JP2000301958A - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a fuel supply device capable of supplying fuel stably for a long time even when a vehicle body is tilted. A fuel inlet (17) is formed in a reservoir (4b) containing a fuel pump (5). The fuel inlet 17 is opened at a location where the vehicle opens upward when the vehicle inclines, such as when the support stand of a motorcycle stands or when the front of the vehicle is higher than the rear of the vehicle and rises forward. Is done. A labyrinth 19 is formed inside the fuel inlet 17. This makes it difficult for the fuel in the sub-tank 16 to flow out of the fuel intake port 17 even when the vehicle is tilted, so that the fuel can be stably supplied to the engine for a long time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel supply apparatus, and more particularly to a technique effective when applied to an in-tank type fuel supply apparatus in which a fuel pump is disposed in a fuel tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a so-called in-tank type device in which a fuel pump, a strainer, and the like are disposed in a fuel tank has been widely used as a fuel supply device for a motorcycle or a four-wheeled vehicle.

Here, in such an in-tank type apparatus, a sub-tank is often formed in a fuel tank so as to prevent the fuel supply from being cut off due to a slope, shaking of a vehicle body, or the like. Here, a box-shaped or cylindrical reservoir is placed in the fuel tank to form a sub-tank, and the fuel pump sucks the fuel stored in it. It is devised so that it is not exposed immediately. As a result, a stable supply of fuel is achieved, and it is possible to prevent the state of running out of fuel easily due to shaking of the vehicle body.

[0004]

However, in such a fuel supply device, there is a case where the fuel is supplied to the engine for a long time while the vehicle body is tilted. Particularly, in the case of a motorcycle, it is often necessary to continue fuel supply in a state where the vehicle body is inclined, such as when the front of the vehicle body is higher than the rear of the vehicle body and rises forward, or when the stand is standing. In such a case, if the vehicle body is tilted so that the fuel intake is downward, the fuel flows out from the sub-tank while holding the fuel tank, and there is a problem that long-term stable fuel supply cannot be performed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device capable of performing stable fuel supply for a long time even when the vehicle body is tilted.

[0006]

A fuel supply device according to the present invention is a fuel supply device for a vehicle having a reservoir in which a fuel pump is housed and in which fuel sucked by the fuel pump is stored. The reservoir has a fuel inlet for introducing fuel therein, and the fuel inlet is formed at a position where the fuel inlet opens upward when the vehicle is tilted.

This makes it difficult for fuel in the sub-tank to flow out of the fuel intake port even when the vehicle is tilted. Therefore,
Fuel can be stably supplied to the engine for a long time without impairing the significance of installing the sub-tank.

Further, when the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle having a support stand, the fuel inlet may be opened so as to open upward when the two-wheeled vehicle is supported by the support stand. Furthermore, when the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle, the fuel intake may be opened so that the two-wheeled vehicle is opened upward when the two-wheeled vehicle is in a front-up state in which the front of the vehicle body is higher than the rear of the vehicle body. . Thus, long-term stable fuel supply in the motorcycle can be realized.

Further, the inside of the fuel inlet may have a labyrinth structure, so that the fuel is more difficult to flow out of the fuel inlet.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an attached state of a fuel supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
2 is an exploded perspective view of the fuel supply device, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a part of the fuel supply device, and FIG. 4 is a plan view thereof.

A fuel supply device 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as "device 1" as appropriate) is a gasoline supply device for a motorcycle, and is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the fuel tank 2 is attached to the opening 3 formed on the bottom surface 2a of the fuel tank 2 from below. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 1 has a modular structure in which a fuel pump 5, a strainer 6, a pressure regulator 7, and the like are housed in a cup-shaped unit base 4. Then, the fuel sucked up by the fuel pump 5 is purified by the strainer 6 and adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the pressure regulator 7.
The fuel 42 is supplied to the engine via the fuel pipe 43.

Here, a flange 4a serving as a bottom plate is formed at the bottom of the unit base 4. Flange 4a
Is integrally formed of a synthetic resin together with the reservoir 4b forming the side wall. The device 1 is mounted on the fuel tank 2 by attaching the flange 4a to the opening 3 via the packing 8 in an oil-tight manner. That is, the fuel supply device 1 according to the present invention can be installed simply by attaching the module to the fuel tank 2, thereby improving the mounting workability.

