Fuel supply device

The fuel supply device has a module installed in a fuel tank. The module has a cap and a support pillar arranged between the cap and a bottom of the fuel tank. The cap is supporting a valve relevant to ventilation of the fuel tank. The valve is supported by a base portion. The base portion and a large diameter part are connected by snap-fit mechanisms. The valve and the base portion are connected by snap-fit mechanisms. A hook part is arranged in an engaging window. It is possible to inspect the valve through the engaging window.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-28918 filed on Feb. 17, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure in this description relates to a fuel supply device applied to a fuel tank for storing liquid fuel.

BACKGROUND

Patent Literature 1 discloses a fuel supply device. In this device, a fuel tank has an opening and a cap for covering the opening. The cap is used in order to install a component in the fuel tank, and a pillar-shaped member is installed between the cap and a bottom. Patent Literature 2 and Patent Literature 3 disclose examples of the component which should be installed in the fuel tank. Patent Literature 4 and Patent Literature 5 disclose snap-fit mechanisms in the fuel supply device. The content of Patent Literatures listed as prior art are used and incorporated by reference as description for technical components disclosed in this description.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literatures

SUMMARY

In the conventional devices, various components are supported by the cap. However, the component may be hidden by a support member. In this case, it becomes difficult to inspect the existence of the component and an installing condition of the component. In the above viewpoint, or in the other viewpoint not mentioned above, further improvement of a fuel supply device is still demanded.

It is one of objects of disclosure to provide a fuel supply device which allows easy inspection of component.

It is another one of objects of disclosure to provide a fuel supply device in which a snap-fit mechanism for connecting support members can be used to inspect component.

The present disclosure employs the following technical means, in order to attain the above-mentioned object.

The disclosure provides a fuel supply device. The fuel supply device comprises a cylindrical base portion which is disposed in a fuel tank, and defines an component container for containing a component; a large diameter part connected to an outside of the base portion; an inside snap-fit mechanism which connects the component and the base portion by an engagement of a first engaging window disposed on the base portion and a first hook part disposed on the component; and an outside snap-fit mechanism which connects the base portion and the large diameter part by an engagement of a second engaging window and a second hook part, second the engaging window being disposed by penetrating the large diameter part located on a radial outside of the inside snap-fit mechanism in a radial direction, and the second hook part being disposed on the outside of the base portion.

According to this fuel supply device, the inside snap-fit mechanism is positioned within the second engaging window for the outside snap-fit mechanism. Accordingly, it is possible to inspect the inside snap-fit mechanism and the component to be connected there through the second engaging window of the outside snap-fit mechanism.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A plurality of embodiments is described referring to the drawings. In the embodiments, the same parts and components as those in each embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers and the same descriptions will not be reiterated. In a consecutive embodiment, a correspondence is shown by using a similar reference symbol in which only hundred and more digits differ to indicate a part corresponding to a matter described in the previous embodiment, and the same description may not be repeated. The preceding description may be referred to for the part associated by the reference symbol. In a case that only a part of component or part is described, other descriptions for the other embodiment may be referenced or incorporated as descriptions for the remaining part of component or part.

First Embodiment

InFIG. 1, a fuel supply device10is mounted on a road motor vehicle. The fuel supply device10supplies a fuel to an internal combustion engine (ENG)11as a power source of the vehicle. The fuel supply system10has a fuel tank12for storing a fuel. The fuel tank12is so called a saddle type tank. The fuel tank12has a plurality of container sections on which a fuel accumulated. The fuel tank12has a first section13as main container section and a second section14as a sub container section at least.

The fuel supply device10has a plurality of tank modules for supporting a component which should be disposed in the fuel tank12. In this embodiment, the first module15and the second module21are disposed in the fuel tank12. Since the first module15supports a fuel pump, it may be called a main module or a pump module. Since the second module21supports a component for ventilation of the fuel tank12, it may be called a sub-module or a ventilation module. Since the second module21supports an in-tank component for the second section14, it may be called an additional module or a supplemental module.

