A fuel pump assembly and a fuel tank system integrating the fuel pump assembly.

Abstract

This invention relates to a fuel pump assembly and a fuel tank system integrating the fuel pump assembly. The fuel pump assembly includes a fuel reservoir, a flange cover, a filter, and a fuel pump. Both the filter and the fuel pump are installed inside the fuel reservoir. The key feature is that a multi-functional valve is installed on the flange cover. The multi-functional valve includes a valve body with a lower valve chamber and an upper valve chamber separated by a partition. The partition has a small hole connecting the lower and upper valve chambers. A lower float seat is located in the lower valve chamber, and a lower plug is mounted on the lower float seat. The bottom of the valve body has an oil passage hole communicating with the lower valve chamber. The top of the valve body has a large hole communicating with the upper valve chamber. An upper float seat is located in the upper valve chamber, and an upper plug is mounted on the upper float seat. A full-fuel pipe connector communicating with the upper valve chamber is located on the valve body. The valve body is connected to the bottom of the flange cover, which has a first connector and a second connector. This fuel pump assembly integrates a multi-functional valve and, when applied to a fuel tank system, can maximize the filling of the fuel tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fuel pump assembly and a fuel tank system integrating the fuel pump assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Modern automobiles typically have a fuel pump assembly installed inside their fuel tanks. This assembly generally includes a fuel reservoir, a flange cover, a filter, and the fuel pump itself. Both the filter and the fuel pump are housed within the fuel reservoir. The flange cover is connected to the fuel reservoir via a connecting rod and has a fuel outlet line. The fuel pump pumps fuel into the filter, and the fuel filtered by the filter supplies fuel to the engine's injection system through the fuel outlet line. Figure 8 As shown, because a pipe joint is located above the flange cover of the fuel pump assembly, the fuel tank portion with the flange cover is slightly lowered to meet the installation requirements of the fuel tank. An FLVV valve 17 (fuel tank control valve, also known as a fuel filler vent valve) is installed at the bottom of the flange cover inside the fuel tank. The vent pipe connected to the FLVV valve is also integrated above the flange cover. When refueling, the gas in the fuel tank is discharged through the vent pipe of the FLVV valve, allowing for normal refueling. However, in this situation, once the fuel reaches the closed level of the FLVV valve, refueling cannot continue, resulting in a significant waste of space above the fuel level. To solve this problem, such as... Figure 9 As shown, in the prior art, the FLVV valve 17 can be installed separately in other higher positions. However, this structure also requires external oil pipes for connection, so the installation position of the oil tank also needs to be recessed (to meet the installation requirements). This structure not only affects the oil capacity but also wastes local space. At the same time, it also makes the system less integrated and requires more pipelines to be connected to each other. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention innovatively provides a fuel pump assembly that can maximize the filling of the fuel tank and a fuel tank system integrating the fuel pump assembly.

[0004] This fuel pump assembly includes a fuel reservoir, a flange cover, a filter, and a fuel pump. Both the filter and the fuel pump are installed inside the fuel reservoir. The flange cover is connected to the fuel reservoir via a connecting rod. The assembly is characterized by having a multi-functional valve installed on the flange cover. The multi-functional valve includes a valve body, which contains a lower valve chamber and an upper valve chamber. The lower and upper valve chambers are separated by a partition. The partition has a small hole connecting the lower and upper valve chambers. A lower float is located inside the lower valve chamber, and the lower float has a lower valve seat that can block the small hole. The valve body has an oil passage hole at its bottom that communicates with the lower valve chamber; a large hole at its top that communicates with the upper valve chamber; an upper float seat in the upper valve chamber; an upper plug on the upper float seat that can block the large hole; and a full oil pipe connector on the valve body that communicates with the upper valve chamber. The valve body is connected to the bottom of a flange cover, and an outer chamber is formed between the flange cover and the upper end of the valve body. The outer chamber communicates with the large hole. The flange cover has a first connector and a second connector, both of which communicate with the outer chamber.

