JP5739208B2 - Fuel tank system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel tank system including a fuel tank having a first reservoir and a second reservoir that store fuel.

  Conventionally, fuel tanks have been widely used to supply fuel to engines. For example, in a 4WD (four-wheel drive) vehicle and an FR (front engine / rear drive) vehicle, the vehicle width direction center of the tank bottom is curved upward so as to avoid interference with the propeller shaft passing through the center of the vehicle. The vertical fuel tank is adopted.

  The vertical fuel tank is generally divided into a first storage section and a second storage section that store fuel by a curved portion (a flange portion) on the bottom surface of the tank (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-324716

  By the way, in the above-described vertical fuel tank (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a fuel tank), a siphon pipe for transferring fuel between the first reservoir and the second reservoir, and the first reservoir are provided. A fuel detector for detecting a liquid level of the fuel in the first reservoir.

  In such a fuel tank, the liquid level of the fuel in each reservoir is made uniform by the siphon tube, so that a fuel meter (display means) according to the detection value of the fuel detector provided in the first reservoir. ) Is changed, the total fuel amount in the fuel tank can be displayed on the fuel meter.

  However, for example, in the fuel tank, when a fuel supply pipe is provided so that fuel is supplied to the first storage part, the liquid level height of the fuel in each storage part is made uniform by the siphon tube. Since a considerable amount of time is required to become, the fuel flows into the second reservoir after the fuel in the first reservoir reaches a flow rate exceeding the heel.

  For this reason, when the amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank is small, the liquid level of the fuel in each reservoir is not uniform immediately after the end of refueling, so depending on the detection value of the fuel detector at this time If the indicator of the fuel meter is changed, the total fuel amount in the fuel tank may not be accurately displayed on the fuel meter.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and provides a fuel tank system capable of accurately displaying the total fuel amount in the fuel tank on the display means even immediately after the end of refueling. With the goal.

A fuel tank system according to the present invention includes a fuel tank for a vehicle having a first storage part and a second storage part for storing fuel, and a fuel supply pipe for supplying fuel to the inside of the first storage part from the outside. Fuel transfer means for transferring the fuel in the first reservoir to the second reservoir, fuel detection means for detecting the liquid level of the fuel in the first reservoir, and fuel in the first reservoir The fuel level in the first reservoir and the fuel in the fuel tank detected by the fuel detecting means when the level of the fuel and the level of fuel in the second reservoir are uniform. A storage unit storing a fuel calculation map showing a relationship with the amount; an estimation unit for estimating a total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank according to the following equation (1) immediately after refueling; and the estimation unit display means for displaying the total amount of fuel Qt, which is estimated by the , Characterized in that it comprises a.
Qt = Qa + (Qb / n) (1)
However, Qa is calculated based on the amount of remaining fuel in the fuel tank immediately before refueling, Qb is calculated based on the fuel level height in the first storage part detected by the fuel detecting means immediately after refueling, and the fuel calculation map. Detected fuel amount obtained by subtracting the remaining fuel amount Qa from the amount of fuel to be applied, n: a constant obtained by dividing the volume of the first reservoir by the total volume of the fuel tank.

According to such a system, before the fuel transfer from the first storage part to the second storage part is completed, the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank is estimated based on the above formula (1) and displayed on the display means. Since it is displayed, the total fuel amount in the fuel tank can be accurately displayed on the display means even immediately after the end of refueling.

In the fuel tank system , the fuel tank is formed with a mountain height portion that separates the bottom surfaces of the first storage portion and the second storage portion and connects the first storage portion and the second storage portion. The estimating means estimates the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank according to the equation (1) when the liquid level of the fuel in the first reservoir does not reach the height of the peak. May be.

