JP5640465B2 - Fluid pressure adjusting device and fuel supply device using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid pressure adjusting device and a fuel supply device using the same, and more particularly to a fluid pressure adjusting device suitable for adjusting the fuel pressure when fuel from an internal combustion engine is supplied from a fuel pump to a fuel injection valve. The present invention relates to a fuel supply apparatus using the same.

  In a fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle or the like, generally, a fuel is supplied from a fuel pump to an injector (fuel injection valve), and the pressure of the fuel pressure in the fuel supply passage is a fluid pressure regulator. It has come to adjust more. In such a fuel supply device, the pressure regulator housing is partitioned into a pressure regulating chamber and a back pressure chamber by a diaphragm, and the energizing force in the valve opening direction by the fuel pressure in the pressure regulating chamber and the closing from the back pressure chamber side. By applying a biasing force in the valve direction to the diaphragm and discharging part of the fuel in the pressure regulating chamber according to the displacement of the diaphragm, the fuel pressure in the pressure regulating chamber is determined based on the biasing force from the back pressure chamber side. The pressure is adjusted to the set pressure.

  As this type of fuel supply device, for example, first and second diaphragms that divide the inside of the housing into three pressure chambers, and a pressure adjusting discharge port in the first pressure chamber between the housing and the first diaphragm are provided. The valve body is attached to the first diaphragm so as to be opened and closed, and is connected to the valve body via a connecting rod disposed in the second pressure chamber between the first and second diaphragms. A known pressure receiving body and a spring provided in a third pressure chamber between the housing and the second diaphragm for biasing the pressure receiving body in the valve closing direction are known. In the fluid pressure adjusting device and the fuel supply device using the fluid pressure adjusting device, the fuel pressure to be adjusted can be switched in a plurality of stages by controlling the supply pressure into the second and third pressure chambers. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a plunger that displaces the base end portion of the spring depending on whether or not the back pressure fluid is supplied is provided on the base end side of the back pressure applying spring that urges the back surface portion of the valve member on the front end side. There is known one in which the set value of the adjustment pressure is switched between a low pressure value and a high pressure value by switching the pressing load (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, an electromagnetic valve that functions as a shut-off valve is attached to the return pipe of the back pressure chamber that introduces the fluid for back pressure, and when it is determined that fuel vapor can be generated, to the injector to the extent that generation of fuel vapor can be suppressed The pressure on the back pressure chamber side of the pressure regulator is increased so as to increase the fuel supply pressure of the engine to prevent the idling speed from becoming unstable due to the occurrence of fuel vapor when the engine is restarted at high temperatures. Those are known (for example, see Patent Document 3).

JP 2009-108684 A JP 2009-144686 A JP 2007-218222 A

  However, in the conventional fluid pressure adjusting device in which the plunger or the second diaphragm is provided on the back pressure chamber side and the fuel supply device using the same, the first inside the pressure regulator housing is adjacent to each other in the displacement direction of the diaphragm. Since it is configured to partition into the third pressure chamber, it is difficult to make the apparatus compact, and it is difficult to mount the apparatus. In addition, since each of the first to third pressure chambers requires a fluid inlet and outlet, there is a problem that the piping becomes very complicated.

  Further, in the conventional fluid pressure adjusting device in which fluid pressure is introduced to the back pressure chamber side in the housing and the fuel supply device using the same, fluid pressure is required in addition to the pressure adjusting chamber at the time of high pressure adjustment. There are also problems that extra fuel is required and that the number of parts requiring seal performance increases, leading to high costs.

  Furthermore, in a conventional fuel supply device in which an electromagnetic valve is mounted on a return pipe for returning surplus fuel after passing through the fuel gallery from the pressure regulator to the fuel tank, a fuel passage section that is pressurized to a high pressure when the engine is started has There is a problem in that the cost of the fluid pressure adjusting device and the fuel supply device is increased because the sealing performance that can withstand high pressure is required over a wide range.

  The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems as described above, and provides a low-cost fluid pressure regulator that is suitable for switching the set pressure and that is compact and that can simplify piping. The present invention provides a low-cost fuel supply device that is compact and uses simple piping.

  In order to solve the above problems, a fluid pressure adjusting device according to the present invention includes (1) a housing in which a plurality of fluid introduction passages for introducing fluid and a fluid discharge passage for discharging the fluid are formed, and the interior of the housing And a partition-shaped pressure regulating member that communicates and blocks the first fluid introduction passage and the fluid discharge passage among the plurality of fluid introduction passages according to the pressure of the fluid introduced into the plurality of fluid introduction passages; An urging mechanism that urges the pressure regulating member in a direction to block the first fluid introduction passage and the fluid discharge passage, wherein the plurality of fluid introduction passages are the The pressure regulating member is disposed on one surface side, and the pressure regulating member receives a pressure of a fluid introduced into the first fluid introduction passage, and a second of the plurality of fluid introduction passages. Introduced into the fluid inlet A second pressure receiving surface for receiving the pressure of the fluid, and has a, a passage closing portion for cutting off at all times from the fluid discharge passage and closes the second fluid inlet passage with said second pressure receiving face.

  With this configuration, the pressure regulating member that constantly receives the urging force in the cutoff direction from the urging mechanism changes the communication state between the first fluid introduction passage and the fluid discharge passage according to the fluid pressure introduced into the plurality of fluid introduction passages. The fluid is introduced into the first fluid introduction passage according to whether the pressurized fluid is introduced into the second fluid introduction passage so that the fluid pressure is received by the second pressure receiving surface portion. The fluid pressure is adjusted to a different set pressure. Therefore, the pressure of the fluid introduced into the first fluid introduction passage can be switched between the high pressure and the low pressure without introducing the fluid on both sides of the partition-shaped pressure regulating member, and the number of pipes and seals can be reduced. As a result, it is a low-cost fluid pressure adjusting device that is suitable for switching the set pressure, is compact, and has simple piping. In addition, since the fluid introduced into the second fluid introduction passage is not discharged into the fluid discharge passage, it is necessary to wastefully discharge the fluid pressurized by a pump or the like for switching the pressure regulation level. In addition, power consumption can be reduced.

In the fluid pressure adjusting device having the configuration described in (1) above, (2) the passage blocking portion is airtight to the pressure adjusting member on the outer peripheral side or the inner peripheral side of the second pressure receiving surface portion of the pressure adjusting member. It is preferable that it is constituted by a cylindrical member having one end portion that is connected to the other end and the other end portion that is hermetically held by the annular inner protrusion of the housing.

  With this configuration, when the communication state of the first fluid introduction passage and the fluid discharge passage changes due to the displacement of the pressure adjusting member, the cylindrical member constituting the passage closing portion expands and contracts, and the other end portion is airtight with respect to the housing. However, such a pressure adjusting member can be formed from the same material as a general diaphragm, and can be manufactured simply and at low cost.

In the fluid pressure adjusting device having the configuration described in (1) above, (3) the second pressure receiving surface portion of the pressure adjusting member is formed by a plate-like member, and the first pressure receiving pressure of the pressure adjusting member. A surface portion is hermetically coupled to the plate-like member and is formed around the plate-like member by an annular membrane member supported by the housing, and the passage blocking portion is formed on the outer peripheral side of the second pressure-receiving surface portion. It is preferable to be constituted by a flexible cylindrical member having one end connected to the plate-like member and the other end held by the annular inner protrusion of the housing.

  With this configuration, both the annular membrane member and the passage blocking portion can be formed from a flexible material. In addition, by providing the plate-shaped member with the second pressure receiving surface portion, the communication state between the first fluid introduction passage and the fluid discharge passage is excellent in response sensitivity according to the pressure of the fluid introduced into the second fluid introduction passage. Can be changed.

