Fuel automatic emptying device capable of improving the use efficiency of a filter element

Abstract

An automatic fuel drain device capable of improving the use efficiency of a filter element, comprising a housing, a mounting bracket, a water collecting cup, a filter element assembly and an electric fuel pump assembly. The housing, the mounting bracket and the water collecting cup jointly define a chamber. The mounting bracket is provided with an oil inlet for the drain device, and the water collecting cup is provided with an oil outlet for the drain device. The filter element assembly is arranged in the chamber and has a filter element, an inner cavity for receiving the fuel filtered by the filter element, and a backflow pipe vertically arranged in the inner cavity. The upper end of the backflow pipe has an oil inlet, and the oil inlet is not less than 5 mm above the top surface of the filter element of the filter element assembly. The upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly is inserted into the backflow pipe, and the lower end extends into the inner cavity of the water collecting cup. The oil inlet of the electric fuel pump assembly is located at the upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly. In the use process of the invention, the fuel can overflow the top of the vertically arranged filter element, thereby improving the use efficiency of the fuel filter element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel automatic drainage device. Background Art

[0002] At present, the common rail fuel system has been widely used in automotive diesel engines, improving the emission standards of automotive diesel. However, when a diesel engine starts in a low-temperature and low-speed state, the low-pressure fuel circuit often cannot automatically drain the air existing in the fuel circuit. To solve this problem, a fuel automatic drainage device that can automatically drain and quickly supply fuel is currently installed on diesel engines. Most traditional fuel automatic drainage devices are integrated with fuel filters. The newly designed fuel automatic drainage device also uses a transparent water collection cup and a replaceable filter element. However, in the product with this design structure, since the filter element is vertically installed, the liquid level cannot overflow the top of the filter element due to gravity, and the filter element cannot be used 100%, resulting in a certain degree of waste of the filter element. For products with this design structure, reference can be made to the patent application with the application number 201910964955.1 submitted by the applicant on October 11, 2019. In addition, the coexistence of fuel and air causes a lot of air in the downstream products during the fuel inhalation process, resulting in insufficient engine power, affecting the driving pleasure of the driver. The long-term presence of a large amount of air will also cause pitting corrosion of downstream parts due to air, affecting the service life of the parts. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fuel automatic drainage device in which fuel can overflow the top of a vertically arranged filter element during use, thereby improving the use efficiency of the fuel filter element.

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel automatic drainage device that can improve the use efficiency of a filter element, including a housing, a mounting bracket, a water collection cup, a filter element assembly, and an electric fuel pump assembly; the lower end of the housing is connected to the upper end of the mounting bracket, the lower end of the mounting bracket is connected to the upper end of the water collection cup, and the housing, the mounting bracket, and the water collection cup jointly define a chamber; the mounting bracket is provided with an inlet of the drainage device, and the inlet of the drainage device is communicated with the chamber; the filter element assembly is arranged in the chamber, and the filter element assembly is provided with an inner cavity for receiving the fuel filtered by the filter element assembly; the upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly extends into the inner cavity of the filter element assembly, the lower end of the electric fuel pump assembly extends into the inner cavity of the water collection cup and is connected to the water collection cup; the water collection cup is provided with an outlet of the drainage device, and the outlet of the drainage device is communicated with the outlet of the electric fuel pump assembly; wherein, the filter element assembly includes a backflow pipe, the backflow pipe is vertically arranged in the inner cavity of the filter element assembly, the upper end of the backflow pipe has an oil inlet, and the oil inlet is not less than 5 mm above the filter element top surface of the filter element assembly; the upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly is inserted into the backflow pipe, and the inlet of the electric fuel pump assembly is located at the upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly.

[0005] After adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has at least the following advantages and characteristics:

[0006] 1. In the embodiment of the present invention, the oil inlet of the reverse flow pipe is arranged near the top of the filter element, the oil inlet of the evacuation device is arranged on the mounting bracket near the bottom of the filter element, and the electric pump oil delivery assembly is arranged in the reverse flow pipe. Fuel will flow through the oil inlet of the reverse flow pipe and the electric pump oil delivery assembly to the oil outlet of the evacuation device, thereby ensuring that the filter element can achieve 100% usage efficiency when the filter element assembly is vertically installed. In addition, due to better use of the filter element, a reasonable distribution of the dust-holding capacity of the filter element is achieved, thereby improving the service life and usage efficiency of the filter element;

[0007] 2. The oil inlet set in the embodiment of the present invention ensures that the electric fuel pump assembly can only deliver fuel after the fuel has overflowed the oil inlet, and the electric fuel pump assembly does not deliver fuel when the oil inlet is not overflowed by fuel; the only passage of the fuel ensures that the fuel is supplied to the downstream parts in a way of air-free delivery, so that the downstream parts are prevented from insufficient power caused by inhaling air, effectively protecting the subsequent parts while ensuring the power of the engine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 and Figure 2 respectively show a perspective structural view and a sectional view of a fuel automatic evacuation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a filter element assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of an electrical connector of an electric fuel pump assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the one-way valve assembly is in a closed state.

