PROTECTION STRUCTURE FOR FUEL PUMP CONNECTION PART
20230079352 · 2023-03-16
Inventors
Cpc classification
F02M37/103
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F02M37/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F02M37/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F02M37/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
Abstract
A protection structure for the fuel pump connection part includes a top plate 20 that has fuel pump connection parts 23, 25, and a cover member 30 that covers the top plate 20 and the fuel pump connection parts 23, 25. The cover member 30 includes a top plate cover part 31, hole parts 39, 41, and connection-part cover parts 45, 55. The top plate cover part 31 and the connection-part cover parts 45, 55 are integrally formed. The connection-part cover parts 45, 55 includes movable parts 47, 57 that move with respect to the top plate cover part 31, and the fuel pump connection parts 23, 25 are exposed in a state where the movable parts 47, 57 have moved in a separating direction from a front surface side of the top plate cover part 31.
Claims
1. A protection structure for protecting a fuel pump connection part of a connection member connected to a fuel pump disposed inside a fuel tank via the fuel pump connection part, the protection structure comprising: a top plate that covers an opening part of the fuel tank and includes the fuel pump connection part; and a cover member that covers the top plate and the fuel pump connection part, wherein the cover member includes a top plate cover part that covers the top plate, a hole part that is formed in this top plate cover part and through which the fuel pump connection part protrudes, and a connection-part cover part that extends from this hole part so as to cover the fuel pump connection part and the connection member connected to the fuel pump connection part, the top plate cover part and the connection-part cover part are integrally formed, and the connection-part cover part includes a movable part movable in a separating direction and an approaching direction with respect to a front surface side of the top plate cover part, and the fuel pump connection part is exposed in a state where the movable part has moved in the separating direction from the front surface side of the top plate cover part.
2. The protection structure for the fuel pump connection part according to claim 1, wherein a wall part having a height higher than a height of a front surface of the top plate cover part is erected on a front-side peripheral edge of the hole part.
3. The protection structure for the fuel pump connection part according to claim 1, wherein the connection-part cover part includes a fixed part fixed to the top plate cover part, and a fragile part having a lower rigidity than the fixed part and the movable part is provided between the fixed part and the movable part.
4. The protection structure for the fuel pump connection part according to claim 1, wherein at least the movable part is formed of an elastic material.
5. The protection structure for the fuel pump connection part according to claim 2, wherein the top plate cover part is disposed with a gap interposed with respect to the top plate, and a rib extending toward the top plate and abutting on a front surface of the top plate is provided on a back surface side of the top plate cover part and in a vicinity of the wall part.
6. The protection structure for the fuel pump connection part according to claim 2, wherein the connection-part cover part includes a fixed part fixed to the top plate cover part, and a fragile part having a lower rigidity than the fixed part and the movable part is provided between the fixed part and the movable part.
7. The protection structure for the fuel pump connection part according to claim 2, wherein at least the movable part is formed of an elastic material.
8. The protection structure for the fuel pump connection part according to claim 3, wherein at least the movable part is formed of an elastic material.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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[0029]
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a protection structure for a fuel pump attachment part according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0031] As illustrated in
[0032] A connector 7 connected to one end of a tube 8 joined to the internal combustion engine or the like is connected to the first connection part 23. Moreover, as illustrated in
[0033] On the other hand, to the second connection part 25 is connected an electric connector (not illustrated) joined to electric supply wiring to the fuel pump 10. Moreover, the fuel pump 10 and the second connection part 25 are electrically connected via wiring (not illustrated).
[0034] The above-described connector 7 and the electric connector (not illustrated) constitute a “connection member” in the present invention. Note that a checker 7a that can be removed when connection with the first connection part 23 is completed is mounted on an outer periphery of the connector 7.
[0035] As illustrated in
[0036] As illustrated in
[0037] By inserting the plurality of frame mounting claws 11 into the plurality of grooves 15a, respectively, and rotating the annular frame 15 in a predetermined direction, each of the frame mounting claws 11 is engaged with each of the grooves 15a, so that the annular frame 15 is mounted in a state being retained so as to prevent coming-off (see
[0038] While as described above, the cover member 30 of this embodiment is indirectly attached to the top plate 20 via the annular frame 15, the cover member 30 may be directly attached to the top plate 20.
[0039] Moreover, the first connection part 23 that is substantially L-shaped and tubular is provided at a position of the top plate 20 that is aligned with the pump connection pipe 21. This first connection part 23 includes a base part 23a that is provided in a protruding manner from a front-side peripheral edge of the through hole 21a, and an extension part 23b extending in a horizontal direction from an upper end of this base part 23a. As illustrated in
[0040] Further, as shown in
[0041] Note that the shapes and the structures of the top plate and the fuel pump connection part are not limited to the aspect described above. Moreover, while this top plate is provided with the two fuel pump connection parts, a number of the fuel pump connection parts may be one, or may be three or more.
