JP2003042031A - Fuel feed device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To install a fuel feed device in a shallow fuel tank through a small mounting hole. SOLUTION: This fuel feed device 1 comprises a first unit 5 having a fuel pump 4 mounted thereon and a second unit 8 having a strainer 6 and a pressure regulator 7 mounted thereon and connected to the first unit 5 so as to be moved relative to the first unit 5, and is assembled in the tank through an opening 3 of the fuel tank 2. A fuel feed passage 22 is formed of a connection pipe 12 and a fitting part 13 between both units 5 and 8. In this fuel feed device 1, the upper and lower positions of both units 5 and 8 are differentiated, and the lower unit is first inserted into the fuel tank and, after the unit is moved sideways, the remaining other unit is inserted into a vacant space. Thus the fuel feed device larger than the opening formed in the fuel tank can be easily installed in the fuel tank.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called in-tank type device in which a fuel pump, a strainer and the like are arranged in a fuel tank has been widely used as a fuel supply device for two-wheeled vehicles and four-wheeled vehicles. In such an in-tank type fuel supply device, the fuel pump, the strainer, and the like are unitized as one pump module, which is inserted and installed in the fuel tank through the opening formed in the fuel tank.

There are two types of pump modules, one in which functional parts such as a fuel pump, a strainer, and a pressure regulator are arranged in series in the vertical direction, and the other in which they are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. In this case, in the vertically arranged device, the fuel tank has a small hole, but the fuel tank is required to have a large depth. On the other hand, in a horizontally arranged device, the tank depth can be shallow, but a large mounting hole diameter is required. That is, when the functional parts are unitized, the mounting work is facilitated, but the degree of freedom in designing the fuel tank is reduced, and generally the fuel tank itself tends to be large.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In such constraints,
Particularly in motorcycles, a module having a small height is required due to a demand for fuel tank flattening, and in such a case, the above-mentioned laterally arranged module is usually applied. However, there is also a demand for reducing the size of the module mounting hole at the same time, and it is necessary to mount the horizontally arranged module in the same opening hole as that for the vertically arranged module. That is, it is required to mount the fuel supply device in a shallow fuel tank through a small hole, which cannot be dealt with by the conventional module form, and improvement thereof has been demanded.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device which can be mounted on a shallow fuel tank through a small mounting hole.

[0006]

A fuel supply device of the present invention is a fuel supply device which is equipped with a fuel pump arranged in a fuel tank and is assembled in the fuel tank through an opening formed in the fuel tank. And a second unit equipped with a strainer for fuel filtration and connected to the first unit so as to be movable relative to the first unit.

Further, in the fuel supply system of the present invention, the fuel supply system arranged in the fuel tank is divided into a first unit equipped with a fuel pump and a second unit equipped with a strainer for fuel filtration. The first unit and the second unit are connected to each other by moving the first unit and the second unit relative to each other in the fuel tank so that both units are housed in the fuel tank and function as a fuel supply device.

In the fuel supply apparatus of the present invention, first one unit is inserted into the fuel tank, this unit is retracted laterally, and the remaining other units are inserted into the empty space. This makes it possible to easily install a fuel supply device, which is larger than the opening formed in the fuel tank, in the fuel tank. Therefore, the fuel supply device can be attached to the shallow fuel tank through the small hole, and the fuel supply device can be laid out without increasing the size of the fuel tank.

In the fuel supply device, the first unit is provided with a column extending vertically and the second unit is provided with a second column.
The unit may be provided with a slider slidably fitted to the support, and the slider may be fitted to the support to connect the first and second units so as to be relatively movable.

Further, in the fuel supply device, the second unit is provided with a connecting pipe communicating with the strainer and projecting toward the first unit side, and the first unit is sucked by the fuel pump. A fitting portion may be provided that discharges fuel and is joined to the connecting pipe when the first and second units are arranged in parallel.

When the fuel supply device is installed in the fuel tank, one of the units to be inserted later is set in the tank when the fuel supply device is installed in the fuel tank. When placed side by side, they fit together and are tightly joined. Accordingly, in the step of installing both units in the fuel tank, it is possible to automatically form the fuel supply path from the first unit to the second unit without providing a process of connecting the both units. Becomes Therefore, the number of assembling steps can be reduced, and mistakes such as forgetting to assemble the connecting parts and erroneous assembly can be prevented.

