WO2007034767A1

WO2007034767A1 - Pressure control device and fuel feed device using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2007034767A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/318480
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bunji Homma; Hideyuki Iwamoto; Tomohiro Ono; Maki Shimogawa; Keizo Hayama; Takao Ikarugi; Katsutoshi Ito; Shinichiro Horisoko; Masahiko Narushima
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; Keihin Corporation
Priority date: 2005-09-20
Filing date: 2006-09-19
Publication date: 2007-03-29
Also published as: CN101268272A; BRPI0616229A8; BRPI0616229B1; JP5164573B2; JPWO2007034767A1; BRPI0616229A2

Abstract

A pressure control device enabling the easy adjustment of a valve opening pressure and having a small pressure gradient when a flow is small. A pressure regulator (10) comprises a ball (31), a seal part (35) closing a flow passage when the ball (31) abuts thereon, a valve spring (32) abutting on the ball (31) at its one end and energizing the ball (31) toward the seal part (35), and a retainer (33) allowing the other end of the valve spring (32) to abut thereon and capable of changing an energization force by the valve spring (32). The retainer (33) is disposed in a valve chamber (34) movably along the direction of the flow passage. The energization force of the valve spring (32) can be properly adjusted by moving the retainer (33) to change the set height of the valve spring (32). Since a part with spring property in the device is only the valve spring (32), the valve opening pressure can be easily adjusted and its dispersion can be suppressed.

Description

Specification

Pressure control device and fuel supply device using the same

Technical field

The present invention relates to a pressure control device that adjusts fluid pressure, and more particularly, to a pressure control device used in a fuel supply system of an engine and a fuel supply device using the same.

Background art

[0002] In a fluid supply system such as a fuel supply system or a hydraulic circuit of an automobile, various pressure adjustment mechanisms are used to prevent the fluid pressure from becoming excessive. As such a pressure adjustment mechanism, a pressure regulator (pressure control device) using a diaphragm is known. For example, International Publication W096Z23969 discloses pressure adjustment used for an engine fuel supply system. A valve is shown. There, the fuel pumped up from the fuel tank by the fuel pump is adjusted in pressure by the pressure regulating valve and supplied to the fuel injection device. The surplus fuel is supplied from the pressure regulating valve to the fuel tank. Returned.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional pressure regulator used in the fuel supply system of such an engine. As shown in FIG. 5, the pressure regulator 51 has a configuration in which an armature 55 supported by a diaphragm 54 is disposed in a nosing in which a case 52 and a cover 53 are caulked. In the pressure regulator 51, a fuel inlet 56 is provided in the case 52, and a fuel outlet 57 is provided in the cover 53. The armature 55 is powered by the valve body 58 and the spring holder 59, and the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm 54 is sandwiched between the valve body 58 and the spring holder 59. The outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm 54 is sandwiched between the case 52 and the cover 53, whereby the armature 55 is supported by the diaphragm 54 so as to be vertically movable in the housing. On the other hand, a spring 60 that urges the armature 55 downward in the figure is arranged between the spring holder 59 and the inner periphery of the upper end of the force bar 53.

[0004] The valve body 58 further includes a valve body 61, a valve spring 62, a ball 63, and a ball holder plate 64. An oil passage 65 is formed in the valve body 61, and a valve hole 66 and a taper portion 67 are provided in the oil passage 65. Valve spring 66 has valve spring 6 2 is accommodated, and a spherical ball 63 is disposed inside the tapered portion 67. The ball 63 is urged downward by a valve spring 62 in the figure. A valve seat 68 projects from the bottom surface 52 a of the case 52 so as to face the armature 55. The finished mature 55 is pressed against the upper surface of the valve seat 68 by the pressing force of the spring 60, and the ball 63 also contacts the valve seat 68. As a result, the ball 63 is pushed up against the pressing force of the spring 68 and comes into contact with the taper portion 67, the oil passage 65 is shut off, and the valve is closed.

When the fuel flows in from the fuel inlet 56 in the state of FIG. 5 and the fuel pressure exceeds a predetermined adjustment pressure, the armature 55 receives the fuel pressure and moves upward. Then, the ball 63 is detached from the taper portion 67 by the pressing force of the spring 68, and the oil passage 65 is opened to open the valve. As a result, the fuel inlet 56 and the fuel outlet 57 communicate with each other via the oil passage 65, and excess fuel is returned to the fuel tank, so that the fuel pressure is adjusted.

