JP6700606B2 - Saddle type fuel tank - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a saddle type fuel tank in which a main tank and an upper portion of a sub tank are connected by a connecting portion.

  As a fuel tank for a vehicle, a so-called saddle type in which the upper portion of the main tank and the upper portion of the sub tank are connected at the center in the vehicle width direction in order to avoid shaft members (propeller shafts, exhaust pipes, etc.) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction A fuel tank is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

  The saddle type fuel tank supplies fuel to the internal combustion engine from a main tank by means of a fuel pump, and can transfer fuel from the sub tank to the main tank by means of, for example, a jet pump. Then, the surplus fuel (not used for fuel) supplied to the internal combustion engine is returned to the main tank while being heated by the heat of the internal combustion engine or the like.

  In the saddle type fuel tank known so far, the surplus fuel in the heated state is returned to the main tank, so even if it is used in an environment where the outside air temperature is low such as in cold regions, No deposits are generated on the surface, and problems such as suction stoppage do not occur.

  In the conventional saddle type fuel tank, when the amount of stored fuel decreases and the liquid level becomes below the saddle, the main tank and the sub tank are separated, and the effect of excess fuel in the heated state is stored in the sub tank. In reality, the fuel inside the sub-tank is unlikely to warm up, and it may be difficult to maintain the temperature.

JP, 2008-232088, A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a saddle type fuel tank that can maintain the temperature of the fuel inside the sub tank.

A saddle type fuel tank according to a first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a main tank in which fuel is supplied to an internal combustion engine by a pump and fuel is returned from the internal combustion engine, and the main tank is stored. Inside the sub tank, a sub tank in which fuel is stored inside, which is arranged at an interval with respect to the tank and communicates with the upper portion, the main tank, and a connecting portion which communicates with the upper portion of the sub tank, It arranged, e heater section and Bei warming the fuel, has a level sensor holding member for holding the level sensor which measures the fuel level in the sub tank to the sub tank, the heater unit is provided in the level sensor holding member The level sensor holding member is a strut member that extends vertically and is provided in the vicinity of the connecting portion of the sub-tank, and has a hollow portion. The strut member is a fuel in which fuel is sucked into the hollow portion. An inlet is provided, and one end of a suction pipe that transfers the fuel sucked into the hollow portion from the fuel inlet to the main tank side is connected to an upper portion of the fuel inlet of the strut member, and the heater is provided. The part is provided between the fuel inlet and the connection part of the suction pipe .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the heater inside the sub tank directly heats the fuel inside the sub tank, thereby suppressing a decrease in temperature. As a result, the saddle type fuel tank can maintain the temperature of the fuel inside the sub tank.
Since the heater is provided in the level sensor holder, it is not necessary to add a dedicated support member or the like.
Further, since the heater portion is provided between the fuel inlet for sucking the fuel and the portion to which one end of the suction pipe is connected, it is possible to heat the fuel near (immediately above) the fuel inlet. it can.

  By the way, Japanese Patent No. 4793162 discloses a technique in which, in a fuel tank having two tanks, one tank is provided with a heating means. This technique is a fuel tank different from the saddle type fuel tank, and is a technique of heating the fuel (alcohol fuel) to increase the pressure in the tank and controlling the pressure in the tank. Therefore, the technical field is different from that of the saddle type fuel tank of the present invention.

A saddle type fuel tank according to a second aspect of the present invention is the saddle type fuel tank according to the first aspect, characterized in that the fuel inlet is arranged below the connecting portion. .

In the present invention according to claim 2 , the fuel injection port can be arranged at a portion close to the lower surface of the sub tank.

  When the main body of the saddle type fuel tank is made of resin, it is preferable that a strut member is disposed between the upper surface and the bottom surface of the sub tank, and the strut member is divided and slidable in the axial direction with respect to each other. .. In this case, it is preferable that the lower end of the strut member is provided with an opening for fuel injection, and the lower end of the strut member is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the sub tank to form a member into which only fuel is sucked. As a result, fuel is sucked into the hollow portion of the strut member while foreign matter is prevented from flowing into the strut member, and the vertical displacement when the resin tank is contracted/expanded is changed in the axial direction of the strut member. Absorbed by sliding.

  When the saddle type fuel tank is made of sheet metal, it is preferable to suspend the column member from the upper surface of the sub tank. In this case, it is preferable that the fuel injection port is opened at the lower end of the column member and the filter member is provided at the opening. As a result, the fuel is sucked into the hollow portion of the strut member in a state where the inflow of foreign matter is blocked.

A saddle type fuel tank according to a third aspect of the present invention is the saddle type fuel tank according to the second aspect , wherein the heater portion is a heater that generates heat with electric power, and the heater is included in the pillar member. It is characterized in that a conducting wire for energizing the parts is arranged.

In the present invention according to claim 3 , the heater portion can be heated by electric power to heat the fuel, and the conducting wire can be housed in the support member.