In addition, in the fuel supply device, the second unit may be provided with a pressure regulator for adjusting the pressure of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump.

Further, the fuel supply device is equipped with a fuel level gauge for detecting the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank, and moves relative to at least one of the first unit and the second unit. Third freely connected
A unit may be further provided. This makes it possible to mount a pump module equipped with a fuel level gauge through a small hole in a shallow fuel tank.

On the other hand, this makes it possible to easily install a fuel supply device larger than the opening formed in the fuel tank in the fuel tank.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a fuel supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a state seen from the front direction is partially broken. Further, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG.

The fuel supply device 1 of FIG. 1 is a gasoline supply device for a two-wheeled vehicle, and is attached to the opening 3 formed in the upper surface 2a of the fuel tank 2 from above the fuel tank 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply device 1 is composed of a first unit 5 having a fuel pump 4 and a second unit 8 having a strainer 6 and a pressure regulator 7. Here, the two units 5 and 8 are connected to each other at the connecting portion 9 so as to be movable in the vertical direction to form one pump module. Then, the fuel sucked up by the fuel pump 4 is cleaned by the strainer 6, adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the pressure regulator 7, and then the fuel is supplied to the engine through the fuel pipe 10.

The unit 5 (hereinafter abbreviated as unit 5) is provided with a fuel pump 4 and a filter 11. The filter 11 is attached below the fuel pump 4, and is arranged on the bottom surface 2b of the tank when the fuel supply device 1 is installed in the fuel tank 2. The filter 11 removes coarse dust from the fuel in the fuel tank 2, and the fuel is sucked into the fuel pump 4 above.

A fitting portion 13 is provided above the fuel pump 4. The fitting portion 13 is provided with a fuel discharge port 13a through which the fuel sucked by the fuel pump 4 is discharged. Also, the fitting portion 13 has a stepped shape,
Similarly, the connecting pipe 1 of the second unit 8 formed in a stepped shape
It is designed to be fitted with 2 and to be closely joined.

In the unit 5, the fuel pump 4 is fixed to the pump holder 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the pump holder 14 is provided with a pump holding portion 14a,
This holds the lower portion of the fuel pump 4. Further, on the upper side of the pump holding portion 14 a of the pump holder 14, a column 15 extending vertically along the fuel pump 4.
Is provided. Lower end surface 14b of the pump holder 14
When the fuel supply device 1 is installed in the fuel tank 2, it contacts the bottom surface 2 b of the tank and supports the fuel supply device 1 in the fuel tank 2. Furthermore, the pillar 15
A stopper 16 for restricting the movement of the second unit 8 is provided in the middle.

The length of the column 15 can be appropriately set according to the depth of the fuel tank 2. In other words,
This means that the fuel supply device 1 can be applied to fuel tanks having different depths by changing the column length. That is, by preparing the pump holders 14 having different column lengths, it is possible to enrich product variations.

A strainer 6 and a pressure regulator 7 are provided in the unit 8 (hereinafter abbreviated as the unit 8). The strainer 6 is housed in the flange case 17 and communicates with the connecting oil passage 12 a in the connecting pipe 12 provided in the flange case 17 so as to project. As described above, the connection pipe 12 is tightly connected to the fitting portion 13 of the unit 5, whereby the fuel discharge port 13a and the communication oil passage 12a communicate with each other, and the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 4 is connected to the connection pipe 1 by the connection pipe 1.
It is introduced into the strainer 6 through 2 without leakage.

A pressure regulator 7 is attached to the bottom of the strainer 6. As a result, the fuel sent from the fuel pump 4 is transferred to the strainer 6
After being cleaned by, the pressure is adjusted and the fuel is sent from the fuel pipe 10 to the engine. The excess fuel is returned from the pressure regulator 7 to the fuel tank 2.

