WO2016114132A1 - Suction filter and fuel supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

A suction filter (31) draws fuel into an intake port (32a) of a fuel pump (32) after the fuel has been filtered inside a fuel tank (2) of a vehicle, the suction filter being provided with: a filter element (310) which is arranged in the fuel tank and which filters stored fuel stored in the fuel tank by allowing the stored fuel to pass through to an inside space (312); and a partition element (311, 2311, 3311, 4311) disposed in such an orientation as to partition the inside space into a first space (312a, 3312a) into which flows the filtered fuel filtered by the filter element, and a second space (312b, 3312b) into which opens an intake port for drawing in the filtered fuel, the partition element allowing the filtered fuel to pass through from the first space to the second space.

Description

Suction filter and fuel supply device Cross-reference of related applications

This application includes Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-6179 filed on January 15, 2015, Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-142169 filed on July 16, 2015, and December 9, 2015. Is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-240567 filed in Japan, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to a suction filter and a fuel supply apparatus including the suction filter.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a fuel supply device that supplies fuel from inside a fuel tank of a vehicle to the outside of the fuel tank, the fuel sucked into the fuel pump suction port is discharged toward the outside of the fuel tank by a fuel pump arranged inside the fuel tank. . In a device disclosed in Patent Document 1 as one type of such fuel supply device, a suction filter is provided so that fuel is filtered in a fuel tank and then sucked into a suction port of a fuel pump.

Now, the suction filter disclosed by patent document 1 is equipped with the filter element arrange | positioned in a fuel tank. This filter element filters the stored fuel while forming a liquid film by allowing the stored fuel stored in the fuel tank to pass into the inner space. Here, the liquid film is maintained while the outer surface of the filter element is in contact with the stored fuel. Therefore, in the suction filter disclosed in Patent Document 1, the outer space of the filter element is partially covered with a storage member in the fuel tank. According to this, even when the liquid level is inclined and separated from the filter element due to the bias of the stored fuel in the fuel tank when the vehicle is turning, a part of the outer surface of the filter element is captured between the storage member and the tank. Will continue to come into contact with fuel. As a result, in the filter element that maintains the formation state of the liquid film, the fuel is dominant as an object to be sucked into the inner space where the suction port is opened, so that the suction of air into the suction port is suppressed.

JP 2012-67736 A

However, in the suction filter disclosed in Patent Document 1, an inflow hole is formed in the storage member in order to allow fuel to flow between the filter element and the storage member. Therefore, when the vehicle turns, the fuel between the filter element and the storage member easily leaks from the inflow hole as the liquid level is inclined. As a result, when the amount of fuel trapped between the filter element and the storage member decreases, the amount of trapped fuel may be exhausted in a short time due to the progress of fuel suction into the suction port, which may lead to the intake of air into the suction port. was there. Such suction of air into the suction port is undesirable because it changes the discharge performance of the fuel pump.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a suction filter that stabilizes the discharge performance of a fuel pump, and a fuel supply device including the suction filter.

A suction filter according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a suction filter that filters fuel in a fuel tank of a vehicle and then sucks the fuel into a suction port of a fuel pump. The suction filter is disposed in the fuel tank and stored in the fuel tank. By passing the stored fuel to the inner space, a filter element for filtering the stored fuel, a first space part into which the filtered fuel filtered by the filter element flows, and a second opening in which an intake port for sucking the filtered fuel is opened The space part is provided with a partition element that is arranged in a posture separating the inner space and allows the filtered fuel to pass from the first space part to the second space part.

A fuel supply device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a fuel supply device that supplies fuel from inside a fuel tank of a vehicle to the outside of the fuel tank. The fuel sucked into the suction port in the fuel tank is directed toward the outside of the fuel tank. A fuel pump for discharging the fuel and a suction filter of the first aspect.

In these first and second embodiments, in the filter element disposed in the fuel tank, a liquid film is formed by the passage of the stored fuel from the fuel tank to the inner space. Therefore, even if the liquid level inclines due to the bias of the stored fuel in the fuel tank at the time of turning of the vehicle and is separated from the filter element, the stored fuel can be prevented from leaking from the inner space.

Furthermore, according to the partition elements of the first and second embodiments, the inner space of the filter element is divided into a first space part into which the filtered fuel flows in the filter element and a second space part in which the suction port of the fuel pump is opened. , Separated. Here, in the partition element, a liquid film is formed by the passage of the filtered fuel from the first space part to the second space part, and therefore, in the first space part between the filter element on which the liquid film is formed as described above. Filtered fuel can be captured.

