JPH11264352A - Fuel tank change-over device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily change-over main and sub fuel tanks and confirm the change-over from a driver's seat without getting off a vehicle. SOLUTION: In this fuel tank switching device, a solenoid three-way valve 16 is interposed in a fuel supply pipe 14 to be communicated with an engine 13 and selectively communicated with a main fuel tank 11 and a sub fuel tank 12, fuel gauge units 18, 19 for detecting the oil amounts are respectively provided on both fuel tanks 11, 12, and a pilot lamp 21 for indicating the use of the sub fuel tank, a fuel gauge 22 for indicating the oil amount of the main or sub fuel tank and a change-over switch 20 are provided on a driver's seat. In this case, when the selector switch 20 is on, the solenoid three-way valve 16 is selected to the sub fuel tank 12 side to turn on the pilot lamp 21 and the fuel gauge unit 19 of the sub fuel tank. While, when the change-over switch 20 is off, the fuel gauge unit 18 of the main fuel tank is turned on.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for switching between a main fuel tank and a sub fuel tank mounted on an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a vehicle is equipped with a plurality of fuel tanks, an auxiliary fuel tank (sub-tank) is added to the already installed main fuel tank (main tank), and the main tank and the sub-tank are disposed below the main fuel tank (main tank). Were generally connected to each other by a sub hose with a cock interposed.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the main tank 11 and the sub tank 12 are juxtaposed along a frame 25, and the main tank 11 is provided with an engine (injection pump) (not shown) and a supply pipe 14 (not shown). And return pipe 15
It is communicated with. The lower portion of the main tank 11 and the lower portion of the sub tank 12 are connected to each other by a sub hose 31 having a cock 32 interposed therebetween.

A fuel gauge unit 18 for detecting the amount of oil is provided only in the main tank 11, and is connected to a fuel gauge (not shown) in a driver's seat by wiring. In addition, the same thing as the main tank 11 is often used for the sub-tank 12 with the unnecessary portion covered.

Therefore, in order to use the fuel in the sub-tank 12, the cock 32 must be manually operated, and for that purpose, the driver must get off and operate, and the switching cannot be performed during traveling. There is a problem that the remaining fuel in the fuel cell 12 cannot be confirmed in the driver's seat.

The sub tank 12 and the main tank 11
Obstacles that exist between them, such as tires, axles, etc.
In order to avoid this, the sub hose 31 may be disposed above. However, if the sub hose 31 is disposed above, there is a problem that fuel may not flow from the sub tank 12 to the main tank 11.

In some cases, the sub-tank 12 is provided at a location away from the main tank 11 for installation space and weight distribution. In this case, the sub-hose 31 becomes very long. By
Fuel will not flow easily. In addition, there is an inconvenience that the longer the sub hose 31 is, the more easily it is damaged.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank can be easily arranged in the driver's seat without the driver getting off the vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank switching device capable of performing switching and confirming the switching.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel tank switching device in which a main fuel tank and a sub fuel tank are mounted on a vehicle, and a fuel pipe connected to an engine is switched between the main fuel tank and the sub fuel tank. In the fuel tank switching device, an electromagnetic three-way valve is interposed in each of a fuel supply pipe and a fuel return pipe communicating with the engine so that the main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank can be switched, and the fuel amount is supplied to both fuel tanks. A fuel gauge unit for detecting the use of the auxiliary fuel tank, a fuel gauge for displaying the amount of oil in the main fuel tank or the auxiliary fuel tank, and a changeover switch are provided in the driver's seat, and the changeover switch is turned on. At this time, the two electromagnetic three-way valves are switched to the auxiliary fuel tank side, and the pilot lamp and the fuel gauge unit of the auxiliary fuel tank are turned on. Instead of the switch is in the OFF is a fuel gauge unit of the main fuel tank so as to be ON.

A fuel tank switching device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a fuel tank switching device in which a main fuel tank and a sub fuel tank are mounted on a vehicle, and a fuel pipe communicating with an engine is switched between the main fuel tank and the sub fuel tank. , An electromagnetic three-way valve is interposed in the fuel supply pipe communicating with the engine, the main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank are switchably connected, a fuel return pipe is connected to the main fuel tank, and the oil is supplied to both fuel tanks. A fuel gauge unit for detecting the amount is provided, and a pilot lamp for displaying the use of the auxiliary fuel tank, a fuel gauge for displaying the amount of oil in the main fuel tank or the auxiliary fuel tank, and a changeover switch are provided in the driver's seat, and the changeover switch is turned on. In this case, the electromagnetic three-way valve interposed in the fuel supply pipe is switched to the auxiliary fuel tank side, and the pilot lamp and the fuel gauge unit of the auxiliary fuel tank are switched. And N, wherein the changeover switch is O
Turn on the fuel gauge unit of the main fuel tank during FF
It is configured so that

According to the present invention having such a configuration, when the main fuel tank is normally filled with fuel, if the selector switch is turned off, the electromagnetic three-way valve connects the main fuel tank to the fuel pipe. The fuel gauge indicates the amount of oil in the main fuel tank.

