peripheral surface 51 b of the fiber assembly 51, the growth of water droplets is promoted by the valleys 55 b, so that the water droplets are easily detached from the fiber assembly 51.

  Furthermore, since the lower plate 55 has a peak 55a and a valley 55b in addition to the tapered surface, it is possible to obtain both of these functions and effects.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the fiber assembly 51 is compressed by the lower plate 55 to provide the series distribution DR and the parallel distribution DC, their effects can be obtained synergistically, Capturing performance with high moisture and discharging performance with high moisture are obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this embodiment, a moisture collector that can replace the moisture collector 50 of the fuel filter device described in the preceding embodiment will be described. Components that can be referred to in the preceding description are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the moisture collector of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the shape of the support member.

  5 and 6, the support member 252 employs a lower plate 255. The lower plate 255 has a circular plane portion 255a at the center thereof. The lower plate 255 has a partial polygonal pyramid shape and has an annular tapered surface on the outer peripheral portion thereof. Also in this embodiment, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this embodiment, a moisture collector that can replace the moisture collector 50 of the fuel filter device described in the preceding embodiment will be described. Components that can be referred to in the preceding description are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the moisture collector of this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the shape of the support member.

  7 and 8, the support member 352 employs a lower plate 355. The lower plate 355 has a polygonal flat surface portion 355d at the center thereof. The lower plate 355 has a partial polygonal pyramid shape, and has an annular tapered surface on the outer peripheral portion thereof. The lower plate 355 has a plurality of peaks 355a and a plurality of valleys 355b that extend radially and are alternately arranged.

  The inner peripheral surface 351a of the fiber assembly 351 is located on the plane portion 355d. For this reason, the fiber assembly 351 is compressed by a certain amount along the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface 351a thereof. Accordingly, the entire inner peripheral surface 351a becomes a portion 351c as a high-density portion having a relatively high fiber density. The outer peripheral surface 351b of the fiber assembly 351 is located on the peak 355a and the valley 355b. For this reason, a parallel distribution DC of the fiber density appears on the outer peripheral surface 351b. A portion 351f as a low density portion and a portion 351e as a high density portion appear on the outer peripheral surface 351b.

  Also in this embodiment, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, since a uniform fiber density is provided on the inner peripheral surface 351a on the inlet side of the fiber assembly 351, fuel can be evenly introduced in the circumferential direction of the fiber assembly 351.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this embodiment, a moisture collector that can replace the moisture collector 50 of the fuel filter device described in the preceding embodiment will be described. Components that can be referred to in the preceding description are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an exploded state of the moisture collector of this embodiment.

  The moisture collector 450 includes a support member 452 and a fiber assembly 451. The support member 452 has an annular upper plate 453 and a conical lower plate 455. The lower plate 455 has no peaks or valleys. The upper plate 453 and the lower plate 455 are connected at a predetermined interval by an appropriate connecting means, and compress and support the fiber assembly 451 disposed therebetween. The fiber assembly 451 is configured by laminating a plurality of annular nonwoven fabrics. When the upper plate 453 and the lower plate 455 are connected, the fiber assembly 451 is compressed so that the fiber density gradually decreases from the inner peripheral side toward the outer peripheral side. For this reason, a serial distribution of fiber density is obtained. According to this embodiment, the effect by the serial distribution of fiber density is obtained. Moreover, the effect by the taper surface which the conical lower board 455 provides can be acquired.

  In the embodiment described above, only the lower plates 55, 255, 355, and 455 are provided with tapered surfaces to compress the fiber assemblies 51 and 451, but the upper plate may also be provided with tapered surfaces. For example, as illustrated by a broken line in FIG. 9, an upper plate 453a having a convex tapered surface or an upper plate 453b having a concave tapered surface can be employed.

(Fifth embodiment (reference example) )
Next, a fifth embodiment (reference example) to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this embodiment, a moisture collector that can replace the moisture collector 50 of the fuel filter device described in the preceding embodiment will be described. Components that can be referred to in the preceding description are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an exploded state of the moisture collector of this embodiment.

