JP5768680B2 - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel supply device, and more particularly to a fuel supply device for supplying fuel in a fuel tank to an engine or the like.

  The fuel supply device that supplies the fuel in the fuel tank to an external device such as an engine is provided with a fuel filter in the fuel tank body, and the fuel from which foreign matters have been removed by the fuel filter is sent out from the fuel tank body to the outside. There is something like that. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a fuel supply device having a configuration in which a suction filter is provided in a fuel tank, and fuel in the suction filter is sucked through an intake pipe and supplied to an engine.

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, if a gas is present in the suction filter, the gas needs to be discharged from the suction pipe at the time of fuel inhalation. Required).

JP 2010-236435 A

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a fuel supply device having excellent engine startability.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a fuel tank main body for storing fuel and a fuel tank main body provided along the bottom surface of the fuel tank main body are formed in a bag shape to restrict the passage of foreign matters in the fuel when the fuel permeates into the inside. A fuel filter, a suction pipe for sucking fuel from the inside of the fuel filter and sending it to the engine, and being branched from the suction pipe and capable of sucking fuel from within the fuel tank body and from outside the fuel filter The fuel suction port has a bypass passage that is open at the bottom of the fuel tank body so as to be able to suck the fuel below the fuel filter through a filter cloth constituting a part of the fuel filter .

  In this fuel supply device, the fuel can be filtered by the fuel filter. The filtered fuel in the fuel filter is sucked by the suction pipe and sent to the engine.

Moreover, this fuel supply apparatus has a bypass flow path branched from the suction pipe. The bypass passage is capable of sucking fuel from within the fuel tank body and from outside the fuel filter. Therefore, when gas exists in the fuel filter, it is possible to suck the fuel from the outside of the fuel filter through the bypass pipe and supply it to the engine through the suction pipe. Thereby, even when gas exists in the fuel filter, the engine can be started in a short time, and the startability of the engine is excellent.
Furthermore, since the fuel suction port of the bypass passage opens at the bottom of the fuel tank body so that the fuel below the fuel filter can be sucked through the filter cloth that forms part of the fuel filter, The fuel existing below the fuel filter can be effectively sucked in the bypass flow path. In addition, foreign matters can be removed at that time.
In a second aspect of the present invention, a fuel tank body that contains fuel and a fuel tank body that is provided along the bottom surface of the fuel tank body, is formed in a bag shape and restricts the passage of foreign matter in the fuel when the fuel permeates into the interior. A fuel filter; a suction pipe for sucking fuel from the inside of the fuel filter and sending it to the engine; a fuel storage section provided in the fuel tank body for storing fuel; And a bypass passage that is capable of sucking fuel from outside the fuel filter inside the tank body and having a fuel suction port opened to the fuel reservoir.
In this fuel supply device, the fuel can be filtered by the fuel filter. The filtered fuel in the fuel filter is sucked by the suction pipe and sent to the engine.
Moreover, this fuel supply apparatus has a bypass flow path branched from the suction pipe. The bypass passage is capable of sucking fuel from within the fuel tank body and from outside the fuel filter. Therefore, when gas exists in the fuel filter, it is possible to suck the fuel from the outside of the fuel filter through the bypass pipe and supply it to the engine through the suction pipe. Thereby, even when gas exists in the fuel filter, the engine can be started in a short time, and the startability of the engine is excellent.
In addition, since the fuel suction port of the bypass passage is open to the fuel storage portion, the fuel stored in the fuel storage portion can be effectively sucked through the bypass passage. By storing the fuel in the fuel storage section, it is possible to reliably suck the fuel through the bypass passage without depending on the amount of fuel in the fuel tank body.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a fuel is provided between the opening in the fuel filter and a branch where the bypass flow branches in the suction pipe. There is an on-off valve that closes the suction pipe when the fuel in the filter is below a predetermined amount and opens the suction pipe when the fuel exceeds the predetermined amount.

