Swing tank structure

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a swivel tank structure provided in a fuel tank for a vehicle.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Generally, a swivel tank module 2 is installed in a fuel tank 1 of a vehicle such as an automobile.

【0003】

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the swivel tank module 2 has a negative pressure generated by the swivel tank main body 4 capable of storing the fuel 3 and the injection pressure of the return fuel 3a returning from the engine 5 direction via the return pipe. It is provided with a jet pump unit 6 that sends out the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 1 into the swivel tank main body 4 by using the above.

【0004】

The nozzle tip 6a of the jet pump portion 6 is inserted into a suction port 4a formed on the side surface portion of the swivel tank main body 4 for a predetermined length, and the inner wall surface of the suction port 4a and the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tip 6a are connected to each other. By setting the space narrow, the suction performance of the jet pump unit 6 is improved.

【0005】

A pump body 7 is arranged inside the swivel tank body 4, and the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 1 is offset due to an inclination of the vehicle or the like, and the liquid level of these fuels 3 is temporarily pumped. Even if it is lower than the suction port 7a of the main body 7, the pump main body 7 sucks the fuel 3b remaining in the swivel tank main body 4 and continues to supply the fuel 3c to the engine 5 without sucking air. It is configured so that it can be done.

【0006】

As other swivel tank modules of this type, those described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-30431 and the like are known.

【0007】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in such a conventional swivel tank structure, when the engine 5 is not running, there is no flow of the return fuel 3a, and the narrowly formed inner wall surface of the suction port 4a and the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tip 6a The inflow amount of the fuel in the fuel tank 1 into the swivel tank main body 4 is limited.

【0008】

Therefore, when the engine 5 is started, the suction amount of the pump main body 7 may exceed the inflow amount flowing into the swivel tank main body 4, and the engine 5 may be difficult to start.

【0009】

Such a phenomenon is particularly remarkable when the engine is started for the first time after the line-off of the vehicle. That is, when the line is off, there is no fuel in the return pipe of the vehicle, so that the jet pump unit 6 cannot fully exert its function.

【0010】

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a swivel tank structure capable of solving the above-mentioned problems and improving the startability of an engine while maintaining good suction performance of a jet pump.

【0011】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problem, in the invention described in claim 1, a swivel tank main body provided in the fuel tank for storing fuel and a return fuel ejected from the engine direction via a return pipe are ejected. In a swivel tank structure having a jet pump portion that sends out fuel in the fuel tank into the swivel tank main body by utilizing the negative pressure generated by the pressure, in parallel with the jet pump portion, in the fuel tank. An auxiliary introduction opening for introducing fuel into the swivel tank main body is provided, and the presence or absence of return fuel in the return pipe is detected, and if the return fuel is present, the auxiliary introduction opening is closed. At the same time, it is characterized by a swivel tank structure provided with an opening / closing means for opening the auxiliary introduction opening in the absence of the return fuel.

【0012】

According to claim 1, the presence or absence of return fuel in the return pipe is detected by the opening / closing means of the auxiliary introduction opening provided in parallel with the jet pump portion, and the return fuel is configured in this way. If is not present, the auxiliary introduction opening is opened.

【0013】

Therefore, the fuel in the fuel tank is introduced into the swivel tank main body through the auxiliary introduction opening, and when the engine is started, the suction amount of the pump main body flows into the swivel tank main body. There is no risk that the amount of inflow will catch up and the engine will not start easily.

【0014】

Further, when the return fuel is present in the return pipe, the auxiliary introduction opening is closed.

【0015】

Therefore, the return fuel does not flow out from the return pipe through the auxiliary introduction opening into the swivel tank main body, and does not affect the suction performance of the jet pump portion.

【0016】

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, the opening / closing means is swingably provided at a position in the return pipe facing the auxiliary introduction opening, and a pressing surface on which the return fuel acts and the opening / closing means. When the return fuel is acting on the pressing surface, the valve body having the sealing portion pressed against the peripheral edge of the auxiliary introduction opening and the valve body are urged in a direction to be separated from the auxiliary introduction opening. The swivel tank according to claim 1, further comprising an urging means for conducting the inside of the fuel tank and the inside of the swivel tank body through the auxiliary introduction opening in a state where the return fuel is not acting on the pressing surface. It features a structure.

【0017】

In the case of claim 2 configured in this way, in the state where the return fuel is flowing in the return pipe, the return fuel acts on the pressing surface of the valve body, and the urging force by the urging means is applied. The valve body is moved against the above, and the valve body is pressure-welded to the peripheral edge of the auxiliary introduction opening.

