Abstract:
A fuel tank structure includes: a fuel tank that is installed in an automobile and that accommodates fuel; a bag-shaped member that is fixed to a ceiling portion of an interior of the fuel tank, and that can inflate and deflate; and a supporting plate that is provided at the bag-shaped member at a position facing a bottom portion of the fuel tank, the supporting plate having a specific gravity that is lower than a specific gravity of the fuel and causing the bag-shaped member to inflate toward the bottom portion of the fuel tank due to a weight of the supporting plate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-121260 filed Jun. 16, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
       BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a fuel tank structure. 
       Related Art 
       [0003]    A fuel tank structure, in which an expanding/contracting film that is bag-shaped (a bag-shaped member) that can inflate and deflate is provided within a fuel tank, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. H8-170568 as a fuel tank structure that is installed in an automobile. Further, this JP-A No. H8-170568 discloses a technique of suppressing the generation of evaporated fuel from the liquid surface of the fuel by inflating or deflating the expanding/deflating film so as to cover the liquid surface of the fuel. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    However, in the technique disclosed in the above-described document, compressed air must be sent from a compressor at the time of inflating the bag-shaped member, and a valve for opening to the atmosphere must be opened at the time of deflating the bag-shaped member. Namely, the compressor must be operated or stopped, and the valve for opening to the atmosphere must be opened or closed, in accordance with the height of the liquid surface of the fuel. It is difficult to inflate and deflate the bag-shaped member so as to follow the height of the liquid surface of the fuel. 
         [0005]    In view of the above-described circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank structure that can inflate and deflate a bag-shaped member following the height of the liquid surface of fuel. 
         [0006]    A fuel tank structure of a first aspect includes: a fuel tank that is installed in an automobile and that accommodates fuel; a bag-shaped member that is fixed to a ceiling portion of an interior of the fuel tank, and that can inflate and deflate; and a supporting plate that is provided at the bag-shaped member at a position facing a bottom portion of the fuel tank, the supporting plate having a specific gravity that is lower than a specific gravity of the fuel and causing the bag-shaped member to inflate toward the bottom portion of the fuel tank due to a weight of the supporting plate. 
         [0007]    In the fuel tank structure of the first aspect, the bag-shaped member that can inflate and deflate is fixed to the ceiling portion of the fuel tank interior. Further, the supporting plate is provided at this bag-shaped member. Here, the supporting plate is provided at a position of the bag-shaped member which position faces the bottom portion of the fuel tank, and is formed of a material whose specific gravity is lower than that of fuel. Due thereto, the supporting plate floats in the fuel, and therefore, as the liquid surface of the fuel that is accommodated in the fuel tank becomes high, the supporting plate moves toward the ceiling portion side and can cause the bag-shaped member to deflate. Further, the supporting plate can cause the bag-shaped member to inflate toward the bottom portion side due to the weight of the supporting plate itself. Namely, as the liquid surface of the fuel that is accommodated in the fuel tank becomes low, the supporting plate moves toward the bottom portion side and causes the bag-shaped member to inflate toward the bottom portion side. 
         [0008]    In a fuel tank structure of a second aspect, in the first aspect, bulging portions, that bulge out toward the bottom portion of the fuel tank, are provided at an outer peripheral portion of the supporting plate. 
         [0009]    In the fuel tank structure of the second aspect, the buoyancy, that is applied to the bulging portions from the fuel in a state in which the supporting plate is floating at the liquid surface of the fuel, is greater than the buoyancy that is applied to the general portion. Due thereto, the supporting plate tilting and sinking in the fuel is suppressed, and the posture of the supporting plate can be stabilized. 
         [0010]    In a fuel tank structure of a third aspect, in the first aspect or the second aspect, cavity portions that receive a gas are provided along an outer peripheral portion of the supporting plate. 
         [0011]    In the fuel tank structure of the third aspect, because buoyancy is applied to the cavity portions, the supporting plate tilting and sinking in the fuel is suppressed, and the posture of the supporting plate can be stabilized. 
         [0012]    In a fuel tank structure of a fourth aspect, in any one aspect of the first through third aspects, urging members that urge the supporting plate toward the bottom portion of the fuel tank, by an urging force that is lower than a pressure of the fuel on the supporting plate. 