  That is, when the fuel in the fuel filter exceeds a predetermined amount, the on-off valve opens the suction pipe, so that the fuel can be sucked from the suction pipe.

  On the other hand, when the amount of fuel in the fuel filter is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the on-off valve closes the suction pipe, so that the gas in the fuel filter can be prevented from being sucked from the suction pipe. And it becomes possible to start an engine for a short time by attracting | sucking fuel from a bypass flow path.

The invention according to claim 4, the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fuel filter is provided plurality in the fuel tank body, the fuel among the plurality of the fuel filter A transfer pipe that enables transfer, and a fuel pump that sucks fuel from the plurality of fuel filters through the suction pipe, wherein the suction pipe is located closest to the fuel pump, and a fuel pump. It is provided between.

  Since it has a plurality of fuel filters, it becomes easier to realize a state in which any one of the fuel filters is immersed in the fuel, as compared with a configuration having only one fuel filter. The fuel can be transferred between the plurality of fuel filters by the transfer pipe. The fuel can be sucked from the fuel filter through the suction pipe by driving the fuel pump.

  The suction pipe is provided between the fuel filter located closest to the fuel pump and the fuel pump. Since the bypass passage is branched from the suction pipe, the distance from the bypass flow to the fuel pump is shortened. Even if gas exists in the bypass flow path or the suction pipe, the amount of gas sent to the fuel pump is reduced, and the engine startability can be further improved.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, a fuel supply device having excellent engine startability can be obtained.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the fuel supply apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which expands and shows the fuel supply apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention partially. It is a schematic sectional drawing which expands partially and shows the fuel supply apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention at the time of initial stage fueling. It is a schematic sectional drawing which expands partially and shows the fuel supply apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention at the time of initial stage fueling. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the fuel supply apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the fuel supply apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a fuel supply device 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The fuel supply device 12 has a fuel tank body 14 in which fuel is accommodated. The fuel tank main body 14 of the present embodiment is formed in a hollow box shape, but a peak portion 14M that bulges upward from the central portion of the bottom wall 14S is formed, and the inside is a main chamber 14A and It has a structure (so-called vertical tank) partitioned into the sub chamber 14B.

  An inlet pipe 26 is connected near the corner of the upper wall 14U of the fuel tank body 14. Through this inlet pipe 26, fuel can be supplied into the fuel tank main body 14 (mainly the main chamber 14A).

  Inside the fuel tank main body 14, a plurality of sub tanks 15 disposed along the bottom wall 14 </ b> S of the fuel tank main body 14 are provided corresponding to the main chamber 14 </ b> A and the sub chamber 14 </ b> B. In the present embodiment, the number of sub tanks 15 is two in total, one for each of the main chamber 14A and the sub chamber 14B. Hereinafter, when the two sub tanks 15 are distinguished, the sub tank 15 on the main chamber 14A side is referred to as a first sub tank 15A, and the sub tank 15 on the sub chamber 14B side is referred to as a second sub tank 15B.

  The first sub tank 15A is provided with a fuel pump module 32 and a bypass flow path 62. In this respect, the first sub tank 15A is different from the second sub tank 15B in which the fuel pump module 32 is not provided. Since the configuration is the same except for the presence or absence of the fuel pump module 32, the configuration of the sub tank 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Each of the sub tanks 15 includes a fuel filter 16 and a storage member 18 disposed above the fuel filter 16.

  The fuel filter 16 has two filter cloths (an upper filter cloth 16U and a lower filter cloth 16L) arranged one above the other. In this embodiment, the upper filter cloth 16U and the lower filter cloth 16L are Two substantially identical shapes (for example, a polygonal shape such as a square shape, or a circular shape or an elliptical shape) may be used. In the upper filter cloth 16U and the lower filter cloth 16L, the outer peripheral portions thereof are joined by welding, adhesion, or the like, so that the fuel filter 16 having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole is configured.