The interior of the unit base 4 is a space, and in the fuel supply device 1 according to the present invention, this space accommodates the fuel pump 5 and the like and also functions as a sub-tank 16. In other words, the unit base 4 also has a so-called reservoir function, and the fuel sucked by the fuel pump 5 is temporarily stored in the reservoir 4b so as to prevent inconvenience in the fuel supply due to a slope, shaking of the vehicle body, and the like. Has become. In this case, in the conventional fuel supply apparatus, a plurality of parts are generally used when installing the sub-tank. However, in the apparatus 1, this is achieved only by the unit base 4, and the number of parts is reduced by that much, and the cost is reduced. Is reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a holder (lid) 9 serving as a lid of the sub-tank 16 is provided above the reservoir 4b.
Is attached. Then, the fuel pump 5 and the strainer 6 are housed in the unit base 4 while being held by the holder 9. On the other hand, a fuel inlet 10 is provided below the fuel pump 5 so that fuel can be taken in from the bottom of the sub-tank 16. In this case, a filter 13 is attached to the fuel suction port 10 to remove coarse dust and the like in the fuel.

A connection cover (connection member) 1 having a built-in check valve 20 is provided between the fuel pump 5 and the strainer 6.
1 connected. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the connection cover 11, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a check valve 20 built in the connection cover 11 is incorporated in a fuel flow path 21 formed in the connection cover 11, and the fuel is supplied from the strainer 6 side to the fuel pump 5 side. To prevent backflow. In this case, the check valve 20 is configured to press the valve body 20a against the small diameter portion 21a of the fuel flow path 21 by the spring 20b, and press the spring 20b by the discharge force of the fuel pump 5 so that fuel flows from the pump side. Conversely, the flow of fuel from the strainer 6 is blocked by the valve element 20a.

The fuel pump 5 and the strainer 6 are held by a holder 9 and are connected and held by a connection cover 11 at the upper part. For this reason, in the device 1, the connection cover 1 is provided above the fuel pump 5 and the strainer 6.
Only by arranging only one, the connection cover 11 can be connected.
It is possible to reduce the size and weight of the device by shaving off unnecessary portions above the device, such as spaces on both sides of the device. Therefore,
There is no space in the vicinity of both sides of the connection cover 11 and the like, and the upper part is cleaner than when the upper part of the apparatus is covered with a cup-shaped cover.

As described above, in the device 1, the connection cover 1
1 functions as a connecting member and a check valve 2
It is also the installation space of 0. Therefore, the connecting cover 11 not only reduces the unnecessary space to reduce the size and weight of the device, but also allows the space for the check valve to be omitted and the height of the device to be kept low.

In the device 1, the space between the fuel pump 5 and the connection cover 11 is also reduced. In this case, a concave portion 22 for connecting the connection cover 11 is first formed on the upper part of the fuel pump 5. Further, a projection (fitting portion) 23 that fits into the recess 22 is formed at the connection portion of the connection cover 11 with the fuel pump 5. Then, by fitting the concave portion 22 and the convex portion 23, the fuel pump 5 and the connection cover 11 are connected. As a result, the connection between the fuel pump 5 and the connection cover 11 can be realized in a small space, and the height of the device can be further reduced. The structure of the connecting portion may be convex on any side, and a convex portion may be provided on the fuel pump 5 side.

On the other hand, a joint 12 is attached to a lower portion of the strainer 6, and a pressure regulator 7 is connected to the joint 12. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a mounting portion of the pressure regulator 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the joint 12 is interposed between the lower part of the strainer 6 and the discharge port 14 protruding from the bottom of the unit base 4, and the pressure regulator 7 is connected to the central part thereof. I have. Then, the fuel sent from the fuel pump 5 is adjusted in pressure here and sent to the engine, and excess fuel is returned from the pressure regulator 7 to the fuel tank 2.

The device 1 is used in a fuel supply system employing a so-called returnless system, and a pressure regulator 7 is provided on the fuel supply device side.
Further, here, the pressure regulator 7 is provided in the sub tank 16, and all the fuel returned from the pressure regulator 7 is returned to the sub tank 16.
Therefore, in the fuel supply device 1 according to the present invention, waste such as returning the fuel 42 in the sub tank 16 to the outside of the sub tank 16 can be eliminated, and the fuel can be stably supplied to the engine.

