JP5350095B2 - Fuel tank system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel tank system including a fuel tank that stores fuel, and a fuel pump module that is inserted into an opening provided in the fuel tank and delivers the fuel to the outside of the fuel tank.

  A fuel tank is used to supply fuel to the internal combustion engine. A fuel pump module having a fuel pump for sending liquid fuel stored in the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine is disposed in the fuel tank.

  In this type of fuel tank, a resin tank may be employed in order to reduce the weight. At that time, the resin tank is likely to vary in molding dimensions (particularly the thickness), and the resin tank may be expanded or contracted due to a change in internal pressure.

  Therefore, for example, a fuel tank disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. As shown in FIG. 13, the fuel tank includes a resin tank body 1, and a holder 2 is welded to the bottom wall 1 a of the tank body 1. The swirl tank 3 is fixed to the holder 2 by engaging the flange 4 with the holder 2. A fuel pump unit 5 and a fuel gauge unit 6 are mounted on the swirl tank 3.

  An adapter cover 7 is connected to a work window 1 b provided at the upper part of the tank body 1. The adapter cover 7 is airtightly fastened to the work window 1 b by a union nut 8.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-34986

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the fuel gauge unit 6 and the like are provided with the bottom wall 1a of the tank body 1 as a reference via the swirl tank 3, so that the remaining fuel level can be accurately detected. It can be done.

  However, the resin tank main body 1 has not been specially devised for maintaining strength, and the amount of shrinkage tends to increase due to a change in internal pressure. For this reason, there is a problem that the sealing performance is deteriorated and fuel leakage is likely to be caused, and the connection state with the device mounted outside the tank body 1 is affected.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and aims to provide a fuel tank system capable of reducing the thickness and weight of the fuel tank and satisfactorily suppressing deformation of the fuel tank. To do.

  The present invention relates to a fuel tank system including a fuel tank that stores fuel, and a fuel pump module that is inserted into an opening provided in the fuel tank and delivers the fuel to the outside of the fuel tank.

  The fuel pump module includes a flange portion that closes the opening, a reservoir portion for storing fuel, and a coupling portion that couples the flange portion and the reservoir portion. The coupling portion constitutes a pressure receiving structure for suppressing deformation of the fuel tank in response to a change in the internal pressure of the fuel tank.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a fixing structure for fixing the fuel pump module is provided at the bottom of the fuel tank.

  Further, the fixing structure is a bracket portion fixed to the bottom portion in the fuel tank, an opening portion provided on the bottom surface of the reservoir portion, into which the bracket portion can enter, and the bracket portion entering the opening portion. Thus, it is preferable to include a fixing unit that fixes the fuel pump module to the bottom of the fuel tank by rotating the reservoir unit.

  Furthermore, the fixing structure includes a bracket portion that is fixed to the bottom portion in the fuel tank, and a fixing portion that fixes the fuel pump module to the bottom portion of the fuel tank by pressing the reservoir portion against the bracket portion. It is preferable.

  The fuel tank system preferably includes a holding structure for holding the fuel tank wall portion constituting the opening portion with respect to the flange portion.

  Further, the holding structure is provided on the fuel tank wall portion, and protrudes in the inner diameter direction of the opening, constitutes a flange portion, an outer flange portion disposed on the outer side of the protrusion portion, and the flange portion An inner flange portion that is engageable and disengageable with the projecting portion and disposed inside the projecting portion, and the projecting portion is the outer flange. It is preferable to couple | bond together in the state arrange | positioned between a part and the said inner side flange part.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the coupling portion keeps the distance between the flange portion and the reservoir portion unchangeable in response to a change in the internal pressure of the fuel tank.

  In the present invention, the connecting portion that connects the flange portion and the reservoir portion constitutes a pressure receiving structure for receiving the change in the internal pressure of the fuel tank and suppressing the deformation of the fuel tank. For this reason, even if an internal pressure fluctuation occurs in the fuel tank, the deformation of the fuel tank can be reliably suppressed. In addition, the connecting portion has a function of improving the rigidity (strength) of the fuel tank, so that the fuel tank can be easily thinned.

