Title of Invention

FUEL PUMP UNIT

Abstract A fuel pump unit (1) comprises a pump section (P) which takes in and pressure feeds fuel, and a motor section (M) which has a motor rotor one end of whose rotation shaft (8a) is fixed to the pump section, the two sections being provided inside a pump housing (PC) having an intake aperture (3a) and a discharge aperture, and in which a fuel flow path is formed inside the motor section, wherein an end side of the rotation shaft of the motor rotor is rotatably supported by a bracket member (2), a motor housing (6) that covers the motor rotor in the circumferential direction is mounted to the bracket member, and by forming a bearing section (2a) that rotatably supports another end of the rotation shaft in the motor housing, the motor section is supported by the bracket member and not by the pump housing.
Full Text SPECIFICATION
FUEL PUMP UNIT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel pump unit.
Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a fluid pump is known in which a fluid pump unit that is
provided with an intake aperture and in which a pump and a drive motor are formed
integrally is immersed in a fluid and discharges the fluid to the outside. This type of
fluid pump is widely used to discharge fluid from a fluid tank. For example, an in-tank
type of fuel pump such as this is also used in fuel tanks of motorcycles and the like.
Among such fuel pumps, a fuel pump that is highly reliable and that can be mounted in a
small sized fuel tank and can rapidly supply clean fuel that does not cause a fuel injection
valve to become blocked is demanded. Therefore, a fuel pump exists that causes fuel to
infiltrate interior sections thereof enabling the motor to be cooled and movable parts to
be lubricated so as to improve reliability, and that is provided with a barrier filter that
removes dirt generated by the movable parts in front of the discharge aperture, and in
which the barrier filter is formed integrally with the pump section and motor section so
as to achieve a reduction in size.
For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.
2002-285930 (Document 1), there is disclosed a motor type of fuel pump that is provided
with a pump chamber and a motor chamber, and that is provided with a filter that is
positioned upstream of the discharge path inside the motor chamber so as to cover an
outer circumference of the motor.
Pumps are also known that do not infiltrate fuel in the motor, but feed fuel
directly using a pump.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei
11-230076 (Document 2), there is disclosed a fuel pressure feed unit that is provided with
a toroidal chamber in which an electric motor is housed in a central chamber, and in
which a fuel main filter that is partitioned by a partition wall of a casing is positioned at
an outer periphery of the electric motor, and that discharges fuel after feeding it to the
toroidal chamber using a pump.
However, the following problems exist in conventional fuel pumps such as those
described above.
In the technology described in Document 1, the rotation shaft of an outer rotor
that drives an impeller of the pump to rotate is provided inside a motor chamber and is
supported by a bearing that is provided in a lower fitting section and by a bearing that is
positioned inside a stator provided in a bearing holding cover. The bearing holding
cover is fixed by another end thereof being riveted to a pump case.
In this type of structure, when the bearing holding cover is being riveted, the
bearing holding cover tends to deform so that the gap between the bearing and the
rotation shaft changes easily. Therefore, the problem arises that unevenness tends to
occur in the rotation load caused by manufacturing errors and the like. If there is a large
rotation load, the bearing is easily cut away and, as a result of dirt such as shavings from
this cutting increasing, the reliability of the apparatus deteriorates.
Even if the apparatus can be assembled with few manufacturing errors, because
a bearing supporting cover supports the internal pressure in the motor chamber, the
bearing supporting cover is deformed by internal pressure when the pump is in operation.
In particular, in a fuel pump of a motorcycle and the like in which rapid fuel injection is
required, the discharge pressure of the fuel is also large, and as a result, the bearing gap is
narrowed and the rotation load is increased, which consequently causes lockups to occur.
If the bearing support cover is fitted to the rotation shaft via a bearing, the
structure is such that it is not possible to view the rotation shaft, thereby creating the
problem that assembly is difficult.
The rotation shaft of the outer rotor that drives the impeller of the pump to rotate
is positioned inside the motor chamber and is supported by the bearing that is provided in
the lower fitting section and by the bearing that is positioned inside the stator provided in
the bearing holding cover. A filter is provided integrally inside the motor chamber in
the same way so as to surround the outer circumference of the rotor yoke of the outer
rotor.
Accordingly, fuel is unable to flow easily to the bearing that is provided inside
the stator and is covered by the outer rotor, so that dirt such as abrasion powder and the
like created by the rotation of the motor is easily accumulated.
In the motor chamber, because a fuel flow is generated constantly in a peripheral
direction on the filter surface as the outer rotor rotates, the prosection of dirt absorbed in
the filter that falls off once again and meanders around the interior of the motor chamber
increases. As a result, it is difficult to keep the interior of the motor clean, thereby
causing the bearing to be damaged and causing the fuel pump to break down when there
is a reverse flow of dirt inside the pump chamber.
The pump discharge path that is provided in a vertical direction directly above
the impeller must be positioned on an inner side of the filter in the motor chamber.
Therefore, if the outer diameter of the pump is increased in order to speed up the
circumferential speed, the position of the filter needs to be moved towards the outer
circumferential side so that the size of the fuel pump is increased.
In contrast, in the technology of Document 2, because the electric motor is
positioned in a central chamber partitioned by a partition wall of the casing, although
abrasion powder from the electric motor does not become mixed into the fuel, and it is
possible to enlarge the outer diameter of the pump impeller while keeping the outer
diameter of the fuel pump small, the problem remains that cleaning and lubrication of the
electric motor is still not possible.
If a small amount of fuel infiltrates into the central chamber and is turned into a
gas, the possibility exists that the fuel will be ignited by an electrical discharge or the
like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The fuel pump unit according to the present invention is a fuel pump unit in
which a pump section, which takes in and pressure feeds fuel, and a motor section, which
has a motor rotor one end of whose rotation shaft is fixed to the pump section, are
provided inside a pump housing having an intake aperture and a discharge aperture, and
in which a fuel flow path is formed inside the motor section. One end side of the
rotation shaft of the motor rotor is rotatably supported by a bracket member, a motor
housing that covers the motor rotor in the circumferential direction is mounted to the
bracket member, and a bearing section that rotatably supports another end of the rotation
shaft is formed in the motor housing. As a result, the motor section is made to be
supported by the bracket member and not by the pump housing.
According to this invention, the gap in the bearing section can be properly
secured without any deformation occurring in the motor section when the motor section
is mounted to the pump housing. The pump section and motor housing can be
assembled in separate steps.
It is also possible for a gap to be formed in an axial direction and circumferential
direction of the motor section between the motor section and the pump housing, and for
the fuel flow path to be formed by this gap.
In this case, a fuel flow is formed at least along the bearing section provided at
an outer circumferential section of the motor housing and at the distal end section in the
mounting direction thereof.
It is also possible for a mounting section that protrudes in the shape of a wall to
be provided on a motor rotor side of the bracket member, and for the motor housing to be
mounted so as to be fitted to the mounting section.
In this case, even if bending moment from the motor section acts on the bracket
member, it is possible to suppress deformation of the plate-shaped section. Assembly of
the motor housing is thus simplified.