Patent Document 1: International Publication W096Z23969

Patent Document 2: International Publication WO03Z58364

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, as in the pressure regulator 51 in FIG. 5, in a pressure control device having a coil spring and a diaphragm as constituent parts, both have “spring property (elastic function)”. Therefore, the pressure control mechanism has a composite spring structure. In such a composite spring structure, the biasing force of the coil spring and the diaphragm is related in a complicated manner, so that it is very difficult to set the valve opening pressure. The valve opening pressure is set as the valve opening pressure. Therefore, in the pressure control device having the structure as shown in FIG. 5, when the device is applied to a low flow rate (for example, 40 LZh or less) system, since the absolute amount of the flow rate change is small, the pressure gradient with respect to the flow rate change becomes large. There was a problem of end.

[0007] In addition, in the diaphragm pressure control device such as the pressure regulator 51, a rubber member (diaphragm 54) is used in the fuel flow path, so that corrosion resistance to gasoline, aging deterioration of the rubber member, etc. Therefore, there has been a demand for improvement in terms of device life. In addition, the valve body operation may vary due to changes in the temperature (cold heat) of the rubber member, causing fuel to burn. There was also a problem that the pressure could not be controlled stably.

[0008] Further, in such a type of pressure control device, the load of the spring 60 is increased by crushing the cover 53 after the thread is attached. At this time, since the load adjustment width due to the cover crushing is only about ± lmm with respect to the reference position, there is a problem that the adjustment load may not be adjusted to an optimum load with a narrow adjustment allowance. In addition, even if the cover 53 is crushed to the set load, the set fuel pressure is always reduced by the springback as soon as the jig is removed.Therefore, it is necessary to crush the cover in anticipation of this, making adjustment difficult and load variation. Also grows. In addition, if the strength of the cover 53 is low, there is a possibility that the spring load may change due to changes over time, and there is also a problem in terms of performance stability.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure control device in which valve opening pressure adjustment is easy and accurate, and a pressure gradient at a low flow rate is small and various problems caused by a rubber member do not occur. Means for solving the problem

[0010] A pressure control device according to the present invention includes a housing including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet connected to the fluid inlet through a flow path, a valve element disposed in the flow path, A seal portion that closes the flow path when the valve body abuts, an elastic member that abuts the valve body and biases the valve body toward the seal portion, and the flow path direction in the housing. And an adjustment member that can change the biasing force of the elastic member by moving in the flow path direction.

[0011] In the present invention, the closing / opening of the flow path can be controlled by one elastic member, and a complex spring structure in which the valve opening pressure is difficult to set is unnecessary, so that the valve opening pressure can be easily adjusted. Yes, the noise can be kept small. For this reason, even in a low flow rate fuel supply apparatus, the fuel pressure regulation becomes good and the pressure gradient with respect to the flow rate change can be reduced. Also, spring parts

Since there is only one, the structure is simple and the pressure control device can be reduced in size and weight. Furthermore, since there is no rubber member in the apparatus, problems such as corrosion resistance of the rubber member to gasoline, aging deterioration, temperature change, etc. do not occur, the apparatus life is improved, and fuel pressure control is stabilized.

[0012] In the pressure control apparatus, a compression coil spring is used as the elastic member, and the set length of the compression coil spring is increased by moving the adjustment member in the flow path direction. You may make it change.

[0013] In the pressure control device, the adjustment member may be press-fitted into the housing, and an end of the adjustment member on the fluid outlet side may be caulked and fixed to the housing. Further, in the pressure control device, the adjustment member may be welded in the housing, and an end portion of the adjustment member on the fluid outlet side may be caulked and fixed to the housing. Further, in the pressure control device, a locking piece that abuts on the inner peripheral surface of the housing and restricts the movement of the adjusting member toward the fluid outlet may be provided on the outer peripheral portion of the adjusting member. .

[0014] In the pressure control device, the seal portion is formed in the housing, and the seal member is formed by the elastic member having one end side in contact with the valve body and the other end side in contact with the adjustment member. You may make it press-contact. In the pressure control device, the sealing member is formed on the adjustment member, and the valve body is abutted against the valve body at one end side and the elastic member holding section formed in the housing at the other end side. You may make it press-contact the said seal | sticker part with the said elastic member to contact | connect.