From these facts, in the first and second aspects, even if the liquid level inclination of the stored fuel occurs in the fuel tank, the filtered fuel in the first space portion ensures the trapped amount by suppressing leakage through the filter element. Under the condition, the contact with the surface on the first space portion side of the partition wall element is continued. As a result, in the partition element in which the liquid film formation state can be continuously maintained, the state in which the fuel is dominant as an object to be sucked into the second space portion where the suction port is opened can also be continuously maintained. According to this, it becomes possible to stabilize the discharge performance of the fuel pump by continuously suppressing the intake of air into the intake port.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawing
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a fuel supply device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the suction filter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the effect of the suction filter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the suction filter according to the second embodiment. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the effect of the suction filter according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the suction filter according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the effect of the suction filter according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the suction filter according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state different from FIG. 9 of the suction filter according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the effect of the suction filter according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a modification of FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol to the corresponding component in each embodiment. When only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the configuration of the other embodiment described above can be applied to the other part of this configuration. In addition, not only combinations of configurations explicitly described in the description of each embodiment, but also the configurations of a plurality of embodiments can be partially combined even if they are not explicitly specified unless there is a problem with the combination. .

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on a fuel tank 2 of a vehicle. The fuel supply device 1 supplies the fuel in the fuel tank 2 to the internal combustion engine 3 outside the fuel tank 2. Here, the fuel tank 2 in which the fuel supply device 1 is mounted is formed in a hollow shape from resin, and stores fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine 3 side. The internal combustion engine 3 that supplies fuel from the fuel supply device 1 may be a gasoline engine or a diesel engine. In the vehicle on the horizontal plane, the horizontal direction and the vertical direction substantially coincide with the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in FIG.

First, the overall configuration of the fuel supply device 1 will be described.

The fuel supply device 1 includes a flange 10, a sub tank 20, and a pump unit 30.

The flange 10 is formed in a disk shape from a hard resin. The flange 10 is attached to the top plate portion 2 a of the fuel tank 2. The flange 10 closes the through hole 2b penetrating the top plate portion 2a.

The flange 10 has a fuel supply pipe 11 and an electrical connector 12 integrally. The fuel supply pipe 11 communicates with the pump unit 30 in the fuel tank 2. At the same time, the fuel supply pipe 11 communicates with the fuel path 4 between the fuel tank 2 and the internal combustion engine 3. The fuel supply pipe 11 having such a communication form supplies the fuel sucked in the fuel tank 2 by the fuel pump 32 of the pump unit 30 to the internal combustion engine 3 side outside the fuel tank 2. A metal terminal 12 a is embedded in the electrical connector 12. The metal terminal 12 a is electrically connected to the pump unit 30 in the fuel tank 2. At the same time, the metal terminal 12 a is electrically connected to an external control circuit outside the fuel tank 2. With such an electrical connection configuration, the fuel pump 32 of the pump unit 30 can be controlled by an external control circuit.

The sub tank 20 is formed from a hard resin into a bottomed cylindrical shape. The sub tank 20 is disposed in the fuel tank 2 with the opening 20a facing upward. The bottom 20 b of the sub tank 20 is placed on the bottom 2 c of the fuel tank 2. In the vicinity of the bottom 20b of the sub tank 20, an inflow port 20c penetrates. With such a penetration form, the fuel stored in the fuel tank 2 flows into the sub tank 20 through the inflow port 20c. In the present embodiment, the fuel stored in the fuel tank 2 is referred to as stored fuel.

The pump unit 30 is disposed in the fuel tank 2 so as to straddle the inside and outside of the sub tank 20. The pump unit 30 is provided with a suction filter 31, a fuel pump 32, and a passage member 33.

The suction filter 31 is formed in a flat shape as a whole. The suction filter 31 is accommodated in the fuel tank 2 and placed on the bottom 20 b in the sub tank 20. The suction filter 31 captures foreign matter in the stored fuel by filtering the stored fuel that has flowed into the sub tank 20 in the fuel tank 2.

The fuel pump 32 is an electric pump formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. The fuel pump 32 is accommodated in the fuel tank 2, and extends from above the suction filter 31 in the sub tank 20 to the outside of the sub tank 20. A suction port 32 a of the fuel pump 32 communicates with the suction filter 31. The fuel pump 32 operates by receiving control from an external control circuit. The operating fuel pump 32 sucks the fuel filtered by the suction filter 31 in the sub tank 20 in the fuel tank 2 from the suction port 32a. The filtered fuel sucked into the suction port 32a is pressurized in the fuel pump 32 and discharged from the discharge port 32b of the fuel pump 32 toward the internal combustion engine 3 outside the fuel tank 2. The In the present embodiment, the fuel filtered by the suction filter 31 in the sub tank 20 in the fuel tank 2 is referred to as filtered fuel.