It is also possible for a through hole running in an axial direction to be provided
in the bearing section that enables a shaft end section of the rotation shaft of the motor
rotor to be viewed from the bearing section mounting direction at least at a time when the
motor section is assembled by fitting the other end of the rotation shaft in the bearing
section.
In this case, because it is possible using the through hole provided in the bearing
section to view the shaft end section of the rotation shaft of the motor rotor from the
direction from which it is mounted in the bearing section when the motor section is being
assembled, assembly is simplified.
It is also possible for a cap member that substantially covers a distal end side in
the mounting direction of the motor housing to be inserted and fitted in the axial
direction of the motor housing, and for the bearing section to be provided in the cap
member.
In this case, it is difficult for the bearing section to be deformed during
assembly.
Here, the fitting is not limited solely to stop gap fitting and includes intermediate
fitting and tight fitting, provided that there are no deforming effects on the bearing
section. Namely, the insertion may also be a press insertion.
It is also possible for the pump housing to be formed by a cylindrical casing
member that extends in an axial direction of the rotation shaft, an inlet cover that has an
intake aperture for the fuel and that covers the impeller between itself and the bracket
member, and an outlet cover that has a discharge aperture for the fuel and that covers the
radial direction of the motor section, and for the inlet cover and the outlet cover to be
fixed respectively to both end sections of the casing member.
In this case, because an inlet cover and outlet cover that require a comparatively
complex configuration starting with the intake aperture and discharge aperture are
formed as separate members, manufacturing is simplified.
It is also possible for at least one of the inlet cover and outlet cover to be fixed
by riveting to the casing member.
In this case, the apparatus can be manufactured easily and at low cost.
It is also possible for the pump section to be formed by placing an impeller
having a larger outer diameter than an outer diameter of the motor housing on a rear
surface of that side of the bracket member to which the motor housing is mounted, and
for the pump section and the motor section to be connected by a pump side connecting
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flow path that extends from an outer circumferential section of the pump section.
In this case, even if the motor section has a comparatively small diameter, fuel
that is pressure fed by the impeller can be guided to the motor section.
It is also possible for a toroidal chamber to be provided at an outer
circumference of the motor housing, and for a filtration section to be formed by placing a
filtration apparatus for the fuel inside the toroidal chamber.
In this case, the filtration section can be built in while the space that overlaps
with the impeller in the radial direction is effectively used.
It is also possible for the filtration section to be sealed off from the pump
section.
In this case, because the filtration section is sealed off from the pump section, all
the fuel flows to the motor section, and there is no flow from the filtration section
returning directly to the pump section.
It is also possible for the pump side connecting flow path to be provided inside
the bracket member.
In this case, a reduction in space can be achieved.
It is also possible for the pump side connecting flow path to be formed by
covering a section of a groove that is formed in a surface of the bracket member with a
shielding member that abuts against the bracket member.
In this case, the pump side connecting flow path can be formed simply.
It is also possible for the pump side connecting flow path to be provided with a
flow path that is located within a plane that is substantially parallel with a rotation plane
of the impeller and that travels from a vicinity of an outer circumferential section of the
impeller inwards in a radial direction.
In this case, even if dirt or the like flows from the pump section in the axial
direction of the impeller, it is possible to prevent the dirt from reaching a position directly
above the outer circumferential section of the pump section in the axial direction thereof.
It is also possible for the motor section to be formed at one of the bracket
members; for the pump section to be formed at another of the bracket members; for a
filtration section to be formed as a fuel filtration apparatus at an outer circumference of
the motor housing; for a pump side connecting flow path that connects an interior of the
pump section to an interior of the motor section to be provided in a vicinity of a
mounting section of the bracket member and the motor housing; for a filtration side
connecting flow path that connects the motor section and the filtration section to be
provided in the motor housing; and for the fuel that is taken in from the intake aperture to
flow from the pump section along the pump side connecting flow path and into the motor
section, and after the fuel has flowed along the filtration side connecting flow path and
into the filtration section for it to be discharged to the discharge aperture.
In this case, because there is provided a pump side connecting flow path and a
filtration side connecting flow path, and fuel that is taken in from the intake aperture
flows in sequence through the pump section, motor section, and filtration section to the
discharge aperture, dirt such as abrasion powder that is generated from movable sections
within the motor section is transported out, together with the fuel, to the filtration section
and is filtered, and clean fuel can be discharged from the discharge aperture.
It is also possible for there to be provided a cap member that is inserted in the
axial direction of the motor housing and is fitted therein and that substantially covers a
distal end side in the mounting direction of the motor housing, and that also forms the
bearing section; and for a gap that is continuous in at least the radial direction of the
motor housing to be provided between the cap member and the pump housing, and for a
through hole to be provided in a section of the cap member so as to face the gap; and for
the filtration side connecting flow path to be formed by the through hole and the gap.
In this case, because fuel flows via the filtration side connecting flow path from
the through hole in the cap member that is provided in the bearing section along a gap
that is continuous in at least the radial direction to the filtration section at the outer
circumference of the motor housing, a fuel flow path is formed in the vicinity of the
bearing section. As a result, dirt such as abrasion powder and the like that is
generated by the bearing section is efficiently cleaned and transported to the filtration
section.
It is also possible for the bearing section to be provided with an aperture that
faces the filtration side connecting flow path.
In this case, because it is possible for the bearing section to be in contact via
the aperture with the fuel flowing along the filtration side connection flow path, dirt such
as abrasion powder and the like that is generated by the bearing section is efficiently
cleaned and transported to the filtration section.
It is also possible for the cap member to be a brush holder in which is placed a
brush that is abutted against a commutator that is provided in the motor rotor.
In this case, because the cap member above which is formed the filtration side
connecting flow path is a brush holder, dirt such as abrasion powder created by the
contact between the commutator and the brush and the like that is generated by the
bearing section is efficiently cleaned and transported to the filtration section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view in an axial direction showing the fuel
pump unit according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3A is a plan view looking in the direction B in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4A is a plan view showing the brush holder according to the present
invention. FIG. 4B is a frontal view of the same. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view
taken along the line G-G in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along the
line H-H in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 5A is a top view showing the outlet cover according to the present
invention. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J-J in FIG. 5A.
FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view for describing a fuel flow path
within the fuel pump unit according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view looking in the direction C in FIG. 1 for
describing a connecting flow path on a filtration side according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view in an axial direction showing a
modified example of the fuel pump unit according to the present invention.
FIG. 9A is a top view showing the brush holder according to the modified
example of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
L-L in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C is a rear view showing the brush holder according to the
present invention. FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line N-N in FIG.
9A.
FIG. 10A is a rear view showing an outlet cover of the modified example
according to the present invention. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the
line Q-Q in FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C is a top view showing another outlet cover according to
the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory view looking in the direction K in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with
reference made to the drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited by the embodiments given below, for example, component elements of these
embodiments may be combined together as is appropriate.
Fig 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view in the axial direction for describing the
fuel pump unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a
cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 A is a plan view looking
in the direction B in FIG. 1. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D
in FIG. 3A.
