JP4234498B2 - Fuel chamber fixing structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a structure for fixing a fuel chamber installed at the bottom of a fuel tank of, for example, an automobile, and more particularly to a fixing suitable for fixing a resin fuel chamber to a bottom of a metal fuel tank via a metal bracket. Concerning structure.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a fuel tank of an automobile, for example, when the automobile curves, a fuel chamber is attached to the bottom wall of the fuel tank in order to prevent the fuel pump from sucking air due to a sudden change in the fuel level. The suction port of the fuel pump is disposed at the bottom of the fuel chamber.
[0003]
As a fixing structure of a resin fuel chamber fixed to the bottom of a metal fuel tank via a metal bracket, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a flange portion is formed on the peripheral wall of the resin chamber. The mounting means for attaching the metal bracket is provided on the upper surface of the flange portion, and the metal bracket attached to the flange portion via the mounting means is later welded to the bottom surface of the metal fuel tank. It has been known.
[0004]
Patent Document 2 below discloses a swirl tank in which a swirl tank is attached to a fuel tank by fixing a part of each bracket engaged with each flange provided at both ends of the swirl tank in the longitudinal direction to the bottom of the fuel tank. In the mounting structure, an engagement piece having an engagement portion is provided on one flange, an engagement hole into which the engagement portion enters a bracket corresponding to the flange is provided, outside the swivel tank on both sides of the engagement piece, The thing provided with the press piece which presses the bracket 11 to the engaging part 6 side, and is positioned so that a movement with an engaging part is possible is disclosed.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-4135 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-127772 A [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When a resin fuel chamber is fixed to the bottom of a metal fuel tank via a metal bracket, if the temperature inside the fuel tank rises, the fuel chamber will be in relation to the fuel tank due to the difference in thermal expansion between the metal and resin. The fuel chamber expands relatively, and the fuel chamber itself sucks the fuel and swells. As a result, the flange portion of the fuel chamber may be damaged, the bottom portion of the fuel chamber may be curved and lifted, or the wall portion may be damaged.
[0007]
For this reason, a certain amount of play is provided in the fixing portion between the fuel chamber and the fuel tank so as to absorb relative expansion of the fuel chamber with respect to the fuel tank. However, when the play is provided in this manner and the fuel chamber is fixed, there is a problem that rattling occurs between the flange of the fuel chamber and the metal bracket, causing a rattling noise.
[0008]
On the other hand, the fuel chamber fixing structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 has not been specially considered.
[0009]
In addition, in the swivel tank mounting structure shown in Patent Document 2, rattling is prevented by the pressing piece, but there is a problem that the number of parts increases and the mounting work becomes complicated by providing the pressing piece. .
[0010]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel chamber fixing structure that can prevent the fuel chamber from rattling with respect to the fuel tank without increasing the number of parts or complicating the mounting operation.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a resin fuel chamber fixing structure fixed to a bottom portion of a metal fuel tank via a metal bracket, wherein a flange is formed at the bottom portion of the fuel chamber. A fitting means is formed between the flange and the metal bracket by a protrusion and a hole, and the fitting means is formed at least at three locations on the outer periphery of the bottom of the fuel chamber, and a pair of them is formed. Are located on the opposite sides of the fuel chamber and obliquely with respect to the sides, and the pair of fitting means located obliquely is a fitting means in another position. is fitted tightly than the further bottom of the fuel chamber has a rectangular shape, the flange is that it is formed on the long side of the bottom of the fuel chamber There is provided a fixing structure of the fuel chamber, characterized [0012]
According to the above invention, even if the fuel chamber expands relative to the fuel tank due to the temperature rise in the fuel tank or the swelling of the fuel chamber, the pair of fitting means that are tightly fitted, Since it is located on the opposite sides of the fuel chamber and in an oblique direction with respect to the sides, the expansion is absorbed by slight deformation of the wall portion of the fuel chamber, and a large load is applied to the bracket. Absent.
[0013]
In addition, since the other fitting means is provided with a larger play than the fitting means tightly fitted, the other fitting means is properly connected to the tightly fitting means. Even if it opposes, since the said expansion | swelling is absorbed by the play of another fitting means, a big load is not applied to a bracket.
[0014]
Further, by tightly fitting a pair of fitting means located on opposite sides of the fuel chamber, it is possible to prevent the fuel chamber from rattling against the fuel tank, thereby increasing the number of parts. Since there is no, workability is not impaired.
