JPH10141159A - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent, when a pressure regulator pulling-out preventing member is loaded, damaging of a pressure regulator and to easily load the same. SOLUTION: A fuel supply device 16 comprises a fuel pump 17, a fuel filter 18, a pressure regulator 21 and bracket 29 in which these elements are integrally assembled. The pressure regulator 21 is attached in the attaching hole 36 of the bracket 29 and held in its pulling-out preventing condition by a pulling-out preventing holder 39. The pullingout preventing holder 39 is composed of an annular part 39A, each pressing part 39B and each temporary fixing part 39C. The annular part 39A is interpolated in the outer peripheral side of the pressure regulator 21, and each temporary fixing part 39C is fixed in each engaging catch 38 of the bracket 29. Also, in this condition, each pressing part 29B elastically presses the flange part 23A of the pressure regulator 21 toward the bracket 29.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel supply apparatus suitably used for supplying fuel contained in a fuel tank of an automobile or the like toward an engine body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a fuel pump for discharging fuel in a fuel tank to the outside, a pressure regulator for adjusting the pressure of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump, and a pressure hole having a mounting hole are provided through the mounting hole. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a fuel supply apparatus including a mounting member to which a regulator is mounted, and a retaining member for retaining the pressure regulator in a retaining state with respect to a mounting hole of the mounting member.

A structure for mounting a pressure regulator of a fuel supply apparatus according to this type of the prior art will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0004] In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a mounting member provided at an intermediate position or the like of a fuel supply device. The mounting member 1 is used for adjusting the pressure of fuel discharged from a fuel pump (not shown). The pressure regulator 3 is attached. As shown in FIG. 13, a bottomed mounting hole 1A into which the pressure regulator 3 is fitted is formed in the mounting member 1, and a fuel return passage 1B is formed on the bottom side of the mounting hole 1A. I have.

A mounting hole 1A is provided on the upper surface of the mounting member 1.
And a short cylindrical portion 2 is formed so as to protrude upward, and the cylindrical portion 2 is formed to have a larger diameter by a certain dimension than the mounting hole 1A. A pair of engagement holes 2A, 2A are formed in the cylindrical portion 2 at positions radially opposed to each other across the mounting hole 1A.
Is formed, and a retaining clip 7 described later is removably engaged with each of the engagement holes 2A.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a pressure regulator mounted in the mounting hole 1A of the mounting member 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, a substantially cylindrical bottom case 4 fitted in the mounting hole 1A of the mounting member 1 and a substantially cup-shaped member integrally provided on the bottom case 4 and protruding from the upper surface side of the mounting member 1. A diaphragm (both not shown) is provided between the upper case 5 and the bottom case 4 to define the inside of the pressure regulator 3 into a fuel chamber and a spring chamber.

The upper case 5 has a flange portion 5A located on the outer peripheral side of the diaphragm and protruding radially outward.
The flange 5A is inserted into the cylindrical portion 2 of the mounting member 1. On the other hand, a small-diameter cylindrical portion 4A projects downward from the lower end side of the bottom case 4, and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 4A is fitted in the passage 1B of the mounting member 1.

Here, the pressure regulator 3 defines an annular fuel passage 6 between the pressure regulator 3 and the mounting hole 1A of the mounting member 1, as shown in FIG. The pressure chamber 3 is connected to the fuel chamber via a lower end of the pressure regulator 3.

Then, the fuel flowing into the fuel chamber of the pressure regulator 3 passes through the diaphragm to the small-diameter cylindrical portion 4A.
And flows back from the small-diameter cylindrical portion 4A to the fuel tank side via the passage portion 1B, whereby the pressure regulator 3 adjusts the pressure of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump. .

Reference numeral 7 denotes a retaining clip serving as a retaining member for the pressure regulator 3. As shown in FIG. 12, the retaining clip 7 is formed by bending a narrow metal material having a spring property into a substantially U-shape. And a generally C-shaped bent portion 7A located on the base end side, outwardly curved expanded portions 7B and 7B located on the distal end side, and each of the expanded portions 7B and the bent portion. 7A and an outwardly curved holding portion 7
C and 7C.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the retaining clip 7, the bent portion 7A and the expanded portions 7B are engaged in the respective engaging holes 2A of the mounting member 1, and the holding portions 7C are connected to the mounting member 1. By holding the flange 5A of the pressure regulator 3 between the pressure regulator 3 and the upper surface, the pressure regulator 3 is retained in the mounting hole 1A of the mounting member 1 in a retaining state.

