JP6338181B2 - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel supply device that mainly supplies fuel to a fuel injection valve of an engine, and in particular, has a fuel take-out pipe at one end and a mounting flange attached to a fuel tank at the other end, and has an opening in the fuel tank. The present invention relates to an improvement in a fuel supply apparatus in which a first housing made of a synthetic resin having a base portion to be closed and a second housing which is held in a fuel tank and holds a fuel pump are connected to each other.

  Such a fuel supply apparatus is already known as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707.

JP 2009-235942 A

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a first housing attached to a fuel tank has a discharge port receiving cylinder fitted to the outer periphery of a discharge port of a fuel pump, and a regulator holding cylinder extending parallel to the pressure holding cylinder. And a reinforcing cylinder that surrounds the regulator holding cylinder via a bottomed gap, and a plurality of radially arranged ribs that connect the regulator holding cylinder and the reinforcing cylinder across the gap. Yes. In this configuration, the holding force of the regulator holding cylinder with respect to the pressure regulator can be strengthened by the reinforcing cylinder and the rib, and the opening / closing vibration sound of the valve body generated by the pressure regulator can be absorbed by the gap.

  However, since the regulator holding cylinder and the reinforcing cylinder are formed in the first housing attached to the fuel tank, the gap between the ribs cannot be a through hole that allows fuel to flow. For this reason, the gap has a bottom, and a lot of meat is present on the bottom side, which may cause molding defects such as shrinkage and nest in the first housing.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides the fuel supply device described above, in which the waste around the regulator holding cylinder and the reinforcing cylinder is reduced and the molding failure of the housing is eliminated. Objective.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is made of a synthetic resin having a base for closing a fuel tank opening having a fuel take-out pipe at one end and a mounting flange attached to the fuel tank at the other end. In the fuel supply device in which the first housing and the second housing that holds the fuel pump and is disposed in the fuel tank are connected to each other, the second housing is fitted on the outer periphery of the discharge port of the fuel pump. A discharge port receiving cylinder, a regulator holding cylinder that extends parallel to the discharge port receiving cylinder and holds the pressure regulator, a reinforcing cylinder that surrounds the regulator holding cylinder via a gap, and the discharge cylinder through the gap. A communication fuel pipe that communicates between the port receiving cylinder and the regulator holding cylinder, and the regulator holding cylinder and the reinforcing cylinder are connected across the gap. And the number of ribs formed integrally, said air gap, said both end surface side of the regulator holding tube was opened and also disposing the air gap on the periphery of the communicating fuel pipe facing these both end faces Is the first feature.

  In addition to the first feature, the second feature of the present invention is that the gap between the ribs is a through hole along the axial direction of the regulator holding cylinder.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the discharge port receiving cylinder, the regulator holding cylinder, the reinforcing cylinder and the rib which are parallel to each other are integrally formed on the second housing, so that these can be easily formed by a split mold. can do. In addition, the gap between the regulator holding cylinder and the reinforcing cylinder is open at both end faces of the regulator holding cylinder, and a gap is also provided at the peripheral edge of the communication fuel pipe facing the both end faces. The waste around the cylinder, the reinforcing cylinder and the communication fuel pipe is reduced, and the molding failure of the second housing can be eliminated. Moreover, the holding force of the regulator holding cylinder with respect to the pressure regulator is reinforced by the reinforcing cylinder and the rib. Further, since the regulator holding cylinder is covered with a gap over substantially the entire length thereof, the opening / closing vibration sound of the valve body in the pressure regulator can be effectively absorbed by the gap.

  According to the second feature of the present invention, not only the molding of the rib and the gap is facilitated, but also the visual line inspection after the molding of the second housing covers the entire inner surface of the gap and easily finds a molding defect. be able to.

The perspective view of the fuel supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The disassembled perspective view of the fuel supply apparatus. FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow 3 in FIG. 4-4 sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. Explanatory drawing of the insertion procedure of the fuel supply apparatus to the opening part of a fuel tank bottom plate.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, the present invention supplies the fuel in the fuel tank T to the fuel injection valve (not shown) of the engine on the bottom plate Ta (see FIG. 4) of the fuel tank T mounted on the vehicle. The fuel supply device D is attached.