[0005] The bottom of the lower float has a floating column, which is movable up and down in the guide hole at the bottom of the valve body.

[0006] The lower float has vertically extending guide plates, the lower plug has a guide groove, the guide plates are located in the guide groove, and the lower float has a limiting part that can restrict the lower plug from sliding upward along the guide plates.

[0007] The upper plug is connected to the plug seat, the plug seat has a guide post, the upper float has a groove extending vertically, and the guide post is located in the groove.

[0008] The groove has a protrusion at its upper end, and the guide post has an elongated groove extending vertically, with the protrusion located within the elongated groove.

[0009] The valve body is composed of an upper valve body, a middle valve body and a lower valve body. The upper valve body is located inside the middle valve body, the lower valve body is connected to the bottom of the middle valve body, the partition is located on the middle valve body, the large hole is located on the top of the upper valve body, the full oil pipe connector is located on the middle valve body, and the large hole is located on the upper valve body.

[0010] The valve body is provided with a sealing ring, and the upper part of the flange cover and the valve body form an outer cavity through the sealing ring.

[0011] This fuel tank system includes a fuel tank body and the aforementioned fuel pump assembly, characterized in that: a full fuel inlet is installed at the top of the fuel tank body, and the full fuel inlet is connected to a full fuel pipe connector via a full fuel pipeline; an ROV valve is installed at the top of the fuel tank body, and the height of the ROV valve is higher than that of the full fuel pipe connector; the fuel tank body is connected to a refueling pipeline, and the refueling pipeline is connected to a second connector via a second pipeline, and the first connector is connected to a carbon canister via a first pipeline.

[0012] The fuel tank body includes a first fuel storage area and a second fuel storage area. The fuel pump assembly is installed in the first fuel storage area of ​​the fuel tank body. The full fuel inlet is installed at the top of the second fuel storage area of ​​the fuel tank body. The ROV valve is installed at the top of the second fuel storage area of ​​the fuel tank body. The refueling pipeline is connected to the first fuel storage area of ​​the fuel tank body.

[0013] The fuel pump assembly includes a remote return line, the distal end of which is located at the bottom of the second fuel storage area of ​​the fuel tank body.

[0014] According to the present invention, a fuel pump assembly is provided that integrates a multi-function valve. When applied to a fuel tank system and used in conjunction with a full fuel inlet, it can maximize the filling of the fuel tank. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the fuel tank system.

[0016] Figure 2 A 3D view of the fuel pump assembly;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a multi-functional valve.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a sectional view of the valve body;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the lower float and the lower plug;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the upper float and the upper plug;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the fuel tank system of the present invention (full fuel state);

[0022] Figure 8 For the existing fuel tank system 1 (full fuel condition);

[0023] Figure 9 This refers to the existing fuel tank system 2 (full fuel condition). Detailed Implementation

[0024] like Figure 1As shown, this fuel pump assembly is installed inside the fuel tank body 1, pumping out the fuel from the fuel tank body 1 and supplying fuel to the engine.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, this fuel pump assembly includes a fuel reservoir 2, a flange cover 4, a filter 21, and a fuel pump 20. Both the filter 21 and the fuel pump 20 are installed inside the fuel reservoir 2. The flange cover 4 is connected to the fuel reservoir 2 via a connecting rod 3 and is installed on the upper part of the fuel tank body 1. During operation, the fuel pump 20 pumps fuel from the fuel tank body 1 into the filter 21. The fuel filtered by the filter 21 is then delivered through a bellows 10 to the fuel outlet connector 46 on the flange cover 4. The fuel outlet connector 46 delivers fuel to the engine's fuel injection system, thus enabling the fuel pump assembly to supply fuel. These are all existing technologies.

