Fuel Pump Unit Inclination Prevention via Tank Bottom Abutment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel supply devices are prone to pump unit inclination and lifting due to lateral forces and vehicle oscillations, leading to improper detection of residual fuel amounts in the tank.
Innovation Solution
A fuel supply device design featuring a pump unit connected via an engagement portion that abuts the fuel tank's bottom surface, utilizing a connecting portion with a biasing member to maintain constant contact and prevent inclination, with the engagement portion being integrally formed with the pump unit and having a planar surface for stable abutment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If force is applied to a lateral portion of the upper surface of the pump unit to press it against the fuel tank bottom, then the pump unit can be positioned against the bottom surface, but the pump unit becomes prone to inclination and lifting due to vehicle oscillation and lateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connecting portion as an intermediary element between the cover member and the pump unit. This connecting portion includes an engagement portion that abuts the pump unit and transmits pressing force from the cover member to the pump unit in a downward direction, preventing lateral forces from causing inclination while maintaining stable contact with the fuel tank bottom
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional parts: the cover member attached to the fuel tank opening, the connecting portion with engagement portion that transmits force, and the pump unit. This segmentation allows the pressing force to be applied vertically through the engagement portion rather than laterally, improving stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pump unit is connected rigidly to prevent inclination, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion is merged with the cover member as a single integrated component. The engagement portion that contacts the pump unit is formed as part of the connecting portion, eliminating the need for separate lateral pressing mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel supply device includes a cover member which is attached to an opening of a fuel tank, a pump unit comprising a pump, and a connecting portion for connecting the cover member and the pump unit. The pump unit is connected to the connecting portion so as to be relatively movable to the cover member. When the fuel supply device is attached to the fuel tank, an engagement portion provided at a lower portion of the pump unit abuts the connecting portion such that via the engagement portion the connecting portion presses the pump unit against the fuel tank.