【0018】

Therefore, the auxiliary introduction opening is closed.

【0019】

Further, in a state where the return fuel is not acting on the pressing surface, the valve body is moved by the urging force by the urging means, and the valve body is separated from the auxiliary introduction opening. Therefore, the inside of the fuel tank and the inside of the swivel tank main body are electrically connected to each other through the auxiliary introduction opening.

【0020】

Further, according to claim 3, the auxiliary introduction opening is the swivel tank structure according to claim 1 or 2, which is provided in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the fuel tank at the lower part of the swivel tank main body. It is a feature.

【0021】

In the case of claim 3 configured in this way, since the auxiliary introduction opening is provided at the lower part of the swivel tank main body and near the bottom surface of the fuel tank, the fuel in the fuel tank can be used. Even in a small amount, the fuel in the fuel tank can flow into the swivel tank main body.

【0022】

Moreover, according to claim 4, the urging means is characterized by the swivel tank structure according to claim 2 or 3, which is a spring member.

【0023】

In the case of claim 4 configured in this way, since the urging means is a spring member, the swivel tank structure can be constructed at low cost with a simple configuration.

【0024】

Embodiment 1 of the invention

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated examples.

【0025】

1 to 4 show a swivel tank structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

【0026】

First, to explain the configuration, in the swivel tank structure of the first embodiment, the fuel tank connected to the engine 5 of the vehicle 8 via the fuel pipe 11 as the feed pipe and the return pipe 12 as the return pipe. The swivel tank module 10 is installed in 9.

【0027】

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the swivel tank module 10 is negative generated by the injection pressure of the swivel tank main body 13 capable of storing the fuel 3 and the return fuel 3a returning from the engine 5 direction via the return pipe 12. It is provided with a jet pump unit 6 that sends out fuel 3 in the fuel tank 1 into the swivel tank main body 13 by using pressure.

【0028】

The nozzle tip 6a of the jet pump unit 6 is inserted into a suction port 13b formed on the side surface portion 13a of the swivel tank body 13 for a predetermined length, and the inner wall surface of the suction port 13b and the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tip 6a The space is set to be narrow.

【0029】

A pump body 7 is arranged inside the swivel tank body 13, and the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 9 is offset due to an inclination of the vehicle or the like, and the liquid level of these fuels 3 is temporarily pumped. Even if it is lower than the suction port 7a of the main body 7, the pump main body 7 sucks the fuel 3b remaining in the swivel tank main body 13 without sucking air, and the fuel 3c to the engine 5 via the fuel pipe 11 It is configured so that you can continue to send.

【0030】

Then, an auxiliary introduction opening 13c for introducing the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 9 into the swivel tank main body 13 is provided on the side surface portion 13a so as to be parallel to the suction port 13b of the jet pump unit 6. There is.

【0031】

In the first embodiment, the auxiliary introduction opening 13c is provided at the lower part of the swivel tank main body 13 in the vicinity of the bottom surface portion 9a of the fuel tank 9.

【0032】

The presence or absence of return fuel in the return pipe 12 is detected at the outer position of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, and if the return fuel 3a is present, the auxiliary introduction opening 13c is closed and the return fuel 3a is inserted. If not present, a valve body 15 is provided as an opening / closing means for opening the auxiliary introduction opening 13c.

【0033】

The valve body 15 is located in the extension portion 12a extending from the return pipe 12 toward the auxiliary introduction opening 13c at a position facing the auxiliary introduction opening 13c in the proximity separation direction (left and right on the middle paper in FIGS. It is stored and provided so that it can swing in the direction (direction). Further, a disk-shaped pressing surface 16 on which the return fuel 3a acts is integrally formed on the valve body 15. Around the pressing surface 16, a locking flange portion 16a is provided to stop the swing movement by locking the annular flange portion 12b projecting inward by a predetermined amount in the extension portion 12a. ..

【0034】

Further, the valve body 15 is formed so that the sealing surface portion 17 as a sealing portion has a substantially conical tapered shape.

【0035】

The sealing surface portion 17 is configured to be in pressure contact with the tapered portion 13d formed on the peripheral edge of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c when the return fuel is acting on the pressing surface 16.

【0036】

Further, in the first embodiment, the spring member 18 as an urging means is provided so that one end 18a is brought into contact with the locking flange portion 16a and the other end 18b is brought into contact with the tapered portion 13d. ..