  In the fluid pressure adjusting device having the configuration described in (3) above, (4) the pressure regulating member has an inner peripheral portion of the annular membrane member and one end portion of the flexible tubular member in the plate shape. A holding ring portion for holding and holding between the first and second members, and when the holding ring portion is seated on an annular valve seat portion provided in the housing, the first fluid introduction passage, the fluid discharge passage, It is preferable that the communication is blocked.

  With this configuration, the annular membrane member and the flexible cylindrical member can be easily and reliably held with respect to the plate-like member, and the valve surface can be accurately set on the holding ring portion.

  In the fluid pressure adjusting device having the configuration described in (4) above, (5) the annular valve seat portion in which the valve surface of the holding ring portion seated on the annular valve seat portion faces the valve surface. It is good that it is wider in the radial direction than the sealing surface.

  With this configuration, even when the partition-shaped pressure regulating member has a flexible portion and the displacement of the pressure regulating member due to the bending thereof occurs in the radial direction, the valve surface of the retaining ring portion is annular. It is possible to reliably contact the sealing surface of the valve seat portion, and a required sealing property at the time of shut-off is ensured. In addition, the required accuracy of the mounting position of the pressure regulating member in the radial direction of the annular valve seat portion with respect to the housing is relaxed, and assembly can be facilitated.

  In the fluid pressure adjusting device having the configuration described in the above (4) or (5), (6) the annular membrane member and the flexible tubular member are integrally formed to form a flexible membrane member The plate-like member has an annular stepped portion on the outer peripheral side, and the holding ring portion is fitted on the outer periphery of the stepped portion with the flexible film member interposed therebetween.

  With this configuration, the annular membrane member and the flexible tubular member are simplified as one flexible membrane member, and the flexible membrane member includes the inner peripheral portion of the annular membrane member and the flexible member. The portion corresponding to the one end portion of the tubular member is surely held by the holding ring portion having the valve surface.

  A fluid supply apparatus according to the present invention includes (7) a fluid pressure adjustment device having any one of the above-described configurations, and adjusts the pressure of fuel supplied to a fuel consumption unit of an internal combustion engine by the fluid pressure adjustment device. It is characterized by.

  With this configuration, the first fluid introduction passage can be obtained only by changing the pressure of the fuel introduced into the second fluid introduction passage by the fluid pressure adjusting device that introduces the fluid only to the one surface side of the partition-shaped pressure regulating member. It is possible to switch the pressure of the fluid introduced into the high pressure and low pressure, and to provide a low-cost fuel supply device with a small number of pipes and seals and a simple pipe. In addition, since it is not necessary to wastefully discharge the fuel required for switching the fuel pressure to the fluid discharge passage, energy consumption can be reduced.

  In the present invention, the plurality of fuel introduction passages may be two or more. Further, a plurality of one or both of the first pressure receiving surface portion and the second pressure receiving surface portion according to the present invention may be provided.

  According to the fluid pressure adjusting device of the present invention, the fluid introduced into the first fluid introduction passage can be provided only by providing the second fluid introduction passage without introducing the fluid on both sides of the partition-shaped pressure regulating member. The pressure of the fluid can be switched between high pressure and low pressure, so it is possible to reduce the number of pipes and seals, and to provide a low-cost fluid pressure regulator that is suitable for switching the set pressure and that is compact and simple in piping. be able to.

  According to the fuel supply device of the present invention, only by changing the pressure of the fuel introduced into the second fluid introduction passage by the fluid pressure adjusting device that introduces the fluid only to one surface side of the partition-shaped pressure regulating member, Since the pressure of the fluid introduced into the first fluid introduction passage can be switched between high pressure and low pressure, it is possible to provide a low-cost fuel supply device with a small number of pipes and seals and a simple pipe.

It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the fluid pressure regulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the fuel supply apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is arrangement | positioning explanatory drawing of the 1st pressure receiving surface part and 2nd pressure receiving surface part in the pressure regulation member of the fluid pressure regulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure at the time of low pressure pressure regulation of the fluid pressure regulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the fluid pressure regulator which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is arrangement | positioning explanatory drawing of the 1st pressure receiving surface part and 2nd pressure receiving surface part in the pressure regulation member of the fluid pressure regulator which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

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

(One embodiment)
1 to 4 show a fluid pressure adjusting device and a fuel supply device using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a fluid pressure adjusting device as a pressure regulator for adjusting the fuel pressure of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle and a fuel supply device using the same, and a so-called in-tank type fuel supply is applied. It is configured as a system. That is, although a specific tank structure is not shown, the fuel supply device of the present embodiment includes a pressure regulator housed in a sub-tank in the fuel tank, and for example, a fuel consumption amount that is successively consumed by the engine. Only the fuel is transferred into the sub tank.

  First, the configuration of the fuel supply device of this embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel supply device of the present embodiment includes a fuel tank 2 that stores fuel, for example, gasoline, that is consumed by an engine 1 (fuel consumption unit) that is an internal combustion engine, and the fuel tank 2. A fuel pumping circuit 10 for pumping and supplying the fuel stored therein to a plurality of injectors 3 (fuel injection valves; only one is shown in FIG. 2) mounted on the engine 1, and the fuel pumping circuit 10 The fuel supplied to the injector 3 is introduced to adjust the system pressure P1 to a preset system pressure P1, and the system pressure P1 is switched between a high-pressure side set pressure and a low-pressure side set pressure, that is, variably controlled. Switchable pressure regulator 20 (fluid pressure adjusting device) and set pressure of pressure regulator 20 to any one of the high pressure side and the low pressure side. And a, a setting pressure switching mechanism 40 capable.

  The engine 1 is, for example, a multi-cylinder four-cycle gasoline engine, and the injector 3 provided corresponding to the plurality of cylinders of the engine 1 has, for example, its injection hole side end portion 3a at the intake ports (see FIG. (Not shown). Further, the fuel from the fuel pumping circuit 10 is distributed to each injector 3 via the delivery pipe 4.

  The fuel pumping circuit 10 includes a fuel pump 11 that pumps up and discharges fuel in the fuel tank 2, a suction filter 12 that blocks intake of foreign matter on the suction port side of the fuel pump 11, and a discharge port of the fuel pump 11. A fuel filter 13 for removing foreign matters in the discharged fuel on the side, and a check valve 14 (a check valve) located on the downstream side of the fuel filter 13 are configured.

  Although not shown in detail, the fuel pump 11 has, for example, a pump operating portion having an impeller for operating the pump and a built-in direct-current motor that drives the pump operating portion, and draws fuel from the fuel tank 2. 1 can be pumped up, pressurized and discharged as indicated by phantom lines. The fuel pump 11 can variably control the discharge amount per unit time by changing the rotation speed [rpm] of the built-in motor. The check valve 14 opens in the fuel supply direction from the fuel pump 11 to the injector 3, while the check valve 14 closes in the reverse flow direction of fuel from the injector 3 to the fuel pump 11 and pressurizes the supply. It is designed to prevent fuel backflow.

  In addition, the fuel pump 11 is driven and stopped and the fuel discharge amount per unit time is changed by controlling energization to the built-in motor by an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU) 41 described later. It has become.

