JP5617760B2 - Metal ion removal device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a metal ion removing device that removes metal ions contained in a fuel, and more particularly to a mounting structure of a metal ion removing filter on a fuel filter or a fuel tank.

[Conventional technology]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a fuel supply device that supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine (engine) such as a diesel engine is known.
The fuel supplied to the engine contains various metal components (for example, trace amounts of metal ions such as Na and K) as impurities, and a fatty acid such as oleic acid as a lubricant. For this reason, an unexpected reaction product of a metal component and a component in the fuel may be generated in the fuel. For example, a salt reaction may occur between a metal ion and a fatty acid, and a fatty acid metal salt may be generated.

Since this fatty acid metal salt is generally insoluble in fuel, if it deposits and deposits on the sliding portion of a fuel injection device (for example, an injector) that injects fuel into the engine, it will cause malfunction of the injector. There's a problem.
Therefore, a structure in which a metal ion removal mechanism is mounted in a fuel supply passage between a fuel tank and a high-pressure fuel pump is known (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
The metal ion removal mechanism is a cylindrical housing that forms a fuel flow path for the fuel that is drawn from the fuel tank into the high-pressure fuel pump, and is attached to the inside of the housing and filled with a large number of ion-exchange resin particles. Cartridge.

The cartridge has a case main body that is open at both ends in the fuel flow direction, a first mesh that is installed so as to close the upstream opening end of the case main body, and a downstream opening end of the case main body. And a second mesh to be installed.
The two first and second meshes prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the cartridge, and prevent a large number of ion exchange resin particles filled in the cartridge from flowing out of the cartridge.
The case main body and the two first and second meshes are made of non-deformable materials that are difficult to elastically deform.

[Conventional technical problems]
However, in the metal ion removal mechanism described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the ion exchange resin particles filled in the cartridge absorb fuel and swell. The ion exchange resin particles have a characteristic that the volume increases when the fuel swells.
Thereby, in the case where ion exchange resin particles are filled between the inside of the case main body made of non-deformable material and the two first and second meshes made of non-deformable material, The gap between the ion exchange resin particles provided next to each other is reduced by increasing the volume.

As a result, the cross-sectional area of the flow path through which the fuel can pass decreases, so the pressure loss of the fuel flow that passes through the gap between the adjacent ion exchange resin particles increases, and the energy loss with respect to the pump efficiency of the high-pressure fuel pump increases. There is a problem of becoming.
In addition, since the ion exchange resin particles collide with each other, there is a concern that the ion exchange resin particles are crushed or damaged, and thus the capacity (internal volume) of the filling chamber of the cartridge needs to be increased.
However, when a metal ion removal mechanism having a cartridge with a large capacity in the filling chamber is mounted inside a fuel filter with a limited mounting space, it is difficult to secure a mounting space for the metal ion removal mechanism.

On the other hand, when the filling amount of the ion exchange resin particles inside the cartridge is reduced to reduce the pressure loss of the fuel flow, the ion exchange particles can move in the filling chamber. There is a concern that defects such as the collision of the ion-exchange resin particles with each other may occur. In addition, since the gap between adjacent ion exchange resin particles is widened, it is impossible to secure a sufficient amount of ion exchange resin particles for the capacity of the filling chamber of the cartridge. Thereby, there exists a problem that the performance which removes the metal ion by a metal ion removal mechanism, ie, ion exchange efficiency, falls.
In order to efficiently mount the metal ion removing mechanism in a space-saving manner, the ion exchange resin mounting structure that does not require the mounting space described above is required.

Japanese Patent No. 431332 JP 2010-138782 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a metal ion removing apparatus capable of saving the mounting space. Another object of the present invention is to provide a metal ion removing apparatus capable of improving the removal efficiency of metal ions.

  The invention (metal ion removing device) described in claim 1 includes an ion exchanger that removes metal ions contained in the fuel, and a container that forms a storage chamber that houses the ion exchanger. The container has an ion exchange nonwoven fabric that prevents the ion exchanger from flowing out of the container (storage chamber) to the outside of the container, allows the passage of fuel, and removes metal ions contained in the fuel. ing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the ion exchanger that removes the metal ions contained in the fuel is housed inside the container storage chamber. In this ion exchanger, outflow from the inside of the container (storage chamber) to the outside of the container is suppressed (prevented) by the ion exchange nonwoven fabric.
As a result, even when the volume of the ion exchanger accommodated in the container storage chamber increases due to fuel swelling or thermal expansion, the ion exchange nonwoven fabric easily deforms in response to the increase in volume of the ion exchanger. Since it is a member, it is not necessary to increase the capacity (internal volume) in the storage chamber of the container in advance in accordance with the characteristic that the volume of the ion exchanger increases. Thereby, since the mounting amount of the ion exchanger can be sufficiently secured with respect to the capacity of the container storage chamber, the removal efficiency of metal ions can be improved.

