JP4235153B2 - Engine fuel supply system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine fuel supply device that supplies fuel to an engine. More specifically, the present invention relates to an in-tank type engine fuel supply device in which a fuel pump is installed in a fuel tank.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an in-tank type in which a fuel pump is installed in a fuel tank is known as an engine fuel supply device. An example of this type of fuel supply apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-297713. In the fuel supply device disclosed herein, a fuel pump is installed in a container-like structure provided in a fuel tank, and a fuel passage of the container-like structure has a labyrinth structure. Thereby, in this fuel supply apparatus, fuel can be stably supplied.

JP 2000-297713 A (pages 3 to 4, FIGS. 1 and 2)

  However, when a fuel pump is installed in the fuel tank, the pump operating sound (such as the motor armature or the pump impeller agitating the fuel) is emitted as a radiated sound that passes through the fuel tank. there were. In particular, when liquefied gas fuel is used as the fuel, a metal tank is used because the fuel tank that stores the liquefied gas fuel is required to have pressure resistance. Therefore, if a fuel pump is installed in the fuel tank, The operating sound of the pump resonates as radiated sound in the fuel tank, and the transmitted sound is larger. That is, if the above-described fuel supply device is applied to the liquefied gas fuel supply device as it is, the transmitted sound that transmits the operation sound of the fuel pump to the outside of the fuel tank is large, causing a problem in terms of noise.

  In addition, in an in-tank type fuel supply device, if the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank is small, fuel may not be supplied to the fuel pump when the liquid level changes or the vehicle turns, and fuel may run out (empty pumping). There is. For this reason, in the above-described fuel supply device, the fuel passage has a labyrinth structure to prevent fuel shortage. However, in order to obtain a labyrinth structure, the fuel passage has to be complicated.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can reduce the sound transmitted to the outside of the fuel tank due to the operation sound of the fuel pump, and can reduce the liquid when the remaining amount of fuel is low. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel supply device for an engine that can prevent a fuel shortage that occurs at the time of surface fluctuation or vehicle turning with a simple structure.

An engine fuel supply apparatus according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is an engine fuel that supplies fuel in the fuel tank to the engine by a fuel pump installed in the fuel tank in which the fuel is accommodated. In the supply device, the fuel pump is covered with a plurality of container-like structures, and fuel passages formed in each of the plurality of container-like structures are arranged shifted in the outer circumferential direction, and the fuel pump and the A plurality of container-like structures are mounted to be inclined with respect to the fuel tank, and a suction port of the fuel pump is provided below the fuel tank, and the innermost layer of the plurality of container-like structures is provided. The fuel passage and the suction port of the fuel pump are formed in a straight line.
The outermost layer of the multiple container-like structures may be fixed to the fuel tank.

  In this engine fuel supply device, a fuel pump installed in a fuel tank is covered with multiple container-like structures. Thereby, the operation sound of the fuel pump is insulated. Each of the multiple container-like structures is formed with a fuel passage that serves as a fuel passage by connecting the fuel tank and the fuel pump. And the fuel passage formed in each container-like structure is shifted and arranged in the circumference direction. That is, the fuel passages are not arranged linearly. Thereby, the space of the innermost container-like structure and the outer space of the outermost container-like structure are not in direct communication (having a labyrinth structure). The transmitted sound transmitted to the outside can be reduced.

  Further, in this fuel supply device, the labyrinth structure is obtained by arranging the fuel passages formed in each container-like structure so as to be shifted in the circumferential direction. That is, no complicated configuration is required to obtain a labyrinth structure. The labyrinth structure obtained by shifting the fuel passages formed in each container-like structure in the circumferential direction prevents the fuel from running out when the liquid level fluctuates when the remaining amount of fuel is low or when the vehicle turns. Can be prevented. This is because the multiple container-like structures have a sub-tank function, so that it is difficult for the fuel to flow out of the container-like structure even when the liquid level changes or the vehicle turns when the fuel remaining amount is low.

  In this way, this fuel supply device has a very simple configuration to reduce the sound transmitted to the outside of the fuel tank due to the operation sound of the fuel pump, and at the time of liquid level fluctuation when the remaining amount of fuel is low or the vehicle turning It is possible to prevent fuel shortage that sometimes occurs.

  In the fuel supply apparatus for an engine according to the present invention, the fuel passage formed in the outermost layer of the multiple container-like structures is positioned higher than the fuel passage formed in the other layers. It is desirable to be formed.

