Fuel pump assembly and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel pump arrangement (1) comprising a fuel pump (2) with a pump gas outlet (82) on a pump underside (80) of the fuel pump (2), an adapter (6) with a base (61), wherein the base (61) forms an adapter top (81), wherein the adapter (6) is connected to the fuel pump (2) so that the pump underside (80) and the adapter top (81) are opposite each other, an inlet (63) formed in the adapter (6) 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 adapter (6) comprises a gas channel (83) configured to discharge gas from the pump gas outlet (82), wherein the entire gas channel (83) is an integral part of the adapter (6).

Description

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

[0002] DE 10 2005 018 808 A1 discloses a previously known fuel pump arrangement. The diagram shows a fuel pump with a mounting component on its underside. This mounting component connects the pump to a filter body. A vent line extends from the underside of the fuel pump. The purpose of the vent line is to prevent any air that is drawn out of the fuel pump from being drawn back through the filter and into the fuel pump.

[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 comprising a fuel pump. The fuel pump provided here is designed in particular for pumping a liquid, for example gasoline or diesel. The fuel pump has a pump base. A pump gas outlet is located on this pump base. For example, if the fuel in a tank is relatively warm, gas may enter the fuel pump. Such gas can cause malfunctions in the fuel pump, which is why fuel pumps typically discharge this gas to a gas outlet.

[0006] The fuel pump assembly further comprises an adapter connected to the fuel pump. In particular, the adapter and fuel pump are connected to each other by friction and / or positive locking. Preferably, the adapter and fuel pump are plugged together. The adapter has a base. The base of the adapter forms the adapter's top surface. The adapter is connected to the fuel pump such that the pump's underside and the adapter's top surface are opposite each other. Preferably, the pump's underside and the adapter's top surface are in contact, at least partially. The adapter is preferably manufactured in one piece. Most preferably, the adapter is a one-piece injection-molded plastic part.

[0007] The adapter has an inlet for drawing in fuel in a suction direction. The fuel pump is used for this purpose. Specifically, the fuel pump has a suction opening on its underside that is fluidly connected to the inlet in the adapter. The inlet in the adapter is, in particular, an opening that extends along the suction direction. When using the fuel pump assembly, the suction direction is preferably substantially perpendicular to the horizontal.

[0008] A filter is located at the adapter's inlet. This filter can also be described as a strainer. When using this fuel pump assembly, the fuel pump draws fuel through the inlet along the intake direction. The fuel flows from a tank first through the filter and then through the inlet.

[0009] The adapter includes a gas channel. The gas channel is designed to discharge gas from the pump's gas outlet. The entire gas channel is intended to be an integral part of the adapter. "Integral part of the adapter" means that the gas channel is formed along its entire length by the adapter itself and not by additional components such as pipes or hoses.

[0010] In particular, the adapter, including the integrated gas channel, is a single-piece component, preferably an injection-molded plastic part. This design allows for very simple and rapid production of the fuel pump assembly, including the gas channel, since the entire gas channel can be formed during the adapter manufacturing process by appropriately designing the tool.

[0011] Furthermore, the fuel pump arrangement is reliable because the simple manufacturing of the gas channel largely eliminates manufacturing or assembly errors related to the gas channel.

[0012] Furthermore, the integrated design of the entire gas channel within the adapter now makes it possible to position the gas channel outlet as far away from the filter as possible, without lengthening the gas channel with additional components such as pipes or hoses. This has the crucial advantage of minimizing the risk of the escaping gas negatively affecting the filter in any way or even being drawn back in. This results in reliable and efficient operation of the fuel pump assembly.

[0013] Preferably, the gas channel runs through the base of the adapter in a direction inclined to the intake direction. In particular, the gas channel runs in a direction perpendicular to the intake direction, i.e., essentially horizontally. By routing the gas channel through the base of the adapter, the greatest possible distance between the channel outlet and the filter is achieved.

[0014] Preferably, the entire gas channel is formed by a recess in the base of the adapter. The gas channel is thus formed solely by the material of the adapter's base and not by any other components.

[0015] As previously mentioned, the gas channel terminates with a channel outlet. This outlet preferably leads directly into the surroundings. Therefore, it is specifically not intended that any further components, such as hoses or pipes, should be connected to the channel outlet. "Surroundings" refers to the area surrounding the fuel pump assembly, particularly a fuel tank. The channel outlet is located, in particular, on the side of the adapter.