  The pressure regulator 20 includes a housing 21 having a plurality of fuel inlets 21a and 21c into which fuel is introduced and a fuel outlet 21b through which the fuel is discharged. The housing 21 is a pair of concave housing members 18. , 19 are caulked and joined by their outer peripheral flange portions 18j, 19j. The fuel introduction port 21a and the fuel discharge port 21b are spaced apart at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the housing 21, but at least one may be formed at any position in the circumferential direction of the housing 21. Each opening shape is arbitrary. Moreover, although the housing members 18 and 19 are what pressed the steel plate or the stainless steel plate in the concave shape, for example, you may shape | mold to the shape shown in figure.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a partition-shaped pressure regulating member 22 that divides the inside of the housing 21 into two chambers is provided inside the housing 21, and the pressure regulating member 22 is arranged inside the housing 21. A pressure regulating chamber 23 communicating with the fuel introduction port 21 a is formed between the housing 21 and the housing 21. The pressure regulating member 22 is displaced in the valve opening direction that allows the fuel inlet 21a to communicate with the fuel outlet 21b at an opening degree corresponding to the fuel pressure introduced into the pressure regulating chamber 23, and is flexible. The annular membrane member 24 and the substantially disc-shaped plate-like member 25 located on the inner peripheral side of the annular membrane member 24 are integrally assembled (integrated) so that the annular membrane member 24 has one surface side. Thus, the pressure of the fuel introduced into the pressure regulating chamber 23 from the fuel introduction port 21a is constantly received (details will be described later). Further, the pressure regulating member 22 forms a back pressure chamber 26 with the housing 21 on the other surface side, and the plate-like member 25 of the pressure regulating member 22 is closed in the back pressure chamber 26 in the valve closing direction. A compression coil spring 27 (elastic member) is provided as a biasing mechanism that biases the spring. In addition, at least one atmospheric pressure introduction hole 19 a is formed in one housing member 19 that forms the back pressure chamber 26 together with the pressure regulating member 22.

  Specifically, the annular membrane member 24 of the pressure adjusting member 22 is, for example, a base material layer (for example, polyamide synthetic fiber) or the like, and a rubber layer (for example, hydrogenated nitrile rubber or fluorine rubber) that is hardly deteriorated with respect to fuel. The plate-like member 25 of the pressure adjusting member 22 is, for example, a metal (for example, tool steel, stainless steel, etc.) supported at the center of the annular membrane member 24. ) Made of a substantially disk-shaped plate.

  In addition, an annular valve seat portion 31 and an annular inner protrusion 32 that are opposed to the plate-like member 25 of the pressure regulating member 22 inside the pressure regulating chamber 23 are disposed substantially concentrically inside the housing 21. The seat portion 31 and the plate-like member 25 constitute a pressure regulating valve mechanism that opens and closes by relative displacement.

  Specifically, the annular valve seat 31 and the annular inner protrusion 32 are constituted by an outer cylindrical member 35 and an inner cylindrical member 36 that have different diameters and are coaxially arranged inside the housing 21. The valve seat portion 31 forms a fuel discharge passage 31h communicating with the fuel discharge port 21b between the inner cylindrical member 36 on the inner peripheral side and the housing 21 and the pressure regulating member 22 on the outer peripheral side. An annular outer fuel introduction passage 37 (first fluid introduction passage) communicating with the fuel introduction port 21a is formed therebetween. The inner and outer peripheral edges of the annular valve seat 31 are chamfered.

  Further, the annular inner protrusion 32 and the plate-like member 25 of the pressure adjusting member 22 are sufficiently separated in the displacement direction of the plate-like member 25, and an inner fuel introduction passage is provided on the inner peripheral side of the annular inner protrusion 32. 32h (second fluid introduction passage) is formed. Pressurized fuel from the fuel pump 11 is selectively introduced into the inner fuel introduction passage 32h. In the inner fuel introduction passage 32h, the annular valve seat portion 31 and the plate-like member 25 are relative to each other. When displacing, the opening degree on the inner end side where the inner fuel introduction passage 32h opens to the inside of the pressure regulating chamber 23 is changed according to the relative displacement amount.

  On the other hand, the pressure regulating member 22 is introduced into the inner fuel introduction passage 32h among the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a that receives the pressure of the fluid introduced into the outer fuel introduction passage 37, and the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the inner fuel introduction passage 32h. A second pressure receiving surface portion 22b that receives the pressure of the fluid to be discharged, and a passage closing portion 22c that blocks the inner end portion of the inner fuel introduction passage 32h together with the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b and always blocks the fluid discharge passage. .

  The first pressure receiving surface portion 22 a of the pressure regulating member 22 is formed around the plate-like member 25 by an annular film member 24 that is liquid-tightly (air-tightly) coupled to the outer peripheral portion of the plate-like member 25 and supported by the housing 21. The fuel pressure inside the annular outer fuel introduction passage 37 is always received. The second pressure receiving surface portion 22b of the pressure adjusting member 22 is formed by the one surface side portion 25a of the plate-like member 25 facing the pressure adjusting chamber 23, and receives the fuel pressure inside the inner fuel introduction passage 32h. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a and the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b of the pressure adjusting member 22 are spaced apart in the radial direction across the non-pressurizing intermediate surface 22d corresponding to the fuel discharge passage 31h. The non-pressurized intermediate surface 22d receives a pressure corresponding to the internal pressure (for example, atmospheric pressure) of the tank 2 and is not substantially pressurized. When the pressure of the pressurized fuel from the fuel pump 11 selectively acts on the first pressure receiving surface portion 22 a and the second pressure receiving surface portion 22 b of the pressure adjusting member 22, the pressure adjusting member 22 is connected to the outer fuel introduction passage 37. By connecting and blocking the fuel discharge passage 31h, the pressure of the fuel on the supply side introduced into the outer fuel introduction passage 37 is adjusted to the set pressure, while the inner fuel introduction passage acting on the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b. The set pressure is switched according to the fuel pressure in 32h. Here, the pressure receiving area A1 of the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a and the pressure receiving area A2 of the inner second pressure receiving surface portion 22b are set to have a preset area ratio A1 / A2.

  The passage closing portion 22c of the pressure regulating member 22 is configured by a flexible cylindrical member 28 made of the same material as the material of the annular membrane member 24. The flexible cylindrical member 28 One end portion 28 a hermetically coupled to the plate-like member 25 around the second pressure receiving surface portion 22 b of the member 22, and the other end portion 28 b hermetically held by the annular inner protrusion 32 of the housing 21. ing. Further, the flexible tubular member 28 is formed integrally with the annular membrane member 24, thereby constituting a flexible membrane member 29 together with the annular membrane member 24.

  Further, the plate-like member 25 has an annular stepped portion 25p on the outer peripheral side thereof, and the holding ring portion 25r is airtight on the outer peripheral side of the stepped portion 25p with a flexible film member 29 interposed therebetween. It is fitted so as to press. That is, the plate-like member 25 of the pressure adjusting member 22 holds the inner peripheral portion of the annular membrane member 24 and the one end portion 28a of the flexible tubular member 28 in an airtight manner between the plate-like member 25 and the pressure-resistant member 22. A holding ring portion 25r is provided.

  The holding ring portion 25r of the plate-like member 25 has an annular valve surface 25v facing the annular valve seat portion 31 provided in the housing 21, and the annular valve surface 25v faces the annular valve seat portion 31 side. When seated on the formed seal surface 31s, the communication between the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the fuel discharge passage 31h is blocked.

  Further, the valve surface 25v of the retaining ring portion 25r is wider in the radial direction than the seal surface 31s of the annular valve seat portion 31, as shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. There is a margin width m on the inside.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the outer fuel introduction passage 37, the inner fuel introduction passage 32h, and the fuel discharge passage 31h are arranged on one surface side of the pressure regulating member 22, respectively. Energizing force in the valve opening direction (direction in which the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the fuel discharge passage 31h are shut off) based on the pressure of fuel introduced into the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the inner fuel introduction passage 32h, and a compression coil spring 27, the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the fuel discharge passage 31h are communicated and cut off in accordance with the urging force in the valve closing direction from 27 (direction in which the communication between the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the fuel discharge passage 31h is cut off). It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the other housing member 18 of the housing 21 is formed in a plurality of stepped concave shapes so as to become deeper inward in the radial direction, and an annular valve seat portion 31 and an annular inner protrusion portion 32. The outer cylindrical member 35 and the inner cylindrical member 36 are fixed to the housing member 18 at different radial positions. In addition, the housing member 18 of the housing 21 includes a first annular wall portion 18a that is spaced radially outward with respect to the outer cylindrical member 35, a second annular wall portion 18b that supports the outer cylindrical member 35, and an inner cylinder. A first annular wall portion 18c for supporting the first member 36, a first stepped wall portion 18d for connecting the first annular wall portion 18a and the second annular wall portion 18b, and a second annular wall portion 18b. And a second stepped wall portion 18e for connecting the third annular wall portion 18c and a third stepped wall portion 18f connected to the outer end portion of the third annular wall portion 18c.

