Fuel filter

Abstract

This reduces the pump operating noise that is transmitted from the fuel pump intake and radiated to the outside of the filter component. [Solution] The fuel filter 10 comprises a bag-shaped filter member 12 that filters the fuel drawn into the fuel pump 40, and a bone member 20 that holds the filter member 12 in an expanded state and has a connection port 23. On the side of the bone member 20 opposite to the fuel pump 40, a shielding member 50 is provided, which has a plate-shaped shielding portion 51 that faces the connection port 23 at a predetermined distance. The shielding member 50 is arranged in the internal space 12a of the filter member 12.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a fuel filter.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a fuel pump filter device having a filter section for filtering the incoming fuel and a cylindrical base having a fuel passage that supports the filter section and supplies fuel from the filter section to the suction port of a rotary fuel pump, the cylindrical base is surrounded by a soft resin wall section and partitioned to form a sealed air chamber facing the suction port of the fuel pump across the fuel passage. Thereby, the pump operating noise that propagates from the suction port of the fuel pump and is radiated to the outside of the filter section is reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the technology disclosed in this specification is to reduce the pump operating noise that propagates from the suction port of the fuel pump and is radiated to the outside of the filter member by a structure different from that of Patent Document 1.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the technology disclosed in this specification takes the following means.

[0006] The first means is a fuel filter comprising a bag-shaped filter member for filtering fuel drawn into a fuel pump, and a bone member for holding the filter member in an expanded state and having a connection port, wherein a shielding member is provided on the side of the bone member opposite to the fuel pump side, and the shielding member has a shielding portion that faces the connection port at a predetermined distance.

[0007] According to the first method, the shielding portion of the shielding member provided on the side of the bone member opposite to the fuel pump side can reduce the pump operating noise that is transmitted from the fuel pump intake and radiated to the outside of the filter member.

[0008] The second means is a fuel filter of the first means, wherein the shielding portion is formed in the shape of a plate.

[0009] According to the second method, the plate-shaped shielding portion can reduce the pump operating noise that is transmitted from the fuel pump's intake port through the fuel and radiated to the outside of the filter member.

[0010] The third means is a fuel filter of the first means, wherein the shielding portion is formed in a grid pattern.

[0011] According to the third method, the grid-shaped shielding portion can reduce the pump operating noise that is transmitted from the fuel pump intake and radiated to the outside of the filter member.

[0012] The fourth means is a fuel filter of the first means, wherein the projected area obtained by projecting the shielding portion in the axial direction of the connection port portion is larger than the opening area of ​​the connection port portion.

[0013] According to the fourth method, the projected area of ​​the shielding portion projected in the axial direction of the connection port is larger than the opening area of ​​the connection port. Therefore, the pump operating noise transmitted through the fuel from the fuel pump intake can be reflected and / or dispersed overall by the shielding portion.

[0014] The fifth means is a fuel filter of the first means, wherein the shielding member is located in the internal space of the filter member.

[0015] According to the fifth method, by arranging the shielding member in the internal space of the filter member, the shielding member can be easily and compactly arranged in the internal space of the filter member during the manufacturing of the fuel filter.

[0016] The sixth means is a fuel filter of the fifth means, wherein the shielding member is attached to the bone member by press-fitting.

[0017] According to the sixth method, the shielding member can be easily attached to the bone member by press-fitting. Furthermore, the bone member can be standardized regardless of whether the shielding member is used or not.

[0018] The seventh means is a fuel filter of the first means, wherein the shielding member is located outside the filter member.

[0019] According to the seventh method, the shielding member can be retrofitted to the fuel filter by being positioned outside the filter member. Furthermore, the fuel filter can be standardized regardless of whether the shielding member is used or not.

[0020] The eighth means is a fuel filter of the seventh means, comprising a body member having a cylindrical portion connected to the connection port of the bone member and communicating the internal space of the filter member with the outside, wherein the shielding member has a pair of engaging pieces that fit with the cylindrical portion.

