WO2023233750A1

WO2023233750A1 - Fuel supply device

Info

Publication number: WO2023233750A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/009346
Authority: WO
Inventors: 悟塚田; 孝夫鵤木
Original assignee: 株式会社ミツバ
Priority date: 2022-05-30
Filing date: 2023-03-10
Publication date: 2023-12-07
Also published as: JP2023175258A

Abstract

Provided is a fuel supply device which can be disposed in a space saving manner, can maintain strength even when miniaturized, and enables setting of the assembling position of a pump storage member.　A fuel supply device 1 which supplies fuel in a fuel tank 2 comprises: a flange member 30 having an oval contour shape that covers an opening 2b opened in the fuel tank; a fuel pump 10 disposed in the fuel tank; a pump storage member 20 that stores the fuel pump and that is fitted to the flange member; a guiderail structure 100; and a tail end regulation unit 250 that regulates the fitting positions of the flange member and the pump storage member fitted to each other at the slide tail end between the flange member and the pump storage member.

Description

fuel supply device

The present invention relates to a fuel supply device.

For example, a vehicle fuel supply device for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to an engine is known. As described in Patent Document 1, a fuel supply device disposed at the bottom of a fuel tank is known. The fuel supply device includes a fuel pump that sucks fuel stored in a fuel tank through an intake port and pumps it to the engine, and a filter that is attached to the intake port to prevent foreign matter from entering the fuel pump. ing.

The fuel supply device includes, for example, a cylindrical cup (exterior body) containing a fuel pump, and a pressure regulator attached to the cup. The fuel pump discharges fuel through a discharge port (fuel outlet pipe). The pressure regulator prevents the pressure of fuel supplied from the fuel supply device to the internal combustion engine from becoming excessive. For this reason, the pressure regulator is provided in the middle of the flow path from the exhaust port of the fuel pump to the internal combustion engine.

In this fuel supply device, the fuel pump and the cup (exterior body) are arranged with their axes parallel to the wall and bottom of the fuel tank. The cup and the flange (lid member) that attaches the cup and pressure regulator to the tank are made of resin, for example.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-233067

However, when installing a fuel supply device in a fuel tank that is placed across the vehicle body frame installed at the front and rear of the vehicle, there is not enough space inside the tank, so a fuel supply device that can be installed in a small space is required. It was getting worse. At the same time, there is a possibility that the part to which the fuel pump is attached does not have a curved surface, and there is a desire to reduce the profile of the flange that attaches the fuel pump to the fuel tank. Furthermore, if the flange is made smaller, there is a risk that the mounting strength will be insufficient, so there is a demand to prevent the mechanical strength of the fuel supply device from decreasing due to miniaturization.

Additionally, if the flange is made smaller in order to save space, there is a risk of assembly failure when installing the cup, and there is also a risk that the installation strength will be insufficient, so there was a demand for improvements to these issues. Furthermore, if the engine is downsized in order to save space, there is a possibility that the fuel supply efficiency of the fuel supply device to the engine will be reduced, and there has been a desire to improve this.

The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and can be arranged in a space-saving manner, can maintain strength even when downsized, and can improve fuel supply efficiency and fuel suction efficiency. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device that is efficient.

(1) A fuel supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:
A fuel supply device that is attached to a fuel tank and supplies the fuel in the fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank,
a flange member having an oval profile that covers an opening in the fuel tank;
a fuel pump disposed within the fuel tank with a longitudinal direction along the arrangement surface of the flange member exposed within the fuel tank and the long axis direction of the oval contour of the flange member;
a cylindrical pump housing member that houses the fuel pump and is attached to the flange member;
a guide rail structure that regulates the mounting direction in which the flange member and the pump housing member slide and are attached to each other so as to follow the arrangement surface of the flange member;
Equipped with
The guide rail structure has an end regulating portion that regulates the mutual attachment position of the flange member and the pump accommodating member at a sliding end of the flange member and the pump accommodating member.
This solved the above problem.

According to the above configuration, the flange member and the pump accommodating member can be attached to each other by sliding with the guide rail structure, so the flange member and the pump accommodating member can be molded separately. At the same time, when the flange member and the pump accommodating member are slid relative to each other, the end regulating portion can stop the slide at the end position of the slide and prevent further sliding. This prevents the pump accommodating member from sliding excessively relative to the flange member during installation, causing the pump accommodating member and fuel pump to be pushed in too far, causing the fuel flow path to dig into the outlet and cause damage, resulting in fuel leakage. You can prevent it from becoming connected. Thereby, in the miniaturized fuel supply device, it is possible to set the assembly position and prevent assembly defects from occurring.
Moreover, even if the internal space of a fuel tank that is placed across the vehicle body frame provided at the front and rear of the vehicle is small, the fuel supply device can be installed in a space-saving position where fuel can be supplied. Become. It is possible to improve the tank layout. Further, it is possible to improve workability when attaching the fuel supply device to the fuel tank.
Moreover, in this case, it is possible to place the fuel supply device on the side wall surface that straddles the vehicle body frame, so even in a two-wheeled vehicle that is often exposed, the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle is not compromised, and the design is desired. Even in a two-wheeled vehicle, etc., the arrangement can be made so that the appearance thereof is not affected.
Here, the direction in which the flange member and the pump accommodating member are slid relative to each other may coincide with the longitudinal axis of the oval profile of the flange member.

(2) The fuel supply device of the present invention has the following features in (1) above:
The guide rail structure is
a rail portion extending along the mounting direction and protruding in opposing directions in which the flange member and the pump accommodating member face each other;
a guide portion that extends along the mounting direction, is formed to protrude toward the rail portion, is fitted into the rail portion, and is slidable in the mounting direction along the rail portion;
have as a set,
The end regulating portion is formed at the distal end of the rail portion in the mounting direction and/or the distal end of the guide portion in the mounting direction so as to protrude along the arrangement surface in a transverse direction intersecting the mounting direction;
One of the rail portion and the guide portion is formed on the flange member, and the other is formed on the pump housing member.
be able to.

According to the above configuration, since the end regulating part is formed in the rail part, the flange member and the pump accommodating member are slid and attached to each other by the guide rail structure without complicating the structure of the guide rail structure. It becomes possible to set the mounting position. As a result, in the miniaturized fuel supply device, it is possible to set mutual assembly positions with a simple configuration and prevent assembly defects from occurring. The flange member having an oval profile shape is attached to the fuel tank in an inclined state, with the profile of the flange member being made small and the degree of freedom in the attachment position being high. Even if the internal space of a fuel tank that is disposed straddling the vehicle body frame provided at the front and rear of the vehicle body is small, the fuel supply device can be installed in a space-saving position where fuel can be supplied. It is possible to improve the tank layout. Further, it is possible to improve workability when attaching the fuel supply device to the fuel tank.

(3) In the above (2), the fuel supply device of the present invention has the following features:
In the guide rail structure, at least one of the rail portion and the guide portion is formed with an inclined portion that is inclined so as to increase mutual contact pressure at a slide end than at a slide start end in the mounting direction,
the end regulating portion is formed closer to the slide end than the inclined portion;
be able to.

According to the above configuration, when the flange member and the pump housing member are attached, the flange member and the pump housing member are accommodated in a direction crossing the mounting direction or in a direction opposite to the mounting direction due to the inclined part that increases the contact pressure between the rail part and the guide part. After positioning with the member, it becomes possible to regulate the mounting position of the flange member and the pump housing member in the mounting direction by the end regulating portion. This makes it possible to improve the strength of the flange member, prevent deformation of the fuel supply device, and prevent displacement with respect to the fuel flow path accommodating portion and the opening of the fuel pump. Thereby, the operational reliability of the fuel supply device can be improved, the fuel supply device can be made lighter and smaller, and the installation workability does not deteriorate.

(4) In the above (3), the fuel supply device of the present invention has the following features:
The guide rail structure is
a vertical rail portion extending along the mounting direction and protruding in opposing directions in which the flange member and the pump accommodating member face each other;
a vertical guide portion that extends along the mounting direction, is formed to protrude toward the vertical rail portion, is fitted into the vertical rail portion, and is slidable in the mounting direction along the vertical rail portion;
and a vertical guide rail structure for positionally regulating the flange member and the pump housing member at least in the opposing direction;
The vertical guide rail structure is
Protrusions are formed at the opposite ends of the vertical rail part and the opposite ends of the vertical guide part, the projections projecting in a cross direction intersecting the mounting direction along the arrangement surface and fitting into each other,
One of the vertical rail portion and the vertical guide portion is formed on the flange member, and the other is formed on the pump housing member.
be able to.

According to the above configuration, the vertical guide rail structure positions the flange member and the pump housing member in opposing directions, and after positioning the flange member and the pump housing member in a direction intersecting the mounting direction, The end regulating portion makes it possible to regulate the mounting position of the flange member and the pump accommodating member in the mounting direction. This makes it possible to improve the strength of the flange member, prevent deformation of the fuel supply device, and prevent displacement with respect to the fuel flow path accommodating portion and the opening of the fuel pump. Thereby, the operational reliability of the fuel supply device can be improved. It is possible to reduce the weight and size of the flange member while maintaining its strength.

(5) In the above (3), the fuel supply device of the present invention has the following features:
The guide rail structure is
a horizontal rail portion extending along the mounting direction and protruding in opposing directions in which the flange member and the pump accommodating member face each other;
a lateral guide portion that extends along the mounting direction, is formed to protrude toward the lateral rail portion, and comes into contact with the lateral rail portion from a cross direction that intersects the mounting direction;
and a horizontal guide rail structure for positionally regulating the flange member and the pump housing member in the cross direction,
The horizontal guide rail structure is
One of the horizontal rail portion and the horizontal guide portion is formed on the flange member, and the other is formed on the pump housing member,
the end regulating portion is formed on the horizontal rail portion;
be able to.

According to the above configuration, the vertical guide rail structure positions the flange member and the pump housing member in opposing directions along the arrangement surface, and the horizontal guide rail structure positions the flange member in the cross direction along the arrangement surface. After positioning the flange member and the pump accommodating member, it becomes possible to restrict the mounting position of the flange member and the pump accommodating member in the mounting direction by the end regulating portion. This makes it possible to improve the strength of the flange member, prevent deformation of the fuel supply device, and prevent displacement with respect to the fuel flow path accommodating portion and the opening of the fuel pump. Thereby, the operational reliability of the fuel supply device can be improved. It is possible to reduce the weight and size of the flange member while maintaining its strength.

(6) In the above (5), the fuel supply device of the present invention has the following features:
a snap-fit structure that locks the flange member and the pump accommodating member to each other at a position that is a sliding end in the mounting direction to restrict the position;
Equipped with
The end regulating part and the snap-fit structure are connected to the horizontal rail part,
be able to.

According to the above configuration, the guide rail structure allows positioning of the flange member and pump housing member in opposing directions along the placement surface, and positioning of the flange member and pump housing member in the cross direction along the placement surface. After this, it is possible to restrict the mounting position of the flange member and the pump housing member in the mounting direction by the end regulating part, so that the flange member and the pump housing member are not too close to each other in the sliding direction. At the same time, the flange member and the pump housing member can be assembled using the snap-fit structure. This makes assembly easy without creating a complicated structure, and by providing a stepped portion in the guide structure, assembly defects caused by the engagement recess of the snap-fit structure passing past the engagement protrusion can be prevented. It can be prevented.
Further, the end regulating portion can prevent damage to the outlet due to excessive pushing when assembling the pump housing member to the flange member. The setting position of the end regulating part in the sliding direction is directly connected to the length of the guide structure and the length of the snap fit piece, so that the snap fit piece can be elastically deformed and the guide structure can have sufficient holding force. . Furthermore, it is possible to improve the strength of the fuel supply device to prevent deformation, etc., and to prevent displacement with respect to the fuel flow path accommodating portion and the opening of the fuel pump. Thereby, the operational reliability of the fuel supply device can be improved. It is possible to reduce the weight and size of the flange member while maintaining its strength.

(7) In the above (6), the fuel supply device of the present invention has the following features:
A fuel flow path that penetrates the flange member in the thickness direction and supplies the fuel sent from the fuel pump to the outside of the fuel tank is disposed inside and protrudes into the fuel tank from the arrangement surface. Equipped with a storage section,
the snap-fit structure is closer to the fuel flow path accommodating part in the mounting direction than the end regulating part;
be able to.

According to the above configuration, after the guide rail structure positions the flange member and the pump accommodating member along the arrangement surface, the end regulating portion determines the mounting position of the flange member and the pump accommodating member in the mounting direction. This makes it possible to prevent the flange member and the pump housing member from being too close to each other in the sliding direction, and the snap fit structure allows the flange member and the pump housing member to be assembled. . This makes assembly easy without creating a complicated structure, and by providing an end regulating part in the guide rail structure, assembly can be done by preventing the engagement recess of the snap-fit structure from passing past the engagement protrusion. Malfunctions can be prevented.
Further, the end regulating portion can prevent damage to the outlet due to excessive pushing when assembling the pump housing member to the flange member. The setting position of the end regulating part in the sliding direction is directly connected to the length of the guide structure and the length of the snap fit piece, so that the snap fit piece can be elastically deformed and the guide structure can have sufficient holding force. . Furthermore, it is possible to improve the strength of the fuel supply device to prevent deformation, etc., and to prevent displacement with respect to the fuel flow path accommodating portion and the opening of the fuel pump. Thereby, the operational reliability of the fuel supply device can be improved. It is possible to reduce the weight and size of the flange member while maintaining its strength.

