Patent Publication Number: US-2023140955-A1

Title: Fuel pump cover apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fuel pump cover apparatus. 
     In the current configuration of an internal combustible engine, a fuel pump is situated within a fuel tank. In particular, the fuel pump is inserted through an open port in an upper portion of the fuel tank. On the other hand, the location and the shape of the fuel tank arranged inside the vehicle are determined by a frame and a body shape of the vehicle. In some cases, an upper portion of the fuel tank has a recessed area for locating the fuel pump, and this may cause a problem in approaching the fuel pump and other element in the recessed area. 
     The present invention has been made to obviate a problem of the conventional fuel pump cover, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a fuel pump cover to restrict access to the fuel pump. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to attain the object, a fuel pump cover apparatus of the invention comprises a fuel pump assembly configured to be attached to a fuel tank; a lock ring disposed on the fuel pump assembly configured to fix the fuel pump assembly to the fuel tank and having a plurality of slots; a cover ring placed over the lock ring and having a plurality of clipping devices disposed under the cover ring to be attached to the slots of the lock ring, and a plurality of spring retainers disposed under the cover ring to apply pressure between the cover ring and the fuel pump assembly; a cover disposed over the cover ring to cover the fuel pump assembly; and a plurality of retaining members arranged between the cover and the cover ring to removably attach the cover to the cover ring. 
     In the fuel pump cover apparatus, the cover can be removably attached to cover ring to cover the fuel pump assembly. After the cover is removed from the fuel pump assembly, the fuel pump assembly or other parts are accessible for maintenance. After completion of the maintenance, the cover can be attached to the cover ring again. 
     In the fuel pump cover apparatus, since the plurality of spring retainers is disposed under the cover ring, the cover ring can be fixed to the lock ring with a certain pressure. Thus, the cover ring is not accidentally detached from the lock ring. 
     In the invention, each of the plurality of retaining members includes a retaining pin projecting from an upper surface of the cover ring, and a hole formed in the cover to removably receive the retaining pin. Thus, the cover can be removably attached to the cover ring. 
     In the invention, each of the clipping devices includes a lock retainer engaging each of edge lips of the lock ring to engage the cover ring with the lock ring. Also, the cover ring further includes access ports to release the plurality of clipping devices from the lock ring, and a plurality of retainer guides disposed under the cover ring, each having a guide angle that compresses each of the spring retainers during installation. In this structure, the cover ring can be easily attached to and detached from the lock ring by rotating the cover ring over the lock ring. 
     Further, the cover ring includes a position indicator that shows whether the cover ring is rotationally locked or unlocked to the securing member that retains the fuel pump assembly. 
     In the invention, the cover can be secured to the fuel tank by means of the cover ring through the lock ring that holds the fuel pump assembly to the fuel tank. The cover attached to the cover ring can be released for removal and reused for assembly to allow for service of the fuel pump. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    shows an exploded isometric view of a conventional fuel pump assembly and a lock ring. 
         FIG.  2    shows an exploded isometric view of the fuel pump with fuel pump cover and fuel pump cover ring of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    shows a top side isometric view of the fuel pump cover ring. 
         FIG.  4    shows a bottom side isometric view of the fuel pump cover ring. 
         FIG.  5    shows a partial detailed top side view of the fuel pump cover ring. 
         FIG.  6    shows a partial detailed bottom side view of the fuel pump cover ring. 
         FIG.  7    shows an exploded isometric view of the fuel pump being assembled to the fuel tank. 
         FIG.  8    shows an isometric view of the fuel pump assembled to the fuel tank. 
         FIG.  9    shows an exploded isometric view of the fuel pump cover ring being assembled to the lock ring. 
         FIG.  10    shows an isometric view of the fuel pump cover ring aligned to the lock ring in the unlocked position. 
         FIG.  11    shows a partial bottom view (looking from the inside of the fuel tank) of the fuel pump cover ring aligned to the lock ring in the unlocked position. 
         FIG.  12    shows an isometric view of the fuel pump cover ring assembled to the lock ring in the locked position. 