The first module15pumps up a fuel from the fuel tank12, and supplies it to the internal combustion engine11. The first module15is disposed on the first section13. The first module15has a main pump (MP)16driven by an electric motor. The first module15has a suction filter17disposed in the first section13. The main pump16sucks a fuel from the suction filter17. As a result, the main pump16supplies the fuel in the first section13to the internal combustion engine11.

The first module15has an inter-section transport device for transporting the fuel in the second section14to the first section13. The inter-section transport device is provided by a suction filter18disposed in the second section14, a communicating passage19which communicates the second section14and the first section13, and an auxiliary pump20. The auxiliary pump20is disposed in the communicating passage19, and transports the fuel in the second section14to the first section13through the communicating passage19. The auxiliary pump20can be provided by a jet pump which uses the fuel pressurized by the main pump16as a power source, or a pump driven by an electric motor. For example, the auxiliary pump20is a jet pump which uses an excessive fuel returned to the fuel tank12from the internal combustion engine11as a power source.

The second module21is disposed on the second section14. The second module21supports at least one in-tank component. The second module21supports the suction filter18and the communicating passage19as in-tank components. The second module21supports a level sensor22as an in-tank component. The level sensor22is a residual quantity sensor for measuring the fuel quantity which remains in the second section14. The second module21supports an electric connector23for outputting electrical signal which indicates the fuel quantity detected by the level sensor22.

The second module21supports component relevant to ventilation of the fuel tank12. The second module21supports a valve25relevant to ventilation of the fuel tank12. The valve25is a part of an evaporated fuel emission control system (EVCS)26The valve25controls communicating condition between an inside of the fuel tank12and EVCS26. In the drawing, the valve25is illustrated as a symbol. The valve25controls discharge of gas from the fuel tank12in response to a height of the fuel level in the fuel tank12. The valve25is a fueling control valve which contributes to adjust a fueling rate by controlling discharge of gas from the fuel tank12to EVCS26. An example of the valve25is a float valve.

The valve25may be provided by the valves disclosed in JP2013-082427A or JP2008-248913. The content of the above listed documents are incorporated herein by reference as description for technical components disclosed in this description. The valve25may be provided by various valves, such as a rollover valve or an electromagnetic valve. The valve25may also be called as an EVCS valve, a fuel shut-off valve, or a ventilation valve.

The second module21has a cap31which covers the opening of the fuel tank12. The cap31is made of resin. The cap31has a connecting pipe32for ventilation of the fuel tank12. The inside of the fuel tank12is connected to EVCS26via the connecting pipe32.

The second module21has a support pillar41arranged between the cap31and the bottom of the fuel tank12. The support pillar41is a support mechanism which supports the component which should be installed in the fuel tank12by using the bottom of the fuel tank12as an installing base position for determining a proper position. The support pillar41is also a support mechanism for supporting the valve25. The support pillar41is made of resin. The support pillar41has a telescopic mechanism in order to be adapted for an error of distance between the cap31and the bottom of the fuel tank12. The telescopic mechanism is capable of extending and contracting about a height direction, and demonstrating a predetermined urging force in an extending direction. The support pillar41may be called a stay or a holder tower for the in-tank component.

The support pillar41has a base portion42which extends from the cap31. The base portion42is a member formed in a cylindrical shape. The base portion42may be called a first cylindrical member. The base portion42is formed integrally with the cap31by a continuous material. The base portion42is also a support member which contains the valve25and supports the valve25.

The support pillar41has an intermediate portion43which extends along the longitudinal direction of the support pillar41. The intermediate portion43is a member formed in a cylindrical shape. The intermediate portion43may be called a second cylindrical member. The intermediate portion43is connected with the base portion42at one end, i.e., an upper end in the drawing. The intermediate portion43is connected with the below-mentioned distal end portion46at the other end, i.e., a lower end in the drawing.

The intermediate portion43has a large diameter part44to be connected with the base portion42, and a small diameter part45to be connected with the distal end portion46. The small diameter part45is formed in a cylindrical shape. The large diameter part44is formed in a cylindrical shape. The large diameter part44is formed to have a diameter larger than the base portion42. The large diameter part44is placed to cover on an outside of the base portion42. The large diameter part44and the base portion42are connected in an immovable manner in the axial direction. The large diameter part44is formed in a shape which may be called a cylindrical shape with a bottom or a cup. The large diameter part44is arranged to cover the base portion42and the valve25arranged there.