The inside of the discharge port 14 connected to the lower part of the joint 12 communicates with the fuel supply port 15 provided on the lower surface of the unit base 4. Then, the fuel sucked up by the fuel pump 5 is sent to the fuel supply port 15 through the connection cover 11, the strainer 6, the joint 12, and the discharge port 14, and is sent from here to the engine by the fuel pipe 43. At this time, the fuel sent to the fuel pipe 43 is regulated by the pressure regulator 7, and the excess fuel at this time is supplied to the sub tank 1 as described above.
Returned to 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, a fuel inlet 1 for introducing fuel into the sub tank 16 is provided on a side surface of the reservoir 4b.
7 are formed. FIG. 7 is a side view of the device 1, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the device 1 with the holder 9 and the connection cover 11 removed. Here, in the case of a motorcycle, as described above, the fuel supply must be continued in a state where the vehicle body is inclined, such as when the front of the vehicle body is higher than the rear of the vehicle body and it rises forward or when the stand is standing up. Many. Further, when the vehicle accelerates, the center of gravity shifts to the rear wheel side, and the vehicle body is in a front-up state. When climbing a slope, the vehicle body is in a front-up state. In such a state, it is necessary to send a large amount of fuel to the engine. Therefore,
In the fuel supply device 1, the fuel inlet 17 is opened in a direction in which fuel does not flow out when the vehicle body is tilted, that is, in a portion where the fuel inlet 17 faces upward when the vehicle body is tilted, and the front of the vehicle body is higher than the rear of the vehicle body. The fuel is prevented from flowing out of the sub-tank 16 when the front is raised or when the stand stands up.

In this case, when the front of the vehicle body is higher than the rear of the vehicle body and the vehicle is raised forward, the front of the vehicle body is upward, and when the stand is standing up, the side direction opposite to the stand installation side is upward. Therefore, in the device 1, the opening 17a of the fuel inlet 17 is provided on a surface facing the front side of the vehicle body and opposite to the stand so that the opening 17a faces upward when the vehicle body is raised forward, etc. To reduce the outflow of water. This prevents the fuel in the sub-tank 16 from flowing out of the fuel inlet 17 when the vehicle body is raised forward or when the stand is upright, and the engine can be extended without impairing the significance of the sub-tank 16 installation. Fuel is supplied stably over time.

Here, the opening is determined in consideration of both when the vehicle body is raised forward and when the stand is standing up, but the opening position may be determined with emphasis on one of the elements. . At this time, the fuel inlet 17 is opened in the front direction of the vehicle body when the forward rising state is emphasized, and in the direction opposite to the stand installation side when the stand is emphasized.

The inside of the fuel inlet 17 has a labyrinth structure. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fuel inlet 17 is provided with a partition 18 extending in the circumferential direction inside the unit base 4 from its opening 17a. A labyrinth 19 is formed by the inner wall of the labyrinth. Therefore, the fuel once flowing into the sub-tank 16 does not easily flow out of the tank. In the fuel supply device 1, the fuel from the sub-tank 16 is Outflow has been reduced.

On the other hand, in the unit base 4, a thermistor 24 whose resistance value changes due to a temperature change is attached as a sensor for warning the remaining amount of fuel. Generally, the temperature in the fuel tank 2 tends to increase as the fuel 42 decreases, and this temperature change is detected by the thermistor 24 to detect a decrease in the remaining fuel amount. When the amount of the fuel 42 becomes low, the fact is displayed in the driver's seat to alert the driver.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing how the thermistor 24 is attached and wired. As shown in FIG. 9, the minus lead 25a of the thermistor 24 is branched from the minus lead 25b of the fuel pump 5 and connected.
The thermistor 24 is supported in the unit base 4 by a thermistor arm 26 formed of a conductive member such as a wire, as shown in FIGS.
Therefore, the thermistor arm 26 is
It is connected to the minus lead wire 25b via 5a.

On the other hand, the other end of the thermistor arm 26
It is in contact with the outer periphery of the strainer 6. Therefore, the strainer 6 is connected to the minus lead 25b via the thermistor arm 26, and as a result, the strainer 6 is grounded via the thermistor arm 26. In this case, the outer periphery of the strainer 6 is formed of a conductive material such as a metal or a conductive resin in order to release static electricity generated when fuel passes through a filter member such as filter paper or resin attached inside. Accordingly, the static electricity generated in the strainer 6 is grounded to the minus lead 25b via the thermistor arm 26 and the minus lead 25a. That is, in the device 1, the grounding of the thermistor 24 and the strainer 6 is shared, so that the wiring on the grounding side of both can be completed only once, and the number of parts and the number of working steps can be reduced. .

