JP2004278394A - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel supply device for reducing noise generated by surplus fuel discharged from a pressure regulator. <P>SOLUTION: A shock absorbing member 64 is integrally molded by resin with an outer cylinder 46 of a filter case. The shock absorbing member 64 is fitted with the discharge hole 88 side of the pressure regulator 70. A spherical recessed curved surface 66 is formed on the bottom of the inner peripheral surface 65 of the shock absorbing member 64 opposite to the discharge hole 88. A cylindrical inside surface 67 extends in a straight line shape in the expanding direction of the recessed curved surface 66 opposite to the direction for discharging the surplus fuel from the discharge hole 88. The surplus fuel discharged from the pressure regulator 70 collides with the recessed curved surface 66, and flows along the inside surface 67 from the recessed curved surface 66, and is returned to a sub-tank from an outflow hole 122. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel supply device that regulates a fuel discharge pressure with a pressure regulator.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is known a fuel supply device that regulates the fuel pressure discharged from the fuel pump to a predetermined system pressure required on the internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as “engine”) by discharging excess fuel from the pusher regulator. (For example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
International Publication No. 96/14506 Pamphlet [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When surplus fuel is discharged from the pressure regulator in order to adjust the fuel pressure discharged from the fuel pump to the system pressure, the pressure of the surplus fuel rapidly decreases, so that vapor is generated in the surplus fuel. When the fuel containing vapor collides, the impact given to the member on the collision side is large. Therefore, when the fuel containing vapor is discharged from the discharge hole of the pressure regulator as a jet and collides with a member or fuel tank near the discharge hole, the member or fuel tank near the discharge hole vibrates and generates noise. is there. Even if the fuel containing the vapor collides with the fuel in the fuel tank, the impact applied to the fuel propagates to the fuel tank, so that the fuel tank vibrates and generates noise.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fuel supply device that reduces noise generated by surplus fuel discharged from a pressure regulator.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the fuel supply device of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the buffer member that collides with the surplus fuel discharged from the pressure regulator is formed integrally with the filter case and supported by the filter case. Even if the fuel collides with the buffer member, the buffer member hardly vibrates. Further, the collision with the buffer member reduces the speed of the surplus fuel and reduces the kinetic energy. Therefore, even if the surplus fuel after colliding with the buffer member collides with another member or is discharged to the fuel in the fuel tank, it is difficult for vibration to occur. Therefore, noise can be reduced.
[0006]
According to the fuel supply device of the second aspect of the present invention, since the filter case and the buffer member are integrally formed of resin, the buffer member can be firmly supported by the filter case. Furthermore, the filter case and the buffer member can be easily formed.
According to the fuel supply device of the third to seventh aspects of the present invention, since the impact surface of the buffer member that collides with surplus fuel discharged by the pressure regulator is a curved surface, the surplus fuel that collided with the impact surface becomes a curved surface of the impact surface. It flows in a distributed manner. Accordingly, the speed of the surplus fuel that is discharged decreases, and the kinetic energy decreases. Therefore, noise can be reduced.
[0007]
When surplus fuel that has collided with the buffer member flows into the outflow hole of the buffer member, if the fuel velocity distribution in the cross-section of the outflow hole is not uniform, a high-speed fuel flow is generated in the fuel flowing out of the outflow hole, resulting in noise. It becomes a factor to generate. According to the fuel supply device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the buffer member has the inner side surface extending linearly in the direction opposite to the discharge direction of the surplus fuel following the collision surface, and the surplus fuel flows out to the inner side surface position. An outflow hole is formed. The fuel that collided with the collision surface flows along the inner surface from the curved collision surface. When the fuel along the straight inner surface flows into the outflow hole, the velocity distribution in the cross section of the outflow hole is averaged. Therefore, a fast flow does not occur in the fuel flow flowing out from the outflow hole, and noise is hardly generated.
[0008]
In the fuel supply device according to claim 5 of the present invention, when the collision surface is a convex curved surface, the convex curved surface spreading toward the discharge direction of the surplus fuel discharged from the pressure regulator is reversed to the opposite side to the discharge direction, and the surplus fuel is It is necessary to form an inner surface extending linearly in the direction opposite to the discharge direction. Then, the internal diameter of the inversion part of a buffer member becomes large, and as a result, a buffer member enlarges. According to the fuel supply device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the collision surface which is a concave curved surface widens in the direction opposite to the discharge direction of the surplus fuel. Therefore, the concave curved surface is extended as it is and in the direction opposite to the discharge direction of the surplus fuel. A linearly extending inner surface can be formed. Therefore, the inner diameter of the buffer member can be reduced and the buffer member can be reduced in size.
