JPH0416738Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to a fuel tank structure mounted on, for example, an automobile, and particularly relates to a sub-tank structure fixed within the fuel tank (main tank).

[Conventional technology]

With conventional fuel tanks, when a car, etc. makes a sharp turn when the amount of fuel in the fuel tank is low,
When you brake or start suddenly, the fuel moves to the corner of the fuel tank, exposing the fuel suction port of the fuel pump or fuel suction tube installed in the fuel tank, and causing temporary damage. This causes problems such as running out of fuel and causing the engine to malfunction or stall.

Therefore, in order to prevent such problems, conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a spiral inner circumferential portion 30 is formed near the center and a spiral is formed outward from the spiral inner circumferential portion 30. A sub-tank 20 consisting of a spiral outer peripheral part 40 is fixed to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1 forming the fuel tank body, and a fuel suction port 7 of a fuel pump or a fuel suction tube is connected to the sub-tank 20. The lower edge 31 of the spiral inner circumferential portion 30 formed near the center of the
By opening near 0, even if the fuel moves due to sudden turns, sudden braking, sudden starts, etc. of an automobile, the fuel in the sub-tank 20 will remain in the spiral inner circumferential portion 30 and the spiral outer circumferential portion 40. As a result, the fuel remains in the sub-tank 20, and the suction port 7 of the fuel pump or suction tube is always located in the fuel, allowing continuous suction of fuel. Further, the method of fixing the sub-tank 20 configured in this way to the main tank 1 (bottom part 11) is to A spiral outer peripheral portion 4 that continues in a shape
This is accomplished by fixing the entire lower edge 410 of the main tank 1 to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1 by heat welding, vibration welding, or the like.

As a conventional technique in which a spiral sub-tank is fixed in the main tank, which is the fuel tank body, there is, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-28903 (Utility Model Application No. 55-120303).

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, in the case of the sub-tank structures shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the free state before the sub-tank 20 is fixed to the bottom surface 11 of the main tank 1 as shown in FIG. 30
Lower edge 310 and lower edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral portion 40
0 are located at the same dimensions (same height), and when fixing this sub-tank 20 to the main tank 1, the spirally wound sub-tank 20 is tightened to reduce the outermost diameter of the sub-tank 20. It is inserted through an opening (not shown) at the top of the main tank 1, and inside the main tank 1, the sub-tank 20 is expanded to return to its original shape, so the outermost circumference diameter of the expanded sub-tank 20 is larger than the diameter of an opening (not shown) in the upper part of the main tank 1, and when fixing the sub-tank 20 to the bottom surface 11 of the main tank 1 through the opening, the diameter of the expanded sub-tank 20 is particularly large. It is difficult to move the fixing jig inserted from the opening to the lower end edge 410 of the spiral outer peripheral part 40, and all the lower ends 310, 410 of the spiral inner peripheral part 30 and the spiral outer peripheral part 40 of the sub-tank 20 (especially the spiral It is extremely difficult to reliably fix the lower edge 410) of the shaped outer peripheral portion 40 to the bottom surface 11 of the main tank 1, and a lot of time is required for fixing the entire lower edge 310, 410. This causes a problem. In addition, since the sub-tank 20 is fixed by applying pressure from above to fix it by heat welding or vibration welding, the spiral outer peripheral part 40 in particular may be deformed and the fixing position to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1 may shift. There is,
This causes a problem that it is difficult to fix it in a predetermined position.

Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to securely and easily fix the lower edges of the helical inner circumferential portion and the helical outer circumferential portion of the sub-tank to the bottom surface portion of the main tank in a short time and in a predetermined position.

[Means for solving problems]

Therefore, this invention solves the above-mentioned problem by positioning the lower edge of the helical outer periphery of the sub-tank in a free state before it is fixed to the main tank in a spiral manner than the lower edge of the helical inner periphery. This problem is solved by fixing the sub-tank formed in this way to the main tank.