The fuel supply device according to the prior art has the above-described configuration, and its operation will be described below.

First, the fuel in the fuel tank discharged from the discharge side of the fuel pump is supplied toward the engine body via a pipe (not shown) or the like, and a part of the fuel is supplied to the mounting member 1. From the fuel passage 6 of the pressure regulator 3 into the fuel chamber. When the pressure in the fuel chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure, the pressure regulator 3 returns excess fuel from the small-diameter cylindrical portion 4A to the fuel tank via the passage 1B of the mounting member 1. Thus, the pressure of the fuel supplied from the fuel pump to the engine body side is adjusted to a predetermined pressure.

On the other hand, when mounting the pressure regulator 3 on the mounting member 1, first, the small-diameter cylindrical portion 4A of the pressure regulator 3 is inserted into the passage portion 1B and the bottom case 4
Is inserted downwardly into the mounting hole 1A until the flange 5A contacts the upper surface of the mounting member 1, and the flange 5A is attached to the mounting member 1.
Into the tubular portion 2 of

Next, each enlarged portion 7B of the retaining clip 7 is horizontally inserted between the engagement holes 2A from outside the cylindrical portion 2. In this case, the expanded portions 7B of the retaining clips 7 inserted into the one engagement holes 2A are expanded leftward and rightward along the outer peripheral surface of the upper case 5 on the upper surface side of the flange 5A of the pressure regulator 3. While being opened, the upper case 5 is engaged with the other engagement hole 2A so as to pass over the left and right sides.

[0016]

In the prior art described above, when the pressure regulator 3 is mounted on the mounting member 1 via the retaining clip 7, the bottom case 4 of the pressure regulator 3 is mounted on the mounting member 1. The retaining clip 7 is inserted from the outside of the cylindrical portion 2 while the flange 5A of the pressure regulator 3 is kept in contact with the upper surface of the mounting member 1 while being inserted downward into the hole 1A. It is necessary to press firmly in the horizontal direction so as to engage with the mating hole 2A, and since the mounting direction of the pressure regulator 3 to the mounting member 1 and the mounting direction of the retaining clip 7 are different, the mounting operation of the pressure regulator 3 is difficult. There is a problem that it takes time and the workability at the time of mounting is poor.

When the retaining clip 7 is to be engaged with each of the engagement holes 2A of the cylindrical portion 2, the respective expanded portions 7B
Is strongly contacted along the outer peripheral surface of the upper case 5 of the pressure regulator 3 or rubs against the upper surface side of the flange portion 5A, so that the upper case 5 is scratched at these positions, the plating or the like is peeled off. Pressure regulator 3
However, there is a problem that the durability and reliability of the device are reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the present invention can reliably prevent a pressure regulator from being damaged by contact with a retaining member when the retaining member is attached, and to provide a durability and reliability. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel supply device capable of improving the operability, simplifying the work of mounting the pressure regulator, and improving the workability.

[0019]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel pump which discharges fuel in a fuel tank to the outside, and a pressure of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump. A pressure regulator to be adjusted, a mounting member having a mounting hole for mounting the pressure regulator, a plurality of engaging portions provided around the mounting hole, and the pressure regulator being mounted on the mounting hole of the mounting member. A retaining member for holding the retaining member in a retaining state, wherein the retaining member is formed by press-molding a thin metal plate, and an annular portion inserted into the outer peripheral side of the pressure regulator; A pressing portion formed integrally on the peripheral side and elastically pressing the pressure regulator toward the mounting hole of the mounting member, and a distal end side integrally extending from the outer peripheral side of the annular portion toward each engaging portion of the mounting member. Each It adopts a configuration comprising a plurality of latching portions which are respectively hooked on the engaging portion.