         [0013]    In the fuel tank structure of the fourth aspect, because the supporting plate is urged toward the bottom portion side by the urging members, the supporting plate can be stably pushed against the liquid surface of the fuel. Further, because the urging force that is applied to the supporting plate from the urging members is lower than the force that the supporting plate receives from the fuel, the supporting plate sinking in the fuel can be suppressed. 
         [0014]    As described above, in accordance with the fuel tank structure of the first aspect, there is the excellent effect that the bag-shaped member can be inflated or deflated following the height of the liquid surface of the fuel. 
         [0015]    In accordance with the fuel tank structures of the second aspect and the third aspect, there is the excellent effect that the state of contact of the liquid surface of the fuel and the supporting plate can be maintained good. 
         [0016]    In accordance with the fuel tank structure of the fourth aspect, there is the excellent effect that the bag-shaped member can be stably inflated toward the bottom portion side of the fuel tank, as compared with a structure in which the bag-shaped member is made to inflate by the weight of the supporting plate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a drawing that schematically shows the overall structure of a fuel tank structure relating to a first embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view showing main portions of the fuel tank structure relating to the first embodiment, and is a drawing showing a state in which a bag-shaped member is deflated; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view that corresponds to  FIG. 2  and shows a state in which the bag-shaped member is inflated; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing the state cut along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, the state cut along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view that corresponds to  FIG. 5  and shows a modified example of the fuel tank structure relating to the first embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing main portions of a fuel tank structure relating to a second embodiment, and is a drawing showing a state in which the bag-shaped member is deflated; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view that corresponds to  FIG. 7  and shows a state in which the bag-shaped member is inflated; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view showing the state cut along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment 
       [0027]    A fuel tank structure relating to a first embodiment is described hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 . Note that arrow UP that is shown appropriately in the respective drawings indicates the upper side of a fuel tank. Further, in the present embodiment, the upper side of the fuel tank and the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction coincide with one another. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a fuel tank  10 , that structures the fuel tank structure relating to the present embodiment, is formed in a hollow shape, and is formed in a shape (e.g., the shape of a substantially parallelepiped box) that can accommodate liquid fuel (hereinafter called “fuel GS”) in the interior thereof. Further, the lower surface of the fuel tank  10  is supported by an unillustrated tank band. The fuel tank  10  is mounted to an unillustrated floor panel due to this tank band being fixed to the floor panel via brackets or the like. 
         [0029]    A filler pipe  12  that is substantially tubular is connected to the fuel tank  10 . A refueling port  12 A is formed in the upper end portion of the filler pipe  12 . Refueling is carried out due to a refueling gun being inserted into this refueling port  12 A and the fuel GS being filled into the fuel tank  10 . Note that this is a structure in which, in a case in which there is a large amount of the fuel GS within the fuel tank  10 , some of the fuel GS is accommodated in the filler pipe  12  as well. 
         [0030]    The refueling port  12 A at the upper end of the filler pipe  12  is opened and closed by a fuel cap  14 . An unillustrated fuel lid, that is provided at a side panel or the like of the vehicle body, is disposed at the outer side of the fuel cap  14 . 
         [0031]    In the closed state, the fuel cap  14  closes-off the refueling port  12 A, and limits access of a refueling gun to the filler pipe  12 . In contrast, when the fuel cap  14  is opened, the refueling port  12 A of the filler pipe  12  is opened, and access of a refueling gun to the refueling path is possible. 
         [0032]    A bag-shaped member  16  and contraction limiting members  18  are provided at the vehicle upper side of the fuel tank  10  interior. The bag-shaped member  16  is formed of a resin material that is inflatable and contractible, and is fixed to a ceiling portion  10 A of the fuel tank  10 . Further, a supporting plate  32  is provided at the fuel tank  10 . Details of the supporting plate  32  are described later. Note that “inflatable and contractible” here is not limited to a structure in which the bag-shaped member  16  itself expands and contracts, and includes members that are bag-shaped and whose volumes are variable such that they contract by being folded-up and inflate by being unfolded. 
         [0033]    The contraction limiting members  18  are provided at the region between an introducing pipe  20  and a lead-out pipe  22 , and project-out downwardly from the ceiling portion  10 A of the fuel tank  10 . Further, this is a structure in which the contraction limiting members  18  contact the bag-shaped member  16  in a state in which the fuel GS has been filled-in up to the full-tank liquid level. Due thereto, the bag-shaped member  16  does not contract further at least at the region between the introducing pipe  20  and the lead-out pipe  22 . 