  The fuel supply device D includes a first housing 1 made of synthetic resin attached to a bottom plate Ta of a fuel tank T, and a second housing made of synthetic resin connected to the first housing 1 and disposed in the fuel tank T. 2 and a fuel pump 4 held between the housings 1 and 2.

  The first housing 1 has a bottomed cylindrical base having a fuel take-out pipe 5 at the bottom and a mounting flange 6 attached around the opening Tb of the bottom plate Ta of the fuel tank T at the top to close the opening Tb. And a pair of arc-shaped pump holding walls 8 rising from the bottom of the base 7, and an inner peripheral edge of the mounting flange 6 so as to surround the lower part of the pump holding walls 8 to hold the pump An enclosure wall 10 that defines a fuel reservoir 9 between the wall 8 and a lower descending fuel pipe 11 that is in communication with the fuel take-out pipe 5 and rises from the bottom of the base part 7 are formed integrally. The fuel pipe 11 is integrally connected to the inner peripheral portion of the enclosure wall 10. The fuel reservoir 9 receives the fuel in the fuel tank T through the notch 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the enclosure wall 10. The fuel take-out pipe 5 can supply fuel to a fuel injection valve of an engine (not shown).

  The pair of pump holding walls 8 are arranged so as to constitute mutually opposite side walls of the cylindrical body, and the fuel pump 4 is fitted on the inner periphery of these pump holding walls 8 from above. A bottom stopper 13 (see FIG. 6) that stands from the bottom of the base portion 7 and supports the bottom of the fuel pump 4 is continuously provided on the lower inner surface of the one pump holding wall 8.

  The fuel pump 4 has a suction port 15 projecting from its lower end surface, and a T-shaped suction pipe 16 is connected to the suction port 15. The inlet of the suction pipe 16 is accommodated in the fuel reservoir 9. A filter 17 having a circular arc cross section is connected.

  In FIG. 5, a vapor discharge pipe 18 that discharges vapor generated in the fuel pump 4 is connected to the lower end surface of the fuel pump 4. The vapor discharge pipe 18 extends upward along the side surface of the fuel pump 4, and a cylindrical filter 19 having an open upper end is attached to an upper end portion thereof. The vapor discharge pipe 18 is integrally provided with a large diameter portion 18a below the cylindrical filter 19, and an orifice 20 is provided in the large diameter portion 18a.

  3, 4, and 6, the second housing 2 includes a pair of fitting walls 22 having a circular arc cross section, and a discharge port receiving cylinder 23 that connects one side portions of both the fitting walls 22. A cylindrical regulator holding cylinder 24, and a cylindrical reinforcing cylinder 26 that connects the other side portions of the fitting walls 22 while enclosing the regulator holding cylinder 24 through a gap 25 over substantially the entire length thereof; A plurality of radially arranged ribs 27 connecting the regulator holding cylinder 24 and the reinforcing cylinder 26 across the gap 25, an upper descending fuel pipe 28 connected to one side of the discharge port receiving cylinder 23, and the upper descending A cover cylinder 29 connected to one side portion of the fuel pipe 28 is integrally formed. The upper descending fuel pipe 28 and the regulator holding cylinder 24 are arranged on both sides of the discharge port receiving cylinder 23, and a communication fuel pipe 30 arranged linearly and horizontally so as to connect these three members 23, 24, 28 is provided. It is formed integrally with the second housing 2. A rectangular boss 31, which is connected to the reinforcing cylinder 26 and has a long side in the horizontal direction, is connected to the end of the communication fuel pipe 30 on the regulator holding cylinder 24 side, and is inserted from the boss 31. A communication hole 30 a is formed in the communication fuel pipe 30 for communicating the inside of the regulator holding cylinder 24, the discharge port receiving cylinder 23, and the upper descending fuel pipe 28.