According to the above construction, the retaining portion can be formed to be elastically deformable by forming the retaining member from a thin metal plate. Therefore, when the retaining member is mounted, each retaining portion is connected to each of the mounting members. Simply by pressing against the engaging portions, the respective latching portions can be easily elastically deformed and latched on the respective engaging portions of the mounting member. The retaining member has an annular portion that is inserted into the outer peripheral side of the pressure regulator, and each engaging portion extending from the annular portion is engaged with each engaging portion of the mounting member at a position surrounding the pressure regulator. In this state, the pressure regulator is elastically pressed toward the mounting hole of the mounting member by the pressing portion, so that the pressure regulator can be held in a state of being prevented from being removed from the mounting hole of the mounting member.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the fuel pump for discharging the fuel in the fuel tank to the outside, the pressure regulator for adjusting the pressure of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump, and the pressure regulator are mounted. A mounting member having a mounting hole for providing a plurality of engaging portions around the mounting hole, and a retaining member for retaining the pressure regulator in a retaining state with respect to the mounting hole of the mounting member. The retaining member is formed by press-molding a thin metal plate, and has a flat contact portion that abuts on an end of the pressure regulator protruding from a mounting hole of the mounting member; A plurality of legs formed integrally and elastically deformable from the outer peripheral side toward the respective engaging portions of the mounting member; and Each one is locked It adopts a configuration consisting of a latching part.

With this arrangement, when the retaining member is mounted, each of the legs is elastically deformed by pressing each of the retaining portions against each of the engaging portions of the mounting member. Can be hooked to the joint. Then, in this state, the retaining member abuts on the end of the pressure regulator, and each retaining portion is retained in a retaining state on each engaging portion of the mounting member by the elastic restoring force of each leg. Therefore, the pressure regulator can be held in the mounting hole of the mounting member in a retaining state.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the fuel pump and the fuel filter are integrally mounted on the mounting member together with the pressure regulator.

Thus, the fuel pump, the fuel filter, and the pressure regulator can be attached to the fuel tank in a state where the fuel pump, the fuel filter, and the pressure regulator are integrally attached to the attachment member. Then, the fuel in the fuel tank discharged from the fuel pump can be purified by the fuel filter, and the fuel can be supplied to the outside of the fuel tank while the pressure is adjusted by the pressure regulator.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a case where the fuel supply device is used as a fuel supply device for an automobile engine will be described as an example. .

In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a fuel tank in which fuel such as gasoline is stored.
A fuel supply device 16 described below is provided to supply the internal fuel toward the engine body 12.

Numeral 13 denotes a fuel pipe attached to the engine body 12, and the fuel pipe 13 is provided with injection valves 14, 14,... For injecting fuel into each cylinder of the engine.
The fuel pipe 13 has one end connected to the fuel supply pipe 33 of the fuel supply device 16 via the pipe 15 and the other end serving as a closed end 13A.

Numeral 16 denotes a fuel supply device provided in the fuel tank 11. The fuel supply device 16 includes a fuel pump 17 and a fuel filter 18 which will be described later, as shown in FIGS.
And a pressure regulator 21 and a bracket 29 in which these are integrally assembled. As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply device 16 is attached to the fuel tank 11 via a bracket 29 which also serves as a support bracket for the fuel pump 17, the fuel filter 18, and the pressure regulator 21.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a fuel pump for discharging the fuel in the fuel tank 11 to the outside. The fuel pump 17 includes a pump body 17A mounted on a pump mounting portion 31 of a bracket 29, as shown in FIGS. , Filter unit 17B
(See FIG. 1), and is composed of a suction port 17C provided on the lower end side of the pump main body 17A, a discharge port 17D provided on the upper end side of the pump main body 17A, and the like.

Numeral 18 denotes a fuel filter for purifying the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 17.
Is a bottomed cylindrical filter case 18A whose upper end is mounted on a filter mounting portion 32 described later, and a cylindrical filter element 18B disposed in the filter case 18A.
It is composed of And the filter element 1
An annular outer liquid chamber 19 is defined between the outer peripheral side of 8B and the filter case 18A and the like, and an inner liquid chamber 20 is defined on the inner peripheral side.

A pressure regulator 21 is mounted in a mounting hole 36 of a bracket 29.
2 is substantially the same as the prior art as shown in FIG. 2, and has a bottom case 22 formed in a double cylindrical shape from a large-diameter cylindrical portion 22A and a small-diameter cylindrical portion 22B, and is caulked and fixed to the upper end side of the bottom case 22. , And a substantially cup-shaped upper case 23 protruding from the upper surface side of the bracket 29.

The lower end of the upper case 23 is caulked to the upper end of a bottom case 22 (large-diameter cylindrical portion 22A) that protrudes in a flange shape, so that it is positioned on the outer peripheral side of a diaphragm 25 to be described later. Flange 2 projecting outward in the direction
The lower surface of the flange portion 23A is in contact with the upper surface of the bracket 29 around the mounting hole 36.