(8) In the above (7), the fuel supply device of the present invention has the following features:
A back recessed portion recessed from a peripheral edge of the flange member is formed on the back surface of the arrangement surface that is in a direction that coincides with the fuel pump in the long axis direction of the oval contour shape of the flange member than the fuel flow path accommodating portion. is,
A back rib extending along the short axis direction of the oval profile of the flange member is formed in the back recess,
The back rib is formed at a position that coincides with the end regulating portion in the long axis direction of the oval contour shape of the flange member.
be able to.

According to the above configuration, when the flange member and the pump housing member are attached, after the contact pressure between the rail part and the guide part increases, they slide over the slope part, and the engagement recess of the snap-fit structure engages. The end regulating part prevents assembly defects caused by passing over the convex part, and the back rib is formed at a position corresponding to the end regulating part that fixes the position of the flange member and the pump housing member. This increase in contact pressure, that is, the increase in the load applied to the flange member and the contact force at the end regulating portion can be absorbed by the rear rib, thereby making it possible to prevent deformation of the flange member, etc. This prevents the engagement recess of the snap-fit structure from passing over the engagement protrusion, improves the strength of the flange member, and prevents deformation of the fuel supply device. This makes it possible to prevent displacement relative to the opening. Thereby, the operational reliability of the fuel supply device can be improved. Further, the end regulating portion can prevent damage to the outlet due to excessive pushing when assembling the pump housing member to the flange member. The setting position of the end regulating part in the sliding direction is directly connected to the length of the guide structure and the length of the snap fit piece, so that the snap fit piece can be elastically deformed and the guide structure can have sufficient holding force. . Furthermore, it is possible to improve the strength of the fuel supply device to prevent deformation, etc., and to prevent displacement with respect to the fuel flow path accommodating portion and the opening of the fuel pump. Thereby, the operational reliability of the fuel supply device can be improved. It is possible to reduce the weight and size of the flange member while maintaining its strength.

According to the present invention, it can be arranged in a space-saving manner, it is possible to maintain strength even when downsized, it is possible to prevent damage to the outlet due to excessive pushing when assembling the pump housing member, and it is possible to improve fuel suction efficiency. It becomes possible to achieve the effect of being able to provide a fuel supply device that is possible.

1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a fuel supply device according to the present invention. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of a fuel supply device according to the present invention. 1 is a top view showing a first embodiment of a fuel supply device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a back view showing the first embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present invention. It is a top view showing the flange member in a 1st embodiment of the fuel supply device concerning the present invention. It is a perspective view showing a flange member in a 1st embodiment of the fuel supply device concerning the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a pump housing member in the first embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a guide rail structure of a pump housing member in the first embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the YZ plane showing the vertical guide rail structure in the first embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the YZ plane showing the vertical guide rail structure in the first embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the XZ plane showing the vertical guide rail structure in the first embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present invention. 1 is a sectional view taken along the XY plane showing a guide rail structure in the first embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present invention is attached to a fuel tank. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the YZ plane showing another example of the vertical guide rail structure in the first embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the YZ plane showing another example of the vertical guide rail structure in the first embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a fuel supply device according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fuel supply device in this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the fuel supply device in this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view showing the fuel supply device in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a back view showing the fuel supply device in this embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 1 indicates a fuel supply device.
In the following description, the central axis of the fuel pump 10 (described later) is referred to as the central axis C (see FIG. 2), and the direction along the central axis C is referred to as the mounting direction (sliding direction; The direction perpendicular to the mounting direction along the arrangement surface of the flange member 30 that closes the opening 2b formed in the side wall surface portion 2c of 2 is called the cross direction (Y direction), and the normal direction to the arrangement surface is the opposite direction. (Z direction).

<Fuel supply device>
The fuel supply device 1 according to this embodiment is attached to a vehicle such as a motorcycle or a four-wheeled vehicle. The fuel supply device 1 is of a so-called sub-type. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the fuel supply device 1 is inserted through an opening 2b formed in a side wall 2c close to the bottom 2a (see FIG. 13) of the fuel tank 2, and It is attached to the side wall surface portion 2c. The fuel supply device 1 includes a fuel pump 10 disposed in a fuel tank 2 , a cup (pump housing member) 20 that includes (accommodates) the fuel pump 10 , and supports the fuel pump 10 together with the cup 20 . The flange unit (flange member) 30 is installed flush with the side wall surface portion 2c of the flange unit 30, and the pressure regulator 45 is installed inside the flange unit 30.

That is, the fuel supply device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a flange member 30 that covers the opening 2b opened in the side wall surface 2c close to the bottom surface 2a of the fuel tank 2, and a flange member 30 that covers the opening 2b opened in the side wall surface 2c adjacent to the bottom surface 2a of the fuel tank 2. The fuel pump 10 is disposed near the bottom part 2a on the lower side in the Z direction inside the fuel tank 2 in a horizontal position along the arrangement surface 30a, and the cylindrical cylinder that accommodates the fuel pump 10 and is attached to the flange member 30 The pump housing member 20, the filter 14a connected to the fuel pump 10, the inlet cover 50 connected to the pump housing member 20, and the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 as will be described later, are aligned with each other in the X direction. A guide rail structure 100 that regulates the mounting direction in which the flange member 30 is slid and mounted along the arrangement surface 30a of the flange member 30, and a guide rail structure 100 that locks the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 to each other at a position where the slide ends in the mounting direction. and a snap-fit structure 200 for regulating the position.

<Fuel pump>
The fuel pump 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the central axis C direction aligned with the X direction. The fuel pump 10 includes a motor section 11 disposed on the left side in FIGS. 1 to 3, and a pump section 12 disposed on the right side in FIGS. 1 to 3. The outer peripheral surface of the fuel pump 10 is formed by a cylindrical housing case 13 made of metal, for example. Housing case 13 supports motor section 11 and pump section 12 from the outside.

Note that the right side in the figure means the right side in the X direction, that is, the fuel suction side along the arrangement surface 30a of the flange member 30 and the axial direction of the fuel pump 10. Moreover, the left side similarly means the left side in the X direction, that is, the fuel discharge side along the arrangement surface 30a of the flange member 30 and the axial direction of the fuel pump 10.
For the motor section 11, for example, a DC motor 11a with a brush (not shown) is used.
The motor section 11 has an output shaft 15 at the center in the radial direction that extends along the downward direction. The output shaft 15 extends from the left side of the motor section 11 to the right side of the pump section 12. The output shaft 15 coincides with the axis of a cylinder that is the outer shape of the fuel pump 10.

The pump section 12 uses a non-displacement pump having an impeller 16. In addition to the impeller 16, the pump section 12 includes an impeller case 18 formed to cover the entire impeller 16.
The impeller 16 is a disc-shaped member made of resin, for example. An insertion hole 16a is formed in the radial center of the impeller 16. The output shaft 15 of the DC motor 11a is inserted through the insertion hole 16a. The output shaft 15 is arranged so that its axial direction is in the X direction.

A plurality of blade portions (not shown) are formed on the outer peripheral side of the left and right surfaces of the impeller 16. The space between the plurality of blade portions passes through the left and right surfaces of the impeller 16. Furthermore, a fuel passage hole (not shown) that penetrates the left and right surfaces of the impeller 16 is formed between the insertion hole 16a of the impeller 16 and the blade portion (not shown). When the DC motor 11a is driven and the impeller 16 rotates, fuel passes through a fuel passage hole (not shown) and is pumped from the right side of the impeller 16 toward the left side.

The impeller case 18 is formed to cover the left surface, right surface, and outer periphery of the impeller 16. The lower end of the housing case 13 is caulked to the outer peripheral edge of the right side of the impeller case 18. Further, a fuel inlet 14 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the right surface of the impeller case 18 and projects toward the right. Furthermore, the impeller case 18 is formed with a communication hole (not shown) that penetrates in the X direction, and the communication hole (not shown) communicates with the fuel intake port 14 . As a result, fuel is pumped into the pump section 12 via the fuel intake port 14 and the communication hole (not shown). An inlet cover 50 is attached to the cup 20 on the right side of the fuel pump 10 as described above.

A discharge port 51 is formed on the left side of the housing case 13. The exhaust port 51 communicates with a fuel flow path 71 formed in a fuel flow path accommodating portion (regulator accommodating portion) 70 .
A power supply terminal 19 connected to a power source for driving the pump section 12 is formed on the left side of the housing case 13 . The power supply terminals 19 are formed at both ends of the oval contour of the flange portion 32, which will be described later, in a direction along the short axis (Y direction). The power supply terminal 19 is arranged closer to the arrangement surface 30a than the top (end) of the regulator accommodating part 70. The power supply terminal 19 will be described later.

An outlet cover 17 is provided on the right side of the motor section 11. The outlet cover 17 is made of resin, for example. The outlet cover 17 is integrated with the flange member 30. The outlet cover 17 contacts the fuel pump 10 housed in a cylindrical cup 20. The outlet cover 17 is integrated with a regulator accommodating portion 70 that stands up from the arrangement surface 30a of the flange member 30, as will be described later.

The outlet cover 17 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape that stands up from the arrangement surface 30a. The outlet cover 17 is configured to maintain the state in which the fuel pump 10 is housed in the cup 20 when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 are engaged with each other by a snap fit structure 200 described later. Note that the outlet cover 17 may have other shapes as long as the fuel pump 10 can be maintained in a stored state with respect to the cup 20.
The outlet cover 17 is formed with a contact surface 17a that contacts the cup 20 and the fuel pump 10. The contact surface 17a is a flat surface facing the cup 20 and the fuel pump 10 in the X direction. The contact surface 17a is formed to extend in the Z direction.

<Inlet cover>
The inlet cover 50 is disposed further to the right in FIG. 1 from the right end of the cylindrical cup 20. The inlet cover 50 is attached to the cup 20 so as to surround the right end of the cup 20. Furthermore, a fuel inlet 14 through which fuel flows into the fuel pump 10 is located inside the lower part of the inlet cover 50.
A check valve (not shown) communicating with the fuel intake port 14 may be housed inside the inlet cover 50 . The check valve is for preventing the fuel flowing in from the fuel intake port 14 from flowing backward.

A liquid level detector for detecting the level of the fuel stored in the fuel tank 2 may be attached to the inlet cover 50. A primary filter (filter) 14a is connected to the fuel intake port 14. Filter 14a is housed in inlet cover 50. The filter 14a is located at the lowest position within the fuel tank 2. Note that the inlet cover 50 is opened on the side opposite to the cup 20 in the X direction, so that the fuel in the fuel tank 2 can flow therein. The primary filter 14a will be described later.

<Cup (pump housing member)>
The cup (pump accommodating member) 20 is made of, for example, a highly durable resin and is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape having an opening toward the regulator accommodating portion 70 on the left side in the X direction. That is, the cup 20 is attached so as to accommodate the fuel pump 10 therein. The cup 20 is integrally formed with a cylindrical portion 22 that is fitted onto the fuel pump 10 and an end wall 21 that is formed to close an opening at the right end of the cylindrical portion 22 .

A plate-shaped locking piece 202 is formed on the cylindrical portion 22 of the cup 20 and extends toward the right side in the X direction. The locking piece 202 is formed at the top of the cylindrical portion 22 so that its outer periphery extends in the axial direction. The locking piece 202 has a covering piece 220 that extends to the upper end of the regulator accommodating portion 70 . The locking piece 202 will be described later.
The cylindrical portion 22 of the cup 20 may be provided with a window portion 23 that opens on the outer peripheral surface. A plurality of window portions 23 may be formed. A guide rail structure 100 that is slidable relative to the flange member 30 is formed at the lower part of the cylindrical portion 22 of the cup 20 .

The lower end of the cup 20 is in contact with the flange member 30. On the lower side of the cup 20 in the Z direction, a thick sliding portion 24 having a sliding surface 20a serving as a lower end surface is formed as described later. The slide surface 20a is parallel to the arrangement surface 30a and extends in the XY direction. Further, the dimension in the Y direction of the slide portion 24 in which the slide surface 20a is formed is smaller than the dimension in the Y direction of the cylindrical portion 22 that accommodates the fuel pump 10. Furthermore, the dimension of the sliding portion 24 in the X direction is smaller than the dimension of the cylindrical portion 22 that accommodates the fuel pump 10 in the X direction. That is, the slide portion 24 is formed so as to be substantially hidden by the cylindrical portion 22 of the cup 20 when viewed in the Z direction.

Note that the dimension in the X direction of the slide surface 20a formed on the slide portion 24 is smaller than the dimension in the X direction of the cylindrical portion 22 that houses the fuel pump 10, as will be described later. As will be described later, the dimension in the Z direction of the slide portion 24, that is, the thickness, is such that even if a groove is formed as the guide rail structure 100, the flange member 30 and the cup 20 can slide, and the fuel pump 10 can be held. It is assumed that the strength is as strong as possible.

