Fuel delivery unit

Abstract

A fuel delivery unit in a fuel tank includes a fuel pump drivable by an electric motor. The fuel pump has at least one suction jet pump for delivering fuel, the suction jet pump being operated by a propulsion jet that is deliverable by the fuel pump. The fuel pump is arranged in a swirl pot, which is fillable by the suction jet pump, and the fuel pump has a first outlet, through which fuel is deliverable to a consumer, and a second outlet openable or closable by a valve.

Claims

1. A fuel delivery unit in a fuel tank, comprising: an electric motor (M1); a swirl pot; and a fuel pump (P1, 7) arranged in the swirl pot and drivable by the electric motor (M1), wherein: the fuel pump (P1, 7) is configured to deliver a propulsion jet, the fuel pump (P1, 7) has one or more suction jet pumps configured to deliver fuel, the one or more suction jet pumps being operable by the propulsion jet delivered by the fuel pump (P1, 7), the swirl pot is fillable by the one or more suction jet pumps, the fuel pump (P1, 7) has a first outlet (A1), through which fuel is deliverable to a consumer, and the fuel pump (P1, 7) has a second outlet (A2), the second outlet (A2) being openable or closable by a valve (V1), the valve (V1) being movable by the electric motor (M1) via a coupling (K1) configured to convert a rotational movement of the electric motor (M1) to a translational movement for actuation of the valve (V1).

2. The fuel delivery unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the propulsion jet, with which the one or more suction jet pumps are drivable, is deliverable through the second outlet (A2).

3. The fuel delivery unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling (K1) is a mechanical coupling, and wherein the valve (V1) is adjustable by the electric motor (M1) via the mechanical coupling (K1).

4. The fuel delivery unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve's (V1) position is changeable by a rotational movement of the electric motor (M1) that drives the fuel pump (P1, 7), the rotational movement being in a direction opposite to a direction of regular rotational movement for fuel delivery.

5. The fuel delivery unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve's (V1) position is changeable by a reversal of a direction of rotation of the electric motor (M1) of less than 360 degrees, or less than 180 degrees, or less than 90 degrees.

6. The fuel delivery unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve's (V1) position is changeable by a reversal of a direction of rotation of the electric motor (M1) of at least 75 degrees.

7. A fuel delivery unit in a fuel tank, comprising: an electric motor (M1); a swirl pot; and a fuel pump (P1, 7) arranged in the swirl pot and drivable by the electric motor (M1), wherein: the fuel pump (P1, 7) is configured to deliver a propulsion jet, the fuel pump (P1, 7) has one or more suction jet pumps configured to deliver fuel, the one or more suction jet pumps being operable by the propulsion jet delivered by the fuel pump (P1, 7), the swirl pot is fillable by the one or more suction jet pumps, the fuel pump (P1, 7) has a first outlet (A1), through which fuel is deliverable to a consumer, the fuel pump (P1, 7) has a second outlet (A2), the second outlet (A2) being openable or closable by a valve (V1), the valve (V1) being movable by the electric motor (M1) via a coupling (K1), and the coupling (K1) comprises first and second coupling parts (1, 2), the first and second coupling parts (1, 2) being rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation of the coupling (K1) by a reversal of a direction of rotation, wherein a movement of at least one of the first and second coupling parts (2) in translation along the axis of rotation is generatable by the rotation of the first and second coupling parts (1, 2) relative to one another.

8. The fuel delivery unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the movement of the at least one of the first and second coupling parts (2) in translation along the axis of rotation is transmissible to a valve disk (3), the second outlet (A2) being openable or closable by the valve disk (3).

9. The fuel delivery unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the valve disk (3) has a catch, the valve disk (3) being fixed by the catch in a respective position that has been brought about by the movement in translation of the at least one of the first and second coupling parts (2).

10. The fuel delivery unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the catch of the valve disk (3) is releasable by the movement in translation of the at least one of the first and second coupling parts (2) and/or by the rotational movement of the at least one of the first and second coupling parts (2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Advantageous refinements of the present invention are explained in detail in the following text on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic hydraulic circuit diagram of a fuel pump, having an electric motor, two outlets, a valve and a coupling;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a basic diagram of the valve and the coupling by way of which the valve is connected to the electric motor; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through a fuel pump with two outlets, wherein one of the outlets is closable by a valve connected to the electric motor by a coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(5) FIG. 1 shows a hydraulic circuit diagram of a fuel pump according to the invention. The references A1 and A2 denote the outlets of the fuel pump. The outlet A1 leads to the consumer, for example the internal combustion engine, which is downstream of the fuel pump. The outlet A2 leads to one or more suction jet pumps, which can be supplied with a propulsion jet through the outlet A2.

