Fuel pump assembly and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel pump arrangement (1) comprising a fuel pump (2), an inlet (63) for drawing in fuel in a suction direction (70) by means of the fuel pump (2), and a filter (5) arranged at the inlet (63), wherein the inlet (63) comprises a conical section (64) whose flow cross-section narrows along the suction direction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fuel pump arrangement and a motor vehicle with the fuel pump arrangement.

[0002] DE 41 30 614 A1 shows in Fig. 1 a fuel pump assembly comprising a pump and a filter on the intake side.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a fuel pump arrangement which can be operated reliably and efficiently while being easy to manufacture.

[0004] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0005] The invention relates to a fuel pump assembly, particularly for use in a motor vehicle. The fuel pump assembly comprises a fuel pump, particularly for pumping a liquid, for example gasoline or diesel. Furthermore, the fuel pump assembly comprises an inlet. As will be described in detail below, the inlet can be part of an adapter that is connected to the fuel pump.

[0006] The inlet is designed and positioned for drawing in fuel in a suction direction by the fuel pump. A filter is located at the inlet. This filter can also be referred to as a screen. When the fuel pump assembly is in use, the fuel pump draws the fuel through the inlet along the suction direction. The fuel flows from a tank first through the filter and then through the inlet.

[0007] Within the scope of the invention, it was recognized that in conventional filter arrangements, at least under certain operating conditions and / or geometric configurations, suction can occur towards the inlet. This results in undesirable effects, such as a pressure drop in the fuel pump or an uneven distribution of the fuel flow through the filter, which in turn can lead to cavitation. To avoid these disadvantages, it was discovered according to the invention that the inlet should widen towards the filter. This largely prevents suction of the filter and thus a drop in pressure at the pump.

[0008] Therefore, the inlet of the fuel pump assembly is designed to have a conical section. The flow cross-section of the conical section narrows along the intake direction. This results in the conical section having the largest possible flow cross-section at its end facing the filter. The conical section is preferably designed such that the flow cross-section narrows continuously along the intake direction.

[0009] The described inlet preferably comprises a further section. The conical section transitions into this further section along the intake direction. Thus, the inlet first features the conical section along the intake direction. This conical section transitions, particularly directly, into the further section. Following this further section, the inlet may already transition into the fuel pump or have another section in which the fuel continues to flow towards the fuel pump.

[0010] The further section preferably has a constant flow cross-section. For example, the further section is cylindrical.

[0011] Preferably, the conical section has a minimum and a maximum flow cross-section. The largest flow cross-section is preferably located at the end of the conical section facing the filter. The smallest flow cross-section is preferably located at the opposite end, particularly at the transition to the further section.

[0012] Preferably, the ratio of the largest flow cross-section to the smallest flow cross-section is at most 5, in particular at most 4, and / or this ratio is at least 1.3, in particular at least 1.5. These values ​​represent a sensible trade-off between the largest possible flow cross-sections in the filter area on the one hand and the available installation space on the other.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the conical section extends parallel to the intake direction over a length of at least 1 cm. Preferably, the length is at least 1.5 cm. This ensures that the flow cross-section widens continuously over the longest possible distance, taking into account the limited installation space. This helps to avoid undesirable turbulence in the flow.

[0014] The filter is preferably made of a flexible grid or a fabric.

[0015] The filter is preferably designed to form a filter chamber. The conical section of the inlet projects into this filter chamber. The filter thus surrounds the filter-side end of the conical section. During intake, the fuel flows through the filter into the filter chamber and from the filter chamber into the conical section of the inlet. Particularly with this type of filter design, it is of special importance to design the inlet with the conical section according to the invention in order to prevent filter collapse as far as possible.

[0016] To form the filter with its interior space, it is preferably provided that the filter is formed by two superimposed filter elements. These two filter elements can, for example, consist of a flexible mesh or fabric. The two filter elements lie one on top of the other and are connected to each other around their perimeter by a seam, so that the filter interior is formed between the superimposed filter elements.

[0017] The described filter interior preferably contains a support structure. This support structure is preferably made of plastic. The support structure can have any geometry.

[0018] Preferably, the described inlet is part of an adapter. The adapter thus includes the inlet. The described filter is located at this inlet. The adapter is connected to the fuel pump. In particular, the adapter and fuel pump are plugged into each other.

[0019] Preferably, the adapter has a base. The inlet passes through this base. The base is surrounded by a side wall. The side wall need not be completely circumferential, but can, for example, be interrupted for ventilation. When the adapter and fuel pump are inserted, the side wall engages in a corresponding groove in the fuel pump or surrounds the outer housing of the fuel pump, creating a positive and / or non-positive connection between the adapter and the fuel pump.

[0020] The adapter is, in particular, an injection-molded plastic part. Preferably, the adapter is injection-molded onto the filter. For this purpose, it is specifically provided that, during the adapter's manufacturing process, the filter is an insert within the adapter's injection mold.

[0021] The support structure is preferably a separate component inserted into the filter, manufactured independently of the adapter; for example, as an injection-molded part.

[0022] The adapter preferably includes a support bracket. In particular, the adapter including the support bracket is a single piece. The support bracket extends into the filter interior and distances the filter from the inlet.

[0023] The invention further comprises a motor vehicle with a fuel tank and the fuel pump assembly described above. The fuel pump assembly is located in the fuel tank. The fuel tank is specifically designed to hold the fuel, for example gasoline or diesel.