The passage member 33 is formed of a hard resin in a hollow shape. The passage member 33 is accommodated in the fuel tank 2 and fixed to the flange 10, and extends from the periphery of the fuel pump 32 in the sub tank 20 to the outside of the sub tank 20. The passage member 33 forms a fuel passage 33 a communicating with the discharge port 32 b and the fuel supply pipe 11. The fuel passage 33 a supplies the fuel discharged from the discharge port 32 b by the fuel pump 32 to the internal combustion engine 3 side through the fuel supply pipe 11. A metal lead wire 33b is embedded in the passage member 33 in order to electrically connect the fuel pump 32 to the metal terminal 12a.

Next, the detailed configuration of the suction filter 31 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the suction filter 31 includes a combination of a filter element 310 and a partition wall element 311.

The filter element 310 is formed in a hollow bag shape in the sub tank 20 in the fuel tank 2 so as to expose the outer surface 310a and surround the inner space 312 with the inner surface 310b as shown in FIG. The filter element 310 of the present embodiment is configured by liquid-tightly joining the outer peripheral edge portions of the paired filter sheets 310c and 310d. Here, each of the filter sheets 310c and 310d is formed into a soft or hard curved shape from a material that exhibits a filtering function such as a porous resin, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a resin mesh, and a metal mesh. The coarseness of each filter sheet 310c, 310d is set so as to be able to capture, for example, minute foreign matters having an outer diameter of 10 μm or more, for example, as foreign matters in the stored fuel flowing into the sub tank 20 from the fuel tank 2. Yes.

In the filter element 310, the upper filter sheet 310d joined to the upper side of the lower filter sheet 310c has a through hole 310e. The suction port 32a of the fuel pump 32 passes through the through hole 310e from the outer side of the filter element 310 toward the inner space 312. The through-hole 310e is liquid-tightly joined to the suction port 32a on the upper side of the opening 32c that faces the lower side of the suction port 32a. 1 and 2, in the filter element 310 in which the upper filter sheet 310d is supported by the fuel tank 2 via the pump unit 30 and the flange 10, a part of the lower filter sheet 310c is sub tank 20 as shown in FIGS. In contact with the bottom 20b.

The filter element 310 having the above-described configuration captures foreign matters at the passage location of the stored fuel when passing the stored fuel flowing from the fuel tank 2 into the sub tank 20 into the inner space 312. Demonstrate the function. At this time, the stored fuel passage is a void in the micropore when the forming material forming the filter element 310 is a porous resin, and is a gap between fibers when the forming material is a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. When the forming material is a resin mesh or a metal mesh, the gap is between the meshes. Therefore, in such a passage location, the stored fuel is trapped in the air gap by the surface tension, so that a liquid film covering the outer surface 310a of the filter element 310 is formed simultaneously with the filtration function. That is, the filter element 310 exhibits the function of filtering stored fuel while forming a liquid film on the outer surface 310a. Further, in order to collect the foreign matters having the outer diameter as described above at the location where the stored fuel passes, the filter element 310 is set to have a minimum mesh gap of, for example, about 10 μm.

With respect to such a filter element 310, the partition element 311 completely separates the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 in the sub tank 20 in the fuel tank 2 into the first space portion 312a and the second space portion 312b. Is arranged. In the inner space 312, the partition wall element 311 of the present embodiment has a hollow bag shape in which the outer surface 311 a is exposed to the first space portion 312 a and the second space portion 312 b is completely surrounded by the inner surface 311 b as shown in FIG. Is formed. In addition, the partition element 311 of the present embodiment is configured by liquid-tightly joining the outer peripheral edge portions of the partition wall sheet 311c and 311d that make a pair so as to cover the first space 312a in cooperation with the filter element 310. ing. Here, the entirety of each partition sheet 311c, 311d is formed in a soft or hard curved shape from a material that exhibits a filtering function such as a porous resin, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a resin mesh, and a metal mesh. The coarseness of the partition sheets 311c and 311d is set to be greater than the coarseness of the filter sheets 310c and 310d so that foreign matter passing through the filter element 310 is allowed to pass through the partition element 311. Has been.

In the partition element 311, the upper partition sheet 311d joined to the upper side of the lower partition sheet 311c has a through hole 311e. The inlet 32a of the fuel pump 32 passes through the through hole 311e from the first space 312a outside the partition element 311 toward the second space 312b inside the partition element 311. The through hole 311e is liquid-tightly joined to the suction port 32a above the opening 32c that opens to the second space 312b in the suction port 32a. 1 and 2, in the partition element 311 in which the upper partition sheet 311 d is supported by the fuel tank 2 via the pump unit 30 and the flange 10, the entire lower partition sheet 311 c is the filter element 310. The upper filter sheet 310c is spaced upward. Further, the opening 32c of the suction port 32a is biased upward in the second space 312b and is spaced upward from the lower partition sheet 311c, so that the lower partition sheet 311c can be operated even under the action of suction pressure. It is difficult to adsorb.