[0015] In addition, the pressure control device may be installed downstream of the fuel pump having a discharge flow rate OLZh or less.

On the other hand, the fuel supply device of the present invention is attached to a fuel tank, and includes an electric motor, a pump unit driven by the electric motor, and a pressure control device that adjusts the pressure of fuel discharged from the pump unit. A fuel supply apparatus comprising: a housing including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet communicated with the fluid inlet via a flow path, and disposed in the flow path. A valve body, a seal portion that closes the flow path when the valve body abuts, an elastic member that abuts the valve body and biases the valve body toward the seal portion, and the housing And an adjustment member that is movably disposed along the flow path direction and that can change the urging force of the elastic member by movement in the flow path direction.

In the present invention, the closing and opening of the flow path is controlled by a single elastic member in a fuel supply device that is attached to a fuel tank and includes an electric motor, a pump unit, and a pressure control device. Uses a pressure control device that does not require a complex spring structure that is difficult to set the valve opening pressure To do. For this reason, it is easy to adjust the valve opening pressure of the pressure control device, and the variation thereof is suppressed to be small, and even in a low flow rate fuel supply device, fuel pressure regulation is good and the pressure gradient with respect to flow rate change can be reduced. . In addition, since the structure of the pressure control device is simple and small and light, the fuel supply device can be reduced in size and weight. Furthermore, even if there are variations in the pump flow rate, the valve opening pressure of the pressure control device can be easily adjusted with various parts assembled as a fuel supply device, and variations in the performance of the entire fuel supply device can be suppressed.

The invention's effect

[0018] According to the pressure control device of the present invention, the valve body disposed in the flow path in the housing, the seal portion in which the flow path is closed by contacting the valve body force S, and the valve body abuts against the valve body. An elastic member that urges the valve body toward the seal portion, and an adjustment member that is disposed in the housing so as to be movable along the flow path direction and can change the urging force of the elastic member by moving in the flow path direction. Therefore, the closing and opening of the flow path can be controlled by a single elastic member, and a complex spring structure that makes it difficult to set the valve opening pressure becomes unnecessary. Further, since the biasing force of the elastic member can be adjusted, the valve opening pressure can be easily adjusted, and the variation can be suppressed to a small value. For this reason, even in a low flow rate fuel supply device, the fuel pressure regulation is good, and the pressure gradient with respect to the flow rate change can be reduced. Furthermore, since there is only one spring component in the device, the structure is simple, and the pressure control device can be made compact and lightweight. Since there is no rubber member in the device, there is no problem with the rubber member's corrosion resistance to gasoline, aging deterioration, temperature change, etc., the life of the device is improved, and stable control of fuel pressure is possible It becomes.

[0019] According to the fuel supply device of the present invention, a fuel supply device that is attached to a fuel tank and includes an electric motor, a pump unit, and a pressure control device. A valve body disposed on the sealing body, a seal portion that closes the flow path when the valve body abuts, an elastic member that abuts the valve body and biases the valve body toward the seal portion, and a housing. The pressure control device's flow path is closed because it has an adjustment member that can be moved along the flow path direction and that can change the biasing force of the elastic member by moving in the flow path direction. 'Opening can be controlled by a single elastic member, and it is difficult to set the valve opening pressure in the pressure control device, eliminating the need for a complex spring structure. [0020] In addition, in the pressure control device used here, the biasing force of the elastic member can be adjusted, and the opening valve pressure can be easily adjusted, and the variation can be suppressed to be small. For this reason, even in a low flow rate fuel supply apparatus, the fuel pressure regulation becomes good and the pressure gradient with respect to the flow rate change can be reduced. Furthermore, since there is only one spring component in the pressure control device, the structure is simple, the pressure control device can be reduced in size and weight, and the fuel supply device can be reduced in size and weight. Even if there is a variation in the pump flow rate, the valve opening pressure of the pressure control device can be easily adjusted with various parts assembled as a fuel supply device, so that variations in the performance of the entire fuel supply device can be suppressed. In addition, since there is no rubber member in the apparatus, problems such as corrosion resistance of the rubber member to gasoline, aging deterioration, temperature change, etc. do not occur, the apparatus life is improved, and stable control of the fuel pressure becomes possible.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a pressure regulator that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the retainer.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a pressure regulator that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a fuel supply apparatus that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional pressure regulator used in an engine fuel supply system.