Further, a saddle type fuel tank of the present invention according to claim 4 is the saddle type fuel tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the heater portion is a long member having a long length. The longitudinal direction of the heater portion is arranged so as to extend in a vertical direction with respect to the strut member.

In the present invention according to claim 4 , since the longitudinal direction of the heater portion is arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction, it is possible to cause the fuel to interfere with the heater portion in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the heater portion. The vibration can be suppressed.

A saddle type fuel tank according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the saddle type fuel tank according to the fourth aspect , wherein a shaft member extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is arranged between the main tank and the sub tank. The heater portion is arranged so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle.

In the present invention according to claim 5 , since the longitudinal direction of the heater portion is arranged so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle, the fuel can be interfered with the heater portion in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the fuel when starting/stopping Can suppress the vibration of.

In the present invention according to claim 4 and claim 5 , since the fuel wave can be suppressed by the heater portion, when the level sensor for detecting the liquid level is used, the movement of the liquid level is suppressed and the liquid level is detected. The accuracy can be improved.

  The saddle type fuel tank of the present invention can maintain the temperature of the fuel inside the sub tank.

1 is a schematic external view of a vehicle including a saddle type fuel tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an overall view illustrating a schematic configuration of a saddle type fuel tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of a saddle type fuel tank illustrating a sub tank.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a vehicle equipped with a saddle type fuel tank according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an overall situation for explaining a schematic configuration of a saddle type fuel tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a detailed situation of a main part of the saddle type fuel tank for explaining the sub tank.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 is provided with a propeller shaft 2 which is a shaft member extending in the front-rear direction. Although not shown, an exhaust pipe is arranged together with the propeller shaft 2 as a shaft member. A saddle type fuel tank 3 is arranged below the position of the rear seat across the propeller shaft 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the saddle type fuel tank 3 is made of resin, the main tank 11 and the sub tank 12 are arranged with a space therebetween, and the upper portions of the main tank 11 and the sub tank 12 are connected by the connecting portion 13. ing. The main tank 11 is provided with a pump unit 15 including a supply pump for supplying fuel (for example, light oil) from a supply pipe 14 to an internal combustion engine (engine: for example, diesel engine). A return pipe 16 for returning the fuel in the heated state is connected.

  The pump unit 15 is equipped with a jet pump that generates a suction force by the pressure of the fuel supplied by the supply pump, and a suction pipe 17 from the sub tank 12 is connected to the jet pump. That is, the fuel in the sub-tank 12 is sucked and transferred to the main tank 11 by the jet pump that is driven as the fuel is supplied.

  The pump unit may be configured so that the fuel in the sub-tank 12 is sucked by the jet pump driven by the fuel returned by the return pipe 16 and the fuel is supplied from the supply pipe 14 to the engine by the negative pressure of the engine. is there.

  A column member 18 as a level sensor holding member is arranged in the vicinity of the connecting portion 13 of the sub tank 12, and the column member 18 is provided with a level sensor unit 19. The level sensor unit 19 includes, for example, an arm that is rotated by a float, and has a configuration that detects the liquid surface (measures the liquid level) by detecting a resistance value that changes according to the rotating state of the arm. There is. The wiring of the level sensor unit 19 is arranged in the pillar member 18.

  The column member 18 is arranged in the sub-tank 12 in the vicinity of the connecting portion 13 so as to extend in the vertical direction, and is arranged in contact with the upper surface and the bottom surface of the sub-tank 12. A heater member 21 (heater portion), which is a long member having a long length, is arranged vertically below the pillar member 18 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction to the outside in the vehicle width direction. Exist). The heater member 21 is a heater that generates heat with electric power, and an energizing wire for energizing the heater member 21 is arranged in the column member 18.

  As the heater member 21, for example, a pipe member may be folded back a plurality of times in a predetermined length to form a long member, and a heater wire may be wound around the pipe member to form a long member as a whole. As the heater member 21, various structures such as a structure for heating the bar itself and a structure for circulating a heat medium inside the long member can be applied.

  By heating the heater member 21, the fuel inside the sub-tank 12 is directly heated, a decrease in the temperature of the fuel inside the sub-tank 12 is suppressed, and the temperature of the fuel inside the sub-tank 12 can be maintained. Since the heater member 21 is provided on the column member 18 that is the level sensor holding portion, it is not necessary to add a dedicated support member or the like for supporting the heater member 21.

  Mainly, as shown in FIG. 3, the column member 18 has a hollow portion, and a fuel injection port 22 for sucking fuel into the hollow portion is provided at the lower end (below the connecting portion 13). A nipple 23 is provided above the fuel inlet 22 of the strut member 18. To the nipple 23, one end of a suction pipe 17 that transfers the fuel sucked into the hollow portion from the fuel inlet 22 to the main tank 11 side is connected (connection site). The heater member 21 is provided above the fuel inlet 22 and below the nipple 23 (between the fuel inlet 22 and the connection portion of the suction pipe 17).