The partition wall element 311 having the above-described configuration is configured so that the filtered fuel that has been filtered by the filter sheets 310c and 310d of the filter element 310 and has flowed into the outer first space portion 312a flows into the second inner space portion where the suction port 32a is opened. Pass to 312b. In this case, the passage location of the filtered fuel is a void in the micropore when the forming material forming the partition element 311 is a porous resin, and is a void between fibers when the forming material is a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. When the forming material is a resin mesh or a metal mesh, the gap is between the meshes. Therefore, at such a passage location, the filtered fuel is trapped in the gap by the surface tension, so that a liquid film covering the outer surface 311a of the partition wall element 311 is formed. Further, in order to allow the passage of foreign matters as described above at the passage location of the filtered fuel, the roughness of each of the partition sheets 311c and 311d is set such that the minimum gap between the passage locations is, for example, about 10 to 100 μm. ing.

The operation and effect of the first embodiment described so far will be described below.

In the first embodiment, in the filter element 310 disposed in the fuel tank 2, a liquid film is formed by the passage of stored fuel from the fuel tank 2 to the inner space 312. Therefore, even if the liquid level inclines in the sub tank 20 among the fuel tanks 2 when the vehicle turns or the like due to the stored fuel bias as shown in FIG. Leakage can be suppressed.

Furthermore, according to the partition element 311 of the first embodiment, the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 has a first space portion 312a into which the filtered fuel flows in the filter element 310 and a second opening in which the suction port 32a of the fuel pump 32 is opened. It is separated from the space 312b. Here, in the partition element 311, a liquid film is formed by the passage of the filtered fuel from the first space portion 312 a to the second space portion 312 b, so that the first gap between the filter element 310 formed with the liquid film as described above is formed. The filtered fuel can be captured in the space 312a as shown in FIG.

From these facts, in the first embodiment, even when the liquid level inclination of the stored fuel is generated in the sub tank 20 in the fuel tank 2, the filtered fuel in the first space portion 312a is used for the filter element 310 as shown in FIG. In a state where the amount of trapping is ensured by suppressing leakage that has passed, the partition element 311 continues to contact the outer surface 311a on the first space 312a side. As a result, in the partition element 311 in which the liquid film formation state can be continuously maintained, the state in which the fuel is dominant as the suction target to the second space portion 312b where the suction port 32a is opened is also continuously maintained. obtain. According to this, it becomes possible to stabilize the discharge performance of the fuel pump 32 by continuing to suppress the intake of air into the intake port 32a. Moreover, in the first embodiment in which the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 32 is supplied to the internal combustion engine 3 outside the fuel tank 2, the discharge performance of the pump 32 is stabilized, thereby ensuring drivability and acceleration in the vehicle. It is also possible to suppress gas exhaustion and engine stall.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the partition wall element 311 that is formed in a bag shape as a hollow shape and separates the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 is exposed to the outer first space portion 312a in the inner side. The second space portion 312b is surrounded. Thereby, the surface area of the outer surface 311a exposed to the first space 312a in the partition element 311 is increased as much as possible. As a result, the liquid level in the sub-tank 20 in the fuel tank 2 causes the partition element 311 to remain in the first partition even if the filtered fuel in the first space portion 312a is reduced according to the suction action to the suction port 32a. The liquid film formation state can be maintained by making it difficult to separate from the filtered fuel in the one space portion 312a. Therefore, it is possible to improve the stability of the discharge performance of the fuel pump 32 by reliably suppressing the intake of air into the intake port 32a.

Also, according to the first embodiment, the roughness of the filter element 310 that allows the filtered fuel to pass through is set to be greater than the roughness of the filter element 310 that allows the stored fuel to pass through. Therefore, even if the partition element 311 has a smaller surface area than the filter element 310 due to the configuration in which the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 is separated, the filter element 310 can suppress clogging of foreign substances allowed to pass. According to this, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the stability of the discharge performance in the fuel pump 32 decreases due to clogging of the partition wall element 311.

(Second embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second embodiment of the present disclosure is a modification of the first embodiment. In the inner space 312 of the filter element 310, the partition wall element 2311 of the second embodiment is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape in which the outer surface 2311a is exposed to the first space 312a and the second surface 312b is completely surrounded by the inner surface 2311b. Is formed. In particular, the partition wall element 2311 has a pair of rectangular shapes in which the upper wall 2311f and the lower wall 2311g that are substantially parallel to the bottoms 2c and 20b of the tanks 2 and 20 are connected to each other by four walls. The partition members 2311c and 2311d are liquid-tightly joined. With such a configuration, the partition element 2311 completely separates the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 into the first space portion 312a and the second space portion 312b in the sub tank 20 in the fuel tank 2. In addition, the entire partition members 2311c and 2311d of the partition element 2311 are formed from the material illustrated in the first embodiment as a material for forming the partition sheets 311c and 311d, so that the same viewpoint as in the first embodiment is obtained. The roughness is realized.