More specifically, the sub-tank 2 is fixed to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1, and this sub-tank 2 has a spiral inner wall formed near the center. Peripheral part 3 and
In a sub-tank structure consisting of a helical outer circumferential portion 4 spirally wound outward from the helical inner circumferential portion 3, the helical outer circumferential portion continues spirally from the helical inner circumferential portion 3 of the sub-tank 2. Lower edge 41 of section 4
is located spirally below the lower end edge 31 of the spiral inner peripheral portion 3 in the free state before the sub-tank 2 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1 (located below by dimension A). By pressing and abutting the lower edge 31 of the spiral inner circumference 3 of the sub-tank 2 against the bottom surface 11 of the main tank 1, the lower edge 41 of the helical outer circumference 4 of the sub-tank 2 is pressed against the bottom surface 11 of the main tank 1. It is configured to be brought into pressure contact with the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1 by a helical repulsive force.

[Effect]

According to the above-mentioned means, in the free state before the sub-tank 2 is fixed to the main tank 1, the lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer circumferential part 4 of the sub-tank 2 is spirally moved downward from the lower end edge 31 of the spiral inner circumferential part 3. (see Fig. 1), by pressing the lower edge 31 of the spiral inner circumference 3 of the sub-tank 2 into contact with the bottom surface 11 of the main tank 1, the spiral of the sub-tank 2 Lower edge 41 of shaped outer peripheral portion 4
can be brought into pressure contact with the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1 by a spiral repulsion force (see Figure 2). In addition to fixing the lower edge 31 of the spiral inner circumferential portion 3 of the sub-tank 2 by heat welding or vibration welding, which is easy to work with,
The lower edge 41 of the spiral outer circumferential portion 4 of the sub-tank 2 is
Almost the same function as the above-mentioned fixing can be achieved by pressure welding using helical repulsive force without using fixing methods such as heat welding or vibration welding, and the sub-tank 2 can be fixed from an opening (not shown) in the upper part of the main tank 1. The work can be done easily and in a short time, and the entire lower edge 31 (fixed) of the spiral inner circumferential portion 3 of the sub-tank 2 and the lower edge 41 (pressure-welded) of the spiral outer circumferential portion 4 is attached to the bottom surface of the main tank 1. It is possible to securely fix (pressure) the sub-tank 2 to the part 11, and there is no need to apply pressure from above to fix the sub-tank 2, especially the helical outer circumferential part 4, and the helical outer circumferential part 4 will not be deformed. Therefore, the sub-tank 2 can be fixed at a predetermined position on the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

The drawings from Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 show an embodiment of this invention, and as shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, the main tank 1 forming the fuel tank body
A sub-tank 2 is fixed to the bottom part 11 of the sub-tank 2, and this sub-tank 2 has a sub-tank spiral inner peripheral part 3 formed near the center, and at least one turn or more spirally extending outward from this spiral inner peripheral part 3. It consists of a wound spiral outer peripheral part 4, and a sub-tank 2.
has a so-called spiral cylindrical shape, and has a spiral inner peripheral portion 3 formed near the center.
is configured to have a necessary minimum diameter into which a fuel pump, fuel suction tube, etc. (not shown) can be inserted, and the fuel pump, fuel suction tube, etc. The fuel intake port is configured to open. Furthermore, the sub-tank 2 is attached to the bottom edge 31 of the main tank 1 on the lower edge 31 of the spiral inner peripheral portion 3.
A pedestal 6 is provided which forms a fixing part 5 for fixing to.

In the sub-tank structure constructed in this manner, as shown in FIG. The lower end edge 41 is the lower end edge 31 of the spiral inner peripheral portion 3.
The lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral part 4 is formed so as to be located further spirally downward, that is, the spiral outer peripheral part 4 of the sub-tank 2 is continuously formed (wound) in a spiral shape. The lower end edge 41 of the outermost spiral outer peripheral part 4 is formed to be located gradually lower than the lower end edge 31 of the spiral inner peripheral part 3. 31
It is configured to be located below by a dimension A. When the sub-tank 2 is fixed to the bottom surface 11 of the main tank 1 as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. pedestal 6,
In order to fix it to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1 by heat welding, vibration welding, clips, etc., the pedestal 6 is brought into pressure contact with the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1, so that it can be fixed in a free state before being fixed to the main tank 1. A sub-tank 2 located below the lower end edge 31 of the spiral inner peripheral portion 3 of the sub-tank 2 in
Naturally, the lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer circumferential portion 4 also comes into contact with the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1 and is deformed upward. A force pressing the bottom part 11 acts, and a so-called helical repulsion force acts on the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1, so that the lower edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral part 4 can be brought into pressure contact with the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1. It is configured so that it can be done.