  The fuel introduction port 21 a formed in the housing 21 is open to the first stepped wall portion 18 d of the housing member 18 on the outer peripheral surface side (radially outer side) of the outer cylindrical member 35, and is formed in the housing 21. The fuel discharge port 21b is open to the second stepped wall portion 18e on the inner peripheral surface side (radially inner side) of the outer cylindrical member 35. The outer fuel introduction passage 37 is formed by the housing member 18, the annular membrane member 24 of the pressure regulating member 22, and the outer cylindrical member 35. The outer fuel introduction passage 37 introduces fuel from the fuel introduction port 21a and supplies the fuel to the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a. The pressure is received. The fuel discharge passage 31h of the annular valve seat 31 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape between the outer cylindrical member 35 and the inner cylindrical member 36, and the housing member 18, the outer cylindrical member 35, and the inner cylindrical shape. It communicates with the fuel discharge port 21 b of the housing 21 through an annular discharge passage 38 between the member 36. Further, the inner fuel introduction passage 32 h of the annular inner protrusion 32 is formed in a substantially columnar shape inside the inner cylindrical member 36, and the annular inner protrusion is formed on the third stepped wall portion 18 f of the housing member 18. A central fuel introduction port 21c communicating with the inner fuel introduction passage 32h of the portion 32 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel introduction port 21 a is connected to a branch passage 15 a (supply side branch passage) of the fuel passage 15 that is a circuit portion downstream of the check valve 14 of the fuel pumping circuit 10. The inner fuel introduction passage 32h of 20 is connected to the branch passage 16 which is a circuit portion upstream of the check valve 14 of the fuel pumping circuit 10. Here, the branch passage 15a of the fuel passage 15 constitutes a fuel piping portion between the delivery pipe 4 and the check valve 14, and for example, a filter element (not shown) of the suction filter 12 and the fuel filter 13 is used as a fuel pump. 11, a branch portion 15b formed in a part 17 of the filter case (only part of which is shown in FIG. 2), and an annular passage part 15c formed between the part 17 of the filter case and the housing 21. have. The branch passage 16 is a fuel pipe that introduces fuel pumped from the fuel pump 11 from one end upstream of the check valve 14, and the other end of the branch passage 16 communicates with the inner fuel introduction passage 32h. It is connected to the fuel inlet 21 c at the center of the housing 21.

  The branch passage 15a of the fuel passage 15 is provided with a three-way electromagnetic valve 45 positioned at least one of the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the inner fuel introduction passage 32h, for example, upstream of the inner fuel introduction passage 32h.

  The three-way solenoid valve 45 functions as a passage opening / closing valve that can regulate the inflow (introduction) of fuel into the inner fuel introduction passage 32h on the upstream side of the inner fuel introduction passage 32h. When the valve is closed to restrict the introduction of fuel into the introduction passage 32h, the pressure in the inner fuel introduction passage 32h on the downstream side in the fuel introduction direction from the passage opening / closing valve is released to the fuel discharge port 21b side (tank internal pressure side). And a pressure release valve function. Then, the flow of fuel into the inner fuel introduction passage 32h is selectively restricted according to the open / closed state of the three-way solenoid valve 45, so that the region where the pressure of pressurized fuel acts on the pressure regulating member 22 is Either the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a and the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b, or either the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a or the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b can be switched.

  The three-way solenoid valve 45 is connected to the upstream portion of the branch passage 15a of the fuel passage 15 and introduces pressurized fuel, and is connected to the downstream portion of the branch passage 15a of the fuel passage 15, A second port 45b that introduces pressurized fuel into the inner fuel introduction passage 32h when communicating with the first port 45a; and a second port 45b that is open in the fuel tank 2 and communicates with the second port 45b. A third port 45c for releasing the fuel pressure and an electromagnetic operation unit 45d for switching the communication state between the three ports 45a to 45c are provided.

  The electromagnetic operation unit 45d switches the second port 45b to the first port 45a in the ON state (the state shown in FIG. 2), depending on whether or not the operation signal is supplied with the excitation drive current from the ECU 41 side. The second port 45b is communicated with the first port 45a while being disconnected from the third port 45c when the operation signal is OFF when the excitation drive current is not supplied from the ECU 41 side. Yes. Therefore, the first port 45a and the second port 45b of the three-way solenoid valve 45 correspond to the inlet port and the outlet port of the aforementioned passage opening / closing valve, and the second port 45b and the third port 45c of the three-way solenoid valve 45 are the same as those described above. This corresponds to the inlet port and outlet port of the pressure release valve. Further, when the operation signal of the three-way solenoid valve 45 is ON, the passage opening / closing valve is closed and the pressure release valve is opened.

  When the three-way solenoid valve 45 selectively introduces the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 11 and supplied to the injector 3 into the inner fuel introduction passage 32h in the pressure regulating chamber 23, the pressure regulator 20 The fuel introduced into the introduction passage 37 can be adjusted to a set pressure, and the set pressure can be switched to any set pressure among a preset set pressure on the high pressure side and a set pressure on the low pressure side.

  Here, the set pressure on the high pressure side and the set pressure on the low pressure side of the pressure regulator 20 have a pressure ratio corresponding to the area ratio A1 / A2 of the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a and the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b. The ratio between the set pressure and the set pressure on the high pressure side corresponds to the ratio (A1 / (A1 + A2)) of the pressure receiving area A1 of the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a and the sum of the pressure receiving areas of both the pressure receiving surface portions 22a and 22b (A1 + A2).

  That is, the pressure regulator 20 is, for example, described later when the engine 1 is stopped, for example, when idling is stopped, at a low pressure set pressure corresponding to the fuel supply pressure during normal operation of the engine 1 and higher than the low pressure set pressure. It is configured to switch to a set pressure on the high-pressure side corresponding to the fuel pressure held in the remaining pressure holding section.

  The residual pressure holding section referred to here is the upstream side of the injector 3 in the fuel passage 15 and from the check valve 14 when the fuel pump 11 is stopped and the three-way solenoid valve 45 as a passage opening / closing valve is opened. This is a passage section that is formed on the downstream side and that holds the fuel pressure by the urging force from the compression coil spring 27 via the pressure regulating member 22 while communicating with the outer fuel introduction passage 37. The set pressure on the high pressure side is a set pressure when the region where the fuel pressure acts on the pressure adjusting member 22 is only the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a corresponding to the outer fuel introduction passage 37. In the present embodiment, the engine 1 When the fuel pump 11 is stopped, the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a receives the fuel pressure in the downstream passage section (hereinafter also referred to as the residual pressure holding section) from the check valve 14 to the injector 3 (the pressure is adjusted). Furthermore, when fuel supply from the fuel pump 11 to the injector 3 is started for starting the engine 1 or when a high pressure is generated in the residual pressure holding section during high load operation. Is the set pressure.

  The set pressure on the high pressure side is, for example, 400 [kPa] (gauge pressure; hereinafter the same), and even if the fuel temperature in the delivery pipe 4 becomes high immediately after the engine is stopped, the fuel that is unlikely to generate fuel vapor. It is a set value of pressure (usually 324 kPa or more). The set pressure on the low pressure side is, for example, 240 [kPa], and is a fuel pressure set value at which fuel vapor hardly occurs even when the fuel temperature in the delivery pipe 4 becomes relatively low during traveling.