[0011] Figure 5 shows a sectional view of an electrical connector of an electric fuel pump assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the one-way valve assembly is in an open state.

[0012] Figure 6 shows a perspective structural view of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 7 shows Figure 2 a partial enlarged view of

[0014] Figure 8 shows a sectional view of a fuel automatic evacuation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the arrow represents the flow direction of fuel when the electric fuel pump is working.

[0015] Figure 9The cross-sectional schematic diagram of an automatic fuel drain device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, where the arrow represents the flow direction of fuel when the electric fuel pump is not working. Detailed implementation manners

[0016] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0017] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 An automatic fuel drain device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 1, a mounting bracket 2, a water collecting cup 3, a filter element assembly 4, and an electric fuel pump assembly 5.

[0018] The lower end of the housing 1 is connected to the upper end of the mounting bracket 2, and the lower end of the mounting bracket 2 is connected to the upper end of the water collecting cup 3. The housing 1, the mounting bracket 2, and the water collecting cup 3 jointly define a chamber 9. In this embodiment, for the convenience of installation and maintenance, the lower end of the housing 1 is detachably connected to the upper end of the mounting bracket 2, and the lower end of the mounting bracket 2 is detachably connected to the upper end of the water collecting cup 3.

[0019] In this embodiment, the housing 1 is a high-strength plastic transparent housing, and the usage condition of the internal filter element assembly 4 can be visually observed. An external thread 1b is provided at the lower end of the housing 1. The mounting bracket 2 has a central through hole extending in the height direction. The inner wall of the central through hole of the mounting bracket 2 is provided with an internal thread 2m and a support step 2c that cooperate with the external thread 1b. The housing 1 is screwed to the mounting bracket 2. The mounting bracket 2 is connected to the water collecting cup 3 by a plurality of screws. The mounting bracket 2 is provided with two fuel inlet ports 2a, 2b of the drain device, and the fuel inlet ports 2a, 2b of the drain device communicate with the chamber 9. The water collecting cup 3 is provided with two fuel outlet ports 3a, 3b of the drain device. In other embodiments, other numbers of fuel inlet ports and fuel outlet ports of the drain device can also be provided, and the present invention does not limit this.

[0020] The filter element assembly 4 is removably placed in the chamber 9. The lower end of the filter element assembly 4 is supported on the support step 2c. The filter element assembly 4 is used to filter the fuel flowing into the fuel inlets 2a and 2b of the evacuation device. The filter element assembly 4 includes an upper cover 41, a filter element 42, a central pipe 43, a backflow pipe 44, and a base 45. The filter element 42 is sleeved outside the central pipe 43. A plurality of oil through holes 43a are formed on the side surface of the central pipe 43. The upper and lower ends of the filter element 42 are respectively connected to the upper cover 41 and the base 45, and the connection method is usually glue bonding. The central pipe 43, the upper cover 41, and the base 45 jointly define the inner cavity 40 of the filter element assembly 4. The inner cavity 40 receives the fuel filtered by the filter element 42. The backflow pipe 44 is vertically arranged in the inner cavity 40 of the filter element assembly. The lower end of the backflow pipe 44 is connected to the base 45. In this embodiment, the backflow pipe 44 and the base 45 are integrally formed. The upper end of the backflow pipe 44 has an oil inlet 44a, and the oil inlet 44a is not less than 5 mm above the top surface of the filter element 42 of the filter element assembly. Preferably, the oil inlet 44a is higher than the top surface of the filter element 42 of the filter element assembly.

[0021] The base 45 is provided with a central through hole 45a, and the central through hole 45a is communicated with the backflow pipe oil outlet 44f located at the lower end of the backflow pipe 44. Optionally, a sealing ring 46 is provided in the central through hole 45a of the base. The sealing ring 46 can be connected to the base by means of secondary injection molding or the like to prevent the sealing ring from falling off during use, resulting in product failure.