<Flange unit>
The flange unit (flange member) 30 is made of, for example, resin with excellent oil resistance. The flange unit 30 includes a plate-shaped flange portion 32 that closes the opening 2b, a fuel flow path accommodating portion (regulator accommodating portion) 70 of the flange portion 32 that is erected facing inward of the fuel tank 2, and a flange portion 32 of the flange portion 32. It has a cylindrical portion 34 that extends outward from the fuel tank 2, and an external connector 33 that is spaced apart from the cylindrical portion 34 and extends outward from the fuel tank 2 on the flange portion 32.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the flange member of the fuel supply device in this embodiment.
The flange portion 32 has a contour shape corresponding to the contour shape of the opening portion 2b. In this embodiment, the flange portion 32 has an oval contour shape when viewed from above. The flange portion 32 has an arrangement surface 30 a formed inside the fuel tank 2 . A regulator accommodating portion 70 is provided upright in the flange portion 32 at a position eccentric from the center in the longitudinal direction of the oval contour shape when viewed from above. Here, the oval contour shape means an oval shape or an elliptical shape.
The long axis direction of the oval contour of the flange portion 32 coincides with the X direction. That is, in the fuel pump 10, the central axis C direction coincides with the long axis direction of the oval contour shape.

A circumferential groove portion 32a that projects upward is formed in the flange portion 32 at a portion corresponding to the opening portion 2b of the fuel tank 2. Then, the flange unit 30 is inserted into the opening 2b from the outside of the fuel tank 2, and the flange part 32 of the flange unit 30 is brought into contact with a fixing member (not shown) from the outside on the side wall surface part 2c of the fuel tank 2, and this is fixed. The member is fastened and fixed to the fuel tank 2 with bolts (not shown).
The flange portion 32 has a fixed convex portion 32g on the back surface 30b corresponding to the periphery of the opening 2b, and this fixed convex portion 32g is located below the obliquely fixed flange member 30 (FIGS. 4, 5, (See Figure 13).

Then, the lower side of the flange portion 32 in FIG. 1 (cylindrical portion 34, external connector 33, etc.) is exposed to the outside of the fuel tank 2. Further, the upper side of the flange portion 32 in FIG. 1 (regulator accommodating portion 70, etc.) is in a state where it can be immersed in the fuel in the fuel tank 2. A seal member 32b made of rubber or the like is provided between the flange portion 32 and the side wall surface portion 2c of the fuel tank 2, and sealing performance between the fuel supply device 1 and the fuel tank 2 can be ensured.

In the flange portion 32, the circumferential groove portion 32a is closer to the regulator accommodating portion 70 than the end wall 21 in the long axis direction (X direction) of the oval contour shape of the flange member 30. That is, the circumferential groove portion 32a has a portion hidden by the cylindrical portion 22 of the cup 20 when viewed in the Z direction.

The regulator accommodating portion 70 is erected in the Z direction from the arrangement surface 30a of the flange portion 32, and has a fuel flow path 71 formed therein. The fuel flow path 71 penetrates the flange portion 32 in the thickness direction and communicates with the inside of the cylindrical portion 34 . The fuel flow path 71 extends in the Z direction. The pressure regulator 45 is housed near the top (end) of the regulator housing portion 70 that is farthest from the placement surface 30a.
The regulator housing portion 70 includes a cylindrical cylindrical portion 70d that stands upright in the Z direction from the arrangement surface 30a of the flange portion 32, and a plurality of support plate portions 70e that are formed toward the outside in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 70d. have The cylinder portion 70d and the support plate portion 70e are integrally formed. The proximal ends of the cylindrical portion 70d and the support plate portion 70e are both formed integrally with the flange portion 32.

A support plate portion 70e extending outward in the radial direction of the regulator housing portion 70 is formed at an outer peripheral position of the regulator housing portion 70, and the support plate portion 70e extends along the regulator housing portion 70 in the Z direction from the arrangement surface 30a. erect. A plurality of support plate portions 70e are formed in the circumferential direction of the cylinder portion 70d.
The support plate portion 70e has a surface parallel to the Z direction, which is the direction in which the regulator housing portion 70 is erected. A plurality of support plate portions 70e are formed in the circumferential direction with respect to the regulator housing portion 70 when viewed in the thickness direction of the flange member 30.

The support plate portion 70e is formed flush with both sides of the cylindrical portion 70d along the Y direction, which is the short axis direction of the oval profile of the flange member 30, when viewed in the Z direction, which is the thickness direction of the flange member 30. The support plate portion 70e accommodates the fuel flow path along a direction different from the direction along the Y direction, which is the short axis direction of the oval profile of the flange member 30, when viewed in the Z direction, which is the thickness direction of the flange member 30. formed around the area. Specifically, the support plate portion 70e along the Y direction, the support plate portion 70e opposite to the X direction in which the fuel pump 10 extends and along the X direction, and the support plate portion 70e located between the X direction and the Y direction. The supporting plate portion 70e extends along a direction that is 45° from the X direction and the Y direction.

Among the plurality of support plate parts 70e, the support plate part 70e along the Y direction, which is the short axis direction of the oval profile of the flange member 30, is one that extends in the other direction when viewed in the Z direction, which is the thickness direction of the flange member 30. It is formed longer in the radial direction than the supporting plate portion 70e along which it extends (see FIG. 13).
The number of the plurality of support plate parts 70e to be formed is not limited to the above number, and may be larger or smaller. However, it is preferable to provide two support plate portions 70e along the Y direction. Furthermore, it is preferable to also provide a support plate portion 70e along the X direction.

The regulator accommodating portion 70 is disposed offset from the center position of the oval contour shape of the flange portion 32 in its long axis direction, that is, in the X direction. In the long axis direction (X direction) of the oval contour shape of the flange portion 32, the fuel pump 10 is arranged so as to extend in a direction opposite to the direction in which the regulator housing portion 70 is displaced from the center position. That is, the fuel pump 10 is connected to a position facing the center of the oval contour of the flange portion 32 of the regulator housing portion 70. The fuel pump 10 is connected to the side of the flange portion 32 of the regulator housing portion 70 that is close to the center of the oval contour.

A plurality of terminals 72 connected to the external connector 33 by power supply lines are arranged at positions spaced apart from the center of the oval contour of the flange portion 32 of the regulator housing portion 70. The terminal 72 will be described later.

The pressure regulator 45 is housed in a holding recess 73 that communicates with the fuel flow path 71. The holding recess 73 is located at the upper end of the fuel flow path 71 in the Z direction. The holding recess 73 has an opening 73 a that opens into the fuel tank 2 at the top (end) of the regulator housing 70 . The pressure regulator 45 is fixed to the holding recess 73 by a protrusion 221 formed in the Y direction of the opening 73a. The convex portion 221 protrudes upward in the Z direction at a position on the Y direction side of the periphery of the opening 73a. The convex portion 221 is a thermally caulked portion.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flange member 30, which is in the opposite direction from the fuel pump 10 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the oval profile shape than the regulator accommodating portion 70, has an arrangement surface recess 35a that is recessed than the arrangement surface 30a. It is formed. The arrangement surface concave portion 35a is formed closer to the end in the X direction than the support plate portion 70e extending in the Y direction, and inside the contour of the circumferential groove portion 32a. A placement surface rib 36a extending in the short axis direction (Y direction) of the oval contour shape is formed inside the placement surface recess 35a.

The arrangement surface rib 36a is formed parallel to the support plate portion 70e extending in the Y direction. Both ends of the placement surface rib 36a are connected to arcuate side wall portions of the placement surface recess 35a in the Y direction. The length dimension of the arrangement surface rib 36a in the Y direction is smaller than the maximum dimension of the arrangement surface recess 35a in the Y direction.
Further, the arrangement surface rib 36a is connected to the bottom of the arrangement surface recess 35a along the entire length in the Y direction. The arrangement surface rib 36a is formed integrally with the flange member 30. The dimension of the arrangement surface rib 36a in the Z direction is the same as the depth dimension of the arrangement surface recess 35a. That is, the upper edge of the arrangement surface rib 36a in the Z direction is formed substantially flush with the arrangement surface 30a.

The arrangement surface rib 36a is integrally connected to the support plate portion 70e extending in the X direction at the middle in the Y direction. The arrangement surface rib 36a is integrally connected to the terminal 72 at a position halfway in the Y direction. The terminal is biased from the center position of the placement surface rib 36a in the Y direction to a position close to the end.

The placement surface rib 36a is not connected to the base end of the regulator accommodating portion 70 in the X direction. The arrangement surface rib 36a is integrally connected to a support plate portion 70e extending in the X direction at a position halfway in the Y direction. The arrangement surface rib 36a is located at a position close to the end from the center position in the Y direction, and closest to the support plate portion 70e along a direction making 45 degrees from the X direction and the Y direction. The arrangement surface rib 36a is not connected to the support plate portion 70e along a direction that forms 45 degrees from the X direction and the Y direction. That is, as shown by the symbol QP in FIG. 3, the arrangement surface recess 35a around the base end of the cylindrical portion 70d is opened outward in the direction along the XY plane.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the back surface 30b of the flange member 30, which is in the same direction as the fuel pump 10 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the oval contour shape, is located at a position corresponding to the arrangement surface 30a, relative to the regulator housing portion 70. A back surface concave portion 35b is formed which is recessed from the back surface 30b. The depth dimension of the back surface recess 35b is the same as the depth dimension of the arrangement surface recess 35a. That is, in the flange member 30, both sides in the X direction with respect to the regulator accommodating part 70 and the support plate part 70e extending in the Y direction are connected to the bottoms of the arrangement surface recess 35a and the back surface recess 35b, respectively, at different positions in the Z direction. Ru.

The back recess 35b is formed in the entire area corresponding to the arrangement surface 30a on the side to which the fuel pump 10 is connected in the X direction than the support plate portion 70e extending in the Y direction, and inside the contour of the circumferential groove portion 32a. Ru. Inside the back recess 35b, a back rib 36b extending in the long axis direction (X direction) of the oval contour shape and a back rib 36b extending in the short axis direction (Y direction) of the oval contour shape are formed. .
All the back ribs 36b are connected to the bottom of the back recess 35b along their entire lengths. The back rib 36b is formed integrally with the flange member 30. The dimension of the back surface rib 36b in the Z direction is the same as the depth dimension of the back surface recess 35b. That is, the lower edge of the back surface rib 36b in the Z direction is formed substantially flush with the back surface 30b.

The back rib 36b extending in the X direction is arranged at the center of the back recess 35b in the Y direction, as shown in FIG. The back rib 36b extending in the X direction is arranged parallel to and coincident with the central axis C of the fuel pump 10 when viewed in the Z direction. Both ends of the back surface rib 36b extending in the X direction are connected to the side wall portion having the maximum dimension of the back surface recess 35b in the Y direction.
Two rear surface ribs 36b extending in the Y direction are formed at parallel positions spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The back rib 36b extending in the Y direction is formed parallel to the support plate portion 70e extending in the Y direction. The two back ribs 36b extending in the Y direction and the back ribs 36b extending in the X direction are connected to each other at a position where they intersect.

Among the back ribs 36b extending in the Y direction, the central back rib (back rib) 36b, which is one proximate to the regulator accommodating portion 70, is formed near the center of the back recess 35b in the X direction. Both ends of the central back rib 36b are connected to side wall portions that have the maximum dimension of the back recess 35b in the Y direction. The length of the central back rib 36b in the Y direction is the same as the maximum dimension of the back recess 35b in the Y direction.
Further, among the back ribs 36b extending in the Y direction, one of the ribs spaced apart from the regulator accommodating portion 70 has both ends connected to the arc-shaped side wall portion of the back recess 35b in the Y direction. The length of the back rib 36b extending in the Y direction is smaller than the maximum dimension of the back recess 35b in the Y direction.

The central back rib (back rib) 36b is arranged at a position that overlaps an inclined surface (inclined portion) 120b, which will be described later, in the X direction. Further, among the back ribs 36b extending in the Y direction, one that is spaced apart from the regulator accommodating portion 70 is arranged at a position overlapping a fixing surface (fixing portion) 120c, which will be described later, in the X direction.

<Pressure regulator>
The pressure regulator 45 is for keeping the fuel pressure of the fuel flowing in the fuel flow path 71 below a certain value. The pressure regulator 45 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The outer peripheral surface of the pressure regulator 45 is fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the holding recess 73. The outer shape of the pressure regulator 45 substantially matches the inner shape of the holding recess 73.
Therefore, the pressure regulator 45 is reliably held in the holding recess 73. This suppresses rattling of the pressure regulator 45.

Further, a fuel inlet (not shown) provided below the pressure regulator 45 communicates with the fuel flow path 71.
A portion of the fuel flow path 71 below the holding recess 73 in the Z direction and above the arrangement surface 30a communicates with the exhaust port 51 via a discharge flow path 71b that communicates and branches in the X direction. The pressure regulator 45 communicates with the exhaust port 51 via the fuel flow path 71 and the exhaust flow path 71b. Furthermore, an O-ring (not shown) is provided between the pressure regulator 45 and the bottom of the holding recess 73 to ensure sealing performance.

When the fuel pressure in the fuel flow path 71 becomes higher than a predetermined pressure, an on-off valve (not shown) provided in the pressure regulator 45 is pushed up by the fuel filling the fuel flow path 71. Then, the fuel flows into the pressure regulator 45 from below and is discharged into the fuel tank 2 from the upper opening 73a of the pressure regulator 45. When the fuel is discharged into the fuel tank 2, the fuel pressure in the fuel flow path 71 is reduced. When the fuel pressure in the fuel flow path 71 returns to a normal value, the discharge of fuel from the pressure regulator 45 is stopped. As a result, the fuel pressure in the fuel flow path 71 becomes below a certain value.