Therefore, since the physique of the whole container can be reduced in size (compact), the mounting space of the whole apparatus can be easily ensured. Thereby, since the space saving of the mounting space of the whole apparatus can be achieved, the mounting property of the whole apparatus with respect to a vehicle can be improved, for example.
In addition, since a part of the container is made of an ion exchange nonwoven fabric, not only the ion exchanger accommodated in the container storage chamber, but also the ion exchange nonwoven fabric itself serves as a filter member that removes metal ions contained in the fuel. It has a function. Thereby, the removal efficiency of a metal ion can be aimed at compared with what removes the metal ion contained in fuel only by an ion exchanger (conventional technique).
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the fuel supply system for supplying fuel from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine includes a metal ion removing device (a container having a holding portion made of ion-exchange nonwoven fabric, and a storage chamber of the container). The ion exchanger to be accommodated) is mounted.
In this case, metal ions contained in the fuel supplied from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine can be removed by the ion exchanger and the ion exchange nonwoven fabric.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the fuel tank has the fuel storage chamber for storing the fuel of the internal combustion engine, and the fuel supply passage for guiding the fuel from the fuel supply port to the fuel storage chamber. A container is installed inside the fuel supply passage.
In this case, the fuel supplied into the fuel tank through the fuel supply passage and the metal ions contained in the fuel from the fuel supply port toward the fuel storage chamber can be removed by the ion exchanger and the ion exchange nonwoven fabric.
Further, even when a sufficient amount of the ion exchanger is secured with respect to the capacity of the container storage chamber, the container is installed inside the fuel supply passage, so that the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank The increase in pressure loss and flow path resistance with respect to the fuel flow supplied to the internal combustion engine, that is, the fuel supply from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine can be suppressed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the container has a cylindrical case in which a storage chamber is formed.
The case is provided with an opening that opens at the upstream end or the downstream end of the storage chamber on the upstream side or the downstream side in the flow direction of the fuel flowing through the storage chamber.
The ion exchange nonwoven fabric is installed so as to close the opening of the case body.
In addition, even when a non-deformable member that is difficult to stretch and deform in response to an increase in the volume of the ion exchanger is used as the material (material) of the case, an ion exchange nonwoven fabric is installed so as to close the opening of the case body. Thus, it is not necessary to increase the capacity (internal volume) of the housing body of the case body in advance in accordance with the characteristic that the volume of the ion exchanger increases.

According to the invention described in claim 3 , the fuel tank has the fuel storage chamber for storing the fuel of the internal combustion engine. A container is installed inside the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank.
In this case, metal ions contained in the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank can be removed by the ion exchanger and the ion exchange nonwoven fabric.
In addition, even when a sufficient amount of ion exchanger is secured relative to the capacity of the container storage chamber, the container is installed inside the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank. It is also possible to suppress an increase in pressure loss and flow path resistance with respect to the fuel flow supplied from the storage chamber to the internal combustion engine, that is, the fuel supply from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the fuel supply system is installed between the fuel tank that pressurizes the fuel sucked from the fuel tank and discharges the fuel toward the internal combustion engine, and the fuel tank. And a fuel filter that removes foreign matters contained in the fuel from the fuel tank toward the fuel pump. A container is installed between the fuel tank and the fuel filter.
In this case, metal ions contained in the fuel traveling from the fuel tank to the fuel filter can be removed by the ion exchanger and the ion exchange nonwoven fabric.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fuel supply system is installed between the fuel tank and the fuel pump, a fuel pump that pressurizes the fuel sucked from the fuel tank and discharges the fuel toward the internal combustion engine side. And a fuel filter having a filter element for removing foreign substances contained in the fuel from the fuel tank toward the fuel pump side. A container is installed inside the fuel filter.
Here, inside the fuel filter, a metal ion removing device (a container, an ion exchanger, an ion exchange nonwoven fabric) is installed upstream or downstream in the fuel flow direction from the filter element.
In this case, metal ions contained in the fuel before being filtered by the filter element can be removed by the ion exchanger and the ion exchange nonwoven fabric.
Further, metal ions contained in the fuel after being filtered by the filter element can be removed by the ion exchanger and the ion exchange nonwoven fabric.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, as the ion exchanger, a multiparticulate ion exchange resin filled in the interior of the container or bag storage chamber is employed. Further, a fibrous ion exchange resin, an ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric, or a chelate resin may be employed.
Moreover, you may form an ion exchanger and an ion exchange nonwoven fabric with the metal ion capture | acquisition material which capture | acquires the metal ion in a fuel.
In addition, as an ion exchange nonwoven fabric, you may employ | adopt the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric which comprises some containers (wall body) or a bag body.

It is the block diagram which showed the common rail type fuel injection system (Example 1). It is the schematic diagram which showed the mounting structure of the metal ion removal filter with respect to a fuel tank (Example 1). (A), (b) is sectional drawing which showed the main structures of the metal ion removal filter (Example 1). (Example 2) which was sectional drawing which showed the mounting structure of the metal ion removal filter with respect to a fuel filter. (Example 3) which is sectional drawing which showed the mounting structure of the metal ion removal filter with respect to a fuel filter. (Example 4) which is sectional drawing which showed the mounting structure of the metal ion removal filter with respect to a fuel filter. (Example 5) which is the schematic diagram which showed the mounting structure of the metal ion removal filter with respect to a fuel tank. (Example 6) which is the schematic diagram which showed the mounting structure of the metal ion removal filter with respect to a fuel tank. (Example 6) which is sectional drawing which showed the metal ion removal filter.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The object of the present invention is to reduce the mounting space and further to improve the removal efficiency of metal ions by using an ion exchange nonwoven fabric as a material of the holding portion of the container. . Moreover, it realized by using an ion exchange nonwoven fabric as a material (material) of a bag.

[Configuration of Example 1]
1 to 3 show Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a view showing a common rail fuel injection system, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a mounting structure of a metal ion removal filter on a fuel tank. is there.

A fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine of the present embodiment includes a storage tank (hereinafter referred to as a fuel tank 1) for storing fuel of an internal combustion engine (engine) such as a multi-cylinder diesel engine having a plurality of cylinders (for example, four cylinders); And a fuel supply system for supplying fuel from the fuel tank 1 to the engine.
The fuel supply system is mounted in an engine room of a vehicle such as an automobile, and is configured by a common rail fuel injection system (accumulated pressure fuel injection device) known as a fuel injection system for a diesel engine.

  The common rail fuel injection system includes a fuel filter 2 that removes foreign matters contained in fuel pumped from a fuel tank 1, a high-pressure fuel pump 3 that pressurizes the fuel sucked from the fuel filter 2 to increase the pressure, and the high-pressure fuel. A common rail 4 into which high-pressure fuel is introduced from the discharge port of the pump 3 and a plurality of injectors 5 to which high-pressure fuel is distributed and supplied from each outlet port of the common rail 4 are stored (accumulated pressure) inside the common rail 4. The high pressure fuel is injected and supplied into the combustion chamber of each cylinder of the engine via each injector 5.

Between the fuel tank 1 and the fuel filter 2, a metal ion removal filter 6 that removes metal ions contained in the fuel from the fuel tank 1 toward the fuel filter 2 is installed.
The metal ion removal filter 6 includes a multiparticulate ion exchange resin (hereinafter referred to as a plurality of ion exchange resin beads 7), a cylindrical filter case (container) 8, and ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12.
Details of the metal ion removal filter 6 will be described later.

The fuel tank 1 is connected to a filler neck in which a fuel filler opening is formed through an inlet pipe in which a fuel fuel supply passage 14 (see FIG. 7) is formed. A fuel storage chamber 15 for storing fuel is formed inside the fuel tank 1.
The common rail fuel injection system includes a fuel supply pipe extending from the fuel tank 1 to the plurality of injectors 5. The fuel supply pipe includes a low-pressure fuel pipe extending from the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 through the fuel filter 2 to the suction port of the high-pressure fuel pump 3, and each inlet of the plurality of injectors 5 from the high-pressure fuel pump 3 through the common rail 4. High-pressure fuel piping extending to

The low-pressure fuel pipe has a supply pipe 21 that supplies fuel from the fuel tank 1 to the inlet of the fuel filter 2, a supply pipe 22 that supplies fuel from the outlet of the fuel filter 2 to the suction port of the high-pressure fuel pump 3, and the like. Yes.
The high-pressure fuel pipe includes a supply pipe 23 that supplies fuel from the discharge port of the high-pressure fuel pump 3 to the inlet port of the common rail 4, and a supply pipe 24 that supplies fuel from each outlet port of the common rail 4 to each inlet of the plurality of injectors 5. Etc.

Here, a direct injection diesel engine in which fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber is employed as the engine.
An intake port and an exhaust port communicate with the combustion chamber for each cylinder of the engine. An intake manifold and an intake pipe are connected to the intake port of the engine. Further, an exhaust manifold and an exhaust pipe are connected to the exhaust port of the engine.

  The fuel filter 2 has a filter element and a filter case for housing the filter element. The filter element has a filter medium such as filter paper or a honeycomb-shaped filter element installed in an internal space formed in the filter case. Impurities contained in the fuel flowing from the fuel tank 1 (such as solids such as dust and rust) Substances, foreign matters such as sludge such as carbon and gum-like substances and moisture) are filtered or trapped and separated from the fuel.

The high-pressure fuel pump 3 is an engine-driven supply pump, which is a feed pump that pumps fuel from the fuel tank 1 through the fuel filter 2, and an electromagnetic fuel that sucks and measures the fuel supplied from the feed pump It is constituted by a metering valve (solenoid valve) and a pump element (plunger, cylinder) and the like for increasing the pressure of fuel supplied from the solenoid valve into the pressurizing chamber and feeding it to the common rail 4 and the injector 5.
The common rail 4 is a pressure accumulating container that accumulates high-pressure fuel corresponding to the fuel injection pressure. A pressure limiter (pressure regulator) and a fuel pressure sensor (common rail pressure sensor) are attached to the common rail 4. The high-pressure fuel pump 3 or the common rail 4 constitutes a high-pressure generator that generates high-pressure fuel.

The engine is equipped with a plurality of injectors 5 for injecting and supplying fuel into the combustion chamber for each cylinder.
The injector 5 for each cylinder includes a nozzle needle that opens and closes a nozzle hole for injecting fuel, a spring that urges the nozzle needle in the nozzle hole closing direction, and an actuator that opens and closes the needle valve (solenoid actuator or piezo actuator). Etc. are constituted.

The power supplied to the solenoid valve of the high-pressure fuel pump 3 and each actuator of the plurality of injectors 5 is controlled by an engine control unit (electronic control unit: hereinafter referred to as ECU 25) including a pump drive circuit and an injector drive circuit. It is comprised so that.
The ECU 25 includes functions of a CPU that performs control processing and arithmetic processing, a storage device (memory such as ROM and RAM) that stores various programs and control data, an input circuit (input unit), an output circuit (output unit), and the like. The microcomputer of the known structure comprised by is incorporated. A pump drive circuit is connected between the output part of the microcomputer and the solenoid valve of the high-pressure fuel pump 3. An injector drive circuit is connected between the output unit of the microcomputer and each actuator of the plurality of injectors 5.
The sensor output signals from the common rail pressure sensor attached to the common rail 4 and the sensor output signals from various sensors are A / D converted by the A / D conversion circuit and then input to the input unit of the microcomputer. It is configured as follows.

Here, not only the common rail pressure sensor but also a crank angle sensor, an accelerator opening sensor, a cooling water temperature sensor, a fuel temperature sensor, an intake air temperature sensor, and the like are connected to the input portion of the microcomputer. The microcomputer also has a function as a rotational speed detecting means for detecting the engine rotational speed (NE) by measuring the interval time of the NE pulse signal that is a sensor output signal output from the crank angle sensor.
In addition, when an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on (IG / ON), the ECU 25 determines the optimum fuel based on the sensor output signals from the common rail pressure sensor and the various sensors and the control program stored in the memory. The injection characteristic is calculated, and the power supplied to the solenoid valve of the high-pressure fuel pump 3 (so-called pump drive signal) and the power supplied to each actuator of the plurality of injectors 5 (so-called injector drive signal) are electronically controlled. Has been.
The optimal fuel injection characteristics are the fuel injection pressure (command injection pressure) into the combustion chamber for each cylinder of the engine, the fuel injection start timing (command injection timing) of each injector 5, and the valve opening period of each injector 5. It is an optimum value such as (command injection period determined from command injection amount and command injection pressure).

Next, the detailed structure of the metal ion removal filter (metal ion removal device) 6 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main structure of the metal ion removal filter.
The metal ion removal filter 6 is installed in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1. The metal ion removal filter 6 is connected to the upstream end of the supply pipe 21 in the fuel flow direction. Specifically, the metal ion removal filter 6 is immersed in the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1.

The metal ion removal filter 6 includes a filter case 8 having a plurality of ion exchange resin beads 7 for removing metal ions contained in the fuel, a bead storage chamber 31 for accommodating these ion exchange resin beads 7, and the filter case 8. An ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 11 installed so as to close the upstream opening (inlet port), and an ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 12 installed so as to close the downstream opening (exit port) of the filter case 8; It has.
The filter case 8 is integrally formed of a non-deformable member (synthetic resin) that is difficult to expand and contract in response to an increase in volume accompanying fuel swelling or thermal expansion of the plurality of ion exchange resin beads 7. A cylindrical bead storage chamber 31 is formed inside the filter case 8.

In the filter case 8, an inlet port (inlet port) that forms a fuel suction port for sucking the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 is opened at the upstream end in the fuel flow direction.
Further, the filter case 8 has an outlet port (exit port) connected to the upstream end of the supply pipe 21 in the fuel flow direction at the downstream end in the fuel flow direction.
The filter case 8 is installed in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 so that fuel flows from the lower side to the upper side in the direction of gravity (the vehicle vertical direction).
In addition, you may install in the filter case 8 so that a fuel may flow toward the downward side from the upper side of the gravity direction (vehicle up-down direction).
Moreover, you may install in the inside of the filter case 8 so that a fuel may flow toward the other side from the one side of a horizontal direction (vehicle left-right direction or vehicle front-back direction).
Further, the fuel may meander and flow inside the filter case 8.
Further, the inside of the filter case 8 may be made to flow in a U shape.

The plurality of ion exchange resin beads 7 are filled in the bead storage chamber 31 of the filter case 8. These ion exchange resin beads 7 may be in the form of a capsule or the like that contains a spherical (spherical), polyhedral (polygonal, cubic, or cuboid) or powder ion exchange resin. good.
The plurality of ion exchange resin beads 7 captures metal ions eluted into the fuel sucked into the bead storage chamber 31 of the filter case 8 from the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 by exchange adsorption or the like. That is, the ion exchange resin beads 7 are multiparticulate substances capable of separating and removing metal components (metal ions) contained in the fuel from the fuel.

The ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 11 is provided so as to close the inlet port of the filter case 8. For example, only the outer peripheral portion of the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 11 is welded (held) to the opening edge of the filter case 8.
The ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 12 is provided so as to close the outlet port of the filter case 8. For example, only the outer peripheral portion of the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 12 is welded (held) to the opening edge of the filter case 8.
The ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 are first and second holding portions (filter case) that prevent the ion exchange resin beads 7 from flowing out or scattering from the inside of the filter case 8 (bead storage chamber 31) to the outside of the filter case 8. 8 upstream and downstream holding portions). The ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 have functions as first and second fuel permeation portions (upstream and downstream fuel permeation portions of the filter case 8) that allow passage (distribution) of fuel.

Moreover, the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 capture | acquire the metal ion eluted in the fuel which passes self by exchange adsorption etc. That is, the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 are the first and second ion exchange nonwoven fabrics (upstream and downstream ion exchange nonwoven fabrics) capable of separating and removing metal components (metal ions) contained in the fuel from the fuel. It is.
Moreover, the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 are formed from the fiber which consists of resin which has a metal ion exchange function.
In addition, you may employ | adopt the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 which folded and overlap | superposed one nonwoven fabric sheet which consists of resin which has a metal ion exchange function in the intermediate part. Alternatively, the outer periphery of the folded ion-exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 may be welded to form a bag shape.

[Operation of Example 1]
Next, the operation of the metal ion removing device (metal ion removing filter 6) mounted on the common rail fuel injection system of this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

When the drive shaft of the high-pressure fuel pump 3 is driven and rotated by the engine, the feed pump built in the high-pressure fuel pump 3 rotates as the drive shaft rotates. Thereby, the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 is sucked from the inlet port (the fuel suction port of the supply pipe 21) of the filter case 8 and flows into the metal ion removal filter 6.
Here, it passes through the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 11 held and fixed to the inlet port of the filter case 8 and flows into the filter case 8. At this time, the metal component (metal ion) eluted in the fuel passing through the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 11 is captured by the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 11 by exchange adsorption or the like. That is, the metal component (metal ion) contained in the fuel is separated and removed from the surplus fuel by the ion removing ability of the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 11.

The fuel that has passed through the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 11 and has flowed into the filter case 8 comes into contact with a number of ion exchange resin beads 7 filled in the filter case 8.
At this time, metal components (metal ions) eluted in the fuel flowing into the filter case 8 are captured by a large number of ion exchange resin beads 7 by exchange adsorption or the like. That is, the metal component (metal ions) contained in the fuel is separated and removed from the surplus fuel by the ion removing ability of the ion exchange resin beads 7.
The surplus fuel from which the metal component (metal ions) has been separated and removed by the ion exchange resin beads 7 passes through the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 12 held and fixed to the outlet port of the filter case 8 and flows out of the filter case 8. At this time, the metal component (metal ion) eluted in the fuel passing through the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 12 is captured by the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 12 by exchange adsorption or the like. That is, the metal component (metal ion) contained in the fuel is separated and removed from the surplus fuel by the ion removing ability of the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 12.

The fuel that has flowed out of the metal ion removal filter 6 flows into the fuel filter 2 through the supply pipe 21. Here, when the fuel passes through the fuel filter 2, foreign substances contained in the fuel are separated and removed.
Then, the fuel filtered and purified by the fuel filter 2 flows into the high-pressure fuel pump 3 through the supply pipe 22.
The high pressure fuel pump 3 pressurizes the fuel flowing in from the fuel filter 2 through the supply pipe 22 to increase the pressure in the pressurizing chamber, and discharges the high pressure fuel from the discharge port of the high pressure fuel pump 3 to the common rail 4. Supply.
The high-pressure fuel discharged from the discharge port of the high-pressure fuel pump 3 flows through the supply pipe 23 into the common rail 4 (accumulation chamber) from the inlet port, and is temporarily accumulated in the accumulation chamber.

Here, when the injection timing (injection timing) of the injector 5 mounted on the first cylinder among the plurality of cylinders (for example, the first to fourth cylinders) of the engine is reached, energization to the actuator of the injector 5 is started. . As a result, the nozzle needle of the injector 5 mounted on the first cylinder of the engine opens the injection hole, so that fuel injection into the combustion chamber of the first cylinder of the engine is started.
And if the command injection period passes from injection timing, electricity supply to the actuator of injector 5 will be stopped. As a result, the nozzle needle of the injector 5 mounted on the first cylinder of the engine closes the injection hole, so that the fuel injection into the combustion chamber of the first cylinder of the engine is completed.
Further, high-pressure fuel is distributed and supplied from the common rail 4 to the injectors 5 mounted on the other cylinders (second to fourth cylinders) excluding the first cylinder of the engine, and sequentially into the combustion chambers of the second to fourth cylinders of the engine. Supplied by injection. As a result, the engine is operated.

[Effect of Example 1]
As described above, in the common rail fuel injection system of this embodiment, the metal ion removing device (metal ion removing filter 6) is mounted on the fuel supply system that supplies fuel from the fuel tank 1 to the engine.
The metal ion removal filter 6 is connected to the upstream end (fuel suction port) of the supply pipe 21 in the fuel flow direction. Specifically, the metal ion removal filter 6 is immersed in the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1.

Here, the metal ion removal filter 6 incorporates a large number of ion exchange resin beads 7 for removing metal ions contained in the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 and these ion exchange resin beads 7. The filter case 8 and ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 for removing metal ions contained in the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 are provided.
In the inlet port and outlet port of the filter case 8, ion-exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 are installed (held and fixed).
A large number of ion exchange resin beads 7 filled in the bead storage chamber 31 of the filter case 8 are discharged from the inside of the filter case 8 (bead storage chamber 31) to the outside of the filter case 8. 11 and 12 (suppressed (prevented)).

Thereby, even if the volume of the plurality of ion exchange resin beads 7 accommodated in the bead storage chamber 31 of the filter case 8 is increased due to fuel swelling, thermal expansion (see FIG. 3B), etc., the ion exchange resin. Since the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 are deformable members that easily expand and contract in response to the increase in the volume of the beads 7, the inside of the bead storage chamber 31 of the filter case 8 according to the characteristic that the volume of the ion exchange resin beads 7 increases in advance. There is no need to increase the capacity (internal volume). Thereby, since the mounting amount of the ion exchange resin beads 7 can be sufficiently secured with respect to the capacity of the bead storage chamber 31 of the filter case 8, it is possible to improve the removal efficiency of metal ions.
Therefore, since the physique of the whole filter case 8 can be reduced in size (compact), the mounting space of the entire apparatus can be easily secured. Thereby, since the space for mounting the entire metal ion removal filter 6 can be reduced, for example, the mountability of the entire metal ion removal filter 6 on the vehicle can be improved.

  In addition, since a part of the filter case 8 (the wall body and the lid that closes the inlet port and the outlet port of the filter case 8) is composed of the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12, the bead storage chamber 31 of the filter case 8 has Not only the ion exchange resin beads 7 accommodated, but also the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12 themselves have a function as a filter member for removing metal ions contained in the fuel. Thereby, the removal efficiency of a metal ion can be improved compared with what removes the metal ion contained in a fuel only with the ion exchange resin bead 7 (conventional technique).

  FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing a mounting structure of a metal ion removing filter on a fuel filter.

The fuel filter 2 of the present embodiment accommodates a metal ion removal filter 6, a filter element 41 that removes foreign matters contained in the fuel, a cementer 42 as a water collecting chamber, the metal ion removal filter 6 and the filter element 41. And a synthetic resin housing 43.
The housing 43 is divided into an upper case and a lower case (not shown). The housing 43 is integrated by welding the welding surfaces of the upper case and the lower case after housing the filter element 41 and the cementer 42 in the lower case.

In the housing 43, an inlet pipe 44 connected to the downstream end of the supply pipe 21 in the fuel flow direction and an outlet pipe 45 connected to the upstream end of the supply pipe 21 in the fuel flow direction are formed.
The path of the fuel flowing inside the housing 43 of the fuel filter 2 includes a fuel introduction channel 46 through which fuel is introduced from the fuel tank 1, the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 11, the bead storage chamber 31, the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 12, the sedimentator 42, and A fuel introduction passage 47 and the like for leading the fuel to the high-pressure fuel pump 3 are configured.
The bead storage chamber 31 formed in the filter case 7 is a fuel introduction channel that guides fuel to a lower portion (sedimenter 42) of the housing 43, and is arranged coaxially with the housing 43.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the metal ion removal filter 6 is constituted by ion exchange resin beads 7, a filter case 8, ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12, and the like.
The filter element 41 is a substance particle removal filter that captures substance particles. The filter element 41 is disposed downstream of the metal ion removal filter 6 in the fuel flow direction. Further, the filter element 41 separates and removes impurities (solid matter such as dust and rust, sludge and moisture such as carbon and gum-like substances) contained in the fuel by filtering or capturing them.

  The lower part of the housing 43 of the fuel filter 2 is provided with a water separation function for separating water in the fuel from the fuel. By using the specific gravity difference between the fuel and water inside the housing 43 to sink to the lower side (lower side in the drawing) of the metal ion removal filter 6 and the filter element 41 in the gravity direction, the water collecting portion on the lower side of the housing 43 (Sedimenter 42). A drain valve 49 is provided on the pipe 48 extending downward from the bottom of the housing 43 to discharge the water stored in the cementer 42 to the outside.

As described above, in the common rail fuel injection system of this embodiment, the metal ion removing device (metal ion removing filter 6) is mounted on the fuel supply system that supplies fuel from the fuel tank 1 to the engine.
A metal ion removal filter 6 that removes metal ions contained in the fuel from the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 to the suction port of the high-pressure fuel pump 3 is accommodated (installed) in the housing 43 of the fuel filter 2. Has been. As a result, the metal ions contained in the fuel flowing into the housing 43 from the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 are removed by the ion exchange resin beads 7 and the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12.
Therefore, the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

  FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention and shows a mounting structure of a metal ion removal filter on a fuel filter.

The metal ion removal filter 6 of the present embodiment is composed of ion exchange resin beads 7, a filter case 8, ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11, 12 and the like, as in the first and second embodiments. Unlike the second embodiment, the metal ion removing filter 6 is disposed outside the filter element 41.
In the common rail fuel injection system of this embodiment, the metal ion removal filter 6 is accommodated (installed) inside the housing 43 of the fuel filter 2. As a result, the metal ions contained in the fuel flowing into the housing 43 from the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 are removed by the ion exchange resin beads 7 and the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12.
Therefore, the same operations and effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be achieved.

  FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing a mounting structure of a metal ion removing filter on a fuel filter.

The metal ion removal filter 6 of the present embodiment is composed of ion exchange resin beads 7, a filter case 8, ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11, 12 and the like, as in the first to third embodiments. Unlike the second embodiment, the metal ion removal filter 6 is disposed downstream of the filter element 41 in the fuel flow direction.
In the common rail fuel injection system of this embodiment, the metal ion removal filter 6 is accommodated (installed) inside the housing 43 of the fuel filter 2. As a result, the metal ions contained in the fuel flowing into the housing 43 from the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 are removed by the ion exchange resin beads 7 and the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12.
Therefore, the same operations and effects as those of Examples 1 to 3 can be achieved.

  FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a mounting structure of a metal ion removing filter on a fuel tank.

The metal ion removal filter 6 of this example is composed of ion exchange resin beads 7, a filter case 8, ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11, 12 and the like, as in Examples 1-4.
In the common rail fuel injection system of the present embodiment, metal ions are placed inside a fuel supply passage (fuel supply hole) 14 for supplying fuel from a fuel supply port formed in a filler neck to a fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1. A removal filter 6 is accommodated (installed). Thereby, the metal ions contained in the fuel flowing into the fuel supply passage 14 from the fuel supply port are removed by the ion exchange resin beads 7 and the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11 and 12.
Therefore, the same operations and effects as in Examples 1 to 4 can be achieved.
Even when the mounting amount of the ion exchange resin beads 7 is sufficiently secured with respect to the capacity of the bead storage chamber 31 of the filter case 8, the filter case 8 is installed inside the fuel supply passage 14. Therefore, the fuel flow supplied from the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 to the engine, that is, an increase in pressure loss and flow path resistance with respect to the fuel supply from the fuel tank 1 to the engine can be suppressed.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 show Embodiment 6 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view showing a mounting structure of a metal ion removal filter on a fuel tank, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a metal ion removal filter. .

The metal ion removal filter 6 of the present embodiment includes a large number of ion exchange resin beads 7 that can remove metal ions contained in fuel, and a drawstring bag (bag body) 9 that accommodates the ion exchange resin beads 7 inside. It has.
The drawstring bag 9 is composed of an ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 13 capable of removing metal ions contained in the fuel. The drawstring bag 9 has an opening for containing the ion exchange resin beads 7 therein. This opening is fastened by the fastening string 10, and the outflow or scattering of the ion exchange resin beads 7 to the outside is prevented. The bead storage chamber 51 of the drawstring bag 9 is filled with a large number of ion exchange resin beads 7.

The drawstring bag 9 itself (the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 13 constituting the drawstring bag 9) flows out of the ion exchange resin beads 7 from the inside of the drawstring bag 9 (bead storage chamber 51) to the outside of the filter case 8. Or it has the function as a holding part which prevents scattering. Moreover, the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 13 has a function as a fuel permeation part that allows passage (distribution) of fuel.
In addition, one ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric sheet made of a resin having a metal ion exchange function is folded in half at an intermediate portion, and the outer periphery of the folded ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric sheet is welded to form a drawstring bag shape. May be.

In the common rail fuel injection system of the present embodiment, a drawstring bag 9 constituting the metal ion removal filter 6 is immersed in the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1. Thereby, metal ions contained in the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 are removed by the drawstring bag 9 made of the ion exchange resin beads 7 and the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 13.
Therefore, the same operations and effects as those of Examples 1 to 5 can be achieved.
Further, even when the mounting amount of the ion exchange resin beads 7 is sufficiently secured with respect to the capacity of the bead storage chamber 31 of the filter case 8, the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1. Since the drawstring bag 9 made of the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 13 is immersed therein, the fuel flow supplied from the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 to the engine, that is, the pressure loss with respect to the fuel supply from the fuel tank 1 to the engine and An increase in channel resistance can be suppressed.

[Modification]
In this embodiment, the ion exchanger of the present invention is constituted by the ion exchange resin beads 7 which are particulate ion exchange resins. However, the ion exchanger of the present invention is in the form of powder, fiber or membrane. The ion exchange resin, the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric, the ion exchange particles, the ion exchange nonwoven fabric, or the ion exchange membrane may be used. Further, as the ion exchanger, active particles such as a chelate resin or activated carbon may be used instead of the ion exchange resin.

In the present Example, although the ion exchange nonwoven fabric of this invention is comprised by the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabrics 11-13, you may use the chelate resin nonwoven fabric for the ion exchange nonwoven fabric of this invention. In this embodiment, the fuel inlet / outlet is provided in the axial direction (cylinder) of the cylindrical filter case 8, but the fuel inlet / outlet may be provided in the circumferential direction of the filter case 8.
After putting the ion exchange resin beads 7 into the inside of the drawstring bag 9, the fastening string 10 that fastens and closes the opening of the drawstring bag 9 may be formed by an ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric tape.
Further, the purse bag 9 made of the ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 13 containing the ion exchange resin beads 7 may be installed inside the fuel oil supply channel 14, the supply pipes 21 to 24, the fuel filter 2, and the like. Alternatively, the drawstring bag 9 may be suspended from the upper wall portion of the fuel tank 1 and installed inside the fuel tank 1.

In this embodiment, an engine-driven feed pump (low pressure fuel pump) installed inside the high pressure fuel pump 3 is adopted. However, for example, the fuel in the fuel tank 1 installed outside the high pressure fuel pump 3 is used. A motor-driven electric fuel pump (feed pump, low-pressure fuel pump) installed in the storage chamber 15 may be employed.
In addition, the metal ion removing device (metal ion removing filter 6) discharges the fuel sucked from the sub tank accommodated in the sub tank installed in the fuel storage chamber 15 of the fuel tank 1 to the outside (internal combustion engine side). It may be installed in a pump module having a fuel pump and a cylindrical filter element (fuel filter) disposed around the fuel pump.

Further, a metal ion removing device (metal ion removing filter 6) may be installed in the return pipe for returning surplus fuel from the high pressure fuel pump 3, the common rail 4 or each injector 5 to the fuel tank 1.
Further, as the internal combustion engine (engine), a multi-cylinder gasoline engine may be used instead of the multi-cylinder diesel engine. Moreover, you may apply to a single cylinder engine. Moreover, you may apply to the fuel supply apparatus of the internal combustion engine (engine) as a drive source which drives a generator, a compressor, and an air blower.
Here, the fuel stored in the fuel storage chamber of the fuel tank 1 may be not only diesel oil and gasoline, but also alcohol mixed fuel or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel tank 2 Fuel filter 3 High pressure fuel pump 4 Common rail 5 Injector 6 Metal ion removal filter (metal ion removal apparatus)
7 Ion exchange resin beads (multiparticulate ion exchanger)
8 Filter case (container)
9 Drawstring bag (bag) made of ion-exchange resin nonwoven fabric
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 12 Ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 13 Ion exchange resin nonwoven fabric 14 Fuel supply flow path 15 Fuel storage chamber 21 Supply piping 22 Supply piping 23 Supply piping 24 Supply piping 31 Bead storage chamber of a filter case 51 Bead storage chamber of a drawstring bag

Claims (6)

An ion exchanger (7) for removing metal ions contained in the fuel;
In the metal ion removing device (6) provided with a container (8) forming a storage chamber (31) for storing the ion exchanger (7),
The container (8) prevents the ion exchanger (7) from flowing out of the storage chamber (31) to the outside of the container (8), allows passage of fuel, and contains metal contained in the fuel. Having ion-exchange nonwoven fabric (11, 12) to remove ions ,
The container (8) is mounted on a fuel supply system for supplying fuel from the fuel tank (1) to the internal combustion engine,
The fuel tank (1) has a fuel storage chamber (15) for storing fuel of the internal combustion engine, and a fuel supply passage (14) for guiding fuel from a fuel supply port to the fuel storage chamber (15). And
The metal ion removing device (6), wherein the container (8) is installed inside the fuel supply passage (14 ). In the metal ion removal apparatus (6) according to claim 1,
The container has a cylindrical case (8) in which the storage chamber (31) is formed,
The case (8) has an opening that opens at an upstream end or a downstream end of the storage chamber (31) on the upstream side or the downstream side in the flow direction of the fuel flowing through the storage chamber (31).
The said ion exchange nonwoven fabric (11, 12) is installed so that the opening part of the said case (8) may be plugged up, The metal ion removal apparatus (6) characterized by the above-mentioned. In the metal ion removal apparatus (6) according to claim 1 or 2,
The fuel tank (1) has a fuel storage chamber (15) for storing fuel of the internal combustion engine,
The container (8) is installed in the fuel storage chamber (15), and the metal ion removing device (6). In the metal ion removal apparatus (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The fuel supply system includes:
A fuel pump (3) that pressurizes the fuel drawn from the fuel tank (1) and discharges the fuel toward the internal combustion engine;
A fuel filter (2) installed between the fuel tank (1) and the fuel pump (3) to remove foreign matters contained in the fuel from the fuel tank (1) toward the fuel pump (3). When
With
The metal ion removing device (6), wherein the container (8) is installed between the fuel tank (1) and the fuel filter (2 ). In the metal ion removal apparatus (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The fuel supply system includes:
A fuel pump (3) that pressurizes the fuel drawn from the fuel tank (1) and discharges the fuel toward the internal combustion engine;
A fuel having a filter element that is installed between the fuel tank (1) and the fuel pump (3) and removes foreign matters contained in the fuel from the fuel tank (1) toward the fuel pump (3). Filter (2) and
With
The said container (8) is installed in the inside of the said fuel filter (2) , The metal ion removal apparatus (6) characterized by the above-mentioned. In the metal ion removing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 (6),
The ion exchanger is a multiparticulate ion exchange resin (7) filled in the storage chamber (31, 51), and a metal ion removing device (6).

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