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the fuel pump 5 and the strainer 6 are mounted on the holder 9. However, the pressure regulator 7 is arranged in front of the strainer 6, and the joint 12 is mounted on the holder 9. Alternatively, the fuel pump 5 and the pressure regulator 7 (joint 12) may be held by the holder 9 and the connection cover 11. In this case, the strainer 6 does not necessarily need to be installed in the fuel tank 2, and the same applies to the pressure regulator 7 in the above-described embodiment.

In the device 1 described above, the check valve 2
Although 0 is built in the connection cover 11, it may be provided downstream of the strainer 6. In this case, the strainer 6 may be provided with a deaeration hole.

Further, although the above-described device 1 is configured to be mounted from the lower surface side of the fuel tank 2, the present invention can be applied to a device mounted from the upper surface side of the tank. In addition, in the apparatus 1, the unit base 4 is shown by integrally forming the flange 4a and the reservoir 4b, but they may not be necessarily integrated and may be formed separately. In the case where the fuel tank 2 is mounted from the upper surface side, the flange 4a may be omitted.
At this time, the unit base 4 may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and furthermore, may be formed by a cylindrical member whose top and bottom are open and mounted on the bottom surface of the fuel tank 2.

On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a fuel supply device for a motorcycle has been described.
The application target of the present invention is not limited to motorcycles, and is a fuel supply device for a machine powered by an internal combustion engine, such as a four-wheeled vehicle, a golf cart, a working vehicle such as a lawn mower, an industrial machine, a portable generator, and the like. As can be widely applied. The fuel to be supplied is not limited to gasoline, but may be light oil or kerosene.

[0034]

According to the fuel supply device of the present invention, the fuel inlet of the reservoir is opened at a position where the fuel inlet opens upward when the vehicle is tilted. The fuel in the sub-tank hardly flows out, and the fuel can be stably supplied to the engine for a long time.

Further, the fuel inlet is opened at a position where the fuel inlet opens upward when the motorcycle is supported by standing upright on a support stand or when the motorcycle is in a front-up state when the front of the vehicle is higher than the rear of the vehicle. As a result, long-term stable fuel supply in the motorcycle becomes possible.

In addition, by forming the inside portion of the fuel intake into a labyrinth structure, there is an effect that it is more difficult for fuel to flow out of the fuel intake.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an attached state of a fuel supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a part of a fuel supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a cutaway manner;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a fuel supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a connection cover,
It is sectional drawing along the A line.

6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mounting portion of the pressure regulator, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a fuel supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view in a state where a holder and a connection cover are removed from the fuel supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of attachment and wiring of the thermistor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel supply device 2 Fuel tank 2a Bottom surface 3 Opening 4 Unit base 4a Flange 4b Reservoir 5 Fuel pump 6 Strainer 7 Pressure regulator 8 Packing 9 Holder (lid) 10 Fuel suction port 11 Connection cover (connection member) 12 Joint 13 Filter 14 Discharge port 15 Fuel supply port 16 Subtank 17 Fuel inlet 17a Opening 18 Partition wall 19 Labyrinth 20 Check valve 20a Valve element 20b Spring 21 Fuel flow path 21a Small diameter section 22 Concave section 23 Convex section 24 Thermistor 25a Minus lead 25b Minus lead 26 Thermistor arm 42 Fuel 43 Fuel pipe

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinya Mori 1-268, Hirosawa-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma Mitsuba Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Inaoka 1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama Stock 3D038 CA15 CB01 CC06 CC07 CC11 CC17

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A fuel supply device for a vehicle, comprising a fuel pump and a reservoir in which fuel sucked by the fuel pump is stored, wherein the reservoir introduces fuel into the fuel pump. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel inlet is opened at a position where the fuel inlet opens upward when the vehicle is inclined. 2. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein
The fuel supply device, wherein the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle provided with a support stand, and the fuel inlet is opened so as to open upward when the two-wheeled vehicle is supported by the support stand. 3. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein
The fuel is characterized in that the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle, and the fuel inlet is opened so as to open upward when the two-wheeled vehicle is in a front-up state in which the front of the vehicle is higher than the rear of the vehicle. Feeding device. 4. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein an inside portion of the fuel intake has a labyrinth structure.