The fuel pump unit 1 according to the present embodiment is positioned such
that it is immersed in fuel inside a fuel tank (not shown) of a vehicle or motorcycle or the
like, and takes in fuel that is in the fuel tank via an intake aperture 3 a, and feeds it via a
discharge aperture 1 la to a fuel injection section. As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
fuel pump unit 1 has a pump section P that is mounted on a base bracket 2 (i.e., a bracket
member), a motor section M, and a filtration section F. The fuel pump unit 1 also has a
substantially columnar-shaped external configuration that is enclosed by a pump housing
PC that is formed by an inlet cover 3, a pump unit casing 15, and an outlet cover 11.
In order to simplify the description given below, as is shown in FIG. 1, the fuel
pump unit 1 is represented such that a motor shaft 8a (i.e., a rotation shaft) of the pump
section P extends in a vertical direction, and such that the intake aperture 3 a is positioned
below the fuel pump unit 1, while the discharge aperture 1 la is positioned above the fuel
pump unit 1. Relative positions in the axial direction of the fuel pump 1 are referred to
simply as the upper side and lower side. Moreover, in the description of each
component, provided that the upper side (or lower side) of a drawing is not particularly
specified, positions and directions are represented on the basis of an assembly layout
such as that shown in FIG. 1.
However, the actual configurational attitude is not limited to this type of attitude.
For example, the entire fuel pump unit 1 may also be appropriately positioned sloping
away from a vertical direction.
The base bracket 2 is provided with a circular plate shaped plate section 2A that
is positioned in a horizontal direction. A motor housing mounting section 2b (i.e., a
mounting section) and a fuel guide groove 2f (see FIG. 3B) are provided on a motor
section supporting surface 2c, which is a top surface of the plate shaped section 2A. A
pump casing groove 2e is provided on a pump section supporting surface 2d, which is a
bottom surface of the plate shaped section 2A.
A bearing section 2a that holds a shaft in an orthogonal direction relative to the
plate shaped section 2A such that the shaft is able to rotate is provided at a central section
of the plate shaped section 2A. A fuel guide hole 2g (see FIG. 3B) is provided between
the fuel guide groove 2f and the pump casing groove 2e such that it penetrates both.
The motor housing mounting section 2b is a wall shaped section that is provided
in a substantially cylindrical shape extending vertically upwards from the plate shaped
section 2A and substantially coaxially with the center of the plate shaped section 2A. A
motor housing 6, which is described below, is able to be fitted in an axial direction to an
exterior of the motor housing mounting section 2b.
The pump casing groove 2e is shaped as a circular arc on a cross-section in the
radial direction of the plate shaped section 2A, and is provided so as to form a C shape
within the pump section supporting surface 2d running along an outer peripheral section
of an impeller 5, which is described below. As is shown in FIG. 3A, a section from a
casing groove start end section 3S that is provided at a position that overlaps the intake
aperture 3a in the axial direction to a casing groove terminal end section 3E, which is the
terminal end of the C shape, is provided at a position so as to substantially overlap the
pump casing groove 3 c shown in the drawing. The radius of the C shape is larger than
the outer radius of the motor housing 6.
The fuel guide hole 2g is a through hole that penetrates from the pump casing 2e
to the motor section supporting surface 2c side of the casing groove terminal end section
3E. Accordingly, as is shown in FIG. 3B, the upper aperture of the fuel guide hole 2g is
positioned on an outer side in the radial direction of the motor housing 6.
The fuel guide groove 2f is a groove that is provided in a horizontal direction
from the aperture section of the fuel guide hole 2g towards an inner radial side of the
plate shaped section 2A. The fuel guide groove 2f intersects the motor housing
mounting section 2b in a radial direction extending to the inner radial side of the motor
housing mounting section 2b so as to terminate before the bearing section 2a.
The bearing section 2a may be any bearing provided that it is able to radially
support a rotation shaft, and various radial slide bearings can be preferably used. In
particular, bearings whose structure and material enable a lubrication effect to be
obtained as a result of fuel infiltrating gaps in the bearing may be used. The bearing
section 2a may fix a bearing that is formed as a separate member, or may be formed in
the plate shaped section 2A itself.
The pump P is provided with an impeller 5 that is rotatably provided along the
pump section supporting surface 2d, and with a space for pressure feeding fuel that is
formed in the pump casing groove 2e and the pump casing groove 3 c (described below)
and the like and at the periphery of the impeller 5 by covering the impeller 5 from below
using the inlet cover 3. The inlet cover 3 is fixed to the base bracket 2 by a pump unit
casing 15 (described below).
The impeller 5 is formed by a circular plate shaped member that has a shaft hole
in its center for fitting the rotation shaft. A large number of blades 5a having a suitable
airfoil shape that extend vertically for a predetermined length in a radial direction and
that are positioned at a predetermined spacing in a circumferential direction are provided
at outer circumferential sections of the circular plate. The length of the blades 5a in the
radial direction is appropriately set to correspond to the width of the radial direction cross
section of the pump casing groove 2e.
The inlet cover 3 is provided with a sealing surface 3e on an outer
circumferential side of the top surface thereof that can be placed tightly against the pump
section supporting surface 2d. A pump casing section 3b, which is a concave section
that houses the outer circumferential side surfaces and bottom surfaces of the impeller 5
so that each one is a slight distance apart is provided at an inner side in the radial
direction of the sealing surface 3e. An intake aperture 3a is provided at a bottom
surface of the inlet cover 3 so as to open up directly below outer an circumferential
section of the impeller 5.
The pump casing groove 3 c, which is a C shaped groove having substantially the
same shape as the pump casing groove 2e, is formed at a bottom section of the pump
casing section 3 b from the casing groove start end section 3S to the casing groove
terminal end section 3E.
A thrust bearing 4 that supports a rotation shaft such that it can rotate in a thrust
direction is provided at a center section of the pump casing section 3b. The thrust
bearing 4 may be any type of material and have any type of configuration provided that it
has suitable slide properties when immersed in fuel.
The pump section P is structured as is described above. When the impeller 5
rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3A (i.e., clockwise in FIG. 3A), fuel
is drawn in from the intake aperture 3a, and fuel inside the pump casing grooves 2e and
3 c is raised in pressure between the casing groove start end section 3S and the casing
groove terminal end section 3E by the blades 5a, so that it can be fed to the fuel guide
hole 2g.
This type of pump P may employ a variety of known pump structures that are
known by names such as, for example, centrifugal pumps, volute pumps, and
regenerative pumps.
The motor section M is provided with a motor rotor 8, field magnets 7, a motor
housing 6, and a brush holder 9 (i.e., a cap member). These members form an inner
rotor type of DC motor with an attached brush.
The motor rotor 8 is provided with an armature 8b having a predetermined pole
in a center section of a motor shaft 8a, and is also provided with a commutator 8c at a top
end side of the motor shaft 8a that has a brush contact surface in a radial direction. (In
FIG. 2, because the drawing is schematic, details such as the winding coil of the
commutator 8b have been omitted).