The lower end of the fuel flow path 71 in the Z direction passes through the flange portion 32 and extends into the cylindrical portion 34 . A discharge pipe 34a formed in the X direction along the flange portion 32 is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 34 in the Z direction. The direction in which the discharge pipe 34a extends coincides with the axial direction of the fuel pump 10.
The fuel flow path 71 communicates with a second flow path 71c formed in the discharge pipe 34a from the cylinder portion 34 at the lower end of the cylinder portion 34 in the Z direction. The outer end of the second flow path 71c communicates with the internal combustion engine 57 via the secondary filter 56. The cylinder portion 34 and the discharge pipe 34a are integrally molded on the flange portion 32.

<Filter>
A primary filter (filter) 14a is disposed on the inlet cover 50 in a vertical manner along the side wall surface 2c of the fuel tank 2. The primary filter 14a is for filtering the fuel pumped into the fuel pump 10. The primary filter 14a is formed into a substantially plate shape. The main surface of the primary filter 14a is arranged along the arrangement surface 30a of the flange member 30. The primary filter 14a is, for example, a suction filter. The primary filter 14a is formed into a bag shape by overlapping a pair of filter media (not shown) and welding the outer edges. The mesh diameter of the primary filter 14a is, for example, 70 μm. The arrangement of the primary filter 14a will be described later.

On the other hand, the secondary filter 56 provided between the discharge pipe 34a and the internal combustion engine 57 is for filtering the fuel filtered by the primary filter 14a with higher precision before supplying it to the internal combustion engine 57. be. The mesh diameter of the secondary filter 56 is smaller than the mesh diameter of the primary filter 14a, for example, 10 μm.

An external connector 33 provided on the lower side of the flange portion 32, that is, a location exposed to the outside of the fuel tank 2, has an external connector (not shown) connected to an external power source (not shown), a control device (not shown), etc. ) are fitted together. The external connector 33 is a rectangular cylindrical member when viewed from the X direction. The external connector 33 opens from the lower side of the flange portion 32 at a position spaced apart in the Z direction by the support portion 33d. The external connector 33 has a connector fitting portion 33a that opens toward the outside in the radial direction, which is the long axis direction of the oval contour shape of the flange member 30.

A connector terminal 33b that connects the inside and outside of the fuel tank 2 is provided inside the connector fitting part 33a. The connector terminal 33b is a member made of metal such as copper. The connector terminal 33b passes through the flange portion 32 and is electrically connected to a terminal 72 and a liquid level detector provided near the base of the regulator housing portion 70. The terminal 72 is arranged at the base end of the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 70d of the regulator housing portion 70. The terminal 72 is located at a position outside the center in the long axis direction of the oval contour shape of the flange part 32 of the cylindrical part 70d, and outside in the short axis direction, when viewed in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flange part 32. Each is placed.

The terminal 72 is spaced apart from the circumferential groove portion 32a located at the periphery of the flange member 30 when viewed in the thickness direction of the flange member 30. The terminal 72 is arranged between the support plate parts 70e in the circumferential direction of the regulator housing part 70. The terminal 72 opens upward in the Z direction along the cylindrical portion 70d. The terminals 72 are electrically connected to the power supply terminals 19 of the motor section 11 via harnesses (lead wires) 59, respectively.

The terminal 72 opens at a position spaced apart from the arrangement surface 30a in the Z direction. The terminal 72 is arranged at a position closer to the arrangement surface 30a than the top (end) of the regulator housing section 70.
The external power supply and control device are electrically connected to the motor section 11 by the external connector 33, the terminal 72, the regulator housing section 70, a harness (lead wire) 59 routed around the outer periphery of the fuel pump 10, and the power supply terminal 19. Ru.

The terminal 72 is formed so that the two harnesses (lead wires) 59 can be routed in a direction away from the arrangement surface 30a. The two harnesses (lead wires) 59 intersect near the top (end) of the regulator accommodating portion 70, as shown by the symbol QP in FIG. That is, the harness 59 connected to the terminal 72 on one side of the center of the cylindrical portion 70d in the Y direction is connected to the power supply terminal 19 on the other side of the center of the cylindrical portion 70d in the Y direction. Further, the harness 59 connected to the terminal 72 on the other side in the Y direction from the center of the cylindrical portion 70d is connected to the power supply terminal 19 on one side in the Y direction from the center of the cylindrical portion 70d.

Furthermore, the two harnesses (lead wires) 59 have different lengths. In FIG. 1, the harness 59 connected to the terminal 72 on the back side of the paper is longer than the harness 59 connected to the terminal 72 on the front side of the paper. In other words, the harness 59 connected to the power supply terminal on the back side of the paper is shorter than the harness 59 connected to the power supply terminal 19 on the front side of the paper. As a result, the two harnesses 59 that cross near the top (end) of the regulator accommodating portion 70 are separated from each other and do not come into contact with each other. Thereby, an existing compatible fuel pump 10 can be used.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the flange member 30 in this embodiment together with the guide rail structure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the cup (pump housing member) 20 in this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the guide rail structure of the cup (pump accommodating member) 20 in this embodiment. 8 is a perspective view of the cup (pump accommodating member) 20 of FIG. 7 viewed from the slide surface 20a side. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view in the YZ direction showing the vertical guide rail structure 110 in the guide rail structure 100 in this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to the guiding surface 120a. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in the YZ direction showing the vertical guide rail structure 110 in the guide rail structure 100 in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to the fixed surface 120c.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view in the XZ direction showing the vertical guide rail structure 110 in the guide rail structure 100 in this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view in the XY direction showing the vertical guide rail structure 110 and the horizontal guide rail structure 150 in the guide rail structure 100 in this embodiment.

<Guide rail structure>
In the guide rail structure 100, the flange member 30 and the cup 20 housing the fuel pump 10 are attached to each other by sliding them in the X direction.
The guide rail structure 100 is arranged on the arrangement surface 30a of the flange member 30 and the slide surface 20a of the slide portion 24 of the cup 20, which face and contact each other.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 12, the guide rail structure 100 includes one vertical guide rail structure (first guide part) 110 and two horizontal guide rail structures (second guide part) 150. have One vertical guide rail structure 110 and two horizontal guide rail structures 150 both extend in the X direction. One vertical guide rail structure 110 and two horizontal guide rail structures 150 are arranged parallel to each other.

Further, the two horizontal guide rail structures 150 are arranged apart from each other on both sides of the one vertical guide rail structure 110 in the Y direction. The horizontal guide rail structure 150 allows the positions of the flange member 30 and the cup 20 to be mutually restricted in the Y direction when sliding. Further, the vertical guide rail structure 110 allows the positions of the flange member 30 and the cup 20 to be mutually restricted in the X direction and the Y direction when sliding. Here, the outer side in the Y direction means the direction from the vertical guide rail structure 110 to the horizontal guide rail structures 150 on both sides along the Y direction.

In this embodiment, the vertical guide rail structure (first guide part) 110 and the horizontal guide rail structure (second guide part) 150 are formed on the flange member 30 and the sliding part 24 of the cup 20, respectively. The vertical guide rail structure 110 and the horizontal guide rail structure 150 are arranged on the arrangement surface 30a of the flange member 30 and the sliding surface 20a of the cup 20, which face each other and are in contact with each other.

<Vertical guide rail structure>
The vertical guide rail structure 110 positions the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 in at least the X direction and the Z direction. The vertical guide rail structure 110 includes a vertical rail portion 111 formed on the arrangement surface 30a of the flange member 30, and a vertical guide portion 112 formed on the slide surface 20a.

<Vertical rail part>
The vertical rail portion 111 is formed as a linear protrusion that projects upward in the Z direction from the arrangement surface 30a and extends in the X direction. The vertical rail portion 111 has a substantially T-shaped cross-sectional profile in the YZ direction. The vertical rail portion 111 includes a base portion 113 that stands upright from the arrangement surface 30a, and a protrusion that extends from the base portion 113 in the Z direction and is formed at the Z direction tip 115 of the vertical rail portion 111 so as to protrude from both sides in the Y direction. 117. That is, in the vertical rail portion 111, the Y-direction dimension of the tip 115 is larger than the Y-direction dimension of the base portion 113. In the vertical rail portion 111, the Y-direction dimension of the tip 115 becomes larger toward both sides in the Y-direction with respect to the base portion 113.

The Y-direction dimension of the base 113 is the same from the arrangement surface 30a upward in the Z-direction to the lower end of the protrusion 117. The Y direction dimension of the base portion 113 is formed to be approximately equal over the entire length of the vertical rail portion 111 in the X direction.
The top end surface 111a of the vertical rail portion 111 in the Z direction is formed flush with the XY plane, and the height of the vertical rail portion 111 in the Z direction from the placement surface 30a is substantially uniform.

The protruding portion 117 is formed along the entire length of the vertical rail portion 111 in the X direction. The protruding portion 117 is formed along the entire length of the vertical rail portion 111 in the X direction. The protruding portion 117 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the vertical rail portion 111 in the Y direction. The protrusion 117 protrudes from the base 113 on both sides in the Y direction and is formed into a protrusion having a rectangular cross section in the YZ direction. The two protrusions 117 are formed in the same shape in the Y direction. The lower surface 119 of the protruding portion 117 protrudes from the base portion 113 in the Y direction, and serves as a contact surface 119 that contacts a contact surface 120 of the vertical guide portion 112, which will be described later.
The contact surface 119 is formed in a planar shape over the entire length in the X direction and the Y direction. The contact surface 119 is formed parallel to the arrangement surface 30a over the entire length in the X direction and the Y direction.

<Vertical guide section>
Two vertical guide portions 112 are formed on both sides of the vertical rail portion 111 in the Y direction, parallel to the vertical rail portion 111 . Each of the vertical guide parts 112 is formed as a linear protrusion that projects downward from the slide part 24 in the Z direction and extends in the X direction. The vertical guide portions 112 are both formed so that their lower ends (tips) in the Z direction coincide with each other as the slide surface 20a and are flush with each other. The two vertical guide parts 112 are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction, and both are formed in a linear shape extending in the X direction so as to sandwich the vertical rail part 111 therebetween. That is, the two vertical guide parts 112 are formed so that the gap in the Y direction becomes a groove that opens as an opening 116 in the slide surface 20a. The two vertical guide parts 112 are formed symmetrically in the Y direction with respect to the center of the vertical rail part 111 in the Y direction.

The groove between the two vertical guide parts 112 also opens on the side end surface 24a of the slide part 24 that is close to the regulator accommodating part 70 in the X direction. The groove between the two vertical guide portions 112 also opens in a side end surface 24c of the slide portion 24 that is spaced apart from the regulator housing portion 70 in the X direction. The groove between the two vertical guide parts 112 opens to the sliding surface 20a of the sliding part 24 over almost the entire length in the Y direction.

A top and bottom surface 112a of the groove between the two vertical guide portions 112 is a plane parallel to the slide surface 20a and the arrangement surface 30a. At the downward ends of the two vertical guide parts 112 in the Z direction, protrusions 118 are formed that protrude in a direction in which they approach each other. That is, in each vertical guide portion 112, the protruding portion 118 protrudes in the Y direction toward the base portion 113 of the vertical rail portion 111.
Each of the two vertical guide portions 112 has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional profile in the YZ direction. Similarly, the cross-sectional shape of the vertical guide portion 112 opening at the side end surface 24a corresponds to the shape along the circumference of the contour shape of the vertical rail portion 111 in the same direction.

The groove formed by the two vertical guide portions 112 includes a top and bottom surface 112a that faces the top end surface 111a and is furthest upward in the Z direction from the slide surface 20a, and a groove that extends downward in the Z direction from both ends of the top and bottom surface 112a in the Y direction. an opening 116 formed in the slide surface 20a at the lower end of the side surface 114 in the Z direction, and protrusions 118 formed on both sides in the Y direction so as to reduce the groove width of the opening 116. , has.

The protruding portion 118 is formed over the entire length of the vertical guide portion 112 in the X direction. The protruding part 118 protrudes from the side surface 114 facing in the Y direction so that both sides of the opening part 116 are narrow, and the upper surface protruding from the side surface 114 in the Y direction contacts the contact surface 119 of the vertical rail part 111. This becomes surface 120. The Z-direction distance between the contact surface 120 and the slide surface 20a changes in the X-direction as described later. Accordingly, in the X direction, the height in the Z direction from the top-bottom surface 112a to the contact surface 120 changes in the X direction to be equal to the height in the Z direction of the side surface 114.

<Contact surface>
The contact surface 120 is formed over the entire length of the vertical guide portion 112 in the X direction.
Here, the contact surface 120 has three regions in the X direction, as shown in FIG. Specifically, in the X direction, from the side end surface 24a to the side end surface 24c of the contact surface 120, there are a guiding surface 120a, an inclined surface 120b as an inclined section, and a fixed surface 120c as a fixed section.