  The opening in the boss 31 of the communication hole 30a from which the core pin is drawn out is closed by a synthetic resin plug body 32 having a seal member 33 mounted on the outer periphery.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a support plate 35 is formed on the head of the plug body 32, and extends from both ends of the support plate 35 in parallel with the plug body 32 and arranged on both sides of the plug body 32. A pair of elastic hooks 36 extend. On the other hand, the boss 31 has a pair of through-holes 37 through which the pair of elastic hooks 36 can pass, and a locking claw 38 that is located at the back of the through-holes 37 and can be engaged with the elastic hooks 36. Is provided.

  Thus, when the plug body 32 is fitted into the opening of the communication hole 30 a and the elastic hook 36 is inserted into the through hole 37 and the plug body 32 is pushed in, the elastic hook 36 engages with the locking claw 38. Thus, the plug body 32 is fixed to the boss 31 and is held in a state in which the seal member 33 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole 30a. The elastic hook 36 and the locking claw 38 constitute a second snap fit mechanism 55.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the pair of fitting walls 22 are arranged so as to constitute mutually opposite side walls of the cylindrical body, and the lower part thereof is fitted to the outer periphery of the small diameter part 4 a of the upper part of the fuel pump 4. At the same time, it is fitted to the inner periphery of the pump holding wall 8. The pump holding wall 8 and the fitting wall 22 hold the fuel pump 4 in cooperation.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel pump 4 has a discharge port 43 protruding from its upper end surface, and this discharge port 43 is fitted to the inner periphery of the discharge port receiving cylinder 23 via a seal member 44. . The upper descending fuel pipe 28 is fitted to the upper end of the lower descending fuel pipe 11 via a seal member 45. Therefore, the fuel discharged from the discharge port 43 of the fuel pump 4 is supplied to the fuel take-out pipe 5 through the upper down fuel pipe 28 and the lower down fuel pipe 11 from the communication hole 30a.

  An outer cylinder 48a of the pressure regulator 48 is press-fitted into the inner circumference of the regulator holding cylinder 24, and the lower cylinder 48a is fixed by caulking the lower end portion of the regulator holding cylinder 24 inward. The pressure regulator 48 releases the excess pressure of the fuel discharged from the discharge port 43 of the fuel pump 4 into the communication hole 30a into the fuel tank T, and supplies the fuel pressure supplied from the fuel take-out pipe 5 to the fuel injection valve. It is adjusted to a predetermined value.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the cover cylinder 29 is fitted to the outer periphery of the large diameter portion 18 a while covering the cylindrical filter 19 of the vapor discharge pipe 18. Thus, the vapor discharged from the fuel pump 4 to the vapor discharge pipe 18 moves from the cylindrical filter 19 or its upper opening to the cover cylinder 29 and is discharged into the fuel tank T through the orifice 20 of the large diameter portion 18a. The When the pressure in the vapor discharge pipe 18 becomes negative, the fuel in the fuel tank T flows from the orifice 20 into the cover cylinder 29 to a certain level, is filtered by the cylindrical filter 19 and is sucked into the fuel pump 4. Will be.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a sensor support arm 49 adjacent to one side of the boss 31 projects horizontally from one side of the reinforcing cylinder 26. A liquid level sensor 50 is attached to the tip of the sensor support arm 49, and a swing arm that supports the float 51 floating on the fuel liquid level in the fuel tank T at the tip of the rotor 50a of the liquid level sensor 50. 52 are connected. Thus, when the fuel level in the fuel tank T rises and falls due to fuel replenishment to the fuel tank T and fuel consumption in the engine, the float 51 rises and lowers accordingly, so that the level change of the fuel level fluctuates. The swing angle of the arm 52 is transmitted to the liquid level sensor 50, and the liquid level sensor 50 outputs a liquid level signal to a display unit (not shown).

