Abstract:
A vehicle fuel delivery apparatus, having: a surge chamber configured to store fuel; a fuel filter distally positioned with respect to and connected to the chamber; and a fuel level sender positioned between the filter and surge chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation and claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. DE 102012206816.3 titled “Fuel delivery module with fuel filter” filed Apr. 25, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to fuel delivery devices for use in motor vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Fuel containers for modern vehicles include a surge chamber that is at least partially responsible for distributing fuel from a fuel tank (or container) to an internal combustion engine. Surge chamber designs can vary but the fuel travelling between the fuel tank and the internal combustion engine is typically filtered to some degree. With an increasing awareness of fuel economy it can be desirable to have larger volume filters included in the fuel tanks or have easily exchangeable filters disposed therein. The larger filters can, however, restrict packaging space for other items or present challenges for removal. Specifically, as taught in German Patent No. DE 10160567 A1 titled “Fuel pump module land procedure for its installation” a larger filter linked to the surge chamber can restrict the range or scope of a fuel level sensor. Especially, where a fuel tank has a varied bottom surface, it can be beneficial to have fuel level sensors with wide operating ranges used with larger filters. 
         [0004]    Therefore it is desirable to have a fuel delivery module with fuel filter that accommodates the use of larger fuel filters but does not limit the packaging space for other items in the fuel system, e.g., fuel level sensors. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure addresses one or more of the above-mentioned issues. Other features and/or advantages will become apparent from the description which follows. 
         [0006]    One advantage of the present disclosure is that it provides a fuel delivery module with fuel filter that accommodates the use of larger fuel filters but does not limit the packaging space for other items in the fuel system, e.g., fuel level sensors. Sensors can be positioned more proximate to the fuel delivery modules. 
         [0007]    Because of its arrangement outside the surge chamber, the fuel filter of the fuel delivery module according to the present disclosure can be used even in fuel containers designed relatively shallow. 
         [0008]    One exemplary embodiment relates to a fuel delivery module for arrangement in a fuel container of a vehicle, the module, including: a surge chamber for storing fuel; a fuel pump for conveying the fuel from the surge chamber to a fuel consumer; and a fuel filter through which the fuel flows. The fuel filter is received in a filter housing arranged separately from the surge chamber. 
         [0009]    One exemplary embodiment relates to a vehicle fuel delivery apparatus, having a surge chamber configured to store fuel; a fuel filter distally positioned with respect to and connected to the chamber; and a fuel level sender positioned between the filter and surge chamber. 
         [0010]    The invention will be explained in greater detail below by way of example with reference to the figures, in which the same reference numbers are used in the figures for identical or essentially identical elements. The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the figures: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is shows a perspective view a fuel delivery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view the fuel delivery module of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the fuel delivery module of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4-8  are assembly views of steps in assembling the fuel delivery module of  FIG. 1  in a fuel container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Turning now to the figures, where like characters represent the same parts, there is shown therein a fuel delivery module configured to fit in a fuel container (or fuel tank). The illustrated fuel delivery module has a relatively larger fuel filter but does not limit the packaging space for other items in the fuel system, e.g., fuel level sensors (or a fuel level sender assembly). 
         [0016]    With respect to  FIG. 1  there is shown therein a first side view of a fuel delivery module  1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fuel delivery module  1  is designed for arrangement in a fuel container  2  (or fuel tank), as shown in  FIGS. 4 to 8 . The fuel container can be used in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine. The fuel delivery module  1  includes a surge chamber  3  serving as a reservoir for storing fuel; a fuel pump  4  for conveying the fuel from the surge chamber  3  to a fuel consumer, e.g., in particular an internal combustion engine; and a fuel filter through which the fuel conveyed by the fuel pump flows. The fuel filter is received in a filter housing  5  which, as can be seen in  FIG. 1  is arranged outside the surge chamber  3 . 
         [0017]    In the fuel delivery module  1  shown in  FIG. 1 , the filter housing  5  has an inlet and an outlet which is each connected hydraulically to the fuel pump  4  via corrugated pipe conduits. The surge chamber  3  enables fuel delivery to the internal combustion engine even with an empty tank. 
