Abstract:
A fuel feed apparatus includes a lid member that plugs an opening of a fuel tank. A protruding member protrudes from the lid member into an inside of the fuel tank. A sub-tank is accommodated in the fuel tank. The sub-tank is axially movable relative to the lid member. A pump module is accommodated in the sub-tank. The pump module includes a fuel pump and a fuel filter. The fuel pump pumps fuel from the fuel tank. The fuel filter circumferentially surrounds the fuel pump for removing foreign matters contained in fuel discharged from the fuel pump. A supporting member connects the pump module with the sub-tank. The supporting member extends inwardly with respect to a substantially radial direction of the sub-tank. The supporting member defines a recess on a side of the lid member. The protruding member is adapted to be inserted in the recess.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based on and incorporates herein by reference Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-251333 filed on Aug. 31, 2005.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a fuel feed apparatus having a sub-tank.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In general, a fuel feed apparatus is received in a fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus is adapted to stably supplying fuel, even when an amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank decreases. In recent years, it is required to reduce a fuel tank in height for securing a space for a passenger compartment in a vehicle having the fuel tank. Accordingly, it is also required to reduce a fuel feed apparatus in height corresponding to such a fuel tank accommodating the fuel feed apparatus. A fuel feed apparatus may have a sub-tank accommodating components such as a fuel pump and a fuel filter. Components such as the fuel filter may occupy a large space in the sub-tank. In addition, the fuel feed apparatus may have a lid member having a protruding member extending toward the sub-tank. Accordingly, components such as the fuel pump accommodated in the sub-tank may interfere with the protruding member extending from the lid member due to reduction in height of the fuel feed apparatus. According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,542 (JP-A-2004-257347), a protruding member extending from a lid member is accommodated in a remaining space inside a sub-tank.  
         [0004]     In this structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,542, a relatively small connector protrudes from the lid member, and the connector is accommodated in the remaining space of the sub-tank. However, in recent years, the protruding member extending from the lid member is apt to be large. Accordingly, when the protruding member is large, it is difficult to accommodate the protruding member in the remaining space inside the sub-tank.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention addresses the above disadvantage. According to one aspect of the present invention, a fuel feed apparatus is provided to a fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus includes a lid member that plugs an opening of the fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a protruding member that protrudes from the lid member into the fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a sub-tank that is accommodated in the fuel tank. The sub-tank is axially movable relative to the lid member. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a pump module that is accommodated in the sub-tank. The pump module includes a fuel pump and a fuel filter. The fuel pump pumps fuel from the fuel tank. The fuel filter circumferentially surrounds at least partially the fuel pump for removing foreign matters contained in fuel discharged from the fuel pump. The fuel feed apparatus further includes at least one supporting member that connects the pump module with the sub-tank. The at least one supporting member inwardly extends in a substantially radial direction of the sub-tank. The at least one supporting member defines a recess on a side of the lid member. The recess is adapted to receiving the protruding member.  
         [0006]     Alternatively, a fuel feed apparatus is provided to a fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus includes a lid member that plugs an opening of the fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a protruding member that protrudes from the lid member into the fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a sub-tank that is accommodated in the fuel tank. The sub-tank is axially movable relative to the lid member. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a fuel pump that is eccentrically accommodated in the sub-tank for pumping fuel from the fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a supporting member that extends from a sidewall of the sub-tank to the fuel pump in a substantially radial direction of the sub-tank. The supporting member defines a recess on a side of the lid member for receiving the protruding member. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal view showing a fuel feed apparatus according to an embodiment;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal partially sectional view showing the fuel feed apparatus, in which a flange is located in the vicinity of a sub-tank;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a view showing the flange when being viewed from the sub-tank;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a view showing the sub-tank when being viewed from the flange;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a view showing a pump module, which is accommodated in the sub-tank, when being viewed from the arrow V in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a view showing the end of the sub-tank on the side of the flange; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a graph showing a relationship between frequency of vibration and sensitivity of the pump module about the vibration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     Embodiment  
       [0015]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 , a fuel feed apparatus  10  has a flange  11  as a lid member. The flange  11  is formed of resin to be in a substantially disc-shape, for example. The flange  11  is provided to an opening  14  formed in an upper wall  13  of a fuel tank  12 . The flange  11  covers the opening  14 . Components of the fuel feed apparatus  10  excluding the flange  11  are accommodated in the fuel tank  12 . The fuel tank  12  is formed of resin, for example. The fuel feed apparatus  10  includes the flange  11  and a sub-tank  20 . The flange  11  is attached to the fuel tank  12 . The sub-tank  20  is accommodated in the fuel tank  12 , as being supported by the flange  11 . The sub-tank  20  accommodates the pump module  30 .  