The guiding surface 120a is formed on the contact surface 120 at a position close to the side end surface 24a where the groove opens in the X direction. The guide surface 120a is formed at a position where the flange member 30 and the cup 20 first come into contact when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 slide, that is, at the tip of the vertical guide portion 112 in the mounting direction (X direction). The guide surface 120a is parallel to the slide surface 20a and the arrangement surface 30a. The distance in the Z direction between the guide surface 120a and the slide surface 20a is smaller than the distance in the Z direction between the arrangement surface 30a and the contact surface 119. In other words, the thickness dimension in the Z direction of the protruding portion 118 corresponding to the guide surface 120a is smaller than the height dimension in the Z direction of the base portion 113.

The inclined surface (inclined portion) 120b is formed on the contact surface 120 at a position between the side end surface 24a and the side end surface 24c in the X direction, and at a position spaced apart from the side end surface 24a and the side end surface 24c in the X direction. Ru. The inclined surface 120b is inclined in the X direction from the side end surface 24a toward the side end surface 24c so as to be spaced apart from the slide surface 20a. That is, the inclined surface 120b is inclined so as to approach the top and bottom surface 112a in the X direction as it goes from the side end surface 24a to the side end surface 24c. The inclined surface 120b is formed above the protrusion 118 in the Z direction continuously from the guide surface 120a. The inclined surface 120b is located at a position where the flange member 30 and the cup 20 come into contact following the guide surface 120a when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 slide, that is, in the mounting direction (X direction) as the vertical guide portion 112. It is formed in the middle of the day.
Although the inclined surface (inclined portion) 120b can be formed as a draft when molding the flange member 30, it is preferable to form it intentionally in order to accurately regulate the position.

The distance in the Z direction between the inclined surface 120b and the slide surface 20a is equal to the distance in the Z direction between the guide surface 120a and the slide surface 20a at a position adjacent to the guide surface 120a. That is, the Z-direction thickness dimension of the protruding portion 118 corresponding to the inclined surface 120b is smaller than the Z-direction height dimension of the base portion 113. The distance in the Z direction between the inclined surface 120b and the slide surface 20a is equal to the distance in the Z direction between the fixed surface 120c and the slide surface 20a at a position adjacent to the fixed surface 120c, which will be described later. That is, the Z-direction thickness dimension of the protruding portion 118 corresponding to the inclined surface 120b is approximately equal to the Z-direction height dimension of the base portion 113.

The fixing surface 120c is formed at a position of the contact surface 120 close to the side end surface 24c where the groove opens at the end in the X direction. The fixing surface 120c is formed to open in the side end surface 24c in the X direction. The fixing surface 120c is formed at the position where the flange member 30 and the cup 20 finally come into contact when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 slide, that is, at the base end in the mounting direction (X direction) as the vertical guide portion 112. . The fixed surface 120c is parallel to the slide surface 20a and the arrangement surface 30a. The distance in the Z direction between the fixed surface 120c and the slide surface 20a is approximately equal to the distance in the Z direction between the arrangement surface 30a and the contact surface 119. That is, the Z-direction thickness dimension of the protruding portion 118 corresponding to the fixed surface 120c is approximately equal to the Z-direction height dimension of the base portion 113.

The inclined surface (inclined portion) 120b is arranged at a position overlapping the central back rib (back rib) 36b in the X direction. Further, the fixing surface (fixing portion) 120c is arranged in a position in the X direction overlapping one of the back ribs 36b extending in the Y direction, which is spaced apart from the regulator accommodating portion 70.

<Horizontal guide rail structure>
The lateral guide rail structure 150 positions the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 at least in the X direction. The horizontal guide rail structure 150 is formed in a straight line extending in the X direction. Two horizontal guide rail structures 150 are formed on both sides of the vertical guide rail structure 110 in the Y direction. The horizontal guide rail structure 150 is formed apart from the vertical guide rail structure 110 in the Y direction. The two horizontal guide rail structures 150 are formed symmetrically in the Y direction with respect to the vertical guide rail structure 110.
A terminal end regulating portion 250 is integrally formed with the horizontal guide rail structure 150.

One of the horizontal guide rail structures 150 includes a horizontal rail portion 151 formed on the arrangement surface 30a of the flange member 30, a horizontal inner guide portion (horizontal guide portion) 152 formed on the slide surface 20a, and a horizontal guide portion 152 formed on the slide surface 20a. and a lateral outer guide portion (lateral guide portion) 153.
In the lateral guide rail structure 150, the lateral inner guide part 152, the lateral rail part 151, and the lateral outer guide part 153 are spaced apart from the vertical guide rail structure 110 in the Y direction in this order.

<Horizontal rail part>
The horizontal rail portion 151 is formed as a linear protrusion that projects upward in the Z direction from the arrangement surface 30a and extends in the X direction. The horizontal rail portion 151 has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile in the YZ direction.
The horizontal rail portion 151 has a uniform length in the X direction and a uniform dimension in the Y direction. The horizontal rail portion 151 is formed to have a full length in the X direction and a uniform dimension in the Z direction.

The horizontal rail portion 151 is erected from the arrangement surface 30a, and among the side surfaces in the Y direction, a surface facing toward the vertical rail portion 111 serves as a horizontal contact surface (contact surface) 155. The lateral contact surface 155 is a plane extending in the XZ plane. The lateral contact surface 155 is formed along the entire length of the lateral rail portion 151 in the X direction.
Note that in the two horizontal guide rail structures 150 located on both sides of the vertical guide rail structure 110 in the Y direction, the horizontal contact surfaces 155 face each other in the Y direction.

The tip of the horizontal rail portion 151 in the Z direction is formed as a top end surface 151a parallel to the arrangement surface 30a over the entire length in the X direction. The height of the horizontal rail portion 151 in the Z direction, that is, the height from the arrangement surface 30a to the top end surface 151a, is uniform over the entire length in the X direction. The Z-direction height of the horizontal rail portion 151 can be made the same as the Z-direction height from the slide surface 20a to the top and bottom surface 152a, which will be described later.

<Horizontal guide section>
The lateral inner guide portion 152 and the lateral outer guide portion 153 are formed on both sides of the lateral rail portion 151 in the Y direction, both parallel to the lateral rail portion 151 . Both the lateral inner guide portion 152 and the lateral outer guide portion 153 are formed as linear protrusions that protrude downward in the Z direction from the slide portion 24 and extend in the X direction. The inner lateral guide part 152 and the outer lateral guide part 153 are both formed so that their lower ends in the Z direction coincide with the slide surface 20a and are flush with each other.

The lateral inner guide part 152 and the lateral outer guide part 153 are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction, and both are formed in a linear shape extending in the X direction so as to sandwich the vertical rail part 111. That is, the lateral inner guide portion 152 and the lateral outer guide portion 153 are formed in a groove shape that opens as an opening 156 in the slide surface 20a between the two in the Y direction. The two vertical guide parts 112 are formed symmetrically in the Y direction with respect to the center of the vertical rail part 111 in the Y direction.

The groove between the lateral inner guide section 152 and the lateral outer guide section 153 also opens on the side end surface 24a of the slide section 24 adjacent to the regulator housing section 70 in the X direction. The groove between the lateral inner guide section 152 and the lateral outer guide section 153 also opens at the side end surface 24c of the slide section 24 that is spaced apart from the regulator accommodating section 70 in the X direction. The groove between the lateral inner guide part 152 and the lateral outer guide part 153 opens to the sliding surface 20a of the sliding part 24 over almost the entire length in the Y direction.
A top and bottom surface 152a of the groove between the lateral inner guide portion 152 and the lateral outer guide portion 153 is a plane parallel to the slide surface 20a and the arrangement surface 30a.

The lateral outer guide portion 153 has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile in the YZ direction.
The lateral outer guide portion 153 has a uniform length in the X direction and a uniform dimension in the Y direction. The lateral outer guide portion 153 is formed to have a full length in the X direction and a uniform dimension in the Z direction.

The lateral inner guide portion 152 has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile in the YZ direction. The lateral inner guide portion 152 has a uniform length in the X direction and a uniform dimension in the Z direction.

The grooves formed by the lateral inner guide part 152 and the lateral outer guide part 153 are formed by a top and bottom surface 152a that faces the top end surface 151a and is farthest upward in the Z direction from the slide surface 20a, and a groove that extends from both ends of the top and bottom surface 152a in the Y direction to the Z direction. A side surface 154 of the lateral outer guide portion 153 as a side surface that hangs downward to the opening 156, and a lateral contact surface of the lateral inner guide portion 152 as a side surface that hangs downward in the Z direction from both ends of the top and bottom surface 152a in the Y direction to the opening 156. (contact surface) 158.

<Horizontal contact surface>
The lateral contact surface (contact surface) 158 has a plane extending along the XZ plane. The lateral contact surface 158 is formed over the entire length of the lateral inner guide portion 152 in the X direction.
Here, the lateral contact surface 158 has three regions in the X direction, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the lateral contact surface 158 includes, from the side end surface 24a to the side end surface 24c in the X direction, a lateral guide surface 158a, a lateral inclined surface 158b as an inclined section, and a lateral fixed surface 158c as a fixed section.

The lateral guide surface 158a is formed at a position of the lateral contact surface 158 close to the side end surface 24a where the groove opens in the X direction. The lateral guide surface 158a is formed at the position where the flange member 30 and the cup 20 first come into contact when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 slide, that is, on the distal end side in the mounting direction (X direction) as the lateral inner guide portion 152. Ru. The lateral guide surface 158a is along the XY plane orthogonal to the slide surface 20a and the placement surface 30a. The distance in the Y direction between the horizontal guide surface 158a and the vertical guide rail structure 110 is constant over the entire length of the horizontal guide surface 158a in the X direction. That is, the Y direction thickness dimension of the lateral inner guide portion 152 corresponding to the lateral guide surface 158a is constant over the entire length of the lateral guide surface 158a in the X direction.

The lateral inclined surface (slanted portion) 158b is formed at a position of the lateral contact surface 158 between the side end surface 24a and the side end surface 24c in the X direction and at a position spaced apart from the side end surface 24a and the side end surface 24c in the X direction. Ru. The horizontally inclined surface 158b is inclined so as to move away from the vertical guide rail structure 110 in the Y direction as it goes from the side end surface 24a to the side end surface 24c in the X direction. That is, the lateral inclined surface 158b is inclined so as to approach the lateral outer guide portion 153 in the Y direction from the side end surface 24a toward the side end surface 24c. The lateral inclined surface 158b is formed on the outside of the lateral inner guide portion 152 in the Y direction continuously from the lateral guide surface 158a. The horizontally inclined surface 158b is located at a position where the flange member 30 and the cup 20 come into contact following the horizontal guiding surface 158a when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 slide, that is, in the mounting direction (X direction) as the horizontal inner guide portion 152. It is formed in the middle of

The distance in the Y direction between the horizontal inclined surface 158b and the vertical guide rail structure 110 is equal to the distance in the Y direction between the horizontal guiding surface 158a and the vertical guide rail structure 110 at a position adjacent to the horizontal guiding surface 158a. In other words, the Y direction thickness dimension of the lateral inner guide section 152 corresponding to the lateral inclined surface 158b is equal to the Y direction thickness dimension of the lateral inner guide section 152 corresponding to the lateral guide surface 158a at a position adjacent to the lateral guide surface 158a. . The distance in the Y direction between the horizontal inclined surface 158b and the vertical guide rail structure 110 is equal to the distance in the Y direction between the horizontal fixed surface 158c and the vertical guide rail structure 110 at a position adjacent to the horizontal fixed surface 158c, which will be described later. That is, the Y-direction thickness dimension of the lateral inner guide portion 152 corresponding to the lateral inclined surface 158b is approximately equal to the Y-direction thickness dimension of the lateral inner guide portion 152 corresponding to the lateral fixed surface 158c.

The lateral fixing surface 158c is formed at a position of the lateral contact surface 158 close to the side end surface 24c where the groove opens at the end in the X direction. The lateral fixing surface 158c is formed to open in the side end surface 24c in the X direction. The lateral fixing surface 158c is located at a position at which the flange member 30 and the cup 20 come into contact with each other when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 slide, that is, at the mounting direction (X direction) base as the lateral inner guide portion 152. formed at the edges. The lateral fixing surface 158c is along the XY plane orthogonal to the slide surface 20a and the arrangement surface 30a. The distance in the Y direction between the horizontal fixing surface 158c and the vertical guide rail structure 110 is constant over the entire length of the horizontal fixing surface 158c in the X direction. The distance in the Y direction between the horizontal fixing surface 158c and the vertical guide rail structure 110 is larger than the distance in the Y direction between the horizontal guiding surface 158a and the vertical guide rail structure 110. That is, the Y direction thickness dimension of the lateral inner guide portion 152 corresponding to the lateral fixing surface 158c is constant over the entire length of the lateral fixing surface 158c in the X direction. The Y-direction thickness dimension of the lateral inner guide portion 152 corresponding to the lateral fixing surface 158c is larger than the Y-direction thickness dimension of the lateral inner guide portion 152 corresponding to the lateral guiding surface 158a.