In the partition element 2311, the upper partition member 2311d joined to the upper side of the lower partition member 2311c has a through hole 2311e. The inlet 32a of the fuel pump 32 passes through the through hole 2311e from the first space 312a outside the partition wall element 2311 toward the second space 312b inside the partition wall element 2311. The through hole 2311e is liquid-tightly joined to the suction port 32a above the opening 32c of the suction port 32a. In the partition element 2311 in which the upper partition member 2311d is supported by the fuel tank 2 via the pump unit 30 and the flange 10 by such a penetration and joining form, the entire lower partition member 2311c is separated from the lower filter sheet 310c of the filter element 310. Separated upward. Further, the opening 32c of the suction port 32a is biased upward in the second space 312b and is spaced upward from the lower partition member 2311c, so that the lower partition member 2311c even under the action of suction pressure. It is difficult to adsorb the lower wall 2311g.

The partition wall element 2311 having the above-described configuration is the second space portion on the inner side where the suction port 32a opens the filtered fuel that is filtered by the filter sheets 310c and 310d of the filter element 310 and flows into the outer first space portion 312a. Pass to 312b. At this time, the passage location of the filtered fuel is a gap corresponding to the forming material, as described in the first embodiment. Therefore, at such a passage location, the filtered fuel is trapped in the gap by the surface tension, so that a liquid film covering the outer surface 2311a of the partition wall element 2311 is formed. Further, in order to allow the passage of foreign matter similar to that of the first embodiment at the passage location of the filtered fuel, the roughness of each of the partition members 2311c and 2311d is such that the minimum gap between the passage locations is, for example, 10 to 100 μm. Is set to about.

The operation and effect of the second embodiment described so far will be described below.

According to the partition element 2311 of the second embodiment, the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 is separated into a first space portion 312a into which filtered fuel flows and a second space portion 312b in which the suction port 32a is opened. . Here, in the partition element 2311, a liquid film is formed by the passage of the filtered fuel from the first space portion 312 a to the second space portion 312 b, so that the liquid film is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The filtered fuel can be captured in the first space portion 312a as shown in FIG. Therefore, according to the principle according to the first embodiment, in the partition element 2311 in which the liquid film formation state can be continuously maintained, the fuel is dominant as the suction target to the second space portion 312b where the suction port 32a is opened. The state of becoming can also be maintained continuously. According to this, since it is possible to stabilize the discharge performance of the fuel pump 32 by continuously suppressing the intake of air into the intake port 32a, it is possible to ensure drivability and acceleration in the vehicle, It is also possible to suppress the engine stall.

In addition, according to the second embodiment, the partition wall element 2311 that is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and separates the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 is exposed to the outer first space portion 312a. The second space portion 312b is surrounded. Thereby, in the partition element 2311, the surface area of the outer surface 2311a exposed to the first space portion 312a is increased as much as possible. Therefore, the liquid film formation state in the partition element 2311 is maintained according to the principle according to the first embodiment. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to improve the stability of the discharge performance of the fuel pump 32 by reliably suppressing the intake of air into the intake port 32a.

Also, according to the second embodiment, the coarseness of the filter element that passes through the filtered fuel in the partition element 2311 is set to be greater than the coarseness of the filter element that allows the stored fuel to pass through. Therefore, according to the principle according to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress clogging of foreign matter in the partition wall element 2311. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the stability of the discharge performance in the fuel pump 32 decreases due to clogging. It becomes possible.

(Third embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 7, the third embodiment of the present disclosure is a modification of the first embodiment. The partition element 3311 of the third embodiment completely separates the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 in the sub tank 20 of the fuel tank 2 into an upper first space portion 3312a and a lower second space portion 3312b. It is formed like a diaphragm. Here, in particular, the partition element 3311 is stretched in a flat film shape in the inner space 312 by being joined over the entire circumference between the outer peripheral edges of the filter sheets 310c and 310d. In such a joining mode, the first space portion 3312a is surrounded by the partition element 3311 and the upper filter sheet 310d, so that the upper surface 3311a of the partition element 3311 is exposed to the first space portion 3312a. At the same time, the second space 3312b is surrounded by the partition element 3311 and the lower filter sheet 310c, so that the lower surface 3311b of the partition element 3311 is exposed to the second space 3312b. The entire partition element 3311 is formed from the material illustrated in the first embodiment as a material for forming the partition sheets 311c and 311d, thereby realizing the same roughness as that in the first embodiment. ing. Further, the partition element 3311 completely separates the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 so that the volume of the second space portion 3312b is smaller than the volume of the first space portion 3312a.