[0009]
According to the fuel supply device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the impact surface of the buffer member that collides with surplus fuel discharged by the pressure regulator is a spherical surface, the surplus fuel that collided with the impact surface is along the spherical surface of the impact surface. It diffuses radially and flows. Since the speed of the surplus fuel discharged decreases and the kinetic energy decreases, noise can be reduced.
[0010]
According to the fuel supply device of the eighth aspect of the present invention, since at least a part of the pressure regulator is housed in the space formed by the filter case, the space occupied by the pressure regulator can be reduced and the space can be saved. Further, since the buffer member that collides with surplus fuel discharged by the pressure regulator can be installed at a position close to the filter case, when the buffer member and the filter case are formed integrally, the buffer member and the filter case are easily integrated. Can be formed.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
A fuel supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The fuel supply device 10 is a so-called in-tank fuel supply device that is accommodated in the fuel tank in a state of being accommodated in the sub tank. The fuel in the fuel tank is supplied into the sub tank by the jet pump. The fuel supply device 10 includes a fuel pump 20, a suction filter 26, a fuel filter 40, a pressure regulator 70, and the like.
[0012]
The fuel pump 20 is accommodated in the space 100 in the filter case 42. The snap ring 28 is fitted into the lower opening of the case main body 44 to lock the fuel pump 20 and prevent the fuel pump 20 from dropping from the filter case 42.
The fuel pump 20 has a motor as an electric drive unit (not shown) inside, and generates a fuel suction force by rotation of a rotating member that rotates together with the motor, for example, an impeller having blade pieces on the outer peripheral edge. The fuel pump 20 sucks the fuel in the sub tank through the suction filter 26. The fuel sucked and pressurized by the fuel pump 20 from the sub tank is discharged from the discharge portion 22. The suction filter 26 collects a relatively large foreign matter contained in the fuel sucked from the sub tank by the fuel pump 20.
[0013]
The power receiving connector 24 of the fuel pump 20 is formed so as to protrude from the upper surface of the fuel pump 20. A power receiving terminal 25 that is electrically connected to the motor of the fuel pump 20 is exposed in the power receiving connector 24.
The power feeding connector 30 is fitted to the power receiving connector 24, and the power feeding terminal 31 of the power feeding connector 30 is electrically connected to the power receiving terminal 25. Electric power is supplied to the motor of the fuel pump 20 through the power supply line 32, the power supply terminal 31, and the power reception terminal 25. The power receiving connector 24 and the power feeding connector 30 are fitted in the space 100 in the filter case 42.
[0014]
The fuel filter 40 has a filter case 42 and a filter element 52. The filter case 42 has a case main body 44 and a lid 50 and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The filter case 42 accommodates the fuel pump 20 in a cylindrical space 100 formed at the center. The case main body 44 includes an inner cylinder 45 that covers the outer periphery of the fuel pump 20 and is in contact with the fuel pump 20, and an outer cylinder 46 that is installed on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylinder. The case main body 44 is integrally formed of resin. The upper portion of the case main body 44 is sealed by the lid 50 being coupled to the inner cylinder 45 and the outer cylinder 46.
[0015]
The inner cylinder 45 covers the entire circumference of the fuel pump 20, and the outer cylinder 46 is installed on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylinder 45 and covers the entire circumference of the inner cylinder 45. The bottoms of the inner cylinder 45 and the outer cylinder 46 are joined. The fuel inflow portion 48 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is integrally formed with the inner tube 45 and resin. A check valve 54 is installed in the fuel inflow portion 48. The check valve 54 prevents the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 20 from returning to the fuel pump 20.
[0016]
The filter element 52 is filter paper formed in, for example, a honeycomb shape or a chrysanthemum shape, and is accommodated in the filter case 42. The filter element 52 collects relatively small foreign matters contained in the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 20.
The drain passage 102 is formed by a groove formed in the inner cylinder 45 or the outer peripheral wall of the fuel pump 20. The water that has entered the space 100 passes through the drain passage 102 and is discharged into the sub tank.