[0015]
Another aspect of the present invention is a resin fuel chamber fixing structure which is fixed to a bottom portion of a metal fuel tank via a metal bracket. A flange is formed on the bottom portion of the fuel chamber, and the flange is standing on the flange. Fitting means are formed by provided projections and engagement holes formed in the metal bracket, and the fitting means are formed at least at three locations on the outer periphery of the bottom of the fuel chamber, and a pair of them is formed. Are located on the opposite sides of the fuel chamber and obliquely with respect to the sides, and the pair of fitting means located obliquely is a fitting means in another position. The protrusion has a central wall and a pair of elastic locking legs extending from the top of the central wall in a direction perpendicular to the central wall and extending downward. ,in front The lower end of the elastic locking leg is configured to elastically contact the inner periphery of the engagement hole of the metal bracket. In the pair of tight fitting means, the lower portion of the central wall is the engagement member. Fitting closely to the inner periphery of the fitting hole, and in the other fitting means, the lower portion of the central wall is fitted with a predetermined play with respect to the inner periphery of the engaging hole. A structure for fixing a fuel chamber is provided.
In the present invention, the dimensions of the protrusions or holes formed in the flange of the fuel chamber are adjusted so that the pair of fitting means fit tightly compared with the fitting means in the other position. It is preferable.
[0016]
In the present invention, the fitting means is formed between the flange of the fuel chamber and the metal bracket, but it cannot be immediately judged from the outside whether the fitting is tight. For this reason, when the change of the dimension is provided in the hole or protrusion of the metal bracket, it is not known which metal bracket is tightly fitted. On the other hand, the protrusions or holes formed on the flange of the fuel chamber can be formed integrally with the fuel chamber. Can be set.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
1 to 5 show an embodiment of a fuel chamber fixing structure according to the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of the fuel chamber, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fuel chamber, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a fitting structure between a flange provided in the fuel chamber and a metal bracket, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the flange and the metal bracket are fitted with a predetermined play.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel chamber 10 is formed of a resin such as polyacetal or nylon, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape with an open top surface as a whole. The pair of wall portions 12 and 13 are disposed along the long side direction of the bottom wall 11 and the pair of wall portions 14 and 15 are disposed along the short side direction of the bottom wall 11. Yes. An inner wall 16 having an L shape in plan view is formed inside the walls 15 and 13, and a predetermined width is formed between the inner wall 16 and the walls 15 and 13. The passage 17 is formed. The passage 17 is opened in the fuel tank by forming an opening 17 a between the end of the wall 12 and the end of the wall 15. Further, the end portion 16a located inside the wall portion 13 of the inner wall 16 and the end portion 15a adjacent to the opening portion 17a of the wall portion 15 are cut obliquely so that the height gradually decreases.
[0020]
Flange 21, 22, 23, and 24 extending along the bottom surface are formed at corners of the wall portions 12 and 13 and the bottom wall 11 of the fuel chamber 10. The flanges 21 and 22 are formed at a predetermined interval at the bottom of the wall portion 12, and the flanges 23 and 24 are also formed at a predetermined interval at the bottom of the wall portion 13. Further, the flanges 21 and 24 and the flanges 22 and 23 face each other in the direction along the wall portions 14 and 15, in other words, in the direction orthogonal to the wall portions 12 and 13.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3, protrusions 25 are erected on the flanges 21, 22, 23, and 24. The projection 25 has a tapered tapered central wall 26 and a pair of elastic locking legs 27 extending from the top of the central wall 26 in a direction perpendicular to the central wall 26 and extending downward. . The lower end of the elastic locking leg 27 has an end portion 27b whose diameter is reduced through a stepped portion 27a, and this end portion 27b comes into elastic contact with the inner periphery of an engagement hole described later. Yes.
[0022]
The metal bracket 30 includes an engagement hole 31 with which the protrusion 25 engages, a notch 32 for positioning to the bottom wall of the fuel tank, and a step portion 33 for riding on the flanges 21, 22, 23, 24. And ribs 34, 34.
[0023]
The projections 25 of the flanges 21, 22, 23, and 24 and the engagement holes 31 of the metal bracket 30 constitute the engagement means in the present invention. However, in the present invention, an engagement hole may be formed toward the flanges 21, 22, 23, and 24, and a protrusion may be formed toward the metal bracket 30.