  This makes it difficult for the fuel to flow out of the container-like structure when the liquid level is low or the vehicle turns when the remaining amount of fuel is low, so that the function of the sub-tank in the multiple container-like structures can be enhanced. . As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a fuel shortage that occurs when the liquid level changes or the vehicle turns when the remaining amount of fuel is low.

  In the fuel supply apparatus for an engine according to the present invention, it is desirable that a soundproof member for allowing fuel to pass is disposed between the multiple container-like structures. It is also preferable to arrange the soundproof member between the fuel pump and the innermost container-like structure.

  By doing so, the sound transmitted to the outside of the fuel tank due to the operation sound of the fuel pump can be reduced more effectively. Further, by arranging the soundproof member between the multiple container-like structures, it becomes difficult for the fuel to flow out of the container-like structure when the liquid level changes when the remaining amount of fuel is small or when the vehicle turns. Therefore, the function of the sub tank in the multiple container-like structures can be further enhanced.

  In the engine fuel supply apparatus according to the present invention, it is desirable that the soundproof member has a surface shape that is uneven or corrugated. Thereby, since the soundproofing effect can be enhanced, the transmitted sound to the outside of the fuel tank accompanying the operation sound of the fuel pump can be effectively reduced.

  In the fuel supply apparatus for an engine according to the present invention, at least one of the outer side of the fuel passage formed in the outermost layer of the multiple container-like structures and the outer side of the fuel inlet of the fuel pump. It is desirable that a sound insulating plate is disposed.

  In this way, by providing the sound insulation plate at the position where the operating sound of the fuel pump is most easily transmitted, the transmitted sound to the outside of the fuel tank accompanying the operating sound of the fuel pump can be reduced more effectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel supply device for an engine, wherein the fuel supply device for an engine supplies the fuel in the fuel tank to the engine by a fuel pump installed in the fuel tank in which the fuel is accommodated. The fuel pump is covered with a plurality of container-like structures, and fuel passages formed in each of the plurality of container-like structures are arranged shifted in the outer circumferential direction, and each of the plurality of container-like structures is arranged. Vapor extraction holes are formed in the upper part, and the respective vapor extraction holes are arranged alternately.

  In this engine fuel supply device, the vapor removal holes formed in the upper portions of the multiple container-like structures are alternately arranged. That is, each vapor extraction hole is not arranged linearly. Therefore, the innermost container-like structure space and the outer space of the outermost container-like structure do not directly communicate with each other through the vapor hole (a labyrinth structure). Thereby, the permeation | transmission sound which the operating sound of a fuel pump permeate | transmits outside a fuel tank through a vapor | steam extraction hole can be made small.

  According to the fuel supply apparatus for an engine according to the present invention, the fuel pump is covered with the multiple container-like structures, and the fuel passages formed in each container-like structure are alternately arranged. The sound transmitted to the outside of the fuel tank due to the operating noise of the engine can be reduced, and the fuel shortage that occurs when the liquid level changes or the vehicle turns when the remaining amount of fuel is small can be prevented with a simple structure.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a most preferred embodiment embodying a fuel supply device for an engine of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. In this embodiment, the fuel supply apparatus of the present invention is applied to an apparatus for supplying LPG fuel to a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engine.

(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described. Therefore, a schematic configuration of the LPG fuel supply apparatus according to the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an LPG fuel supply apparatus, in which FIG. 1A is a plan view and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the LPG fuel supply apparatus.

  The LPG fuel supply apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is of an in-tank type in which a fuel pump 11 is installed in a fuel tank 20 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel tank 20 has a metal cylinder shape for storing LPG fuel. This is because pressure resistance is required to store the LPG fuel. The LPG fuel supply device 10 is provided in the lower part of the fuel tank 20. The reason why the LPG supply device 10 is installed slightly obliquely with respect to the fuel tank 20 is to secure a space such as fuel piping.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the LPG fuel supply apparatus 10 includes a fuel pump 11, double container-like structures 30 and 40 that cover the fuel pump 11, and openings of the container-like structures 30 and 40. And a lid 22 for closing the part. The LPG fuel supply device 10 supplies the LPG fuel sucked up from the suction port 12 by the fuel pump 11 to the LPG engine (not shown) from the discharge port 13 at a predetermined pressure. Here, since the structure of the fuel pump 11 is the same structure as a general fuel pump for gasoline, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. The fuel pump 11 is fixed to the plate 14. A lid 22 is fixed to the opposite side of the plate 14 to which the fuel pump 11 is attached. On the other hand, a container-like structure 40 is fixed to the surface side of the plate 14 to which the fuel pump 11 is attached. Thereby, the fuel pump 11 is covered with the container-like structure 40.