[0022] In this embodiment, the filter element 42 is composed of a cylindrical filter paper. The cylindrical filter paper is folded in a wavy shape. Impurities and moisture cannot pass through the filter paper and are thus blocked outside the filter paper. Only air and the filtered fuel can pass through the filter paper and enter the inside of the filter paper.

[0023] The upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly 5 is inserted into the backflow pipe 44. The fuel inlet 5a of the electric fuel pump assembly 5 is located at the upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly 5. The lower end of the electric fuel pump assembly 5 extends into the inner cavity of the water collecting cup 3 and is connected to the water collecting cup 3 by screws. The fuel outlet 5b of the electric fuel pump assembly is communicated with the evacuation device fuel outlets 3a and 3b.

[0024] In this embodiment, the backflow pipe 44 includes a thinner neck part 441 and a thicker body part 442. The lower end of the neck part 441 is connected to the upper end of the body part 442. This structure can concentrate the oil inlet and reduce the pressure at the oil suction end of the electric fuel pump. The upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly 5 is inserted into the body part 442 of the backflow pipe. A plurality of longitudinally extending first reinforcing ribs 44c are provided on the outer side surface of the neck part 441. A plurality of longitudinally extending second reinforcing ribs 44d are provided on the inner hole wall of the body part 442. The plurality of second reinforcing ribs 44d abut against the side surface of the electric fuel pump assembly to limit the electric fuel pump assembly 5 to prevent the electric fuel pump assembly 5 from swinging.

[0025] The electric fuel pump assembly 5 includes an electric fuel pump 51 and an electrical connector 52, and the electric fuel pump 51 and the electrical connector 52 are connected in sequence from top to bottom. In this embodiment, the electrical connector 52 and the housing 512 of the electric fuel pump are integrally connected by spin riveting to form the electric fuel pump assembly. The electrical connector 52 is provided with a fuel passage 52a and two side through holes 52b. The fuel passage 52a has an oil inlet 52c and an oil outlet 5b. The oil inlet 52c of the fuel passage is communicated with the oil outlet 51d of the electric fuel pump 51, and the oil outlet 5b of the fuel passage 52a constitutes the oil outlet of the electric fuel pump assembly. Each side through hole 52b has a fuel inlet 52e and a fuel outlet 52f. The fuel inlets 52e of the side through holes and the oil inlet 5a of the electric fuel pump 51 are located in the inner hole of the backflow pipe 44, and the fuel outlets 52f of the side through holes penetrate the fuel passage 52a.

[0026] A one-way valve assembly 6 is provided in each side through hole 52b. Each one-way valve assembly blocks the conduction between the fuel inlet 52e and the fuel outlet 52f in the closed state, and allows the fuel flowing in from the fuel inlet 52e to flow to the fuel outlet 52f in the open state.

[0027] In this embodiment, each one-way valve assembly 6 includes a valve cover 61, a valve core 63, a spring 64 and a valve seat 65 which are sequentially arranged in the side through hole 52b. The valve cover 61 is installed at the fuel inlet 52e of the side through hole 52b, and the valve cover 61 is provided with an oil passage hole 61a. The valve seat 65 is connected to the hole wall of the side through hole 52b, and the spring 64 abuts between the valve core 63 and the valve seat 65. In other embodiments, the number of side through holes 52b is not limited to two, and may also be one, three, etc.

[0028] In this embodiment, the fuel automatic drainage device includes a filter element assembly up-and-down movement limiting mechanism and a filter element assembly swing limiting mechanism.

[0029] The filter element assembly up-and-down movement limiting mechanism includes a first convex column 41a provided on the top surface of the upper cover 41 and extending upward, a second convex column 13c provided on the inner surface of the top wall of the outer shell 13 and extending downward, and a spring 14. The two ends of the spring 14 are respectively sleeved on the first convex column 41a and the second convex column 13c to prevent the filter element assembly from moving up and down. The top wall of the outer shell is provided with a threaded through hole 13a extending axially. The threaded through hole 13a constitutes the exhaust port of the outer shell 1. An exhaust valve 11 is provided at the exhaust port. The exhaust valve 11 is used to control the opening and closing of the exhaust port. The outer side surface of the exhaust valve 11 is provided with an external thread. The threaded through hole 13a is provided with an internal thread matching the external thread of the exhaust valve. The exhaust valve 11 is helically connected with the threaded through hole 13a. A sealing ring 12 is sleeved outside the exhaust valve 11 to seal the gap between the exhaust valve 11 and the threaded through hole 13a. A sealing ring installation groove 11a matching the sealing ring 12 is also provided on the exhaust valve 11.