         FIG.  13    shows a partial detailed section fuel pump cover ring aligned to the lock ring in the locked position. 
         FIG.  14    shows a partial detailed section of the fuel pump cover ring aligned to the lock ring in the unlocked position. 
         FIG.  15    shows a partial detailed section of the fuel pump cover ring aligned to the lock ring in the unlocked position being rotated for assembly. 
         FIG.  16    shows a partial detailed section of the fuel pump cover ring aligned to the lock ring in the locked position. 
         FIG.  17    shows a partial detailed section of the fuel pump cover ring in the locked position. 
         FIG.  18    shows an isometric view of the flexible fuel pump cover being assembled to the fuel pump cover ring. 
         FIG.  19    shows a partial detailed section of the flexible fuel pump cover assembled to the fuel pump cover ring. 
         FIG.  20    shows a partial detailed section of the fuel pump cover ring attached to the lock ring in the locked position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The selected embodiments will be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , a fuel pump installation assembly  100  is illustrated to define the current assembly process used in existing internal combustible engine vehicle as a comparison to the embodiment of the invention. A fuel pump  4  is placed into an insert ring  22  that is pre-molded into a fuel tank  5 . With the fuel pump in place, the lock ring  3  is locked over the fuel pump assembly  4 , securing it to the fuel tank  5 . This structure leaves the fuel pump  4  exposed to any elements that can access the top of the fuel tank  5 . 
       FIG.  2    shows a fuel pump installation assembly  101  of the invention, wherein the fuel pump installation assembly  100  as explained above, which is used in existing internal combustible engine vehicle is combined with the embodiment of the invention. The fuel pump assembly  4  is placed into the insert ring  22  that is pre-molded into the fuel tank  5 . With the fuel pump assembly  4  in place, the lock ring  3  is locked over the fuel pump assembly  4  securing it to the fuel tank  5 . With the fuel pump assembly  4  secured to the fuel tank  5 , the fuel pump cover ring  2  is installed onto the lock ring  3 . The flexible cover  1  is then installed onto the fuel pump cover ring  2 . The embodiment will restrict access to the fuel pump assembly  4  from any elements that can access the top of the fuel tank  5 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3    thru  FIG.  7   , the fuel pump cover ring  2  comprises snap lock retainers  6 , retainer guides  7 , spring retainers  8 , retaining pins  9 , and position indicator  11 . The snap lock retainers  6  lock the fuel pump cover ring  2  to the lock ring  3 . The retainer guides  7  position the snap lock retainers  6  into lock ring slots  17  on the lock ring  3 . The spring retainers  8  maintain consistent pressure between the fuel pump cover ring  2  and the lock ring  3  to eliminate part rattle. The retaining pins  9  secure the flexible cover  1  to the fuel pump cover ring  2 . The position indicator  11  includes two indicator arrows. The lock arrow indicator  15  and the unlocked arrow indicator  14  align to the install arrow  26  ( FIG.  10   ) located on the fuel tank  5  during installation and removal of the fuel pump cover ring  2 . 
     In assembling the fuel pump assembly process, as shown in  FIG.  7    thru  FIG.  8   , the fuel pump assembly  101  process begins when the fuel pump  4  is placed into the insert ring  22  that is pre-molded into the fuel tank  5 . The insert ring  22  encompasses the perimeter of the access port  23  allowing the fuel pump assembly  4  to be located within the fuel tank  5 . The fuel pump  4  is placed into the insert ring  22 , mating the bottom surface  27  of the fuel pump assembly  4  to the top surface  28  of the insert ring  22 . 
     With the fuel pump assembly  4  in place, the lock ring  3  is placed over the fuel pump assembly  4  engaging the lock ring inner slots  25  of the lock ring  3  with the insert ring tabs  24  of the insert ring  22 . Rotating the lock ring  3 , the insert ring tabs  24  pop into place retaining the cam lock ring slots  25  and compressing the fuel pump  4  between the lock ring  3  and the insert ring  22  securing it to the fuel tank  5 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  9    through  FIG.  14   , with the fuel pump assembly  4  secured to the fuel tank  5 , the fuel pump cover ring  2  is placed on top of the lock ring  3 . The unlocked arrow indicator  14  on the fuel pump cover ring  2  is aligned to the install arrow  26  on the fuel tank  5  (see  FIG.  10   ). When the arrows are aligned, the retainer guides  7  are located within the cam lock ring outer slots  17  in the lock ring  3  (see  FIG.  11   ). 