         [0018]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , the fuel pump  4  is arranged upright in the surge chamber  3 . A central axis of the fuel pump  4  extends substantially parallel to a central axis of the surge chamber  3 . The fuel delivery module  1  shown in  FIG. 1  has a flange  6  (or sealing flange) that is arranged above the surge chamber  3 . The flange  6  serves to fasten the fuel delivery module  1  to an upper wall  7  of the fuel container  2  shown in  FIGS. 4 to 8 . 
         [0019]    As is apparent from  FIG. 1 , the filter housing  5  is arranged at a lateral distance from the surge chamber  3 . Filter housing  5  is connected mechanically to an outer wall of the surge chamber  3  via a first and second connecting rod  8 ,  9 . Fuel delivery module  1 , which essentially comprises the surge chamber  3  and the filter housing  5 , is connected via the connecting rods  8  and  9  to the outer wall of the surge chamber  3 , and is therefore L-shaped. A first limb of the L-shape is formed by the filter housing  5  and the connecting rods  8  and  9  and the second limb of the L-shape is formed by the surge chamber  3 . The filter housing  5  is arranged approximately at the level of a base  10  of the surge chamber  3  at a lateral distance (or laterally distal) from the surge chamber. 
         [0020]    As can further be seen in  FIG. 1 , the connecting rods  8  and  9  are connected to one another on the filter housing side by means of a transverse member  11 , so that the connecting rods  8  and  9  and the transverse member  11  form a bracket-like linkage. In the exemplary embodiment of the fuel delivery module  1  shown in  FIG. 1 , the filter housing  5  is connected rigidly to the transverse member  11 . In contrast, the ends of the connecting rods  8  and  9  on the surge chamber side are pivoted (or pivotally connected) to the outer wall of the surge chamber  3 . The connecting rods  8  and  9  can be swiveled at least within a certain angular range on the outer wall of the surge chamber  3  so that the limb of the L-shaped fuel delivery module  1  (formed by the filter housing  5  and the connecting rods  8 ,  9 ) can be swiveled with respect to the second limb of the L-shaped fuel delivery module  1  (formed by the surge chamber  3 ). This feature facilitates installation in the fuel container  2 , as will be explained in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 4 to 8 . 
         [0021]    As is further apparent from  FIG. 1 , the fuel delivery module  1  has a fuel level sender  12  pivoted to the outer wall of the surge chamber  3 . The fuel level sender  12  includes a swiveling arm  13  having a proximate and a distal end, the proximate end of the swiveling arm  13  is pivoted (or pivotally connected) to the outer wall of the surge chamber  3  and a float  14  is retained on the distal end. 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 1 , the fuel level sender  12  is shown in two different operating positions: first, a low position in which the float  14  is located approximately at the level of a surge chamber base  10 ; and second, a high position in which the float  14  is located approximately at the level of the flange  6 . When installed in the fuel container  2 , the fuel level sender  12  serves to ascertain the fuel level in the fuel container  2 . Accordingly, the first, low position of the fuel level sender  12  represented in  FIG. 1  corresponds approximately to an empty fuel container  2 , and the second, high position of the fuel level sender  12  corresponds approximately to a full fuel container  2 . 
         [0023]    As is apparent from  FIG. 1 , the float  14  and the swiveling arm  13  holding the float  14  are arranged between the filter housing  5  and the surge chamber  3  in the first, low position, so that the fuel level sender  12  is disposed substantially parallel to the limb of the L-shaped fuel delivery module  1 . As will be explained with respect to  FIGS. 4 to 8 , this position of the fuel level sender  12  allows for simple installation of the fuel delivery module  1  in the fuel container  2 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a second side view of the fuel delivery module  1  represented in  FIG. 1 , viewed from the opposite side, and  FIG. 3  shows a top view of the fuel delivery module  1 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 4 to 8  illustrate five assembly steps explaining the installation of the fuel delivery module  1  in a fuel container  2  according to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . For this purpose the fuel container  2  has a standard installation opening  15  preferably in an upper wall  7 . 