  Further, a flange 21 is attached to an installation portion of the LPG fuel supply device 10 in the fuel tank 20. A container-like structure 30 is fixed to the flange 21 on the fuel tank 20 side. That is, the outer (outermost layer) container-like structure 30 is fixed to the fuel tank 20 via the flange 21.

  The fuel pump 11 is installed and fixed in the fuel tank 20 by fixing the outer peripheral portion of the lid 22 on the surface side to which the plate 14 is attached to the flange 21 fixed to the fuel tank 20. The The fuel pump 11 is also covered with the container-like structure 30. Thereby, the fuel pump 11 is covered with the double container-like structures 30 and 40. For this reason, the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 is insulated.

  In each of these container-like structures 30 and 40, fuel passages 31 and 41 and vapor extraction holes 32 and 42 are formed. The fuel passages 31 and 41 are formed in the lower part of the container-like structures 30 and 40, and the vapor removal holes 32.42 are formed in the upper part of the container-like structures 30 and 40. The reason why the fuel passages 31 and 41 and the vapor removal holes 32.42 are formed in this way is to smoothly fill the container-like structures 30 and 40 with the LPG fuel. And the fuel passages 31 and 41 formed in each of the container-like structures 30 and 40 are shifted in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. That is, the fuel passage 31 and the fuel passage 41 are not arranged linearly. Further, the fuel passage 31 formed in the outer container-like structure 30 is formed at a position higher than the fuel passage 41 formed in the container-like structure 40 as shown in FIG. Further, the vapor removal holes 32 and 42 are arranged alternately.

  For this reason, the space between the inner container-like structure 40 and the fuel pump 11 and the outer space (inside the fuel tank 20) of the outer container-like structure 30 do not communicate directly (having a labyrinth structure). . Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the transmitted sound that the operating sound of the fuel pump 11 transmits to the outside of the fuel tank 20 through the fuel passages 41 and 31 and the vapor vent holes 42 and 32.

  Here, when the transmitted sound to the outside of the fuel tank 20 due to the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 was examined, by providing the container-like shapes 30 and 40 (in a state where the fuel passages 31 and 41 are not shifted), The transmitted sound was reduced by about 8%. Then, as shown in FIG. 1A, the fuel passages 31 and 41 are arranged so as to be shifted in the circumferential direction, whereby the transmitted sound can be further reduced by about 6%. That is, according to the LPG fuel supply apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the transmitted sound to the outside of the fuel tank 20 due to the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 can be reduced by about 14% compared to before the countermeasure.

  In the LPG fuel supply device 10, the fuel passages 31 and 41 formed in the container-like structures 30 and 40 are shifted in the circumferential direction, and the fuel passage 31 is disposed at a position higher than the fuel passage 41. The labyrinth structure is obtained. Therefore, no complicated configuration is required to obtain the labyrinth structure. And by this labyrinth structure, the LPG fuel supply apparatus 10 has a function of a sub tank. Accordingly, when the remaining amount of LPG fuel in the fuel tank 20 is reduced, as shown in FIG. When it fluctuates, the LPG fuel can remain in the vicinity of the suction port 12 of the fuel pump 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, LPG fuel remains in the vicinity of the suction port 12 of the fuel pump 11 even when the fuel level in the fuel tank 20 fluctuates due to the lateral acceleration (lateral G) generated when the vehicle turns. Can be made. That is, even when the remaining amount of fuel is small, the suction port 12 can always be kept immersed in the LPG fuel. Thereby, the LPG fuel supply device 10 can stably supply the LPG fuel to the LPG engine even when the remaining amount of fuel is small.

  As described above, in the LPG fuel supply device 10 according to the first embodiment, the fuel pump 11 is covered with the container-like structures 30 and 40 and formed in each of the container-like structures 30 and 40. The labyrinth structure can be obtained with a very simple configuration in which the fuel passages 31 and 41 are shifted in the circumferential direction and the fuel passage 31 is disposed at a position higher than the fuel passage 41. Further, the vapor removal holes 32 and 42 are arranged alternately. As a result, the space between the inner container-like structure 40 and the fuel pump 11 and the outer space (inside the fuel tank 20) of the outer container-like structure 30 do not directly communicate with each other. However, the transmitted sound transmitted to the outside of the fuel tank 20 through the fuel passages 41 and 31 and the vapor vent holes 42 and 32 can be reduced. Even when the remaining amount of fuel is small, the suction port 12 can always be kept immersed in the LPG fuel in the fuel tank 20, so that the LPG fuel can be stably supplied to the LPG engine.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The LPG fuel supply apparatus according to the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the LPG fuel supply apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, except that a soundproof member is provided. For this reason, in the following description, it demonstrates centering around difference with 1st Embodiment, attaches | subjects the same code | symbol to a drawing about a common point, and abbreviate | omits the description suitably.