     Pressure is then applied equally around the top surface  10  of the fuel pump cover ring  2 , compressing the spring retainers  8  (See  FIG.  13   ) until the bottom surface  12  of the fuel pump cover ring  2  contacts the top surface  19  (see  FIG.  14   ) of the lock ring  3 . The fuel pump cover ring  2  is then rotated until the locked arrow indicator  15  is aligned with the install arrow  26  on the fuel tank  5  (see  FIG.  12   ). 
     As shown in  FIG.  14    thru  FIG.  17   , while the fuel pump cover ring  2  is being rotated into the locked position, the angled surface  18  of the retainer guide  7  slides under the edge lip  32  of the lock ring  3  which in turn pulls the bottom surface  12  of the fuel pump cover ring  2  towards the top surface  19  of the lock ring  3 , pushing the bottom surface  31  of the snap lock retainer  6  against the top surface  19  of the lock ring  3 . This forces the snap lock retainer  6  to flex upwards towards the top surface  10  of the fuel pump cover ring  2  (see  FIG.  15   ). Once the locked arrow indicator  15  on the fuel pump cover ring  2  is aligned with the install arrow  26  on the fuel tank  5 , the snap lock retainers  6  will flex back to its original position and dropping into the cam lock ring outer slot  17  (see  FIG.  17   ). 
     With the retainer surface  33  of the fuel pump ring cover  2  now lower than the cam lock ring outer slot  17  (see  FIG.  16   ), the fuel pump cover ring can no longer be rotated in reverse to remove it from the lock ring  3  without a tool. The spring retainer  8  will remain partially compressed against the top surface  19  of the lock ring  3  to maintain a constant pressure to keep the fuel pump cover ring  2  from rattling. 
     As shown in  FIG.  19   , with the fuel pump cover ring  2  secured to the lock ring  3 , the flexible cover  1  is installed. The mounting hole  21  of the flexible cover  1  is aligned with the retaining pin  9  on the fuel pump cover ring  2 . Pressure is then applied to the recessed area  20  around the mounting hole to push the retaining pin  9  through the mounting hole  21 . The retaining pin barb  16  located on the end of the retaining pin  9  secures the flexible cover  1  to the fuel pump cover ring  2 . 
     When the flexible cover  1  and the fuel pump cover ring  2  are removed to service the fuel pump assembly  4 , the flexible cover  1  can be removed by working the mounting holes  21  of the flexible cover  1  over the retaining pin  9  of the fuel pump cover ring  2  by sliding off the retaining pin barb  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  20   , with the flexible cover  1  removed from the fuel pump cover ring  2 , a screwdriver or any thin flat tool can be used to unlock the snap lock retainer  6  on the fuel pump cover ring  2 . For this purpose, it is required to insert the tip of the tool into the removal port  13  in the fuel pump cover ring  2 , and to place it on the flat surface  34  of the snap lock retainer  6 . With the tool in place, light rotational pressure in the unlocking direction is applied to the fuel pump cover ring  2  while pressing down on the back of the tool to apply pressure to the flat surface  34  of the snap lock retainer  6 , which in turn lifts the surface  33  of the snap lock retainer  6  out of the cam lock ring outer slot  17 . 
     Lifting the bottom surface  31  of the snap lock retainer  6  up to an equal level with the top surface  19  of the lock ring  3  will release the snap lock retainer  6  from the lock ring outer slot  17  to allow the fuel pump cover ring  2  to rotate free. Then, the fuel pump cover ring  2  is rotated until the unlocked position indicator  14  is aligned to the position indicator  26  on the fuel tank  5 . The fuel pump cover ring  2  can then be removed from the lock ring  3 , giving service access to the lock ring  3  and the fuel pump assembly  4 . 
     While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.