Here, the pressure regulator 21 has an outer peripheral side defined by a bottom case 22 such that a fuel chamber 24A is defined on the large-diameter cylindrical portion 22A side of the bottom case 22 and a spring chamber 24B is defined on the upper case 23 side. A thin film-shaped diaphragm 25 made of a flexible material such as rubber sandwiched between the upper case 23 and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 2 of the bottom case 22
A ball valve element 26 disposed inside the fuel chamber 24A at an inner peripheral side of the diaphragm 25 so as to be separated from and seated on the upper end side of the diaphragm 2B and displaced upward and downward following the diaphragm 25;
A pressure setting spring 27 is provided in the spring chamber 24B and constantly urges the diamond frame 25 toward the fuel chamber 24A. Further, on the outer peripheral side near the upper end of the upper case 23, an air conduit 2 for communicating the inside of the spring chamber 24B with the outside is provided.
8 protrudes radially outward as shown in FIG.

In the pressure regulator 21, the large-diameter cylindrical portion 22A of the bottom case 22 is fitted into the mounting hole 36 of the bracket 29, and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 22B is fitted to the fitting cylindrical portion 3 described later.
7, and is retained in the mounting hole 36 of the bracket 29 in a retaining state by a retaining holder 39 described later. In this state, the pressure regulator 21
The pressure of the fuel flowing into 4A is adjusted to a predetermined pressure.

That is, when the pressure in the fuel chamber 24A exceeds a predetermined pressure, the diaphragm 25 is pushed toward the spring chamber 24B against the pressure setting spring 27, so that the ball valve body 26 is moved to the diaphragm 25. Following the small-diameter cylindrical portion 22B
To allow the excess fuel in the fuel chamber 24A to flow from the small-diameter cylindrical portion 22B into the return pipe 35 described later.

As a result, the pressure in the fuel chamber 24A is adjusted to a predetermined pressure set by the pressure setting spring 27, thereby preventing the pressure on the fuel supply pipe 33 described later from rising to a higher pressure. It is.

Numeral 29 is a bracket as an attachment member for attaching the pressure regulator 21 to the fuel tank 11 together with the fuel pump 17 and the fuel filter 18.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, reference numeral 9 denotes a substantially disk-shaped base portion 30, a pump mounting portion 31 extending downward from the base portion 30, and projecting downward from the base portion 30. Double cylindrical filter mounting part 3
2 and a mounting hole 36 formed on the upper surface side of the base portion 30.

The base 30 has a fuel pump 17
Discharge port 17D and the outer liquid chamber 1 in the fuel filter 18
9 and a fuel supply pipe 40 whose upper end protrudes upward in an L-shape from the upper surface of the base 30 and whose lower end communicates with the inner liquid chamber 20 in the fuel filter 18. A part 33, a fuel passage 34 that communicates the lower end side of the fuel supply pipe part 33 into the mounting hole 36, and a thin cylindrical return pipe part 35 that protrudes downward from the base part 30 are integrally formed.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a mounting hole for the pressure regulator 21 formed on the upper surface side of the bracket 29.
A bottomed cylindrical fitting tube 37 is formed at the center of the bottom of the tube 6 so as to protrude upward, and the bottom of the fitting tube 37 communicates with the fuel tank 11 via a return pipe 35. .

38, 38,...
For example, four engaging claws formed on the bracket 29 are shown as the engaging portions for the engaging members 9.
As shown in FIG.
Projecting upward from the upper surface side of the mounting hole 36, and are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the mounting hole 36. And each engaging claw 3
8 is formed so that the tip (upper end) side is bent in an L-shaped cross section toward the outside in the radial direction of the mounting hole 36, and a tapered guide surface portion 38A inclined obliquely downward is formed on the outside thereof.

Reference numeral 39 denotes a retaining holder serving as a retaining member of the pressure regulator 21. The retaining holder 39 is formed by press-forming a thin metal plate having spring properties as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Pressure regulator 2
An annular portion 39 inserted into the outer peripheral side of the first upper case 23;
A and a pair of presses, the base end of which is integrally formed on the inner peripheral side of the annular portion 39A, the distal end of which is formed in a substantially arc shape and extends in the circumferential direction and extends obliquely downward toward the flange 23A of the pressure regulator 21. Parts 39B, 39B, and the base end side is an annular part 39.
A locking portion 39C, which is integrally formed on the outer peripheral side of A and extends downward toward the respective engaging claw 38 of the bracket 29,
, And reinforcing portions 39D, 39D,... Which are located between the hook portions 39C and extend downward from the outer peripheral side of the annular portion 39A with a shorter length than the hook portions 39C. I have.