[0042] Next, the cover member 30 will be described.
[0043] As illustrated in
[0044] Moreover, a fitting recessed part 35b having an annular recessed shape is formed inside the peripheral edge part 35, and an outer peripheral edge part 15b of the annular frame 15 is fitted into this fitting recessed part 35b. As a result, as illustrated in
[0045] Further, a seal flange 37 extends obliquely outward from a back-side outer periphery of the peripheral edge part 35. As described above, when the cover member 30 is attached to the top plate 20 via the annular frame 15, the seal flange 37 elastically abuts (abuts in an elastically deformed state) on a surface of the fuel tank 1. As a result, a gap between the cover member 30 and the surface of the fuel tank 1 is sealed, and sealing performance is improved.
[0046] Moreover, as illustrated in
[0047] Moreover, as illustrated in
[0048] Moreover, a first connection-part cover part 45 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a “first cover part 45”) is extended from a front-side peripheral edge of the first hole part 39 so as to cover the first connection part 23 and the connector 7 connected thereto. On the other hand, a second connection-part cover part 55 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a “second cover part 55”) is extended from a front-side peripheral edge of the second hole part 41 so as to cover the second connection part 25 and the connection member (not illustrated) (here, the above-mentioned electric connector) connected thereto.
[0049] The cover parts 45, 55 respectively have movable parts 47, 57 that are movable in a separating direction and an approaching direction with respect to a front surface side of the top plate cover part 31. In a state where the movable parts 47, 57 have moved from the front surface side of the top plate cover part 31, the first connection part 23 and the second connection part 25 are exposed, and the connection members can be connected.
[0050] Moreover, the first cover part 45 has a fixed part 46 fixed to the top plate cover part 31, and a fragile part 48 having a lower rigidity than the fixed part 46 and the movable part 47 is provided between the fixed part 46 and the movable part 47.
[0051] More specifically, as illustrated in
[0052] Moreover, on the other end side (opening side) in the longitudinal direction of the fixed part 46, the fragile part 48 having a thickness thinner than thicknesses of the fixed part 46 and the movable part 47 is disposed, and the movable part 47 is provided continuously to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the fixed part 46 via this fragile part 48. As illustrated in
[0053] Moreover, as illustrated in
[0054] Then, in this first cover part 45, when the movable part 47 is moved in the direction separating from the front surface of the top plate cover part 31, the movable part 47 is elastically deformed and turned up so as to have a flat shape as illustrated in
[0055] Moreover, as illustrated in
[0056] Further, as shown in
[0057] Moreover, as described above, the top plate cover part 31 is disposed with respect to the top plate 20 with the gap interposed therebetween (see
[0058] On the other hand, the second cover part 55 in this embodiment has a substantially square cover shape opened in the same direction as the opening of the first cover part 45 in the extension direction. In this embodiment, as shown in
[0059] In the second connection-part cover part 55, when the movable part 57 is moved in the direction separating from the front surface of the top plate cover part 31, the movable part 57 is elastically deformed so as to be turned up via the base end part 58, and the second connection part 25 is exposed.
[0060] Moreover, as illustrated in
[0061] The top plate cover part 31, the first cover part 45, and the second cover part 55 described above are integrally formed. In this embodiment, all the parts (top plate cover part, both the cover parts, and the like) constituting the cover member 30 are integrally formed of an elastic material such as rubber. Note that the cover member may be formed of a synthetic resin material such as polyethylene (PE) or polyoxymethylene (POM) in addition to the foregoing elastic material. However, in the cover member 30, at least the movable parts 47, 57 are preferably formed of an elastic material. Moreover, the cover member is preferably formed of a material having excellent acid resistance such as rubber (EPDM, MBR).
[0062] Moreover, the shapes and the structures of the top plate cover part, the hole parts, and the connection-part cover parts of the cover member described above are not limited to the above aspects. Note that while in the cover member of this embodiment, the two hole parts and the two connection-part cover parts are provided, it is possible to provide one or three or more hole parts and connection-part cover parts corresponding to the fuel pump connection part provided on the top plate side.
[0063] Next, actions and effects of the protection structure having the above constitution will be described.
[0064] In this embodiment, as shown in
[0065] Then, the first connection part 23 and the second connection part 25 of the top plate 20 protrude from the first hole part 39 and the second hole part 41 of the cover member 30, respectively, and the seal flange 37 of the cover member 30 abuts on the surface of the fuel tank 1 and is flexurally deformed. Further, the outer peripheral edge part 15b of the annular frame 15 presses the back side of the peripheral edge part 35 of the top plate cover part 31, and the peripheral edge part 35 is flexurally deformed so as to warp toward an outside of the front side of the top plate cover part 31.