The partition wall element 3311 has a through hole 3311e. The suction port 32a of the fuel pump 32 passes through the through hole 3311e from the first space portion 3312a above the partition wall element 3311 toward the second space portion 3312b below the partition wall element 3311. . The through hole 3311e is joined to the suction port 32a in a liquid-tight manner above the opening 32c in the suction port 32a. The bulkhead element 3311 supported by the fuel tank 2 through the pump unit 30 and the flange 10 by such a penetration and joining form has the most part excluding its outer peripheral edge part upward from the lower filter sheet 310c of the filter element 310. Separated. Further, the opening 32c of the suction port 32a is biased upward in the second space portion 3312b and is spaced upward from the lower filter sheet 310c, so that the lower filter sheet 310c can be operated even under the action of suction pressure. It is difficult to adsorb.

The partition wall element 3311 having the above-described configuration is configured such that the filtered fuel that has been filtered by the upper filter sheet 310d of the filter element 310 and has flowed into the upper first space portion 3312a flows into the lower second space portion where the suction port 32a is opened. Pass to 3312b. At this time, the passage location of the filtered fuel is a gap corresponding to the forming material, as described in the first embodiment. Therefore, at such a passage location, the filtered fuel is trapped in the air gap by the surface tension, so that a liquid film covering the upper surface 3311a of the partition wall element 3311 is formed. Further, in order to allow the passage of foreign matter similar to that of the first embodiment at the passage location of the filtered fuel, the coarseness of the partition element 3311 is set such that the minimum gap of the gap as the passage location is, for example, about 10 to 100 μm. Has been. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the filtered fuel filtered by the lower filter sheet 310c among the filter elements 310 can directly flow into the second space portion 3312b without passing through the partition wall element 3311. .

The operation and effect of the third embodiment described so far will be described below.

According to the partition element 3311 of the third embodiment, the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 is separated into a first space portion 3312a into which the filtered fuel flows and a second space portion 3312b in which the suction port 32a is opened. . Here, in the partition element 3311, a liquid film is formed by the passage of the filtered fuel from the first space portion 3312 a to the second space portion 3312 b, so that the liquid film is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The filtered fuel can be captured in the first space portion 3312a therebetween as shown in FIG. Therefore, according to the principle according to the first embodiment, in the partition element 3311 in which the formation state of the liquid film can be continuously maintained, the fuel is dominant as a suction target into the second space portion 3312b where the suction port 32a is opened. The state of becoming can also be maintained continuously. According to this, since it is possible to stabilize the discharge performance of the fuel pump 32 by continuously suppressing the intake of air into the intake port 32a, it is possible to ensure drivability and acceleration in the vehicle, It is also possible to suppress the engine stall.

Further, as in the third embodiment, according to the partition element 3311 formed in a diaphragm shape, the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 is divided into an upper first space portion 3312a and a lower second space portion 3312b. It has been. Therefore, in the sub tank 20 in the fuel tank 2, the liquid film formation state in the partition wall element 3311 is maintained until the liquid level decreases due to the decrease in the stored fuel and reaches the second space portion 3312b, and the filtration is performed. The fuel can be stored in the second space portion 3312b. According to this, it is possible to reliably suppress the suction of air into the suction port 32a and to improve the stability of the discharge performance in the fuel pump 32.

Also, according to the third embodiment, the coarseness of the filter element 31011 through which the filtered fuel passes is set to be greater than the coarseness of the filter element 310 through which the stored fuel passes. Therefore, it is possible to prevent clogging of foreign matter in the partition element 3311 by the principle according to the first embodiment, and thus avoid the situation where the stability of the discharge performance in the fuel pump 32 is reduced due to clogging. It becomes possible.

Further, according to the third embodiment, the volume of the second space portion 3312b is smaller than the volume of the first space portion 3312a. According to this, even when the air is sucked into the second space portion 3312b because the filtered fuel in the first space portion 3312a is substantially depleted according to the suction action to the suction port 32a, the suction port 32a. The amount of filtered fuel remaining in the second space 3312b without being sucked into the water can be reduced. This is because, when the volume ratio of the air occupying the second space portion 3312b becomes a predetermined ratio or more, only the real air is sucked into the suction port 32a and the filtered fuel remains in the second space portion 3312b. This is because the smaller the volume of 3312b, the lower the remaining amount. For this reason, in the third embodiment, it is possible to improve the stability of the discharge performance in the fuel pump 32 by effectively utilizing the filtered fuel trapped in the second space portion 3312b.