[0024]
By inserting the protrusions 25 of the flanges 21, 22, 23, 24 into the engagement holes 31 of the metal bracket 30, the stepped portion 27 a of the elastic locking leg 27 is engaged with the upper edge of the engagement hole 31. Then, the end 27 b of the elastic locking leg 27 is elastically pressed against the inner periphery of the engagement hole 31, and the metal bracket 30 is attached to each flange 21, 22, 23, 24. At this time, the lower diameter portion of the central wall 26 abuts on the inner periphery of the engagement hole 31 to prevent the metal bracket 30 from rattling.
[0025]
In this case, of the flanges 21, 22, 23, 24 provided at the bottoms of the opposed wall portions 12, 13, a pair of flanges 21 positioned obliquely (diagonally) with respect to the wall portions 12, 13. , 23 and the metal bracket 30 are tight and tight, and the other two flanges 22 and 24 and the metal bracket 30 are formed so as to have some play. ing.
[0026]
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the flanges 21, 23 and the metal bracket 30 are in a state where the lower part of the central wall portion 26 of the protrusion 25 is in close contact with the inner periphery of the engagement hole 31 and there is almost no play. It has become. In this case, the lower outer diameter of the central wall portion 26 of the protrusion 25 is preferably formed to be smaller by 0.1 to 0.5 mm than the inner diameter of the engagement hole 31.
[0027]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the flanges 22, 24 and the metal bracket 30 have a slight gap S between the lower part of the central wall portion 26 of the protrusion 25 and the inner periphery of the engagement hole 31. The clearance is provided by the gap so that the metal bracket 30 can move somewhat with respect to the flanges 22 and 24. In this case, the lower outer diameter of the central wall portion 26 of the protrusion 25 is preferably formed to be 1.1 to 1.5 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the engagement hole 31.
[0028]
The adjustment of the play in the engagement means is preferably performed by adjusting the size of the protrusion 25 (or engagement hole) of the flanges 21, 22, 23, 24 formed integrally with the fuel chamber 10. This is because even if the dimensions of the engagement holes 31 (or protrusions) of the metal bracket are changed, the difference cannot be visually determined, so that it is difficult for the operator to determine which metal bracket may be attached to which flange.
[0029]
After attaching the metal bracket 30 to the flanges 21, 22, 23, 24 in this way, the fuel chamber 10 is inserted into a fuel tank (not shown), and the notch 32 of the metal bracket 30 is provided on the bottom wall of the fuel tank. The fuel chamber 10 can be fixed by spot welding the metal bracket 30 to the bottom wall of the fuel tank by installing it on the bottom wall of the fuel tank while being fitted and aligned with the boss. Further, the notch 32 is not essential, and when the boss portion is not provided on the bottom wall of the fuel tank, it is not necessary to form the notch 32.
[0030]
In this state, in the fuel chamber 10, the protrusions 25 of the pair of flanges 21 and 23 positioned on the diagonal (a direction parallel to the diagonal) are tightly fitted in the engagement holes 31 of the metal flange 30. Therefore, it does not move due to vibration of an automobile or the like, and it is possible to prevent the generation of a rattling sound.
[0031]
Further, when the fuel chamber 10 expands relatively with respect to the fuel tank by swelling the resin fuel chamber 10 with the fuel and further thermally expanding due to the temperature rise in the fuel tank, the remaining flanges Since the protrusions 25 of 24 and 24 are fitted in the engagement holes 31 of the metal flange 30 with a play of the clearance S, the expansion difference between the two is absorbed, and the flanges 21, 22, 23 and 24 are excessive. It is possible to prevent excessive stress and damage.
[0032]
The protrusions 25 of the pair of flanges 21 and 23 positioned on the diagonal are tightly fitted in the engagement holes 31 of the metal flange 30, but the two points are on the diagonal of the fuel chamber 10. Since there is no wall parallel to the straight line connecting the two points, the difference in expansion is easily absorbed by slight distortion between the walls arranged obliquely.
[0033]
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the fuel chamber fixing structure according to the present invention. Note that parts that are substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0034]
In this fuel chamber 10a, the number of flanges is one less than that of the above embodiment, and one flange 21 is formed on the wall portion 12 located on one of a pair of sides along the longitudinal direction. Two flanges 22 and 23 are formed on the wall portion 13 located on the other side of the wall, and a total of three flanges are formed. In this embodiment, the engagement between the protrusions 25 of the pair of flanges 21 and 23 positioned diagonally to the side, that is, on the diagonal of the bottom wall 11, and the engagement hole of the metal bracket 30 is tight. The engagement between the projection 25 in the remaining one flange 24 and the engagement hole of the metal bracket 30 has a predetermined play.