  Therefore, FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the LPG fuel supply apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an LPG fuel supply apparatus according to a second embodiment, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in (a). . As shown in FIG. 5, the LPG fuel supply device 10 a includes a fuel pump 11, double container-like structures 30 and 40 that cover the fuel pump 11, and soundproof members 33 and 43. The soundproof members 33 and 43 are formed of a material (for example, non-woven fabric) that allows LPG fuel to pass therethrough. The soundproof member 33 is installed between the container-like structure 30 and the container-like structure 40. The soundproof member 43 is installed between the container-like structure 40 and the fuel pump 11. Thereby, the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 can be effectively insulated.

  The surfaces of the soundproof members 33 and 43 may be flat, but are preferably uneven or corrugated. By doing so, the soundproofing effect by the soundproofing members 33 and 43 can be enhanced.

  Then, when the sound transmitted to the outside of the fuel tank 20 due to the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 was examined, the LPG fuel according to the first embodiment was installed by installing the soundproof members 33 and 43 as shown in FIG. Compared with the supply device 10, the transmitted sound could be further reduced by about 13%. That is, according to the LPG fuel supply apparatus 10a according to the present embodiment, the transmitted sound to the outside of the fuel tank 20 due to the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 can be reduced by about 26% compared to before the countermeasure.

  Further, by installing the soundproof members 33 and 43, it becomes more difficult for the LPG fuel to flow out from the LPG fuel supply device 10a. For this reason, the LPG fuel supply device 10a can stably supply the LPG fuel to the LPG engine even when the liquid level changes when the remaining amount of fuel is low or when the vehicle turns. That is, it is possible to reliably prevent the fuel from running out when the liquid level is changed or the vehicle is turning when the remaining amount of fuel is small.

  As described above in detail, in the LPG fuel supply device 10a according to the second embodiment, the fuel pump 11 is covered with the container-like structures 30 and 40, and is formed in each of the container-like structures 30 and 40. The labyrinth structure is obtained by shifting the fuel passages 31 and 41 in the circumferential direction and arranging the fuel passage 31 at a position higher than the fuel passage 41. A soundproof member 33 is provided between the container-like structure 30 and the container-like structure 40, and a soundproof member 43 is provided between the container-like structure 40 and the fuel pump 11. Thereby, since the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 can be effectively insulated, the transmitted sound to the outside of the fuel tank 20 accompanying the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 can be further reduced. Further, when the remaining amount of fuel is small, the LPG fuel is less likely to flow out from the LPG fuel supply device 10a, so that the LPG fuel can be supplied to the LPG engine more stably.

(Third embodiment)
Finally, a third embodiment will be described. The LPG fuel supply apparatus according to the third embodiment has the same basic configuration as the LPG fuel supply apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, except that a sound insulating plate is provided. For this reason, in the following description, it demonstrates centering around difference with 1st Embodiment, attaches | subjects the same code | symbol to a drawing about a common point, and abbreviate | omits the description suitably.

  FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the LPG fuel supply apparatus according to the third embodiment. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an LPG fuel supply apparatus according to a third embodiment, wherein FIG. 6A is a plan view, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. . As shown in FIG. 6, the LPG fuel supply apparatus 10 b includes a fuel pump 11, double container-like structures 30 and 40 that cover the fuel pump 11, and sound insulation plates 34 and 44. The sound insulating plate 34 is installed in front (outside) of the fuel passage 31. The sound insulating plate 44 is installed in front (outside) of the suction port 12 of the fuel pump 11. As described above, by providing the sound insulating plates 34 and 44 at the position where the operating sound of the fuel pump 11 is most easily transmitted, the transmitted sound to the outside of the fuel tank 20 due to the operating sound of the fuel pump 11 is more effectively reduced. be able to.