(Fourth embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 9, the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is a modification of the third embodiment. The whole partition element 4311 of the fourth embodiment is formed into a flexible soft diaphragm shape from a material that exhibits a filtering function such as porous resin, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, resin mesh, and metal mesh. Yes. The partition element 4311 is disposed in the inner space 312 in a relaxed state of a waveform that allows the second space portion 3312b to be expanded and contracted by being joined over the entire periphery between the outer peripheral edge portions of the filter sheets 310c and 310d. ing. Note that the partition element 4311 has the same configuration as that of the third embodiment for configurations other than the flexible and relaxed states.

The principle of expansion / contraction of the second space portion 3312b by the partition wall element 4311 having the above-described configuration is as follows. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the sub tank 20 in the fuel tank 2, while the stored fuel is in contact with at least the lower filter sheet 310 c of the filter element 310, the inner space 312 is made of filtered fuel. It is filled. At this time, the partition wall element 4311 maintains a state in which the volume of the second space portion 3312b is enlarged by separating the most part of the partition wall element 4311 from the lower filter sheet 310c except for its outer peripheral edge. At this time, the volume of the second space portion 3312b may be any of large, small and equal to the volume of the first space portion 3312a.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, when the liquid level inclination of the stored fuel occurs in the sub-tank 20 in the fuel tank 2, the filtered fuel in the first space portion 3312a is substantially in accordance with the suction action from the suction port 32a. It is also assumed that it will be depleted. At this time, the partition element 4311 gradually approaches the lower filter sheet 310c in accordance with the suction action from the suction port 32a, thereby sequentially reducing the volume of the second space portion 3312b. At this time, the volume of the second space portion 3312b becomes smaller than the volume of the first space portion 3312a due to the gradual reduction.

The operation and effect of the fourth embodiment described so far will be described below.

According to the flexible partition wall element 4311 arranged in a relaxed state as in the fourth embodiment, the second space portion 3312b is expanded or contracted. Therefore, even if the filtered fuel in the first space portion 3312a is substantially depleted according to the suction action to the suction port 32a, the second space portion 3312b is reduced by the amount of filtered fuel sucked from the second space portion 3312b. Become. According to this, it is possible to suppress the air in the first space portion 3312a from being sucked into the suction port 32a through the partition wall element 4311 or the air outside the filter element 310 through the inside. Therefore, the filtered fuel trapped in the second space portion 3312b can also be effectively used to suppress the intake of air into the suction port 32a, so that the stability of the discharge performance in the fuel pump 32 can be improved. Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, it is also possible to exert operational effects according to the third embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
Although a plurality of embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not construed as being limited to those embodiments, and various embodiments and combinations can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Can be applied.

In the first modification related to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, as a partition element 311, a diaphragm-like upper partition sheet 311 d curved upward or downward, and a lower filter sheet 310 c of the filter element 310, You may surround the 2nd space part 312b. In this case, the diaphragm-shaped partition wall element 311 divides the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 into an upper first space portion 312a and a lower second space portion 312b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13 in particular, the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 may be separated by a partition element 311 that makes the volume of the second space 312b smaller than the volume of the first space 312a. .

In the second modification related to the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 is divided into a first space portion 3312a in the horizontal direction by a diaphragm-like partition wall element 3311 not provided with a through hole 3311e. And the second space portion 3312b. In this case, the filter element 310 is configured by joining the filter sheets 310c and 310d in the horizontal direction, and the partition wall element 3311 is joined between the outer peripheral edges of the filter sheets 310c and 310d. In this case, the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 may be separated by a partition element 3311 that makes the volume of the second space portion 3312b smaller than the volume of the first space portion 3312a, particularly as shown in FIG. .

In the third modification related to the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 is replaced with the lower first space portion 3312 a by the diaphragm-shaped partition wall element 3311 not provided with the through hole 3311 e. And the upper second space portion 3312b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17 in particular, the inner space 312 of the filter element 310 may be separated by a partition element 3311 that makes the volume of the second space portion 3312b smaller than the volume of the first space portion 3312a.

In the modification 4 regarding 2nd embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the upper partition member formed in the hollow reverse bottomed cylindrical shape (namely, reverse cup shape) in the partition element 2311 which does not provide the lower partition member 2311c. 2311d may be joined to the lower filter sheet 310c of the filter element 310. In this case, the second space portion 312b is surrounded by the partition element 2311 and the filter element 310 so as to have a smaller volume than the first space portion 312a.

In Modification 5 relating to the first to fourth embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a part 1310f of the filter element 310 that is hollow as a whole is replaced with a material that exhibits a filtering function, and does not exhibit a filtering function. For example, you may form from raw materials, such as hard resin. Here, FIGS. 19 and 20 show the modification 5 of the third embodiment in which each part 1310f of the filter sheets 310c and 310d is formed of a material that does not exhibit the filtration function.

