Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a Fuel Supply Module (FSM) for a vehicle and method for assembling the FSM.

Background of the invention:
[0002] In the existing designs of the Fuel Supply Module (FSM), there is limited modularity of offering off-the-shelf product which can cater the customer requesting angle between feed port and Fuel Level Sensor (FLS). The angle was achieved by orienting top assembly and entire bottom assembly by guiding flange and guide rod (fixed pitch distance) sub assembly into alternative holes in pump holder of fuel supply module with three minimum three flexible tube routing also to be proved in all the working conditions.

[0003] According to a prior art KR100773373 a fuel supply module exchanging multiplicity fuel tank is disclosed. The fuel supply module compatible with other fuel tank with different shape is provided to manufacture basic construction compatible with various fuel tanks in low costs by allowing the basic construction to be compatible with various fuel tanks by simple change or assembly of components. The fuel supply module compatible with other fuel tank with different shape comprises a basic shape forming unit and an installation forming unit with a reserve cup type. The basic shape forming unit is installed with a fuel pump inside a fuel filter, and installed in a lower part of the fuel filter with a pressure controller for returning some of fuel transferred by the fuel pump and a jet pump connected to the pressure controller. The installation forming unit with the reserve cup type is consisted of a reserve cup coupled to an outer surface of the fuel filter, a plate installed with a fuel feeding line and a sender transferring remained fuel information to a gauge board.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a Fuel Supply Module (FSM) for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates the holder and flange of the FSM, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates the reservoir of the FSM, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates the cut-out of the reservoir, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0009] Fig. 5 illustrates a method for assembling the FSM, according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates a Fuel Supply Module (FSM) for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The FSM 100 comprises a reservoir 102 in the tank (not shown) having a base plate 302 (shown in Fig. 3) comprising an interface 304 for a jet pump 202, a holder 108 fixed inside the reservoir 102 to hold a fuel pump 114 and other components known in the art. An inlet of the fuel pump 114 is fit with a filter 204, an outlet of the fuel pump 114 coupled to a feed port 206 in a flange 208 to supply fuel to an engine. The outlet of the pump 114 is also coupled to an inlet of the jet pump 202. A Fuel Level Sensor (FLS) 106 is also provided to measure fuel level in the tank, characterized in that, the reservoir 102 and the holder 108 are interlocked with each other in a modular manner. The holder 108 comprises pockets and body to hold multiple components together such as fuel pump 114, tubes etc.

[0011] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir 102 and the holder 108 are interlocked in the modular manner which facilitates plurality positions between the FLS 106 and the feed port 206.

[0012] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, an inner side surface of the reservoir 102 comprises a plurality of longitudinal grooves 306, and an outer surface of the holder 108 comprises a plurality of longitudinal indents 110 (shown in Fig. 2). The plurality of longitudinal indents 110 is designed to mate with the plurality of longitudinal grooves 306 to effect the interlocking. In an embodiment, the at least two of the longitudinal indents 110 mate with corresponding at least two longitudinal grooves 306. The number of longitudinal grooves 306 and the longitudinal indents 110 are provided as per the requirement and not limited to two as described above. In an embodiment, the plurality of longitudinal grooves 306 are provided at lower peripheral end of said inner surface of the reservoir 102. In another embodiment, the plurality of longitudinal grooves 306 are provided at an intermediate level on the inner side surface of the reservoir 102 which is at any position between the two edge of the top peripheral edge and the bottom edge of the holder 108.

[0013] Fig. 2 illustrates the holder and flange of the FSM, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The FSM 100 clearly depicts the longitudinal indents 110 on the holder 108 without the reservoir 102. The longitudinal indents 110 are also referred to as columns which protrude out from the external side surface of the holder 108. Further, the flange 208 is shown which is used to mount the FSM 100 inside the fuel tank of the vehicle. The flange 208 comprises different ports, such as the feed port 206, return port, power connectors and the like. The fuel is supplied to the engine through the feed port 206, whereas the excess fuel is returned back to the tank through the return port. Further, internally, different tubes, connecting pipes are shown which are state of the art. The jet pump 202 is shown mounted at the bottom and surrounded by the filter 204. The inlet of the jet pump 202 is fluidly coupled to split outlet of the fuel pump 114, and an outlet of the jet pump 202 is provided inside the reservoir 102.