[0016] The following distances are defined to describe the position of the duct outlet, with the distances being measured parallel to the intake direction. The first distance leads from the duct outlet to the filter. Specifically, it is measured from the center of the duct outlet to the nearest point on the filter. The second distance leads from the duct outlet to the underside of the pump. Again, this distance is measured from the center of the duct outlet.

[0017] It is specifically provided that the first distance is greater than the second distance. Due to the inventive arrangement of the entire gas channel as an integral part of the adapter, it is possible to position the channel outlet as high as possible, i.e., as close as possible to the underside of the pump, and thus have the greatest possible distance from the filter.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the first distance is at least 1.2 times the second distance, and more preferably at least 1.5 times the second distance. The second distance is preferably at least 0.5 cm, more preferably at least 1 cm, and more preferably at least 1.5 cm.

[0019] Preferably, the channel begins with a channel inlet on the top of the adapter, with the channel inlet being opposite the pump gas outlet. This allows the gas to flow directly from the pump gas outlet into the channel inlet.

[0020] Preferably, the channel inlet has a larger cross-section than the pump gas outlet. This ensures that the flow cross-section for the gas is not restricted, even when considering manufacturing tolerances.

[0021] In one preferred variant, at least a section of the gas channel is formed by a groove in the base of the adapter. This groove is located on the top of the adapter and is therefore open towards the bottom of the pump.

[0022] In another variant, the entire gas channel, from the channel inlet to the channel outlet, is formed by a continuous groove in the base of the adapter, with the groove located on the upper surface of the adapter. The groove is thus open towards the underside of the pump.

[0023] The use of a groove to shape the entire gas channel or a section of the gas channel results in a very simple manufacturing process for the adapter.

[0024] The filter on the adapter is preferably formed from a flexible mesh or fabric. The filter is preferably designed to form a filter chamber. The inlet projects into this filter chamber. The filter thus surrounds the filter-side end of the inlet. During intake, the fuel flows through the filter into the filter chamber and from the filter chamber into the inlet of the adapter. To form the filter with its filter chamber, it is preferably provided that the filter consists of two superimposed filter elements. These two filter elements can, for example, consist of a flexible mesh or fabric. The two filter elements lie one above the other and are connected to each other around their perimeter by a seam, so that the filter chamber is formed between the superimposed filter elements.

[0025] The adapter is preferably 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Further details, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments 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 according to a first variant, Fig. 3 a detail from Fig. 1 according to a second variant, and Fig. 4 a constructive embodiment of the fuel pump arrangement according to the inventive model, in a motor vehicle according to the inventive model.

[0028] 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 within a filter chamber 51. The representation is purely schematic in Fig. 1 the course of a gas channel 83.

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a detail from Fig. 1 for a more detailed illustration of gas channel 83. Fig. Figure 3 shows the same detailed view with an alternative design of gas channel 83. The following section will first address the Fig. Reference is made to 1 to 3.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The adapter 6 has a base 61, and a side wall 62 extends around the base 61. By connecting the adapter 6 to the fuel pump 2, the side wall 62 surrounds the outer housing of the fuel pump 2, thereby connecting the fuel pump 2 and the adapter 6 by force and / or form.

[0032] An inlet 63 extends from the base 61 of the adapter 6 into the filter interior 51. Specifically, the adapter 6 is injection-molded onto the filter 5. The adapter 6 shown is designed as a single piece.

[0033] When using the fuel pump assembly 1, the fuel is drawn through the filter into the filter chamber 51. From the filter chamber 51, the fuel flows along the indicated intake direction 70, i.e., essentially vertically, through the inlet 63 towards the fuel pump 2.

[0034] The following describes in more detail the design of gas channel 83: The fuel pump 2 has a pump base 80. This pump base 80 is opposite an adapter top 81. The adapter top 81 is formed by the base 61 of the adapter 6. Contrary to the purely schematic representation in the figures, it is specifically intended that the pump base 80 and the adapter top 81 are in contact at least partially.

[0035] On the underside of the pump 80 there is a pump gas outlet 82.