Each pressing portion 39B is elastically deformable at a position radially opposed to the upper case 23 of the pressure regulator 21 with the flange portion 23A facing the bracket 29 elastically. Pressing on. Further, rectangular engaging holes 39E, 39E,... Are formed in each latching portion 39C, and each engaging hole 39E is engaged with each engaging claw 38 of the bracket 29 in a detachable manner. The locking portion 39C is elastically deformable.

The retaining holder 39 presses each of the retaining portions 39C into the outer side of each of the engaging claws 38 of the bracket 29 from above by one-touch operation.
Of the pressure regulator 21 are elastically pressed toward the upper surface side of the bracket 29 by the pressing portions 39B in this state. . As a result, each pressing portion 39B receives a reaction force in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 5 from the pressure regulator 21, and each locking portion 39C locks with each engagement claw 38 of the bracket 29 by this reaction force. In this state, the pressure regulator 21 is retained in the mounting hole 36 of the bracket 29 in a retaining state.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a fuel intake pipe formed on the bracket 29. The fuel intake pipe 40 is provided in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the discharge port 17D of the fuel pump 17 is connected to the lower end protruding downward from the base portion 30, and the upper end is bent in an L-shape to form the outer liquid chamber 19 of the fuel filter 18.
Communicates within.

The fuel supply device according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, and its operation will be described next.

First, when the fuel pump 17 shown in FIG. 3 is driven, the fuel in the fuel tank 11 is supplied from the discharge port 17D of the fuel pump 17 to the outer liquid chamber 19 of the fuel filter 18 via the fuel intake pipe 40. Into the outer liquid chamber 1
9 from the filter element 18B toward the inner liquid chamber 20.
It is cleaned by flowing inside. This fuel is supplied from the inner liquid chamber 20 of the fuel filter 18 shown in FIG. 2 to the outside of the fuel tank 11 through the fuel supply pipe section 33, and from the respective injection valves 14 of the fuel pipe 13 shown in FIG. The fuel is injected into each cylinder of the engine body 12.

A part of the fuel flowing through the fuel supply pipe 33 flows into the mounting hole 36 through the fuel passage 34, and the pressure is adjusted by the pressure regulator 21. The fuel tank 11 is returned to the fuel tank 11 via the fitting tube 37 and the return pipe 35.

On the other hand, when the pressure regulator 21 is mounted on the bracket 29, as shown in FIG. 7, the bottom case 22 of the pressure regulator 21 is first inserted into the mounting hole 36 until the flange 23A comes into contact with the upper surface of the bracket 29. I do.

Next, the annular portion 39A of the retaining holder 39 is inserted from the distal end side of the air conduit 28 of the pressure regulator 21 toward the outer peripheral side of the upper case 23, and each of the retaining portions 39
The tip side of C is pressed downward by one-touch operation toward the guide surface portion 38A of each engaging claw 38 of the bracket 29. As a result, the leading end side of each hook 39C is guided by the guide surface 38A of each engaging claw 38 and elastically deforms radially outward, and each hook 39C becomes an engaging hole 39E as shown in FIG. Are hooked on the outer peripheral side of each engagement claw 38 with one touch.

At this time, the retaining holder 39 is arranged such that the distal end side of each pressing portion 39B has the flange portion 2 of the pressure regulator 21.
3A is elastically pressed toward the upper surface side of the bracket 29, and each of the latch portions 39C is moved by the action of the reaction force.
9 is stably engaged with each of the engaging claws 38, and the pressure regulator 21 is retained in the mounting hole 36 in a retaining state.

Thus, in this embodiment, the annular portion 39A,
A structure in which a retaining holder 39 composed of each pressing portion 39B and each engaging portion 39C is formed of a thin metal plate, and the pressure regulator 21 is retained in the mounting hole 36 of the bracket 29 in the retaining state by the retaining holder 39. When the retaining holder 39 is mounted, the annular portion 39A
Of each bracket 39C is pressed against the corresponding engaging claw 38 of the bracket 29 by inserting each of the hooks 39C into the outer peripheral side of the pressure regulator 21. The retaining holder 39 can be easily engaged with each of the engaging claws 38, and the retaining holder 39 can be easily attached to the bracket 29 by a one-touch operation without contacting the retaining holder 39 with the pressure regulator 21 except for each pressing portion 39B. Can be installed.