  The ECU 41 includes an input interface circuit, an output interface circuit, and the like in addition to a backup memory including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a nonvolatile memory, for example. The ECU 41 receives an on / off signal of an ignition switch of the vehicle and is supplied with power from a battery. Further, various sensor groups are connected to the input interface circuit of the ECU 41, and sensor information from these sensor groups is taken into the ECU 41 through an input interface circuit including an A / D converter and the like. The output interface circuit of the ECU 41 is provided with a relay switch, a switching element, a drive circuit, and the like for controlling actuators such as the injector 3, the fuel pump 11, and the three-way solenoid valve 45.

  Further, the ECU 41 executes a control program stored in the ROM, thereby starting the engine 1 based on sensor information from various sensor groups and setting values and map information stored in advance in the ROM and backup memory. Therefore, immediately before starting the fuel supply or immediately before stopping the engine 1, the three-way solenoid valve 45 is switched to the ON state, and the fuel from the fuel pump 11 is regulated to the set pressure on the high pressure side in the pressure regulating chamber 23. ing. Further, the ECU 41 repeatedly determines the load state during the operation of the engine 1, and in the region of the partial load operation that occupies most of the operation state after the start, that is, in the normal operation region after the start and not the high load operation, The three-way electromagnetic valve 45 is switched to the OFF state, and the supply fuel pressure from the fuel pump 11 to the injector 3 is adjusted to the low pressure side set pressure in the pressure adjusting chamber 23. Therefore, the setting values stored in the ROM and the backup memory of the ECU 41 include the high pressure side setting value and the low pressure side setting value of the fuel pressure, respectively. The map information stored in the ROM and the backup memory includes the driving value. An operation region determination map or the like is included for load determination and fuel pressure switching control according to the determination result.

  Specifically, the term “starting” as used herein refers to, for example, when the ignition key is operated to the start position and an ignition ON request is generated, after the engine 1 is temporarily stopped in a vehicle that executes a known idling stop, the engine 1 is restarted. When an ignition ON request for starting is generated when starting, or when restarting after temporarily stopping the engine 1 in order to increase the efficiency of the power unit in a vehicle equipped with a hybrid power unit It is.

  Next, a fuel pressure control method in the fuel supply apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

  In the pressure regulator 20 of this embodiment configured as described above and the fuel supply device using the pressure regulator 20, the fuel pump 11 of the fuel pressure feed circuit 10 to be pressure-regulated while the engine 1 is stopped for a long time. Is a fuel supply stop state, the discharge-side fuel pressure is 0 [kPa (gauge)], and the three-way solenoid valve 45 is in an OFF state in which the electromagnetic operation unit 45d is not energized.

  At this time, the three-way solenoid valve 45 is in the fuel introduction position where the first port 45a and the second port 45b communicate with each other. However, since the fuel pump 11 is in the fuel supply stop state, the three-way solenoid valve 45 enters the inner fuel introduction passage 32h of the pressure regulator 20. Is not supplied with pressurized fuel. Therefore, the substantial pressure receiving area area where the pressure adjusting member 22 receives the fuel pressure in the valve opening direction is only the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a receiving the fuel pressure in the annular outer fuel introduction passage 37. The fuel pressure P1 in the residual pressure holding section from the check valve 14 to the injector 3 that is the fuel supply pressure is equal to the fuel pressure in the outer fuel introduction passage 37.

  Further, since the pressure regulating member 22 has the plate-like member 25 seated on the annular valve seat 31 and the annular inner protrusion 32 by the compression coil spring 27, the fuel pressure P in the outer fuel introduction passage 37 is the outer fuel introduction. The biasing force P1 in the valve opening direction acting on the pressure adjusting member 22 from the passage 37 side × the biasing force in the valve opening direction corresponding to the pressure receiving area A1 of the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a is applied in the valve closing direction from the compression coil spring 27. The urging force is balanced with the force or smaller than that (P1 ≦ H). However, the fuel pressure P1 immediately before the operation of the engine 1 is stopped is the set pressure L on the low pressure side, and the fuel pressure P1 is higher than the set pressure L on the low pressure side and not more than the set pressure H on the high pressure side. (L ≦ P1 ≦ H). The operation when the engine 1 is stopped and immediately after the stop will be described later.

  When the engine 1 is started, the three-way solenoid valve 45 is first energized by the ECU 41 prior to the start. That is, before the fuel supply by the fuel pump 11 is started and the discharge pressure rises, the three-way solenoid valve 45 is once switched to the ON state.

  At this time, the three-way solenoid valve 45 switches to a state in which the second port 45b is communicated with the third port 45c while being shut off from the first port 45a. On the other hand, the fuel pump 11 is still in the fuel supply stop state.

  When the three-way solenoid valve 45 is switched to the ON state, the residual pressure in the inner fuel introduction passage 32h is released by the function of the pressure release valve of the three-way solenoid valve 45 (P = 0 kPa). At the same time, due to the function of the passage opening / closing valve of the three-way solenoid valve 45, the fuel pressure P1 in the residual pressure holding section from the check valve 14 to the injector 3 is the same as that up to that point, that is, higher than the set pressure L on the low pressure side. Is maintained at a fuel pressure that is equal to or lower than the set pressure H (L ≦ P1 ≦ H).

  Next, when the fuel pump 11 is started, the fuel from the fuel pump 11 is supplied in the residual pressure holding section, and the fuel pressure in the outer fuel introduction passage 37 immediately reaches the set pressure H on the high pressure side.

  That is, the urging force in the valve opening direction acting on the pressure regulating member 22 from the outer fuel introduction passage 37 side is the urging force in the valve closing direction from the compression coil spring 27. The set pressure H on the high pressure side × the first pressure receiving surface portion Until the urging force corresponding to the area A1 is reached, the fuel pressure inside the outer fuel introduction passage 37 immediately rises, and excess pressurized fuel is discharged into the fuel discharge passage 31h (the thin dotted arrow in FIG. 4). R).

  Next, the engine 1 is started. At this time, the injector 3 is supplied with high-pressure fuel whose pressure has been increased to the set pressure H on the high-pressure side, so that atomization of fuel injected from the injector 3 into the combustion chamber of the engine 1 is promoted. Needless to say, the start-up control similar to that described above can be performed when the engine 1 is restarted.

  The operating state after the engine 1 is started is normally a partial load operating state except for a specific operating state where a high fuel pressure is required, for example, when a high load operation is required. From the viewpoint of fuel consumption and the reliability of the fuel pump 11, a set pressure on the low pressure side is required.

  During this normal operation, energization from the ECU 41 to the three-way solenoid valve 45 is stopped and the operation of the fuel pump 11 is continued. Therefore, when the engine 1 starts and shifts to normal operation, the three-way solenoid valve 45 is switched to the OFF state.

  During operation of the engine 1, the ECU 41 determines the operation state required for the engine 1 based on the operation state such as the rotation speed of the engine 1 and the vehicle speed obtained from various sensor information, the accelerator pedal operation amount of the driver, and the like. It is determined which one of the operation regions is held in advance as map information, and the energization of the three-way solenoid valve 45 is stopped and the fuel pump 11 is controlled so that the fuel pressure is suitable for the required operation state. Controls energization to.

  During normal operation of the engine 1, pressurized fuel from the fuel pump 11 is supplied to both the inner fuel introduction passage 32 h and the outer fuel introduction passage 37 of the pressure regulator 20. Accordingly, the pressure adjusting member 22 receives the biasing force H × A1 in the valve closing direction from the compression coil spring 27, while the fuel pressure P (= P1) in the outer fuel introduction passage 37 acts on the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a. The urging force P1 × A1 in the valve direction and the urging force P1 × A2 in the valve opening direction at the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b on which the fuel pressure P2 (= P1) in the inner fuel introduction passage 32h acts are received, and these urging forces are received. The pressure is adjusted so that P1 (A1 + A2) is balanced.