It is a perspective explanatory view of the fuel tank system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 1 of the said fuel tank system. It is explanatory drawing of the fuel pump module which comprises the said fuel tank system. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the flange part and opening part which comprise the said fuel pump module. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fixing structure which comprises the said fuel pump module. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the said flange part. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the said fixed structure. It is explanatory drawing of the fixed structure which comprises the fuel tank system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the fixing structure which comprises the fuel tank system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the fuel pump module which comprises the fuel tank system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the fuel pump module which comprises the fuel tank system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the fuel pump module which comprises the fuel tank system which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the fuel tank currently disclosed by patent document 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel tank system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel tank 12 in which fuel F is stored, and the fuel tank 12 disposed in the fuel tank 12. And a fuel pump module 14 for delivering the fuel tank 12 to the outside (an internal combustion engine (not shown)).

  The fuel tank 12 is made of a resin material. The fuel tank 12 has a tank upper surface 12a and a tank lower surface 12b, and the concave portions of the tank upper surface 12a and the tank lower surface 12b are joined to portions requiring strength. One or more, for example, two joint portions 12c are provided.

  An opening 16 for inserting the fuel pump module 14 is provided at a substantially central portion of the tank upper surface 12a. A screw portion (fuel tank wall portion) 18 for attaching a nut is formed around the opening 16. A fixing structure 20 for fixing the fuel pump module 14 is provided at the bottom 12 d in the fuel tank 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel pump module 14 includes a flange portion 22 that closes the opening portion 16, a reservoir portion 24 that is provided in the housing 23 for storing fuel F, the flange portion 22, and the reservoir portion. 24 is provided with a connecting portion 26 that connects 24. A fuel pump 28 is disposed in the housing 23, and one end of a fuel supply pipe 30 is connected to the outlet side of the fuel pump 28. The other end of the fuel supply pipe 30 is connected to a joint member 32 attached to the flange portion 22, and one end of a fuel pipe 34 is connected to the joint member 32. The other end of the fuel pipe 34 is connected to a suction port of an internal combustion engine (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tank upper surface 12 a is provided with a holding structure 35 for holding the screw portion 18 against the flange portion 22. A sealing recess 36 is formed around the upper end of the threaded portion 18. The holding structure 35 is provided on the screw portion 18 and protrudes in the inner diameter direction of the opening portion 16. The holding structure 35 includes a plurality of protrusion portions 38 formed at predetermined angular intervals and the flange portion 22. A disc-shaped outer flange portion 40 disposed on the outer side (upper side) of the portion 38 and the flange portion 22, which can be engaged with and detached from the protruding portion 38, and inward of the protruding portion 38 And a plurality of inner flange portions 42 arranged (downward).

  By alternately disposing the inner flange portions 42 and the protruding portions 38, the flange portions 22 can be detached from the protruding portions 38. On the other hand, when the inner flange portion 42 and the protruding portion 38 are overlapped in the axial direction, the flange portion 22 is engaged with the protruding portion 38 and the separation is suppressed.

  A packing (for example, an O-ring) 44 is disposed in the recessed portion 36 of the screw portion 18, and the outer flange portion 40 of the flange portion 22 is placed on the packing 44, and a lock nut 46 is screwed into the screw portion 18. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling portion 26 constitutes a pressure receiving structure for suppressing deformation of the fuel tank 12 in response to a change in the internal pressure of the fuel tank 12. Specifically, the coupling portion 26 includes a plurality of, for example, four columns 48 whose one ends are fixed to the flange portion 22. Each support column 48 is inserted into a guide tube portion 50 provided in the reservoir portion 24, and a notch portion 52 is formed on the guide tube portion 50 along a predetermined length. Since the large-diameter portion 48 a provided in the support column 48 is disposed in the notch portion 52, the large-diameter portion 48 a is movable within the notch portion 52 by a predetermined interval.