The support pillar41has the distal end portion46. The distal end portion46is positioned to contact on the bottom of the fuel tank12. The distal end portion46may be called a bottom portion. The distal end portion46has a connecting part47formed in a cylindrical shape and a leg portion48to be in contact with the bottom of the fuel tank12. The distal end portion46may be called a third cylindrical member. The connecting part47is formed to have a diameter larger than the small diameter part45. The connecting part47is placed to cover on an outside of the small diameter part45. The small diameter part45and the connecting part47are connected in a movable manner in the axial direction. The small diameter part45and the connecting part47provide the telescopic device. The small diameter part45provides an inner tube for the telescopic device. The connecting part47provides an outer tube for the telescopic device. The connecting part47is formed in a shape which may be called a cylindrical shape with a bottom or a cup.

A compression spring51is accommodated between the intermediate portion43and the distal end portion46. The compression spring51urges the intermediate portion43and the distal end portion46in an extending direction. Thereby, the support pillar41is fixedly arranged between the cap31and the bottom of the fuel tank12.

The support pillar41has a support part52for supporting the inter-section transport device. The support part52is disposed on a distal end portion46. The support part52positions the suction filter18on the bottom of the second section14by supporting the communicating passage19. Since the suction filter18is disposed on an end opening of the communicating passage19, the support part52positions the end opening of the communicating passage19on the bottom of the second section14.

The support pillar41has a support part53for supporting the level sensor22. The support part53is disposed on the distal end portion46. The support part53positions the level sensor22on a regular height which is defined by using the bottom of the fuel tank12and a base position.

A snap-fit mechanism is disposed to connect the base portion42and the intermediate portion43. The snap-fit mechanism connects them by using the elasticity of resin. The snap-fit mechanism is provided by a hook part and an engaging window which receives the hook part. As shown in the drawing, the hook part55is disposed on an outer surface of the base portion42. The engaging window56is disposed on a cylindrical surface of the large diameter part44on the intermediate portion43. The engaging window56is formed on a circumferential area corresponding to the hook part55. The engaging window56receives the hook part55and engages with the hook part55at a regular axial position.

A snap-fit mechanism is disposed to connect the intermediate portion43and the distal end portion46. As shown in the drawing, a hook part57is disposed on an outer surface of the small diameter part45of the intermediate portion43. The engaging window58is disposed on the connecting part47of the distal end portion46. The engaging window58is formed on a circumferential area corresponding to the hook part57. The engaging window58is formed in a long shape in the axial direction to receive the hook part57and to allow a movement of the hook part57in the axial direction within a predetermined range. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a relative rotation while permitting a relative displacement in the axial direction between the intermediate portion43and the distal end portion46.

Since the large diameter part44is placed to cover the base portion42, the large diameter part44works as a member which protects the valve25. The large diameter part44works to adjust an amount of liquid fuel which reaches directly to the valve25in the fuel tank12. The large diameter part44has a plurality of through holes59which permit that gas component and liquid component in the fuel tank12reach to the valve25. On the other hand, these through holes59are arranged to restrict reaching of liquid component to the valve25, and to facilitate discharging of liquid component from the valve25. In this embodiment, the engaging window56also works as one of the through holes59.

The valve25and the base portion42are connected by a snap-fit mechanism. The valve25has a hook part61on an outer surface. The base portion42has an engaging window62on a circumferential area corresponding to the hook part61. The engaging window62is formed to be engaged with the hook part61in a condition where the valve25is positioned in a regular position.

According to this embodiment, the component container for containing the component relevant to ventilation of the fuel tank12, i.e., the valve25is defined by the base portion42. The component container is disposed in the base portion42. The component container is arranged to overlap with the support pillar41with respect to the height direction of the support pillar41. The component container is arranged between the telescopic device of the support pillar41and the cap31.