  The discharge port receiving cylinder 23, the regulator holding cylinder 24, the reinforcing cylinder 26, the upper descending fuel pipe 28 and the cover cylinder 29 are arranged in parallel with the fitting wall 22. As a result, the fitting wall 22, the discharge port receiving cylinder 23, the regulator holding cylinder 24, the reinforcing cylinder 26, the upper descending fuel pipe 28, the cover cylinder 29 and the rib 27 can be easily formed by a split mold. Become.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gap 25 between the regulator holding cylinder 24 and the reinforcing cylinder 26 opens both ends of the regulator holding cylinder 24, and the communication fuel pipe 30 faces the both ends. An air gap 25 is also provided at the peripheral edge of each. By doing so, the waste around the regulator holding cylinder 24, the reinforcing cylinder 26 and the communication fuel pipe 30 is reduced, and the molding failure of the second housing 2 can be eliminated. Moreover, the holding force of the regulator holding cylinder 24 against the pressure regulator 48 is reinforced by the reinforcing cylinder 26 and the rib 27, and the opening / closing vibration sound of the valve body in the pressure regulator 48 is generated by the gap 25 covering the regulator holding cylinder 24 over substantially the entire length. Effectively absorbed. Further, the air gap 25 allows the fuel in the fuel tank T to flow.

  The gaps 25 between the plurality of ribs 27 are through holes along the axial direction of the regulator holding cylinder 24. Therefore, not only the rib 27 and the gap 25 can be easily molded, but also the visual line after the molding of the second housing 2 reaches the entire inner surface of the gap 25 and a molding defect can be easily found.

  The pump holding wall 8 and the fitting wall 22 are connected to each other via a plurality of snap fit mechanisms 55. Next, the snap-fit mechanism 55 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A plurality (a pair in the illustrated example) of elastic pieces 56 that extend upward from the fitting wall 22 while being in contact with the outer surface of the fitting wall 22 are integrally connected to the upper ends of the pair of pump holding walls 8. . Therefore, the two sets of elastic pieces 56 are arranged opposite to each other with the central axis of the fuel pump 4 interposed therebetween, and a locking hole 57 is provided at the upper end portion of each elastic piece 56. Each elastic piece 56 can be bent radially outward against its own elastic force. On the other hand, a plurality of locking claws 58 that can engage with the plurality of locking holes 57 are integrally projected on the outer surface of the fitting wall 22. The lower surface 58a of each locking claw 58 is an inclined surface that is inclined upward in a direction away from the outer surface of the fitting wall 22, and the upper surface 58b is a horizontal surface. The snap fit mechanism 55 is comprised by the above.

  Thus, the fitting wall 22 is fitted to the inner circumference of the pump holding wall 8 and the outer circumference of the fuel pump 4, and the discharge port receiving cylinder 23 is fitted to the outer circumference of the discharge port 43 of the fuel pump 4. When the descending fuel pipe 28 is fitted to the lower descending fuel pipe 11 and the cover cylinder 29 is further fitted to the large diameter portion 18a of the vapor discharge pipe 18, each elastic piece 56 has a claw at its upper end. When the fuel pump 4 is held by the fitting wall 22 and the pump holding wall 8 when the fuel pump 4 is bent radially outward along the inclined surface 58a of the 58, the elastic claw 58 and the locking hole 57 are aligned. By returning 56 so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the fitting wall 22 by its elastic force, the locking claw 58 and the locking hole 57 can be automatically engaged with each other. Then, the upper edge portion of the locking hole 57 contacts the horizontal surface of the locking claw 58, so that the locking hole 57 is prevented from being detached from the locking claw 58. Thus, the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are connected via the plurality of snap fit mechanisms 55.

  In order to release the engagement of the snap-fit mechanism 55, all the elastic pieces 56 may be bent simultaneously outward in the radial direction to disengage the locking holes 57 from the locking claws 58. 2 can be separated.