  The moisture collector 550 includes a support member 552 and fiber assemblies 551a and 551b. The support member 552 is on a flat plate for both the upper plate 553 and the lower plate 555, and supports the fiber assembly by compressing it uniformly. The fiber assembly 551a on the inlet side disposed on the inlet side has a predetermined high fiber density. The outlet side fiber assembly 551b disposed on the outlet side has a lower fiber density than the inlet side fiber assembly 551a. The fiber assembly 551a on the inlet side and the fiber assembly 551b on the outlet side are disposed on the inner side and the outer side in the radial direction. As a result, the fiber aggregates 551a and 551b provide a series distribution of fiber densities in which the fiber density gradually decreases from the inner circumference side toward the outer circumference side as a whole. According to this embodiment, the effect by the serial distribution of fiber density is obtained.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this embodiment, a moisture collector that can replace the moisture collector 50 of the fuel filter device described in the preceding embodiment will be described. Components that can be referred to in the preceding description are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the moisture collector of this embodiment.

  The moisture collector 650 includes a support member 652 and a fiber assembly 651 accommodated therein. The support member 652 includes an annular upper plate 653, a cylindrical outer plate 654 depending from the outer peripheral edge of the upper plate 653, and a lower plate 655 disposed to face the upper plate 653. A first opening 652a serving as an inlet for allowing fuel to flow into the fiber assembly 651 is opened substantially at the center of the upper plate 653. The lower plate 655 has a conical convex portion at the center thereof, and provides an inclined surface by the conical surface. Between the lower plate 655 and the outer plate 654, a second opening 652b is opened as an outlet through which the fuel that has passed through the fiber assembly 651 can flow out. The second opening 652b is opened at the lowermost portion of the support member 652. The outer plate 654 has a third opening 652c serving as an outlet through which the fuel that has passed through the fiber assembly 651 can flow out. The third opening 652c is opened above the second opening 652b. The lower surface provided by the lower plate 655 is inclined so as to gradually become lower toward the second opening 652b.

  The fiber assembly 651 is accommodated in contact with the upper surface provided by the upper plate 653, the outer surface provided by the outer plate 654, and the lower surface provided by the lower plate 655. The fiber aggregate 651 is configured to exhibit relatively high hydrophilicity as a whole by including many fibers exhibiting predetermined hydrophilicity. As fibers mainly constituting the fiber assembly 651, rayon, nylon, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or the like can be used.

  According to this embodiment, moisture in the fuel is captured by the fiber assembly 651 and aggregates as water droplets. The water droplets flow down along the fibers in the fiber assembly 651. The water droplets reaching the lower plate 655 are guided to the second opening 652b along the inclined surface of the lower plate 655. The water droplet grows into a large water droplet in the vicinity of the second opening 652b, separates from the second opening 652b, and settles in the oil / water separation space 25. On the other hand, the fuel passing through the fiber assembly 651 flows out from both the second opening 652b and the third opening 652c. At this time, if water droplets accumulate around the second opening 652b, the fuel preferentially flows out from the third opening 652c so that the pressure loss is reduced. As a result, it is avoided that the water droplets guided around the second opening 652b are forcibly pushed out or dispersed by the fuel flow.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this embodiment, a moisture collector that can replace the moisture collector 50 of the fuel filter device described in the preceding embodiment will be described. Components that can be referred to in the preceding description are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the moisture collector of this embodiment.

  In the moisture collector 750, the fiber assembly includes a first portion 751a and a second portion 751b. The 1st part 751a mainly contains the fiber which shows comparatively high hydrophilicity, and also shows comparatively high hydrophilicity as a whole. The first portion 751a faces the first opening 652a and the second opening 652b, and is disposed in contact with the lower surface provided by the lower plate 655. The first portion 751a has a substantially conical shape. On the other hand, the 2nd part 751b contains many fibers which show relatively lipophilicity, and shows a lipophilicity higher than the 1st part 751a as a whole. In addition, lipophilicity shows the high wettability with a fuel. The second portion 751b exhibits lower hydrophilicity than the first portion 751a. The second portion 751b faces the third opening 652c and is disposed in contact with the upper surface provided by the upper plate 653. The 2nd part 751b is comprised by the substantially cyclic | annular form. The first portion 751a is disposed below, and the second portion 751b is disposed above the first portion 751a.