         [0016]     The flange  11  includes an outlet pipe  15  and an electric connector  16 . The outlet pipe  15  introduces fuel discharged from a fuel pump  31  of the pump module  30  to the outside of the fuel tank  12 . The electric connector  16  connects with an electric power source and an ECU (not shown). The flange  11  has a connector  17  that protrudes toward the sub-tank  20 . The connector  17  electrically connects with the electric connector  16 . A lead wire  21  extends from the connector  17  toward the fuel pump  31 . The electric power source supplies electricity to the fuel pump  31  through the lead wire  21 .  
         [0017]     The flange  11  includes a float valve (protruding member)  41  that protrudes toward the sub-tank  20 . The float valve  41  includes a casing  42  that accommodates a component such as a float (not shown). The float valve  41  is provided to a tank passage that communicates the interior of the fuel tank  12  with a canister (not shown) outside the fuel tank  12 . The float valve  41  detects liquid level of fuel received in the fuel tank  12 . When an amount of the fuel in the fuel tank  12  is greater than a predetermined amount, the unillustrated float blocks the passage communicating with a tank pipe  18 . Thus, air discharged from the fuel tank  12  to the outside is blocked, so that supplying fuel into the fuel tank  12  is terminated. The casing  42  of the float valve  41  is formed of resin, for example. The casing  42  is provided to the flange  11  by engagement, for example. The casing  42  has an opening  43  through which the interior of the casing  42  communicates with the interior of the fuel tank  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 , the casing  42  is in a substantially cylindrical shape.  
         [0018]     The protruding member is not limited to the float valve  41 . The protruding member may be a pressure control valve that controls pressure in the fuel tank  12 . The pressure control valve opens when pressure in the fuel tank  12  becomes greater than a predetermined pressure, so that fuel vapor evaporated in the fuel tank  12  can be exhausted to the canister. Thus, pressure in the fuel tank  12  can be reduced. Vapor fuel passing through the pressure control valve flows to the canister.  
         [0019]     As referred to  FIGS. 1, 2 , the flange  11  connects with the sub-tank  20  via shafts  44 . As referred to  FIG. 3 , the shafts  44  are press-inserted into the flange  11  at one ends. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the shafts  44  are inserted loosely into joint members  22  that are provided to the sub-tank  20 . The joint members  22  are provided to both radially ends of the sub-tank  20 . The joint members  22  protrude in the sub-tank  20 . A spring  45  is provided around the outer periphery of each shaft  44 . The spring  45  serves as a bias member.  
         [0020]     The spring  45  biases the flange  11  and the sub-tank  20  such that the flange  11  and the sub-tank  20  are spaced from each other. Thus, the flange  11  and the sub-tank  20 , which accommodates the pump module  30 , are movable relatively to each other substantially in the axial direction of the flange  11 , i.e. in a vertical direction in  FIG. 1 . Thus, as referred to  FIGS. 1, 2 , the distance between the flange  11  and the sub-tank  20  is adjustable, i.e., the height of the fuel feed apparatus  10  is adjustable. In this structure, the sub-tank  20  is regularly pressed onto a bottom wall  19  of the fuel tank  12  by bias force of the springs  45 , even when the fuel tank  12  expands or shrinks due to variation in pressure in the fuel tank  12  caused by change in temperature and variation in an amount of fuel received in the fuel tank  12 .  
         [0021]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the sub-tank  20  is in a substantially arc cylindrical shape. The sub-tank  20  has a flat plane (flat wall)  23  partially in the circumferential periphery. The flat plane  23  is provided with a sender gauge  24  that detects the amount of fuel in the fuel tank  12 . The sub-tank  20  has a bottom portion  25  and a side portion  26 . The side portion  26  partially defines the sidewall of the sub-tank  20 . The side portion  26  is in a substantially cylindrical shape. The side portion  26  extends from the bottom portion  25  toward the flange  11 . The flat plane  23  partially occupies the side portion  26 . The sub-tank  20  receives fuel drawn from the fuel tank  12  using a jet pump (not shown).  