On the bottom side of the armature 8b of the motor shaft 8a, at a distal end
section of the motor shaft 8a that is supported in a radial direction by the bearing section
2a and that protrudes at the bottom side of the bearing section 2a, a shaft distal end
section that is fixed in a shaft hole in the center of the impeller 5 and protrudes
downwards from the impeller 5 is supported in the axial direction by the thrust bearing 4.
The motor housing 6 is a circular cylinder member having apertures at both ends
thereof, the motor housing 6 is externally fitted from above in the axial direction to the
motor housing mounting section 2b, and is mounted vertically above the motor section
supporting surface 2c. By mounting the motor housing 6 in this manner, damage such
as the bearing gap of the bearing section 2a being deformed and narrowed during
assembly is removed, and it is possible to reinforce the external fitting section of the
motor rotor 8 so that it is able to receive a considerable bending moment.
The motor housing 6 can be formed, for example, by cutting a steel pipe or the
like.
The field magnets 7 have a partial cylindrical shape whose outer circumferential
surface can be placed tightly against an inner surface of the motor housing 6. As is
shown in FIG. 2, the field magnets 7 are formed by two permanent magnets that face
each other in the radial direction. The inner circumferential surface of each field
magnet 7 has an inner diameter that forms a predetermined gap between itself and an
outer circumferential surface of the motor rotor 8. Two field magnets 7 are placed
adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction via a spacer 16, and are thrust in
the circumferential direction by a pressing member 17 that faces the spacer 16 in the
radial direction. As a result, they are fixed in predetermined positions relative to the
motor housing 6.
The spacer 16 and the pressing member 17 are both formed so as to be thinner in
the radial direction than the permanent magnets 7. Because of this, between the field
magnets 7 in the circumferential direction, a gap is formed that is continuous in the axial
direction and that is larger than the gap in the radial direction between the field magnets
7 and the motor rotor 8. This structure enables fuel to flow easily through the motor
housing 6 in the axial direction.
The brush holder 9 is a member that is fitted by being inserted into the inner
circumferential surface of a top end section of the motor housing 6 so as to cover the
motor rotor 8 from above. The brush holder 9 is formed by fixing a bearing section 9a
that is formed by a penetrating cylindrical hole that supports a motor shaft 8a in a radial
direction, and a brush 10 that supplies current to the motor rotor 8 by coming into contact
with the commutator 8c from the outer side in the radial direction.
After being fitted, the brush holder 9 is fixed to the motor housing 6 using a
suitable apparatus such that no deformation occurs that may cause a malfunction in the
bearing section 9a. For example, the brush holder 9 may be fixed by providing a
suitable fixing member. This might involve fitting the brush holder using a form that
does not allow the brush holder to be withdrawn such as a snap-fit, or making the fitting
a screw tight fit by using pressure insertion.
Because the bearing section 9a is open in the axial direction, when the brush
holder 9 is assembled by being inserted into the motor housing 6, it is possible to view
the shaft end section of the motor shaft 8b from the direction of insertion, enabling the
ease of assembly to be improved.
The brush holder 9 will now be described in more detail while reference is made
to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D. FIGS. 4A and 4B are an explanatory plan view and an
explanatory front view for describing the brush holder 9 according to the present
embodiment, while FIGS. 4C and 4D are cross-sectional views taken along the lines G-G
and H-H respectively in FIG. 4A.
The brush holder 9 is provided with a concave hole-shaped commutator housing
section 9b for housing the commutator 8c. The commutator housing section 9b is
positioned above a center section of a flange section 9c that extends in a horizontal
direction and covers the aperture section of the motor housing 6. The brush holder 9 is
also provided with a fitting section 9e shaped like a cylindrical wall that is positioned at a
bottom surface in the circumferential direction of the same flange section 9c and fits
inside the motor housing 6.
On the side surface side of the commutator housing section 9b there are
provided brush fixing sections 9f that face in a horizontal direction and into which
brushes 10 are inserted and fixed.
Penetrating holes 9d are provided at two locations on the flange section 9c on an
inner circumferential side of the fitting section 9e. The penetrating holes 9d are
provided in order that the internal pressure generated by the fuel inside the motor section
M is maintained at a constant equilibrium with the external pressure from the fuel in
outer circumferential sections of the motor section M.
A wiring anchoring section 9g is formed by protrusions and grooves and the like
that are provided in order to anchor electrical wiring of the brush 10.
For the material of the brush holder 9 it is possible to employ a synthetic resin
molded product having an appropriate electrical resistance and having sufficient
slidability to allow the bearing section to be formed. By using a synthetic resin molded
product, it is possible to easily form these additional shapes. Even if the fitting section
9e is deformed by pressure insertion, it is difficult for that deformation to reach as far as
the bearing section 9a.
The filtration section F is formed by placing a filter member 12, whose outer
configuration is shaped substantially as a circular cylinder, in a toroidal chamber
enclosed by the pump unit casing 15 that is shaped like a circular cylinder and extends
substantially coaxially with the motor section M so as to enclose an outer circumference
thereof, the base bracket 2 that is fixed below the pump unit casing bracket, the motor
housing 6, and an outlet cover 11 (described below).
The pump unit casing 15 has a top fixing section 15a and a bottom fixing section
15b that have a circular cylinder shape and are formed at a top and bottom aperture end
sections of the pump unit casing 15. The inside diameter of each fixing section is
slightly enlarged, and an inner surface step is formed at a predetermined position in the
axial direction. The base bracket 2 is inserted into the bottom fixing section 15b from
below the pump unit casing 15 and is anchored. When the inlet cover 3 is inserted from
below, by riveting the bottom fixing section 15b to the outer circumferential section of
the inlet cover 3, the base bracket 2 is fixed to the pump unit casing 15.
End sections in a vertical direction of the filter member 12 are anchored
respectively to a top sealing member 14 and a bottom sealing member 13 and are fixed in
position with a gap provided in the radial direction relative to the motor housing 6 and
the pump unit casing 15. This gap in the radial direction forms a flow path facing the
filter member 12 that allows fuel to move in an axial direction and circumferential
direction.
The filter member 12 may be any material and configuration provided that the
filter can be placed inside the toroidal chamber and can filter fuel to the necessary degree
of cleanliness. For example, net type, fabric type, porous type, and granular type of
filters that can filter dirt, such as bearing abrasion powder, which is of a size that may
cause harmful effects to the operation of latter stage fuel injection valves may be
employed.
The bottom sealing member 13 is formed by toroidal plate-shaped packing, and
is positioned so as to be placed tightly against the bottom surface of the motor section
supporting surface 2c, and is also positioned such that an outer circumference and inner
circumference of the toroidal section of the bottom sealing member 13 are in contact in a
circumferential direction respectively with the inner circumferential surface of the pump
unit casing 15 and the outer circumferential surface of the motor housing 6. As a result,
the bottom surface side of the toroidal chamber is sealed, and is kept in a state whereby
fuel cannot directly enter or exit the toroidal chamber from the pump section P.