  And the space | interval maintenance member 52 is arrange | positioned between the upper side filter cloth 16U and the lower side filter cloth 16L, and the space for accommodating a fuel is between the upper side filter cloth 16U and the lower side filter cloth 16L. The fuel filter 16 is configured as a flat bag-like (closed curved surface).

  The upper filter cloth 16U and the lower filter cloth 16L allow the fuel to pass from the outside to the inside of the bag-like fuel filter 16, and at that time, foreign matters in the fuel are removed and the fuel filter 16 is filled with the fuel. Is made of a material (for example, a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a porous resin, a mesh-like member, or the like) having an effect of preventing foreign matter from flowing in.

  The fuel filter 16 can store the fuel GS that has passed through the upper filter cloth 16U or the lower filter cloth 16L in this manner. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when at least a part of the fuel filter 16 is immersed in the fuel GS in the fuel tank body 14, a liquid film LM is formed on the surface of the fuel filter 16 by the fuel GS. Has been maintained.

  The fuel filter 16 (particularly the lower filter cloth 16L) is disposed so as to be substantially parallel along the bottom wall 14S of the fuel tank body 14, and the fuel flows into the fuel filter 16 through a gap with the bottom wall 14S. Can be made.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the upper filter cloth 16U and the lower filter cloth 16L are made of different materials. In particular, the pressure loss of the upper filter cloth 16U is larger than the pressure loss of the lower filter cloth 16L. These filter cloth materials are selected. The “pressure loss” referred to here is a pressure difference before and after passage when fuel passes through the upper filter cloth 16U or the lower filter cloth 16L (for example, when a fuel pump main body 42 described later is driven). Therefore, the lower filter cloth 16L is relatively easier to pass fuel than the upper filter cloth 16U. In the present embodiment, in order to provide a difference in pressure loss in this way, the upper filter cloth 16U has a structure in which the total area of the voids of the nonwoven fabric is smaller than that of the lower filter cloth 16L.

  The gap maintaining member 52 is arranged between the upper filter cloth 16U and the lower filter cloth 16L in the horizontal direction so as to be orthogonal to the horizontal bone pieces 56A and a plurality of horizontal bone pieces 56A arranged in the horizontal direction. And a plurality of longitudinal bone pieces 56B arranged in parallel to each other. These bone fragments are positioned between the upper filter cloth 16U and the lower filter cloth 16L, so that the upper filter cloth 16U and the lower filter cloth 16L are vertically moved in the portion where the bone fragments are present. Thus, the above-described space for containing fuel is formed.

  The sub tank 15 includes a sub tank upper member 15U positioned above the fuel filter 16, and a sub tank lower member 15L positioned below the fuel filter 16. The sub tank upper member 15U and the sub tank lower member 15L sandwich the outer peripheral portions of the upper filter cloth 16U and the lower filter cloth 16L in the vertical direction at the respective outer peripheral portions, and maintain the shape of the fuel filter 16. Strength is secured. Further, the fuel tank main body 14 can be stably disposed at a predetermined position (position along the bottom wall 14S).

  The sub tank upper member 15U has a vertical wall portion 20 located around the fuel filter 16 in plan view (viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2). The vertical wall portion 20 is formed in, for example, a flat cylindrical shape. From the upper end of the vertical wall part 20, the cover board part 22 is extended in the direction which goes to a center by planar view.

  In the present embodiment, the storage member 18 is configured by the vertical wall portion 20, the cover plate portion 22, and the upper filter cloth 16 U of the fuel filter 16. In other words, at least a part (all in this embodiment) of the bottom of the storage member 18 is configured by the upper filter cloth 16U. Fuel can be stored in the storage member 18 above the fuel filter 16.