         [0022]     The sub-tank  20  accommodates the pump module  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 , the pump module  30  includes the fuel pump  31 , a fuel filter  32 , and a pressure regulator  33 . The fuel filter  32  includes a filter case  34  that accommodates a filter element (not shown). As referred to  FIG. 4 , the fuel filter  32  is located on the radially outer side of the fuel pump  31  such that the fuel filter  32  partially surrounds the circumferential periphery of the fuel pump  31 . In this structure, the fuel filter  32  is in a substantially arc shape, i.e., a substantially crescent shape. The fuel filter  32  removes relatively small foreign matters contained in fuel discharged from the fuel pump  31 .  
         [0023]     The fuel pump  31  is vertically accommodated in the sub-tank  20  in the condition shown in  FIG. 5 . That is, the fuel outlet of the fuel pump  31  is arranged on the upper side with respect to the direction of gravitational force. The fuel inlet of the fuel pump  31  is arranged on the lower side with respect to the direction of gravitational force. As referred to  FIG. 1 , the fuel pump  31  has a connector  35  that electrically connects with the connector  17  via the lead wire  21 . The connector  35  is adjacent to an outlet  36  through which the fuel pump  31  discharges fuel. The fuel pump  31  includes a motor and a rotor (not shown). The fuel pump  31  draws fuel by rotating the rotor such as an impeller together with the motor. The fuel pump  31  has an inlet  37  that is provided with a suction filter (not shown). The suction filter removes relatively large foreign matters contained in fuel drawn into the fuel pump  31 .  
         [0024]     The pressure regulator  33  is provided to the filter case  34 . The fuel pump  31  discharges fuel through the outlet  36 , and the discharged fuel flows into the pressure regulator  33  through the fuel filter  32 , so that the fuel flowing into the pressure regulator  33  is controlled in pressure. The pressure-controlled fuel is discharged toward the outlet pipe  15  of the flange  11  through an exhaust port  38  ( FIG. 4 ) and a fuel pipe  27  connecting with the exhaust port  38  as referred to  FIG. 1 . When the pressure regulator  33  controls pressure of fuel, the pressure regulator  33  exhausts surplus fuel, and the surplus fuel is supplied into a jet pump (not shown) through an exhaust port  39 .  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the fuel pump  31  of the pump module  30  is arranged eccentrically with respect to the center axis of the sub-tank  20 . The fuel pump  31  has a lateral portion adjacent to the side portion  26  of the sub-tank  20 , so that the lateral portion of the fuel pump  31  and the sub-tank  20  do not interpose the fuel filter  32  therebetween. The fuel filter  32  is in the substantially arc shape. Therefore, the fuel pump  31  can be arranged closely to the side portion  26  of the sub-tank  20 .  
         [0026]     The pump module  30  is supported by the sub-tank  20  via supporting members  51 ,  52 . The fuel pump  31  of the pump module  30  is arranged eccentrically with respect to the sub-tank  20 . The supporting member  51  is longer than the supporting member  52  with respect to the radial direction of the sub-tank  20 . The supporting member  51  serves as a long supporting member. The supporting member  51  connects with the filter case  34  at one end. The supporting member  51  is mounted to the sub-tank  20  at the other end. The supporting member  51  has an engaging portion  53  in the end on the side of the sub-tank  20 . The engaging portion  53  is fixed to the sub-tank  20  by snap fitting, for example.  
         [0027]     The supporting member  52  is in a substantially arc shape. The supporting member  52  surrounds the peripheries of the fuel pump  31  and the fuel filter  32 . The supporting member  52  partially blocks the end of the sub-tank  20  on the side of the flange  11 . The supporting member  52  has an engaging portion  54 . The engaging portion  54  is located on a substantially opposite side of the engaging portion  53  of the supporting member  51  with respect to the fuel pump  31 . The supporting member  52  has an engaging portion  55  that is spaced from the engaging portion  54  with respect to the circumferential direction of the sub-tank  20  for a predetermined distance. The supporting member  52  is fixed to the sub-tank  20  by engaging such as snap fitting the engaging portions  54 ,  55  to the sub-tank  20 . The engaging portion  53  of the supporting member  51  and the engaging portions  54 ,  55  of the supporting member  52  are engaged with the sub-tank  20 , so that the pump module  30  is supported by the sub-tank  20 .  