As is shown in FIG. 3B, the bottom sealing member 13 is formed as a shielding
member that covers the top of the fuel guide groove 2f. As a result, the fuel guide hole
2g and the fuel guide groove 2f form a connecting flow path (i.e., a pump side
connecting flow path) that connects the pump section P with the motor section M.
The top sealing member 14 is formed by the same packing as the bottom sealing
member 13 and an inner circumference of the toroidal section thereof is fixed to the
outlet cover 11.
Here, the outlet cover 11 will be described.
FIG. 5A is a top surface explanatory view for describing the outlet cover 11.
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J-J in FIG. 5A.
The outlet cover 11 is circular when viewed from above. The outlet cover 11 is
covered by a plate member except for the discharge aperture 11a that is provided in the
vicinity of the outer circumference of the outlet cover 11. Also, an outer circumference
wall 11b shaped like a circular cylinder wall is provided below the outer circumference
of the plate member. A partition wall 11d shaped like a circular cylinder wall is
provided coaxially in the same direction as the outer circumference wall 11 b at an inner
side in the radial direction of the outer circumference wall 11b.
An outer circumference groove 11c is formed between the partition wall 11d and
the outer circumference wall 11b in the radial direction. The size of the outer
circumference groove 11c is such that when the top sealing member 14 is externally
fitted onto the partition wall 11d, the outer circumference of the top sealing member 14
faces the inner circumference of the partition wall 11d with an appropriate gap being
provided.
A brush guide housing section 11e that is formed in the shape of a concave hole
by the partition wall 11d and the top plate member is formed with a size and
configuration that allows it to house inside itself the top surface side of the brush holder 9
that is above the flange section 9c.
Because the outlet cover 11 does not have any section requiring precise
dimensions such as the bearing section and the like, it may be deformed by internal
pressure so long as it provides sufficient strength against the internal pressure of the
filtration section F. Accordingly, a synthetic resin molded component can be preferably
used for the outlet cover 11. If a synthetic resin molded component is used, then even if
the brush holder 9 has a complex configuration, the outlet cover 11 can easily be formed
in a shape that provides a suitable gap to match the complex configuration. A member
such as an anchor hook 11f used for mounting on the fuel tank can be easily provided
integrally.
As is shown in FIG. 1, the inner circumferential section of the top sealing
member 14 is fixed in the circumferential direction and upward direction to an outer
circumferential section of the partition wall 11d. The outer circumferential wall 1 lb is
fitted inside the top fixing section 15a that is provided at a top end section of the pump
unit casing 15, and is fixed to the top fixing section 15a by riveting. At this time, a gap
19 is formed between the outer circumferential section of the top sealing member 14 and
the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall 11b that allows fuel
that has passed through the filter member 12 to flow to the discharge aperture 11a.
In a state of assembly such as this, the top surface side of the brush holder 9 has
a suitable gap between itself and the inner surface of the brush guide housing section 11e.
A continuous gap is thus formed that allows fuel to move smoothly in the radial direction
and the circumferential direction. The partition wall 11d and the top sealing member 14
are placed so as to open up a gap 18 in the radial direction with the flange section 9c of
the brush holder 9.
As a result, a filtration side connecting flow path f2 that connects the interior of
the pump section P with the filtration section F is formed by the through hole 9d and the
gap between the brush holder 9 and the inner surface of the outlet cover 11.
Next, the operation of the fuel pump unit 1 according to an embodiment of the
present invention will be described.
FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view for describing a fuel flow path
inside the fuel pump unit 1. FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view looking in the
direction C in FIG. 1 for describing a connecting flow path f2 on a filtration side.
According to the fuel pump unit 1 of the present embodiment, when the motor
section M is driven so that the impeller 5 is rotated with the fuel pump unit 1 immersed
in a fuel tank or the like, fuel is taken in from the intake aperture 3a and is transported
while the pressure thereof is raised inside the pump casing grooves 2e and 3c. As is
shown by the arrows in the drawings, the fuel, which is at increased pressure, is fed from
the pump section P to the motor section M through the pump side connecting flow path
f1 that is formed by the fuel guide hole 2g, the fuel guide groove 2f, and the bottom
sealing member 13.
The flow of fuel inside the pump section P moves towards the bearing section 2a
and flows so as to lubricate the bearing section 2a. It then flows forward while covering
the motor rotor 8 and field magnets 7 either between the motor rotor 8 and the field
magnets 7 or through the gap in the circumferential direction of the field magnets 7 and 7.
Accordingly, a flow that detours around the vicinity of the commutator 8c is generated.
Either flow enables fuel to be fed from the motor section M to the filtration
section F by the filtration side connecting flow path £2. Not only fuel, but heat and dirt
are also transported. Therefore, the motor rotor 8 and the field magnets 7 are cooled,
and abrasion powder generated by the bearing sections 2a and 9a and by the commutator
8c is removed. At this time, because the filtration side connecting flow path f2 is
provided so as to be connected to the gap in the radial direction above the brush holder 9,
a flow of fuel is also generated in the vicinity of the area above the bearing section 9a, so
that cleaning, lubrication, and cooling of the bearing section 9a can be performed
efficiently.
In the filtration section F, as is shown by the arrows in FIG. 6, fuel passes along
the gap in the radial direction between the motor housing 6 and the filter member 12, and
passes through the filter member 12. It then arrives at the gap between the filter
member 12 and the pump unit casing 15 and passes through the gap 19 moving towards
the discharge aperture 11. It is then discharged from the discharge aperture 11a. At
this time, dirt and the like is filtered out by the filter member 12 so that the fuel is
discharged as clean fuel.
In this way, because the fuel pump unit 11 of the present embodiment filters fuel
that it discharges, clean fuel can be supplied, for example, to the fuel injection pump in
latter stages.
Because a flow that runs substantially along the axial direction of the motor
rotor 8 is formed between the bottom end side pump side connecting flow path f1 that is
provided in the vicinity of the bearing section 2a inside the motor section M and the top
end side filtration section connecting flow path f2 that is provided in the vicinity of the
commutator 8c, heat and dirt inside the motor section M can be efficiently transported
out.
Either of the flow paths of the fuel that passes through the filter member 12 is
able to pass in the axial direction of the filter member 12, however, while the filter 12 is
comparatively clean, the shortest flow path that flows horizontally from the gap 18 and
passes through the gap 19 is superior. As dirt adheres to the filter member 12 and
blockages appear, the flow path that cuts across the filter member 12 is gradually lowered.
When the entire axial direction is blocked, the filter is at the end of its usable period.
In this manner, in the present embodiment, because the filtration side connecting
flow path f2 is provided at one end section (the top end section) in the axial direction of
the filter member 12, blockages caused by fouling of the filter member 12 progress from
the one end section side and the flow path is detoured corresponding to these blockages.
As a result, although the filter surface area is gradually narrowed, the filter surface
forming the actual flow path is easily able to maintain its cleanness, and compared with
when the entire filter surface is blocked uniformly, the performance such as the discharge
rate and pump load and the like are stable for a considerable length of time.