Then, in this state, the pressure regulator 21 can be elastically pressed against the mounting hole 36 of the bracket 29 by each pressing portion 39B, and the reaction force of this pressing force is applied to each locking portion 39C. By acting in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG.
9 can be kept in a stable latching state with respect to each of the engagement claws 38, and the pressure regulator 21 can be reliably held in the mounting hole 36 of the bracket 29 in a locking state.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the pressure regulator 21 can be reliably prevented from being damaged when the retaining holder 39 is mounted, and the durability and reliability of the pressure regulator 21 can be greatly improved. 21 can be performed more efficiently than in the prior art.

Further, the annular portion 39A of the retaining holder 39 is inserted through the outer peripheral side of the pressure regulator 21, and the annular portion 39A is inserted.
A each of the latch portions 39C extending from the pressure regulator 21
The pressure regulator 21 is engaged with each of the engagement claws 38 of the bracket 29 at a position surrounding the mounting hole 3.
6 can be mounted in a stable state.

Further, since the guide surface 38A is formed on the outer peripheral side of the upper end of each engaging claw 38, when the retaining holder 39 is mounted, the retaining holder 39 abuts on the guide surface 38A of each engaging claw 38. Each hook 39C is connected to the guide surface 3
8A can be reliably guided toward the outer peripheral side of each engaging claw 38, and each hook 39C can be smoothly hooked to each engaging hook 38.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show a second embodiment according to the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that an abutment of a retaining member comes into contact with an end of a pressure regulator protruding from a mounting hole of a mounting member. In this case, the pressure regulator is held in a retaining state by contacting the pressure regulators. In this embodiment,
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the drawing, reference numeral 41 denotes a retaining holder as a retaining member according to the present embodiment. The retaining holder 41 is formed by press-forming a thin metal plate having a spring property and has a substantially disk shape. A push crown portion 41A serving as an abutting portion, and a plurality of leg portions 41B extending obliquely downward from the outer peripheral side of the push crown portion 41A and extending in a bifurcated manner toward each engaging claw 38 of the bracket 29, , And hooks 41C, 41C,..., Which are installed so as to integrally connect a pair of legs 41B, 41B adjacent to each other among the legs 41B at the front ends (lower ends). It is configured.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each leg 41B is formed so as to be elastically deformable with a length L1, and each hook 41C extends in the circumferential direction with a dimension L2. The distal end side of each latching portion 41C is formed so as to be curved outward in the radial direction, and this curved portion directs each latching portion 41C toward the outer peripheral side of each engaging claw 38 when the retaining holder 41 is mounted. And a guide section 41D for guiding the user.

Further, a hook 41 is provided between the legs 41B.
Each window 41E is formed by C, and each engaging claw 38 of the bracket 29 is engaged with each window 41E so as to be disengageable. Also, each leg 41 of the retaining holder 41
Between B and B, a portion where the latching portion 41C does not exist becomes a substantially U-shaped expanded space 41F, which is located on the upper end side of the expanded space 41F and has a small cutout 41 formed on the outer peripheral side of the push crown 41A.
G, 41G,... Are formed.

As shown in FIG. 10, the retaining cap 41 is pressed by a one-touch operation so as to cover the pressure regulator 21 from above at the time of mounting. Each engaging portion 41 </ b> C is engaged with each engaging claw 38 of the bracket 29. In this case, each latching portion 41C of the retaining holder 41 moves radially outward by the guide portion 41D being guided by the guide surface portion 38A of each engaging claw 38, and accordingly, each leg portion 41B Are elastically deformed radially outward, so that each of the engaging claws 3 is
8 is engaged with the outer peripheral side.

Each of the legs 41B of the retaining holder 41 retains a state of being slightly elastically deformed outward in the radial direction from the free length state, and the elastic restoring force of the legs 41B is radially inward with respect to each of the retaining portions 41C. By acting in the direction, each latch portion 41C
Is stably latched to each engagement claw 38, whereby the retaining holder 41 holds the pressure regulator 21 in the retaining state with respect to the mounting hole 36 of the bracket 29. At this time, the air conduit 28 of the pressure regulator 21 is disposed in the expansion space 41F of the retaining holder 41.