         [0028]     The supporting member  51  connects the sub-tank  20  with the pump module  30 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the supporting member  51  is provided to the ends of the sub-tank  20  and the pump module  30  on the side of the flange  11 . Accordingly, when the flange  11  moves to the vicinity of the sub-tank  20 , the supporting member  51  may interfere with the float valve  41  that protrudes from the flange  11  toward the sub-tank  20 . Therefore, the supporting member  51  has a recess  56  in which the surface of the supporting member  51  on the side of the flange  11  concaves to the opposite side of the flange  11 .  
         [0029]     The fuel pump  31  of the pump module  30  is arranged eccentrically with respect to the sub-tank  20 . In this structure, vibration of the pump module  30  may be nonuniformly transmitted to the supporting members  51 ,  52 . Particularly, the supporting member (long supporting member)  51  having the large length may be applied with large force from the eccentrically arranged pump module  30 . Consequently, the supporting member  51  may be bent. In this condition, the supporting member  51  may amplify specific frequency of vibration because of causing the bent. Therefore, in this example embodiment as referred to FIGS.  4  to  6 , the supporting member  51  has ribs  57 . The ribs  57  extend substantially in the radial direction of the sub-tank  20 . That is, the ribs  57  extend substantially along the direction in which the supporting member  51  extends. The ribs  57  extend toward the flange  11 . The ribs  57  are arranged along the circumferential direction of the sub-tank  20 . In this example embodiment, the number of the ribs is three. The ribs  57  extend toward the flange  11 . Accordingly, in this structure, the ribs  57  may interfere with the float valve  41  that protrudes from the flange  11  toward the sub-tank  20 . Therefore, the ribs  57  have the recess  56  in which the surface of the ribs  57  on the side of the flange  11  concaves to the opposite side of the flange  11 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 2 , when the distance between the flange  11  and the sub-tank  20  is short, the float valve  41  protruding from the flange  11  can be inserted, i.e., received in the recess  56  defined by the ribs  57 , as restricting interference with the pump module  30 . As referred to  FIG. 5 , ribs  58  may be provided in the vicinity of the engaging portions  54 ,  55  of the supporting member  52 .  
         [0030]     The fuel pump  31  of the pump module  30  has the outlet  36  located at the end of the fuel pump  31  on the side of the flange  11 . The outlet  36  protrudes toward the flange  11  beyond the end of the fuel filter  32  on the side of the flange  11 . In this structure, the fuel pump  31  and the fuel filter  32  define a gap therebetween. The fuel pump  31  protrudes toward the flange  11 . As referred to  FIGS. 1, 2 , the outlet  36  of the fuel pump  31  protrudes toward the flange  11  beyond the end of the sub-tank  20  on the side of the flange  11 . The fuel pump  31  is eccentric with respect to the sub-tank  20 . In addition, the fuel pump  31  protrudes toward the flange  11  beyond the fuel filter  32  and the sub-tank  20 . Thus, in this structure, as referred to  FIGS. 4, 5 , the sub-tank  20  defines a space therein on the side of the supporting member  51  with respect to the fuel pump  31 . That is, allowance of space can be produced in the sub-tank  20  on the side in which the fuel pump  31  is not provided. The allowance of space is produced on the side of the supporting member  51 .  
         [0031]     Thus, the allowance of space can be secured in the sub-tank  20  by arranging the fuel pump  31  eccentrically in the sub-tank  20 . In addition, the ribs  57  of the supporting member  51  are located on the side of the space. The ribs  57  define the recess  56 , so that the flange  11  and the sub-tank  20  can secure the space therebetween such that the float valve  41  can be inserted into the space. Consequently, as referred to  FIG. 2 , the float valve  41  can be restricted from causing interference with the pump module  30  on the side of the sub-tank  20  when the flange  11  is in the vicinity of the sub-tank  20 , even a large component such as the float valve  41  protrudes from the flange  11 . Therefore, the height of the fuel feed apparatus  10  can be reduced, even a large component such as the float valve  41  is provided to the fuel feed apparatus  10 .  
         [0032]     In the structure, in which the fuel tank  12  of the pump module  30  is arranged eccentrically with respect to the sub-tank  20 , vibration may be amplified at specific frequency due to transmission of nonuniform vibration between the supporting members  51 ,  52 . Vibration may be amplified at specific frequency due to difference between rigidity of the supporting members  51 ,  52  that connect the pump module  30  with the sub-tank  20 . In this example embodiment, the supporting members  51 ,  52 , the ribs  57  provided to the supporting member  51 , and the ribs  58  provided to the supporting member  52  are adjusted in shape, so that vibration is reduced at specific frequency.  