[0030] The swing limiting mechanism of the filter element assembly is used to limit the filter element assembly 4 to prevent it from swinging. The swing limiting structure of the filter element assembly includes a plurality of L-shaped limiting ribs arranged on the inner wall of the housing 1. The horizontal side portions 13d of each L-shaped limiting rib are arranged on the inner surface of the top wall of the housing, and the vertical side portions 13e of each L-shaped limiting rib are arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the housing.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 4 , Figure 8 and Figure 4 The arrows in and show the fuel flow direction when the electric fuel pump 51 is working. When the electric fuel pump 51 is working, fuel is sucked in from the two fuel inlets 2a and 2b of the mounting bracket 2. After being filtered by the filter element 42, the fuel level reaches the inner wall 41d of the upper cover 41 and then enters the fuel inlet 44a of the backflow pipe 44, and then flows into the fuel inlet 5a of the electric fuel pump 51. After that, it enters the fuel inlet 52c of the fuel passage of the electric fuel pump electrical connector, and then flows out from the fuel outlet 5b of the fuel passage of the electric fuel pump electrical connector. At this time, the oil pressure generated by the electric fuel pump 51 and the elastic force provided by the spring 64 act together to overcome the fuel pressure outside the fuel inlet 52e of the bypass hole, press the valve core 63 against the valve cover 61, and block the oil passage hole 61a, so that the one-way valve assembly 6 is in a closed state. The fuel flowing out from the fuel outlet 5b of the fuel passage of the electric fuel pump electrical connector flows out from the fuel outlets 3a and 3b of the evacuation device. Figure 8 and Figure 4 The arrows in and show the fuel flow direction.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 5 , Figure 9 and Figure 5 The arrows in and show the fuel flow direction when the electric fuel pump 51 is not working. When the electric fuel pump 51 is not working, the fuel flowing in from the fuel inlets 2a and 2b passes through the filter element 41 and the fuel level reaches the inner wall 41d of the upper cover 41 and then enters the fuel inlet 44a of the backflow pipe 44. It flows through the fuel passage 44b of the backflow pipe 44 to the one-way valve assembly 6 arranged in the bypass hole. Since the electric fuel pump is not working and no oil pressure is generated, the fuel pressure outside the fuel inlet 52e of the bypass hole overcomes the elastic force of the spring 64 of the one-way valve assembly 6, making the one-way valve assembly 6 in an open state. At this time, the valve core 63 leaves the valve cover 61, opening the oil passage hole 61a. Fuel flows into through the oil passage hole 61a on the valve cover 61, then the fuel enters the fuel inlet 52c of the fuel passage through the fuel outlet 52f of the bypass hole 52b, then enters the fuel outlet 5b of the fuel passage, and finally flows out from the fuel outlets 3a and 3b of the evacuation device.

[0033] In the embodiment of the present invention, the position of the oil inlet of the reverse flow pipe is set near the top of the filter element, the oil inlet of the evacuation device is arranged on the mounting bracket near the bottom of the filter element, and the electric pump oil delivery assembly is arranged in the reverse flow pipe. Fuel will flow through the oil inlet of the reverse flow pipe and the electric pump oil delivery assembly to the oil outlet of the evacuation device, thereby ensuring that the filter element can reach 100% utilization efficiency when the filter element assembly is vertically installed.

[0034] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalent technologies, the present invention is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An automatic fuel emptying device that can improve the use efficiency of a filter element, comprising a housing, a mounting bracket, a water collecting cup, a filter element assembly, and an electric fuel pump assembly; the lower end of the housing is connected to the upper end of the mounting bracket, the lower end of the mounting bracket is connected to the upper end of the water collecting cup, and the housing, the mounting bracket, and the water collecting cup jointly define a chamber; the mounting bracket is provided with an emptying device oil inlet, and the emptying device oil inlet is communicated with the chamber; the filter element assembly is arranged in the chamber, the filter element assembly is provided with an inner cavity, and the inner cavity receives the fuel filtered by the filter element assembly; the upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly extends into the inner cavity of the filter element assembly, and the lower end of the electric fuel pump assembly extends into the inner cavity of the water collecting cup and is connected to the water collecting cup; the water collecting cup is provided with an emptying device oil outlet, and the emptying device oil outlet is communicated with the oil outlet of the electric fuel pump assembly; Characterized in that, the filter element assembly includes a backflow pipe, the backflow pipe is vertically arranged in the inner cavity of the filter element assembly, the upper end of the backflow pipe has an oil inlet, and the oil inlet is not less than 5 mm above the filter element top surface of the filter element assembly; the upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly is inserted into the backflow pipe, and the oil inlet of the electric fuel pump assembly is located at the upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly.