Here, the two horizontal inner guide portions 152 located on both outer sides in the Y direction of the vertical guide rail structure 110 are arranged so that the horizontal fixing surfaces 158c are located on both outer sides in the Y direction than the horizontal guiding surfaces 158a. The inclined surface 158b is inclined. That is, in the two horizontal guide rail structures 150, the distance between the two horizontal inclined surfaces 158b in the Y direction increases from the side end surface 24a to the side end surface 24c in the X direction. Furthermore, in the two horizontal guide rail structures 150, the spacing between the lateral fixing surfaces 158c in the Y direction is larger than the spacing between the lateral guiding surfaces 158a in the Y direction. Thereby, the lateral contact surface 155 that contacts the lateral contact surface 158 is pressed outward in the Y direction at the final time when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 slide. In other words, the contact pressure between the lateral inner guide portion 152 and the lateral rail portion 151 in the Y direction increases due to the lateral inclined surface 158b.

The horizontally inclined surface 158b and the inclined surface 120b are aligned in the X direction. In other words, the arrangement of the boundary between the lateral guiding surface 158a and the lateral inclined surface 158b in the X direction matches the boundary between the guiding surface 120a and the inclined surface 120b.
Similarly, the arrangement of the boundary between the horizontal fixed surface 158c and the horizontal inclined surface 158b in the X direction coincides with the boundary between the fixed surface 120c and the inclined surface 120b.

The horizontally inclined surface 158b is arranged at a position overlapping the central back rib (back rib) 36b in the X direction. Further, the horizontal fixing surface 158c is arranged in the X direction at a position overlapping one of the back ribs 36b extending in the Y direction, which is spaced apart from the regulator accommodating portion 70.

The fixing surface 120c is formed as one surface of a groove that opens in the contact surface 120 at a position close to the side end surface 24c.
The lateral fixing surface 158c is formed as one surface of a groove that opens in the lateral contact surface 158 at a position close to the side end surface 24c.

As shown in FIG. 7, the slide portion 24 has a side end surface 24c, which is an end portion in the X direction, formed in a curved shape along an arrangement side surface 30c that is the outline of the arrangement surface 30a of the flange member 30. The arrangement side surface 30c has an oval contour shape when viewed in the Z direction. That is, the side end surface 24c is formed into an elliptical curved portion, that is, a substantially arc shape when viewed in the Z direction.

Further, two vertical guide portions 112 are formed on the side end surface 24c so as to form a groove whose innermost end in the X direction is opened as an opening 116c. That is, the two vertical guide portions 112 are formed in the shape of a groove that is open in three directions. At the same time, the side end surface 24c is formed in a groove shape in which the innermost end of the lateral guide portion 152 in the X direction opens as an opening 152c.

<Terminal regulation part>
The end regulating portion 250 regulates the mounting position of the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 to each other. The end regulating portion 250 is formed at a position close to the regulator accommodating portion 70 in the Y direction of the horizontal rail portion 151. The end regulating portion 250 is formed as a stepped portion 251 in which the end portion of the lateral contact surface 155 of the lateral rail portion 151 in the Y direction close to the regulator accommodating portion 70 becomes thicker toward the inside in the Y direction. The end regulating portion 250 is formed on each of the two horizontal rail portions 151 .

The end regulating part 250 also has a contact part 252 as a part of the side end surface 24a of the slide part 24 that comes into contact with the step part 251 when the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 are assembled. The contact portion 252 is a peripheral portion where the X-direction end of the groove formed by the lateral inner guide portion 152 and the lateral outer guide portion 153 opens to the side end surface 24a. The contact portion 252 is in contact with the slide surface 20a of the slide portion 24. The range of the abutting portion 252 is not particularly defined, and as long as the stepped portion 251 can abut, there is no need to perform any specific processing on the side end surface 24a.

The stepped portion 251 is formed such that the width of the horizontal rail portion 151 becomes thicker toward the vertical rail portion 111 at a position closer to the regulator accommodating portion 70 than the terminal position of the horizontal contact surface 155 in the sliding direction. The step portion 251 is formed so as to contact the placement surface 30a. The Z-direction dimension of the stepped portion 251 is the same height as the horizontal rail portion 151 from the arrangement surface 30a. The dimension in the Y direction of the stepped portion 251 may be any dimension that allows the side end surface 24a of the slide portion 24 to come into contact with it and to restrict the mounting positions of the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 to each other. At a position farther away from the regulator accommodating portion 70 in the X direction than the stepped portion 251, the Y direction dimension of the horizontal rail portion 151 is narrower.

The step portion 251 is arranged at a position in the X direction overlapping the central back rib (back rib) 36b when viewed in the Z direction.
Note that when the stepped portion 251 is closer to the regulator accommodating portion 70 than the central back rib (back rib) 36b in the X direction, the locking piece 212 becomes too short in the snap-fit structure 200 described below, and the locking piece 212 This is undesirable because the necessary deformation for locking becomes impossible or the locking state becomes unstable.

Furthermore, if the stepped portion 251 is further away from the regulator accommodating portion 70 than the central back rib (back rib) 36b in the X direction, the holding force by the locking piece 212 in the snap fit structure 200 will be insufficient, which is not preferable. At the same time, the sliding length of the guide rail structure 100 becomes too short, and the holding force between the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 becomes insufficient, which is not preferable.

Note that when the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 are assembled and the abutting portion 252 abuts the stepped portion 251, the deformation of the flange member 30 can be suppressed by the central back rib (back rib) 36b. , in the X direction, the stepped portion 251 may be arranged at a position slightly shifted from the central back rib (back rib) 36b.

When the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 are assembled and the abutting portion 252 abuts the step portion 251, the end regulating portion 250 is configured such that the opening 211 of the locking piece 212 of the snap-fit structure 200 is locked. It is possible to prevent assembly defects caused by passing over the convex portion 213. Additionally, this prevents damage to the discharge port 51, outlet cover 17, fuel passage housing part (regulator housing part) 70, fuel passage 71, etc. due to excessive pushing when the pump part 12 is assembled. I can do it.

Furthermore, by forming the stepped portion 251 integrally with the horizontal rail portion 151 and using a portion of the side end surface 24a as the contact portion 252, it is possible to regulate the position in the X direction with a simple structure. This allows the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20 to be easily molded.

<Snap fit structure>
The snap-fit structure 200 locks the flange member 30 and the pump accommodating member 20 to each other at a position where the slide ends in the X direction (attachment direction) to regulate their positions. A plurality of snap-fit structures 200 may be provided spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 22. In this embodiment, the snap fit structure 200 is provided at three locations.

The snap-fit structure 200 is provided at two locations: at the top of the regulator accommodating portion 70 and near the placement surface 30a on both sides of the pump accommodating member 20 in the Y direction. The snap-fit structure 200 has three locking pieces 202, 212, 212 and corresponding locking protrusions 203, 213, 213.
The locking piece 202, the locking piece 212, and the locking piece 212 all protrude from the pump housing member 20 toward the regulator housing portion 70 in the X direction.
The locking piece 202 is formed at the top of the regulator accommodating portion 70 . The locking pieces 212 and the locking pieces 212 are provided at both sides of the pump housing member 20 in the Y direction near the placement surface 30a.

The locking piece 202 extends in the X direction so as to span the top of the regulator housing section 70. The locking piece 202 is connected to the top in the Z direction, that is, the top of the cylindrical portion 22 that is shaped like a cylinder around the central axis C along the X direction. The locking piece 202 has a predetermined dimension in the Y direction. The locking piece 202 is formed into a curved surface that is continuous with the cylindrical surface of the tube portion 22. The locking piece 202 has an opening 201 formed therein. Opening 201 has a substantially rectangular profile. The opening 201 is located approximately at the center of the locking piece 202 in the Y direction. The opening 201 opens upward and downward in the Z direction, and passes through the locking piece 202 in the Z direction. The locking piece 202 and the opening 201 are arranged at a position where the vertical guide rail structure 110 is extended in the X direction when viewed in the Z direction.

The locking convex portion 203 is formed at the top of the regulator accommodating portion 70. The locking protrusion 203 is formed at the top of the outlet cover 17 in the Z direction. The locking convex portion 203 is formed at a position farther away from the pump housing member 20 than the contact surface 17a in the X direction. The locking protrusion 203 is formed at a position closer to the pump housing member 20 than the opening 73a in the X direction. The locking convex portion 203 protrudes upward in the Z direction and is inserted into the opening 201 so that the locking piece 202 can be locked. The locking convex portion 203 is arranged at a position where the vertical guide rail structure 110 is extended in the X direction when viewed in the Z direction. The contour shape of the locking convex portion 203 when viewed in the Z direction is the same as the shape of the opening portion 201. The locking convex portion 203 has an inclined surface formed at a position spaced apart from the regulator accommodating portion 70 in the X direction, and the locking piece 202 facilitates the locking operation when the opening 201 is locked.

The locking piece 202 has a covering piece 220 that extends further in the X direction from the opening 201 to a position above the opening 73a. The covering piece 220 overlaps the opening 73a when viewed in the Z direction. The covering piece 220 has a gap between it and the edge of the opening 73a. In other words, the covering piece 220 does not contact the entire circumference of the opening 73a, but only overlaps, and does not close the opening 73a. The covering piece 220 can come into contact with a convex portion 221 formed at a side position in the Y direction of the opening 73a.

The covering piece 220 does not block the opening 73a and does not obstruct the fuel being discharged from the pressure regulator 45 into the fuel tank 2. At the same time, the covering piece 220 does not block the opening 73a and does not obstruct the fuel being discharged from the pressure regulator 45 into the fuel tank 2. Intrusion of foreign matter can be suppressed. In this way, the covering piece 220 serving as a foreign matter prevention member is integrated with the locking piece 202, and the number of parts can be reduced.
Further, the harness (lead wire) 59 is routed at a position farther away from the arrangement surface 30a in the Z direction than the covering piece 220. The two harnesses (lead wires) 59 cross each other while being further apart from the arrangement surface 30a in the Z direction than the covering piece 220, as indicated by the symbol QP in FIG.

The locking pieces 212 and the locking pieces 212 are formed on both sides of the cylindrical portion 22 in the Y direction when viewed from above. The locking piece 212 and the locking piece 212 extend from the side end surface 24a of the slide portion 24 in the X direction. The locking piece 212 and the locking piece 212 are formed into a flat plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. The locking piece 212 and the locking piece 212 have predetermined dimensions in the Y direction. The locking pieces 212 each have an opening 211 of the same shape. The opening 211 has a substantially rectangular profile. The opening 211 is located approximately at the center of the locking piece 212 in the Y direction. The opening 211 opens upward and downward in the Z direction, and passes through the locking piece 212 in the Z direction. Both the locking piece 212 and the opening 211 are arranged at a position where the horizontal guide rail structure 150 is extended in the X direction when viewed in the Z direction.

Each of the locking convex portions 213 is erected upward in the Z direction from the arrangement surface 30a, and is inserted into the opening 211 so that the locking piece 212 can be locked. The contour shape of the locking convex portion 213 when viewed in the Z direction is the same shape as the opening portion 211. The locking convex portion 213 has an inclined surface formed at a position spaced apart from the regulator accommodating portion 70 in the X direction, and the locking piece 212 facilitates the locking operation when the opening 211 is locked. The locking convex portion 213 is arranged at the end of the horizontal rail portion 151 of the horizontal guide rail structure 150 in the X direction. The locking convex portion 213 has an inclined surface formed at a position spaced apart from the regulator accommodating portion 70 in the X direction, and the locking piece 212 facilitates the locking operation when the opening 211 is locked.
The Y-direction dimension of the locking convex portion 213 is the same as the Y-direction dimension of the X-direction end of the horizontal rail portion 151. In other words, the Y-direction dimension of the locking convex portion 213 is the same as that of the horizontal rail portion 151 which has become thicker due to the step portion 251 being formed.

Furthermore, the length of the locking piece 212 in the X direction is such that when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 slide, the slide starting end on the right side of the vertical rail portion 111 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 is inclined. The setting is such that when reaching the surface 120b, the tip of the locking piece 212 in the X direction simultaneously reaches the locking convex portion 203. Furthermore, the position of the opening 211 in the locking piece 212 in the X direction is at the slide starting end which is on the right side of the vertical rail portion 111 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 slide. After reaching the fixed surface 120c, the opening 211 and the locking protrusion 213 are set to lock at the same time.

Similarly, the length of the locking piece 202 in the X direction and the position of the opening 201 in the locking piece 202 in the X direction are at an angle with respect to the sliding start end of the vertical rail portion 111 when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 slide. It is set corresponding to the position with respect to surface 120b.
Similarly, the length of the locking piece 212 in the X direction and the position of the opening 211 in the locking piece 212 in the This corresponds to the position of the inclined surface 158b in the X direction. Further, the length of the locking piece 202 in the X direction and the position of the opening 201 in the locking piece 202 in the X direction correspond to the slide start end of the horizontal rail portion 151 and the position of the horizontal slope surface 158b in the X direction.

That is, when the positioning of the flange member 30 and the cup 20 by the contact surface 120 and the lateral contact surface 158 is completed, the openings 201 and 211 and the locking protrusions 203 and 213 are locked so that the respective X direction positions are set. is set.

Next, the guide rail structure 100 when assembling the flange member 30 and the cup 20 by sliding will be described.

<Assembling the guide rail structure by sliding>
To assemble the flange member 30 and the cup 20, the guide rail structure 100 is assembled with the fuel pump 10 housed in the cup 20.
First, the position where the slide surface 20a contacts the arrangement surface 30a is set so that the vertical rail portion 111 and the vertical guide portion 112 are aligned along the same straight line.
In this state, the cup 20 and the regulator accommodating portion 70 of the flange member 30 are moved in the X direction so that they approach each other.