When the remaining amount of the main fuel tank becomes small and the changeover switch is turned on, the electromagnetic three-way valve is turned on.
Then, the connection with the fuel pipe is switched to the auxiliary fuel tank, the pilot lamp is turned on, and the fuel gauge is switched to the auxiliary fuel tank. Here, the operation of turning on the changeover switch can be easily performed in the driver's seat. Therefore, the driver does not need to get off every time the fuel tank is switched to the auxiliary fuel tank.

If the electric system fails, the electromagnetic three-way valve is in a state where the fuel pipe is connected to the main fuel tank side (the side where the remaining amount of fuel is small), which is safe.

Further, according to the present invention, if the changeover switch is linked to the gauge unit of the main fuel tank, automatic changeover is possible.

In addition, according to the present invention, since both the main fuel tank and the sub fuel tank are connected to the engine via the fuel supply pipe, the sub hose, which is essential in the prior art, is provided. Becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the layout of the main fuel tank and the sub fuel tank is increased, and it becomes difficult for the fuel to flow due to the position and length of the sub hose, or (when the sub hose is damaged). ) Fuel leakage is completely prevented.

According to the second invention, in addition to the above, the electromagnetic three-way valve is provided only on the fuel supply pipe side, so that the piping can be simplified.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, electromagnetic three-way valves 16 and 17 are provided in a fuel supply pipe 14 for supplying fuel to the engine 13 and a fuel return pipe 15 from the engine 13, respectively. Here, the electromagnetic three-way valves 16 and 17 are connected to a power supply OF.
At the time of F (when a changeover switch 20 to be described later is OFF), it is switched to communicate with the main tank 11 side, and when ON (when a changeover switch 20 to be described later is ON), it is switched to communicate with the sub tank 12 side.

The main fuel tank (main fuel tank) 11 and the sub fuel tank (sub fuel tank) 12 each have a fuel gauge unit 18 for detecting the amount of oil,
The gauge units 18 and 19 are provided.
Are wired to a changeover switch 20 provided in the driver's seat and described later. The wiring from the changeover switch 20 to the fuel gauge unit 19 on the sub-tank side is branched to a pilot lamp 21 and is connected to the electromagnetic three-way valve 1.
It also branches to 6 and 17. The changeover switch 2
It is also wired from 0 to the fuel gauge 22.

FIG. 2 shows the connection relationship of the changeover switch 20. When the changeover switch 20 shown in the center of FIG. 2 is turned off, the terminals 1 and 2 are connected. Therefore, the fuel gauge 2
A circuit is formed through the terminal 2 to the terminal 1 and from the terminal 2 to the fuel gauge unit 18 of the main tank, and the fuel gauge 22 and the fuel gauge unit 18 are connected.

When the changeover switch 20 is turned on,
Terminals 1 and 3 are connected, and terminals 4, 5, and 6 are connected to each other. Therefore, a circuit is formed from the ignition switch 23 to the terminal 1 via the fuel gauge 22 and from the terminal 3 to the fuel gauge unit 19 of the sub tank.
The fuel gauge 22 and the fuel gauge unit 19 are connected.

A circuit from the ignition switch 23 to the terminal 4 via the pilot lamp 21 and from the terminal 6 to the ground, and a circuit from the ignition switch 23 to the terminal 5 via the electromagnetic three-way valves 16 and 17 and the terminal 6
From the ground to the ground, the three-way solenoid valves 16, 17
And the pilot lamp 21 is energized.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, it is determined whether the fuel in the main tank 11 has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount. If step S1 is "Yes", the changeover switch 20 is turned on (step S2).

When the changeover switch 20 is turned on, the electromagnetic three-way valves 16 and 17 are energized, the fuel supply pipe 14 and the fuel return pipe 15 are connected to the sub tank 12 side, the pilot lamp 21 is turned on, and the main tank 11 is turned on. The fuel gauge unit 18 is turned off, and the fuel gauge unit 19 of the sub tank 12 is turned on to connect to the fuel gauge 22 (step S3).