Therefore, the lower edge 41 of the helical outer peripheral part 4 of the sub-tank 2 can be pressed against the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1 by the helical repulsive force without having to be fixed to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1 by heat welding or the like. Since it can have almost the same function as fixing by heat welding or the like, there is no need to fix the lower edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral part 4 of this sub-tank to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1. Due to this, the bottom part 1 of the main tank 1 of the sub tank 2
1, it is sufficient to perform only the fixing work to the pedestal 6 forming the fixing part 5 provided on the lower edge 31 of the spiral inner peripheral part 3 of the sub-tank 2.

Further, a flange portion 42 is provided on the lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral portion 4 of the sub-tank 2, and the helical repulsive force of the lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral portion 4 presses against the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1. In some cases, the flange portion 42 can increase the pressure contact area so that the pressure contact can be made over a wider range, and the lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral portion 4
The flange portion 42 of the main tank 1 and the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1
The structure is configured to increase the so-called sealing property with.

Therefore, when fixing the sub-tank 2 to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1, the spirally wound sub-tank 2 is tightened to reduce the outermost diameter of the sub-tank 2, and the upper part of the main tank 1 (not shown) is tightened. When inserted into the main tank 1 (bottom part 11) through the opening, the sub-tank that has been wrapped tightly will expand to return to its original shape within the main tank 1, so the outermost diameter of the enlarged sub-tank 2 will be the same as the top of the main tank 1. The diameter of the opening is larger than that of the opening. Said main tank 1 for fixing the sub tank 2 to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1 in this state.
When fixing work from the upper opening, the sub-tank 2
A fixing part 5 provided on the lower edge 31 of the spiral inner peripheral part 3 of
The base 6 forming the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1
All that is required is fixation work such as heat welding, vibration welding, or clips to the sub-tank 2.
The lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral part 4 of the sub-tank 2 is fixed to the bottom surface 11 of the main tank 1 (i.e., by press contact) of the pedestal 6 provided on the lower end edge 31 of the spiral inner peripheral part 3 of the sub-tank 2. It can be brought into pressure contact with the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1 by repulsive force (exhibits a function substantially equivalent to fixation).

Therefore, the sub-tank 2 can be fixed to the bottom surface 11 of the main tank 1 by simply fixing it to the pedestal 6 that forms the fixing part 5 provided on the lower edge 31 of the spiral inner peripheral part 3 of the sub-tank 2. Often, the fixing jig can be easily inserted even through a small opening, and this fixing jig can be used in the sub tank 2, which is expanded inside the main tank 1.
Since there is no need to move the sub-tank 2 to the lower edge 41 of the helical outer circumferential portion 4, the fixing work of the sub-tank 2 can be carried out extremely easily and in a short time. By fixing the pedestal 6 forming the fixing part 5 provided at 31, the lower edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral part 4 can be pressed against the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1 by a helical repulsive force in a state substantially equivalent to fixation. Therefore, the entire lower edge 31 (pedestal 6) of the spiral inner circumferential portion 3 of the sub-tank 2 and the lower edge 41 of the spiral outer circumferential portion 4 can be reliably fixed (pressed) to the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1. It is something. In addition, the spiral outer peripheral portion 4 of the sub-tank 2
By not fixing the lower edge 41 of
No pressure is applied to this helical outer circumferential portion 4 from above, the helical outer circumferential portion 4 does not deform, and the fixed position to the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1 does not move, so the sub-tank 2 can be reliably fixed in a predetermined position.

Here, the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1 is formed at the lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral portion 4 due to the fixation of the lower end edge 31 (pedestal 6) of the spiral inner peripheral portion 3 of the sub-tank 2.
The pressing force (that is, the helical repulsion force) can be arbitrarily changed by changing the thickness, material, cross-sectional shape, etc. of the spiral inner peripheral portion 3 and the spiral outer peripheral portion 4.