  A spring 54 that is positioned between the flange portion 22 and the upper end portion of the guide tube portion 50 and that applies a relatively large pressing force is externally mounted on the support column 48. The spring 54 has an elastic force necessary to maintain the distance between the flange portion 22 and the reservoir portion 24 so as not to fluctuate in response to a change in the internal pressure of the fuel tank 12, and a notch portion due to an external force greater than the internal pressure change. The elastic force is movable within the range of 52 (position adjustment is possible).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing structure 20 includes a bracket portion 56 that is fixed to the bottom portion 12 d in the fuel tank 12, an opening portion 58 that is provided on the bottom portion 23 a of the housing 23 and into which the bracket portion 56 can enter. A fixing portion 60 is provided to fix the fuel pump module 14 to the bottom portion 12d of the fuel tank 12 by rotating the housing 23 with the bracket portion 56 being inserted into the opening 58.

  The bracket portion 56 includes a plurality of, for example, four locking members 62 protruding in the surface direction of the bottom portion 12 d, and a tapered surface 62 a is formed on the bottom surface of each locking member 62. Openings 58 corresponding to the respective locking members 62 are formed in the bottom 23a of the housing 23, and tapered surfaces 64 corresponding to the tapered surfaces 62a of the respective locking members 62 are formed on the inner surface side of the bottom 23a. It is formed. The fixed portion 60 is configured by the tapered surfaces 62 a and 64.

  The operation of the fuel tank system 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  First, when an internal combustion engine (not shown) is started, as shown in FIG. 2, the fuel pump 28 constituting the fuel pump module 14 disposed in the fuel tank 12 is driven. For this reason, the fuel F stored in the fuel tank 12 is sucked under the action of a pumping pump (not shown). The fuel F is supplied from the fuel supply pipe 30 to the internal combustion engine (not shown) through the fuel pipe 34.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, in the fuel pump module 14, the coupling portion 26 that couples the flange portion 22 and the reservoir portion 24 receives a change in the internal pressure of the fuel tank 12 and suppresses deformation of the fuel tank 12. The pressure receiving structure for this is comprised.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the coupling portion 26 includes a plurality of support columns 48 and springs 54, and changes the distance between the flange portion 22 and the reservoir portion 24 in response to a change in the internal pressure of the fuel tank 12. I keep it impossible. On the other hand, the fuel pump module 14 is fixed to the bottom 12 d of the fuel tank 12 via a fixing structure 20.

  Therefore, when a pressure fluctuation occurs in the fuel tank 12, for example, when the inside of the fuel tank 12 changes to a positive pressure, the fuel pump module 14 acts to pull the fuel tank 12 inward, The fuel tank 12 can be prevented from expanding.

  Further, when the inside of the fuel tank 12 changes to a negative pressure, the fuel pump module 14 acts to press the fuel tank 12 outward, and the fuel tank 12 can be prevented from contracting.

  In particular, in a hybrid vehicle or a cylinder deactivation engine, the engine may be stopped for a relatively long time. At this time, the vapor generated from the fuel tank while the engine is stopped is purged to the engine without being released to the outside of the vehicle. However, if the engine is stopped, the necessary purge amount cannot be ensured. For this reason, it is necessary to purge a large flow rate in a short time, and a sudden negative pressure is applied to the fuel tank 12 so that the fuel tank 12 is deformed or the fuel tank 12 is attached to the vehicle body. There is a risk of rattling.

  However, in the first embodiment, the flange portion 22 and the reservoir portion 24 are coupled by the coupling portion 26, and can sufficiently withstand negative pressure under the reinforcing action of the fuel pump module 14 itself. Therefore, the fuel tank 12 is not affected by fluctuations in internal pressure, and the fuel tank 12 can be reliably prevented from being deformed.

  Furthermore, the flange portion 22 and the screw portion 18 are coupled with the protruding portion 38 disposed between the outer flange portion 40 and the inner flange portion 42, that is, via the holding structure 35.

  For this reason, when the pressure in the fuel tank 12 becomes negative, as shown in FIG. 6, the inner flange portion 42 supports the protruding portion 38 to be deformed inward, and the periphery of the opening portion 16 is inward. It is possible to prevent the fuel tank 12 from contracting in the direction, and the deformation of the fuel tank 12 is suppressed.