[0026] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention installs a multi-functional valve 5 on the flange cover 4, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the multifunctional valve 5 includes a valve body 50, within which are a lower valve chamber 500 and an upper valve chamber 501, separated by a partition 51. The partition 51 has a small hole 510 connecting the lower valve chamber 500 and the upper valve chamber 501. Additionally, a lower float 52 is provided within the lower valve chamber 500, and a lower plug 53 (e.g., a plug) is provided on the lower float 52 to block the small hole 510. Figure 5 As shown), the bottom of the valve body 50 has an oil passage hole 502 communicating with the lower valve chamber 500. Fuel can enter the lower valve chamber 500 through the oil passage hole 502, causing the lower float 52 to float upward with the lower plug 53, thereby blocking the small hole 510. The top of the valve body 50 has a large hole 511 communicating with the upper valve chamber 501. An upper float 54 is provided in the upper valve chamber 501, and an upper plug 55 is provided on the upper float 54 to block the large hole 511 (e.g., an upper plug 55). Figure 6 As shown), the valve body 50 is provided with a full oil pipe connector 56 that communicates with the upper valve chamber 501. Fuel can enter the upper valve chamber 501 through the full oil pipe connector 56, and cause the upper float 54 to float upward with the upper plug 55, thereby blocking the large hole 511. The valve body 50 is connected to the bottom of the flange cover 4. The flange cover 4 and the top of the valve body 50 form an outer chamber 42, which communicates with the large hole 511. The flange cover 4 is provided with a first connector 43 and a second connector 44, both of which communicate with the outer chamber 42.

[0027] like Figure 1As shown, installing this fuel pump assembly inside the fuel tank body 1 constitutes a fuel tank system. This fuel tank system includes the fuel tank body 1 and the aforementioned fuel pump assembly. A full fuel inlet 8 is installed at the highest point of the top of the fuel tank body 1. The full fuel inlet 8 is connected to the full fuel pipe connector 56 via a full fuel pipe 9. In addition, an ROV valve 13 (also known as a tipping valve, which is generally installed in fuel tanks; it has a small venting capacity and is used to release the vapor generated by the fuel in a high-temperature environment to balance the fuel tank) is installed at the top of the fuel tank body 1. The internal and external pressure is controlled to avoid the risk of explosion and prevent fuel leakage when the car rolls over. The height of the ROV valve 13 is higher than that of the full fuel line connector 56 (even when the fuel is full, the ROV valve will not be immersed in the fuel, ensuring that the ROV valve works normally). The fuel tank body 1 is connected to the refueling line 15. The refueling line 15 is connected to the second connector 44 through the second line 7, while the first connector 43 is connected to the carbon canister through the first line 6 (gasoline cars are generally equipped with carbon canisters. Carbon canisters are existing technology and are used to store gasoline vapors generated by the fuel in the fuel tank).