         [0034]    A detection portion  36 B of a temperature sensor  36  is disposed in a vicinity of an inner wall of the fuel tank  10  interior. The temperature sensor  36  is structured to include a main body portion  36 A that is disposed at the outer side of the fuel tank  10 , and the detection portion  36 B that is rod-shaped and that extends downward from the main body portion  36 A. Further, the detection portion  36 B extends along the inner wall of the fuel tank  10  to a bottom portion, and this is a structure in which the temperature of the fuel GS that is accommodated within the fuel tank  10  can be sensed by the detection portion  36 B. 
         [0035]    The introducing pipe  20  is connected to the ceiling portion  10 A of the fuel tank  10 . The introducing pipe  20  is a pipe body for introducing air into the bag-shaped member  16  that is described later, and extends in the vertical direction. Further, the lower end portion of the introducing pipe  20  is disposed within the fuel tank  10 . On the other hand, the upper end portion of the introducing pipe  20  is connected to a cooling wind introducing section  24 , and extends further above the cooling wind introducing section  24  and is connected to the lead-out pipe  22 . 
         [0036]    The cooling wind introducing section  24  that is connected to the introducing pipe  20  is equipped with an unillustrated Peltier element, and is structured so as to, by this Peltier element, cool the air that flows through the interior of the introducing pipe  20 . 
         [0037]    The lead-out pipe  22  is connected to the ceiling portion  10 A of the fuel tank  10 , with an interval between the lead-out pipe  22  and the introducing pipe  20 . The lead-out pipe  22  is a pipe body that leads air out from the bag-shaped member  16 , and is structured to include a vertical portion  22 A that extends in the vertical direction and a lateral portion  22 B that extends substantially horizontally. The lower end portion of the vertical portion  22 A is disposed within the fuel tank  10 . On the other hand, the upper end portion of the vertical portion  22 A is connected to one end portion of the lateral portion  22 B. Further, the other end portion of the lateral portion  22 B is connected to the upper end portion of the introducing pipe  20 . 
         [0038]    Here, one end portion of a pipe  26  for opening to the atmosphere is connected to the portion where the introducing pipe  20  and the lead-out pipe  22  are connected. The pipe  26  for opening to the atmosphere extends in a direction of continuing with the lateral portion  22 B of the lead-out pipe  22 . An opening  26 A that opens to the atmosphere is formed at the other end portion of the pipe  26  for opening to the atmosphere. Further, an opening/closing valve  28  and a pressure adjusting valve  30  are provided at the one end side and the other end side, respectively, of the pipe  26  for opening to the atmosphere. 
         [0039]    The opening/closing valve  28  is provided in a vicinity of the connected portion of the introducing pipe  20  and the lead-out pipe  22 . This is a structure in which, due to the opening/closing valve  28  opening and closing, the entry and exit of air between, on the one hand, the pipe  26  for opening to the atmosphere, and, on the other hand, the introducing pipe  20  and the lead-out pipe  22 , can be adjusted. 
         [0040]    The pressure adjusting valve  30  is provided in a vicinity of the opening  26 A. Further, this is a structure in which, due to the pressure adjusting valve  30  being opened, air within the pipe  26  for opening to the atmosphere is discharged-out into the atmosphere, and the pressure of the pipe  26  for opening to the atmosphere can be adjusted. Note that, in a case in which the opening/closing valve  28  is open, air within the fuel tank  10  is discharged-out into the atmosphere. 
         [0041]    Here, the temperature sensor  36 , the opening/closing valve  28 , the pressure adjusting valve  30 , and the cooling wind introducing section  24  are electrically connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit)  38  that is a control section, and are controlled by the ECU  38 . Concretely, in a case in which the temperature of the fuel GS that is sensed by the temperature sensor  36  becomes higher than a predetermined temperature (e.g., 30° C.), a signal is transmitted from the ECU  38  to the cooling wind introducing section  24 , and the cooling wind introducing section  24  is operated. At this time, the cooling wind introducing section  24  operates regardless of the state of the bag-shaped member  16 . Namely, the cooling wind introducing section  24  operates regardless of whether the bag-shaped member  16  is deflated or inflated. 