Thus, in the present embodiment having the above-described structure, substantially the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Is configured to contact the upper end of the pressure regulator 21, so that a one-touch mounting operation can be performed simply by pressing the retaining holder 41 so as to cover the pressure regulator 21 from above. It can be greatly improved.

Further, since the dimension L1 of each leg 41B of the retaining holder 41 can be increased, when the retaining holder 41 is mounted, each retaining portion 41C is applied to each engaging claw 38 of the bracket 29 with a relatively small force. Even when pressed, each leg 41
B can be easily bent outward in the radial direction, and each of the latch portions 41C can be easily latched to each of the engagement claws 38. In this state, the elastic restoring force of each leg 41B can act radially inward on each hook 41C, and each hook 41C is applied to each engaging claw 38 of the bracket 29. And can be held in a stable latching state.

Further, since the guide portion 41D is formed on the tip side of each latch portion 41C, each guide portion 41D is connected to each of the engaging claws 3C.
By pressing against the guide surface portion 38 </ b> A of No. 8, each latch portion 41 </ b> C can be smoothly guided toward the outer peripheral side of each engagement claw 38.

Next, FIG. 11 shows a third embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as in the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. And However, a feature of the present embodiment is that the dimension L3 of each latching portion 51C in the circumferential direction of the retaining holder 51 is increased.

Here, as in the second embodiment, the retaining holder 51 includes a push crown 51A that contacts the upper end of the pressure regulator 21, and each of the brackets 29 from the outer peripheral side of the push crown 51A. Leg 51 extending toward engaging claw 38
, 51B,... And the hooks 51C, 51C,..., Which are installed between a pair of adjacent legs 51B, 51B of the legs 51B, and are hooked on the respective engaging claws 38. It is configured. However, in this embodiment, the dimension L3 of each latch 51C extending in the circumferential direction is formed larger than the dimension L2 of the latch 41C in the second embodiment (L3> L2).

The window 51D between the legs 51B connected by the hooks 51C is wider than the window 41E of the retaining holder 41. When the retaining holder 51 is mounted, the air conduit of the pressure regulator 21 is connected. 28 is disposed in the window 51D of the retaining holder 51.

Thus, in the present embodiment having the above-described structure, substantially the same operation and effect as those of the second embodiment can be obtained. In the present embodiment, particularly, in the present embodiment, the dimension L3 of each latch portion 51C is reduced. Because of the large size, each engaging claw 38 formed on the bracket 29 is attached to the mounting hole 36 corresponding to this dimension L3.
, And the strength of each engaging claw 38 can be reliably increased.

In each of the above embodiments, the bracket 29
Each of the engaging claws 38 is formed, and the engaging portions 39C, 41C, and 51C that are engaged with the engaging claws 38 are secured to the retaining holder 39,
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an engaging claw is formed as a hook on the distal end side of each leg of the retaining holder, and the engaging claw is formed on the bracket. It may be configured to be hooked on an engaging portion formed of a notch or a concave groove.

In each of the above embodiments, the pressure regulator 21 is provided on the fuel tank 11 via the bracket 29. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressure regulator 21 is provided separately from the fuel tank 11. In this case, for example, a mounting member for the pressure regulator 21 is provided in the middle of the pipe 15 or at the closed end 13A of the fuel pipe 13 at the outside of the fuel tank 11, and a pressure is provided in the mounting hole of the mounting member. Hold the regulator 21 in the holder 3
What is necessary is just to make it the structure hold | maintained in a retaining state via 9,41,51.

[0072]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the retaining member including the annular portion, the pressing portion, and the respective retaining portions is formed of a thin metal plate, and the retaining member is formed by the retaining member. Since the pressure regulator is configured to be retained in the mounting hole of the mounting member in a retaining state, when the retaining member is mounted, each retaining portion of the retaining member is elastically deformed to easily engage with each engaging portion of the mounting member. The retaining member can be easily attached to the mounting member by one-touch operation without bringing the retaining member into contact with the pressure regulator except for the pressing portion. Then, in this state, the pressure regulator can be elastically pressed toward the mounting hole of the mounting member by the pressing portion, and each latching portion is moved against each engaging portion of the mounting member by a reaction force of the pressing force. Since the latching state can be stably maintained, the pressure regulator can be reliably held in the retaining hole with respect to the mounting hole of the mounting member. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the pressure regulator from being damaged when the retaining member is mounted, to greatly improve the durability and reliability thereof, and to perform the mounting operation of the pressure regulator more efficiently than in the related art. .