  Therefore, the fuel supply pressure P1 at this time is P1 = H × A1 / (A1 + A2) = the set pressure L on the low pressure side. Accordingly, when the set pressure H on the high pressure side is 400 [kPa] and the area ratio A1 / A2 = 1 between the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a and the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b, the fuel supply pressure P1 at this time is 200 [kPa]. ] Is set pressure L on the low pressure side.

  When an operation state required for the engine 1 enters a high load operation region due to an operation input from a driver who drives the vehicle or a change in the traveling environment of the vehicle, the ECU 41 switches the three-way solenoid valve 45 to the ON state and The operation of the pump 11 is continued.

  Immediately after this switching, the inner fuel introduction passage 32h is opened by the function of the pressure release valve of the three-way solenoid valve 45, and the fuel pressure in the inner fuel introduction passage 32h is released, as in the case of starting the engine 1 described above. .

  On the other hand, since the operation of the fuel pump 11 is continued, the pressurized fuel is continuously supplied to the outer fuel introduction passage 37 of the pressure regulator 20, and the fuel pressure P1 inside the inner fuel introduction passage 32h is immediately set to the high pressure side. The pressure rises to H. Therefore, a sufficient fuel injection amount that can meet the high load requirement can be secured.

  When stopping the engine 1, the ECU 41 turns on the three-way electromagnetic valve 45 prior to stopping the engine 1. For example, when the ignition key is operated to the ignition OFF side by the driver and an ignition OFF request for stopping the engine 1 is generated, the three-way solenoid valve 45 is first energized to turn on the three-way solenoid valve 45, and the pressure regulator When a sufficient time has passed for the pressure regulating member 22 in 20 to stabilize in the ON state, processing necessary to stop the engine 1 is executed.

  Immediately after the engine 1 is stopped, the cooling of the engine 1 by cooling water or cooling air is stopped, so that the temperature of the fuel in the residual pressure holding section from the check valve 14 to the injector 3 in the fuel supply path becomes high. At this time, the fuel pressure P1 in the residual pressure holding section is equal to the fuel pressure P in the outer fuel introduction passage 37 of the pressure regulator 20, and the fuel pressure P in the outer fuel introduction passage 37 is equal to the set pressure H on the high pressure side. The first pressure receiving surface portion 22a is in a state of being elastically pressurized by the flexible annular membrane member 24 of the pressure regulating member 22 so that it can rise until it reaches. Therefore, when the temperature of the fuel in the residual pressure holding section from the check valve 14 to the injector 3 increases, the vapor pressure of the fuel in the residual pressure holding section increases with the temperature rise, and the gas-liquid equilibrium is maintained. As a result, the fuel pressure P1 rises. Therefore, even if the fuel temperature in the delivery pipe 4 becomes high immediately after the engine is stopped or the like, a residual pressure that is unlikely to generate fuel vapor is effectively secured, and a good high temperature restart or the like becomes possible.

  Next, the operation of the fuel supply device of this embodiment will be described.

  In the pressure regulator 20 and the fuel supply apparatus using the pressure regulator 20 as described above, the pressure regulating member 22 that constantly receives the urging force in the cutoff direction from the compression coil spring 27 is adjusted to the pressure of the fuel introduced into the pressure regulating chamber 23. Accordingly, whether or not pressurized fuel is introduced into the inner fuel introduction passage 32h so that the communication state between the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the fuel discharge passage 31h is changed and the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b receives the fuel pressure. Thus, the pressure of the fuel introduced into the outer fuel introduction passage 37 is adjusted to a different set pressure. Accordingly, the pressure of the fuel introduced into the outer fuel introduction passage 37 can be switched between the high pressure and the low pressure without introducing the fuel to both sides of the partition-shaped pressure regulating member 22, and the piping and seal locations of the pressure regulator 20 can be switched. Can be reduced. As a result, a low-pressure pressure regulator 20 that is suitable for switching the set pressure and that is compact and has simple piping is obtained.

  Further, when the communication state between the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the fuel discharge passage 31h changes due to the displacement of the pressure regulating member 22, the tubular member 28 constituting the passage closing portion 22c expands and contracts, so that the inner fuel introduction passage Since the closed state of 32h is maintained and the fuel introduced into the inner fuel introduction passage 32h is not discharged into the fuel discharge passage 31h, the fuel pressurized by the fuel pump 11 or the like is set to a set pressure (pressure regulation level). Therefore, it is not necessary to discharge wastefully for switching, and the power consumption of the fuel pump 11 can be suppressed.

  Further, the expandable and contractible tubular member 28 can be formed from a general diaphragm constituent material constituting the annular membrane member 24, and a flexible membrane member 29 in which the annular membrane member 24 and the tubular member 28 are integrated. Can be produced simply and at low cost.

  Furthermore, by providing the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b on the plate-like member 25, the communication state between the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the fuel discharge passage 31h is good according to the pressure of the fuel introduced into the inner fuel introduction passage 32h. Can be changed with high response sensitivity.

  In addition, the pressure adjusting member 22 holds the inner peripheral portion of the annular membrane member 24 and the one end portion 28a of the flexible tubular member 28 in an airtight manner between the plate member 25 and the holding ring portion 25r. When the holding ring portion 25r is seated on the annular valve seat portion 31 provided in the housing 21, the communication between the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the fuel discharge passage 31h is blocked. Thus, the annular membrane member 24 and the cylindrical member 28 can be easily and reliably held, and the valve surface 25v can be formed on the holding ring portion 25r with high accuracy. Further, the flexible membrane member 29 is surely secured by the holding ring portion 25r having the valve surface 25v at the portion corresponding to the inner peripheral portion of the annular membrane member 24 and the one end portion 28a of the flexible cylindrical member 28. It will be kept airtight.

  Further, since the valve surface 25v of the holding ring portion 25r seated on the annular valve seat portion 31 is wider in the radial direction than the seal surface 31s of the annular valve seat portion 31 facing the valve surface 25v, the pressure regulating member 22 has a flexible portion, and the valve surface 25v of the retaining ring portion 25r is the sealing surface of the annular valve seat portion 31 even when the pressure regulating member 22 is displaced in the radial direction due to the bending. 31s can be reliably contacted, and the required sealing performance at the time of interruption | blocking is ensured. In addition, since the required accuracy of the mounting position of the pressure regulating member 22 in the radial direction of the annular valve seat portion 31 with respect to the housing 21 can be relaxed, assembly can be facilitated.

  Further, in the fuel supply apparatus of the present embodiment, the pressure regulator 20 that introduces fuel only to one surface side of the partition-shaped pressure regulating member 22 only changes the pressure of the fuel introduced into the inner fuel introduction passage 32h. The pressure of the fuel introduced into the outer fuel introduction passage 37 can be switched between high pressure and low pressure, and a low-cost fuel supply device with a small number of pipes and seals and a simple pipe can be provided. In addition, since it is not necessary to wastefully discharge the fuel required for switching the fuel pressure to the fuel discharge passage 31h, the energy consumption of the fuel pump 11 can be reduced.

(Other embodiments)
5 and 6 show a fluid pressure regulator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that this embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the above-described one embodiment, and the constituent elements of the fuel supply device other than the pressure regulator are the same as those of the above-described one embodiment. Regarding the constituent elements, the same reference numerals as those of the corresponding constituent elements shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are used, and differences from the above-described embodiment will be described below.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the pressure regulator 50 (fuel pressure adjusting device) of the present embodiment, a partition-shaped pressure regulating member 52 that divides the inside of the housing 21 into two chambers is provided inside the housing 21. The pressure regulating member 52 forms a pressure regulating chamber 23 in the housing 21 and communicated with the plurality of fuel inlets 21a and 21c between the housing 21 and the pressure regulating member 52. The pressure regulating member 52 is displaced in the valve opening direction to communicate the central fuel introduction port 21c with the fuel discharge port 21b with an opening degree corresponding to the fuel pressure introduced into the pressure regulating chamber 23. The plate-like member 25 is integrated with the flexible annular membrane member 24 and the substantially disc-like plate-like member 25 located on the inner peripheral side of the annular membrane member 24 so that the plate-like member 25 has one surface. On the side, the pressure of the fuel introduced into the pressure regulating chamber 23 from the central fuel introduction port 21c is constantly received.