[0036] The gas channel 83 is an integral part of the adapter 6 and is formed along its entire length by the adapter 6, in particular the base 61 of the adapter 6.

[0037] The gas channel 83 leads from a channel inlet 84 to a channel outlet 85. The channel inlet 84 is opposite the pump gas outlet 82.

[0038] The duct outlet 85 is located on the side of the adapter 6. The duct outlet 85 opens directly into the surroundings, specifically into a tank 101. There is no other component for guiding the gas at the duct outlet 85.

[0039] The center of the channel outlet 85 has a first distance 86 to the upper end of the filter 5. The center of the channel outlet 85 has a second distance 87 to the underside 80 of the pump. The ratios of the two distances 86, 87, as well as the absolute values ​​of these distances, are given in the general part of the description and apply to the exemplary embodiment.

[0040] The gas channel 83 leads outwards in a direction inclined to the intake direction, in particular vertically, so that as little "height" as possible is lost and the channel outlet 85 can be positioned as far away as possible from the filter 5, resulting in a large first distance 86.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 2 shows that the gas channel 83 runs through the interior of the floor 61 and is only open at the channel inlet 84 and the channel outlet 85.

[0042] Fig. Figure 3 shows a variant in which the gas channel 83 is formed, at least in sections, by a groove 88. The groove 88 is located on the upper surface of the adapter 81 and is thus open towards the lower surface of the pump 80. Towards the channel outlet 85, the gas channel 83 can extend through the side wall 62 and thus no longer be formed as a groove 88 in this area. Alternatively, the side wall 61 can be recessed in this area, so that the entire gas channel 83 can extend as a groove 88 to the channel outlet 85.

[0043] Fig. Figure 3 shows a constructive embodiment of the fuel pump assembly 1 and its arrangement in a motor vehicle 100. A sectional view of the adapter 6 perpendicular to the intake direction 70 from above is shown. The cut surfaces are indicated by white lines.

[0044] Fig. Figure 3 shows the inlet 63 and the adapter top 81 from above. It can be seen that the gas channel 63 leads through the base 61 of the adapter 6 to the channel outlet 85 on the outside. The gas channel 83 can be designed as a completely closed channel or as a groove 88. 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 70 Intake direction 80 Pump underside 81 Adapter top 82 Pump gas outlet 83 Gas channel 84 Channel Inlet 85 Channel outlet 86 first gap 87 second gap 88 Nut 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 10 2005 018 808 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Fuel pump assembly (1) comprising • a fuel pump (2) with a pump gas outlet (82) on a pump underside (80) of the fuel pump (2), • an adapter (6) with a base (61), wherein the base (61) forms an adapter top (81), wherein the adapter (6) is connected to the fuel pump (2) such that the pump bottom (80) and the adapter top (81) are opposite each other, • an inlet (63) formed in the adapter (6) 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 adapter (6) comprises a gas channel (83) designed to discharge gas from the pump gas outlet (82), the entire gas channel (83) being an integral part of the adapter (6). [2] Fuel pump arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the gas channel (83) runs through the base (61) of the adapter (6) in a direction inclined to the intake direction (70), in particular vertically. [3] Fuel pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the entire gas channel (83) is formed by a recess in the base (61) of the adapter (6). [4] Fuel pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas channel (83) terminates with a channel outlet (85), wherein the channel outlet (85) opens directly into the environment. [5] Fuel pump arrangement according to claim 4, wherein a first distance (86) from the channel outlet (85) to the filter (5) and a second distance (87) from the channel outlet (85) to the underside of the pump (80) are defined, wherein the first distance (86) is greater than the second distance (87). [6] Fuel pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas channel (83) begins with a channel inlet (84) on the adapter top (81), the channel inlet (84) being opposite the pump gas outlet (82). [7] Fuel pump arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the channel inlet (84) has a larger cross-section than the pump gas outlet (82). [8] Fuel pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas channel (83) is formed at least in one section by a groove (88) in the base (61) of the adapter (6), wherein the groove (88) is formed on the upper surface (81) of the adapter. [9] Fuel pump arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the entire gas channel (83) is formed by a groove (88) in the base (61) of the adapter (6), wherein the groove (88) is formed on the upper surface (81) of the adapter. [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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