[0035]
Also in this embodiment, the protrusions 25 of the pair of flanges 21 and 23 positioned diagonally are tightly fitted in the engagement holes of the metal flange 30 so that the backlash of the fuel chamber 10a due to the vibration of the automobile is reduced. Can prevent sticking. In the remaining one flange 24, since play is provided between the flange 24 and the metal bracket 30, relative expansion of the fuel chamber 10a with respect to the fuel tank can be absorbed.
[0036]
Note that the present invention is not applied only to a cuboid fuel chamber as a whole as described above, and the bottom wall has a polygonal shape, an elliptical shape, or the like as long as the effects of the present invention are provided. It can also be applied to a fuel chamber. In that case, it is located on the opposite side of the fuel chamber and in an oblique direction with respect to the side, as shown in FIG. 2, with respect to the center line L along the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 11. , Preferably 30 to 80 °, which means an opposing positional relationship.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the pair of flanges provided in the fuel chamber and the metal flanges are tightly fitted, so that they do not move due to vibration of an automobile or the like, and the generation of rattling noise is prevented. be able to.
[0038]
Further, when the fuel chamber expands relatively with respect to the fuel tank by swelling the resin fuel chamber with the fuel and further thermally expanding due to the temperature rise in the fuel tank, the remaining flange is Since the metal flange is fitted with play, it is possible to absorb the difference in expansion between the two, prevent excessive stress from being applied to the flange, and prevent breakage.
[0039]
The pair of flanges that fit tightly with the metal flange are located on the opposite sides of the fuel chamber and in an oblique direction with respect to the sides. Can be easily absorbed.
[0040]
Furthermore, according to the fixing structure of the present invention, the number of parts does not increase, so that attachment workability is not impaired.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a fuel chamber fixing structure according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fuel chamber.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view (A) and a partial cross-sectional view (B) showing a fitting structure between a flange and a metal bracket provided in the fuel chamber.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the flange and the metal bracket are tightly fitted.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the flange and the metal bracket are fitted with a predetermined play.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another embodiment of a fuel chamber fixing structure according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 10a Fuel chamber 11 Bottom wall 12, 13, 14, 15 Wall 21, 22, 23, 24 Flange 25 Projection 30 Metal bracket 31 Engagement hole S Gap

Claims (2)

In the fixing structure of the resin fuel chamber fixed to the bottom of the metal fuel tank via the metal bracket,
A flange is formed at the bottom of the fuel chamber, and a fitting means by a projection and a hole is formed between the flange and the metal bracket,
The fitting means is formed in at least three places on the outer periphery of the bottom of the fuel chamber,
A pair of them is located on opposite sides of the fuel chamber and is located obliquely with respect to the sides,
The pair of fitting means located diagonally are tightly fitted compared to the fitting means at other positions,
The fuel chamber fixing structure is characterized in that the bottom of the fuel chamber has a rectangular shape, and the flange is formed on the long side of the bottom of the fuel chamber.   In the fixing structure of the resin fuel chamber fixed to the bottom of the metal fuel tank via the metal bracket,
  A flange is formed at the bottom of the fuel chamber, and a fitting means is formed by a protrusion standing on the flange and an engagement hole formed in the metal bracket,
  The fitting means is formed in at least three places on the outer periphery of the bottom of the fuel chamber,
  A pair of them is located on opposite sides of the fuel chamber and is located obliquely with respect to the sides,
  The pair of fitting means located diagonally are tightly fitted compared to the fitting means at other positions,
The protrusion has a central wall and a pair of elastic locking legs extending from the top of the central wall in a direction perpendicular to the central wall and extending downward, and a lower end of the elastic locking leg is It is configured to elastically contact the inner periphery of the engagement hole of the metal bracket,
  In the pair of tight fitting means, the lower part of the central wall is closely fitted to the inner periphery of the engagement hole, and in the other fitting means, the lower part of the central wall is A structure for fixing a fuel chamber, characterized in that the fuel chamber is configured to be fitted with a predetermined play with respect to the inner periphery of the engagement hole.

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