         [0033]     When rigidity of the supporting member  51  is low, vibration may be amplified at specific frequency. Therefore, the length of the supporting member  51  with respect to the circumferential direction of the sub-tank  20  is large on the side of the pump module  30 . That is, the width of the supporting member  51  is large on the side of the pump module  30  to enhance rigidity of the supporting member  51 . The width of the supporting member  51  is small on the side of the side portion  26  of the sub-tank  20 . Force applied from the pump module  30  to the supporting member  51  is large at both the end on the side of the pump module  30  and the end of the side of the sub-tank  20 . In this structure, the width of the supporting member  51  on the side of the pump module  30  is large, so that rigidity of the supporting member  51  can be enhanced.  
         [0034]     As the width of the supporting member  51  increases, the supporting member  51  can be enhanced in rigidity. Therefore, the width of the supporting member  51  is preferably large uniformly from the vicinity of the pump module  30  toward the sub-tank  20 . However, the width of the supporting member  51  needs to be small on the side of the sub-tank  20  for restricting interference with the flat plane  23  of the sub-tank  20  and for securing a space in the sub-tank  20 . In this structure, the supporting member  51  is reduced in width on the side of the side portion  26  of the sub-tank  20 , so that the supporting member  51  can be readily installed in the sub-tank  20 .  
         [0035]     As the width of the supporting member  51  decreases, rigidity of the supporting member  51  is reduced. The end of the supporting member  51  on the side of the sub-tank  20  is provided with the engaging portion  53 . The engaging portion  53  is apt to be inclined with respect to the supporting member  51 . Consequently, rigidity of the engaging portion  53  may be impaired, and vibration may be increased. In this structure, the supporting member  51  has the ribs  57  raised toward the flange  11 . Force is applied to the supporting member  51  largely in the vicinity of the side portion  26  of the sub-tank  20 . Therefore, the ribs  57  are raised toward the flange  11  largely in the vicinity of the side portion  26  of the sub-tank  20 . That is, the height of the ribs  57  is large in the vicinity of the side portion  26  of the sub-tank  20 .  
         [0036]     The height of the ribs  57  is preferably large throughout the supporting member  51  to enhance rigidity of the supporting member  51 . However, the ribs  57  need to define the recess  56  to restrict interference with the float valve  41  that protrudes from the flange  11 . The supporting member  51  is apt to be applied with large force in the vicinity of the side portion  26 . Accordingly, the structure of the supporting member  51  in the vicinity of the side portion  26  has a large influence with respect to rigidity of the supporting member  51 . Therefore, the height of the ribs  57  is defined to be greater toward the side portion  26 , so that both rigidity of the supporting member  51  and the space, which is defined by the recess  56  for accommodating the float valve  41 , can be secured. The number of the ribs  57  is preferably large to enhance rigidity of the supporting member  51 . However, as the number of the ribs  57  becomes large, increase in enhancement of rigidity may become small in the supporting member  51  even additional ribs  57  are further provided. Accordingly, the number of the ribs  57  is preferably determined in accordance with the width of the supporting member  51 .  
         [0037]     Rigidity of the supporting member  51  can be enhanced by determining combination among the shape of the supporting member  51 , the shape of the ribs  57 , and the number of the ribs  57 . In addition, difference in rigidity between the supporting members  51 ,  52  can be also reduced. Vibration at specific frequency can be reduced by adjusting the shapes of the supporting member  51  and the ribs  57 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , vibration caused by the pump module  30  can be reduced at specific frequency by optimizing combination between the shapes of the supporting member  51  and the ribs  57 . In  FIG. 7 , the sensitivity of the pump module  30  is related to amplification of vibration. The present structure in  FIG. 7  represents an example structure, in which the supporting members  51 ,  52  are substantially optimized in configuration such as shape. The comparative example in  FIG. 7  represents a structure, in which supporting members without the ribs  57 ,  58  connect the pump module  30  with the sub-tank  20 . In this comparative example, the supporting members are not optimized in shape. In the specific amplification range of frequency in  FIG. 7 , the sensitivity of the pump module  30  of the present structure is reduced compared with the sensitivity of the comparative example. Therefore, in the present structure, amplification of vibration and noise can be restricted, even the fuel pump  31  of the pump module  30  is eccentrically arranged.  