【0037】

The spring member 18 urges the valve body 15 in a direction away from the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, and is between the tapered portion 13d and the extension portion 12a in a state where the return fuel is not acting on the pressing surface 16. In a state where the inside of the fuel tank 9 and the inside of the swivel tank main body 13 are made conductive via the annular slit portion 19 and the auxiliary introduction opening 13c formed in the above, and the return fuel is acting on the pressing surface 1b, the valve body. The sealing surface portion 17 of 15 is configured to be in close contact with the tapered portion 13d so that the fuel in the swivel tank main body 13 does not flow back into the fuel tank 9.

【0038】

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

【0039】

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the return fuel is not acting on the pressing surface 16 of the valve body 15 such as when the engine is started, the valve body 15 is affected by the urging force of the spring member 18. , Fig. 3 The auxiliary introduction opening 13c is opened by moving to the left of the middle page and separating from the auxiliary introduction opening 13c.

【0040】

Therefore, the inside of the fuel tank 9 and the inside of the swivel tank main body 13 are conducted, and the fuel in the fuel tank 9 flows into the swivel tank main body 13 through the slit portion 19 and the auxiliary introduction opening 13c.

【0041】

Fuel also flows into the swivel tank body 13 from the gap between the nozzle tip 6a of the jet pump section 6 and the suction port 13b, but this gap is too large to bring the jet effect to the jet pump section 6. Therefore, the amount of fuel inflow from the gap is very small.

【0042】

In this way, the valve body 15 of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c provided in parallel with the jet pump unit 6 detects the presence or absence of the return fuel in the return pipe 12, and if the return fuel does not exist, the auxiliary introduction is performed. The opening 13c is opened.

【0043】

Therefore, the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 9 is introduced into the swivel tank main body 13 through the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, and when the engine is started, the suction amount of the pump main body 7 is increased into the swivel tank main body 13. Since the inflow amount catches up, there is no possibility that the engine will be difficult to start.

【0044】

Further, in a state where the return fuel flows in the return pipe 12 and exists, the return fuel acts on the pressing surface 16 of the valve body 15 as shown in FIG.

【0045】

Therefore, the valve body 15 is moved to the right of the middle page of FIG. 4, which is the direction of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, against the urging force of the spring member 18, and the taper formed on the peripheral edge of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c. The sealing surface portion 17 of the valve body 15 is pressure-welded to the portion 13d.

【0046】

Therefore, the auxiliary introduction opening 13c is closed.

【0047】

In this way, the return fuel 3a does not flow out from the return pipe 12 through the auxiliary introduction opening 13c into the swivel tank main body 13 or through the slit portion 19 into the fuel tank 9, and the jet pump portion. It does not affect the suction performance of 6.

【0048】

Further, in the first embodiment, since the auxiliary introduction opening 13c is provided at the lower part of the swivel tank main body 13 near the bottom surface portion 9a of the fuel tank 9, the fuel in the fuel tank 9 is low. However, the fuel in the fuel tank 9 can flow into the swivel tank main body 13.

【0049】

Moreover, since the urging means is the spring member 18, the swivel tank structure can be constructed at low cost with a simple configuration.

【0050】

[Modification example 1]

FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 shows a swivel tank structure of a modification 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

【0051】

The same or equal parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

【0052】

In the swivel tank structure of this modification 1, the presence or absence of return fuel in the return pipe 12 is detected at the outer position of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, and if the return fuel 3a is present, the auxiliary introduction opening 13c is detected. A valve body 115 is provided as an opening / closing means for opening the auxiliary introduction opening 13c when the return fuel 3a is not present.

【0053】

In this valve body 115, a piston portion 115b having a sealing surface portion 117 having a substantially conical tapered shape and a disk-shaped rear end flange portion 115c having a pressing surface 116 on which the return fuel 3a acts are rod-shaped. It is configured by being integrally connected by a shaft portion 115a.

【0054】

Further, at least a pair of locking claws 112c and 112c are formed at the tip 112b of the cylindrical extension 112a extending from the return pipe 112 toward the auxiliary introduction opening 13c.

【0055】

An insertion opening 112 is formed on the tip surface of the tip 112b to slidably insert the shaft portion 115a of the valve body 115.

【0056】

A spring member 18 as an urging means is interposed between the peripheral edge of the insertion opening 112 and the rear end flange portion 115c, and the valve body 115 is urged in a direction away from the auxiliary introduction opening 13c. ing.

【0057】

Further, on the swivel tank main body 13 side, a pick-up extension 113 having a cylindrical cylinder 113c extending from the auxiliary introduction opening 13c toward the return pipe 112 is integrally provided and formed at the tip. Locking holes 113b and 113b for locking the locking claws 112c and 112c are formed on the side surface of the receiving recess 113a.