InFIG. 2, a plan view viewing the cap31from above is illustrated. An axis AX in a movable direction of the valve25, i.e., the up and down direction, and an axis in the longitudinal direction of the support pillar41, i.e., an axis AX of the telescopic device are arranged in a coaxial manner. The valve25is contained in an inside of the support pillar41. In this structure, an area occupied by the valve25and an area occupied by the support pillar41overlap with respect to a projected area in the axial direction. One area and the other area are in a relationship in which one area includes the other one area.

According to this structure, a plurality of components18,19,22,23, and25can be installed within the small cap31. The suction filter18, the communicating passage19and the level sensor22are installed on the cap31. The suction filter18, the communicating passage19and the level sensor22are components which should be installed by using the bottom of the fuel tank12as a base point for defining proper positions. The valve25as a component relevant to ventilation of the fuel tank12is also installed on the cap31. The valve25is positioned within the support pillar41. The valve25and the support pillar41are arranged to overlap each other along the height direction.

FIG. 3is a partial cross-sectional view showing the detail of the component container. The base portion42has a cylindrical section which contains the valve25therein. The large diameter part44is arranged to receive an open end of the base portion42into an annular cavity part which is formed in an inside of the large diameter part44. Thereby, it is possible to reduce a width of the open end of the base portion42in a radial outside direction.

The valve25and the base portion42are connected by the snap-fit mechanism61and62, i.e., an inside snap-fit mechanism. The inside snap-fit mechanism connects the valve25and the base portion42by an engagement of the first engaging window62disposed on the base portion42and a first hook part61disposed on the valve25. The base portion42and the large diameter part44are connected by the snap-fit mechanism55and56, i.e., an outside snap-fit mechanism. The outside snap-fit mechanism connects the base portion42and the large diameter part44by an engagement of a second engaging window56and a second hook part55disposed on the outside of the base portion42. The second engaging window56is disposed by penetrating the large diameter part44located on a radial outside of the inside snap-fit mechanism in a radial direction.

The hook part55is formed on the base portion42. The hook part55is formed in a wedge shape to may make it possible to insert the base portion42into the large diameter part44. The engaging window56is formed on the large diameter part44. An inner tapered surface for receiving the base portion42is disposed on the open end of the large diameter part44. The engaging window56disposed on the large diameter part44is an aperture which penetrates the large diameter part44in the radial direction. The support pillar41has two or more sets of hook parts55and the engaging windows56. The plurality of sets are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. For example, the support pillar41may have 2 sets or 3 sets of the hook parts55and the engaging windows56.

The valve25has a cylindrical shape. In the drawing, an appearance of a resin made case the valve25is illustrated. The valve25is contained in the component container which is defined within the base portion42. An inner tapered surface for receiving the valve25is disposed on the open end of the base portion42. The hook part61is formed in a wedge shape to make it possible to insert the valve25into the base portion42. The engaging window62is an aperture which penetrates the base portion42in the radial direction.

The large diameter part44is divided into a plurality of arcuate parts in order to enable elastic deformation for receiving the base portion42. The base portion42is divided into a plurality of arcuate parts in order to enable elastic deformation for receiving the valve25. A plurality of slits divide the large diameter part44into a plurality of arcuate parts. A plurality of slits divide the base portion42into a plurality of arcuate parts. The slits on the large diameter part44and the slits on the base portion42are arranged each other in a circumferentially shifted manner in order to be not in a series relation in the radial direction when the base portion42and the large diameter part44are connected. Thereby, excessive communication between the component container and the exterior is avoided.

The hook part61and the engaging window62are disposed on a positional area corresponding to the engaging window56. The hook part61and the engaging window62are disposed to be located on a radial inside of the engaging window56. On the base portion42, the hook part55and the engaging window62are arranged along an axial direction of the base portion42, i.e., a height direction. The hook part55and the engaging window62are disposed adjacently in the axial direction. The engaging window62is arranged closer to an open end of the base portion42than the hook part55. Since the hook part55and the engaging window62are arranged on a straight line, the hook part55and the engaging window62are positioned within the single engaging window56.

