Integrated Fuel Pump Seal Structure for Compact Tank Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel tank designs with fuel pump units are bulky and heavy due to the size and weight of the seal structures, which hinder downsizing and weight reduction efforts.
Innovation Solution
A fuel tank design featuring a unit case with a flange portion and an annular seal member, where the seal member has a fitting portion and a dust seal portion integrally formed, allowing for a reduced flange diameter and enhanced sealing efficiency, preventing fuel leakage and dust ingress while minimizing the installation size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional seal structure with separate fuel seal and dust seal components is used, then reliable sealing function is achieved, but the installation portion size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel seal portion and dust seal portion into a single integrated seal member (51). The seal member includes an annular fuel seal portion (62) and an annular dust seal portion (63) that are formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate seal components. This merging reduces the overall number of parts, decreases weight, and simplifies the installation structure while maintaining both fuel leakage prevention and dust ingress prevention functions.
2Reliability
If a traditional seal structure with separate components is used, then reliable sealing function is achieved, but the installation portion size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuel seal portion (62) and dust seal portion (63) into a single integrated seal member (51) with a unified structure. This integration allows for a more compact arrangement where the dust seal portion is positioned on the outer side of the fuel seal portion in the radial direction, optimizing space utilization and reducing the overall installation footprint while ensuring both sealing functions are effectively performed.
3Weight of stationary object
If the flange portion diameter is reduced for downsizing, then installation size and weight decrease, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct functional zones within the integrated seal member. The fuel seal portion (62) is specifically designed with properties optimized for preventing fuel leakage, while the dust seal portion (63) is configured with properties optimized for preventing dust ingress. This localized functional differentiation allows each portion to perform its specific sealing task effectively, maintaining high sealing reliability even with a reduced flange diameter.
4Reliability
If multiple separate seal components are used, then comprehensive sealing coverage is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple seal functions into a single integrated seal member (51) that includes both the fuel seal portion (62) and dust seal portion (63) as one component. This merging dramatically simplifies the seal structure by eliminating the need for multiple separate seal components, reducing assembly steps, and lowering device complexity while still providing comprehensive sealing coverage for both fuel leakage prevention and dust ingress prevention.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention aims to downsize the installation portion of a unit case (53) and to provide a seal structure of a fuel pump unit (50) which allows to downsize and reduce in weight in the vicinity of the fuel tank (27). An engage convex portion 60 is provided on a part of the flange portion (53L-c) opposite to the outer periphery portion of the unit installing port (55), the seal member (51) has a fitting portion (61) fitted into the engage convex portion (60); an annular fuel seal portion (62) for preventing the fuel leakage from the unit installing port (55) on the inside of the fitting portion (61) in the radial direction; and an annular dust seal portion (63) for preventing the dust from entering from the outside on the outside of the fitting portion (61) in the radial direction, the formed part of the fitting portion (61) and the fuel seal portion (62), and the dust seal portion (63) are integrally formed.