  A pair of arc-shaped regulating walls 60 that are in contact with the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the elastic piece 56 are formed integrally with the second housing 2 in order to restrict the bending of the elastic piece 56 in the radially outward direction. Since the regulating wall 60 in contact with the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the elastic piece 56 is separated downward from the locking claw 58, the elastic piece 56 is allowed to bend outward in the radial direction, and the snap fit mechanism 55 is released. Enable. At that time, one end of the restriction wall 60 is integrally connected to the sensor support arm 49 and the cover tube 29, and an intermediate portion thereof is integrally connected to the one fitting wall 22 via the rib 61. . In the other regulating wall 60, both end portions thereof are integrally connected to the reinforcing cylinder 26 and the upper descending fuel pipe 28, and an intermediate portion thereof is integrally connected to the other fitting wall 22 via a rib 61. The inner side surface 60a of each regulating wall 60 is formed as a slope inclined so as to go outward in the radial direction.

  As described above, the restriction wall 60 formed in the second housing 2 restricts the elastic piece 56 from bending outward in the radial direction. Therefore, even if the elastic piece 56 receives vibration from the engine or the like, the elastic piece 56 overflows. Therefore, the snap fit mechanism 55 can be maintained in an engaged state. Further, when the elastic piece 56 is bent radially outward in order to release the engagement of the snap fit mechanism 55, the elastic piece 56 follows the inclined inner surface of the regulating wall 60 as compared with the case where there is no inclined surface. Thus, the stress received by the elastic piece 56 from the regulating wall 60 can be dispersed to ensure the durability thereof, and the operation load for bending the elastic piece 56 can be reduced.

  The plurality of snap fit mechanisms 55 configured as described above are disposed above the enclosure wall 10 that covers the outer periphery of the filter 17 and inside the enclosure wall 10 in plan view. By doing so, the snap fit mechanism 55 can be reduced in diameter without increasing the diameter of the fuel supply device D despite having a relatively large thickness in the radial direction. Therefore, even if the opening Tb of the bottom plate Ta of the fuel tank T has a relatively small diameter, the fuel supply device D can be inserted into the opening Tb.

  In particular, the snap fit mechanism 55 is formed on each of the elastic pieces 56 extending from the upper end of the pump holding wall 8, the elastic pieces 56 and the fitting wall 22, and engages with each other by the elastic force of the elastic pieces 56. Since the engaging hole 57 and the engaging claw 58 are configured, the snap fit mechanism 55 can be prevented from increasing in diameter even at the upper part of the fuel supply device D, and the snap fit mechanism 55 can be engaged and released. Can be easily performed without being obstructed by the surrounding wall 10 or the mounting flange 6.

  The upper descending fuel pipe 28 and the cover cylinder 29 are arranged between one side of the two sets of elastic pieces 56, and the regulator holding cylinder 24 is arranged between the other side of the two sets of elastic pieces 56. . By doing so, the dead space between the two sets of elastic pieces 56 can be used for the arrangement of the upper descending fuel pipe 28, the cover cylinder 29, and the regulator holding cylinder 24, and the diameter of the upper part of the fuel supply device D can be reduced. be able to. Further, since the upper descending fuel pipe 28, the cover cylinder 29, and the regulator holding cylinder 24 are integrally connected to each other via the restriction wall 60, the strength of the second housing 2 can be increased.

  Since the upper descending fuel pipe 28 and the cover cylinder 29 are disposed between one ends of the two sets of elastic pieces 56, the lower descending fuel pipe 11 and the vapor discharge pipe 18 corresponding to the upper descending fuel pipe 28 and the cover cylinder 29, respectively. Is disposed between the fuel pump 4 and the surrounding wall 10 between one side of the pair of pump holding walls 8. In this way, the dead space between the fuel pump 4 and the enclosure wall 10 can be used for the arrangement of the lower descending fuel pipe 11 and the vapor discharge pipe 18, and an increase in the diameter of the lower part of the fuel supply device D can be suppressed. Can do.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 8, on the other hand, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the fuel pump 4 protrudes from the other side of the pair of pump holding walls 8, and the protruding portion 4b The reinforcing cylinder 26 and the sensor support arm 49 are disposed above the sensor. Thus, when attaching the fuel supply device D to the bottom plate Ta of the fuel tank T, first, as shown in FIG. 8, the fuel supply device D is tilted and the sensor support arm 49 side is inserted into the opening Tb of the bottom plate Ta. Then, the protruding portion 4b of the fuel pump 4 is brought into contact with one side of the inner peripheral edge of the opening Tb, and the contact portion raises the fulcrum and the fuel supply device D vertically, and then the fuel supply device. D is pushed up, and the mounting flange 6 is overlapped with the lower surface of the bottom plate Ta and joined.