[0017]
An outlet opening 110 through which the fuel that has passed through the filter element 52 flows is formed below the outer cylinder 46 of the case body 44. The outflow member 60 includes a passage member 62 and a buffer member 64, and is integrally formed with the outer tube 46 and resin. The outflow member 60 is installed on the lower side of the outer periphery side of the case main body 44. The communication path 112 formed in the outflow member 60 communicates with the outlet opening 110. The communication passage 112 communicates with the outflow passage 114 formed in the passage member 62.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the buffer member 64 is fitted to the discharge hole 88 side of the pressure regulator 70. A fuel chamber 120 is formed by the inner peripheral surface 65 of the buffer member 64 and the tip of the second case 72. A spherical concave curved surface 66 as a collision surface is formed at the bottom of the inner peripheral surface 65 facing the discharge hole 88. The cylindrical inner side surface 67 extends linearly in the direction in which the concave curved surface 66 extends opposite to the direction in which excess fuel is discharged from the discharge hole 88 of the pressure regulator 70. An outflow hole 122 is formed in the inner surface 67 facing the fuel chamber 120. Excess fuel discharged from the pressure regulator 70 is returned to the sub tank through the outflow hole 122.
[0019]
The pressure regulator 70 is fitted to the outflow member 60 and is accommodated in a space formed by the outflow member 60 and the filter case 40. The pressure regulator 70 removes foreign matter by the filter element 52 and adjusts the fuel pressure flowing into the outflow member 60 from the outlet opening 110 to a predetermined system pressure required on the engine side. The pressure-adjusted fuel passes through the communication passage 112 and is supplied from the outflow passage 114 to the engine side.
[0020]
The pressure regulator 70 includes a first case 71, a second case 72, a diaphragm 73, a spring seat 74, a valve guide 75, a ball 76, a locking plate 77, a valve member 78, a spring 79, and a valve seat member 82. . The diaphragm 73, the spring seat 74, the valve guide 75, the ball 76, and the valve member 78 are a movable body 80 that is displaced together.
[0021]
A space between the inner peripheral surface of the outflow member 60 and the first case 71 is sealed with an O-ring 90. Therefore, the O-ring 90 seals between the high-pressure outlet opening 110 and the communication path 112 and the low-pressure sub-tank. The inner surface 67 of the buffer member 64 and the second case 72 are sealed with an O-ring 92. Therefore, the O-ring 92 seals between the high-pressure outlet opening 110 and the communication path 112 and the low-pressure fuel chamber 120.
[0022]
The outer peripheral edge of a rubber diaphragm 73 is sandwiched between the first case 71 and the second case 72. The inner peripheral edge of the diaphragm 73 is sandwiched between a spring seat 74 and a valve guide 75. The ball 76 is pressed against the valve guide 75 by a locking plate 77. The plate-shaped valve member 78 moves together with the ball 76. The spring 79 urges the movable body 80 in the direction in which the valve member 78 is seated on the valve seat 83 of the valve seat member 82.
[0023]
The first pressure chamber 84 is formed on the first case 71 side of the movable body 80, and the second pressure chamber 85 is formed on the second case 72 side of the movable body 80. The first pressure chamber 84 communicates with the inside of the sub tank through a communication hole 71 a formed in the first case 71. The pressure in the first pressure chamber 84 is approximately atmospheric pressure. The pressure in the first pressure chamber 84 is applied to the movable body 80 in the direction in which the valve member 78 is seated on the valve seat 83. The second pressure chamber 85 communicates with the communication passage 112 through a communication hole 72 a formed in the second case 72. The pressure in the second pressure chamber 84 is the discharge pressure of the fuel pump 20. The pressure in the second pressure chamber 85 is applied to the movable body 80 in the direction in which the valve member 78 is separated from the valve seat 83. The second case 72 is fitted to the buffer member 64, and a discharge hole 88 for discharging excess fuel is formed on the side opposite to the first case 71.
When the valve member 78 is separated from the valve seat 83, the fuel in the second pressure chamber 85 passes through the discharge passage 86 in the valve seat member 82 and is discharged from the discharge hole 88.
[0024]
Next, the operation of the fuel supply device 10 will be described.
The fuel in the sub-tank is sucked into the fuel pump 20 after removing relatively large foreign matters by the suction filter 26. The fuel pump 20 pressurizes the sucked fuel and discharges it from the discharge unit 22. The fuel filter 40 removes relatively small foreign matter from the fuel discharged by the fuel pump 20 and flows out from the outlet opening 110. The pressure regulator 70 discharges excess fuel from the discharge hole 88 according to the discharge pressure of the fuel pump 20, thereby adjusting the pressure of the fuel flowing out from the fuel filter 40 to the system pressure. The fuel adjusted to the system pressure is supplied from the passage member 62 to the engine side.
[0025]
The position of the valve member 78 of the pressure regulator 70 is determined by the force that the movable body 80 receives from the fuel pressure in the first pressure chamber 84 in the direction in which the valve member 78 is seated on the valve seat 83 and the fuel pressure in the second pressure chamber 85. The position is set so that the force received by the movable body 80 in the direction in which the member 78 is separated from the valve seat 83 and the urging force received by the movable body 80 from the spring 79 in the direction in which the valve member 78 is seated on the valve seat 83 are set. . The fuel pressure in the first pressure chamber 84 is the pressure in the sub tank and is substantially constant.