In the flow path of the present embodiment, the filtration section F and the
motor section M are connected only by the filtration side connecting flow path f2, and
the majority thereof is separated by the motor housing 6 that covers the motor rotor 8.
Therefore, the rotating flow of the fuel created by the motor rotor 8 is violent inside the
motor section M, but extremely gentle inside the filtration section F. As a result, it is
difficult for dirt and the like adhering to the filter member 12 to be affected by the
rotation of the motor rotor 8. Namely, compared with when the rotor is rotating in the
vicinity of the filter, it is extremely rare for dirt from the filter member 12 to become
detached and float freely in the fuel. Accordingly, there is no reverse flow of dirt to the
motor section M.
Even if dirt that is not able to become adhered to the filter member 12
temporarily increases, compared with the length in the axial direction of the filtration
section F, its width is extremely narrow. Therefore, the dirt has to return through the
filtration side connecting flow path f2 via the gap 18 that is placed further to the one end
side of the filtration section F. Therefore, it is difficult for the dirt to reverse flow into
the motor section M.
Accordingly, because the interior of the motor section M is kept comparatively
clean, it is possible to reduce faults such as dirt becoming blocked in the bearing gaps of
the bearing sections 2a and 9a, and to thereby improve reliability.
The fuel pump unit 1 is typically used in a placement attitude such as that in the
above explanation. In this case, because dirt inside the filtration section F is
precipitated out by its own weight, reverse flow becomes even more difficult.
In the present embodiment, a pump section P is provided that has an impeller 5
in which blades 5a are provided to cover a diameter that is larger than the outer diameter
of the motor section M, and the outer circumferential section of the pump section P and
the inner section of the motor section M are connected by the pump side connecting flow
path f1. Therefore, even at a comparatively low rotation speed, it is possible to raise the
circumferential speed of the impeller 5 and raise the pump pressure, and to thereby make
the structure of the motor section M smaller. It is also possible to reduce the noise when
the pump is in operation.
Because the filtration section F is placed above the pump section P that
protrudes to the outer side of the motor section M, space inside the columnar shaped
interior can be utilized effectively and a compact structure can be achieved.
The pump side connecting flow path fl arrives at the motor section M via the
fuel guide groove 2f that forms a horizontally bent flow path from the fuel guide hole 2g
that extends vertically upward. Accordingly, even if dirt inside the motor section M
falls due to its own gravity, it falls onto the exit aperture of the fuel guide groove 2f.
The force that propels the dirt in a horizontal direction along the fuel guide groove 2f
does not work from the motor section M side, but, in contrast, highly pressured fuel is
pressure fed from the pump section P side. Therefore, the dirt does not return to the
blades 5a. Accordingly, even if the pump section P is placed vertically underneath, it is
still possible to prevent dirt from reverse flowing to the blades 5a and damaging the
pump section P. Thus an improvement in reliability is achieved.
Next, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described briefly.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view in an axial direction for describing
showing the fuel pump unit 50 according to a modified example of the present
embodiment.
The fuel pump unit 50 of this modified example uses a commutator 80c instead
of the commutator 8c of the fuel pump unit 1, and consequently uses a brush holder 22
and an outlet cover 23 instead of the brush holder 9 and the outlet cover 11. In addition,
a bottom sealing member 20 and a top sealing member 21, which form the modified
example, are used instead of the bottom sealing member 13 and top sealing member 14.
The remainder of the structure is the same as the sections described above. Only those
sections that are different from those above are described below.
As is shown in FIG. 8, the commutator 80c is a type of commutator that abuts
against the brush 10 in the axial direction. Therefore, the brush holder 22 has a
configuration that allows it to hold the brush 10 in the axial direction.
FIG. 9A is a top explanatory view for describing the brush holder 22. FIG. 9B
is a cross-sectional view taken along the line L-L in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C is a rear
explanatory view. FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line N-N in FIG.
9A.
The brush holder 22 is provided with a cylindrically shaped fitting section 22e
that fits in an inner circumferential section of the motor housing 6 at a bottom side of a
circular top surface section 22h. Respective inner surfaces thereof form a commutator
housing section 22b which is a concave hole capable of providing a gap to store the
commutator 80c. A flange section 22c for providing an anchor with the end section of
the motor housing 6 is provided in the central section in the axial direction of the fitting
section 22e.
Brush fixing sections 22f that are formed by through holes running in the axial
direction are provided in two locations on an upper side of the top surface section 22h.
A bearing section 22a that supports a motor shaft 8a is provided in a center section of the
top surface section 22h. In the bearing section 22a, a shaft pressing member is
constructed on a top end section thereof so as to extend across in the radial direction.
On the left and right sides in the radial direction, a half moon shaped gap is provided.
As a result, a half moon-shaped through hole is formed that allows a shaft end section of
the motor shaft 8a to be viewed during assembly. A wiring anchor section 22g that
anchors electrical wiring of the brush is provided on a top surface section 22h at a side of
the bearing section 22a.
As is shown in FIG. 9D, a through hole 22d that is notched in the top surface
section 22h and in the upper side section of the flange section 22c is provided at a section
of an outer circumferential section of the top surface section 22h.
As is shown in FIG. 8, the fitting section 22e is fitted into the top end section of
the motor housing 6, and is anchored to an end section in the axial direction of the motor
housing 6 by the flange section 22e so as to cover the top section of the motor section M.
A brush 10 is inserted from above into the brush fixing section 22f.
The outlet cover 23 is a cap member that is provided with a discharge aperture
11 a on a top surface side thereof in the same way as the outlet cover 11. It is also
provided with an outer circumferential wall in the same way and is fixed to the pump unit
casing 15.
FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are a rear explanatory view, a cross-sectional view
taken along the line Q-Q, and a top explanatory view showing an outlet cover 23
according to this modified example.
A brush guide housing section 23e that provides a gap to house a top surface
side of the brush holder 22 is formed by the circular cylinder wall-shaped partition wall
23d that forms the outer circumferential groove 11c. A brush pressing section 23h
formed by a cylindrical conduit that is used for inserting a pressing spring 25 in the axial
direction so as to correspond to the placement position of the brush 10 is mounted on a
top surface of the brush guide housing section 23e.
As is shown in FIG. 8, the pressing springs 25 are provided in order to press the
brush 10 against the commutator 80c at a predetermined pressure, and are compressed
downwards by spring pressing members 26 that are inserted from above the brush
pressing section 23h. The aperture of the brush pressing section 23h is sealed by the
spring pressing members 26, and the only aperture in the top surface of the outlet cover
23 is the discharge aperture 11a.
The brush holder 22 is urged from the outlet cover 23 in the axial direction by
the pressing force of the pressing spring 25, so that a gap extending in the radial direction
and the circumferential direction is provided between the top surface of the brush holder
22 and the inner surface of the brush guide housing section 23e.
FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory view looking in the direction K in FIG. 8.
As is shown in FIG. 11, fuel flows through this gap from the through hole 22d, and a
filtration side connecting flow path f2 is formed from the gap 18 to the filtration section
F.