[0021] According to the eighth means, the shielding member can be easily attached to the body member by elastically fitting a pair of engaging pieces of the shielding member to the cylindrical portion of the body member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, it is possible to reduce the pump operating noise that propagates fuel from the suction port of the fuel pump and radiates to the outside of the filter member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the fuel filter according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing the fuel filter. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment portion of the shielding member to the bone member. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing the disassembled state of the bone member and the shielding member. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view showing the fuel filter according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing the state where the shielding member is disassembled from the fuel filter.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the technology disclosed in this specification will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] [Embodiment 1] In this embodiment, for example, a fuel filter used in an in-tank fuel pump that supplies fuel in a fuel tank of a vehicle such as an automobile to an internal combustion engine, so-called an engine, will be exemplified.

[0026] (Overview of Fuel Filter) [[]]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the fuel filter, and FIG. 2 is also a cross-sectional view. The arrows in the figures indicate the front, rear, left, right, up, and down directions of the fuel filter. The up and down directions correspond to the gravitational direction, so-called the vertical direction, when mounted in the fuel tank of the vehicle. Also, the front, rear, left, and right directions are not specified. As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel filter 10 includes a bag-shaped filter member 12 that filters fuel, a bone member 20 that holds the filter member 12 in an expanded state, and a body member 30 connected to the bone member 20.

[0027] The filter member 12 is formed in a flat bag shape with an upper surface portion 13 and a lower surface portion 14, using a sheet-like filter material made of resin. The filter member 12 is formed in a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction when viewed from above (see Figure 1). A circular hole-shaped opening 15 is formed at one end (right end) in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface portion 13. The area around the opening 15 is called the hole edge portion 16.

[0028] The bone member 20 is positioned in the internal space 12a of the filter member 12. The bone member 20 supports the upper surface 13 and lower surface 14 of the filter member 12 in an expanded state with a predetermined distance between them. The bone member 20 is made of resin and has a skeletal structure. The bone member 20 has a base frame 21 formed in the shape of a grid plate that is elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from above, and a connecting portion 22 formed at the rear end of the base frame 21 to which the body member 30 is connected (see Figure 4). Multiple ribs 21a protrude from the upper surface of the base frame 21.

[0029] The connecting portion 22 is formed in the shape of a grid plate with a rectangular shape that is elongated in the front-to-back direction (the front-to-back direction of the paper in Figure 2) (see Figure 4). The connecting portion 22 has a cylindrical connecting port portion 23 that extends in the vertical direction, an annular recess 24 with a U-shaped cross-section that surrounds the outer circumference of the connecting port portion 23 and has an open top surface, and a cylindrical clamping portion 25 that forms the outer wall of the annular recess 24 (see Figure 3). The upper end of the connecting port portion 23 is fitted in such a way that it penetrates the opening 15 of the upper surface portion 13 of the filter member 12. The upper surface of the clamping portion 25 faces the hole edge portion 16 of the filter member 12. The lower surface of the connecting port portion 23 is positioned above the lower surface of the base frame 21. That is, there is a space below the connecting port portion 23 that communicates with the internal space 12a of the filter member 12.

[0030] The body member 30 has a cylindrical tubular portion 31 extending in the vertical direction, an annular plate-shaped flange portion 32 protruding radially outward from near the lower end of the tubular portion 31, and a mounting portion 33 formed at the upper end of the tubular portion 31 (see Figure 1).

[0031] The lower end of the cylindrical portion 31 of the body member 30 is connected to the connection port 23 of the bone member 20 by press-fitting. As a result, the hole edge 16 of the filter member 12 is compressed and clamped between the flange portion 32 and the clamping portion 25.

[0032] The mounting portion 33 is formed to be attachable to the fuel pump 40 by snap-fit. The fuel pump 40 is a Wesco-type fuel pump with a built-in motor-driven impeller. By attaching the mounting portion 33 to the fuel pump 40, the cylindrical portion 31 is fitted and connected to the intake port 41 of the fuel pump 40.