In the unit 8, a slider 18 is provided on the side of the strainer 6. This slider 18 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the cross section is formed into a C-shaped tubular shape. Then, the pillar 15 of the unit 5 having a T-shaped cross section is movably fitted therein, and both units 5, 8
Is formed. That is, the unit 5 and the unit 8 are integrated so as to be movable relative to each other (up and down direction in FIG. 1) via the connecting portion 9. A slit 19 is formed below the slider 18, and an upper end of the slit 19 is in contact with a stopper 16 of the support column 15 to restrict the downward movement of the unit 8.

A spring 20 is provided in the slider 18.
Is decorated. The spring 20 is housed between the upper end of the support column 15 and the inner upper end of the slider 18, and when the slider 18 moves downward, the support column 15 and the slider 18 are accommodated.
Protects against shocks. Therefore, even if the unit 8 slides down, the units do not collide with each other in an impact, and damage to the fuel pump 4, the strainer 6 and the like can be prevented. Further, the spring 20 presses the first unit 5 against the bottom surface 2b so that the suction port of the fuel pump 4, that is, the filter 11 can be installed near the bottom surface 2b of the fuel tank 2. As a result, it is possible to reduce the fuel (ineffective remaining amount) that cannot be sucked by the fuel pump 4 and remains in the fuel tank 2.

On the other hand, the flange case 17 is provided with a flange portion 21 which fits into the opening 3 of the fuel tank 2. The flange portion 21 has a circular shape as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2 and has the same diameter as the opening 3. Then, when the fuel supply device 1 is attached to the opening 3,
The flange portion 21 fits into the opening 3 and functions as a lid that closes the opening 3.

Next, the fuel supply device 1 is connected to the fuel tank 2
The procedure for mounting the inside will be described. 3 to 6 are
It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure. Here, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the unit 8 is pulled up and moved above the unit 5, and only the unit 5 is inserted into the opening 3. That is, in the fuel supply device 1, since both units 5 and 8 are connected by the slider 18 and the column 15 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, first, the unit 8 is pulled up above the fuel pump 4 and both units 5 and 8 are pulled up. The unit 5 is independently inserted into the opening 3 by shifting the position in the vertical direction. In addition, between the both units 5 and 8, the support 15 is provided by engaging means not shown.
After the slider 18 is assembled, the slider 18 and the slider 18 are not separated from each other.

After inserting the unit 5 into the opening 3, the unit 5 is lowered as it is, and as shown in FIG.
Placed on the bottom surface 2b of the. At this time, the lower end surface 14b of the pump holder 14 contacts the bottom surface 2b and the filter 11
Also comes into contact with the bottom surface 2b, whereby the fuel supply device 1 is temporarily supported in the fuel tank 2.

After the unit 5 is installed on the bottom surface 2b, the entire fuel supply device 1 is placed on the fuel pump 4 side (right side in FIG. 4).
To the state shown in FIG. At this time, the connecting portion 9 of the two units 5 and 8 approaches the vicinity of the edge of the opening 3 and the unit 8 moves to a position facing the opening 3. In this case, the portion of the unit 8 below the flange portion 21 is formed with a smaller diameter than the gap formed in the opening 3 when the unit 5 is laterally displaced. Therefore, the unit 8 can be inserted into the fuel tank 2 through the gap formed in the opening 3. Therefore,
As shown in FIG. 6, the unit 8 is lowered along the column 15, and the strainer 6 is accommodated in the fuel tank 2 through the opening 3.

By fitting the flange portion 21 into the opening 3, the state shown in FIG. 1 is obtained, and the fuel supply device 1 is attached to the fuel tank 2. At this time, the connecting pipe 12 of the unit 8 and the fitting portion 13 of the unit 5 are also joined. As a result, the fuel pump 4 and the strainer 6 are connected to each other, and the fuel supply path 22 between both units is formed.