At this time, insert the slide start end on the right side of the vertical rail part 111 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, and 6 into the groove formed by the two vertical guide parts 112, 112 from the opening in the side end surface 24a. do. At the same time, the protrusions 117 on both sides in the Y direction are inserted into the groove opening in the side end surface 24a, which is the slide starting end, so that they are above the protrusions 118. Immediately after insertion, the contact surface 120 of the protrusion 117 is the guiding surface 120a, so as shown in FIG. The surface 120 is a state in which there is room for movement in the Z direction.

At the same time, insert the right slide starting end of the lateral rail portion 151 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 into the groove formed by the lateral inner guide portion 152 and the lateral outer guide portion 153 from the opening in the side end surface 24a. Immediately after insertion, the lateral contact surface 158 of the lateral inner guide portion 152 is the lateral guide surface 158a, so as shown in FIG. 9, the lateral contact surface 155 and the lateral contact surface 158 do not contact each other, or The horizontal contact surface 155 and the horizontal contact surface 158 are in a state where there is room for movement in the Y direction.

Further, the cup 20 and the regulator accommodating portion 70 are slid in the X direction so that they approach each other. Here, the slide starting end on the right side of the vertical rail portion 111 comes into contact with the inclined surface 120b. The contact surface 119 has a constant distance in the Z direction from the arrangement surface 30a. Furthermore, the thickness of the protrusion 118 in the Z direction increases along the slope of the slope 120b. Therefore, as the slide moves, the protrusion 117 presses the protrusion 118 downward in the Z direction. Therefore, the vertical guide portion 112 is pressed downward in the Z direction (see FIGS. 9 to 11).

At the same time, when the cup 20 and the flange member 30 are slid, the lateral contact surface 155 comes into contact with the lateral inclined surface 158b at the sliding start end on the right side of the lateral rail portion 151 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Here, the distance of the horizontal contact surface 155 of the horizontal rail portion 151 from the vertical guide rail structure 110 in the Y direction is constant. Further, in the two horizontal rail portions 151, the distance between the two horizontal contact surfaces 155 in the Y direction is constant. Furthermore, the thickness of the lateral inner guide portion 152 increases outward in the Y direction along the slope of the lateral inclined surface 158b. That is, in the two lateral inner guide portions 152, the distance between the two lateral inclined surfaces 158b in the Y direction increases toward the sliding end. Therefore, as the slide moves, the lateral contact surface 155 is pressed outward in the Y direction from the lateral inclined surface 158b. Therefore, both of the two horizontal rail portions 151 are pressed outward in the Y direction from the two horizontal inner guide portions 152. The two lateral inner guide portions 152 are both pressed inward in the Y direction from the two lateral rail portions 151.

Furthermore, the cup 20 and the regulator accommodating portion 70 are slid in the X direction so that they approach each other. Then, the slide start end on the right side of the vertical rail portion 111 approaches the slide end of the vertical guide portion 112. The contact surface 119 comes into contact with the fixed surface 120c, and the protrusion 118 is pressed downward in the Z direction from the protrusion 117.
At the sliding end, the protrusion 118 is sandwiched between the contact surface 119 of the protrusion 117 and the arrangement surface 30a. Furthermore, the protrusion 117 is sandwiched between the top and bottom surfaces 112a and the fixing surface 120c. As a result, the protrusion 117 and the protrusion 118 are fixed in a press-fitted state (see FIGS. 9 to 11).
In other words, the protrusion 118 is fixed in a regulated position in the Z direction defined by the arrangement surface 30a and the contact surface 120c. In other words, the positions of the cup 20 and the flange member 30 in the Z direction are defined with the slide surface 20a in contact with the arrangement surface 30a.

At the same time, when the cup 20 and the flange member 30 are slid, the sliding start end of the lateral rail portion 151 approaches the sliding end of the lateral inner guide portion 152. The lateral contact surface 155 abuts the lateral fixing surface 158c, and the lateral rail portion 151 is pressed outward in the Y direction from the lateral inner guide portion 152. The two lateral rail sections 151 are pressed outward in the Y direction, which is opposite to each other, from the lateral inner guide section 152 with which they abut. Here, in the two horizontal rail portions 151, the distance between the two horizontal contact surfaces 155 in the Y direction is constant. In the two lateral inner guide portions 152, the distance between the two lateral fixing surfaces 158c in the Y direction increases toward the sliding end. Therefore, the two horizontal rail portions 151 are placed in the state defined by the Y-direction position defined between the two horizontal fixed surfaces 158c and the Y-direction position defined between the two horizontal contact surfaces 155. The position of the two lateral inner guide portions 152 is regulated. The two lateral inner guide portions 152 are both pressed inward in the Y direction from the two lateral rail portions 151, and their positions in the Y direction are fixed in a press-fitted state.

In addition, when the slide starting end of the vertical rail portion 111 contacts the inclined surface 120b while the cup 20 and the flange member 30 are sliding, the sliding starting end of the horizontal rail portion 151 contacts the horizontal inclined surface 158b. Further, when the slide starting end of the vertical rail portion 111 contacts the fixed surface 120c, the sliding starting end of the horizontal rail portion 151 contacts the horizontal fixed surface 158c. In other words, the positions of the inclined surface 120b and the horizontally inclined surface 158b during sliding correspond to each other in the X direction.
In this way, the guide rail structure 100 having the vertical rail portion 111 having a T-shaped cross section can maintain the balance between the flange member 30 and the cup 20.

Next, the snap-fit structure 200 when assembling the flange member 30 and the cup 20 by sliding will be described.

<Snap fit structure when sliding>
When the cup 20 and the flange member 30 are slid, the guide rail structure 100 restricts the sliding of the cup 20 and the flange member 30 from each other in the X direction.
At this time, the locking pieces 202, 212, 212 ride on the locking projections 203, 213, 213 according to the slide, and then the locking projections 203, 213, 213 are inserted into the openings 201, 211, 211. be done.

In the middle of sliding the cup 20 and the flange member 30, when the sliding starting end of the vertical rail portion 111 contacts the inclined surface 120b and the sliding starting end of the horizontal rail portion 151 touches the horizontal inclined surface 158b, the locking piece 212 , 212 abut on the locking protrusions 213, 213. That is, the positions of the locking piece 212 and the locking protrusion 213 when sliding correspond to the inclined surface 120b and the horizontally inclined surface 158b in the X direction.
When the pressing force with which the slide starting end of the vertical rail part 111 is pressed by the inclined surface 120b increases, and the pressing force with which the sliding starting end of the horizontal rail part 151 is pressed by the horizontal inclined surface 158b increases, the locking piece 212 and the locking protrusion 213 are maintained in contact.

When the slide starting end of the vertical rail section 111 is pressed by the fixed surface 120c and the sliding starting end of the horizontal rail section 151 is pressed by the horizontal fixed surface 158c, the end regulating section 250 hits the stepped section 251. The contact portion 252 makes contact.

Thereby, the end regulating portion 250 regulates the assembly position of the flange member 30 and the pump housing member 20. Thereby, the end regulating portion 250 can prevent assembly failure due to the opening 211 of the locking piece 212 of the snap-fit structure 200 passing past the locking convex portion 213. In addition, this prevents damage to the discharge port 51, outlet cover 17, fuel passage accommodating part (regulator accommodating part) 70, fuel passage 71, etc. due to excessive pushing when the pump part 12 is assembled. I can do it.

At the same time that the contact portion 252 contacts the stepped portion 251, the locking convex portions 203, 213, 213 are inserted into the openings 201, 211, 211. Thereby, the cup 20 and the flange member 30 are fixed by the snap fit structure 200 that is locked to each other.
In the locking piece 202, the covering piece 220 is in contact with the locking protrusion 203 prior to the start of contact between the locking piece 212 and the locking protrusion 213 during sliding. The covering piece 220 has a positional relationship with the opening 73a, regardless of the locking by the snap-fit structure 200.

Thereafter, the two harnesses (lead wires) 59 are connected to the terminal 72 and the power supply terminal 19, and the filter 14a is further connected to the fuel intake port 14 via the connecting pipe portion 14b. Finally, the assembled fuel supply device 1 is fitted into the opening 2b and fixed to the fuel tank 2 using a predetermined sealing member, fixing member, etc.

Further, when the cup (pump housing member) 20 and the flange member 30 are assembled, the circumferential groove portion 32a is positioned closer to the center of the flange portion 32 than the end wall 21 of the cup 20 in the X direction. It is formed. Thereby, the outer contour of the flange member 30 viewed in the Z direction can be reduced in size.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing how the fuel supply device in this embodiment is attached to the fuel tank.
The fuel supply device 1 of this embodiment is attached to a side wall surface portion 2c located near the bottom surface portion 2a of the fuel tank 2, as shown in FIG. 13. The opening 2b opens to the side wall surface 2c of the fuel tank 2. At the same time, the opening 2b is formed such that the long axis of the oval contour shape of the flange member 30 (oval contour long axis) and the axis that coincides with the central axis C of the fuel pump are diagonally downward.

At this time, the fuel inlet 14 is arranged at an angle so that it is at the lowest point in the fuel pump 10. At the same time, at this time, the filter 14a can be located at the lowest part (lowest part) 2a1 of the bottom part 2a of the fuel tank 2. Further, the filter 14a is connected to the fuel inlet 14 via a connecting pipe portion 14b bent in an L-shape from the fuel inlet 14. The filter 14a is arranged diagonally upward so that the longitudinal direction of the filter 14a rises from the lowest part 2a1 connected to the connecting pipe part 14b along the side wall part 2c, intersecting an axis line that coincides with the central axis C of the fuel pump. It is placed at an angle.

The fuel pump 10 in the fuel tank 2 has one longitudinal end connected to the regulator accommodating part 70, and a primary filter 14a connected to the fuel intake port 14 at the other end via the connecting pipe part 14b. , so that the regulator accommodating portion 70 side is upward and the fuel intake port 14 side is downward.

The fuel pump 10 is inclined so that even if the liquid level of the fuel stored in the fuel tank 2 falls, the fuel suction port 14, the connecting pipe portion 14b, and the primary filter 14a can suck the fuel. At the same time, since the axis C of the fuel pump 10 and the longitudinal direction of the oval contour shape of the flange member 30 coincide with each other and are inclined, the bottom part 2a of the fuel tank 2 can open the opening 2b without interfering with the flange member 30. It is formed on the side wall surface portion 2c.

The main surface of the plate-shaped primary filter 14a is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the fuel pump 10. The connecting pipe portion 14b is bent from the end of the fuel pump 10 toward the main surface of the primary filter 14a. That is, the connecting pipe portion 14b protruding from the end of the fuel pump 10 in the axial direction thereof is bent in the radial direction of the fuel pump 10 toward the main surface of the primary filter 14a. A primary filter 14a having a larger area than the fuel pump 10 when viewed in the thickness direction of the flange member 30 is connected to the fuel intake port 14.

In the flange member 30, the fuel inlet 14 is located corresponding to the lowest part 2a1 of the bottom part 2a of the fuel tank 2 when viewed from above, and the regulator accommodating part 70 is located at the lowest part of the bottom part 2a of the fuel tank 2. It is arranged at a position corresponding to the convex portion 2a2 that is inclined upward from 2a1.

The flange member 30 has a fixed convex portion 32g on the back surface 30b corresponding to the periphery of the opening 2b, and this fixed convex portion 32g is located below the obliquely fixed flange member 30.

<Operation of fuel supply device>
Next, a method of operating the fuel supply device 1 will be explained.
First, the fuel supply device 1 is attached to the fuel tank 2, and the fuel tank 2 is filled with fuel. Then, the fuel supply device 1 is immersed in the fuel.
Then, fuel flows into the flange unit 30 mainly through the gap between the opening 73a formed in the regulator accommodating part 70 of the flange unit 30 and the covering piece 220, and the fuel is stored in the holding recess 73 and the like. .

In this state, when the motor unit 11 is driven to operate the fuel pump 10, fuel is pumped into the fuel intake port 14 of the fuel pump 10 via the primary filter 14a.
The fuel pumped into the fuel pump 10 is pumped toward the discharge port 51 by rotation of the impeller 16.
The fuel pressure-fed toward the exhaust port 51 is sent to the fuel flow path 71 via the check valve and the exhaust flow path 71b. Thereafter, the fuel passes through the cylindrical portion 34 and is discharged from the discharge pipe 34a. The fuel discharged from the discharge pipe 34a passes through the secondary filter 56 and is sent under pressure to the internal combustion engine 57.

When the fuel pressure in the fuel flow path 71 becomes higher than a predetermined pressure, the fuel filled in the fuel flow path 71 is discharged into the fuel tank 2 by the pressure regulator 45. As a result, the fuel pressure in the fuel flow path 71 is reduced, and the fuel pressure in the fuel flow path 71 becomes below a certain value. Therefore, the fuel passes through the fuel flow path 71 and the cylindrical portion 34, and is discharged from the discharge pipe 34a while the fuel pressure is maintained below a certain value. That is, the pressure regulator 45 maintains the pressure of the fuel discharged from the fuel tank 2 via the fuel supply device 1 below a certain value.