  An inflow hole 24 penetrating the lid plate portion 22 in the thickness direction is formed at a substantially center of the lid plate portion 22. The fuel can flow into the storage member 18 through the inflow hole 24.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the inner dimension of the inflow hole 24 is made larger than the combined width of the transfer pipe 34 and the bypass channel 62. Therefore, a gap is formed between the hole edge of the inflow hole 24, the transfer pipe 34, and the bypass flow path 62 so that the fuel in the fuel tank body 14 can flow into the storage member 18 through the inflow hole 24. It has become. Since the inflow hole 24 also serves as an insertion hole for inserting the transfer pipe 34 and the bypass flow path 62, it is not necessary to form such an insertion hole again, and the structure is simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sub-tank lower member 15L has a bottom plate portion 46 positioned below the lower filter cloth 16L. The bottom plate portion 46 is formed in a substantially lattice shape, and a plurality of insertion holes 48 penetrating in the thickness direction are formed. Through this insertion hole 48, the fuel GS in the fuel tank body 14 can flow into the fuel filter 16.

  A fuel pump module 32 is provided above the storage member 18 in the first sub tank 15A. The fuel pump module 32 has a fuel pump main body 42. In the present embodiment, the fuel pump main body 42 is supported above the first sub tank 15A by the bracket 42B.

  A fuel suction pipe 44 </ b> A extends from one side surface of the fuel pump main body 42. A fuel discharge pipe 44 </ b> B (see FIG. 1) extending upward from the other side surface of the fuel pump main body 42 extends to the outside of the fuel tank main body 14.

  A vapor discharge hole 42H is formed in the fuel pump main body 42 above the fuel suction pipe 44A. The vapor discharge hole 42H has a function of discharging the gas in the fuel pump main body 42 together with the fuel. For example, the gas flowing into the pump chamber 42P (the chamber in which the impeller 42I is accommodated) from the fuel suction pipe 44A and the gas generated by the boiling under reduced pressure in the fuel pump main body 42 are discharged from the vapor discharge hole 42H to the outside of the fuel pump main body 42. To be discharged. Note that the position of the vapor discharge hole 42H does not need to be above the fuel suction pipe 44A, and is not particularly limited.

  The lower end 44S of the fuel suction pipe 44A is disposed in contact with the upper filter cloth 16U. Communication holes 16H and 56H are formed in the upper filter cloth 16U and the lateral bone piece 56A so as to communicate with the lower end portion 44S, and the fuel suction pipe 44A substantially opens into the fuel filter 16 at the lower end portion 44S. doing. A float valve 60 is provided at the lower end 44S. The communication hole 56H of the horizontal bone piece 56A has a larger diameter than the communication hole 16H of the upper filter cloth 16U, and has an action as the valve seat 60Z.

  The float valve 60 has a float body 60B having a specific gravity enough to float on the fuel GS. When there is a predetermined amount or more of gas in the fuel filter 16A, the amount of the fuel GS in the fuel filter 16A is small, so that the float body 60B does not float on the fuel GS. The float main body 60B comes into contact with the lateral bone piece 56A (valve seat 60Z) from above to close the valve, and the fuel filter 16A and the fuel suction pipe 44A are not in communication.

  On the other hand, in a state where the amount of gas in the fuel filter 16A is smaller than a predetermined amount (including a state where there is no gas at all), the float body 60B floats on the fuel GS, so that the float body 60B moves away from the valve seat 60Z. The valve opens. In the valve open state, the fuel filter 16A and the fuel suction pipe 44A communicate with each other. As indicated by the arrow F2, the fuel GS in the fuel filter 16A can be sucked by the fuel suction pipe 44A.

