Vapor Separator Guide Structure for Stable Fuel Pump Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of a fuel pump in a vapor separator is unstable due to the pump's weight, leading to difficulties in smooth assembly and potential cost increases from additional parts like brackets for stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A vapor separator design with a guide part between the lower member's side wall and holding part guides the fuel pump's lower portion toward the holding part during assembly, eliminating the need for additional brackets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the fuel pump is suspended from the upper case via rubber bushing during assembly, then the fuel pump can be installed without additional brackets, but the position of the fuel pump becomes unstable due to its weight
Solution Approach 1:
A guide part is introduced as an intermediary component between the lower case and the fuel pump. This guide part temporarily supports the fuel pump during assembly, providing stability without requiring permanent additional brackets or fixing structures. The guide part acts as a mediator that facilitates smooth assembly while maintaining position stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a bracket is added to immovably secure the fuel pump to the upper case, then the position stability of the fuel pump is improved, but the cost increases due to the increased number of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The guide part serves as a temporary intermediary support structure that provides stability during assembly without becoming a permanent additional component. It enables the fuel pump to be securely positioned during the assembly process, then is removed, thus avoiding the need for permanent brackets or fixing structures that would increase part count and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide part provides preliminary support and positioning during the assembly process before the final assembly is complete. This preliminary action ensures the fuel pump is correctly positioned and stable during assembly, eliminating the need for additional permanent fixing structures.
3Device complexity
If the fuel pump is heavy and suspended from the upper case, then the assembly structure is simplified, but the assembly process becomes difficult due to pivot motion on the bushing
Solution Approach 1:
The guide part acts as a mediator that prevents the fuel pump from pivoting on the rubber bushing during assembly. By providing a guided path and temporary support, it eliminates the problematic pivot motion, making the assembly process smooth and easy to perform while maintaining the simplified suspension structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide part provides preliminary counter-action against the pivot motion that would otherwise occur on the rubber bushing. By preemptively guiding the fuel pump's position, it prevents the unstable pivot motion before it can occur, ensuring smooth and controlled assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a vapor separator easily assembled with a fuel pump while suppressing cost increases due to increase in number of parts, and a method for producing the vapor separator. A vapor separator installed in a fuel supply system is provided with: a tank for storing liquid fuel; and a fuel pump disposed in the tank. The tank includes: upper member assembled with an upper portion of the fuel pump; and lower member located below the upper member, connected to upper member, and having a holding part for holding a lower portion of the fuel pump. Lower member of tank includes a guide part located between side wall of lower member and the holding part in plan view, the guide part serving to guide lower portion of the fuel pump toward the holding part when upper member with upper portion of fuel pump attached is assembled to lower member.