Next, it is determined in step S4 whether or not fuel has been supplied. If step S4 is "No", the process of step S3 is continued. Step S4 is "Yes"
If so, the process returns to step S1.

When the step S1 is "No", the changeover switch 20 is OFF as it is, the electromagnetic three-way valves 16 and 17 are OFF, and the fuel supply pipe 14 and the fuel return pipe 15 are connected to the main tank 11 side. In communication, the pilot lamp 21 is not turned on, the fuel gauge unit 19 of the sub tank 12 is turned off, and the fuel gauge unit 18 of the main tank 11 is turned on and connected to the fuel gauge 22 (step S5). Then, the process returns to step S1.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows the connection relationship of the changeover switch 20. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the fuel return pipe 15 is
And is not connected to the sub tank 12. Therefore, the electromagnetic three-way valve 16 is provided only on the fuel supply pipe 14 side and not provided on the fuel return pipe 15 side.

Therefore, compared to the above embodiment, only one solenoid three-way valve is required, and the piping can be simplified. The fuel is returned to the main tank 11 when the fuel supply pipe 14 is switched to the sub-tank 12 side. However, the fuel is supplied to the engine when the fuel supply pipe 14 is switched to the main tank 11 again. Does not occur.

[0028]

According to the present invention, as described above, the driver can switch between the main tank (main fuel tank) and the sub tank (sub fuel tank) at the driver's seat without getting off the vehicle. .

Then, the problem of the layout (layout) of the sub hose connecting the main tank and the sub tank in the related art is solved, and there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the sub tank installation position is increased.

Further, in the prior art, when the sub hose connecting the main tank and the sub tank is very long, measures for preventing damage to the sub hose must be taken into consideration. According to the method, the sub-hose itself becomes unnecessary, so that it is not necessary to consider measures for preventing the damage.

Further, the switching between the main tank and the sub tank can be automated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the electromagnetic three-way valve is provided only on the fuel supply pipe side, the piping can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining connection of a changeover switch of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing functions of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining connection of a changeover switch according to the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a conventional main / sub fuel tank mounted state.

FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Main tank 12 ... Sub tank 13 ... Engine 14 ... Fuel supply pipe 15 ... Fuel return pipe 16 ... Electromagnetic three-way valve (supply pipe) 17 ... Electromagnetic three-way valve (return) Tube) 18 Fuel gauge unit (main tank) 19 Fuel gauge unit (sub tank) 20 Changeover switch 21 Pilot lamp 22 Fuel gauge

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A fuel tank switching device in which a main fuel tank and a sub fuel tank are mounted on a vehicle, and a fuel pipe communicating with an engine is switched between the main fuel tank and the sub fuel tank.
A fuel gauge unit for switching between the main fuel tank and the sub fuel tank by interposing an electromagnetic three-way valve in each of the fuel supply pipe and the fuel return pipe communicating with the engine, and detecting the amount of oil in each of the fuel tanks A pilot lamp for displaying the use of the auxiliary fuel tank, a fuel gauge for displaying the amount of oil in the main fuel tank or the auxiliary fuel tank, and a changeover switch are provided in the driver's seat. The three-way valve is switched to the auxiliary fuel tank side, the pilot lamp and the fuel gauge unit of the auxiliary fuel tank are turned on, and when the switch is off, the fuel gauge unit of the main fuel tank is turned on. A fuel tank switching device. 2. A fuel tank switching device in which a main fuel tank and a sub fuel tank are mounted on a vehicle, and a fuel pipe communicating with an engine is switched between the main fuel tank and the sub fuel tank.
An electromagnetic three-way valve is interposed in the fuel supply pipe communicating with the engine, and the main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank are switchably connected to each other.
A fuel return pipe is connected to the main fuel tank, a fuel gauge unit is provided for both fuel tanks to detect the amount of oil, and a pilot lamp indicating the use of the auxiliary fuel tank is provided in the driver's seat, and the amount of oil in the main fuel tank or the auxiliary fuel tank. Is provided and a changeover switch is provided.
In the case of N, the electromagnetic three-way valve interposed in the fuel supply pipe is switched to the auxiliary fuel tank side and the pilot lamp and the fuel gauge unit of the auxiliary fuel tank are turned on. A fuel tank switching device configured to turn on a fuel gauge unit of a tank.