Fuel Pump Guide Member Curvature for Tank Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel supply devices face difficulties in smooth insertion into fuel tanks due to components getting caught by the opening periphery during rotation from a vertical to horizontal orientation, leading to installation challenges.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a guide member with a concavely curved guide surface on the pump unit that abuts the opening periphery to guide the pump unit during insertion, increasing the insertion gap and improving insertability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the pump unit is inserted into the fuel tank through a minimum-diameter opening, then the opening strength is maintained, but the pump unit gets caught by the opening periphery during rotation, causing insertion difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump unit and the opening periphery. The guide member includes a guide surface that contacts the opening periphery, mediating the interaction and guiding the pump unit through the opening during rotation, preventing the pump unit from getting caught while maintaining the minimum opening diameter for strength
Solution Approach 2:
The guide surface of the guide member is formed with a concave curved shape instead of a straight or flat surface. This curvature allows the guide surface to smoothly follow the circular path of the opening periphery during rotation, enabling the pump unit to rotate smoothly through the opening without getting caught, while the opening diameter remains at the minimum necessary for strength
2Device complexity
If a straight guide surface is used, then the structure is simple, but the insertion gap is insufficient, reducing insertability
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surface is designed with a concave curved shape that matches the curvature of the opening periphery. This curved geometry creates a larger insertion gap between the pump unit and the opening periphery during rotation, improving insertability. The curvature allows the guide surface to follow the rotational path more effectively, providing smoother guidance compared to a straight surface
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel supply device is insertable into a fuel tank through an opening formed in an upper wall of the fuel tank in an insertion direction. The fuel supply device includes a flange unit and a pump unit coupled to the flange unit. The pump unit includes a guide member extending in the insertion direction. The guide member is configured to abut on an opening periphery so as to guide the pump unit when the pump unit is inserted into the fuel tank. A guide surface of the guide member includes a concave surface.