[0026]
When the discharge pressure of the second pressure chamber 85, that is, the fuel pump 20 increases, the force received by the movable body 80 in the direction in which the valve member 78 is separated from the valve seat 83 increases, and the valve member 78 is separated from the valve seat 83. To do. When the valve member 78 is separated from the valve seat 83, excess fuel is discharged from the discharge hole 88 to the fuel chamber 120 through the discharge passage 86 in the valve seat member 82. The opening area of the valve member 78 and the valve seat 83 changes according to the pressure in the second pressure chamber 85, and the amount of fuel discharged from the discharge hole 88 is adjusted. Thereby, the fuel pressure in the second pressure chamber 85, the outlet opening 110, and the communication path 112 is regulated.
[0027]
Since the discharge passage 86 communicates with the inside of the sub tank through the outflow hole 122, the fuel chamber 120, and the discharge hole 88, the pressure of the discharge passage 86 is low. When high-pressure surplus fuel is discharged from the valve seat 83 into the low-pressure discharge passage 86, vapor is generated in the surplus fuel by decompression. The surplus fuel generated by the vapor discharged from the discharge hole 88 to the fuel chamber 120 collides with the concave curved surface 66 of the buffer member 64 formed at a position facing the discharge hole 88. Since the buffer member 64 having the concave curved surface 66 is integrally formed with the filter case 42, even if the surplus fuel containing vapor collides, it has high rigidity and hardly vibrates. Therefore, it can reduce that the buffer member 64 vibrates and generates noise.
[0028]
Since the fuel colliding with the concave curved surface 66 spreads radially along the spherical concave curved surface 66, the velocity thereof decreases while flowing along the concave curved surface 66, and the kinetic energy decreases. Further, the inner surface 67 extends linearly from the concave curved surface 66 in a direction opposite to the direction of the fuel discharged from the discharge hole 88, and the outflow hole 122 is formed between the concave curved surface 66 and the discharge hole 88. It is formed at the position of the side surface 67. Therefore, the velocity distribution of the fuel flowing into the outflow hole 122 along the inner surface 67 from the concave curved surface 66 is averaged in the flow path cross section of the outflow hole 122, and a fast fuel flow does not occur.
[0029]
In contrast to the first embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), the surplus fuel in which vapor does not decrease and the vapor is generated from the discharge hole 88 is discharged directly into the sub tank, and the fuel in the sub tank, Or when it collides with a sub tank, a sub tank may be vibrated and a big noise may be generated.
[0030]
On the other hand, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the speed of the surplus fuel discharged from the outflow hole 122 into the sub-tank is reduced, so that vapor is generated through the outflow hole 122. Even if the fuel collides with the fuel in the sub tank or the sub tank, the generated vibration is small. Therefore, noise generated by the fuel discharged from the outflow hole 122 can be reduced.
[0031]
(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Components that are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
A spherical convex curved surface 68 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 65 of the buffer member 64 at a position facing the discharge hole 88. The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 68 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the concave curved surface 66 of the first embodiment, and the inner diameter of the buffer portion taste 64 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. The surplus fuel discharged from the discharge hole 88 collides with the convex curved surface 68 and spreads radially along the convex curved surface 68, so that the velocity decreases while flowing along the convex curved surface 68, and the kinetic energy decreases. Furthermore, the velocity distribution of the fuel discharged from the outflow hole 122 into the sub tank along the inner surface 67 is averaged in the flow path cross section of the outflow hole 122, and a high-speed fuel flow does not occur. Therefore, noise generated by the fuel discharged from the outflow hole 122 can be reduced.
[0032]
In the above-described embodiments showing the embodiment of the present invention described above, a curved surface is formed at a position facing the discharge hole 88 of the buffer member 64 integrally molded with the filter case 42 and resin, and the pressure regulator 70 is formed on this curved surface. The fuel discharged from the vehicle collides. The surplus fuel that collided with the curved surface flows while spreading radially along the curved surface, thereby reducing the speed and kinetic energy. Furthermore, since the surplus fuel is discharged from the outflow hole 122 that extends linearly from the curved surface and the outflow hole 122 is formed at the position of the inner surface 67 between the curved surface and the discharge hole 88, The velocity distribution of the fuel discharged into the sub tank is averaged in the flow path cross section of the outflow hole 122, and a high velocity fuel flow does not occur. Therefore, noise generated by excess fuel discharged from the pressure regulator 70 can be reduced.