  According to this embodiment, moisture is mainly captured by the first portion 751a and flows to the second opening 652b along the first portion 751a. On the other hand, the fuel tends to pass through the second portion 751b having higher lipophilicity than the first portion 751a. For this reason, the fuel easily flows out from the third opening 652c through the second opening 652b. Further, since the moisture trapped in the first portion 751a is difficult to move to the second portion 751b, the fuel outflow path passing through the third opening 652c can be maintained.

(Eighth embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this embodiment, a moisture collector that can replace the moisture collector 50 of the fuel filter device described in the preceding embodiment will be described. Components that can be referred to in the preceding description are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the moisture collector of this embodiment.

  The moisture collector 850 includes a support member 852 that provides a container, fiber assemblies 851a and 851b accommodated in the support member 852, and a guide member 856 accommodated in the support member 852. The support member 852 includes an annular upper plate 853 having a first opening 852a as an inlet at the center, a cylindrical outer plate 854 suspended from the outer peripheral edge of the upper plate 853, and a funnel-shaped lower plate 855. Have. The lower plate 855 has a concave tapered surface toward the fiber assemblies 851a and 851b, and a single second opening 852b is opened at the lowermost portion. The second opening 852b is located on the extension of the first opening 852a. The outer plate 854 has a third opening 852c that opens above the second opening 852b. The first portion 851a of the fiber assembly has the same characteristics as the first portion 751a described above. The second portion 851b of the fiber assembly has the same characteristics as the above-described second portion 751b. The guide member 856 is a guide plate that spreads to prevent linear communication between the first opening 852a and the second opening 852b. The guide member 856 is slightly curved in a convex shape toward the first opening 852a.

  According to this embodiment, the fuel collides with the guide member 856 and is guided toward the third opening 852c. At this time, the fuel tends to flow from the first portion 851a to the second portion 851b. On the other hand, since the moisture trapped in the first portion 851a easily flows through the first portion 851a, it flows down to the second opening 852b bypassing the edge of the guide member 856. The guide member 856 guides the flow of fuel in the fiber assemblies 851a and 851b so that moisture capture and aggregation are not inhibited by the fuel flow. In this embodiment, only the first portion 851a may be filled in the support member 852 as a fiber assembly.

(Ninth embodiment)
Next, a ninth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this embodiment, a moisture collector that can replace the moisture collector 50 of the fuel filter device described in the preceding embodiment will be described. Components that can be referred to in the preceding description are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the moisture collector of this embodiment.

  The moisture collector 950 includes a support member 952 and a fiber assembly 951 accommodated therein. The support member 952 is disposed to face the upper plate 953, an annular upper plate 953 having a first opening 952a in the center, a cylindrical outer plate 954 depending from the outer peripheral edge of the upper plate 953, and the upper plate 953. A lower plate 955. The lower plate 955 has a conical convex portion at the center thereof, and provides an inclined surface by the conical surface. A second opening 952b is opened between the lower plate 955 and the outer plate 954. The upper plate 953 has a third opening 952c serving as an outlet through which the fuel that has passed through the fiber assembly 951 can flow out. The third opening 952c is opened above the second opening 952b. The upper plate 953 has a guide member 956. The guide member 956 extends from the first opening 952a and has a cylindrical portion and an enlarged portion.

  According to this embodiment, the fuel spreads along the guide member 956 and is guided toward the second opening 952b and the third opening 952c. At this time, moisture trapped in the fiber assembly 951 easily flows to the second opening 952b, and fuel easily flows to the third opening 952c. Instead of the fiber assembly 951, a first portion 751a and a second portion 751b may be provided according to the above-described embodiment.

(10th Embodiment)
Next, a tenth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the preceding embodiment, the fuel filter device is configured to be axisymmetric, but the fuel filter device 1010 may be configured to be asymmetric as in this embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the fuel filter device of this embodiment.

  The fuel filter device 1010 has a container 1020. In the container 1020, an inlet 1010a and an outlet 1010b are formed. In the container 1020, a filter element 1041 and a moisture collector 1050 are accommodated. The moisture collector 1050 has a configuration corresponding to the right half of the moisture collector 850 shown and described in FIG.