According to the above embodiment, the flange member 30 has an oval profile shape and has a long axis shorter than that of the fuel pump 10, so that the profile of the flange member 30 can be made small and the degree of freedom in the attachment position can be increased. Furthermore, by making the fuel tank 2 smaller, it becomes possible to attach the flange member 30 having an oval profile in an inclined state even to a fuel tank 2 having a narrow internal space. Thereby, the fuel supply device is configured such that the fuel inlet 14 of the fuel pump 10 and the filter 14a connected to the fuel inlet 14 are located at the lowest part 2a1 of the bottom surface of the fuel tank 2 without interfering with others. 1 can be installed. In addition, the opening 2b for attaching the fuel supply device 1 to the fuel tank 2 can be made smaller, and by downsizing the fuel supply device 1, the fixed posture can be stabilized.

Even if the fuel stored in the fuel tank 2 decreases, it is easy to suck in the necessary fuel and supply it to the internal combustion engine 57 such as the engine. Moreover, even in a fuel tank 2 having a narrow internal space, such as one placed across the vehicle frame provided at the front and rear of the vehicle, the fuel supply device 1 can be installed in a space-saving position where fuel can be supplied. Become. It is possible to improve the tank layout. Further, it is possible to improve the workability when attaching the fuel supply device 1 to the fuel tank 2.

Moreover, in this case, the fuel supply device 1 can be placed on the side wall surface portion 2c that straddles the vehicle body frame, so even in a two-wheeled vehicle that is often exposed, the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle is not spoiled, and the design is improved. Even in a two-wheeled vehicle or the like that requires a high-quality vehicle, the arrangement can be made so that it does not affect the appearance of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the flange member 30 and the cup 20 can be made into separate members and molded separately. This eliminates the need to simultaneously mold the cylindrical portion 34 having the regulator accommodating portion 70 and the fuel flow path 71 having their axes in the Z direction, and the cup 20 having their axes in the X direction. Therefore, the mold structure can be simplified, and the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the flange mold with respect to the E pin (ejector pin) can be increased, and deformation during mold release can be suppressed. .

Furthermore, even if the liquid level of the fuel stored in the fuel tank 2 falls, the fuel can be taken in from the fuel intake port 14 via the primary filter 14a located at the inclined downward position. In addition, since the regulator accommodating portion 70 is located at a position corresponding to the convex portion 2a2 that is inclined and higher than the lowest portion 2a1 of the bottom portion 2a of the fuel tank 2, the bottom portion 2a of the fuel tank 2 interferes with the flange member 30. There's nothing to do. Further, since the outline shape of the flange member 30 is made small, interference between the bottom surface portion 2a of the fuel tank 2 and the flange member 30 can be further suppressed.

At the same time, as indicated by the symbol QP in FIG. Since moisture etc. in the vicinity can be easily discharged, it is possible to prevent moisture etc. in the fuel tank 2 from entering from the terminal 72 and corroding metal parts such as terminals inside the terminal 72. Become.

At the same time, the strength of the flange member 30 and the regulator accommodating part 70 can be improved by forming the support plate part 70e, the arrangement surface recess 35a, the back surface recess 35b, the arrangement surface rib 36a, and the back surface rib 36b. It is possible to improve the resistance to deformation under load, to maintain supply of necessary fuel to the internal combustion engine 57 such as an engine, and to improve the operational reliability of the fuel supply device 1.

Furthermore, even if the fuel stored in the fuel tank 2, which has a small internal space, is extremely reduced, the fuel supply device 1 The operational reliability of the system can be improved.

In addition, it is not necessary to simultaneously mold the regulator accommodating portion 70 having an axis in the Z direction, the cylinder portion 34 having the fuel flow path 71, and the support plate portion 70e, and the cup 20 having an axis in the X direction. The structure of can be further simplified. Since the cup 20 is circular, the mold structure of the cup 20 is also cylindrical and can be made simple.

Using the guide rail structure 100 and the snap fit structure 200, the flange member 30 and the cup 20 are fixed by fitting by the vertical rail part 111 and the vertical guide part 112, and the horizontal rail part 151 and the horizontal guide parts 152, 153. Therefore, it is possible to improve the strength by providing higher rigidity than a structure that locks only with a snap fit.
At this time, the strength of the regulator accommodating part 70 is improved by the support plate part 70e, and even if a load is applied that causes the end of the fuel pump 10 where the fuel inlet 14 is located to swing in the Y direction, the support plate part 70e and The guide rail structure 100 maintains its strength.

Furthermore, by arranging the inclined surface (inclined portion) 120b and the horizontally inclined surface 158b in a position overlapping with the central back rib (back rib) 36b in the X direction, the strength of the part to which a load is applied during sliding is This is improved by the back surface rib (back surface rib) 36b, and deformation can be prevented from occurring.
Further, the fixing surface (fixing portion) 120c and the lateral fixing surface 158c are arranged in the X direction at a position overlapping one of the back ribs 36b extending in the Y direction, which is spaced apart from the regulator accommodating portion 70. The rear rib 36b improves the strength of the portion to which a load is applied when the slide is completed and the slide is fixed, thereby preventing deformation or the like from occurring.

Since the flange member 30 and the cup 20 are separate members, even if the diameter of the fuel pump 10 is changed to a different type, the same flange member 30 can be used easily.

Since the flange member 30 and the cup 20 are attached and fixed by the three guide rail structures 100 extending in the X direction, the impact resistance of the fuel supply device 1 can be improved.
Moreover, the flange member 30 and the cup 20 can be attached and fixed simply by sliding them in the X direction using the guide rail structure 100.

The guide rail structure 100 and the snap fit structure 200 are slid together so that the positions of the locking piece 212 and the locking protrusion 213 when sliding correspond to the inclined surface 120b and the horizontally inclined surface 158b in the X direction. Since the configuration is such that the positions in the X direction correspond to each other when the flange member 30 and the cup 20 are attached and fixed, it is necessary to set the position of the flange member 30 and the cup 20, and to lock and fix the flange member 30 and the cup 20. can be done at the same time. Therefore, the work process for attaching and fixing can be simplified, the number of work processes can be reduced, and work efficiency can be improved.

This improves work efficiency and reduces work loss in production activities, thereby achieving Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations. and contribute to Goal 8: “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. becomes possible.

In this embodiment, the guide rail structure 100 has a configuration in which a vertical rail portion 111 and a horizontal rail portion 151 are formed on the flange member 30, and a vertical guide portion 112 and horizontal guide portions 152 and 153 are formed on the cup 20. However, conversely, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the vertical rail portion 111 and the horizontal rail portion 151 are formed on the cup 20, and the vertical guide portion 112 and the horizontal guide portions 152 and 153 are formed on the flange member 30.

Further, although the one vertical guide rail structure 110 and the two horizontal guide rail structures 150 are configured to be parallel and have substantially equal lengths in the X direction, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured to include the above-described vertical guide rail structure 110 and a horizontal guide rail structure 150 whose length in the X direction is shortened only at the end of the slide.

Furthermore, the vertical guide rail structure 110 and the horizontal guide rail structure 150 may be offset in the X direction so that they do not overlap each other when viewed in the Y direction. In this case, the vertical guide rail structure 110 with a shorter length in the X direction can be arranged only at the slide start end, and the horizontal guide rail structure 150 with a shorter length in the X direction can be arranged only at the slide end.

Alternatively, a configuration having one vertical guide rail structure 110 and one horizontal guide rail structure 150 may be used.
In this case, the vertical guide rail structure 110 with a shorter length in the X direction can be arranged only at the slide start end, and the horizontal guide rail structure 150 with a shorter length in the X direction can be arranged only at the slide end.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, the end surfaces of the protrusions 117 and 118 in the Y-Z direction are not rectangular, and as a vertical guide rail structure 110, the contact surface 119 and the contact surfaces 120a, 120b, 120c are arranged on the arrangement surface 30a. It is also possible to have a configuration that is inclined with respect to the slide surface 20a.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15, the guide rail structure 100 has a structure in which the protrusions 117 and 118 that contact each other in the vertical rail part 111 and the vertical guide part 112 protrude only in one direction in the Y direction. It is also possible to form them apart in the direction so as to have a function as a lateral guide rail.

1...Fuel supply device 2...Fuel tank 2a...Bottom part 2a1...Lowest part (lowest part)
2a2...Convex part 2b...Opening part 2c...Side wall surface part 10...Fuel pump 14...Fuel intake port 14a...Primary filter (filter)
14b...Connection tube part 19...Power supply terminal 20...Cup (pump housing member)
20a...Sliding surface 24...Sliding parts 24a, 24c...Side end surface 30...Flange unit (flange member)
30a...Arrangement surface 30b...Back surface 32...Flange portion 32g...Fixing convex portion 33...External connector 34a...Discharge piping 33d...Support portion 35a...Arrangement surface recess 35b...Back surface recess 36a...Arrangement surface rib 36b...Back surface rib 59...Harness ( Lead)
45...Pressure regulator 70...Fuel flow path housing part (regulator housing part)
70d...Cylinder part 70e...Support plate part 72...Terminal 71...Fuel flow path 100...Guide rail structure 250...Terminal regulation part 251...Step part 252...Abutting part C...Central axis

Claims

A fuel supply device that is attached to a fuel tank and supplies the fuel in the fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank,
a flange member having an oval profile that covers an opening in the fuel tank;
a fuel pump disposed within the fuel tank with a longitudinal direction along the arrangement surface of the flange member exposed within the fuel tank and the long axis direction of the oval contour of the flange member;
a cylindrical pump housing member that houses the fuel pump and is attached to the flange member;
a guide rail structure that regulates the mounting direction in which the flange member and the pump housing member slide and are attached to each other so as to follow the arrangement surface of the flange member;
Equipped with
The guide rail structure has an end regulating portion that regulates the mutual attachment position of the flange member and the pump accommodating member at a sliding end of the flange member and the pump accommodating member.
A fuel supply device characterized by:
The guide rail structure is
a rail portion extending along the mounting direction and protruding in opposing directions in which the flange member and the pump accommodating member face each other;
a guide portion that extends along the mounting direction, is formed to protrude toward the rail portion, is fitted into the rail portion, and is slidable in the mounting direction along the rail portion;
have as a set,
The end regulating portion is formed at the distal end of the rail portion in the mounting direction and/or the distal end of the guide portion in the mounting direction so as to protrude along the arrangement surface in a transverse direction intersecting the mounting direction;
One of the rail portion and the guide portion is formed on the flange member, and the other is formed on the pump housing member.
The fuel supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that:
In the guide rail structure, at least one of the rail portion and the guide portion is formed with an inclined portion that is inclined so as to increase mutual contact pressure at a slide end than at a slide start end in the mounting direction,
the end regulating portion is formed closer to the slide end than the inclined portion;
The fuel supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that:
The guide rail structure is
a vertical rail portion extending along the mounting direction and protruding in opposing directions in which the flange member and the pump accommodating member face each other;
a vertical guide portion that extends along the mounting direction, is formed to protrude toward the vertical rail portion, is fitted into the vertical rail portion, and is slidable in the mounting direction along the vertical rail portion;
and a vertical guide rail structure for positionally regulating the flange member and the pump housing member at least in the opposing direction;
The vertical guide rail structure is
Protrusions are formed at the opposite ends of the vertical rail part and the opposite ends of the vertical guide part, the projections projecting in a cross direction intersecting the mounting direction along the arrangement surface and fitting into each other,
One of the vertical rail portion and the vertical guide portion is formed on the flange member, and the other is formed on the pump housing member.
The fuel supply device according to claim 3, characterized in that:
The guide rail structure is
a horizontal rail portion extending along the mounting direction and protruding in opposing directions in which the flange member and the pump accommodating member face each other;
a lateral guide portion that extends along the mounting direction, is formed to protrude toward the lateral rail portion, and comes into contact with the lateral rail portion from a cross direction that intersects the mounting direction;
and a horizontal guide rail structure for positionally regulating the flange member and the pump housing member in the cross direction,
The horizontal guide rail structure is
One of the horizontal rail portion and the horizontal guide portion is formed on the flange member, and the other is formed on the pump housing member,
the end regulating portion is formed on the horizontal rail portion;
The fuel supply device according to claim 3, characterized in that:
a snap-fit structure that locks the flange member and the pump accommodating member to each other at a position that is a sliding end in the mounting direction to restrict the position;
Equipped with
The end regulating part and the snap-fit structure are connected to the horizontal rail part,
The fuel supply device according to claim 5, characterized in that:
A fuel flow path that penetrates the flange member in the thickness direction and supplies the fuel sent from the fuel pump to the outside of the fuel tank is disposed inside and protrudes into the fuel tank from the arrangement surface. Equipped with a storage section,
the snap-fit structure is closer to the fuel flow path accommodating part in the mounting direction than the end regulating part;
The fuel supply device according to claim 6, characterized in that:
A back recessed portion recessed from a peripheral edge of the flange member is formed on the back surface of the arrangement surface that is in a direction that coincides with the fuel pump in the long axis direction of the oval contour shape of the flange member than the fuel flow path accommodating portion. is,
A back rib extending along the short axis direction of the oval profile of the flange member is formed in the back recess,
The back rib is formed at a position that coincides with the end regulating portion in the long axis direction of the oval contour shape of the flange member.
The fuel supply device according to claim 7, characterized in that: