FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present subject matter described herein, relates to a fuel delivery module for vehicles and, in particularly, to a reservoir-less fuel delivery module with integrated type suction side filter fuel pump structure with height adjuster. More particularly, to fuel delivery module to maintain dead volume inside fuel tank in all conditions like expansion and contraction.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] In automobile, there are two types of fuel delivery module, such as reservoir-less fuel delivery module and fuel delivery module with integrated reservoir. Both of these fuel delivery modules are mounted inside fuel tank of the vehicle. Each fuel delivery module has its own structure and construction.
[003] The reservoir-less fuel delivery modules overhang inside the fuel tank. When the reservoir-less fuel delivery module is coupled with upper side of the fuel tank, it does not touch bottom of the fuel tank. Therefore, there is need to maintain a dead volume of fuel in the fuel tank to maintain fuel to air ratio inside the fuel tank. In the heat expansion condition, the fuel tank expands which increases the dimensions of bottom side and upper side of the fuel tank, due to increase in dimensions of the fuel tank dead volume also increases. Due to increase in dead volume, the usable volume of the fuel in the fuel tank decreases which thereby reduces the mileage of the vehicle. In the contraction condition, the fuel tank shrinks which causes the fuel pump to suck the dead volume fuel and it affects the minimum fuel to air ratio which needs to be maintained inside the fuel tank, such that in case of any spark inside the fuel tank there is no fire. However, due to decrease in dead volume fuel, the fuel to air ratio is not maintained to prevent fire in case of any spark inside the fuel tank. Moreover, the bottom side of the fuel tank strikes with fuel filter of the fuel delivery module which obstruct working of the fuel filter. During contraction condition, the fuel filter rubs with the bottom side which damages the fuel filter and decreases its efficiency to filter the fuel.
[004] The fuel filter rubs with bottom side of the fuel tank during expansion and compression conditions. Even during the vehicle running conditions, the fuel filter of the fuel delivery modules rub against the bottom side which decreases life of the fuel filter and increases the service cost of the fuel delivery module.
[005] In the existing reservoir-less fuel delivery modules, dead fuel volume and service cost is a technical problem along with stability of the fuel pump in the fuel tank.
[006] Therefore, there is a need in the art to modify the structure of the fuel delivery module in the fuel tank to maintain the fuel dead volume in all conditions and avoid touching of bottom side of the fuel tank with the fuel filter.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[007] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a fuel delivery module with height adjuster.
[008] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a reservoir-less fuel delivery module with height adjuster and suction side filter type fuel pump structure.
[009] Another object of the present subject matter is to maintain dead fuel volume in the reservoir-less type fuel delivery module.
[0010] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide upper and bottom support to hanging reservoir-less fuel delivery module.
[0011] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a reservoir-less fuel delivery module which is cost efficient, easy to manufacture and provides structural rigidity in fuel tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0012] The present subject matter disclosed herein relates to a reservoir-less fuel delivery module for a vehicle. The reservoir-less fuel delivery module is mounted inside the fuel tank. The reservoir-less fuel delivery module comprises a lid or flange or cover provided to be mounted to an opening in the fuel tank and a cylindrical pump housing having a concentric hollow cylinder to hold a fuel pump motor to supply fuel to the combustion cylinder. Further, the reservoir-less fuel delivery module comprises at least two guide rods with spring provided to couple the cylindrical pump housing with the lid or flange or cover, to adjust height of the cylindrical pump housing during expansion and contraction condition of the fuel tank. Furthermore, bottom portion of the cylindrical pump housing rests on bottom surface of the fuel tank.
[0013] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the reservoir-less fuel delivery module comprises a lid or flange or cover provided to be mounted to an opening in the fuel tank and a cylindrical pump housing having a concentric hollow cylinder to hold a fuel pump motor to supply fuel to the combustion cylinder. Further, the reservoir-less fuel delivery module comprises at least two guide rods with spring provided to couple the fuel pump with the lid or flange or cover to adjust height of the fuel pump motor with the integrated fuel filter during expansion and contraction condition of the fuel tank. Furthermore, bottom portion of the cylindrical pump housing always rests on bottom surface of the fuel tank.
[0014] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0016] Fig. 1 illustrates structure of reservoir-less fuel delivery module, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0017] Fig. 2a, 2b, and 2c illustrate parts of the reservoir-less fuel delivery module, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0018] Fig. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate position of the reservoir-less fuel delivery module with respect to top and bottom inner surface of the fuel tank, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0019] Figure 6 illustrate another embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0020] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0021] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0022] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0023] The fuel delivery modules, generally, positioned inside fuel tank to suck and filter fuel and transfer the filtered fuel to combustion engine. The fuel delivery module can be reservoir type or reservoir-less type. The present subject matter describes the fuel delivery module of reservoir-less type.