[0033] Fuel drawn from the fuel tank into the fuel pump 40 is filtered by the filter member 12. The filtered fuel passes from the internal space 12a of the filter member 12 through the connection port 23 of the bone member 20 and the cylindrical portion 31 of the body member 30, and is drawn into the fuel pump 40 through the intake port 41. The fuel is pressurized by the fuel pump 40 and then supplied to the engine.

[0034] Much of the pump operating noise radiated to the outside from the intake port 41 of the fuel pump 40 is radiated away from the intake port 41, that is, downward in Figure 2. Therefore, it is important to reduce the pump operating noise that is radiated to the outside of the filter member 12 by propagating through the fuel passage (the cylindrical portion 31 of the body member 30 and the connection port 23 of the bone member 20) from the intake port 41 of the fuel pump 40.

[0035] (Characteristic configuration of Embodiment 1) As shown in Figure 2, a shielding member 50 is provided on the side of the bone member 20 opposite to the fuel pump 40 (the lower side in Figure 2) of the connection portion 22. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment portion of the shielding member 50 to the bone member 20, and Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the bone member 20 and the shielding member 50 in an disassembled state.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the shielding member 50 is made of resin and has a shielding portion 51, a mounting projection 52, and an anti-rotation projection 53. The shielding portion 51 is formed in the shape of a long rectangular plate that covers the lower surface of the connection portion 22 (see Figure 3). The projected area of ​​the shielding portion 51 projected in the axial direction (up and down direction) of the connection port 23 is larger than the opening area of ​​the connection port 23.

[0037] The mounting projection 52 is formed on one end (front end) of the shielding portion 51 in a hollow cylindrical shape that closes the upper opening. The anti-rotation projection 53 is formed on the other end (rear end) of the shielding portion 51 in a rectangular prism shape that is shorter in the left-right direction and longer in the front-back direction.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, a hollow cylindrical mounting tube portion 26 that closes the upper opening is formed at the front end of the connecting portion 22 of the bone member 20. A U-shaped groove-shaped anti-rotation recess 27 that opens to the rear is formed at the right end of the connecting portion 22 (see Figure 4).

[0039] The mounting projection 52 of the shielding member 50 is press-fitted into the mounting cylinder portion 26 of the bone member 20. In other words, the shielding member 50 is attached to the bone member 20 by press-fitting. Furthermore, the anti-rotation projection 53 of the shielding member 50 is engaged with the anti-rotation recess 27 of the bone member 20. As a result, the shielding portion 51 is positioned to face the connection port portion 23 at a predetermined distance (see Figure 2). The lower end surface of the mounting cylinder portion 26 abuts against the upper surface of the shielding portion 51. A projection-shaped leg portion 23a is formed on a part of the connection port portion 23 (rear side) that abuts against the upper surface of the shielding portion 51.

[0040] The shielding member 50 is positioned in the internal space 12a of the filter member 12 together with the bone member 20. Furthermore, the rotation of the shielding member 50 around the axis of the mounting projection 52 is restricted by the engagement of the anti-rotation recess 27 and the anti-rotation projection 53.

[0041] (Advantages of the distinctive configuration of Embodiment 1) According to this embodiment, the shielding portion 51 of the shielding member 50, which is provided on the side of the bone member 20 opposite to the fuel pump 40, can reduce the pump operating noise that propagates from the intake port 41 of the fuel pump 40 and is radiated to the outside of the filter member 12. Specifically, by changing the flow of fuel within the filter member 12 with the shielding portion 51, the pump operating noise radiated from the intake port 41 of the fuel pump 40 is reflected and canceled out or dispersed, thereby reducing the acoustic energy directed to the outside of the fuel tank, i.e., the vehicle's passenger compartment. This is effective in reducing the sound pressure of specific frequencies (mainly around 3000 Hz) of the pump operating noise radiated to the outside from the intake port 41 of the fuel pump 40.