         [0038]     In the above structure, the center axis of the pump module  30  is spaced from the center axis of the sub-tank  20 . Therefore, the sub-tank  20  is partially in the vicinity of the pump module  30  on one side, and is partially spaced from the pump module  30  on the other side. An allowance of the space can be secured in the location in which the sub-tank  20  is spaced from the pump module  30 . The recess  56  is arranged in the location in which the sub-tank  20  is spaced from the pump module  30 , so that the space for accommodating the float valve  41  can be secured in the sub-tank  20  on the side of the flange  11 . Thus, a component on the side of the flange  11  can be restricted from causing interference with a component on the side of the sub-tank  20 , so that the height of the fuel feed apparatus  10  can be reduced.  
         [0039]     The fuel filter  32  is in the substantially arc-shape, so that the fuel pump  31  is partially out of surrounding of the fuel filter  32 . The sidewall of the sub-tank  20  is faced to the side of fuel pump  31 , which is out of the surrounding of the fuel filter  32 , so that the pump module  30  can be arranged closely to the sub-tank  20 . Thus, the center axis of the pump module  30  can be arranged distant from the center axis of the sub-tank  20 . In this structure, a component on the side of the flange  11  can be restricted from causing interference with a component on the side of the sub-tank  20 , so that the height of the fuel feed apparatus  10  can be reduced.  
         [0040]     In the above structure, the end of the fuel pump  31  on the side of the flange  11  protrudes beyond the fuel filter  32 , so that the fuel filter  32  and the fuel pump  31  define a step therebetween in the pump module  30 . The cross section of the fuel pump  31  is smaller than the cross section of the fuel filter  32 , so that the fuel pump  31  does not occupy a large space around the end of the sub-tank  20  on the side of the flange  11 , even the fuel pump  31  protrudes toward the flange  11 . Therefore, a large space can be secured around the fuel pump  31 , so that the space for accommodating the float valve  41  can be secured around the fuel pump  31 .  
         [0041]     The end of the fuel pump  31  on the side of the flange  11  protrudes beyond the sub-tank  20 , so that a large space can be secured around the fuel pump  31  for accommodating the float valve  41 .  
         [0042]     The float valve  41  detects whether fuel supplied into the fuel tank  12  is equal to or greater than a predetermined mount. The float valve  41  protrudes from the flange  11  into the fuel tank  12 . Therefore, the float valve  41  occupies a large space with respect to the radial and axial directions of the flange  11 . In the above structure, a large space can be secured on the side of the sub-tank  20 , so that the float valve  41 , which has a large volume, can be sufficiently received in the large space secured in the sub-tank  20 .  
         [0043]     The supporting members  51 ,  52  are provided to both radially substantially opposite sides such that the supporting members  51 ,  52  interpose the fuel pump  31  therebetween. Therefore, the pump module  30  including the fuel pump  31  can be stably supported by the sub-tank  20 .  
         [0044]     The float valve  41  protruding from the flange  11  is inserted into a location spaced from the pump module  30 . Therefore, when the length of the supporting member  51  is large, it may be difficult to secure the space for accommodating the float valve  41 . Force applied to the supporting member  51  is large in the vicinity of the base of the supporting member  51  on the side of the pump module  30 . In the above structure, the width of the supporting member  51  is large on the radially inner side of the supporting member  51 . The radially inner side of the supporting member  51  is a base portion of the supporting member  51  to which large force is applied. The width of the supporting member  51  is small on the radially outer side on which the space needs to be secured for accommodating the float valve  41 . Thus, in the above structure of the supporting member  51 , both rigidity of the supporting member  51  and the space for accommodating the float valve  41  can be produced. Rigidity of the supporting member  51  can be readily adjusted by modifying the number and the shape of the ribs  57 .  
         [0045]     The ribs  58  may be provided to the supporting member  52  in addition to or instead of the supporting member  51 . In this structure, rigidity of the supporting members  51 ,  52  can be entirely enhanced. Thus, amplification of vibration and noise of the pump module  30  can be further suppressed.  
       Modified Embodiment  
       [0046]     In the above example embodiment, the flange  11  is provided with the float valve  41 . The protruding member provided to the flange  11  is not limited to the float valve  41 . The protruding member may be any other component such as the pressure control valve and the canister.  
         [0047]     Various modifications and alternations may be diversely made to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.