[0028] The working principle of this fuel tank system is as follows: During refueling, external fuel is added to the fuel tank body 1 through the refueling pipe 15. A refueling check valve 16 is also installed inside the fuel tank body 1, allowing fuel from the refueling pipe 15 to enter the fuel tank body 1 through the refueling check valve 16. As the fuel level in the fuel tank body 1 gradually increases, gas inside the fuel tank body 1 can enter the lower valve chamber 500 through the oil passage 502 at the bottom of the valve body 50, then enter the upper valve chamber 501 through the small hole 510, and then enter the second connector 44 and the third connector 43 through the large hole 511. Gas inside the fuel tank body 1 can also be added through the full fuel level. Interface 8 enters the upper valve chamber 501 via the full oil line 9, and then enters the second connector 44 and the first connector 43 through the hole 511. The second connector 44 guides some gas to the refueling line 15 through the second line 7, and the first connector 43 sends some gas into the carbon canister through the first line 6. Due to the presence of the second line 7, it can form a circulation with the gas in the main body of the fuel tank 1. The technical effect is to reduce the intake of outside air into the fuel tank and reduce the oil vapor gas flowing to the carbon canister, thereby reducing the capacity of the carbon canister and making it smaller, saving the space occupied by the carbon canister. As refueling continues... As fuel level rises in the main body of the fuel tank 1, it eventually submerges the lower part of the multi-function valve 5. Fuel enters the lower valve chamber 500 through the oil passage 502 at the bottom of the valve body 50. Due to the buoyancy of the fuel, the lower float 52 in the lower valve chamber 500 floats upwards with the lower plug 53, blocking the small hole 510. At this point, the lower valve closes. Since the full filler port 8 is installed at the highest point inside the main body of the fuel tank 1, it is not yet submerged. As refueling continues, gas in the main body of the fuel tank 1 is released through the full filler port 8. With continued refueling, the fuel level in the main body of the fuel tank 1 continues to rise until it submerges the valve. Fuel enters the upper valve chamber 501 through the full fuel inlet 8 and the full fuel line 9. Under the buoyancy of the fuel, the upper float 54 in the upper valve chamber 501 floats upward with the upper plug 55, blocking the large hole 511. At this time, the upper valve is closed, thus creating pressure in the fuel tank (the ROV valve has a small air volume, which does not affect the pressure formation), causing the refueling check valve 16 to close, preventing further refueling, and the refueling is completed. When the fuel tank body 1 is full, since the height of the ROV valve is higher than the full fuel inlet 8, the ROV valve is not submerged, and the gas pressure generated by the fuel is mainly discharged to the outside through the ROV valve.As fuel is used, the fuel level drops. When the level falls below the multi-function valve 5, fuel in the lower valve chamber 500 flows downward through the oil passage 502. With no fuel in the lower valve chamber 500, there is no buoyancy, so the lower float 52 moves downward with the lower plug 53, keeping the small hole 510 clear. Fuel in the upper valve chamber 501 then flows through the small hole 510 into the lower valve chamber 500, finally flowing out through the oil passage 502. With no fuel in the upper valve chamber 501, there is no buoyancy, so the upper float 54 moves downward with the upper plug 55, keeping the large hole 511 clear. This completes the process after a full tank of fuel.

[0029] like Figure 7 As shown, since the full fuel inlet 8 is installed at the highest point inside the fuel tank body 1, and there are no external pipe joints, the upper part of the fuel tank does not need to be lowered. The full fuel inlet 8 is located at the full fuel line, thus maximizing the use of fuel tank space. It is worth mentioning that the full fuel inlet 8 is connected to a cover, which can be threaded or welded to the fuel tank body 1, facilitating the installation of the full fuel inlet 8.

[0030] In order to achieve stable up-and-down floating of the lower float 52, such as Figure 3 As shown, the bottom of the lower float 52 has a floating column 521, which is movably disposed within the guide hole 509 at the bottom of the valve body 50 (e.g., Figure 4 As shown, when the lower float 52 floats up and down, the guide hole 509 guides the float column 521, allowing the lower float 52 to float vertically, thus ensuring that the lower plug 53 accurately plugs the bottom of the small hole 510. Alternatively, a spring can be installed between the lower float 52 and the bottom of the valve body 50 to help the lower float 52 float upwards. If the lower float 52 is made very light, a spring may not be necessary.

[0031] like Figure 5 As shown, to allow the lower plug 53 to move up and down relative to the lower float 52, and to automatically fine-tune its position when in contact with the bottom surface of the small hole 510 for better sealing (because the two contact surfaces are not perfectly parallel), the lower float 52 has vertically extending guide plates 503, and the lower plug 53 has a guide groove 530. The guide plates 503 are located within the guide groove 530. The lower float 52 has a limiting part 522, which restricts the lower plug 53 from sliding upward along the guide plates 503. The lower float 52 moves upward under the buoyancy of the fuel, thereby driving the lower plug 53 to move upward to block the small hole 510. The lower plug 53 itself also moves upward (a slight movement) under the buoyancy of the fuel. When the lower plug 53 contacts the bottom surface of the small hole 510, it can adjust the force between itself and various points on the bottom of the small hole 510 through its own buoyancy, thereby forming a better sealing effect between the lower plug 53 and the bottom of the small hole 510.