【0058】

Further, on the side surface of the cylinder portion 113c, inflow holes 119 and 119 capable of introducing the fuel 3 in the fuel tank 9 in the direction of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c are formed, and the fuel 3 is introduced into the swivel tank main body 13 together with the auxiliary introduction opening 13c. An inflow passage 114 leading to is formed.

【0059】

Then, when the tip 112b of the extension portion 112a is inserted into the receiving recess 113a and the locking claw portions 112c and 112c are locked in the locking holes 113b and 113b, the return pipe 112 and the swivel tank main body 13 Is connected, and the piston portion 115d is stored so that it can swing in the proximity separation direction (left and right directions on the middle paper surface in FIGS. 5 and 6) at a position facing the auxiliary introduction opening 13c in the cylinder portion 113c. It is configured to be.

【0060】

Next, the operation of this modification 1 will be described.

【0061】

In this modification 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the sealing surface portion 117 is pressed against the tapered portion 13d formed on the peripheral edge of the auxiliary introduction opening 13c when the return fuel is acting on the pressing surface 116. ing.

【0062】

Since the piston portion 115d is located at the inflow hole 119 formation position in the cylinder portion 113c, the inflow hole 119 is also closed, and the inflow passage 114 is surely closed by the piston portion 115d.

【0063】

Therefore, the return fuel 3a does not flow out from the return pipe 112 through the auxiliary introduction opening 13c into the swivel tank main body 13 or through the inflow hole 119 into the fuel tank 9, and the jet pump unit 6 It does not affect the suction performance.

【0064】

Further, when the return fuel is not acting on the pressing surface 116 of the valve body 115 such as when the engine is started, the valve body 115 moves in the cylinder portion 113c to the left of the middle page of FIG. 3 due to the urging force of the spring member 18. By moving and separating from the auxiliary introduction opening 13c, the auxiliary introduction opening 13c and the inflow hole 119 constituting the inflow passage 114 are opened.

【0065】

Therefore, the inside of the fuel tank 9 and the inside of the swivel tank main body 13 are conducted, and the fuel in the fuel tank 9 flows into the swivel tank main body 13 through these inflow holes 119 and the auxiliary introduction opening 13c.

【0066】

Fuel also flows into the swivel tank body 13 from the gap between the nozzle tip 6a of the jet pump section 6 and the suction port 13b, but this gap is too large to bring the jet effect to the jet pump section 6. Therefore, the amount of fuel inflow from the gap is very small.

【0067】

When the fuel flows into the swivel tank main body 13, the inflow passage 114 does not have an urging member such as a spring member 18, so the inflow resistance is smaller than that of the first embodiment, and the fuel 3 can be smoothly introduced. is there.

【0068】

Since other configurations and actions and effects are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

【0069】

In the above embodiment, the valve body 15,115 and the jet pump unit 6 are described side by side on the top and bottom for the sake of easy explanation of the drawings, but the installation position of the valve body 15,115 is the fuel tank 9. The lower the value, the greater the effect because it can function even when the fuel level is low, and it is most desirable to attach it in contact with the bottom surface of the fuel tank 9.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a partial cross-sectional side view of the fuel tank which shows the swivel tank structure of Embodiment 1 of this invention, and describes the whole structure.

[Figure 2]

It is a transparent perspective view of the vehicle which shows the swivel tank structure of Embodiment 1 and describes the whole structure.

[Fig. 3]

It is sectional drawing of the main part which shows the swivel tank structure of Embodiment 1, and explains the state which the return fuel does not flow in the return pipe.

[Fig. 4]

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a swivel tank structure of the first embodiment and explaining a state in which return fuel is flowing in the return pipe.

[Fig. 5]

It is sectional drawing of the main part which shows the swivel tank structure of the modification 1 of Embodiment 1, and explains the state which the return fuel is not flowing in a return pipe.

[Fig. 6]

It is sectional drawing of the main part which shows the swivel tank structure of the modification 1 and explains the state which the return fuel is flowing in a return pipe.

[Fig. 7]

It is sectional drawing of the fuel tank which shows the swivel tank structure of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 Jet pump section 7 Pump body 8 vehicles 9 fuel tank 9a bottom 10 swivel tank module 12 return pipe 13 Swivel tank body 13c Auxiliary introduction opening 13d taper part 15,115 Valve body (opening and closing means) 16,116 Pressing surface 17,117 Sealing surface (sealing) 18 Spring member (biasing means)