  On the other hand, when the inside of the fuel tank 12 becomes positive pressure, the outer flange portion 40 holds the protruding portion 38 and the deformation of the fuel tank 12 is good even if the periphery of the opening portion 16 tries to expand outward. To be suppressed.

  Furthermore, in the fixing structure 20, first, the fuel pump module 14 is inserted into the fuel tank 12 from the opening 16, and the bracket portion 56 is inserted into the opening 58 of the housing 23 (reservoir portion 24). When the housing 23 is rotated in a predetermined direction in this state, the tapered surface 64 formed on the bottom 23 a of the housing 23 is in sliding contact with the tapered surface 62 a of each locking member 62 constituting the bracket portion 56. (See FIG. 7). As a result, the housing 23 is fixed by the bracket portion 56.

  On the other hand, when the fuel pump module 14 is taken out from the fuel tank 12, the housing 23 is rotated in the opposite direction to the above, so that the tapered surfaces 62a and 64 are separated from each other, and each locking member is placed in the opening 58. 62 is arranged. At that time, in the flange portion 22, the inner flange portion 42 is disposed between the protruding portions 38 of the screw portion 18.

  Next, by pulling out the fuel pump module 14 from the opening 16, the fuel pump module 14 is released from the fixing action by the fixing structure 20, and the engagement between the protruding portion 38 and the inner flange portion 42 is released. And can be reliably removed.

  As described above, after the fuel pump module 14 is inserted into the opening 16, the fuel pump module 14 is fixed to the bottom 12 d via the fixing structure 20 only by rotating the housing 23 in a predetermined direction. The fixing action by the fixing structure 20 is released simply by rotating the lens to the right. Therefore, even if the movable range of the fuel pump module 14 is a very narrow structure, there is an advantage that the fuel pump module 14 can be easily and reliably fixed in the fuel tank 12.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a fixing structure 70 constituting a fuel tank system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same components as those in the fuel tank system 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Similarly, in the third and subsequent embodiments described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fixing structure 70 includes a taper member (bracket portion) 72 fixed to the bottom portion 12d in the fuel tank 12, and a taper hole (opening portion) 74 provided on the bottom surface of the housing 23 into which the taper member 72 can enter. Prepare. When the taper surface 72a of the taper member 72 is press-fitted into the taper hole 74, the fuel pump module 14 is fixed to the bottom 12d. That is, the fixed portion 76 is configured by the tapered surface 72 a and the tapered hole 74.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, by pressing the housing 23 against the taper member 72, the fuel pump module 14 is fixed to the bottom 12d of the fuel tank 12 under the fixing action of the taper surface 72a and the taper hole 74. Can do. As a result, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a fixing structure 80 constituting a fuel tank system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The fixing structure 80 includes a bracket portion 82 fixed to the bottom portion 12d in the fuel tank 12, and a fixing portion 84 that fixes the fuel pump module 14 to the bottom portion 12d by pressing the housing 23 against the bracket portion 82. Prepare.

  The bracket portion 82 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a recess 86 that accommodates the lower end portion side of the housing 23. The fixing portion 84 includes a circumferential groove 88 formed on the outer periphery on the lower side of the housing 23, and a predetermined number of spheres 90 that engage with the circumferential groove 88 are disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the bracket portion 82 via springs 92. And pressed against the circumferential groove 88 side.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, the spherical body 90 can be engaged with the circumferential groove 88 of the housing 23 by pressing the housing 23 against the bracket portion 82, and the fuel pump module 14 can be fixed to the bottom portion 12d. become. For this reason, in 3rd Embodiment, the effect similar to said 1st and 2nd embodiment is acquired.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the fuel pump module 102 constituting the fuel tank system 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the fuel tank system 100, the flange portion 22 constituting the fuel pump module 102 is fixed by screwing the lock nut 46 into the screw portion 18, but the holding structure is not used. Therefore, the fuel pump module 102 is fixed to the fuel tank 12 via the fixing structure 20, and the flange portion 22 and the reservoir portion 24 are connected by the connecting portion 26.