  A bypass flow path 62 is branched from the fuel suction pipe 44A (the branch portion is referred to as a branch portion 44D). The bypass channel 62 is formed in a substantially L shape, and extends downward from the upper pipe 62U located above the upper filter cloth 16U and the lateral bone piece 56A, and contacts the lower filter cloth 16L. A cylindrical lower pipe 62L is configured by locally sandwiching and connecting the upper filter cloth 16U. The bypass channel 62 as a whole penetrates the upper filter cloth 16U vertically. The lower end portion of the bypass passage 62 is a bypass opening 62H that can suck the fuel GS below the fuel filter 16A (the bottom of the fuel tank body 14) through the lower filter cloth 16L. A part of the lower filter cloth 16L (portion immediately below the bypass opening 62H) has a function of removing foreign matters when the fuel GS is sucked from the bypass passage 62 (also serves as a filter of the bypass passage 62). ing).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel filter 16 </ b> A of the first sub tank 15 </ b> A and the fuel filter 16 </ b> B of the second sub tank 15 </ b> B are connected by a transfer pipe 34 so that fuel movement between the fuel filters 16 is possible. It has become.

  In particular, in the fuel filter 16A of the main chamber 14A, a communication cylinder portion 56C to which the end of the transfer pipe 34 is connected is fixed between the sub tank upper member 15U and the sub tank lower member 15L. On the other hand, a transfer pipe 34 is connected to the fuel filter 16 in the sub chamber 14B from above the fuel filter 16 in the same manner as the connection structure of the fuel suction pipe 44A in the fuel filter 16 in the main chamber 14A.

  By driving the fuel pump main body 42, the fuel in the fuel filter 16 of the first sub-tank 15A can be sucked through the fuel suction pipe 44A and supplied to the engine (not shown) from the fuel discharge pipe 44B via the fuel pump main body 42. Furthermore, the fuel in the fuel filter 16 of the second sub tank 15B can be transferred into the fuel filter 16 of the first sub tank 15A through the transfer pipe 34.

  Next, the operation of the fuel supply device 12 of this embodiment will be described.

  Within the fuel tank main body 14, the fuel GS exists at a liquid level higher than the inflow hole 24 of the storage member 18, as shown in FIG. 2, in either the first sub tank 15 </ b> A or the second sub tank 15 </ b> B. In the state, the fuel GS (see arrow F <b> 1) that has flowed through the inflow hole 24 is stored in the storage member 18.

  Even when the fuel level is lower than the inflow hole 24, as can be seen from FIG. 2, if the fuel GS is also present in the fuel filter 16, the float valve 60 in the fuel filter 16A is opened. It is in a state.

  Here, when the fuel pump module 32 is driven, the fuel GS in the fuel filter 16 of the first sub-tank 15A is sucked through the fuel suction pipe 44A as indicated by the arrow F2, and is then discharged from the fuel pump main body 42 to the fuel discharge pipe. 44B is sent to the engine.

  For example, when the fuel GS is more in the sub chamber 14B than in the main chamber 14A, the fuel GS is transferred from the fuel filter 16B to the fuel filter 16A through the transfer pipe 34.

  Here, it is assumed that the fuel GS in the fuel tank body 14 is unevenly distributed during acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle, turning, or the like. At this time, for example, even if the fuel GS in the fuel tank body 14 is separated from the fuel filter 16A of the first sub tank 15A, the fuel GS is stored if the fuel GS is stored in the storage member 18 of the first sub tank 15A. The liquid film LM on the surface of the filter 16A is maintained. Similarly, even if the fuel GS in the fuel tank main body 14 is separated from the fuel filter 16B of the second sub tank 15B, if the fuel GS is stored in the storage member 18 of the second sub tank 15B, the fuel filter 16B. The liquid film LM on the surface is maintained.

  In particular, in this embodiment, a plurality (two) of sub-tanks 15 are arranged in the fuel tank body 14. Therefore, the state in which the fuel filter 16 of the sub tank 15 is immersed in the fuel GS in the fuel tank main body 14 can be more reliably maintained as compared with the configuration in which only one sub tank 15 is disposed.

  Next, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that there is no fuel GS in the fuel tank body 14. For example, immediately after the automobile is manufactured in the manufacturing factory, the fuel GS is not in the fuel tank main body 14 in this way. The fuel supply to the fuel tank main body 14 in this state is hereinafter referred to as “initial fuel supply”.

