JP5290223B2 - Fuel filter device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel filter device installed in a fuel tank of a transportation device such as an automobile or a two-wheeled vehicle.

As a conventional example, there is one described in Patent Document 1, for example. In addition, FIG. 11 is sectional drawing which shows a fuel supply apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 11, the fuel supply apparatus 100 includes a sub tank 120 and a fuel pump 110 that is fixedly installed in the sub tank 120. The fuel supply device 100 supplies the fuel that has flowed into the sub tank 120 from the fuel tank 150 of the vehicle to the engine by the fuel pump 110. A filtration chamber 122 having a fuel inflow hole 122 a is fixed to the lower end portion of the sub tank 120. A filter medium 130 is filled in the filter chamber 122. Further, the fuel intake port 111 of the fuel pump 110 is coupled to the coupling port 120 a of the filtration chamber 122. In Patent Document 1, since the filter chamber 122 is filled with fuel due to the capillary action of the filter medium 130, even in a state where the posture is changed, such as when the vehicle is tilted, in a state where the remaining amount of fuel is reduced, It is described that normal fuel supply can be continued.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-9806

However, according to the conventional example (see FIG. 11), when the fuel level is tilted due to the deviation of the fuel due to the change of the posture such as the inclination of the vehicle in the state where the remaining amount of fuel is low, the fuel level (Refer to the two-dot chain line Fa in FIG. 11) may be lower than the fuel inlet 111 of the fuel pump 110. In this case, the fuel pump 110 sucks fuel from a place lower than the fuel suction port 111. Therefore, when the suction negative pressure of the fuel pump 110 increases and the suction negative pressure exceeds the liquid film pressure of the filter medium 130, there is a problem that the liquid film stretched on the filter medium 130 is easily cut. If the liquid film is cut off, the fuel pump 110 sucks air, and the fuel pressure supplied by the fuel pump 110 is lowered, which is not preferable.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is that even when the remaining amount of fuel is low, the liquid film of the filter member can be obtained even when the fuel liquid level inclined due to the fuel bias is lower than the fuel inlet of the fuel pump. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel filter device that can prevent breakage.

The above-described problems can be solved by a fuel filter device having a configuration described in the scope of claims.
That is, according to the fuel filter device of the first aspect, the sub-tank that is disposed in the fuel tank and stores the fuel, and the bag that is horizontally provided at the bottom of the sub-tank and filters the fuel sucked into the fuel pump. Filter member, and a fuel suction port of the fuel pump connected to the filter member, the fuel filter device comprising a plurality of fuel reservoirs arranged in parallel with the fuel suction port of the fuel pump Is. Therefore, in a state where the remaining amount of fuel is low, even if the fuel level inclined due to the fuel bias is lower than the fuel inlet of the fuel pump, the fuel reservoir located on the higher side than the fuel level Can hold fuel. Thereby, the suction negative pressure of the fuel pump is hardly increased, and the liquid film of the filter member can be prevented from being cut. As a result, the fuel pressure supplied by the fuel pump can be maintained for a long time.

  According to the fuel filter device described in claim 2, the fuel suction port of the fuel pump is connected to the center of the filter member. Therefore, the fuel pump can suck the fuel from the fuel suction port connected to the central portion of the filter member.

  Further, according to the fuel filter device described in claim 3, the plurality of fuel storage portions are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the filter member with the fuel suction port of the fuel pump interposed therebetween. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid film of the filter member from being cut off in a state where the fuel liquid surface is inclined in the longitudinal direction of the filter member.

  According to the fuel filter device described in claim 4, the fuel filter device includes an upper wall portion that covers the upper surface of the fuel storage portion and has a fuel introduction hole for introducing fuel into the fuel storage portion. Therefore, the fuel above the upper wall portion can be introduced into the fuel storage portion from the fuel introduction hole. In addition, when the remaining amount of fuel is low, the fuel stored in the fuel storage portion can be prevented from flowing upward when the fuel is biased.