2. The automatic fuel emptying device that can improve the use efficiency of a filter element according to claim 1, Characterized in that, the oil inlet is higher than the filter element top surface of the filter element assembly.

3. The automatic fuel emptying device that can improve the use efficiency of a filter element according to claim 1, Characterized in that, the filter element assembly includes a central pipe, an upper cover, and a base; the filter element is sleeved outside the central pipe, the side surface of the central pipe is provided with a plurality of oil through holes, the upper end and the lower end of the filter element are respectively connected to the upper cover and the base, and the central pipe, the upper cover, and the base jointly define the inner cavity of the filter element assembly; the base is provided with a central through hole, the central through hole of the base is communicated with the backflow pipe oil outlet located at the lower end of the backflow pipe, and the lower end of the backflow pipe is connected to the base.

4. The automatic fuel emptying device that can improve the use efficiency of a filter element according to claim 3, Characterized in that, a sealing ring is arranged in the central through hole of the base.

5. The automatic fuel emptying device that can improve the use efficiency of a filter element according to claim 1, Characterized in that, the backflow pipe includes a thinner neck and a thicker body, the lower end of the neck is connected to the upper end of the body; the upper part of the electric fuel pump assembly is inserted into the body of the backflow pipe.

6. The automatic fuel emptying device that can improve the use efficiency of a filter element according to claim 5, Characterized in that, a plurality of longitudinally extending first reinforcing ribs are arranged on the outer side surface of the neck; a plurality of longitudinally extending second reinforcing ribs are arranged on the inner hole wall of the body, and the plurality of second reinforcing ribs abut against the side surface of the electric fuel pump assembly to limit the electric fuel pump assembly.

7. The automatic fuel emptying device that can improve the use efficiency of a filter element according to claim 3, Characterized in that, the housing is provided with an exhaust port, the exhaust port is provided with an exhaust valve, and the exhaust valve is used to control the opening and closing of the exhaust port.

8. The fuel automatic emptying device capable of improving the use efficiency of the filter element according to claim 7, characterized in that, the fuel automatic emptying device includes a filter element assembly up-and-down movement limiting mechanism and a filter element assembly swinging limiting mechanism; the filter element assembly up-and-down movement limiting mechanism includes a first convex column arranged on the top surface of the upper cover and extending upward, a second convex column arranged on the inner surface of the top wall of the outer shell and extending downward, and a spring, and two ends of the spring are respectively sleeved on the first convex column and the second convex column; a threaded through hole extending axially is provided on the top wall of the outer shell, and the threaded through hole forms the exhaust port; the exhaust valve is screwed to the threaded through hole, and a sealing ring is sleeved outside the exhaust valve to seal the gap between the exhaust valve and the threaded through hole; the filter element assembly swinging limiting mechanism includes a plurality of L-shaped limiting ribs, the horizontal side parts of the L-shaped limiting ribs are arranged on the inner surface of the top wall of the outer shell, and the vertical side parts of the L-shaped limiting ribs are arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the outer shell.

9. The fuel automatic emptying device capable of improving the use efficiency of the filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, the lower end of the outer shell is detachably connected to the upper end of the mounting bracket, the filter element assembly is removably placed in the chamber and is supported by the mounting bracket; the outer shell is a transparent outer shell.

10. The fuel automatic emptying device capable of improving the use efficiency of the filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, the electric fuel pump assembly includes an electric fuel pump and an electrical connector connected in sequence from top to bottom; the electrical connector is provided with a fuel passage and at least one side through hole; the fuel passage has an oil inlet and an oil outlet, the oil inlet of the fuel passage is communicated with the oil outlet of the electric fuel pump, and the oil outlet of the fuel passage is communicated with the oil outlet of the emptying device; each side through hole has a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, the fuel inlets of each side through hole and the oil inlet of the electric fuel pump are located in the inner hole of the backflow pipe, and the fuel outlets of each side through hole penetrate through the fuel passage; a one-way valve assembly is provided in each side through hole; when the electric fuel pump is turned on, each one-way valve assembly is in a closed state to block the conduction between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet; when the electric fuel pump is turned off, each one-way valve assembly is in an open state to allow the fuel flowing in from the fuel inlet to flow to the fuel outlet.

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