         [0042]    Due to the cooling wind introducing section  24  operating, the air that flows within the introducing pipe  20  is cooled and becomes cooling wind and is introduced into the bag-shaped member  16 . Then, due to convection, the low-temperature air that has been introduced into the bag-shaped member  16  falls and moves along the inner surface of the bag-shaped member  16 . Here, because the bag-shaped member  16  and the liquid surface of the fuel GS contact one another, the cooling wind flows in the direction of the arrows at the interior of the bag-shaped member  16  while taking heat away from the fuel GS. 
         [0043]    Further, the temperature of the cooling wind becomes high due to the cooling wind taking heat away from the fuel GS. Then, the air, that rises as the temperature becomes high and that reaches a vicinity of the lead-out pipe  22 , passes-through the lead-out pipe  22  and reaches the portion connected with the introducing pipe  20 . Here, because the opening/closing valve  28  is closed by the ECU  38 , high-temperature air flows from the lead-out pipe  22  into the introducing pipe  20 , and again passes-through the cooling wind introducing section  24  and is cooled. In this way, due to the air of the introducing pipe  20  being cooled and being circulated, the heat at the interior of the fuel tank  10  is taken, and the temperature is lowered. Further, when the temperature of the fuel GS that is sensed by the temperature sensor  36  becomes lower than the predetermined temperature, the cooling wind introducing section  24  is stopped by the ECU  38 . Further, the opening/closing valve  28  is opened. Note that there may be a structure in which the cooling wind introducing section  24  is not provided. 
         [0044]    (Structure of Supporting Plate  32 ) 
         [0045]    The supporting plate  32  is described next. The supporting plate  32  is provided at the bag-shaped member  16 , at a position facing a bottom portion  10 B of the fuel tank  10 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the supporting plate  32  is disposed at the central portion of the bag-shaped member  16 , and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the bottom portion  10 B side of the fuel tank  10 . 
         [0046]    Here, the supporting plate  32  is formed from a thermoplastic resin whose specific gravity is lower than that of fuel, and is structured so as to float in the fuel GS. In the present embodiment, as an example, the supporting plate  32  is formed of a material whose main component is polyethylene. Note that the supporting plate is not limited to this, and may be formed of a material whose main component is polypropylene or polyacetal or the like. 
         [0047]    Bulging portions  32 A that bulge-out toward the bottom portion  10 B side (the lower side) are formed at the outer peripheral portion of the supporting plate  32 . The bulging portions  32 A are formed along the outer peripheral portion of the supporting plate  32 , and, in the present embodiment, the bulging portions  32 A are formed at the respective sides that structure the supporting plate  32 . Further, the bulging portions  32 A are not formed at the corner portions of the supporting plate  32 , and these corner portions are flow-in portions  32 B for the fuel GS to flow-in. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the bulging portion  32 A is structured by a pair of inclined surfaces  32 A 1 ,  32 A 2 , and the cross-sectional shape, that is cut in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the bulging portion  32 A, is formed in a substantial V-shape. Therefore, in the state in which the supporting plate  32  is floating in the fuel GS, the bulging portions  32 A are positioned further toward the bottom portion  10 B side of the fuel tank  10  than the general portion, and pressure is applied from the fuel GS to the respective inclined surfaces that structure the bulging portions  32 A. Further, the resultant force of the pressure that is applied from the fuel GS is buoyancy F 1  that is directed upward. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the state in which a large amount of the fuel GS is accommodated in the fuel tank  10 , the bag-shaped member  16  is pushed-up toward the ceiling portion  10 A side of the fuel tank  10  by the supporting plate  32  that floats at the liquid surface of the fuel GS. Namely, the bag-shaped member  16  is deflated. Further, in this state, the central portion of the bag-shaped member  16  (the portion that is supported by the supporting plate  32 ) is in a state of contacting the liquid surface of the fuel GS. Further, the outer peripheral portion of the bag-shaped member  16  is disposed within the fuel GS. 
         [0050]    On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 3 , in a state in which the amount of the fuel GS that is accommodated in the fuel tank  10  is low, the supporting plate  32  moves toward the bottom portion  10 B side due to its own weight. Namely, the supporting plate  32  falls following the liquid surface of the fuel GS. Due thereto, the bag-shaped member  16  is inflated toward the lower side. Note that the bag-shaped member  16  inflates downward due to its own weight even in a case in which the supporting plate  32  is not provided, but, by providing the supporting plate  32 , the downward load increases more, and the bag-shaped member  16  inflates following the liquid surface of the fuel GS. 