The engaging window56is an aperture which has a width capable of receiving the hook part55, and which is long and narrow along the axial direction and spreads over an area extended from the hook part55to at least a part of the engaging window62. The engaging window56spreads over both the hook part55and the engaging window62. The engaging window56has a shape and area which overlap with at least a part of the hook part61. The hook part55, the engaging window62, and the hook part61are positioned within the engaging window56in a visible manner.

The valve25is inserted into the component container formed in the base portion42from the open end of the base portion42. The large diameter part44of the intermediate portion43is also placed to cover the outside of the base portion42from the open end of the base portion42. Therefore, the insertion direction of the valve25to the base portion42and the mounting direction of the large diameter part44are the same. The snap-fit mechanism61and62has a vertical engaging surface to prevent the valve25from being disconnected in a reverse direction to the insertion direction of the valve25. The snap-fit mechanism55and56has a vertical engaging surface to prevent the large diameter part44from being disconnected in a reverse direction to the mounting direction of the large diameter part44. The snap-fit mechanism55and56and the snap-fit mechanism61and62are formed so that the engaging surfaces are distanced each other in the axial direction and are arranged on the same line in the axial direction. Such arrangement makes it possible to arrange another snap-fit mechanism61and62within one large engaging window56.

In this embodiment, the hook parts55and61and the engaging windows56and62which provide the snap-fit mechanisms can be formed by a slide molding die which is movable in the radial direction. In particular, the hook part55and the engaging window62can be formed by a slide molding die which is movable in the radial direction of the base portion42. Since the hook part55and the engaging window62are projected or penetrated along the same one radial direction of the base portion42, it is possible to form them by a common slide molding die.

FIG. 4is a side view showing a condition in which the valve25is contained in the component container. As shown in the drawing, the engaging window62is located within the engaging window56. In addition, the hook part61of the valve25, which is engaged with the engaging window62, is located within the engaging window56. According to this embodiment, not only the hook part55but the hook part61is also positioned within the engaging window56. The hook part61is arranged to be exposed to an outside of the large diameter part44. Thereby, the valve25contained in the base portion42can be directly detectable from an outside of the large diameter part44.

FIG. 5is a side view showing a condition in which the valve25is not contained in the component container. When the valve25is not contained in the base portion42, the valve25does not appear in the engaging window56. Especially, it is impossible to find the hook part61which has a three-dimensional characteristic configuration within the engaging window56. Therefore, it is certainly detectable that there is no valve25. The hook part61may be detectable by using a visual-sense apparatus and electronic picture processing in a manufacturing method of the fuel supply device. Alternatively, the hook part61may be detectable by a visual check of an operator.

Other Embodiments

The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and the present disclosure may be practiced in various modified embodiments. The present disclosure is not limited to the above combination, and disclosed technical means can be practiced independently or in various combinations. Each embodiment can have an additional part. The part of each embodiment may be omitted. Part of embodiment may be replaced or combined with the part of the other embodiment. The configurations, functions, and advantages of the above-mentioned embodiments are just examples. The technical scope of disclosure is not limited to the embodiment. Some extent of the disclosure may be shown by the scope of claim, and also includes the changes, which is equal to and within the same range of the scope of claim.

For example, the resin material which forms the base portion42and the large diameter part44, and the resin material which forms the case of the valve25may have different colors. It is possible to make the hook part61in the engaging window56noticeable.

The hook part61is directly formed on the valve25in the preceding embodiments. Alternatively, the hook part61may be formed on a valve retainer which is arranged within the component container with the valve25. In this case, the retainer may be regarded as a component belonging to the valve25.

In the preceding embodiments, the valve25is inspected by using the engaging window56of the snap-fit mechanism. The other one of in-tank components may be inspected instead of the valve25. For example, a fuel filter or a fuel feed pump may be arranged within the component container, and those components may be inspected via the engaging window56, instead of the valve25.

The support pillars41and241may be formed by combining much more members. For example, the base portion42may be provided by a cylindrical member which is separable from the cap31. The intermediate portions43and243may be provided by a plurality of cylindrical members.

The support pillars41and241may support an auxiliary pump20. In addition, the second module21containing the support pillars41and241may support a sub-tank for collecting fuel in the second section14. In this case, the support pillar may be formed as a thick cylindrical column which may have almost the same diameter as the cap31.