As is shown in FIG. 8, the bottom sealing member 20 and the top sealing
member 21 are examples of metal plate members formed by rings whose cross section in
the axial direction is substantially U shaped. According to this type of configuration,
they can be formed as lightweight and low cost members. When the bottom sealing
member 20 is mounted to the bottom section of the toroidal chamber, because it is
possible to assemble the bottom sealing member 20 in the toroidal chamber by press
insertion utilizing the springiness of the side surfaces of the U shape, the ease of
assembly is improved.
In this modified example, the brush holder 22 is pressed via the pressing spring
25, however, because the pressing direction is an axial direction, no failures such as the
bearing section 22a deforming occur. The filtration side connecting flow path f2 has a
working effect in the same way as the fuel pump unit 1, however, in this modified
example, in particular, because the through hole 22d is provided at substantially the same
height as the brushing contact section of the brushes 10, dirt generated by the brushing
contact of the brushes is scattered in a horizontal direction by centrifugal force, and in
that state is reliably carried away via the through hole 22d, so that the cleanliness of the
motor section M is further improved.
In the above explanation, a description is given of when the respective gaps
between the outlet covers and the cap members are continuous in the radial direction and
circumferential direction, however, in order to form a flow of fuel to the bearing, it is
sufficient if the filtration side connecting flow path is continuous in the radial direction
extending over the bearing section.
In the above explanation, examples are given of when the outlet cover and the
cap member are not in contact with each other, and of when they are in contact via a
spring. However, the outlet cover and the cap member may be allowed to come into
contact due to pressure variations inside the pump housing provided that the bearing
section and the like that are provided in the cap member are not deformed above a
permissible value.
For example, if the outlet cover is formed by a material having a low rigidity,
then it is possible to provide protrusions and partition walls and the like in order to secure
a gap from the cap member so as to prevent unevenness in the gap caused by bending
and the like of the component. In this state, if the bearing section does not cause
excessive deformation, then when the pump is being operated, the outlet cover receives
pressure internally and expands. Consequently, it deforms so as to move away from the
protrusions and partition walls and enlarge the gap, and the bearing deformation does not
increase any more than that.
In the above explanation, an example is given of when the filtration section is
inbuilt, however, it is not essential for the filtration section to be built in the toroidal
chamber if the reason for this is to prevent the bearing section of the motor section from
being deformed.
In the above explanation, an example is given of when a through hole is
provided in the cap member in order to equalize the internal pressures of the motor
section and the toroidal chamber and the fuel is allowed to circulate more freely above
the bearing section, however, a through hole may also be provided in the motor housing
in the vicinity of the cap member.
Industrial Applicability
The present invention provides a fuel pump unit that is extremely easy to
assemble, and that provides improved reliability without the motor section being
deformed by internal pressure.
Because no deformation of the motor section occurs during the mounting thereof
and the bearing section gap can be properly maintained, it is possible to prevent bearing
abrasion and improve reliability. Because the motor section and pump housing can be
assembled in separate steps, the ease of assembly is improved. It is possible to hasten
the cooling of the motor housing outer circumferential section and the bearing section,
and the life of the motor section can be extended. It is possible to suppress deformation
of the bearing section provided in the bracket member, and to thereby improve reliability.
Because an inlet cover and outlet cover that require a comparatively complex
configuration starting with the intake aperture and discharge aperture are formed as
separate members, manufacturing is simplified and a low cost apparatus can be
manufactured.
It is possible to transport dirt away in order to maintain the cleanliness and cool
the motor section, so that, reliability is improved. Moreover, a high discharge pressure
can be obtained using a comparatively low revolution speed. The space that overlaps
with the impeller in the radial direction can be utilized effectively, and a compact
apparatus with a built in filtration section can be achieved. It is possible to prevent the
occurrence of breakdowns that are caused by the reverse flow of dirt in the pump section,
and the thereby improve reliability. A small-size, low-cost apparatus can be achieved.
The pump side connecting flow path can be formed simply. Because dirt does not reach
directly above the pump section outer circumferential section in the axial direction, pump
breakdowns can be decreased.
Because dirt such as abrasion powder is transported together with fuel to the
filtration section and is filtered, and clean fuel can be discharged from the discharge
aperture, it is easy to maintain the cleanliness of the motor section and to thereby
improve reliability.
WE CLAIM :
1. A fuel pump unit in which a pump section which takes in and pressure feeds
fuel, and a motor section which has a motor rotor one end of whose rotation shaft is
fixed to the pump section, are provided inside a pump housing having an intake
aperture and a discharge aperture, and in which a fuel flow path is formed inside the
motor section, wherein
an end side of the rotation shaft of the motor rotor is rotatably supported by a
bracket member,
a motor housing that covers the motor rotor in the circumferential direction is
mounted to the bracket member, and
by forming a bearing section that rotatably supports another end of the rotation
shaft in the motor housing, the motor section is made to be supported by the bracket
member and not by the pump housing.
2. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gap is formed in an axial
direction and circumferential direction of the motor section between the motor section
and the pump housing, and the fuel flow path is formed by said gap.
3. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mounting section that
protrudes in a shape of a wall is provided on a motor rotor side of the bracket member,
and the motor housing is mounted so as to fit into the mounting section.
4. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein a through hole running in an
axial direction is provided in the bearing section that enables a shaft end section of the
rotation shaft of the motor rotor to be viewed from the bearing section mounting
direction at least at a time when the motor section is assembled by fitting the other end
of the rotation shaft in the bearing section.
5. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cap member that
substantially covers a distal end side in the mounting direction of the motor housing is
inserted and fitted in the axial direction of the motor housing, and the bearing section is
provided in the cap member.
6. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the pump housing is formed by a cylindrical casing member that extends in an
axial direction of the rotation shaft, an inlet cover that has an intake aperture for the fuel
and that covers the impeller between itself and the bracket member, and an outlet
cover that has a discharge aperture for the fuel and that covers the radial direction of
the motor section ; and
the inlet cover and the outlet cover are fixed respectively to both end sections of
the casing member.
7. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the pump housing is formed by a cylindrical casing member that extends in an
axial direction of the rotation shaft, an inlet cover that has an intake aperture for the fuel
and that covers the impeller between itself and the bracket member, and an outlet
cover that has a discharge aperture for the fuel and that covers the radial direction of
the motor section ;
the inlet cover and the outlet cover are fixed respectively to both end sections of
the casing member; and
at least one of the inlet cover and outlet cover is fixed by riveting to the casing
member.
8. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the pump section is formed by placing an impeller having a larger outer
diameter than an outer diameter of the motor housing on a rear surface of that side of
the bracket member to which the motor housing is mounted ; and
the pump section and the motor section are connected by a pump side
connecting flow path that extends from an outer circumferential section of the pump
section.
9. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the pump section is formed by placing an impeller having a larger outer
diameter than an outer diameter of the motor housing on a rear surface of that side of
the bracket member to which the motor housing is mounted ;
the pump section and the motor section are connected by a pump side
connecting flow path that extends from an outer circumferential section of the pump
section ;
a toroidal chamber is provided at an outer circumference of the motor housing ;
and a filtration apparatus for the fuel is placed inside the toroidal chamber.
10. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the pump section is formed by placing an impeller having a larger outer
diameter than an outer diameter of the motor housing on a rear surface of that side of
the bracket member to which the motor housing is mounted ;
the pump section and the motor section are connected by a pump side
connecting flow path that extends from an outer circumferential section of the pump
section ;
a toroidal chamber is provided at an outer circumference of the motor housing,
and a filtration section is formed by placing a filtration apparatus for the fuel inside the
toroidal chamber; and
the filtration section is sealed off from the pump section.
11. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the pump section is formed by placing an impeller having a larger outer
diameter than an outer diameter of the motor housing on a rear surface of that side of
the bracket member to which the motor housing is mounted ;
the pump section and the motor section are connected by a pump side
connecting flow path that extends from an outer circumferential section of the pump
section ; and
the pump side connecting flow path is provided inside the bracket member.
12. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the pump section is formed by placing an impeller having a larger outer
diameter than an outer diameter of the motor housing on a rear surface of that side of
the bracket member to which the motor housing is mounted ;
the pump section and the motor section are connected by a pump side
connecting flow path that extends from an outer circumferential section of the pump
section ;
the pump side connecting flow path is provided inside the bracket member; and
the pump side connecting flow path is formed by covering a section of a groove
that is formed in a surface of the bracket member with a shielding member that abuts
against the bracket member.
13. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the pump section is formed by placing an impeller having a larger outer
diameter than an outer diameter of the motor housing on a rear surface of that side of
the bracket member to which the motor housing is mounted ;
the pump section and the motor section are connected by a pump side
connecting flow path that extends from an outer circumferential section of the pump
section ; and
the pump side connecting flow path is provided with a flow path that is located
within a plane that is substantially parallel with a rotation plane of the impeller and that
travels from a vicinity of an outer circumferential section of the impeller inwards in a
radial direction.
14. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the motor section is formed at one of the bracket members ;
the pump section is formed at another of the bracket members ;
a filtration section is formed as a fuel filtration apparatus at an outer
circumference of the motor housing ;
a pump side connecting flow path that connects an interior of the pump section
to an interior of the motor section is provided in a vicinity of a mounting section of the
bracket member and the motor housing ; and
a filtration side connecting flow path that connects the motor section and the
filtration section is provided in the motor housing, wherein
the fuel that is taken in from the intake aperture flows from the pump section
along the pump side connecting flow path and into the motor section, and after the fuel
has flowed along the filtration side connecting flow path and into the filtration section it
is discharged to the discharge aperture.
15. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the motor section is formed at one of the bracket members ;
the pump section is formed at another of the bracket members ;
a filtration section is formed as a fuel filtration apparatus at an outer
circumference of the motor housing ;
a pump side connecting flow path that connects an interior of the pump section
to an interior of the motor section is provided in a vicinity of a mounting section of the
bracket member and the motor housing ; and
a filtration side connecting flow path that connects the motor section and the
filtration section is provided in the motor housing, wherein
the fuel that is taken in from the intake aperture flows from the pump section
along the pump side connecting flow path and into the motor section, and after the fuel
has flowed along the filtration side connecting flow path and into the filtration section it
is discharged to the discharge aperture ; and
there is provided a cap member that is inserted in the axial direction of the
motor housing and is fitted therein and that substantially covers a distal end side in the
mounting direction of the motor housing, and that also forms the bearing section ;
a gap that is continuous in at least the radial direction of the motor housing is
provided between the cap member and the pump housing, and a through hole is
provided in a section of the cap member so as to face the gap ; and
the filtration side connecting flow path is formed by the through hole and the
gap.
16. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the motor section is formed at one of the bracket members ;
the pump section is formed at another of the bracket members ;
a filtration section is formed as a fuel filtration apparatus at an outer
circumference of the motor housing ;
a pump side connecting flow path that connects an interior of the pump section
to an interior of the motor section is provided in a vicinity of a mounting section of the
bracket member and the motor housing ;
a filtration side connecting flow path that connects the motor section and the
filtration section is provided in the motor housing ; the fuel that is taken in from the
intake aperture flows from the pump section along the pump side connecting flow path
and into the motor section, and after the fuel has flowed along the filtration side
connecting flow path and into the filtration section it is discharged to the discharge
aperture ; and
the bearing section is provided with an aperture that faces the filtration side
connecting flow path.
17. The fuel pump unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein :
the motor section is formed at one of the bracket members ;
the pump section is formed at another of the bracket members ;
a filtration section is formed as a fuel filtration apparatus at an outer
circumference of the motor housing ;
a pump side connecting flow path that connects an interior of the pump section
to an interior of the motor section is provided in a vicinity of a mounting section of the
bracket member and the motor housing ;
a filtration side connecting flow path that connects the motor section and the
filtration section is provided in the motor housing ;
the fuel that is taken in from the intake aperture flows from the pump section
along the pump side connecting flow path and into the motor section, and after the fuel
has flowed along the filtration side connecting flow path and into the filtration section it
is discharged to the discharge aperture ; and
the cap member is a brush holder in which is placed a brush that is abutted
against a commutator that is provided in the motor rotor.
A fuel pump unit (1) comprises a pump section (P) which takes in and pressure
feeds fuel, and a motor section (M) which has a motor rotor one end of whose rotation
shaft (8a) is fixed to the pump section, the two sections being provided inside a pump
housing (PC) having an intake aperture (3a) and a discharge aperture, and in which a
fuel flow path is formed inside the motor section, wherein
an end side of the rotation shaft of the motor rotor is rotatably supported by a
bracket member (2),
a motor housing (6) that covers the motor rotor in the circumferential direction is
mounted to the bracket member, and
by forming a bearing section (2a) that rotatably supports another end of the
rotation shaft in the motor housing, the motor section is supported by the bracket
member and not by the pump housing.

Documents:

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-abstract.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-assignment.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-claims.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-correspondence.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-description (complete).pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-drawings.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-examination report.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-form 1.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-form 18.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-form 3.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-form 5.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-gpa.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

1277-kolnp-2005-granted-specification.pdf


Patent Number 227636
Indian Patent Application Number 1277/KOLNP/2005
PG Journal Number 03/2009
Publication Date 16-Jan-2009
Grant Date 14-Jan-2009
Date of Filing 30-Jun-2005
Name of Patentee MITSUBA CORPORATION
Applicant Address 2681, HIROSAWA-CHO 1-CHOME, KIRYU-SHI GUNMA-KEN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 HOMMA BUNJI 279-8, GODO-CHO, OTA-SHI, GUNMA-KEN
2 ITO KATSUTOSHI 1002-2, LIZUKA-CHO, OTA-SHI, GUNMA-KEN
PCT International Classification Number F02M 37/08
PCT International Application Number PCT/JP2004/000251
PCT International Filing date 2004-01-15
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 2003-008317 2003-01-16 Japan