Explanation of symbols

1 Fuel supply device 2 Electric motor

3 Fuel pump 4 Fuel pressure control unit

5 Shenore Case 6 End Kano Kuichi

7 End Kano Kuichi 8 Brush holder

9 Checkno Noreb 10 Preticular Regulator

11 Fuel inlet 12 Permanent magnet

13 Armature 14 Slot

15 core 16 shoreline

17 Rotating shaft 17a D cut part Bearing part 19 Pump case Bearing 21 Commutator ball 23 Return spring Spring holder 25 Nore chamber Chamber inlet 27 Fuel inlet Fuel outlet 29 Fuel inlet Fuel return port 31 Ball Nove spring 33 Retainer Bano rev chamber 35 Scene part Male thread part 37 Female thread Section Impeller 39 Impeller receiving section Pump chamber 42 Communication hole

Pret salle guille -t 52 case a bottom 53

Diaphragm 55 Armature Fuel inlet 57 Fuel outlet Valve body 59 Spring holder Spring 61 Valve body

Knob spring 63 Ball Honor Honore doubling + 65 Oil passage Valve hole 67 Taper part Spring 68 Valve seat part

Pressure gauge, housing 102 housing ball 104 valve spring retainer 106 flow path

a Inner peripheral surface 107 Large diameter flow path

Small-diameter channel 10G 1 communication path Scene section 111 Fluid inlet 112 Fluid outlet 112a Open edge

113 Spring holding part 114 Force staking part

115 Locking piece 115a Slope

115b Return 116 Retainer

121 pressure regulator 122 retainer

123 Spring holder

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a pressure regulator 101 (pressure control device) that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The pressure regulator 101 in FIG. 1 is used, for example, for adjusting the fuel pressure of an automobile fuel supply device (see Example 3). The pressure regulator 101 has a structure in which a ball (valve element) 103, a valve spring (elastic member) 104, and a retainer (adjustment member) 105 made of steel balls are housed in a metal housing 102. Yes. A flow path 106 is formed through the housing 102. A large diameter flow path 107 is formed on the downstream side (upper side in the figure) of the flow path 106, and a small diameter flow path 108 is formed on the upstream side (lower side in the figure). Has been. A ball 103 and a valve spring 104 are accommodated in the large-diameter channel 107, and the valve spring 104 is held by a retainer 105. A communication path 109 is formed in the retainer 105 so as to penetrate in the flow path direction.

A seal portion 110 is formed at the boundary between the large diameter channel 107 and the small diameter channel 108. The ball 103 is in contact with the seal portion 110 by the urging force of the valve spring 104, and the flow path 106 is closed when the ball 103 is in contact with the seal portion 110. The upstream end of the small diameter channel 108 is a fluid inlet 111, and the downstream end of the large diameter channel 107 is a fluid outlet 112. A ring-shaped retainer (adjustment member) 105 is fixed near the fluid outlet 112. A spring holding portion 113 is recessed on the upstream side (lower end surface) of the retainer 105. The spring holding portion 113 is in contact with the upper end portion of the valve spring 104 serving as a compression coil panel force. The lower end side of the valve spring 104 is in contact with the ball 103, and the ball 103 is normally pressed against the seal portion 110 by the urging force of the knob spring 104. The retainer 105 is inserted into the channel 106 from the fluid outlet 112 and is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface 106 a of the channel 106. At this time, when the retainer 105 is pushed downward in the drawing in the flow path 106, the valve spring 104 is compressed and the urging force is increased. As the urging force increases, the ball 103 is more strongly pressed against the seal portion 110, and the valve opening pressure increases. In other words, the set height (set length) of the valve spring 104 varies depending on the position of the retainer 105 in the large-diameter flow path 107, so that the valve opening pressure of the ball 103 can be adjusted appropriately. Become.