  According to the fuel filter device of the fifth aspect, the upper wall portion is formed in a mountain shape having a fuel introduction hole at the top. Therefore, when the fuel contained in the fuel storage portion is filled with fuel and the vapor contained in the fuel is lifted by buoyancy and discharged from the fuel introduction hole, the vapor travels along the inclined ceiling surface of the upper wall portion. Since it is guided to the fuel introduction hole, the vapor discharge performance can be improved.

  Moreover, according to the fuel filter device described in claim 6, the fuel filter device includes the partition wall that partitions the fuel storage portion so that it can communicate vertically. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fuel stored in the fuel storage portion from flowing upward when the fuel is biased in a state where the remaining amount of fuel is low.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of a fuel supply device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a front sectional view showing a fuel filter device. It is a top view which shows a fuel filter apparatus. It is a front sectional view showing the fuel filter device in an inclined state. 6 is a front sectional view showing a fuel filter device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a top view which shows a fuel filter apparatus. FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing a fuel filter device according to a third embodiment. It is a top view which shows a fuel filter apparatus. FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing a fuel filter device according to a fourth embodiment. It is a top view which shows a fuel filter apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel supply apparatus which concerns on a prior art example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. A fuel supply device including the fuel filter device of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle or the like, and supplies fuel to an engine (internal combustion engine). For convenience of explanation, after describing the outline of the fuel supply device, the fuel filter device will be described.
First, an outline of the fuel supply device will be described. In addition, FIG. 1 is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of a fuel supply apparatus. For convenience of explanation, explanation will be made with reference to the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply device 10 is disposed in the fuel tank 12. The fuel tank 12 is a hollow container that stores fuel and is mounted on a vehicle or the like. A fuel filter device 14 (described later) that also functions as a reservoir is provided at the bottom of the fuel tank 12. The fuel filter device 14 can store a part of the fuel in the fuel tank 12. A fuel pump 16 is disposed on the center of the fuel filter device 14.

  The fuel pump 16 is a motor-integrated in-tank electric fuel pump in which a pump portion that sucks and pressurizes fuel and a motor portion that drives the pump portion are arranged in parallel in the axial direction. The fuel pump 16 is arranged in a vertical orientation with the pump portion facing downward and the motor portion facing upward. A fuel suction port 17 for sucking fuel is provided on the end surface (lower end surface) of the fuel pump 16 on the pump portion side. A bag-like filter member 20 that filters fuel sucked into the fuel pump 16 is connected to the fuel inlet 17. The filter member 20 is incorporated at the bottom of the fuel filter device 14.

  The fuel filtered by the filter member 20 and sucked into the pump portion of the fuel pump 16 from the fuel suction port 17 is pressurized and discharged from the pump chamber into the motor portion. The pressurized fuel discharged from the pump chamber into the motor unit passes through the motor unit and is discharged from a fuel discharge port 18 provided on an end surface (upper end surface) on the motor unit side. The fuel discharged from the fuel discharge port 18 is supplied to the outside of the fuel tank 12, that is, the engine (specifically, an injector) through the fuel supply pipe 22. The fuel pump 16 has a well-known configuration, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel pressure flowing through the fuel supply pipe 22, that is, the fuel pressure supplied to the engine is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by a pressure regulator 24 disposed in the middle of the fuel supply pipe 22. The pressure regulator 24 adjusts the fuel pressure flowing through the fuel supply pipe 22 and discharges excess fuel into the fuel tank 12 as return fuel. Note that the pressure regulator 24 has a well-known configuration, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the fuel filter device 14, the fuel pump 16, and the pressure regulator 24 are modularized as the fuel supply device 10.