  As a result, in the fourth embodiment, the fuel tank 12 is not affected by fluctuations in the internal pressure, and the fuel tank 12 can be reliably prevented from being deformed. The same effect as in the embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the fuel pump module 112 constituting the fuel tank system 110 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the fuel tank system 110, the flange portion 22 constituting the fuel pump module 112 is coupled to the screw portion 18 via the holding structure 35, while the fixing structure 20 is not used. That is, the fuel pump module 112 is placed on the bottom 12 d of the fuel tank 12. Therefore, in the fuel pump module 112, the flange portion 22 and the reservoir portion 24 are coupled by the coupling portion 26, and the screw portion 18 is held with respect to the flange portion 22.

  As a result, in the fifth embodiment, the fuel tank 12 is not affected by fluctuations in the internal pressure, and the deformation of the fuel tank 12 can be reliably prevented. The same effect as in the embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the fuel pump module 122 constituting the fuel tank system 120 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the fuel tank system 120, a holding structure and a fixing structure are not used. Therefore, in the fuel pump module 122, the flange portion 22 and the reservoir portion 24 are coupled by the coupling portion 26.

  As a result, in the sixth embodiment, the fuel tank 12 is not affected by fluctuations in the internal pressure, and the deformation of the fuel tank 12 can be reliably prevented. The same effect as in the embodiment can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 100, 110, 120 ... Fuel tank system 12 ... Fuel tank 12d, 23a ... Bottom part 14, 102, 112, 122 ... Fuel pump module 16, 58 ... Opening part 18 ... Screw part 20, 70, 80 ... Fixing mechanism 22 ... Flange part 24 ... Reservoir part 26 ... Coupling part 28 ... Fuel pump 38 ... Projection part 40 ... Outer flange part 42 ... Inner flange part 44 ... Packing 46 ... Lock nut 48 ... Post 54 ... Springs 56, 82 ... Bracket part 60, 76, 84 ... fixed portion 62 ... locking member 62a, 64, 72a ... taper surface 72 ... taper member 74 ... taper hole 86 ... concave portion 88 ... circumferential groove 90 ... spherical body 92 ... spring

Claims (4)

A fuel tank for storing fuel;
A fuel pump module that is inserted into an opening provided in the fuel tank and delivers the fuel to the outside of the fuel tank;
A fuel tank system comprising:
The fuel tank includes a fuel tank wall portion that circulates around the opening and is erected outward and above the opening.
The fuel pump module includes a flange portion that closes the opening;
A reservoir for storing the fuel;
A coupling portion coupling the flange portion and the reservoir portion;
With
The fuel tank wall is formed with a protrusion that protrudes in the inner diameter direction of the opening,
The flange portion has an outer flange portion disposed outside the projecting portion, and an inner flange portion disposed inside the projecting portion,
The flange portion and the opening portion are coupled in a state where the protruding portion is disposed between the outer flange portion and the inner flange portion,
A seal member is disposed on the upper surface of the protrusion,
The seal member is sandwiched between the outer flange portion and the protruding portion;
A fixing structure for fixing the fuel pump module is provided at the bottom of the fuel tank,
The fuel tank system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling portion constitutes a pressure receiving structure for receiving a change in the internal pressure of the fuel tank and suppressing deformation of the fuel tank. The fuel tank system according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing structure includes a bracket portion fixed to the bottom portion in the fuel tank,
An opening provided on a bottom surface of the reservoir portion, into which the bracket portion can enter;
A fixing portion for fixing the fuel pump module to the bottom portion of the fuel tank by rotating the reservoir portion in a state where the bracket portion is inserted into the opening;
A fuel tank system comprising: The fuel tank system according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing structure includes a bracket portion fixed to the bottom portion in the fuel tank,
A fixing part for fixing the fuel pump module to the bottom part of the fuel tank by pressing the reservoir part against the bracket part;
A fuel tank system comprising: The fuel tank system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling portion, that receives the internal pressure change in the fuel tank to maintain so as not to vary the distance between the reservoir portion and the flange portion A featured fuel tank system.

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