As described above, in the pressure regulator 101, the valve opening pressure can be easily adjusted by setting the position of the retainer 105. At that time, since the spring component is only one of the valve springs 104, the valve opening pressure can be easily adjusted and its variation is small. Therefore, even in a low flow rate fuel supply apparatus with a flow rate of 4 OLZh or less, if the pressure regulator 101 is used, the fuel pressure regulation becomes good and the pressure gradient with respect to the flow rate change can be reduced. In addition, since there is only one spring component in the pressure regulator 101, the device structure is simple, the pressure control device can be reduced in size and weight, and the fuel using it The supply device can also be reduced in size and weight. Furthermore, since the pressure regulator 101 does not have a rubber member such as a diaphragm in the apparatus, problems such as corrosion resistance of the rubber member due to gasoline, aging deterioration, temperature change, etc. do not occur. In addition, the life of the apparatus is improved and stable fluid pressure control becomes possible.

[0028] After adjusting the set height of the valve spring 104 so as to obtain a desired valve opening pressure, a crimping portion 114 is formed, and the retainer 105 is fixed by crimping. The force squeeze portion 114 is formed by punching the opening edge 112a of the fluid outlet 112 on the inner diameter side at a plurality of locations (for example, four locations equally), and abuts the end surface of the retainer 105 on the fluid outlet 112 side. The retainer 105 is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the force shim 114. Although the retainer 105 is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface 106a of the flow path, the retainer 105 is biased upward in the axial direction by the valve spring 104, so that the position of the retainer 105 may shift due to long-term use, and the valve opening pressure may change. On the other hand, in the pressure regulator 101, since the retainer 105 is retained by the force shim 114, the plate position is prevented from changing with time and the valve opening pressure is stabilized.

[0029] As the retainer, a retainer 116 provided with a locking piece 115 as shown in Fig. 2 may be used. There are a plurality of locking pieces 115 (for example, four equal parts) on the outer periphery of the retainer 105, or The insertion tip is formed with a slope 115a on the front end side and a return 115b on the rear end side. When the retainer 105 is inserted into the flow path inner peripheral surface 106a, the locking piece 115 comes into contact with the flow channel inner peripheral surface 106a and is crushed. Thereby, the retainer 116 is fixed in the flow path inner peripheral surface 106a, and at that time, the retainer 116 is prevented from coming off by the barb 115b. However, when using the retainer 116, it is desirable in terms of reliability and durability that the ends be caulked.

[0030] In such a pressure regulator 101, when a fluid such as fuel is supplied from the fluid inlet 111 and the pressure rises to a predetermined valve opening pressure or higher, the ball 103 moves to the valve spring 104. It moves downstream (rises up) against the urging force. As a result, the ball 103 is detached from the seal portion 110, the small-diameter channel 108 and the large-diameter channel 107 communicate with each other, and the valve 106 is opened. On the other hand, when the pressure of the fluid becomes lower than a predetermined valve opening pressure, the ball 103 is returned to the upstream side (lowered) by the urging force of the valve spring 104. As a result, the ball 103 comes into contact with the seal portion 110, the small-diameter channel 108 and the large-diameter channel 107 are isolated and closed, and the channel 106 is closed.

Example 2

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a pressure regulator 121 (pressure control device) that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The pressure regulator 121 in FIG. 3 is also used, for example, for adjusting the fuel pressure of a fuel supply device for automobiles. In the present embodiment, the same members and portions as those of the pre-regulator 101 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

The pressure regulator 121 also has a configuration in which a ball 103, a valve spring 104, and a retainer 122 are housed in a metal housing 102. However, here, the seal portion 110 is formed on the upper end surface of the retainer 122 that is not in the housing 102. Thus, by providing the retainer 122 with the seal portion 110, the seal portion 110 is separated from the housing 102, so that the processing accuracy of the seal portion 110 can be improved and the sealing performance can be improved. Further, in the pressure regulator 121, the spring holding portion (elastic member holding portion) 123 is formed at the boundary between the large-diameter channel 107 and the small-diameter channel 108 of the housing 102, which is not a retainer. That is, in the pressure regulator 121 of FIG. 3, the valve spring 104 is connected to the ball 103 on one end side and a spring holding portion 123 formed in the housing 102 on the other end side. In this manner, the ball 103 is pressed against the seal portion 110 formed on the retainer 122.