  An annular inner protrusion 61 and an annular valve seat 62 are disposed substantially concentrically inside the housing 21, particularly on one surface side of the pressure adjusting member 52 where the pressure adjusting chamber 23 is formed. The outer cylindrical member 65 provided integrally with the second annular wall portion 18b of the housing member 18 inside the pressure regulating chamber 23 or held in an airtight manner on the inner peripheral surface of the second annular wall portion 18b. Is provided.

  The annular valve seat 62 is provided on the distal end side of the inner cylindrical member 66 fixed to the housing 21 on the base end side, and is formed by relative displacement of the annular valve seat 62 and the plate-like member 25 together with the pressure regulating member 52. A pressure regulating valve mechanism that opens and closes is configured. When the plate-like member 25 is seated on the seal surface 62s formed on the annular valve seat 62 side, communication between an inner fuel introduction passage 62h (first fluid introduction passage) and a fuel discharge passage 61h, which will be described later, is blocked. It has come to be.

  That is, the outer cylindrical member 65 and the inner cylindrical member 66 have substantially cylindrical shapes that are different in diameter from each other and are coaxially arranged inside the housing 21, and constitute the annular valve seat portion 62. 66 forms a fuel discharge passage 61h communicating with the fuel discharge port 21b between the housing 21 and the outer cylindrical member 65 on the outer peripheral side, and a plurality of fuel introduction ports 21a, 21c of the housing 21 on the inner peripheral side. Of these, an inner fuel introduction passage 62h communicating with the central fuel introduction port 21c is formed. When the annular valve seat 62 and the plate-like member 25 are relatively displaced, the opening degree on the inner end side where the inner fuel introduction passage 62h opens inside the pressure regulating chamber 23 is changed according to the relative displacement amount. It is supposed to let you.

  The annular inner protrusion 61 and the plate member 25 of the pressure adjusting member 52 are sufficiently separated in the displacement direction of the plate member 25. A fuel discharge passage 61 h is formed at the end of the annular inner protrusion 61 and / or the inner peripheral surface of the second annular wall 18 b of the housing member 18.

On the other hand, the pressure adjusting member 52 includes a first pressure receiving surface portion 52b that receives the pressure of fuel introduced from the central fuel introduction port 21c into the inner fuel introduction passage 62h, and the outer side of the outer fuel introduction passage 67 and the inner fuel introduction passage 62h. a second pressure receiving surface 52a for receiving the pressure of the fluid introduced into the fuel introduction passage 67, passage blocking portion together with the second pressure receiving surface portion 52a closes the inner end of the outer fuel introducing passage 67 to shut off at all times from the fluid discharge passage 61h 52c.

The second pressure receiving surface portion 52 a of the pressure adjusting member 52 is formed around the plate-like member 25 by an annular film member 24 that is liquid-tightly (air-tightly) coupled to the outer peripheral portion of the plate-like member 25 and supported by the housing 21. The fuel pressure inside the annular outer fuel introduction passage 67 is always received. The first pressure receiving surface portion 52b of the pressure adjusting member 52 is formed by a central portion of the one surface side portion 25a of the plate-like member 25 facing the pressure adjusting chamber 23 so as to receive the fuel pressure inside the inner fuel introduction passage 62h. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second pressure receiving surface 52a and the first pressure receiving surface 52b of the pressure regulating member 52 are spaced apart radially across the non-pressing intermediate surface 52 d corresponding to the fuel discharge passage 61h, The non-pressurized intermediate surface 52d receives a pressure corresponding to the internal pressure (for example, atmospheric pressure) of the tank 2 and is not substantially pressurized. When the pressure of the pressurized fuel from the fuel pump 11 selectively acts on the second pressure receiving surface portion 52a and the first pressure receiving surface portion 52b of the pressure adjusting member 52, the pressure adjusting member 52 is connected to the inner fuel introduction passage 62h. By connecting and blocking the fuel discharge passage 61h, the pressure of the fuel on the supply side introduced into the inner fuel introduction passage 62h is adjusted to the set pressure, while the outer fuel introduction passage acting on the second pressure receiving surface portion 52a. The set pressure is switched according to the fuel pressure in 67 . Here, the pressure receiving area A1 of the first pressure receiving face 52b pressure-receiving area A2 and the inner of the second pressure receiving surface 52a, is set to be in the area ratio A1 / A2 set in advance.

The passage closing portion 52c of the pressure adjusting member 52 is configured by a flexible cylindrical member 58 made of the same material as the material of the annular membrane member 24. The flexible cylindrical member 58 is configured to adjust the pressure. One end 58 a that is airtightly coupled to the plate-like member 25 around the first pressure receiving surface portion 52 b of the member 52, and the other end 58 b that is airtightly held by the annular inner protrusion 61 of the housing 21. ing. In addition, the flexible tubular member 58 is formed integrally with the annular membrane member 24, thereby constituting a flexible membrane member 59 together with the annular membrane member 24. An annular outer fuel introduction passage 67 is formed between the housing 21 and the flexible membrane member 59 which is a part of the pressure regulating member 22, and this outer fuel introduction passage 67 passes through the fuel introduction port 21a. The pressure feed circuit 10 is connected to a branch passage 15a (supply side branch passage) of the fuel passage 15 which is a circuit portion downstream of the check valve 14.

  Further, the plate-like member 25 has an annular stepped portion 25p on the outer peripheral side thereof, and the holding ring portion 25r is airtight on the outer peripheral side of the stepped portion 25p with a flexible film member 29 interposed therebetween. It is fitted so as to press. That is, the plate-like member 25 of the pressure adjusting member 52 holds the inner peripheral portion of the annular membrane member 24 and the one end portion 58a of the flexible tubular member 58 in an airtight manner between the plate-like member 25 and the pressure-reducing member 52. A holding ring portion 25r is provided.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the outer fuel introduction passage 67, the inner fuel introduction passage 62h, and the fuel discharge passage 61h are respectively arranged on one surface side of the pressure regulating member 52. and the biasing force of the outer fuel introducing passage 67 and the valve-opening direction based on the pressure of the fuel introduced into the inner fuel introducing passage 62h (inner fuel introducing passage 62h and the fuel discharge passage 61h and direction Ru communicates with) an internal, helical compression The inner fuel introduction passage 62h and the fuel discharge passage 61h are communicated and cut off in accordance with the urging force in the valve closing direction from the spring 27 (direction in which the communication between the inner fuel introduction passage 62h and the fuel discharge passage 61h is cut off). It is like that.

  In the fluid pressure adjusting device of the present embodiment, the first fuel introduction passage 67, which is the second fluid introduction passage, is provided without introducing fuel to both sides of the partition-like pressure regulating member 52, and the first Since the pressure of the fuel introduced into the inner fuel introduction passage 62h, which is the fluid introduction passage, can be switched between high pressure and low pressure, piping and seal locations can be reduced and set as in the above-described embodiment. It is possible to provide a low-pressure pressure regulator 50 that is suitable for pressure switching and that is compact and has simple piping.

In addition, the fluid introduced into the outer fuel introduction passage 67 so that the second pressure receiving surface portion 52a of the pressure regulating member 52 receives the fluid pressure is not discharged into the fuel discharge passage 61h. It is not necessary to wastefully discharge the generated fluid for switching the set pressure of the pressure regulator 50, and the power consumption of the fuel pump 11 can be reduced.