[0024] Further details, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a fuel pump arrangement according to the invention in an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 2 a detail from Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a constructive embodiment of the fuel pump arrangement according to the inventive model, in a motor vehicle according to the inventive model.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a purely schematic representation of a fuel pump arrangement 1 with a fuel pump 2 and an attachment 3. The attachment 3 consists of an adapter 6, a filter 5 and a support structure 4 in a filter interior 51.

[0026] Adapter 6 of attachment 3 is in Fig. 2 is shown in detail. The following section discusses the two. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Referenced.

[0027] Filter 5 is formed by two superimposed filter elements. These filter elements are, for example, a grid or a fabric made of metal or plastic. The two filter elements are connected to each other by means of a circumferential connecting seam 52. This creates the filter interior 51 inside filter 5. To give this filter interior 51 a certain shape, the support structure 4 is inserted into the filter interior 51.

[0028] The adapter 6 has a base 61. A side wall 62 extends around the base 61. The side wall 62 does not need to be completely circumferential, but can be interrupted, for example, for venting. By connecting the adapter 6 to the fuel pump 2, the side wall 62 encompasses the outer housing of the fuel pump 2, thereby connecting the fuel pump 2 and the adapter 6 by force and / or form. An inlet 63, an integral part of the adapter 6, extends from the base 61 into the filter interior 51. A circumferential collar 66 at the filter-side end of the inlet 63 serves to connect the adapter 6 to the filter 5. In particular, the adapter 6 is injection-molded onto the filter 5.

[0029] When using the fuel pump assembly 1, the fuel is drawn through the filter 5 into the filter chamber 51. From the filter chamber 51, the fuel flows along the indicated intake direction 70 through the inlet 63 towards the fuel pump 2.

[0030] The geometry of inlet 63 is described in more detail below: The inlet 63 has a conical section 64 at its end facing the filter 5. This conical section 64 transitions directly into another section 65.

[0031] The conical section 64 is designed such that the flow cross-section of the inlet 63 narrows along the suction direction 70. In the illustrated embodiment, this flow cross-section narrows continuously in the conical section 64. In the further section 65, it is specifically provided that the flow cross-section remains constant.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the smallest flow cross-section 71 of the conical section 64 and the largest flow cross-section 72 of the conical section 64. For simplicity, only the diameters of the two flow cross-sections 71 and 72 are shown. As can be seen, the largest flow cross-section 72 is located at the end of the inlet 63 facing the filter 5. The smallest flow cross-section 71 is located at the transition from the conical section 64 to the further section 65. Furthermore, Figure 2 shows... Fig. 2. In purely schematic terms, a length 73 of the conical section 64 parallel to the suction direction 70. The size ratios and dimensions given in the general part for the smallest flow cross-section 71, largest flow cross-section 72 and the length 73 also apply to the illustrated embodiment.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows a constructive embodiment of the fuel pump assembly 1 and its arrangement in a motor vehicle 100. A sectional view is shown, with the cut lines depicted in white.

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 shows only a section of the tank 101 of the motor vehicle 100. The fuel pump assembly 1 is located in this tank 101. Fig. Figure 3 shows how, in the constructive design, the inlet 63 with its conical section 64 extends into the filter interior 51. Furthermore, it shows Fig. 3 a possible constructive design of the support structure 4.

[0035] Fig. Figure 3 shows a support bracket 67. This support bracket 67 is in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 is not shown for clarity. The support bracket 67 is, in particular, an integral part of the adapter 6. The support bracket 67 extends into the filter interior 51 and separates the filter 5 from the inlet 63. Reference symbol list 1 Fuel pump assembly 2 Fuel pump 3 essays 4 Support structure 5 filters 6 adapters 51 Filter interior 52 Joining seam 61 Floor 62 side wall 63 Admission 64 conical section 65 further section 66 collars 67 support brackets 70 Intake direction 71 smallest flow cross-section 72 larger flow cross-section 73 Length 100 motor vehicles 101 Tank QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 41 30 614 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Fuel pump assembly (1) comprising • a fuel pump (2), • an inlet (63) for drawing in fuel in a suction direction (70) by means of the fuel pump (2), • and a filter (5) arranged at the inlet (63), • wherein the inlet (63) comprises a conical section (64) whose flow cross-section narrows along the suction direction (70). [2] Fuel pump arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the inlet (63) has a further section (65), wherein the conical section (64) transitions into the further section (65) along the intake direction. [3] Fuel pump arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the further section (65) has a constant flow cross-section. [4] Fuel pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conical section (64) has a smallest flow cross-section (71) and a largest flow cross-section (72), wherein the ratio of the largest flow cross-section (72) to the smallest flow cross-section (71) is at most 5 and / or at least 1.

2. [5] Fuel pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conical section (64) extends along the intake direction (70) over a length of at least 1 cm. [6] Fuel pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter (5) forms a filter interior (51) and the conical section (64) of the inlet (63) projects into the filter interior (51). [7] Fuel pump arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the filter (5) is formed by two superimposed filter elements, wherein the filter elements are connected around the perimeter via a connecting seam (52) and the filter interior (51) is formed between the filter elements. [8] Fuel pump arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a support structure (4) is arranged in the filter interior (51). [9] Fuel pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet (63) is part of an adapter (6), wherein the adapter (6) is connected to the fuel pump (2). [10] Motor vehicle (100) comprising a tank (101) wherein a fuel pump arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the tank (101).

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