[0014] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of longitudinal indents 110 are designed between the two edges of the holder 108. In addition, the longitudinal indents 110 are provided at the other peripheral end which is towards the flange 208. The longitudinal indents 110 at the other peripheral end (or top peripheral end) helps in arresting the rotational movement.

[0015] Fig. 3 illustrates the reservoir of the FSM, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reservoir 102 comprises plurality of longitudinal grooves 306 at the bottom peripheral region on the inner side surface of the reservoir 102. The longitudinal grooves 306 are formed by the multiple protrusions 104 formed on the inner surface of the reservoir 102. The longitudinal indents 110 are designed to slide into the longitudinal grooves 306 for assembly. The FLS 106 is positioned/mounted over the reservoir 102, and thus the reservoir 102 and the FLS 106 form a sub-assembly and the holder 108 with the flange 208 forms the other assembly. Both the assemblies are positioned as per requirement for final orientation. The width of the longitudinal groove 306 is defined as per requirement. Similarly, the width of the longitudinal indent 110 is defined as per the requirement.

[0016] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the interface 304 of the jet pump 202 is provided at the center of the base plate 302 of the reservoir 102. The interface 304 is profile projecting from the center/middle of the base plate 302 with a cut-out to place the nozzle of the jet pump 202. The interface 304 at the center of the base plate 302 of the reservoir 102 enables the modularity. Because of the centrally located interface 304, the reservoir 102 and the holder 108 are rotatable around a central axis and thus can be positioned in different manners to provide different arrangement of the ports at the flange 208 and the FLS 106.

[0017] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the reservoir 102 comprises at least one snap tensioner 112 to arrest vertical movement of the holder 108 once assembled inside the reservoir 102. The snap tensioner 112 gets pressed when the holder 108 is moved inside the reservoir 102. The snap tensioner 112 gets back to default state when the holder 108 is moved down to the extreme position in the reservoir 102. Thus, the vertical movement degree of freedom of the holder 108 is arrested (after holder 108 is locked in the reservoir 102) by force assembly of holder 108 into new positive snap tensioner 112/ snap lock geometry in the reservoir 102. Any movements of structural components are frozen by this lock.

[0018] Fig. 4 illustrates the cut-out of the reservoir, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cut-out of the reservoir 102 also comprises a portion of the holder 108. A mounting location 402 of the fuel pump 114 is shown which adjacent to the centrally located jet pump 202. The filter 204 is positioned around the jet pump 202. The base plate 302 of the reservoir 102 is also marked for clarity in understanding.

[0019] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the FSM 100 is usable in vehicles comprising a two wheeler such as a motorcycle, scooter, a three-wheeler such as an auto-rickshaw, a four-wheeler such as car, and other vehicles such as trucks, buses, off road vehicles etc.

[0020] According to the present invention, a working of the FSM 100 is explained. Consider the FSM 100 is requested by two customers (such as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)) but with different orientation of the FLS 106 and the ports. In order to meet the requirements of the customer, the FSM 100 of the present invention facilitates the assembly in two different manners. In a first case, the reservoir 102 and the holder 108 are positioned as per the requirement of the first customer, and then assembled by interlocking the respective longitudinal grooves 306 with the longitudinal indents 110. Similarly, in a second case, the reservoir 102 and the holder 108 are positioned as per the requirement of the second customer, and then moved relative to each other and assembled. In the first case, the FLS 106 and the feed ports 206 are in opposite sides of the FSM 100. In the second case, the FLS 106 and the feed ports 206 are at an angle or same side. This example is just for understanding and clarity purpose and must not be understood in limiting manner.