[0042] Furthermore, by providing a shielding member 50 on the side of the bone member 20 opposite to the fuel pump 40, with a shielding portion 51 facing the connection port portion 23 at a predetermined distance, the manufacturing of the shielding member 50 can be simplified compared to the filter device described in Patent Document 1. Consequently, cost increases can be suppressed.

[0043] Furthermore, the plate-shaped shielding portion 51 can reduce the pump operating noise that is transmitted from the fuel intake port 41 of the fuel pump 40 and radiated to the outside of the filter member 12. Also, even if the shielding portion 51 is formed in a grid shape, it can reduce the pump operating noise that is transmitted from the fuel intake port 41 of the fuel pump 40 and radiated to the outside of the filter member 12.

[0044] Furthermore, the projected area of ​​the shielding portion 51 projected in the axial direction of the connection port portion 23 is larger than the opening area of ​​the connection port portion 23. Therefore, the pump operating noise transmitted through the fuel from the intake port 41 of the fuel pump 40 can be reflected and / or dispersed overall by the shielding portion 51.

[0045] Furthermore, since the shielding member 50 is placed in the internal space 12a of the filter member 12, the shielding member 50 can be easily and compactly placed in the internal space 12a of the filter member 12 during the manufacturing of the fuel filter 10.

[0046] Furthermore, the shielding member 50 can be easily attached to the bone member 20 by press-fitting. Also, the bone member 20 can be standardized regardless of whether the shielding member 50 is used or not.

[0047] [Embodiment 2] This embodiment is a modification of Embodiment 1; therefore, the modified parts will be described, and the same reference numerals will be used for parts identical to those in Embodiment 1, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the fuel filter, and Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the shielding member disassembled from the fuel filter. Parts modified in Embodiment 2 are denoted by reference numerals in the 100s.

[0048] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the shielding member 50 of Embodiment 1 (see Figure 2) is omitted, and instead an external shielding member 150 is provided.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6, the shielding member 150 is made of resin and has a shielding portion 151, a connecting portion 152, and a pair of front and rear engaging pieces 153. The shielding portion 151 is formed in the shape of a long rectangular plate that is elongated in the left-right direction. The shielding portion 151 is positioned to face the lower surface portion 14 of the filter member 12 (see Figure 5). As a result, the shielding portion 151 is provided on the side of the bone member 20 opposite to the fuel pump 40 side. In addition, the projected area of ​​the shielding portion 151 projected in the axial direction (up and down direction) of the connection port portion 23 is larger than the opening area of ​​the connection port portion 23.

[0050] The connecting portion 152 protrudes upward from the right end of the shielding portion 151. The connecting portion 152 is formed in a C-shape with an opening on the left side. Reinforcing ribs 152a are formed on the outer surface of the connecting portion 152.

[0051] The pair of engaging pieces 153 are formed as protruding pieces that project parallel to the tip of the connecting portion 152 to the right. The pair of engaging pieces 153 are formed in an arc shape that follows the cylindrical portion 31 of the body member 30. The pair of engaging pieces 153 are formed to be elastically deformable, or flexibly deformable, in the expanding direction.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6, the pair of engaging pieces 153 of the shielding member 150 are elastically fitted to the cylindrical portion 31 of the body member 30 (see Figure 5). That is, the shielding member 150 is attached to the body member 30 using the elasticity of the pair of engaging pieces 153. As a result, the shielding portion 151 is positioned to face the lower surface portion 14 of the filter member 12 and faces the connection port portion 23 of the bone member 20 at a predetermined distance. The shielding member 150 is also positioned outside the filter member 12. The connecting portion 152 is close to or in contact with the right side of the filter member 12.

[0053] (Advantages of Embodiment 2) This embodiment also provides the same effects and benefits as Embodiment 1.