  Further, in the fuel supply device of the present embodiment, the pressure of the fuel introduced into the inner fuel introduction passage 62h is increased by simply changing the pressure of the fuel introduced into the outer fuel introduction passage 67 by the pressure regulator 50. Since switching to low pressure is possible, it is possible to provide a low-cost fuel supply device with a small number of pipes and seals and a simple pipe.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the flexible cylindrical members 28 and 58 are illustrated as having conical surface portions. However, it goes without saying that the cylindrical member may be a straight cylindrical shape or a cylindrical member close thereto. Nor. Further, an outer fuel introduction passage 37 (67; reference numerals in the parentheses are the reference numerals of other embodiments) and an inner fuel introduction passage 32h (62h) are provided as a plurality of fuel introduction passages, and the same or different areas corresponding to these are provided. Although the first pressure receiving surface portion 22a ( 52b ) and the second pressure receiving surface portion 22b ( 52a ) are provided, three or more fuel introduction passages are provided instead of the outer fuel introduction passage 37 and the inner fuel introduction passage 32h. It is also conceivable that three or more pressure receiving surface portions corresponding to the above are provided on the pressure adjusting member. That is, one or both of the first pressure receiving surface portion and the second pressure receiving surface portion may be provided.

  Further, the pressure regulating member 22 in the above-described embodiment is configured to include the flexible membrane member 29 and the plate-like plate member 25, but the annular membrane member 24 is slidably held in the housing 21. It may be a piston-shaped member that supports the back surface of the plate-like member 25, and the cylindrical member 28 protrudes from the plate-like member 25 toward the annular inner protrusion 32, and seal ring It is good also as a cylindrical projection part hold | maintained at the annular inner protrusion 32 via the slidable liquid-tightly.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the in-tank fluid pressure adjusting device and the fuel supply device using the in-tank fluid pressure adjusting device are used. However, it goes without saying that the in-tank type fluid pressure adjusting device may be disposed near the delivery pipe. . In addition, the outer cylindrical member 35 (65) and the inner cylindrical member 36 (66) are manufactured separately from the housing 21 and fixed to the housing 21. Needless to say, the shaped member 36 may be molded integrally with the housing 21.

  In the above-described embodiment, the back pressure chamber 26 side is opened in the fuel tank 2, but a closed back pressure chamber is formed on the other surface side of the pressure regulating member 22 in the housing 21, The closed back pressure chamber is filled with other negative or positive pressure compressible fluid (eg air), or a dedicated back pressure supply circuit supplies back pressure fluid to the closed back pressure chamber. -Of course, it is possible to discharge.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the fuel consumption unit is a gasoline engine for vehicles that consumes gasoline. However, it can be used for engines using other fuels, and can be used for engines other than vehicles. Applicable. The present invention can also be applied to cases where the fuel pressure is switched between high pressure and low pressure in various fuel consuming sections that consume fuel and produce some output.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the fluid introduced into the first fluid introduction passage can be obtained only by providing the second fluid introduction passage without introducing the fluid on both sides of the partition-shaped pressure regulating member. Since the pressure can be switched between high pressure and low pressure, it is possible to reduce the number of pipes and seals, and to provide a low-cost fluid pressure regulator that is suitable for switching the set pressure and that is compact and simple in piping. The fluid pressure adjusting device can switch the pressure of the fluid introduced into the first fluid introduction passage between a high pressure and a low pressure simply by changing the pressure of the fuel introduced into the second fluid introduction passage. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a low-cost fuel supply device with a small number of pipes and seals and a simple pipe, and a fuel pump for the fuel of the internal combustion engine. It is useful in the fuel supply device which uses a suitable fluid pressure regulating device and which to adjust the fuel pressure when supplying Luo fuel injection valve.

1 Engine (internal combustion engine, fuel consumption part)
3 Injector (fuel injection valve)
11 Fuel pump 18, 19 Housing member 20, 50 Pressure regulator (fluid pressure adjusting device)
21 Housing 21a, 21c Fuel introduction port 21b Fuel discharge port 22, 52 Pressure adjusting member 22a, 52b First pressure receiving surface portion 22b, 52a Second pressure receiving surface portion 22c, 52c Passage closing portion 23 Pressure adjusting chamber 24 Annular membrane member 25 Plate member 25a One surface side portion 25p Stepped portion 25r Holding ring portion 25v Valve surface 27 Compression coil spring (elastic member, biasing mechanism)
28, 58 Tubular member (flexible tubular member)
29, 59 Flexible membrane member 31, 62 Annular valve seat portion 31h, 61h Fuel discharge passage (fluid discharge passage)
31s, 62s Seal surface 32, 61 Annular inner protrusion 32h Inner fuel introduction passage (second fluid introduction passage)
35, 65 Outer cylindrical member 36, 66 Inner cylindrical member 37 Outer fuel introduction passage (first fluid introduction passage)
40 Set pressure switching mechanism 45 Three-way solenoid valve 62h Inner fuel introduction passage (first fluid introduction passage)
67 Outer fuel introduction passage (second fluid introduction passage)

Claims (7)

A housing in which a plurality of fluid introduction passages for introducing a fluid and a fluid discharge passage for discharging the fluid are formed, and the plurality of fluids according to the pressure of the fluid introduced into the plurality of fluid introduction passages inside the housing A partition-shaped pressure regulating member that communicates and blocks the first fluid introduction passage and the fluid discharge passage among the introduction passages, and the pressure regulating member blocks the first fluid introduction passage and the fluid discharge passage. An urging mechanism for urging in a direction, a fluid pressure adjusting device comprising:
The plurality of fluid introduction passages are disposed on one surface side of the pressure regulating member,
The pressure regulating member receives a pressure of the fluid introduced into the first fluid introduction passage, and a pressure of the fluid introduced into the second fluid introduction passage among the plurality of fluid introduction passages. A fluid pressure adjusting device comprising: a second pressure receiving surface portion to be received; and a passage closing portion that closes the second fluid introduction passage together with the second pressure receiving surface portion and always blocks the fluid discharge passage. The passage blocking portion is hermetically held by one end portion hermetically coupled to the pressure adjusting member on the outer peripheral side or inner peripheral side of the second pressure receiving surface portion of the pressure adjusting member and the annular inner protrusion of the housing. The fluid pressure adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid pressure adjusting device is constituted by a cylindrical member having the other end portion. While the second pressure receiving surface portion of the pressure regulating member is formed by a plate-like member,
The first pressure-receiving surface portion of the pressure adjusting member is formed around the plate-like member by an annular film member that is airtightly coupled to the plate-like member and supported by the housing,
By the flexible tubular member, the passage blocking portion has one end coupled to the plate-like member on the outer peripheral side of the second pressure-receiving surface portion and the other end held by the annular inner protrusion of the housing. The fluid pressure adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid pressure adjusting device is configured. The pressure adjusting member has a holding ring portion that holds and holds an inner peripheral portion of the annular membrane member and one end portion of the flexible tubular member between the plate-like member,
The communication between the first fluid introduction passage and the fluid discharge passage is blocked when the holding ring portion is seated on an annular valve seat portion provided in the housing. Fluid pressure regulator.   5. A valve surface of the holding ring portion seated on the annular valve seat portion is wider in a radial direction than a seal surface of the annular valve seat portion facing the valve surface. The fluid pressure adjusting device described in 1. The annular membrane member and the flexible cylindrical member are integrally formed to constitute a flexible membrane member,
The plate-shaped member has an annular stepped portion on the outer peripheral side, and the holding ring portion is fitted on the outer periphery of the stepped portion with the flexible film member interposed therebetween. Item 6. The fluid pressure adjusting device according to Item 4 or 5.   A fluid pressure adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided, and the pressure of fuel supplied to a fuel consumption part of an internal combustion engine is regulated by the fluid pressure adjusting device. A fuel supply device.

Images