Fuel Pump Module Center Installation Without Insertion Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to install a fuel pump module near the center of a fuel tank in a vehicle without using an insertion guide, which is difficult due to space constraints and the need to accommodate fuel movement caused by acceleration and tilting, while ensuring secure fixation and efficient fuel supply.
Innovation Solution
A fuel pump module design featuring a pump unit with a housing that includes a guide portion to fix to a fixing member with rails, and a separation regulating member that engages with the fixing member to prevent disengagement, allowing for easy placement near the tank's center without an insertion guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an insertion guide is used to install the fuel pump module, then the installation position can be precisely controlled near the center of the fuel tank, but the device complexity increases and space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion acts as an intermediary component between the fuel pump module and the fixing member. It includes a guide groove that receives the rail of the fixing member, enabling automatic positioning and centering of the fuel pump module during installation without requiring a complex insertion guide structure
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion is pre-integrated into the housing of the fuel pump module during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the module to be automatically positioned correctly when installed on the fixing member, eliminating the need for complex installation guides and reducing installation complexity
2Reliability
If the fuel pump module is securely fixed to prevent separation, then the reliability of fuel supply is improved, but the ease of operation for installation and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is segmented into distinct functional components: the fixing member with rails attached to the fuel tank, and the guide portion with separation regulating members (protrusions and grooves) integrated into the housing. This segmentation allows for simple snap-fit installation that is both reliable and easy to operate
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion serves as a mediator that provides both guidance during installation and separation regulation to prevent disengagement. The protrusions and grooves create a simple engagement mechanism that secures the module reliably while maintaining ease of installation and removal
3Reliability
If the guide portion is designed to fit tightly on the rails, then the separation is prevented, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separation regulation function is extracted as a distinct feature of the guide portion through protrusions and grooves, rather than relying solely on tight dimensional tolerances between the guide portion and rails. This allows for reliable fixation with more relaxed manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion with its integrated protrusions and grooves acts as an intermediary that provides both guidance and separation prevention. The engagement between these features and the corresponding features on the fixing member creates a robust connection that does not require high manufacturing precision
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel pump module includes: a pump unit; a lid provided to close an opening of a fuel tank; and a flexible fuel tube. The pump unit includes a fuel pump configured to pump fuel out of the fuel tank, a housing that holds the fuel pump, and a filter configured to filter the fuel. The lid has a discharge port to supply the fuel to outside of the fuel tank. The flexible fuel tube connects the pump unit and the discharge port. The housing includes a guide portion configured to fix the pump unit to a fixing member having a pair of rails provided in the fuel tank, and a separation regulating member configured to regulate the guide portion from separating from the pair of rails by engaging with the fixing member.