According to such a system , since the mountain height portion is provided, the liquid level height of the fuel in the first storage portion is the height from the bottom surface of the first storage portion to the top of the mountain height portion (the height of the mountain height portion ). ), The fuel in the first storage part gets over the mountain height and flows into the second storage part. Therefore, the first storage part and the second storage part are completely separated from each other, and compared with the case where the first storage part and the second storage part are communicated only by the fuel transfer means, Fuel can be smoothly supplied. Moreover, since the gap is formed between the bottom surface of the first storage part and the bottom surface of the second storage part by the mountain-height part, it becomes possible to arrange a propeller shaft or the like of the vehicle in the clearance. Further, at the end of refueling, the level of the fuel in the first reservoir does not reach the height of the peak (the level of the fuel in the first reservoir is higher than the level of the fuel in the second reservoir). The total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank is estimated based on the above equation (1), so that the total amount in the fuel tank immediately after the end of refueling. The fuel amount can be accurately displayed on the display means.

In the fuel tank system , when the estimation means has a liquid level height of the fuel in the first storage portion reaching the height of the mountain height portion and higher than the liquid level height of the fuel in the second storage portion, Immediately after the end of refueling, the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank may be estimated by the following equation (2).
Qt = Qa + (Qb / n) + V × T (2)
However, V: Refueling speed, T: The inflow time when the fuel supplied to the 1st storage part flows into the 2nd storage part via the peak part.

According to such a system, during fueling completion, a higher than liquid level of the fuel in the second reservoir with liquid level of the fuel in the first reservoir reaches the height of the mountain higher part However, since the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank is estimated based on the above formula (2) , the total fuel amount in the fuel tank can be accurately displayed on the display means immediately after the end of refueling.

A fuel tank system according to the present invention includes a fuel tank for a vehicle having a first storage part and a second storage part for storing fuel, and a fuel supply pipe for supplying fuel to the inside of the first storage part from the outside. Fuel transfer means for transferring the fuel in the first reservoir to the second reservoir, fuel detection means for detecting the liquid level of the fuel in the first reservoir, and fuel in the first reservoir The fuel level in the first reservoir and the fuel in the fuel tank detected by the fuel detecting means when the level of the fuel and the level of fuel in the second reservoir are uniform. A storage unit storing a fuel calculation map showing a relationship with the amount, an estimation unit for estimating the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank immediately after refueling, and a total fuel estimated by the estimation unit Display means for displaying the quantity Qt, the fuel In the tank, a bottom portion of the first storage part and the second storage part is separated from each other, and a mountain-height part that connects the first storage part and the second storage part is formed. When the liquid level of the fuel in the first reservoir reaches the height of the peak and is higher than the level of the fuel in the second reservoir, the following formula (3) The total fuel amount Qt is estimated.
Qt = Qa + (Qb / n) + V × T (3)
However, Qa is calculated based on the amount of remaining fuel in the fuel tank immediately before refueling, Qb is calculated based on the fuel level height in the first storage part detected by the fuel detecting means immediately after refueling, and the fuel calculation map. Detected fuel amount obtained by subtracting the remaining fuel amount Qa from the amount of fuel to be performed, n: a constant obtained by dividing the volume of the first reservoir by the total volume of the fuel tank, V: fueling speed, T: the first reservoir The inflow time during which the fuel supplied to the fuel flows into the second reservoir through the mountain height.

According to such a system, during fueling completion, when the liquid surface height of the fuel in the first storage unit is not higher than the liquid level of the fuel in the co reaches the height of the bowler portion in the second reservoir Even in such a case , since the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank is estimated based on the above formula (3), the total fuel amount in the fuel tank can be accurately displayed on the display means immediately after refueling. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, the total fuel in the fuel tank is based on the amount of fuel detected by the fuel detection means before the fuel transfer from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is completed. Since the amount is estimated and displayed on the display means, the total fuel amount in the fuel tank can be accurately displayed on the display means even immediately after the end of refueling.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel tank system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the block diagram which showed the inside of the estimation part shown in FIG. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure which estimates and displays the total amount of fuel in the fuel tank immediately after completion | finish of refueling using the fuel tank system shown in FIG. It is a partially omitted block diagram showing a fuel tank system in a first refueling state. It is a partially omitted block diagram showing a fuel tank system in a second refueling state. It is a partially omitted block diagram showing a fuel tank system in a third refueling state. It is the graph which showed the change with respect to time of a vehicle speed, a sender signal, and a meter indication value on the 1st refueling conditions. It is the graph which showed the change with respect to time of a vehicle speed, a sender signal, and a meter indication value on the 2nd oil supply conditions. It is the graph which showed the change with respect to time of a vehicle speed, a sender signal, and a meter indication value on the 3rd refueling condition.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a fuel tank system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving preferred embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel tank system 10 according to the present embodiment is applied to a vehicle such as a 4WD vehicle or an FR vehicle having a propeller shaft, and stores fuel supplied from the outside. The fuel tank 12, a fuel meter (display unit) 14 for displaying the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 12, and a control unit 16 are provided.