         [0026]    In the first assembly step, shown in  FIG. 4 , the fuel delivery module  1  is rotated through approximately 90° with respect to its final position installed in the fuel container  2 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . A limb of the L-shaped fuel delivery module  1  is placed into the fuel container  2  through the installation opening  15 . In this assembly step, the fuel level sender  12  is swiveled to the position in which the float  14  and the swiveling arm  13  holding it are arranged substantially between the filter housing  5  and the surge chamber  3 , so that the fuel level sender  12  is aligned with the limb of the L-shaped fuel delivery module  1 . 
         [0027]    After the filter housing  5  and the float  14  of the fuel level sender  12  have been introduced into the fuel container  2 , the fuel delivery module  1  can be rotated a certain amount in order also to introduce the second limb of the L-shaped fuel delivery module  1  through the installation opening  15 , as is shown in  FIG. 5 . In this assembly step, where the base  10  of the surge chamber  3  is first passed through the installation opening  15 , it is advantageous that the connecting rods  8  and  9  holding the filter housing  5  are mounted pivotally on the outer wall of the surge chamber  3 . It is also generally sufficient that the connecting rods  8 ,  9  pivot only a small angular range, so that the connecting rods  8 ,  9  can be swiveled to some extent with respect to the surge chamber  3  in order to insert the surge chamber  3 . 
         [0028]    In the third assembly step shown in  FIG. 6  the base  10  of the surge chamber  3  has already been passed through the installation opening  15  and the fuel delivery module  1  can be rotated further in the direction of its final installed position represented in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0029]    In the fourth assembly step shown in  FIG. 7  the fuel delivery module  1  has already reached its final installation position with respect to the fuel container  2 . In this installation direction a central axis of the surge chamber  3  of the fuel delivery module  1  extends substantially at right angles to a plane of extension of the upper wall  7  or of a bottom wall  16  of the fuel container  2 . Starting from the fourth assembly step shown in  FIG. 7 , the fuel delivery module  1  can now be pushed further in the direction of the bottom wall  16  of the fuel container  2 , until it has reached the fifth and last assembly state shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0030]    In the final installed position of the fuel delivery module  1 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , the filter housing  5  rests on the bottom wall  16  of the fuel container  2 . The fuel delivery module  1  can now be screwed to the fuel container  2  by means of the flange  6 . 
         [0031]    As a result of the arrangement, the fuel filter  5  of the fuel delivery module  1  can be provided, even where the height of the container is substantially less than its width, i.e., with a filter volume and a corresponding dirt holding capacity such that this capacity is sufficiently large for an anticipated vehicle service life. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, the loss of volume caused by the filter housing  5  through the arrangement of the fuel delivery module  1  in the fuel container  2  is extremely small, since the filter housing  5  and the fuel filter are completely filled with fuel during operation. Likewise, the connecting rods  8  and  9  cause a negligibly small loss of volume in the fuel container  2 . In addition, because they are arranged completely inside the fuel container  2 , the fuel delivery module  1 , the fuel filter and the filter housing  5  are protected by the fuel container  2 . 
         [0033]    The above-described fuel delivery module in other embodiments is not restricted to the embodiment illustrated herein, but also includes further embodiments operating in the same way. For example, the filter housing arranged outside the surge chamber and/or the connecting rods connecting the filter housing to the surge chamber can also be used, for example, to reduce sloshing movements of the fuel in the fuel container. Likewise, it is possible, for example, to provide a form-fitting connection between the filter housing and the bottom wall of the fuel container, so that the loadings on the filter housing, for example through fuel sloshing or lateral accelerations, do not need to be transferred to the fuel delivery module solely by the connecting rods. 
         [0034]    Furthermore, according to yet another advantageous configuration, the fuel delivery module is characterized by a flange arranged above the surge chamber. The fuel delivery module can thereby be fastened, for example screwed, preferably to an upper wall of the fuel container. A mechanically flexible, hydraulic connection between the fuel pump, the fuel filter or filter housing and the flange of the fuel delivery module can be implemented by means of corrugated pipe conduits, for example. 
         [0035]    Those familiar with the art to which the invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.