  According to the above-described configuration, the fuel inlet 22 can be arranged at a portion close to the lower surface of the sub-tank 12, and the fuel inlet 22 between the fuel inlet 22 and the portion to which one end of the suction pipe 17 is connected. Since the heater member 21 is provided, the fuel in the vicinity (immediately above) of the fuel injection port 22 can be heated.

  On the other hand, the column member 18 is disposed in contact with the upper surface and the bottom surface of the sub-tank 12, is vertically divided, and is slidable in the axial direction with respect to each other. An uneven portion is formed in the fuel inlet 22 that abuts the bottom surface of the sub-tank 12, and the hollow portion of the pillar member 18 is sucked with the fuel while the foreign matter is blocked from flowing into the suction pipe 17.

  As a result, fuel is sucked into the hollow portion of the strut member 18 in a state where foreign matter is prevented from flowing in, and the sub tank 12 that is a resin tank is vertically displaced when the sub tank 12 is contracted or expanded in the vertical direction. Are absorbed by the axial sliding of the vertically-supported strut members 18.

  When the saddle type fuel tank is made of sheet metal, it is preferable to suspend the column member from the upper surface of the sub tank. In this case, it is preferable that the fuel injection port is opened at the lower end of the column member and the filter member is provided at the opening. As a result, the fuel is sucked into the hollow portion of the strut member while the inflow of foreign matter is blocked.

  In the saddle type fuel tank 3 described above, by heating the heater member 21, the fuel inside the sub tank 12 is directly heated, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the fuel inside the sub tank 12. Therefore, the temperature of the fuel inside the sub tank 12 can be maintained.

  As a result, the fuel inside the sub-tank 12 will not be cooled and deposits will not be generated, the suction will not occur from the fuel injection port 22, and the fuel in the sub-tank 12 can be reliably discharged even in cold regions. Can be returned to 11.

  Further, since the longitudinal direction of the heater member 21 is arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction with respect to the strut member 18, it is possible to cause the fuel to interfere with the heater member 21 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the heater member 21, Fuel vibrations can be suppressed. That is, since the longitudinal direction of the heater member 21 is arranged so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle 1, the fuel can be interfered with the heater member in the front-back direction of the vehicle 1, and the vibration of the fuel at the time of starting and stopping can be suppressed. be able to.

  For example, when a level sensor that detects the liquid surface in a non-contact manner is used, the movement of the liquid surface is suppressed and the detection accuracy of the liquid surface can be improved.

  The saddle type fuel tank 3 of the present embodiment described above can maintain the temperature of the fuel inside the sub tank 12.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized in the industrial field of a saddle type fuel tank.

1 Vehicle 2 Propeller Shaft 3 Saddle Type Fuel Tank 11 Main Tank 12 Sub-tank 13 Connection Part 14 Supply Pipe 15 Pump Unit 16 Return Pipe 17 Suction Pipe 18 Strut Member 19 Level Sensor Unit 21 Heater Member 22 Fuel Inlet 23 Nipple

Claims (5)

A main tank in which fuel is supplied to the internal combustion engine by a pump and is returned and stored from the internal combustion engine,
A sub-tank in which fuel is stored inside, which is arranged at a distance from the main tank and communicates with the upper part,
A connecting portion that communicates the upper portion of the main tank and the sub tank,
Disposed within said sub-tank, the heater section and the Preparations example for heating the fuel,
A level sensor holding member for holding a level sensor for measuring the fuel level of the sub tank in the sub tank,
The heater unit is provided on the level sensor holding member,
The level sensor holding member,
A supporting member having a hollow portion that is arranged in the vertical direction in the vicinity of the connecting portion of the sub-tank and extends vertically.
The strut member is provided with a fuel inlet for sucking fuel into the hollow portion,
One end of a suction pipe for transferring the fuel sucked into the hollow portion from the fuel inlet to the main tank side is connected to an upper portion of the fuel inlet of the strut member,
The saddle-type fuel tank , wherein the heater portion is provided between the fuel inlet and the connection portion of the suction pipe . The saddle type fuel tank according to claim 1 ,
The saddle-type fuel tank, wherein the fuel inlet is arranged below the connecting portion. The saddle type fuel tank according to claim 2 ,
The heater section is a heater that generates heat with electric power,
A saddle-type fuel tank, wherein an electric wire for energizing the heater section is arranged in the pillar member. The saddle-type fuel tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The heater part is a long member having a long side,
The saddle type fuel tank, wherein the longitudinal direction of the heater portion is arranged to extend in a vertical direction with respect to the strut member. The saddle-type fuel tank according to claim 4 ,
A saddle type fuel tank, wherein a shaft member extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is arranged between the main tank and the sub-tank, and the heater portion is arranged extending in the width direction of the vehicle.

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