Next, the fuel filter device 14 will be described. 2 is a front sectional view showing the fuel filter device, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the same.
As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel filter device 14 includes a filter member 20 and a sub tank 26.
The filter member 20 is formed in a flat bag shape by, for example, welding the outer peripheral edge portions of two upper and lower filter media 28 in the form of a horizontally long rectangular plate formed of a resin mesh material or a nonwoven fabric over the entire circumference. Yes. Therefore, a flange-like welded portion 30 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the filter member 20 by welding the upper and lower filter media 28 together. The filter member 20 has a horizontally long rectangular shape in which the horizontal direction is elongated in plan view with the flat direction (thickness direction) directed in the vertical direction (horizontal state). A fuel inlet 17 of the fuel pump 16 is connected to the center of the upper surface of the filter member 20, that is, the center of the upper filter medium 28. Although not shown, a resin frame member is provided in the filter member 20 to hold the filter member 20 in an enormous state (swelled state). In addition, the “fuel intake port” in this specification includes the fuel intake port 17 of the fuel pump 16 and an extension connected to the filter member 20 when an extension pipe or the like is connected to the fuel intake port 17. The tip portion (connecting portion) of the tube corresponds.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sub tank 26 is made of, for example, a resin, and integrally includes a pair of split tank members 32 that are symmetrical to each other and a connecting member 33 that connects the split tank members 32. . Both split tank members 32 have a front wall portion 35, a rear wall portion 36, and left and right side wall portions 37, and are formed in a horizontally long rectangular tube shape that lengthens the left-right direction (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the divided tank member 32 is formed as a so-called bottomless tank (see FIG. 2). Further, the upper surface opening of the divided tank member 32 is closed by a flat plate-like upper wall portion 38 that forms a horizontal shape. A fuel introduction hole 39 is opened at the center of the upper wall portion 38. A plurality of fuel introduction holes 39 may be formed in the upper wall portion 38.
Further, the connecting member 33 is formed in a band plate shape that lengthens the front-rear direction. The connecting member 33 connects the lower end edges of the opposing side wall portions 37 of both divided tank members 32 to each other. An insertion hole 34 through which the fuel suction port 17 of the fuel pump 16 is inserted is formed at the center of the connecting member 33.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the filter member 20 is provided horizontally at the bottom of the sub tank 26. The welded portion 30 of the filter member 20 is joined to the peripheral edge portion of the lower surface of the sub tank 26 by welding, bonding or the like over the entire circumference. Further, the filter medium 28 on the upper side of the filter member 20 is joined to the connecting member 33 by adhesion or the like. Accordingly, the lower surface openings of both the divided tank members 32 are closed by the filter member 20. As a result, a fuel storage section 40 is formed in both the divided tank members 32. The fuel storage section 40 can also store fuel by using the filter member 20 as a bottom. A liquid film is stretched on the filter medium 28 of the filter member 20 due to the surface tension of the fuel. For this reason, as long as the liquid film is stretched on the filter medium 28 of the filter member 20, the fuel in the fuel reservoir 40 does not flow out. Further, the height of the divided tank member 32 is set according to the required fuel amount stored in the fuel storage unit 40. Further, the fuel filter device 14 is arranged in a state where the lower surface of the filter member 20 (the lower surface of the lower filter medium 28) is in surface contact with the bottom surface 12a in the fuel tank 12 (see FIG. 1). .

  According to the fuel filter device 14 described above, the fuel stored in the fuel storage portions 40 and / or the fuel in the fuel tank 12 is filtered and sucked into the fuel pump 16 by the filter member 20 provided at the bottom of the sub tank 26. Can be made. The “fuel in the fuel tank” in this specification refers to the fuel outside the fuel reservoir 40 in the fuel tank 12.

By the way, in a state where the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank 12 is low, the fuel may be biased due to vehicle inclination, turning, or the like. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing the fuel filter device in an inclined state. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the fuel filter device 14 is inclined downward to the left and upward to the right.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the fuel level FL in the fuel tank 12 (see FIG. 1) tilted due to the bias of the fuel is lower than the fuel inlet 17 of the fuel pump 16, both fuel reservoirs 40. The fuel stored in is also biased in the same direction. At this time, the fuel storage unit 40 on the right side in FIG. 4 can hold the fuel (reference numeral F1) in a state of being positioned higher than the fuel liquid level FL. In the case where the bias of the fuel is reversed, the fuel storage unit 40 on the left side in FIG. 4 can hold the fuel in a state of being positioned higher than the fuel liquid level FL. Thereby, the suction negative pressure of the fuel pump 16 (see FIG. 1) is unlikely to increase, and the liquid film of the filter member 20 can be prevented from being cut. For this reason, the fuel pressure supplied by the fuel pump 16 can be maintained for a long time.