Furthermore, in the pressure regulator 121, a small-diameter channel 108 is formed on the downstream side of the channel 106, and a large-diameter channel 107 is formed on the upstream side. The upstream end of the large-diameter channel 107 is a fluid inlet 111, and the downstream end of the small-diameter channel 108 is a fluid outlet 112. A ball 103 and a valve spring 104 are accommodated in the large-diameter channel 107, and the ball 103 is held by a retainer 122. The retainer 122 is inserted into the flow path 106 from the fluid inlet 111, and is here welded to the inner peripheral surface 106a. After the welding, the retainer 122 is prevented from coming off by a caulking portion 114 formed at the fluid inlet 111. As the retainer 122, it is possible to use a retainer having a locking piece 115 formed as shown in FIG.

[0034] Also in such a pressure regulator 121, the valve opening pressure can be easily adjusted by setting the position of the retainer 122, and its variation is small. Further, since there are only spring-like component forces in the pressure regulator 121, the structure of the apparatus is simple, and the apparatus can be made compact and lightweight. Furthermore, since there is no rubber member such as a diaphragm, various problems caused by the rubber member do not occur, the life of the apparatus is improved, and stable fluid pressure control is possible.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a fuel supply apparatus that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The fuel supply device 1 in FIG. 4 is a device for a motorcycle, and the fuel pressure is adjusted by a pressure control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel supply device 1 is disposed in the fuel tank of the motorcycle and is used for a relatively low flow engine fuel supply system having a fuel flow rate of OLZh or less. A fuel pipe (not shown) is connected to the fuel supply device 1, and fuel is supplied to the fuel injection valve of the engine via the fuel pipe.

The fuel supply device 1 has a configuration in which an electric motor 2, a fuel pump (pump unit) 3, and a fuel pressure control unit 4 are integrated and housed in a steel shell case 5. End covers 6 and 7 are secured to both ends of the cylindrical shell case 5. The end cover (housing) 6 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to one end side of the shell case 5. The end cover 6 is provided with a brush holder portion 8 that holds a brush (not shown) of the electric motor 2. The shell case 5 serves as a cover and a brush holder. The end cover 6 further accommodates a check valve 9 and a pressure regulator (pressure control device) 10 constituting the fuel pressure control unit 4. The end cover 7 is formed by aluminum die casting and is attached to the other end of the shell case 5. A fuel inlet 11 is provided at the lower end of the end cover 7!

[0037] The electric motor 2 is a brushed DC motor. The shell case 5 also serves as a yoke for the electric motor 2, and a plurality of permanent magnets 12 are fixed to the inner peripheral surface thereof. Inside the permanent magnet 12, an armature 13 is rotatably arranged. Ryoichi Mature 13 includes a core 15 having a plurality of slots 14 extending in the axial direction, and a winding 16 wound around the slots 14. The armature 13 is fixed to the rotary shaft 17 and is rotatably supported between a bearing portion 18 provided on the end cover 6 and a bearing 20 attached to the pump case 19.

A commutator 21 is provided on the upper side of the armature 13 in FIG. The commutator 21 is fixed to the rotating shaft 17. The commutator 21 is also in contact with the brush in the radial force. The brush is accommodated in a brush holder portion 8 formed on the end cover 6 and pressed against the commutator 21 by a spring. As the electric motor 2, a flat type (flat type) commutator in which the brush slides in the axial direction can be used.

The fuel pressure control unit 4 is provided with a check valve 9 and a pressure regulator 10.

The check valve 9 has a configuration in which a ball 22, a return spring 23 and a spring holder 24 are accommodated in a valve chamber 25. Unlike the pressure regulator 10, the check valve 9 does not have a fuel pressure control function and is arranged to prevent fuel backflow from the fuel pipe side to the fuel pump 3 side. The ball 22 is pressed against the seal portion 26 by a return spring 23 made of a conical compression coil spring. The check valve 9 is supplied with fuel whose fuel pressure is increased by the fuel pump 3 from the fuel inlet 27. When the fuel pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the ball 22 moves away from the seal portion 26 against the urging force of the return spring 23 and opens, and the fuel inlet 27 and the valve chamber 25 communicate with each other. A fuel discharge port 28 is formed at the end of the valve chamber 25. Is connected to the fuel pipe.

[0040] In the middle of the nozzle chamber 25, a fuel inlet (fluid inlet) 29 is open. The fuel inlet 29 is connected to the pressure regulator 10. The pressure regulator 10 includes a ball (valve element) 31, a valve spring (elastic member) 32, and a retainer (adjustment member) 33 accommodated in a valve chamber (flow path) 34. When the fuel pressure in the valve chamber 25 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the valve is opened and the fuel pressure is adjusted appropriately. The ball 31 is pressed against the seal portion 35 by a valve spring 32 comprising a conical compression coil spring. The right end side of the valve chamber 34 in the figure is a fuel return port (fluid outlet) 30 that opens into the fuel tank. As described above, in the fuel supply device 1, a pressure control device having a simple configuration is used as the pressure regulator 10.