As described above, in the fuel supply device 1, in order to accommodate the device in the shallow fuel tank 2, the basic configuration is a laterally arranged module in which the fuel pump 4 and the strainer 6 are arranged in parallel, and each functional component is mounted. The first and second units 5 and 8 are connected so as to be relatively movable. Therefore, by inserting the unit 5 first by changing the vertical position of the units 5 and 8 and retracting it sideways after the insertion, and then inserting the remaining unit 8 into the empty space,
The fuel supply device 1 larger than the opening 3 can be easily attached to the fuel tank 2. Therefore, for example, a fuel supply device can be attached to a shallow fuel tank having a depth of about 100 mm through a small hole having a diameter of about 50 mm.
The fuel supply device 1 can be laid out without increasing the size of the fuel tank 2.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a fuel supply system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration. The same parts and members as those of the fuel supply device 1 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Fuel supply device 31 according to the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the first unit 5 provided with the fuel pump 4, the second unit 8 provided with the strainer 6 and the pressure regulator 7, the third unit 33 provided with the fuel level gauge 32 is provided. Is provided. In the third unit 33 (hereinafter, abbreviated as unit 33), the pillar 3
A fuel level gauge 32 for detecting the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank 2 is attached to the side of 4. The support column 34 is movably fitted to a slider 35 provided in the unit 5, and the unit 5 and the unit 33 are integrated so as to be movable relative to each other (vertical direction in FIG. 7). There is.

The fuel level meter 32 includes a float 36 floating above the liquid surface of the fuel and an arm 37 for supporting the float 36. The arm 37 swings in the direction of the arrow as the liquid surface moves up and down. A variable resistance portion 38, which is in sliding contact with the arm 37 and whose resistance value changes as the arm 37 swings, is provided at the base of the arm 37.
Is provided. Then, depending on the liquid surface position, the arm 3
When 7 swings, the resistance value in the variable resistance portion 38 changes, and based on this, the position of the liquid surface, that is, the remaining fuel amount can be detected.

A support portion 39 having an enlarged diameter is provided below the support column 34. When the fuel supply device 31 is installed in the fuel tank 2, the support portion 39 supports the entire device in the fuel tank 2.
At this time, as shown in FIG.
The diameter is larger than 4, and the fuel supply device 31 is stably supported in the fuel tank 2 by contacting the bottom surface 2b of the fuel tank 2.

In such a fuel supply device 31, first, as shown in FIG. 7, the units 5 and 8 are pulled up and moved above the unit 33 to arrange the three units in series, and then the unit 33. Insert only into opening 3. It should be noted that the units 5 and 33 are also not separated vertically by the engagement means (not shown) after the support column 34 and the slider 35 are assembled.

After inserting the unit 33 into the opening 3, the unit 33 is lowered as it is and placed on the bottom surface 2b of the fuel tank 2. At this time, the support portion 39 at the bottom of the support column 34 is not
b, so that the fuel supply device 31 is supported in the fuel tank 2. After the unit 33 is installed on the bottom surface 2b, the unit 5 is inserted into the fuel tank 2 this time.
Here, the unit 33 is provided movably to the side of the unit 5 (the rear side of the unit 5 in FIG. 7),
The fuel supply device 31 is inserted through the gap of the opening 3 formed by moving the entire fuel supply device 31 to the front side in FIG. 7.

After inserting the unit 5 into the opening 3, the unit 5 is lowered as it is, and the filter 11 is arranged so as to come into contact with the bottom surface 2b of the fuel tank 2. After that, the entire fuel supply device 31 is moved to the fuel pump 4 side (right side in FIG. 7). At this time, the unit 8 moves to a position facing the opening 3, the unit 8 is lowered along the support column 15, and is inserted into the fuel tank 2 through the gap formed in the opening 3. Then, the fuel supply device 31 is attached to the fuel tank 2 by fitting the flange portion 21 into the opening 3. At this time, the connecting pipe 12 of the unit 8 and the fitting portion 13 of the unit 5 are also joined.

As described above, in the fuel supply device 31, in addition to the fuel pump 4 and the strainer 6, the unit 33 including the fuel level gauge 32 is connected to the unit 5 so as to be relatively movable. For this reason, the units 5, 8 and 33 are made to have different vertical positions, the unit 33 is first inserted, and after insertion, the unit 5 is retracted laterally and the unit 5 is inserted into the empty space.
Furthermore, by retracting them to the side and inserting the remaining unit 8, it becomes possible to easily attach the fuel supply device 31 larger than the opening 3 to the fuel tank 2.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the arrangement of the fuel pump 4, the strainer 6, the pressure regulator 7, etc. is not limited to the example of the above-described embodiment, and the pressure regulator 7 may be arranged on the unit 5 side or a unit inserted in the tank first. Various arrangement patterns are possible, such as the strainer arrangement side. Further, the fuel supply passage 22 between both units is not limited to the configuration of the connecting pipe 12 and the fitting portion 13, and for example, both units 5 and 8 can be connected by a flexible tube. is there.