  A fuel inlet 17 of the fuel pump 16 is connected to the center of the filter member 20 (specifically, the upper filter medium 28). Therefore, the fuel pump 16 can suck the fuel from the fuel suction port 17 connected to the central portion of the filter medium 28 on the upper side of the filter member 20.

  The left and right fuel reservoirs 40 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the filter member 20 (left and right direction in FIG. 2) with the fuel intake port 17 of the fuel pump 16 therebetween. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid film of the filter member 20 from being cut when the fuel liquid level FL (see FIG. 4) is inclined in the longitudinal direction of the filter member 20.

  Further, an upper wall portion 38 that covers the upper surface of the fuel storage portion 40 and has a fuel introduction hole 39 for introducing fuel into the fuel storage portion 40 is provided. Therefore, the fuel above the upper wall portion 38 can be introduced into the fuel storage portion 40 from the fuel introduction hole 39. Further, when the remaining amount of fuel is low, the fuel stored in the fuel storage unit 40 can be prevented from flowing upward when the fuel is biased (see FIG. 4).

[Example 2]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the present embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, the changed portion will be described and redundant description will be omitted. Also, in the following embodiments, the changed parts will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. 5 is a front sectional view showing the fuel filter device, and FIG. 6 is a plan view.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the present embodiment omits the upper wall portion 38 in both split tank members 32 of the sub tank 26 of the fuel filter device 14 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The upper surfaces of both divided tank members 32 are fully opened. Accordingly, by setting the height of both split tank members 32 higher than the height in the first embodiment (see FIG. 2), even when the fuel is biased in a state where the remaining amount of fuel is reduced, It is possible to prevent the fuel stored in the fuel storage unit 40 from flowing out upward.

[Example 3]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. 7 is a front sectional view showing the fuel filter device, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the same.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in this embodiment, the upper wall portion 38 of the split tank member 32 of the sub tank 26 of the fuel filter device 14 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is formed in a mountain shape. That is, it is a rectangular roof-shaped upper wall portion (reference numeral 41). A fuel introduction hole 42 is opened at the top of the upper wall portion 41.

  According to the present embodiment, when the fuel stored in the fuel storage section 40 is filled with fuel, the vapor is lifted by the buoyancy and discharged from the fuel introduction hole 42. It is guided to the fuel introduction hole 42 along the inclined ceiling surface (see the arrow in FIG. 7). For this reason, the discharge property of vapor can be improved.

[Example 4]
Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. 9 is a front sectional view showing the fuel filter device, and FIG. 10 is a plan view of the same.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in this embodiment, the fuel storage section 40 is communicated vertically with the two divided tank members 32 of the sub tank 26 of the fuel filter device 14 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 3). It is provided with a partitioning plate portion 44 that partitions in a possible manner. Specifically, the height of both divided tank members 32 is set to be higher than the height in the first embodiment (see FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, both divided tank members 32 are approximately twice as high as the height in the first embodiment.

  Further, in each of the divided tank members 32, one rectangular plate-like partition plate portion 44 that partitions the fuel storage portion 40 so as to communicate with the upper and lower sides is provided in parallel to the upper wall portion 38. The partition plate portion 44 is divided from the side wall portion 37 on the outer side (left side in the left divided tank member 32 and right side in the right divided tank member 32) of the divided tank member 32 (right side and right side in the left divided tank member 32). The tank member 32 protrudes toward the left side wall portion 37. A space portion formed between the leading edge of the partition plate portion 44 and the right side wall portion 37 serves as a communication path 46 that communicates the upper and lower space portions partitioned by the partition plate portion 44. In addition, both front and rear edge portions of the partition plate portion 44 are connected to the front wall portion 35 and the rear wall portion 36. Thereby, the fuel storage part 40 of both the division | segmentation tank members 32 has comprised the maze structure. The partition plate portion 44 corresponds to a “partition wall” in the present specification.