[0041] In the pressure regulator 10 of the fuel supply device 1, the retainer 33 is arranged to be movable along the flow path direction by a screw mechanism. A male thread portion 36 is formed on the outer periphery of the retainer 33 and is screwed with a female thread portion 37 formed on the inner periphery of the valve chamber 34. The retainer 33 is arranged so as to be movable in the left-right direction in the figure by means of both screw portions 36 and 37 in the valve chamber 34. When the retainer 33 is moved in the left direction in the figure, the valve spring 32 is compressed to increase its urging force, and the valve opening pressure is increased. On the other hand, when the retainer 33 is moved in the right direction in the figure, the noble spring 32 is extended to reduce its urging force and lower the valve opening pressure. That is, the valve opening pressure can be adjusted only by the movement of the retainer 33.

As described above, in the pressure regulator 10, the valve opening pressure can be adjusted as appropriate by adjusting the set height (set length) of the valve spring 32, which is the only spring component. At that time, since there is only one spring part 32, the valve opening pressure is easily adjusted and its variation is small. Therefore, even in a low flow rate fuel supply device with a discharge flow rate of 40LZh or less, the fuel pressure regulation becomes good and the pressure gradient with respect to the flow rate change can be reduced. In addition, since there is only one spring component in the pressure regulator 10, the structure is simple, the pressure control device can be reduced in size and weight, and the fuel supply device 1 can be reduced in size and weight. Is also planned. After adjusting the set height of the knob spring 32, the fuel return port 30 side of the retainer 33 is caulked and fixed in the same manner as the pressure regulator of the first and second embodiments. [0043] On the other hand, the pressure regulator 10 does not have a rubber member such as a diaphragm in the apparatus, so that problems such as corrosion resistance of the rubber member to gasoline, aging deterioration, and temperature change do not occur. The life of the apparatus is improved and the stability of fuel pressure control is improved. In addition, the valve opening pressure of the pressure regulator 10 can be easily adjusted in a modular state as the fuel supply device 1 even if the pump flow rate and the valve opening pressure of the check valve 9 vary. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variations in the performance of the entire fuel supply device 1.

It should be noted that the pressure regulator 10 may be configured so that the retainer 33 is fixed by being press-fitted or welded as in the first and second embodiments. In addition, after adjusting the set height of the noble spring 32, the retainer 33 may be caulked and fixed as in the above-described embodiment.

The fuel pump 3 is a non-volume regenerative pump, and is formed of a pump case 19 and an impeller 38. At the lower end side of the pump case 19, a cylindrical impeller accommodating portion 39 is sunk. An impeller 38 connected to the rotary shaft 17 of the electric motor 2 is disposed in the impeller accommodating portion 39. The rotary shaft 17 is formed with a D-cut portion 17a, and the impeller 38 is attached to the D-cut portion 17a and rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 17. Near the outer periphery of the impeller 38, a large number of pump chambers 41 penetrating in the axial direction are provided along the circumferential direction. Corresponding to the pump chamber 41, the end cover 7 is provided with a fuel inlet 11, and a communication hole 42 is provided on the upper end side of the impeller accommodating portion 39. The communication hole 42 is open facing the shell case 5.

[0046] The fuel supply apparatus 1 having such a configuration functions as follows. First, when the electric motor 2 is driven and the fuel pump 3 is operated, the fuel in the fuel tank is sucked from the fuel inlet 11. At this time, in the fuel pump 3, the impeller 38 rotates together with the rotating shaft 17, and fuel is sucked into the pump chamber 41 from the fuel suction port 11 as the impeller 38 rotates. The fuel sent into the pump chamber 41 is sent to the communication hole 42 by the rotation of the impeller 38 and supplied into the shell case 5.