Further, in the second embodiment, the unit 33
Although the configuration is shown in which it is connected to the unit 5 so as to be relatively movable, it may be provided to be connected to the unit 8 or both the unit 5 and the unit 8 so as to be relatively movable.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, both units are connected from the beginning through the connecting portion, and the units are vertically displaced and housed in the fuel tank. The units may be initially separated and connected when installed in the fuel tank. In this case, one unit is first housed in the fuel tank, the unit is retracted laterally, and then the other unit is housed in the fuel tank while being connected to the unit in the tank.

[0042]

In the fuel supply system of the present invention, the first unit equipped with the fuel pump and the second unit equipped with the strainer are provided so as to be movable relative to each other, so that one unit is first inserted into the fuel tank. After that, this can be retracted to the side, and the remaining other units can be inserted into the empty space, and a fuel supply device larger than the opening of the fuel tank can be easily installed in the tank. Therefore, the fuel supply device can be attached to a shallow fuel tank through a small hole, without increasing the size of the fuel tank.
It is possible to lay out the fuel supply device.

The connecting pipe provided in the second unit and the first
Since the fuel feed path between both units is formed by the fitting portion provided in the unit, it becomes possible to automatically form the fuel feed path in the step of installing both units in the fuel tank. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a process for connecting the two units, and it is possible to reduce the number of assembling steps and prevent defects due to mistakes during assembling.

Furthermore, by providing a third unit having a fuel fuel gauge connected thereto so as to be movable relative to at least one of the first unit and the second unit, the fuel can be fed from a small hole into a shallow fuel tank. It is possible to mount a fuel supply device equipped with a fuel gauge.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a fuel supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a state of the fuel supply device seen from the front direction is partially broken.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a cross section taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for mounting the fuel supply device of FIG. 1 in a fuel tank.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for attaching the fuel supply device, which is subsequent to FIG. 3;

5 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for attaching the fuel supply device, which is subsequent to FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for attaching the fuel supply device, which is subsequent to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a fuel supply device that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Fuel supply device 2 fuel tank 2a Top of fuel tank 2b Bottom of fuel tank 3 openings 4 fuel pump 5 First unit 6 strainers 7 Pressure regulator 8 Second unit 9 connection 10 Fuel piping 11 filters 12 Connection tube 12a Communication oil passage 13 Fitting part 13a Fuel discharge port 14 Pump holder 14a Pump holding part 14b Lower end surface 15 props 16 stopper 17 Flange case 18 slider 19 slits 20 springs 21 Flange 22 Fuel feed path 31 Fuel supply device 32 Fuel Fuel Gauge 33 Third Unit 34 props 35 slider 36 floats 37 arms 38 Variable resistance part 39 Support

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A fuel supply device comprising a fuel pump arranged in a fuel tank, and being assembled into the fuel tank through an opening formed in the fuel tank, the first unit having the fuel pump mounted thereon. A fuel supply device comprising: a second unit that is equipped with a strainer for fuel filtration and that is connected to the first unit so as to be movable relative to the first unit. 2. A fuel supply device arranged in a fuel tank is divided into a first unit equipped with a fuel pump and a second unit equipped with a strainer for filtering fuel,
A fuel supply device, characterized in that the first and second units are relatively moved in the fuel tank and connected to each other so that both units are housed in the fuel tank and function as a fuel supply device. 3. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the first unit has a column extending vertically, and the second unit has a slider slidably fitted to the column. A fuel supply device characterized by the above. 4. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the second unit has a connecting pipe that is in communication with the strainer and that projects toward the first unit. Then, the first unit discharges the fuel sucked by the fuel pump, and
A fuel supply device having a fitting portion that is joined to the connecting pipe when the units are arranged in parallel. 5. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the second unit has a pressure regulator that adjusts the pressure of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump. Fuel supply device. 6. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel supply device is equipped with a fuel level gauge for detecting the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank, A third unit movably connected to at least one of the first unit and the second unit.
A fuel supply device further comprising a unit.