  The fuel tank 12 is configured as a so-called saddle type fuel tank, and a saddle portion (mountain height portion) 18 that is curved upward is provided on the substantially bottom surface in the vehicle width direction (arrow A direction). Therefore, a main tank (first reservoir) 20 and a sub tank (second reservoir) 22 are formed in the fuel tank 12 by the flange 18.

  That is, as understood from FIG. 1, the main tank 20 and the sub tank 22 are formed such that the upper portions communicate with each other and the lower portions are separated from each other. As a result, a gap S is formed between the lower part of the main tank 20 and the lower part of the sub tank 22, and the propeller shaft (not shown) can be disposed in the gap S. The bottom surface 21 of the main tank 20 and the bottom surface 23 of the sub tank 22 are located on the same plane.

  In the fuel tank 12, siphon tubes 24 are arranged over the bottom surfaces of the main tank 20 and the sub tank 22. A three-way joint 26 is provided on the upper side of the siphon tube 24. The three-way joint 26 is provided with a suction connection portion 28 provided with a backflow prevention valve (not shown). The suction connection portion 28 is connected to one end of a suction pipe 48 described later.

  An open end 24 a on the main tank 20 side of the siphon tube 24 is disposed on the bottom surface 21 of the main tank 20. A switching valve 30a is attached to the open end 24a. The switching valve 30a closes the open end 24a by detecting gas, and opens the open end 24a by detecting liquid.

  An open end 24 b of the siphon tube 24 on the sub tank 22 side is disposed on the bottom surface 23 of the sub tank 22. A switching valve 30b having the same configuration as the switching valve 30a described above is attached to the open end 24b.

  The main tank 20 is provided with an oil supply pipe 32 for supplying fuel into the main tank 20 from the outside, and a fuel supply module 34 for supplying fuel to an engine (not shown). A mounting hole 36 for the fuel supply module 34 is formed on the upper surface of the main tank 20.

  The fuel supply module 34 includes a bottomed cylindrical reserve container 38 provided on the bottom surface 21 of the main tank 20, and a flange 40 that is integrally provided at the upper open end of the reserve container 38 and is fixed to the mounting hole 36. And a fuel pump 42 provided in the reserve container 38, a filter 46 provided at an end of a suction pipe 44 located on the bottom surface of the reserve container 38 and connected to the fuel pump 42, and a suction connection A suction pipe 48 having one end connected to the portion 28 and the other end connected to the suction pipe 44, and a fuel pipe 50 for guiding the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 42 to the engine.

  The reserve container 38 has a predetermined liquid level (the filter 46 is immersed in the fuel) even when the amount of fuel in the main tank 20 is small or when the vehicle is stopped on a slope (inclined surface). It is for maintaining at such a height).

  Further, a sender unit (fuel detection means) 52 for detecting the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 is disposed on the side surface of the reserve container 38. The sender unit 52 includes a float 54 that moves up and down in response to a change in the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20, and an output unit 56 that outputs a signal corresponding to the vertical position of the float 54.

  The sub tank 22 has a shape in which the main tank 20 is substantially symmetrical. Therefore, when the fuel level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 and the fuel level height hb of the fuel in the sub tank 22 are uniform, the amount of fuel stored in the main tank 20 and the sub tank 22 are stored. The fuel amount is substantially the same. The size of the sub tank 22 can be set arbitrarily. That is, the sub tank 22 may be formed wider or narrower than the main tank 20.