On the other hand, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the retaining member comprising the contact portion, each leg portion, and each latching portion is formed by a thin metal plate, and the pressure regulator is attached by the retaining member. Because the retaining hole is held against the mounting hole of the member, when attaching the retaining member, just press the retaining member against the pressure regulator from above, and the contact of the retaining member Parts can be in contact with the ends of the pressure regulator, each leg can be elastically deformed, and each latching part on the tip side can be easily engaged with each engaging part of the mounting member, and with one-touch operation The retaining member can be easily attached to the mounting member. Then, in this state, each latching portion can be kept in a stable latching state with respect to each engaging portion of the mounting member by the elastic restoring force of each leg portion, and the pressure regulator is moved to the mounting hole of the mounting member. The retaining state can be reliably maintained. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the durability and the reliability from being lowered when the pressure regulator is mounted, and it is possible to efficiently perform the mounting work. Further, each leg of the retaining member can be extended with a large length from the contact portion abutting on the end of the pressure regulator to each engaging portion of the mounting member, and each leg is relatively small. It is possible to easily bend by force and to easily hook the respective hooking portions on the distal end side to the respective engaging portions of the mounting member.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the fuel pump and the fuel filter are integrally assembled with the mounting member together with the pressure regulator, the fuel pump and the fuel filter are simply installed in the fuel tank. The mounting can be performed via one mounting member, and the pressure regulator can be mounted on the mounting member, thereby simplifying the operation of mounting the fuel pump, the fuel filter, and the pressure regulator on the fuel tank.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a fuel supply device and the like according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a fuel supply device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fuel supply device as viewed from a position different from that of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a bracket in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 2 showing an annular portion, a pressing portion, and a leg portion of the retaining holder together with a pressure regulator and the like.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a retaining holder in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the pressure regulator and the retaining holder in FIG. 2 are removed from the mounting holes of the bracket.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a retaining holder of a fuel supply device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8;

10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the retaining holder in FIG. 9 is attached to a bracket together with a pressure regulator.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a retaining holder of a fuel supply device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a pressure regulator, a retaining clip, and the like of a fuel supply device according to the related art.

13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the pressure regulator and the retaining clip in FIG. 12 are attached to an attachment member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Fuel tank 17 Fuel pump 18 Fuel filter 21 Pressure regulator 29 Bracket (attachment member) 36 Attachment hole 38 Engagement claw (engagement part) 39, 41, 51 Detachment holder (detachment member) 39A Annular part 39B Pressing part 39C , 41C, 51C Hanging portion 41A, 51A Push crown portion (contact portion) 41B, 51B Leg portion

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A fuel pump for discharging fuel in a fuel tank to the outside, a pressure regulator for adjusting a pressure of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump, and a mounting hole for mounting the pressure regulator. A mounting member provided with a plurality of engaging portions around the hole, and a retaining member for holding the pressure regulator in a retaining state with respect to the mounting hole of the mounting member, wherein the retaining member is thin. An annular portion formed by press-molding a metal plate and inserted on the outer peripheral side of the pressure regulator, and the pressure regulator integrally formed on the inner peripheral side of the annular portion and elastically facing the mounting hole of the mounting member. And a plurality of engaging portions extending integrally from the outer peripheral side of the annular portion toward the respective engaging portions of the mounting member, and the leading end sides thereof are respectively engaged with the respective engaging portions. Fuel Charging device. 2. A fuel pump for discharging fuel in a fuel tank to the outside, a pressure regulator for adjusting a pressure of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump, and a mounting hole for mounting the pressure regulator. A mounting member provided with a plurality of engaging portions around the hole, and a retaining member for holding the pressure regulator in a retaining state with respect to the mounting hole of the mounting member, wherein the retaining member is thin. A flat plate-shaped contact portion formed by press-molding a metal plate and coming into contact with an end of the pressure regulator protruding from a mounting hole of the mounting member; A plurality of legs integrally extending toward the joint portion and formed to be elastically deformable; and a plurality of latches integrally formed on the distal end sides of the respective legs and latched to the respective engaging portions of the mounting member. Consists of Charge supply device. 3. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel pump and the fuel filter are integrally assembled with the pressure regulator together with the mounting member.