  At the time of initial fueling, the liquid level of the fuel GS flowing into the fuel tank main body 14 from the inlet pipe 26 rises while maintaining a state parallel to the bottom wall 14S of the fuel tank main body 14. However, in a state where the fuel GS does not exceed the peak portion 14M, the fuel GS exists only in the main chamber 14A (the fuel level at this time is indicated by GL-1), and the fuel GS does not exist in the sub chamber 14B. become. Further, a sufficient amount of fuel GS does not enter the fuel filter 16A in the main chamber 14A, and gas exists in the fuel filter 16A (this fuel level is indicated by GL-2). Accordingly, the float valve 60 of the fuel filter 16A is closed, and the fuel filter 16A and the fuel suction pipe 44A are not in communication. Further, the fuel GS does not exist in the fuel suction pipe 44A and the fuel pump main body.

  When the engine is started in this state, the float valve 60 is in a closed state, so that suction of gas in the fuel filter 16A through the fuel suction pipe 44A is suppressed. Then, as shown by an arrow F3, the fuel GS in the main chamber 14A (below the fuel filter 16A) is sucked through the bypass passage 62. The sucked fuel GS flows from the branch portion 44D to the fuel pump main body 42 through a part of the fuel suction pipe 44A. For this reason, the gas which existed in 44 A of fuel suction piping and the fuel pump main body 42 can be discharged | emitted from the vapor | steam discharge hole 42H at an early stage. In the configuration without the bypass flow path 62, it is necessary to discharge the gas in the fuel filter 16A before the fuel GS flows into the fuel pump main body 42 (pump chamber 42P), but this is not necessary in the present embodiment. The amount of gas discharged until the fuel GS flows into the fuel pump main body 42 is reduced. For this reason, the pressure of the fuel delivered to the engine can be increased early, and the startability of the engine is improved.

  FIG. 4 shows a partially enlarged view of a fuel supply device 72 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the overall configuration of the fuel supply device 72 is the same as that of the fuel supply device 12 of the first embodiment, and is not shown. Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same component, member, etc. as 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the fuel supply device 72 of the second embodiment, a fuel storage portion 74 is provided on the sub tank 15A (storage member 18) of the main chamber 14A.

  The fuel storage part 74 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an open upper surface and a closed lower surface, and can store the fuel GS therein. The inlet pipe 26 is positioned above the fuel storage part 74 so that the fuel GS supplied is reliably stored in the fuel storage part 74.

  The bypass flow path 76 of the second embodiment is bent into a substantially U-shape that is flat in the vicinity of the bypass opening 76H. The bypass opening 76H is an opening on the lower surface of the fuel storage portion 74 with the upper filter cloth 16U interposed therebetween. It communicates with the part 74H.

  In the fuel supply device 72 of the second embodiment configured as described above, a part of the fuel is stored in the fuel storage unit 74 by the initial fueling.

  When the engine is started at the time when the initial refueling is completed, the float valve 60 is in a closed state, as in the fuel supply device 12 of the first embodiment, so that the gas in the fuel filter 16A is passed through the fuel suction pipe 44A. Suction is suppressed. As indicated by an arrow F <b> 3, the fuel GS in the fuel reservoir 74 is sucked through the bypass channel 76 and flows to the fuel pump main body 42. It is not necessary to discharge the gas in the fuel filter 16A before the fuel GS flows into the fuel pump main body 42, and the amount of gas discharged can be reduced. Since the gas existing in the fuel suction pipe 44A and the fuel pump main body 42 can be discharged from the vapor discharge hole 42H at an early stage, the startability of the engine is improved by increasing the pressure of the fuel delivered to the engine at an early stage. To do.

  In particular, in the fuel supply device 72 of the second embodiment, the fuel GS is stored in the fuel storage unit 74, so that the bypass flow path does not depend on the amount of fuel in the fuel tank body 14 (in the main chamber 14A). The fuel can be reliably sucked from 76.