Furthermore, if the surface precision of the bottom surface part 11 of the main tank 1 with which the flange part 42 provided on the lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral part 4 of the sub-tank 2 is in pressure contact is poor, the surface accuracy between this bottom surface part 11 and the flange part 42 may be poor. Since a gap may occur between the holes and the so-called sealing performance cannot be ensured, for example, a groove is provided in the flange portion 42 and a sealing member such as an O-ring is attached to this groove, and the sealing member is press-fitted to the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1. The flange portion 42 provided on the lower edge 41 of the spiral outer circumferential portion of the sub-tank 2 and the main tank 1 are connected by a method such as a method of attaching a soft material or the like to the flange portion 42 and pressing it against the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1. It is configured to enhance the so-called sealing performance between the bottom surface portion 11 and the bottom surface portion 11.

In the above description, a pedestal 6 for forming the fixed part 5 is provided on the lower edge 31 of the spiral inner peripheral part 3 of the sub-tank 2, and this pedestal 6 (fixed part 5)
Although an embodiment has been shown in which the fixing part 5 is fixed to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, without providing the pedestal 6 for forming the fixing part 5, 31 directly to the bottom part 11 of the main tank 1, the sub tank 2
may be fixed to the main tank 1 (bottom portion 11).

Further, an embodiment is shown in which a flange portion 42 is provided on the lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral portion 4 of the sub-tank 2 in order to increase the pressure contact area with the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1 to increase so-called sealing performance. However, without being limited to this, for example, the flange portion 42 may not be provided and the lower end edge 41 of the spiral outer peripheral portion 4 may be directly pressed against the bottom surface portion 11 of the main tank 1.

[Effect of idea]

As mentioned above, this idea is based on the fact that in the free state before the sub-tank is fixed to the bottom of the main tank,
The lower edge of the helical outer circumference of the sub-tank is spirally positioned below the lower edge of the helical inner circumference, and the lower edge of the helical inner circumference of the sub-tank is pressed into contact with the bottom of the main tank. By bringing it into contact with
The structure is configured such that the lower edge of the spiral outer periphery of the sub-tank is brought into pressure contact with the bottom of the main tank by a spiral repulsive force, and (a) the lower edge of the spiral inner periphery of the sub-tank is pressed against the bottom of the main tank. The entire sub-tank can be fixed to the bottom of the main tank by simply fixing it.

(b) The above (a) makes it easy to insert a fixing jig for fixing work.

(c) With the above (a), the work of fixing the sub-tank to the bottom of the main tank can be done extremely easily and in a short time.

(d) All the lower edges of the spiral inner circumferential portion and the spiral outer circumferential portion of the sub-tank can be securely fixed to the bottom surface portion of the main tank.

(e) Because the lower edge of the spiral outer periphery of the sub-tank is not fixed due to (a) above, no pressure is applied from above to this spiral outer periphery, and deformation of this spiral outer periphery is prevented. I can do it.

(f) Due to the above (e), the fixed position of the sub-tank to the bottom of the main tank does not move, and the sub-tank can be reliably fixed at a predetermined position.

The above effects (a) to (f) are achieved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings from Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 show an embodiment of this invention, and Fig. 1 shows a cross section taken along line I-I in Fig. 3 in a free state before the sub-tank is fixed to the main tank (bottom part). Figure 2 is a sectional view equivalent to Figure 1 with the sub-tank fixed to the main tank (an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the part in Figure 4), Figure 3 is a perspective view of the sub-tank alone, and Figure 4 is the sub-tank fixed. The front view of the main tank (fuel tank) shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 shows the conventional example, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view equivalent to Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a sectional view equivalent to Fig. 2. 7 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 4. 1... Main tank, 11... Bottom part, 2...
Sub-tank, 3... Helical inner periphery, 31... Lower edge, 4... Spiral outer periphery, 41... Lower edge.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A sub-tank fixed to the bottom of the main tank, this sub-tank has a spiral inner periphery formed near the center and a spiral outer periphery spirally wound outward from the spiral inner periphery. In a sub-tank structure comprising: The helical inner periphery of the sub-tank is formed so as to be located spirally below the lower edge of the sub-tank, and the lower edge of the helical inner periphery of the sub-tank is pressed into contact with the bottom surface of the main tank. A sub-tank structure characterized in that the lower end edge of the helical outer peripheral portion is pressed against the bottom portion of the main tank by a helical repulsive force.