  As described above, when the fuel supply device D is rotated from the inclined posture to the standing posture, the protruding portion 4b of the fuel pump 4 from between the pair of pump holding walls 8 is arranged on one side of the inner peripheral edge of the opening Tb. The center of the fuel supply device D can be brought as close as possible to one side of the opening Tb, and the fuel supply device D can be easily inserted even when the opening Tb is relatively small.

  Further, the boss 31 and the second snap fit mechanism 55 for fixing the plug body 32 to the boss 31 are arranged adjacent to the base of the sensor support arm 49, so that the boss 31 and the second snap fit mechanism are arranged. 55 does not hinder the insertion of the fuel supply device D into the opening Tb.

  Further, the upper descending fuel pipe 28 and the cover cylinder 29 are arranged on the opposite side of the fuel pump 4 from the protruding portion 4b with the center of the fuel supply device D interposed therebetween. A chamfer 62 is formed at the corner of the upper end portion of the cylinder 29 opposite to the protruding direction of the sensor support arm 49. Due to the presence of the chamfer 62, when the fuel supply device D is rotated from the inclined posture to the standing posture as described above, the upper descending fuel pipe 28 and the cover cylinder 29 are located on the opening Tb on the side opposite to the fulcrum. It becomes easy to avoid interference with the inner peripheral edge, and even when the opening Tb is relatively small, the fuel supply device D can be more easily inserted.

  A coupler 63 protruding to the side of the base portion 7 is formed integrally with the lower portion of the base portion 7, and the coupler 63 holds the terminal 64 for the fuel pump 4 and the terminal 65 for the liquid level sensor 50. The

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the base portion 7 of the first housing 1 can be attached to the ceiling plate of the fuel tank T. Further, the locking hole 57 of the snap-fit mechanism 55 can be a bottomed hole instead of a through hole.

D ... Fuel supply device T ... Fuel tank Tb ... Opening 1 ... First housing 2 ... Second housing 4 ... Fuel pump 5 ... Fuel take-out pipe 6 ... Mounting flange 7 ... Base part 23 ... Discharge port receiving cylinder 24 ... Regulator holding cylinder 25 ... Air gap 26 ... ... Reinforcing cylinder 27 ... Rib 30 ... Communication fuel pipe 43 ... Discharge port 48 ... Pressure regulator

Claims (2)

A base part (7) having a fuel take-off pipe (5) at one end and a mounting flange (6) attached to the fuel tank (T) at the other end to close the opening (Tb) of the fuel tank (T) A fuel supply apparatus comprising a first housing (1) made of synthetic resin and a second housing (2) that holds the fuel pump (4) and is disposed in the fuel tank (T). ,
The second housing (2) has a discharge port receiving cylinder (23) fitted to the outer periphery of the discharge port (43) of the fuel pump (4), and extends in parallel with the discharge port receiving cylinder (23). A regulator holding cylinder (24) holding the pressure regulator (48), a reinforcing cylinder (26) surrounding the regulator holding cylinder (24) via a gap (25), and the discharge through the gap (25). The connecting fuel pipe (30) communicating between the port receiving cylinder (23) and the regulator holding cylinder (24) and the regulator holding cylinder (24) and the reinforcing cylinder (26) are connected across the gap (25). A plurality of ribs (27) are formed integrally, and both end surfaces of the regulator holding cylinder (24) of the gap (25) are opened, and the communication fuel pipe (30) facing the both end surfaces is opened . Also at the periphery The fuel supply apparatus being characterized in that disposed the serial gap (25). The fuel supply device according to claim 1,
The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the gap (25) between the ribs (27) is a through hole along the axial direction of the regulator holding cylinder (24).

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