[0033]
In addition to the plurality of embodiments described above, a concave or convex curved surface is formed on the buffer member separate from the filter case 42, and surplus fuel discharged from the pressure regulator 70 is caused to collide with the curved surface, thereby the pressure regulator 70. The speed of the surplus fuel discharged from the fuel can be reduced, and noise can be reduced.
[0034]
In the buffer member 64 having the convex curved surface 68 that spreads in the surplus fuel discharge direction, it is necessary to reverse the spread of the convex curved surface 68 in the direction opposite to the surplus fuel discharge direction to form the inner surface 67. Therefore, when the curvature of the convex curved surface 68 is the same as that of the concave curved surface 66 of the first embodiment, the inner diameter of the buffer member 64 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment by the width of the portion where the spread of the convex curved surface 68 is reversed. It becomes larger than the inner diameter of the buffer member 64. In other words, in the first embodiment, since the curved surface as the collision surface is the concave curved surface 66, the inner side surface 67 can be formed by extending the concave curved surface 66 without reversing the spread. Therefore, if the curvature radius is the same, the inner diameter becomes smaller than the buffer member 64 of the second embodiment having the convex curved surface 68.
[0035]
Further, since the buffer member is integrally formed with the filter case 42 and the resin, the buffer member 64 has high rigidity, and the buffer member 64 is firmly supported by the filter case 42. Therefore, even if surplus fuel discharged from the pressure regulator collides, the buffer member does not rattle, and vibration can be reduced. Further, surplus fuel discharged from the pressure regulator collides with the buffer member, so that the speed of the surplus fuel decreases, and surplus fuel whose speed has decreased is discharged into the sub tank, so that vibration generated in the sub tank can be reduced. .
[0036]
As long as the buffer member is integrally molded with the resin with the filter case 42, the shape of the collision surface with which the surplus fuel discharged from the pressure regulator 70 collides is not limited to a curved surface, and may be a flat surface, for example. Further, instead of integrally forming the filter case 42 and the buffer member 64 with resin, the filter case 42 and the buffer member 64 may be integrally formed by adhesion or welding. The material of the filter case 42 and the buffer member 64 is not limited to resin.
[0037]
Moreover, although the concave curved surface 66 and the convex curved surface 68 as a collision surface were formed in the spherical shape, you may form a curved surface in a U shape other than a spherical shape, if it is a curved surface.
In the above embodiment, the example in which the fuel supply device is accommodated in the sub-tank installed in the fuel tank has been described. In addition to this, the fuel supply device may be directly accommodated in the fuel tank.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a pressure regulator of a fuel supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a fuel supply device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of fuel discharged from a pressure regulator.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a pressure regulator of a fuel supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Fuel supply device,
20 Fuel pump 40 Fuel filter 42 Filter case 52 Filter element 64 Buffer member 65 Inner peripheral surface 66 Concave surface (impact surface)
67 Inner side (impact surface)
68 Convex curve 70 Pressure regulator 88 Discharge hole 120 Fuel chamber 122 Outflow hole

Claims (8)

A fuel supply device for supplying fuel in a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine,
An electrically driven fuel pump;
A filter case, and a fuel filter having a filter element for removing foreign matter in the fuel contained in the filter case and discharged from the fuel pump;
A pressure regulator that regulates the fuel pressure flowing out of the fuel filter;
A buffer member that collides with surplus fuel discharged by the pressure regulator;
With
The fuel supply device, wherein the buffer member is formed integrally with the filter case. 2. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the filter case and the buffer member are integrally formed of resin. 3. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein a collision surface of the buffer member that collides with surplus fuel discharged from the pressure regulator is a curved surface. A fuel supply device for supplying fuel in a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine,
An electrically driven fuel pump;
A filter case, and a fuel filter having a filter element for removing foreign matter in the fuel contained in the filter case and discharged from the fuel pump;
A pressure regulator that regulates the fuel pressure flowing out of the fuel filter;
A buffer member that collides with surplus fuel discharged by the pressure regulator;
With
The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein a collision surface of the buffer member that collides with surplus fuel discharged from the pressure regulator is a curved surface. The buffer member has an inner surface that extends linearly in a direction opposite to the discharge direction of surplus fuel following the collision surface, and an outflow hole through which the surplus fuel flows out is formed at the position of the inner surface. The fuel supply device according to claim 3 or 4. 6. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the collision surface is a concave curved surface. The fuel supply apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the collision surface is a spherical surface. The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least a part of the pressure regulator is accommodated in a space formed by the filter case.

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