  Moreover, the fuel GS can be sent from the bypass passage 76 to the fuel pump main body 42 via the fuel suction pipe 44 </ b> A using the head height of the fuel GS stored in the fuel storage portion 74. The pressure of the fuel delivered to the engine can be increased at an earlier stage, and the engine startability is further improved.

  In the second embodiment, the fuel reservoir 74 does not have to be above the sub tank 15A, and may be disposed on the bottom wall 14S of the fuel tank body 14, for example. However, from the viewpoint of using the head height of the fuel stored in the fuel storage section 74, the fuel liquid level of the fuel storage section 74 is high up to a position near the vapor discharge port 42H of the fuel pump main body 42. Is preferred.

  Further, in order to store the fuel supplied from the inlet pipe 26 at the time of refueling in the fuel storage part 74, the inlet pipe 26 does not need to be positioned above the fuel storage part 74. For example, the fuel supply from the inlet pipe 26 A configuration having an introduction pipe for introducing a part of the fuel to be introduced into the fuel storage unit 74 may be adopted.

  FIG. 5 shows a fuel supply device 82 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the same components and members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the fuel tank main body 84 of the fuel supply device 82 of the third embodiment has a structure that does not have the ridges 14M (not a saddle tank). That is, the fuel tank body 84 is not partitioned into the main chamber 14A and the sub chamber 14B. Except this, it is the same structure as the fuel supply apparatus 12 of 1st Embodiment.

  Therefore, in the fuel supply device 82 of the third embodiment, when the fuel GS is inclined in the fuel tank body 84, fuel is supplied to at least one of the fuel filter 16A of the first sub tank 15A and the fuel filter 16B of the second sub tank 15B. There is a high possibility that the GS is in contact. In the fuel filter 16 in contact with the fuel, the liquid film LM on the surface is maintained.

  When the engine is started at the time when the initial refueling is completed, the float valve 60 is in a closed state, as in the fuel supply device 12 of the first embodiment, so that the gas in the fuel filter 16A is passed through the fuel suction pipe 44A. Suction is suppressed. The fuel GS below the fuel filter 16 </ b> A is sucked through the bypass passage 62 and flows to the fuel pump main body 42. For this reason, the gas which existed in 44 A of fuel suction piping and the fuel pump main body 42 can be discharged | emitted from the vapor | steam discharge hole 42H at an early stage. By increasing the pressure of the fuel delivered to the engine at an early stage, the startability of the engine is improved.

  In the first to third embodiments, two fuel filters 16 are provided. However, the present invention can be applied to a configuration having two or more fuel filters 16. In the configuration including a plurality of fuel filters 16, it is only necessary that the bypass flow path 62 is provided corresponding to at least one fuel filter 16. However, if the distance from the bypass opening 62H of the bypass passage 62 to the fuel pump main body 42 is long, the amount of gas existing from the bypass passage 62 to the fuel pump 42 also increases, and this gas is discharged from the vapor discharge port 42H. It takes a long time to do.

  In contrast, a fuel suction pipe 44A is disposed between the fuel filter 16 closest to the fuel pump main body 42 (in the first and second embodiments, the fuel filter 16A) and the fuel pump main body 42 (fuel). If the bypass passage 62 is branched from the fuel suction pipe 44A, the distance from the bypass opening 62H to the fuel pump main body 42 is also shortened. Even if gas exists in the bypass flow path 62 and the fuel suction pipe 44A between the bypass opening 62H and the fuel pump main body 42, the amount of gas sent to the fuel pump main body 42 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the startability of the engine.