[0021] Fig. 5 illustrates a method for assembling the FSM, according to the present invention. The FSM 100 comprises the reservoir 102 and the holder 108. The method is characterized by plurality of steps of which a step 502 comprises positioning the reservoir 102 and the holder 108 such that the holder 108 is inside the reservoir 102. In other words, either the reservoir 102 is moved in relation to and over the stationary holder 108 or the holder 108 is moved in relation to and inside the stationary reservoir 102. In yet another embodiment, both the reservoir 102 and the holder 108 are moved relative to each other for assembly. A step 504 comprises mating the plurality of longitudinal grooves 306 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the reservoir 102 with the plurality of longitudinal indents 110 provide on the outer surface of the holder 108. A step 506 comprises pressing any one of the reservoir 102 and the holder 108 against each other to trigger a snap tensioner 112/ snap lock provided on the inner surface of the reservoir 102, thereby interlocking and assembling the reservoir 102 with the holder 108 of the FSM 100.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the routing of the corrugated tube is not disturbed or affected. A unique pump holder 108 with jet pump interface 304 and feed port 206 with check valve integrated is obtained and two flexible tube routing is reduced. Specifically, only one moving components as feed corrugated tube is obtained which otherwise has more than one corrugated tubes. The FSM 100 also provides detaching the reservoir 102 with FLS 106 as a sub assembly to locate in multiple possible orientations with respect to the holder 108 and achieving customer intended angle between feed port 206 and FLS 106. The FSM 100 provides more modularity to offer same design to multiple customers with different angles requirements, thus saving the development cost. Due to positioning the jet pump 202 at the interface 304 at the middle of the reservoir 102, the advantage of cylindrical radial O-ring seal interface in the center of the holder 108 is gained.

[0023] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A Fuel Supply Module (FSM) (100) for a vehicle, said FSM (100) comprises:
a reservoir (102) in said tank having a base plate (302) comprising an interface (304) for a jet pump (202);
a holder (108) fixed inside said reservoir (102) to hold a fuel pump (114), an inlet of said fuel pump (114) is fit with a filter (204), an outlet of said fuel pump (114) coupled to a feed port (206) in a flange (208) to supply fuel to said engine, said outlet also coupled to an inlet of said jet pump (202), and
a Fuel Level Sensor (FLS) (106) to measure fuel level in said tank, characterized in that,
said reservoir (102) and said holder (108) are interlocked with each other in a modular manner.

2. The FSM (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said modular manner enables plurality of positioning between said FLS (106) and said feed port (206).

3. The FSM (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner surface of said reservoir (102) comprises plurality of longitudinal grooves (306), and an outer surface of said holder (108) comprises plurality of longitudinal indents (110), wherein said plurality of longitudinal indents (110) is designed to mate with said plurality of longitudinal grooves (306) to effect said interlocking.

4. The FSM (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least two of said longitudinal indents (110) mate with corresponding at least two longitudinal grooves (306).

5. The FSM (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said plurality of longitudinal grooves (306) are provided at lower peripheral end of said reservoir (102).

6. The FSM (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interface (304) for said jet pump (202) is provided at the center of said base plate (302) of said reservoir (102).

7. The FSM (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said FLS (106) is positioned on said reservoir (102).

8. The FSM (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner surface of said reservoir (102) comprises at least one snap tensioner (112) to arrest vertical movement of said holder (108) once locked inside said reservoir (102).

9. A method for assembling a Fuel Supply Module (FSM) (100), said FSM (100) comprises a reservoir (102) and a holder (108), characterized by, said method comprising the steps of:
positioning said reservoir (102) and said holder (108) such that said holder (108) is inside said reservoir (102), and
mating a plurality of longitudinal grooves (306) provided on an inner side surface of said reservoir (102) with a plurality of longitudinal indents (110) provided on an outer surface of said holder (108).

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 further comprises pressing any one of said reservoir (102) and said holder (108) against the other to trigger a snap tensioner (112) provided on said inner side surface of said reservoir (102), thereby interlocking and assembling said reservoir (102) with said holder (108) of said FSM (100).