  The fuel meter 14 is composed of an analog fuel meter, and includes a scale portion 58 and a pointer 60 that can move along the scale portion 58. In the vicinity of one end portion of the scale portion 58, The letter E indicating that the fuel in the fuel tank 12 is empty (empty) or in a low state, the fuel in the fuel tank 12 is full in the vicinity of the other end of the scale 58. Are displayed respectively. Of course, the fuel meter 14 may be a digital fuel meter.

  The control unit 16 is incorporated, for example, in an engine control unit (ECU) of the vehicle, and a fuel pump control unit 62 that controls the fuel pump 42, a storage unit 64, and an output signal (sender) from the sender unit 52. And a meter control unit 68 that drives and controls the pointer 60 of the fuel meter 14 based on the signal).

  Moreover, the control part 16 determines whether refueling was complete | finished. Specifically, for example, the control unit 16 determines that refueling has ended when the vehicle speed is detected by a vehicle speed sensor (not shown). However, although detailed illustration is omitted, the control unit 16 detects that a fuel cap is attached to the fuel filler port by the cap detection sensor, or that the fuel lid (fuel filler lid) is closed by the open / close sensor. It may be determined that the refueling has been completed when is detected. In this case, the time lag between the refueling end time determined by the control unit 16 and the actual refueling end time can be reduced.

  The storage unit 64 stores the kite height h0, the fuel calculation map, the first estimation formula, and the second estimation formula. The heel height h0 refers to the distance from the bottom surface 21 of the main tank 20 to the top portion 70 of the heel portion 18. As the fuel calculation map, for example, a graph showing the relationship between the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 and the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 12 is used.

The first estimation formula and the second estimation formula are: the total fuel amount in the fuel tank 12 is Qt, the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 12 before refueling (immediately before refueling) is Qa, and the liquid level height of the fuel in the main tank 20 The fuel amount (fuel amount) of the main tank 20 is (Qb / 2), the fueling speed is V, and the fuel supplied into the main tank 20 is passed through the flange 18 when the height ha is equal to or less than the height h0. When the inflow time (sticking time) flowing through the sub tank 22 is T, it is expressed as follows.
First estimation formula: Qt = Qa + (Qb / 2)
Second estimation formula: Qt = Qa + (Qb / 2) + V × T

  The estimation unit 66 estimates the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 12 based on the sender signal before the fuel supplied to the main tank 20 is completely transferred to the sub tank 22 via the siphon tube 24. Specifically, the estimation unit 66 estimates the total fuel amount Qt using the first estimation formula or the second estimation formula stored in the storage unit 64.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the estimation unit 66 is provided with first to fourth calculation units 72, 74, 76, 78 and first and second determination units 80, 82. The first calculator 72 calculates the remaining fuel amount Qa using the sender signal and the fuel calculation map.

  The second calculator 74 calculates the increased fuel amount (Qb / n). Here, Qb is the detected increased fuel amount, and the remaining fuel amount Qa is subtracted from the fuel amount calculated using the sender signal and the fuel calculation map in a state where the fuel transfer by the siphon tube 24 is not completed. Say what you did. That is, the detected increased fuel amount Qb is larger than the actual increased fuel amount (fuel supply amount) because the increased fuel amount is calculated using the sender signal when the fuel transfer is not completed. The constant n indicates the ratio of the total volume of the fuel tank 12 to the volume of the main tank 20. In other words, the constant n is obtained by dividing the total volume of the fuel tank 12 by the volume of the main tank 20. In the present embodiment, as described above, since the main tank 20 and the sub tank 22 are substantially symmetrical, the constant n = 2.

The third calculator 76 divides the increased fuel amount (Qb / n) by the time required from the start of refueling until the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 reaches the soot height h0. The speed V is calculated. The fourth calculator 78 calculates the inflow time T based on the sender signal.

  The first determination unit 80 determines whether or not the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 has reached the soot height h0, and the second determination unit 82 determines the level of the fuel in the main tank 20. It is determined whether or not the height ha exceeds the heel height h0. The liquid level height ha can be obtained by referring to the sender signal.

  Next, a procedure for estimating the total fuel amount Qt of the fuel tank 12 immediately after the end of refueling using the fuel tank system 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 6.