       (Operation and Effects) 
       [0051]    Operation and effects of the fuel tank structure relating to the present embodiment are described next. 
         [0052]    In the present embodiment, the supporting plate  32  moves up and down following the height of the liquid surface of the fuel GS that is accommodated within the fuel tank  10 . Due thereto, the bag-shaped member  16  is inflated or deflated so as to follow the height of the liquid surface of the fuel GS, and the generation of evaporated fuel from the liquid surface of the fuel GS can be suppressed effectively. Namely, when the liquid surface of the fuel GS rises due to refueling or the like, the supporting plate  32 , whose specific gravity is lower than that of the fuel GS, rises following the liquid surface. Due thereto, the bag-shaped member  16  is deflated. On the other hand, when the amount of the fuel GS decreases and the liquid surface falls, the supporting plate  32  falls due to it own weight and following the liquid surface. Due thereto, the bag-shaped member  16  is inflated toward the lower side. In this way, the bag-shaped member  16  is inflated or deflated by the supporting plate  32 , and generation of evaporated fuel from the liquid surface of the fuel GS can be suppressed effectively. 
         [0053]    Further, because the present embodiment is structured such that the bag-shaped member  16  is inflated due to the weight of the supporting plate  32 , equipment such as a compressor or the like, that is used in a structure that inflates the bag-shaped member  16  by compressed air, is not needed. As a result, simplification of the structure and a lowering of costs can be devised. Further, there is no need for electric power for operating a compressor, and the amount of energy that is consumed can be lowered. 
         [0054]    Moreover, in the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , because the bulging portions  32 A are formed along the outer peripheral portion of the supporting plate  32 , greater buoyancy acts on the outer peripheral portion of the supporting plate  32 , and the supporting plate  32  tilting and sinking is suppressed. Namely, the posture of the supporting plate  32  can be stabilized, and the state of contact of the liquid surface of the fuel GS and the supporting plate  32  can be maintained good. In particular, in the present embodiment, because the bulging portions  32 A are formed uniformly at the respective sides of the supporting plate  32 , buoyancy can be applied uniformly to the supporting plate  32 , and the posture of the supporting plate  32  can be maintained good. 
         [0055]    Further, in the present embodiment, the flow-in portions  32 B are provided between the bulging portions  32 A that are adjacent to one another. Due thereto, for example, at the time of carrying out refueling in a state in which the fuel GS within the fuel tank  10  has run-out and the supporting plate  32  contacts the bottom portion  10 B of the fuel tank  10 , the fuel GS can be made to flow-in from the flow-in portions  32 B to the bottom surface side of the supporting plate  32 . Namely, the supporting plate  32  can smoothly be made to float in the fuel GS. 
         [0056]    Note that, in the present embodiment, the bulging portions  32 A that are V-shaped in cross-section are formed along the outer peripheral portion of the supporting plate  32 , but the bulging portions are not limited to this and may made to be another shape. For example, bulging portions that are arc-shaped in cross-section may be formed. Further, a structure that applies buoyancy to the supporting plate  32 , other than the bulging portions  32 A, may be employed. For example, as in the modified example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a structure in which cavity forming portions  40  are formed instead of the bulging portions  32 A may be employed. 
         [0057]    (Modified Example) 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , in the present modified example, the cavity forming portions  40  are formed along the outer peripheral portion of the supporting plate  32 . The cavity forming portions  40  are made to be closed cross-sectional structures, whose cross-sections are substantially semicircular due to arc-shaped portions  40 A that are substantially arc-shaped and whose upper sides are convex, and form cavity portions  40 B. Further, a gas is filled into the cavity portions  40 B. Note that, in the present embodiment, air A is filled into the cavity portions  40 B as an example of the gas, but the gas is not limited to this. 
         [0059]    In the present modified example, buoyancy F 2  is applied to the outer peripheral portion of the supporting plate  32  by the cavity forming portions  40 . Namely, buoyancy F 2  is applied in the same way as a structure in which a float is mounted to the supporting plate  32 . Due thereto, the supporting plate  32  tilting and sinking can be suppressed. As a result, the posture of the supporting plate  32  can be stabilized, and the state of contact of the liquid surface of the fuel GS and the supporting plate  32  can be maintained good. 