  Then, when the sound transmitted to the outside of the fuel tank 20 due to the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 was examined, as shown in FIG. 6, by installing the sound insulating plates 34 and 44, the LPG according to the first embodiment. Compared with the fuel supply device 10, the transmitted sound could be further reduced by about 3%. That is, according to the LPG fuel supply apparatus 10b according to the present embodiment, the transmitted sound to the outside of the fuel tank 20 due to the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 can be reduced by about 17% compared to before the countermeasure.

  As described above in detail, in the LPG fuel supply apparatus 10b according to the third embodiment, the fuel pump 11 is covered with the container-like structures 30 and 40, and is formed in each of the container-like structures 30 and 40. The labyrinth structure is obtained by shifting the fuel passages 31 and 41 in the circumferential direction and arranging the fuel passage 31 at a position higher than the fuel passage 41. In addition, sound insulation plates 34 and 44 are installed in front (outside) of the fuel passage 31 through which the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 is most easily transmitted and the suction port 12 of the fuel pump 11, respectively. Thereby, since the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 can be effectively insulated, the transmitted sound to the outside of the fuel tank 20 accompanying the operation sound of the fuel pump 11 can be further reduced.

  It should be noted that the above-described embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first to third embodiments have been illustrated and described, but these may be combined as appropriate. Specifically, by combining the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the transmitted sound to the outside of the fuel tank 20 due to the operating sound of the fuel pump 11 can be further reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the container-like structure is exemplified as the cylindrical shape, but the container-like structure is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a columnar shape or a hemispherical shape.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the fuel supply device that supplies the LPG fuel to the engine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the LPG fuel. For example, liquefied natural gas (LNG), gasoline The present invention can also be applied to a fuel supply device that supplies light oil, kerosene, or the like to the engine.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the LPG fuel supply apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (a) is a top view, (b) is sectional drawing in the AA line shown to (a). It is an external view which shows schematic structure of the LPG fuel supply apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode of the liquid level fluctuation | variation in a fuel tank when acceleration arises in the front-back direction when there is little fuel remaining. It is a figure which shows the mode of the liquid level fluctuation | variation in a fuel tank in case acceleration arises in the horizontal direction when there is little fuel remaining. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the LPG fuel supply apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (a) is a top view, (b) is sectional drawing in the AA line shown to (a). It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the LPG fuel supply apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, (a) is a top view, (b) is sectional drawing in the AA line shown to (a).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 LPG fuel supply apparatus 11 Fuel pump 12 Suction port 13 Discharge port 20 Fuel tank 30,40 Container-like structure 31,41 Fuel passage 32,42 Vapor extraction hole 33,43 Sound insulation member 34,44 Sound insulation plate

Claims (7)

In a fuel supply device for an engine, the fuel in the fuel tank is supplied to the engine by a fuel pump installed in the fuel tank in which the fuel is stored.
The fuel pump is covered with multiple container-like structures;
The fuel passages formed in each of the multiple container-like structures are arranged shifted in the outer circumferential direction,
The fuel pump and the multiple container-like structures are inclined with respect to the fuel tank, and a suction port of the fuel pump is provided below the fuel tank;
The fuel supply apparatus for an engine, wherein the fuel passage formed in the innermost layer of the multiple container-like structures and the suction port of the fuel pump are linearly arranged. In a fuel supply device for an engine, the fuel in the fuel tank is supplied to the engine by a fuel pump installed in the fuel tank in which the fuel is stored.
The fuel pump is covered with multiple container-like structures;
The fuel passages formed in each of the multiple container-like structures are arranged shifted in the outer circumferential direction,
Vapor extraction holes are formed in the upper portions of the multiple container-like structures ,
The fuel supply device for an engine, wherein the vapor removal holes are arranged alternately . In the fuel supply system for Rue engine to claim 1 or claim 2,
An engine fuel supply device, wherein an outermost layer of the multiple container-like structures is fixed to the fuel tank. The fuel supply apparatus for an engine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The fuel passage formed in the outermost layer of the multiple container-like structures is formed at a position higher than the fuel passage formed in the other layer. Fuel supply device. In the fuel supply device for any one of the engines according to claims 1 to 4 ,
A fuel supply device for an engine, wherein a soundproof member that allows fuel to pass therethrough is disposed between the multiple container-like structures. The engine fuel supply device according to claim 5 ,
A fuel supply device for an engine, wherein the soundproof member has a surface shape that is uneven or corrugated. The fuel supply device for an engine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
An engine is characterized in that a sound insulation plate is disposed at least one of the outer side of the fuel passage formed in the outermost layer of the multiple container-like structures or the outer side of the fuel inlet of the fuel pump. Fuel supply device.

Images