[0032] like Figure 6 As shown, the upper plug 55 is connected to the plug seat 58, which has a guide post 580. The upper float seat 54 has vertically extending grooves 540, and the guide post 580 is located within the grooves 540. When fuel enters the upper valve chamber 501, it drives the upper float seat 54 to float upward, which in turn moves the upper plug 55 upward, thus blocking the large hole 511. The upper plug 55 itself also moves upward (a slight movement) under the buoyancy of the fuel. When the upper plug 55 contacts the bottom of the large hole 511, it can adjust the force between itself and various points at the bottom of the large hole 511 through its own buoyancy, thereby creating a better sealing effect between the upper plug 55 and the bottom of the large hole 511.

[0033] To prevent the upper plug 55 from falling off the upper float seat 54, such as Figure 6 As shown, the upper end of the groove 540 is provided with a protrusion 57, and the guide post 580 is provided with an elongated groove 581 extending vertically, with the protrusion 57 located within the elongated groove 581. When the upper plug 55 moves upward relative to the upper float 54, the protrusion 57 can restrict the upward movement of the guide post 580, thus preventing the upper plug 55 from falling off the upper float 54.

[0034] For ease of assembly, such as Figure 4 As shown, the valve body 50 of the present invention comprises an upper valve body 504, a middle valve body 505, and a lower valve body 506. The upper valve body 504 is disposed inside the middle valve body 505 (connected by threaded connection or snap-fit ​​method), and the lower valve body 506 is connected to the bottom of the middle valve body 505 (connected by threaded connection or snap-fit ​​method). The upper float 54 is located inside the upper valve body 504, the partition plate 51 is located on the middle valve body 505, the large hole 511 is located at the top of the upper valve body 504, and the full oil pipe connector 56 is located on the middle valve body 505. This structure allows for convenient installation of the upper float 54 and the lower float 52.

[0035] In order to form an outer cavity 42 between the valve body 50 and the flange cover 4, such as Figure 4 As shown, a sealing ring 507 is provided on the valve body 50, and the upper part of the flange cover 4 and the valve body 50 are connected by the sealing ring 507 to form an outer cavity 42.

[0036] The fuel tank body 1 can be a regular-shaped fuel tank or a saddle-shaped fuel tank. If a saddle-shaped fuel tank is used, such as... Figure 1 As shown, this fuel tank body 1 includes a first fuel storage area 11 and a second fuel storage area 12. The fuel pump assembly is installed in the first fuel storage area 11 of the fuel tank body 1, and the full fuel inlet 8 is installed at the highest point of the second fuel storage area 12 of the fuel tank body 1. The ROV valve 13 is installed at the top of the second fuel storage area 12 of the fuel tank body 1. The refueling line 15 is connected to the first fuel storage area 11 of the fuel tank body 1. Therefore, this fuel pump assembly can also be used for saddle-shaped fuel tanks.

[0037] Finally, it is worth mentioning that, in the case of a saddle-shaped fuel tank, the fuel pump assembly includes a remote return line 14 (connected to the return line connector 22), the distal end of which is located at the bottom of the second fuel storage area 12 within the fuel tank body 1. The remote return line 14 can siphon fuel from the second fuel storage area 12 into the first fuel storage area 11, thus utilizing the fuel in the second fuel storage area 12.