  A fuel introduction hole 47 that communicates the space between the upper wall portion 38 and the partition plate portion 44 with the outside is formed in the side wall portion 37 outside the divided tank member 32. In the present embodiment, the fuel introduction hole 47 is opened over the entire height between the upper wall portion 38 and the partition plate portion 44 and over the entire width between the front wall portion 35 and the rear wall portion 36. Is open.

  According to the fuel filter device 14 of the present embodiment, the partition plate portions 44 that partition both the fuel storage portions 40 so as to communicate with each other are provided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fuel stored in the fuel storage unit 40 from flowing upward when the fuel is biased in a state where the remaining amount of fuel is low. In the present embodiment, a plurality of partition plate portions 44 may be provided. In this case, the partition plate portion 44 preferably protrudes alternately from the outer side wall portion 37 and the inner side wall portion 37 so that the fuel storage portion 40 is formed in a meandering shape.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the fuel filter device 14 of the present invention, fuel is biased due to inclination, turning, etc., such as automobiles, motorcycles, ships, industrial vehicles, construction machines, etc. (collectively referred to as “transport equipment”). It can be applied to all fuel tanks. Moreover, the fuel storage part 40 of the fuel filter apparatus 14 can be increased to three or more. In this case, for example, a total of four fuel reservoirs 40 in the front, rear, left, and right sides may be provided between the fuel inlets 17 of the fuel pump 16. Alternatively, three or more fuel reservoirs 40 can be arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the fuel inlet 17 of the fuel pump 16. Further, the number of fuel introduction holes 39, 42, 47 is not limited to one, and a plurality of fuel introduction holes 39, 42, 47 may be provided. Further, although the filter member 20 is provided entirely on the bottom of the sub tank 26 in the above-described embodiment, it may be partially provided on the bottom of the sub tank 26. Further, surplus fuel (so-called return fuel) discharged from the fuel pump 16 can be allowed to flow into the fuel reservoir 40.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel supply apparatus 12 ... Fuel tank 14 ... Fuel filter apparatus 16 ... Fuel pump 17 ... Fuel inlet 20 ... Filter member 26 ... Sub tank 38 ... Upper wall part 39 ... Fuel introduction hole 40 ... Fuel storage part 41 ... Upper wall part 42 ... Fuel introduction hole 44 ... Partition plate (partition wall)
47 ... Fuel introduction hole

Claims (6)

A sub tank disposed in the fuel tank and storing fuel;
A bag-like filter member that is horizontally provided at the bottom of the sub-tank and filters the fuel sucked into the fuel pump;
A fuel filter device in which a fuel suction port of the fuel pump is connected to the filter member,
A fuel filter device comprising a plurality of fuel storage portions arranged in parallel with fuel intake ports of the fuel pump. The fuel filter device according to claim 1,
A fuel filter device, wherein a fuel suction port of the fuel pump is connected to a central portion of the filter member. The fuel filter device according to claim 1 or 2,
The fuel filter device, wherein the plurality of fuel storage portions are arranged in parallel in a longitudinal direction of the filter member with a fuel suction port of the fuel pump interposed therebetween. The fuel filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A fuel filter device comprising an upper wall that covers a top surface of the fuel reservoir and has a fuel introduction hole for introducing fuel into the fuel reservoir. The fuel filter device according to claim 4,
The fuel filter device, wherein the upper wall portion is formed in a mountain shape having the fuel introduction hole at the top. The fuel filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A fuel filter device comprising a partition wall for partitioning the fuel reservoir so as to communicate vertically.

Images