[0066] At this time, as illustrated in
[0067] Further, when the cover member 30 is pushed into the top plate 20, the outer peripheral edge part 15b of the annular frame 15 enters and fits into the fitting recessed part 35b of the cover member 30, and the peripheral edge part 35 elastically returns to the base part 33, so that the cover member 30 can be attached to the top plate 20 via the annular frame 15 as illustrated in
[0068] In the above state, the top plate 20 is covered with the top plate cover part 31, the first connection part 23 of the top plate 20 protruding from the first hole part 39 of the cover member 30 is covered with the first cover part 45, and further, the second connection part 25 of the top plate 20 protruding from the second hole part 41 of the cover member 30 is covered with the second cover part 55. Note that in this state, the extension part 23b of the first connection part 23 is supported by the groove part 49c of the joining wall 49b of the wall part 49 (see
[0069] Moreover, in a state where the cover member 30 is attached to the top plate 20 via the annular frame 15, the seal flange 37 elastically abuts on the surface of the fuel tank 1. At this time, the seal flange 37 is easily elastically deformed by reducing, by the notch 37a (see
[0070] When the connector 7 is connected to the first connection part 23, the movable part 47 of the first cover part 45 is moved in the separating direction with respect to the front surface of the top plate cover part 31. Then, in this first cover part 45, the movable part 47 is elastically deformed and turned up so as to have a flat shape with respect to the fixed part 46 via the fragile part 48 as illustrated in
[0071] In this state, as illustrated in
[0072] On the other hand, also when the connection member such as the electrical connector is connected to the second connection part 25, by moving the movable part 57 of the second cover part 55 in the separating direction with respect to the front surface of the top plate cover part 31, the movable part 57 is elastically deformed so as to be turned up via the base end part 58, and the second connection part 25 is exposed. Thereafter, after the connection member such as the electrical connector is connected to the second connection part 25, the movable part 57 is moved in the approaching direction with respect to the front surface of the top plate cover part 31, which makes it possible to cover the second connection part 25 and the connection member such as the electrical connector connected thereto with the movable part 57.
[0073] Thus, in this protection structure, as described above, after the cover member 30 is attached so as to cover the top plate 20 and the connection parts 23, 25 in the state where the connection parts 23, 25 protrude from the hole parts 39, 41 of the cover member 30, the movable parts 47, 57 of the cover parts 45, 55 are moved in the separating direction from the front surface side of the top plate cover part 31 to expose the cover parts 45, 55, which makes it possible to connect the connection members such as the connector 7 and the electrical connector to the connection parts 23, 25, respectively. Therefore, the cover member 30 can be easily attached as compared with a case where the top plate cover part and the connection-part cover part are separate bodies, and are separately attached.
[0074] Moreover, as described above, after the connection members such as the connector 7 and the electrical connector are connected to the connection parts 23, 25, the movable parts 47, 57 are moved in the approaching direction with respect to the front surface side of the top plate cover part 31, which makes it possible to cover the first connection part 23 and the connector 7, and the second connection part 25 and the connection member such as the electrical connector with the cover parts 45, 55. Therefore, the connection parts 23, 25 and a part of the connection members connected thereto can be protected, and the inflow of a liquid containing strong acid such as a vehicle cleaning liquid, a rust removing agent, or a brake cleaner can be suppressed.
[0075] Moreover, in this embodiment, as illustrated in
[0076] Further, in this embodiment, at least the movable parts 47, 57 of the cover parts 45, 55 are formed of an elastic material. Therefore, when the movable parts 47, 57 are moved, the movable parts 47, 57 can be moved so as to be turned up in the separating direction from the front surface side of the top plate cover part 31 by using the elasticity, so that the connection parts 23, 25 can be easily exposed.
[0077] Moreover, in this embodiment, as illustrated in
[0078] Further, as shown in
[0079] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0080] 1 fuel tank [0081] 5 opening part [0082] 7 connector (connection member) [0083] 10 fuel pump [0084] 15 annular frame [0085] 20 top plate [0086] 21 pump connection pipe [0087] 23 first fuel pump connection part (first connection part) [0088] 25 second fuel pump connection part (second connection part) [0089] 30 cover member [0090] 31 top plate cover part [0091] 37 seal flange [0092] 39 first hole part [0093] 41 second hole part [0094] 45 first connection-part cover part (first cover part) [0095] 46 fixed part [0096] 47 movable part [0097] 48 fragile part [0098] 49 wall part [0099] 53 rib [0100] 55 second connection-part cover part (second cover part) [0101] 57 movable part