(6) The outlet A2 can be opened or completely closed by the valve V1. The suction jet pump connected downstream of the outlet A2 can thus be activated or deactivated by allowing the fuel delivered in order to generate a propulsion jet to flow through the valve V1 or not.

(7) The electric motor M1 drives the pump stage P1 of the fuel pump. Via a coupling K1, the valve V1 is likewise connected to the electric motor M1 and can be moved by the electric motor M1. The coupling K1 is configured such that the valve V1 is not moved in a direction of rotation of the electric motor M1, but rather can be moved in the opposite direction of rotation of the electric motor M1 from the open position to the closed position, or vice versa from the closed position to the open position.

(8) The electric motor M1 is electrically connected to the power source E1. By changing the polarity of the exciting field, the direction of rotation of the electric motor M1 can be changed, causing it to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the coupling K1 of the fuel pump in FIG. 1.

(10) The coupling K1 is formed by two coupling parts 1 and 2 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1. The coupling part 1 is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor M1 and is thus co-rotated in accordance with the rotational movement of the electric motor M1.

(11) The coupling part 2 is connected to the valve disk 3 of the valve V1 and also bears against the coupling part 1. If the coupling part 1 is rotated counter to the regular direction of rotation by the electric motor M1 in order to operate the fuel pump, the coupling part 1 is rotated relative to the coupling part 2. As a result of the configuration of the coupling parts 1 and 2, a movement in translation along the axis of rotation towards the valve V1 is thus produced, with the result that the valve disk 3 is moved in translation.

(12) For this purpose, the coupling parts 1 and 2 can be designed, for example, in a link-like manner and have bevels. In addition to the movement of the coupling part 2 in translation, the coupling part 2 is transmitted to at least part of the rotational movement of the coupling part 1 to the valve disk 3.

(13) The valve disk 3 has a latching device 4 formed by barbs, by which the valve disk 3 can be fixed in the housing 5, which forms the outlet A2. The housing 5 may, for this purpose, have recesses into which the barbs can engage. As a result of the valve disk 3 being rotated out of the latched position, the barbs can be released from the recesses and the valve disk 3 can be moved in translation and rotation relative to the housing 5.

(14) The valve disk 3 is supported with respect to the housing 5 via the spring 6, with the result that the return movement of the valve disk towards the coupling K1 is supported. Without a rotational movement of the electric motor M1 counter to the regular direction of rotation, the valve disk 3 remains in its respectively last position either in the open or in the closed state. The position of the valve V1 is thus determined entirely by the rotational movement of the electric motor M1.

(15) FIG. 3 shows a cross section through a fuel pump 7 with the two outlets A1 and A2 in the upper end region. The outlet A2 can be opened and closed via the valve V1 already shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The structure known from FIG. 2 is integrated into the fuel pump 7 above the electric motor M1. The reference signs of FIG. 3 match those of FIG. 2, where identical elements are shown.

(16) FIG. 3 shows a possible exemplary embodiment of a fuel pump for a fuel delivery unit according to the invention. Like a conventional fuel pump, the fuel pump 7 has, in its lower end region, an intake opening through which it can draw in the fuel from its environment. The fuel is then delivered upward by the fuel pump and, in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, is discharged through the outlet A1 and, depending on the opening state of the valve V1, through the outlet A2.

(17) The exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 3 have in particular no limiting nature and serve merely to illustrate the concept of the invention.

(18) Although the preceding description has described exemplary embodiments, it is to be noted that a multiplicity of variations are possible. Moreover, it is to be noted that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples which are not intended to restrict the scope protection, the applications and the construction in any way. Rather, a person skilled in the art is given a guideline for the implementation of at least one exemplary embodiment by the preceding description, it being possible for various modifications to be performed, in particular with regard to the function and arrangement of the described constituent parts, without departing from the scope of protection as arises from the claims and the equivalent combinations of features.