  First, the driver stops the vehicle at a predetermined position of the gas station (step S1 in FIG. 3). Thereafter, the first calculator 72 calculates a remaining fuel amount Qa based on the sender signal (step S2). As shown in FIG. 1, at the stage of step S2, the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 is uniform with the liquid level height hb in the sub tank 22, and lower than the ridge height h0. It has become.

  Subsequently, after refueling is started in step S3, the first determination unit 80 determines whether or not the liquid level height ha has reached the heel height h0 (step S4: ha = h0).

  When the liquid level height ha does not reach the heel height h0 (step S4: No), the control unit 16 determines whether or not refueling is finished (step S5). When refueling has not ended (when refueling is in progress), the process of step S4 described above is performed, and when refueling has ended, the second calculation unit 74 calculates the increased fuel amount (Qb / 2). (Step S6). As shown in FIG. 4, since the fuel transfer by the siphon tube 24 is not completed in the step S <b> 6, the fuel level height ha in the main tank 20 is equal to the fuel level height in the sub tank 22. It is higher than hb (first oil supply state).

  Subsequently, the estimation unit 66 estimates the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 12 using the first estimation formula (step S7). Here, since the increased fuel amount (Qb / 2) is added to the remaining fuel amount Qa in the fuel tank 12 before refueling using the first estimation formula, the fuel in the main tank 20 is completely transferred to the sub tank 22. Even before being transferred (immediately after the end of refueling), the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 20 can be accurately estimated.

  Thereafter, the meter control unit 68 drives the pointer 60 based on the total fuel amount Qt estimated in step S7 (step S8).

  In step S4, when the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 has reached the soot height h0 (step S4: Yes), in step S9, the second calculation unit 74 increases the fuel amount (Qb / 2). ) And the third calculator 76 calculates the oil supply speed V. In step S9, the fuel supplied to the main tank 20 passes over the flange 18 and flows into the sub tank 22.

  And the 2nd determination part 82 determines whether the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 exceeded the soot height h0 (step S10). When the liquid level height ha is not more than the ridge height h0 (step S10: No), the control unit 16 determines whether or not refueling is completed (step S11).

  If refueling has not ended (if refueling is in progress), the process of step S10 described above is performed. If refueling has ended, the fourth calculator 78 calculates the inflow time T (step S12). . As shown in FIG. 5, in step S12, the liquid level height ha in the main tank 20 reaches the spear height h0, and the liquid level height hb of the fuel in the sub tank 22 is in a state before refueling. (State shown in FIG. 1) is higher (second oil supply state).

  Subsequently, the estimation unit 66 estimates the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 12 using the second estimation formula (step S13). Here, using the second estimation formula, the remaining fuel amount Qa in the fuel tank 12 before refueling, the increased fuel amount (Qb / 2), and the fuel supplied into the main tank 20 get over the flange 18. Since the amount of fuel flowing into the sub tank 22 (V × T) is added, the total amount in the fuel tank 12 can be obtained even before the fuel in the main tank 20 is completely transferred to the sub tank 22 (immediately after the end of refueling). The fuel amount Qt can be accurately estimated.

  Thereafter, the meter control unit 68 drives the pointer 60 based on the total fuel amount Qt estimated in step S13 (step S8).

  On the other hand, when the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 exceeds the soot height h0 (step S10: Yes), after the refueling is completed (step S14), the estimation unit 66 uses the sender signal and the fuel calculation map. Using this, the total fuel amount Qt is calculated (step S15). As shown in FIG. 6, at the stage of step S14, the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 and the liquid level height hb of the fuel in the sub-tank 22 become uniform and are larger than the ridge height h0. It is high. In other words, for example, the fuel in the fuel tank 12 is full (third fueling state).

  Thereafter, the meter control unit 68 drives the pointer 60 based on the total fuel amount Qt estimated in step S15 (step S8). Then, when step S8 is completed, the flowchart of FIG. 3 ends.