In the modified example 6 regarding 1st, 3rd, and 4th embodiment, as shown to FIG. 20, 21, the part 1311h of the hollow or diaphragm-like partition wall elements 311, 3311, 4311 exhibits the filtration function as a whole. It may replace with a raw material and may form from raw materials, such as hard resin which does not exhibit a filtration function. Here, FIG. 20, 21 has shown the modification 6 of 3rd embodiment.

In the modified example 7 related to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, one of the partition members 2311c and 2311d as a part of the hollow partition element 2311 is replaced with a material that exhibits the filtration function, and the filtration function is not exhibited. For example, you may form from raw materials, such as hard resin. Here, in the modified example 7 shown in FIG. 22 in particular, a flat plate-like lower partition wall member 2311c is formed from a material that exhibits a filtration function, and a hollow reverse bottomed cylindrical shape (that is, reverse) is formed from a material that does not exhibit a filtration function. A cup-shaped upper partition member 2311d is formed. In this case, the effective utilization of the filtered fuel captured in the first space portion 312a is improved.

In the modified example 8 related to the first to fourth embodiments, the coarseness of the filter element 310, 2111, 3311, 4311 allows the filtered fuel to pass therethrough, and the filter element 310 allows the stored fuel to pass therethrough. , May be set equal or smaller. In Modification 9 regarding the first to fourth embodiments, a configuration in which the sub tank 20 is not provided may be employed in the fuel supply device 1. In the tenth modification related to the first to fourth embodiments, the opening 32c in the second space portions 312b and 3312b of the suction port 32a of the fuel pump 32 may be opened to other than the lower side, for example, in the horizontal direction. Good.

In the eleventh modification related to the first to fourth embodiments, as shown in FIG. 23, the holding element 1316 that is the inner skeleton of the suction filter 31 may be arranged in the inner space 312 of the filter element 310. Here, in the modification 11 of 3rd embodiment shown in FIG. 23, the holding element 1316 is formed in the substantially rib shape from hard resin. With this shape, the holding element 1316 holds the partition wall element 3311 from both sides in the vertical direction so that the surfaces 3311a and 3311b are partially exposed. At the same time, the holding element 1316 protrudes to both sides in the vertical direction at a plurality of locations so as to maintain the volume relationship between the first space portion 3312a and the second space portion 3312b, whereby each filter sheet of the filter element 310 is provided. 310c and 310d are held. Further, the holding element 1316 is also attached to the suction port 32a so as to maintain the positional relationship of the opening 32c in the second space portion 3312b.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and structures. The present disclosure includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more or less, are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims (9)

1. A suction filter (31) that filters fuel in a fuel tank (2) of a vehicle and then sucks the fuel into a suction port (32a) of a fuel pump (32),
   A filter element (310) that is disposed in the fuel tank and filters the stored fuel by passing the stored fuel stored in the fuel tank to the inner space (312);
   The inner space includes a first space portion (312a, 3312a) into which filtered fuel filtered by the filter element flows and a second space portion (312b, 3312b) in which the suction port for sucking the filtered fuel is opened. And a partition element (311, 2111, 3311, 4311) that is disposed in a posture that separates the filter fuel and allows the filtered fuel to pass from the first space portion to the second space portion.
2. The partition element (311, 2311) is formed in a hollow shape that is exposed to the outer first space portion (312a) and surrounds the inner second space portion (312b) in the inner space. The suction filter according to 1.
3. The partition element (3311, 4311, 311) is formed in a diaphragm shape separating the inner space into the first space (3312a, 312a) and the second space (3312b, 312b). The suction filter according to 1.
4. The partition elements (3311, 4311, 311) are formed in a diaphragm shape that divides the inner space into the upper first space (3312a, 312a) and the lower second space (3312b, 312b). The suction filter according to claim 3.
5. The suction filter according to claim 4, wherein the flexible partition wall element (4311) is disposed in a relaxed state in which the second space (3312b) can be expanded and contracted.
6. The suction filter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second space portion (3312b, 312b) is surrounded by the partition element (3311, 4311, 311, 2311) and the filter element.
7. The suction filter according to claim 6, wherein the volume of the second space (3312b, 312b) is smaller than the volume of the first space (3312a, 312a).
8. The coarseness of the mesh through which the filtered fuel passes in the partition element (311, 2111, 3311, 4311) is set to be greater than or equal to the coarseness of the filter element through which the stored fuel passes. The suction filter according to any one of 7.
9. A fuel supply device (1) for supplying fuel from inside a fuel tank (2) of a vehicle to the outside of the fuel tank,
   A fuel pump (32) for discharging the fuel sucked into the suction port (32a) in the fuel tank toward the outside of the fuel tank;
   A fuel supply apparatus comprising the suction filter (31) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
   
   

Images