[0054] Furthermore, since the shielding member 150 is positioned outside the filter member 12, the shielding member 150 can be retrofitted to the fuel filter 10. Also, the fuel filter 10 can be standardized regardless of whether the shielding member 150 is used or not.

[0055] Furthermore, the shielding member 150 can be easily attached to the body member 30 by elastically fitting the pair of engaging pieces 153 of the shielding member 150 into the cylindrical portion 31 of the body member 30.

[0056] [Other embodiments] The technology disclosed herein is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various other forms. For example, the technology disclosed herein may be applied not only to vehicles but also to various fuel filters 10 such as ships and industrial machinery. Furthermore, the suction port 41 of the fuel pump 40 may be indirectly connected to the cylindrical portion 31 of the body member 30 via another member.

[0057] Furthermore, the mounting means using the mounting cylinder portion 26 and the mounting projection portion 52 may be changed. For example, the shielding member 50 may be attached to the connection portion 22 of the bone member 20 by adhesive, welding, or the like. Also, the mounting cylinder portion 26 and the mounting projection portion 52 may be arranged in reverse. That is, the mounting cylinder portion 26 may be provided on the shielding member 50 and the mounting projection portion 52 may be provided on the connection portion 22 of the bone member 20. Furthermore, the shapes of the mounting cylinder portion 26 and the mounting projection portion 52 may be changed. Also, there may be multiple mounting means.

[0058] Furthermore, the anti-rotation means, consisting of the anti-rotation recess 27 and the anti-rotation projection 53, may be modified. For example, the anti-rotation recess 27 and the anti-rotation projection 53 may be reversed. That is, the anti-rotation recess 27 may be provided on the shielding member 50, and the anti-rotation projection 53 may be provided on the connection portion 22 of the bone member 20. Alternatively, the anti-rotation projection 53 may be press-fitted into the anti-rotation recess 27. The shapes of the anti-rotation recess 27 and the anti-rotation projection 53 may also be modified. Furthermore, there may be multiple anti-rotation means, or they may be omitted. Additionally, the mounting cylinder portion 26 and the mounting projection 52 of the mounting means may be shaped to prevent rotation.

[0059] The shielding member 150 may also be attached to the cylindrical portion 31 of the body member 30 by adhesive, welding, or the like. Alternatively, the shielding portion 151 itself may be attached to the lower surface portion 14 of the filter member 12 by adhesive or the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 10 Fuel filter 12 Filter component 12a Interior space 20 Bone members 23 Connection port 30 Body components 31 Cylindrical part 40 Fuel pump 50 Shielding member 51 Shielding part 150 Shielding member 151 Shielding part 153 Engaging piece

Claims

1. A bag-shaped filter element that filters the fuel drawn into the fuel pump, A bone member that holds the filter member in an enlarged state and has a connection port, A fuel filter equipped with, A fuel filter is provided on the bone member opposite to the fuel pump side, having a shielding member that faces the connection port at a predetermined distance.

2. A fuel filter according to claim 1, The aforementioned shielding portion is formed in the shape of a plate, and is a fuel filter.

3. A fuel filter according to claim 1, The aforementioned shielding portion is formed in a grid pattern, and is a fuel filter.

4. A fuel filter according to claim 1, A fuel filter in which the projected area obtained by projecting the shielding portion in the axial direction of the connection port is larger than the opening area of ​​the connection port.

5. A fuel filter according to claim 1, The shielding member is a fuel filter located in the internal space of the filter member.

6. A fuel filter according to claim 5, The shielding member is a fuel filter that is attached to the bone member by press-fitting.

7. A fuel filter according to claim 1, The shielding member is a fuel filter located outside the filter member.

8. A fuel filter according to claim 7, The body member is connected to the connection port of the bone member and has a cylindrical portion that communicates the internal space of the filter member with the outside. The shielding member is a fuel filter having a pair of engaging pieces that fit with the cylindrical portion.

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