  Next, the effect of this Embodiment is demonstrated, also referring FIGS. 7-9. 7 to 9 are graphs showing changes of the vehicle speed, the sender signal, and the meter indication value with respect to time under the first to third refueling conditions. Here, the first supply condition is an oil supply condition that is in the first supply state, the second supply condition is an oil supply condition that is in the second supply state, and the third supply condition is the third supply state. Each refueling condition is said.

  7 to 9 correspond to FIGS. 4 to 6 described above, respectively. 7 to 9, reference numeral A denotes a time when the vehicle stops, reference numeral B denotes a time point when the remaining fuel amount Qa is calculated, reference numeral C denotes a refueling start time point, reference sign D denotes a refueling end time point, and reference sign E denotes a vehicle 8 respectively indicate the time when the fuel supplied to the main tank 20 has passed over the flange 18. That is, in the example of FIGS. 7 to 9, the control unit 16 determines that refueling is complete when the fuel cap is attached to the fuel filler port or when the fuel lid is closed.

  In the fuel tank system of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the remaining fuel amount Qa in the fuel tank 12 is calculated after a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from the stop point A. That is, since the remaining fuel amount Qa is calculated in a state where the fuel in the fuel tank 12 that has been undulating at the time of stopping is settled, the remaining fuel amount Qa can be accurately calculated.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, at the end of refueling D, the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 becomes lower than the soot height h0 and the fuel level in the sub tank 22 is increased. When it is higher than hb, the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 12 is estimated using the first estimation formula (Qt = Qa + (Qb / 2)). Thus, before the fuel transfer by the siphon tube 24 is completed (immediately after the end of refueling: for example, time point E), the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 12 can be accurately known. The instructions can be made accurately. That is, even if the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 is reduced by transferring the fuel in the main tank 20 to the sub tank 22 via the siphon tube 24, the pointer 60 changes the sender signal. The total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 12 can be accurately indicated without being affected by the above.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, at the end of refueling D, the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 is the same as the soot height h0, and the fuel level in the sub tank 22 is high. When the height hb is smaller than the kite height h0, the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 12 is estimated using the second estimation formula (Qt = Qa + (Qb / 2) + V × T). Thus, even when the fuel supplied to the main tank 20 passes over the flange 18 and flows into the sub tank 22, the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 12 can be accurately known. Can be accurately instructed.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, at the end of refueling D, the fuel level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 is equal to the fuel level height hb of the fuel in the sub tank 22, and When the height is higher than h0, the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank 12 is estimated using the sender signal and the fuel calculation map. Since the liquid level heights ha and hb in the fuel tank 12 are already constant at the end D of refueling and the sender signal does not change after refueling, the amount of fuel corresponding to the liquid level height ha is set. By obtaining, the indication of the pointer 60 of the fuel meter 14 can be accurately performed.

  According to the present embodiment, since the flange 18 is provided in the fuel tank 12, when the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 exceeds the tank height h0, the fuel in the main tank 20 Gets over the flange 18 and flows into the sub tank 22. Therefore, the main tank 20 and the sub-tank 22 are completely separated from each other, and the fuel supply to the fuel tank 12 is smoothly performed as compared with the case where the main tank 20 and the sub-tank 24 are communicated only by the siphon tube 24. Can be done.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is naturally possible to adopt various configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, the refueling speed V may be stored in advance in a storage unit as a refueling speed set at a gas station.

  The fuel tank 12 may be configured by completely separating the main tank 20 and the sub tank 22 in a state where the main tank 20 and the sub tank 22 are communicated with each other through a siphon pipe 24. Further, the fuel tank 12 may be formed with a plurality of storage portions by forming a plurality of flanges 18 on the bottom surface 21 thereof.