Claims

1. A fuel pump assembly comprising a fuel tank (2), a flange cover (4), a filter (21) and a fuel pump (20), the filter (21) and the fuel pump (20) being installed in the fuel tank (2), the flange cover (4) being connected to the fuel tank (2) by a connecting rod (3), characterized in that: The flange cover (4) is provided with a multifunctional valve (5), the multifunctional valve (5) comprises a valve body (50), the valve body (50) is provided with a lower valve cavity (500) and an upper valve cavity (501), the lower valve cavity (500) and the upper valve cavity (501) are separated by a partition plate (51), the partition plate (51) is provided with a small hole (510) for connecting the lower valve cavity (500) and the upper valve cavity (501), the lower valve cavity (500) is provided with a lower floating seat (52), the lower floating seat (52) is provided with a lower plug (53) capable of blocking the small hole (510), the bottom of the valve body (50) is provided with an oil passage hole (502) communicated with the lower valve cavity (500); the top of the valve body (50) is provided with a large hole (511) communicated with the upper valve cavity (501), the upper valve cavity (501) is provided with an upper floating seat (54), the upper floating seat (54) is provided with an upper plug (55) capable of blocking the large hole (511), the valve body (50) is provided with a full oil pipe joint (56) communicated with the upper valve cavity (501); the valve body (50) is connected to the bottom of the flange cover (4), the flange cover (4) and the upper end of the valve body (50) form an outer chamber (42), the outer chamber (42) is communicated with the large hole (511), the flange cover (4) is provided with a first joint (43) and a second joint (44), the first joint (43) and the second joint (44) are communicated with the outer chamber (42). ​ 2. A fuel pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The lower floating seat (52) is provided with a floating column (521) at the bottom, the floating column (521) is movably arranged in a guide hole (509) at the bottom of the valve body (50).

3. A fuel pump assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The lower floating seat (52) is provided with a guide piece (503) extending upward and downward, the lower plug (53) is provided with a guide groove (530), the guide piece (503) is located in the guide groove (530), the lower floating seat (52) is provided with a limiting portion (522), the limiting portion (522) can limit the lower plug (53) from sliding out along the guide piece (503) upward.

4. A fuel pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The upper plug (55) is connected to a plug seat (58), the plug seat (58) is provided with a guide column (580), the upper floating seat (54) is provided with a groove (540) extending upward and downward, the guide column (580) is located in the groove (540).

5. A fuel pump assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The upper end of the groove (540) is provided with a protruding portion (57), the guide column (580) is provided with a long groove (581) extending upward and downward, the protruding portion (57) is located in the long groove (581).

6. A fuel pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The valve body (50) is composed of an upper valve body (504), a middle valve body (505) and a lower valve body (506), the upper valve body (504) is arranged in the middle valve body (505), the lower valve body (506) is connected to the bottom of the middle valve body (505), the partition plate (51) is located on the middle valve body (505), the large hole (511) is located at the top of the upper valve body (504), the full oil pipe joint (56) is located on the middle valve body (505), and the large hole (511) is located on the upper valve body (504).

7. A fuel pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The valve body (50) is provided with a sealing ring (507), and the upper portion of the flange cover (4) and the valve body (50) form an outer chamber (42) through the sealing ring (507).

8. An oil tank system comprising an oil tank body (1) and the fuel pump assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The full oil interface (8) is installed at the top of the oil tank body (1), and the full oil interface (8) is connected with the full oil pipe joint (56) through the connecting full oil pipeline (9); the ROV valve (13) is installed at the top of the oil tank body (1), and the height of the ROV valve (13) is higher than that of the full oil pipe joint (56); the oil tank body (1) is connected with the refueling pipeline (15), the refueling pipeline (15) is connected with the second joint (44) through the second pipeline (7), and the first joint (43) is connected with the carbon tank through the first pipeline (6).

9. A tank system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The oil tank body (1) comprises a first oil storage area (11) and a second oil storage area (12), the fuel pump assembly is installed in the first oil storage area (11) of the oil tank body (1), the full oil interface (8) is installed at the top of the second oil storage area (12) of the oil tank body (1), and the ROV valve (13) is installed at the top of the second oil storage area (12) of the oil tank body (1).

10. A tank system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The fuel pump assembly comprises a distal end oil return pipe (14), and the distal end head of the distal end oil return pipe (14) is located at the bottom of the second oil storage area (12) of the oil tank body (1).

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