[0047] Fuel is supplied into the shell case 5 by the fuel pump 3, and the check valve 9 is opened when the pressure in the shell case 5 exceeds a predetermined pressure. As a result, the fuel in the shell case 5 flows into the valve chamber 25 and is sent from the fuel discharge port 28 to the fuel pipe. On the other hand, the fuel pressure is When the fuel pressure rises and the fuel pressure in the nozzle chamber 25 exceeds a predetermined value, the pressure regulator 10 is opened. By opening the pressure regulator 10, the fuel in the valve chamber 25 is returned to the fuel tank from the fuel return port 30, and the fuel pressure in the valve chamber 25 is also reduced accordingly. Thereby, the pressure of the fuel supplied to the fuel pipe side is appropriately adjusted, and the fuel whose fuel pressure is adjusted is sent from the fuel discharge port 28 to the fuel pipe.

[0048] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the retainer 33 is movably disposed in the valve chamber 34 by the both screw portions 36 and 37, but the moving / fixing means of the retainer 33 is not limited to this. That is, as in Examples 1 and 2, the retainer 33 is press-fitted into the valve chamber 34, welded, or caulked and fixed. For each module of the fuel supply device 1, the pump flow rate and check valve are set. It may be set as appropriate in consideration of the valve opening pressure of 9. Further, the pressure regulator 10 may adopt the configuration of the pressure regulator 121 of the 1S embodiment 2 adopting the configuration of the pressure regulator 101 of the first embodiment. However, in this case, since the fuel flow direction is reversed, a block module such as the pressure regulator 121 is separately formed and assembled to the fuel supply device 1. The spring holder 24 of the check valve 9 may be configured to be movable up and down in the figure by forming a threaded portion.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the pressure control device according to the present invention is applied to an engine fuel supply system having a flow rate of 40 LZh or less has been shown. However, the flow rate of the fluid supply system to be applied is particularly limited. Not limited. However, the pressure regulator 10 is suitable for a system with a relatively low flow rate because it has a simple configuration with only one spring component. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the pressure control device according to the present invention is applied to a fuel supply device for a motorcycle has been shown. However, the application is not limited to this, and various vehicles such as a four-wheeled vehicle are used. It can also be used for other fuel supply devices. In addition to the engine fuel supply system, it can be applied to various hydraulic circuits. Furthermore, the fluid to be regulated is not limited to engine fuels such as gasoline and light oil, but can be applied to water, air, hydraulic circuit hydraulic oil, and the like.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet communicated with the fluid inlet through a flow path;

A valve element disposed in the flow path;

A seal portion in which the flow path is closed when the valve body abuts;

An elastic member that abuts on the valve body and biases the valve body toward the seal portion; and is disposed in the housing so as to be movable along the flow path direction. A pressure control device comprising: an adjustment member capable of changing an urging force of the elastic member.

2. The pressure control device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a compression coil spring, and the adjustment member changes a set length of the compression coil spring.

[3] The pressure control device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is press-fitted into the housing, and an end portion on the fluid outlet side is caulked and fixed to the housing. Pressure control device.

[4] The pressure control device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is welded into the housing, and an end portion on the fluid outlet side is caulked and fixed to the housing. Pressure control device.

[5] The pressure control device according to [1], wherein the adjusting member is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the housing at an outer peripheral portion of the adjusting member and restricts movement of the adjusting member toward the fluid outlet port. A pressure control device comprising:

6. The pressure control device according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion is formed in the housing, and the valve body has one end side in contact with the valve body and the other end side in contact with the adjustment member. A pressure control device, wherein the pressure control device is pressed against the seal portion.

[7] The pressure control device according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion is formed on the adjustment member, and the valve body has one end abutting the valve body and the other end formed in the housing. The pressure control device is pressed against the seal portion by the elastic member in contact with the elastic member holding portion.

[8] The pressure control device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure control device has a discharge flow rate of 40L.

A pressure control device installed downstream of a fuel pump of Zh or less.

[9] A fuel supply device that is attached to a fuel tank and includes an electric motor, a pump unit driven by the electric motor, and a pressure control device that adjusts the pressure of fuel discharged from the pump unit. And

The pressure control device includes a housing including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet communicated with the fluid inlet through a flow path, and

A valve element disposed in the flow path;

A seal portion in which the flow path is closed when the valve body abuts;

An elastic member that abuts on the valve body and biases the valve body toward the seal portion; and is disposed in the housing so as to be movable along the flow path direction. A fuel supply device comprising: an adjustment member capable of changing an urging force of the elastic member.