  Also in this embodiment, the moisture collector 1050 has the above-described operation effect by the inclined surface provided on the lower surface and the above-described operation effect by the third opening provided to open above the second opening. Can be obtained.

(Other embodiments)
The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The above-described embodiments can be accompanied by various modifications, improvements, or extensions within the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention includes embodiments including at least the following modifications, improvements, and extensions. For example, the characteristic configurations shown in the above embodiments can be used in combination. First, the fiber density distribution shown in the first to fifth embodiments can also be adopted in the sixth to tenth embodiments. For example, by compressing the fiber assembly 651 with the lower plate 655, a distribution in which the high density portion is located at the center and the low density portion is located at the outer peripheral portion can be provided. Further, the lower plate 655 may be provided with peaks and valleys. The third openings shown in the sixth to tenth embodiments can also be employed in the first to fifth embodiments. For example, you may provide a 3rd opening in the site | part which contacts the fiber assembly 51 of the upper board 53 of 1st Embodiment.

10, 1010 fuel filter device,
20, 1020 containers,
30 Filter assembly,
40 filters, 41, 1041 filter elements,
42 frames,
50, 450, 550, 650, 750, 850, 950, 1050 moisture collector,
51, 351, 451, 551a, 551b, 651, 751a, 751b, 851a, 851b, 951 fiber assembly,
52, 252, 352, 452, 552, 652, 852, 952 support member,
52a, 652a, 852a, 952a first opening,
52b, 652b, 852b, 952b second opening,
652c, 852c, 952c third opening,
53, 453, 453a, 453b, 553, 653, 853, 953 Upper plate,
54, 654, 854, 954 outer plate,
55, 255, 355, 455, 555, 655, 855, 955 Lower plate,
55a, 355a peak,
55b, 355b valley,
55c inclined surface,
652a, 652b, 652c, 852a, 852b, 852c, 952a, 952b, 952c opening,
856, 956 Guide members.

Claims (13)

A fiber assembly that aggregates fibers and collects moisture from the fuel;
A first opening as an inlet for supplying fuel to the fiber assembly and a second opening as an outlet through which the fuel that has passed through the fiber assembly can flow out are formed and are supporting members that support the fiber assembly. And a support member having a lower surface that is positioned below the fiber assembly and is inclined so as to gradually become lower toward the second opening.   The fiber assembly has a series distribution of fiber densities in which a high density portion having a high fiber density is located on the upstream side in the fuel flow direction and a low density portion having a fiber density lower than that of the high density portion is located on the downstream side. The moisture collector according to claim 1, comprising: In the fiber assembly, a low density portion having a low fiber density and a high density portion having a fiber density higher than the low density portion are arranged in parallel on the surface of the fiber assembly facing the second opening. The moisture collector according to claim 2 , wherein the moisture collector has a parallel distribution of fiber density. The moisture collector according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the support member includes a compression member that forms the low density portion and the high density portion by compressing the fiber assembly. The fiber assembly is annular,
The moisture collector according to claim 4 , wherein the lower surface has an annular tapered surface provided on the compression member. Wherein the lower surface, capturing moisture according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the peaks and valleys extending are disposed between said first opening side and the second opening side Collector. The support member further claim 1, wherein from the second opening located above the fuel that has passed through the fiber aggregate characterized in that the third opening as possible outflow outlet is formed The moisture collector according to any one of 6 . The moisture collector according to claim 7 , wherein the fiber assembly is composed of hydrophilic fibers. The moisture collection according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein the fiber assembly includes a first portion exhibiting predetermined hydrophilicity and a second portion exhibiting higher lipophilicity than the first portion. vessel. The first portion faces the first opening and the second opening and is disposed in contact with the lower surface of the support member,
The moisture collector according to claim 9 , wherein the second portion faces the third opening and is in contact with an upper surface of the support member. The moisture collector according to claim 9 or 10 , wherein the first portion is disposed below, and the second portion is disposed above the first portion. The moisture collector according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein a guide plate for guiding the flow of fuel from the first opening is disposed in the fiber assembly. The water collector according to any one of claims 1 to 12 ,
And a filter provided downstream of the moisture collector in the fuel flow direction.

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