  FIG. 6 shows a fuel supply device 92 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Also in the fourth embodiment, the same components and members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel tank main body 94 of the fuel supply device 92 of the fourth embodiment has a structure that does not have the ridges 14M (not a saddle tank), like the fuel tank main body 84 of the third embodiment. Further, only one sub tank 15 is provided in the approximate center of the fuel tank body 94. The sub tank 96 according to the fourth embodiment has substantially the same structure as the sub tank 15 </ b> A according to the first embodiment, and includes a bypass channel 62.

  Also in the fuel supply device 92 of the fourth embodiment, when the engine is started at the time when the initial refueling is completed, the float valve 60 is in the closed state as in the fuel supply device 12 of the first embodiment. The suction of the gas in the fuel filter 16A through the fuel suction pipe 44A is suppressed. The fuel GS below the fuel filter 16 </ b> A is sucked through the bypass passage 62 and flows to the fuel pump main body 42. For this reason, the gas which existed in 44 A of fuel suction piping and the fuel pump main body 42 can be discharged | emitted from the vapor | steam discharge hole 42H at an early stage. By increasing the pressure of the fuel delivered to the engine at an early stage, the startability of the engine is improved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the bypass flow path 62 does not need to penetrate through the fuel filter 16 and may be provided outside the fuel filter 16. In this case, a member that removes foreign matters in the fuel (a member that has substantially the same effect as the upper filter cloth 16U or the lower filter cloth 16L) may be provided in the bypass channel 62.

  As the on-off valve of the present invention, the float valve 60 is described above. For example, an electromagnetic valve that detects the amount of fuel in the fuel filter 16A with a fuel amount sensor or the like and is driven based on the detection result is provided. Also good.

  The position of the on-off valve of the present invention is not limited to the lower end portion 44S (lower portion) of the fuel suction pipe 44A, and may be between the lower end portion 44S and the branch portion 44D.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Fuel supply apparatus 14 Fuel tank main body 16 Fuel filter 34 Transfer piping 42 Fuel pump main body 44A Fuel suction piping 60 Float valve (open / close valve)
62 Bypass channel 62H Bypass opening (fuel suction port)
72 Fuel Supply Device 74 Fuel Storage Unit 76 Bypass Channel 76H Bypass Opening (Fuel Suction Port)
82 Fuel supply device 84 Fuel tank main body 92 Fuel supply device 94 Fuel tank main body GS Fuel LM Liquid film

Claims (4)

A fuel tank body for containing fuel;
A fuel filter that is provided along the bottom surface of the fuel tank body, is formed in a bag shape, and restricts the passage of foreign matters in the fuel when fuel permeates into the interior;
A suction pipe for sucking fuel from the inside of the fuel filter and sending it to the engine;
The fuel can be sucked from the fuel pipe body branched from the suction pipe and from outside the fuel filter, and the fuel suction port passes through a filter cloth constituting a part of the fuel filter at the bottom of the fuel tank body. A bypass flow path that is open so that the fuel below the fuel filter can be sucked , and
A fuel supply device. A fuel tank body for containing fuel;
A fuel filter that is provided along the bottom surface of the fuel tank body, is formed in a bag shape, and restricts the passage of foreign matters in the fuel when fuel permeates into the interior;
A suction pipe for sucking fuel from the inside of the fuel filter and sending it to the engine;
A fuel storage section provided in the fuel tank body for storing fuel;
A bypass passage branched from the suction pipe and capable of sucking fuel from within the fuel tank main body and from outside the fuel filter, and a fuel suction port opening to the fuel reservoir ;
A fuel supply device. The suction pipe is provided between the opening in the fuel filter and the branch where the bypass channel branches. When the fuel in the fuel filter is less than a predetermined amount, the suction pipe is blocked and the suction pipe is exceeded. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, further comprising an open / close valve that opens. A plurality of the fuel filters are provided in the fuel tank body,
Transfer piping that enables transfer of fuel between the plurality of fuel filters;
A fuel pump for sucking fuel from the plurality of fuel filters through the suction pipe,
The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the suction pipe is provided between a fuel filter and a fuel pump located closest to the fuel pump.

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