  The fuel tank system 10 according to the present invention may use a fuel transfer member that can transfer fuel from the main tank 20 to the sub tank 22 by a jet pump instead of the siphon tube 24. Even in this case, it is possible to make the liquid level height ha of the fuel in the main tank 20 uniform.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel tank system 12 ... Fuel tank 14 ... Fuel meter (display means) 16 ... Control part 18 ... Saddle (mountain high part) 20 ... Main tank (1st storage part)
22 ... Sub tank (second reservoir) 24 ... Siphon tube (fuel transfer means)
32 ... Refueling pipe 52 ... Sender unit (fuel detection means)
60 ... Guideline 66 ... Estimating unit 72 ... First calculating unit 74 ... Second calculating unit 76 ... Third calculating unit 78 ... Fourth calculating unit 80 ... First determining unit 82 ... Second determining unit

Claims (4)

A fuel tank for a vehicle having a first storage part and a second storage part for storing fuel;
An oil supply pipe for supplying fuel to the inside of the first reservoir from the outside;
Fuel transfer means for transferring the fuel in the first reservoir to the second reservoir;
Fuel detection means for detecting the liquid level of the fuel in the first reservoir,
The liquid level height of the fuel in the first storage section detected by the fuel detection means when the liquid level height of the fuel in the first storage section and the liquid level height of the fuel in the second storage section are uniform. And a storage unit storing a fuel calculation map showing a relationship between the amount of fuel in the fuel tank and
Immediately after the end of refueling, estimating means for estimating the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank by the following equation (1)
Display means for displaying the total fuel amount Qt estimated by the estimating means;
A fuel tank system comprising:
Qt = Qa + (Qb / n) (1)
However, Qa is calculated based on the amount of remaining fuel in the fuel tank immediately before refueling, Qb is calculated based on the fuel level height in the first storage part detected by the fuel detecting means immediately after refueling, and the fuel calculation map. Detected fuel amount obtained by subtracting the remaining fuel amount Qa from the amount of fuel to be applied, n: a constant obtained by dividing the volume of the first reservoir by the total volume of the fuel tank. The fuel tank system according to claim 1, wherein
In the fuel tank, a bottom portion of the first storage part and the second storage part is separated from each other, and a mountain height part that connects the first storage part and the second storage part is formed .
The estimation means estimates the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank according to the equation (1) when the liquid level of the fuel in the first reservoir does not reach the height of the peak. A featured fuel tank system. The fuel tank system according to claim 2, wherein
If the liquid level height of the fuel in the first reservoir reaches the height of the peak and is higher than the liquid level of the fuel in the second reservoir, immediately after the end of refueling, the estimating means A fuel tank system, wherein the total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank is estimated by the equation (2).
Qt = Qa + (Qb / n) + V × T (2)
However, V: Refueling speed, T: The inflow time when the fuel supplied to the 1st storage part flows into the 2nd storage part via the peak part. A fuel tank for a vehicle having a first storage part and a second storage part for storing fuel;
An oil supply pipe for supplying fuel to the inside of the first reservoir from the outside;
Fuel transfer means for transferring the fuel in the first reservoir to the second reservoir;
Fuel detection means for detecting the liquid level of the fuel in the first reservoir,
The liquid level height of the fuel in the first storage section detected by the fuel detection means when the liquid level height of the fuel in the first storage section and the liquid level height of the fuel in the second storage section are uniform. And a storage unit storing a fuel calculation map showing a relationship between the amount of fuel in the fuel tank and
An estimation means for estimating a total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank immediately after refueling;
Display means for displaying the total fuel amount Qt estimated by the estimating means,
In the fuel tank, a bottom portion of the first storage part and the second storage part is separated from each other, and a mountain height part that connects the first storage part and the second storage part is formed.
When the liquid level height of the fuel in the first reservoir reaches the height of the peak and is higher than the liquid level of the fuel in the second reservoir, the estimating means has the following formula (3) A fuel tank system characterized by estimating a total fuel amount Qt in the fuel tank.
Qt = Qa + (Qb / n) + V × T (3)
However, Qa is calculated based on the amount of remaining fuel in the fuel tank immediately before refueling, Qb is calculated based on the fuel level height in the first storage part detected by the fuel detecting means immediately after refueling, and the fuel calculation map. Detected fuel amount obtained by subtracting the remaining fuel amount Qa from the amount of fuel to be performed, n: a constant obtained by dividing the volume of the first reservoir by the total volume of the fuel tank, V: fueling speed, T: the first reservoir The inflow time during which the fuel supplied to the fuel flows into the second reservoir through the mountain height.

Images