         [0060]    Note that, in the present modified example, the cavity forming portions  40  are provided at the upper surface side of the supporting plate  32 , but are not limited to this, and the cavity forming portions  40  may be provided at the lower surface side of the supporting plate  32 . Further, a structure may be employed in which both the bulging portions  32 A that are shown in  FIG. 5  and the cavity forming portions  40  that are shown in  FIG. 6  are formed. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0061]    A fuel tank structure relating to a second embodiment is described next with reference to  FIGS. 7 through 9 . Note that structures that are similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate. 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , in the fuel tank structure relating to the present embodiment, a ceiling portion  50 A of a fuel tank  50  and the supporting plate  32  are connected by compression coil springs  52  that serve as urging members. As shown in  FIG. 9 , in the present embodiment, four of the compression coil springs  52  are provided, and the respective compression coil springs  52  are disposed at the corner portions at which the flow-in portions  32 B of the supporting plate  32  are provided. 
         [0063]    Here, the urging force of the compression coil springs  52  is set to be lower than the pressure that the supporting plate  32  receives from the fuel GS. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the supporting plate  32  does not sink into the fuel GS, and floats at the liquid surface of the fuel GS and supports the bag-shaped member  16 . 
         [0064]    On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 8 , when the amount of the fuel GS within the fuel tank  50  decreases and the liquid surface falls, the supporting plate  32  moves toward a bottom portion  50 B side due to the weight of the supporting plate  32  itself and the urging force from the compression coil springs  52 . Namely, the supporting plate  32  falls following the height of the liquid surface of the fuel GS. 
         [0065]    (Operation and Effects) 
         [0066]    Operation and effects of the fuel tank structure relating to the present embodiment are described next. 
         [0067]    In the present embodiment, due to the supporting plate  32  being urged toward the bottom portion  50 B side of the fuel tank  50  by the compression coil springs  52 , the supporting plate  32  can be stably pushed against the liquid surface of the fuel GS. Further, because the urging force that is applied from the compression coil springs  52  to the supporting plate  32  is lower than the force that the supporting plate  32  receives from the fuel GS, the supporting plate  32  sinking into the fuel GS can be suppressed. Other operations are similar to those of the first embodiment. 
         [0068]    Note that the present embodiment illustrates and describes a structure in which the compression coil springs  52  are provided as the urging members, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, there may be a structure in which the bottom portion  50 B of the fuel tank  50  and the bottom surface of the supporting plate  32  are connected by tension coil springs. In this case, if the tensile force (urging force) that the supporting plate  32  receives from the torsion coil springs is smaller than the pressure applied from the fuel GS to the supporting plate  32 , effects that are similar to those of the present embodiment are obtained. 
         [0069]    Although a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described structures and can, of course, be implemented in various forms other than the above-described structures within a scope that does not depart from the gist thereof. For example, the above-described embodiments are structured such that the detecting portion  36 B of the temperature sensor  36  extends all the way to the bottom portion of the fuel tank  10  and senses the temperature of the accommodated fuel GS, but embodiments are not limited to this. For example, there may be a structure in which the detecting portion is disposed further upward than the liquid surface of the fuel GS and senses the temperature of evaporated fuel (vapor). 
         [0070]    Further, in the above-described embodiments, two of the contraction limiting members  18  are disposed at the interior of the fuel tank  10 , but embodiments are not limited to this. For example, three or more of the contraction limiting members  18  may be provided. Further, there may be a structure in which the contraction limiting members  18  are not provided. In this case, by adjusting the height of the liquid surface of the fuel GS at the time when the tank is full, a flow path of air can be ensured at the interior of the bag-shaped member  16  even if the contraction limiting members  18  are not provided. 
         [0071]    Moreover, in the above-described embodiments, the bulging portions  32 A or the cavity forming portions  40  are formed along the outer peripheral portion of the supporting plate  32 , but the region where the bulging portions  32 A or the cavity forming portions  40  are formed is not particularly limited. Further, a supporting plate at which the bulging portions  32 A or the cavity forming portions  40  are not formed may be used. In this case, effects that are similar to those of the above-described embodiments are obtained if the supporting plate is formed in a shape or of a material that is such that the supporting plate does not sink within the fuel GS.