[0024] Referring to figure 1 and figure 2a, which illustrates structure of reservoir-less fuel delivery module 100 of vehicle. The reservoir-less fuel delivery module 100 includes a lid or flange 101 which is mounted to an opening in fuel tank of the vehicle. The opening in the fuel tank can be circular accordingly the lid 101 can be in circular shape. Further, shape of the lid 101 depends on the shape of the opening in the fuel tank. The reservoir-less fuel delivery module 100 further comprises a cylindrical pump housing 107 which is coupled with the lid 101 by at least two guide rods 104 having spring 103 for up and down motion to adjust height of the cylindrical pump housing 107. In the coupling, one end of the at least two guide rods 104 is connected to the lid 101 and other end are movably coupled with the cylindrical pump housing 107 to allow up and down motion. The at least two guide rods 104 are coupled with the cylindrical pump housing 107 via O ring or clip to allow up and down motion of the cylindrical pump housing 107. The at least two guide rods 104 are locked with the cylindrical pump housing 107 at longitudinal distance along length of the at least two guide rods 104. The spring 103 allows movement and adjusts the height of the cylindrical pump housing 107.
[0025] Referring to figure 2a, the cylindrical pump housing 107 has an upper portion 107a and a bottom portion 107b. The upper portion 107a connected with the at least two guide rods 104 and the spring 103 whereas the bottom portion 107b rests on bottom surface 202 of the fuel tank 200 as shown in the figure 3. The bottom portion 107b has a plurality of openings 109 to allow passage of fuel in the cylindrical pump housing 107.
[0026] Referring to figure 1, 2a, 2c, and 3, the cylindrical pump housing 107 defines a concentric hollow cylinder 108 having diameter ‘w’ smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical pump housing 107 and holds a fuel pump 106. Further, height ‘h1’ of the hollow cylinder 108 is smaller than height ‘H’ of the cylindrical pump housing 107. The cylindrical pump housing 107 has a plurality of concentric ribs 107c extending from inner surface 107d to outer surface 108a of the hollow cylinder 108. As shown in the figure 2c, the plurality of concentric ribs 107c provides support to the hollow cylinder 108 and connects the hollow cylinder 108 with the cylindrical pump housing 107. The plurality of concentric ribs 107c are angularly spaced apart from each other on inner circular surface 107d of the cylindrical pump housing 107.
[0027] Referring to figure 2a, the fuel pump 106 is coupled with the hollow cylinder 108 by means of interference fit or by means of snap fitting. Referring to figure 2b and 2c, inlet 106a of the fuel pump 106 is coupled with the fuel filter 110 and outlet 106b is coupled to pump outlet pipe 105. The fuel filter 110 is provided at bottom end of the fuel pump 106 to filter fuel entering the fuel pump 106.
[0028] Referring to figure 1, the pump outlet pipe 105 is flexible pipe which can be adjusted along with up and down vertical movement of the cylindrical pump housing 107.
[0029] Referring to figure 3, the fuel filter 110 is provided at the bottom portion 107b of the cylindrical pump housing 107 at a vertical distance ‘h2’ above the bottom surface 202 of the fuel tank 200 to avoid direct contact of the fuel filter 110 with the bottom. Further, the vertical distance ‘h2’ remains constant in all conditions, such as expansion and contraction. The vertical distance ‘h2’ of the fuel filter 110 with the bottom surface 202 remain constant due to adjustable cylindrical pump housing 107. Further, position of the fuel filter 110 is also fix with the cylindrical pump hosing 107.
[0030] Height adjustment of the fuel delivery module 100 is explained in the figures 3, 4, and 5.
[0031] Figure 3 illustrates expansion condition of the fuel delivery module 100. In present reservoir-less fuel delivery module 100, the cylindrical pump housing 107 moves up and down due to the at least two guide rods 104 and the spring 103 arrangement. In the expansion condition, the bottom surface 202 and the upper surface 201 of the fuel tank 200 expand which causes the cylindrical pump housing 107 to expand due to rod and spring mechanism and remains in contact with bottom surface 202 of the fuel tank 200. When the bottom portion 107b of the cylindrical housing 107 remains in contact with the bottom surface 202 of the fuel tank 200, the fuel filter 100 always remain in contact with the dead volume fuel. Therefore, there is no cut in fuel supply when there is expansion in the fuel tank 200. In the expansion condition, the cylindrical pump housing 107 expand by a distance ‘D1’ to retain contact of the bottom portion 107b with the bottom surface 202 of the fuel tank 200.
[0032] Figure 4 illustrates the normal condition of the fuel delivery module 100 in the fuel tank. In the normal condition when there is no expansion and contraction, the fuel delivery module 100 remain in normal condition without any expansion or compression in the rod and spring. In the normal condition also, the bottom portion 107b of the cylindrical pump housing 107 remain in contact with the bottom surface 202 of the fuel tank 200 to maintain dead volume of the fuel.
[0033] Figure 5 illustrates contraction condition of the fuel delivery module 100 in the fuel tank 200. In the contraction condition, the bottom surface 202 and the upper surface 201 of the fuel tank 200 contract/compress which causes the cylindrical pump housing 107 to contract due to rod and spring mechanism and remains in contact with bottom surface 202 of the fuel tank 200. When the bottom portion 107b of the cylindrical housing 107 remains in contact with the bottom surface 202 of the fuel tank 200, the fuel filter 100 always remain in contact with the dead volume fuel. Therefore, there is no cut in fuel supply even when there is contraction in the fuel tank 200. In the contraction condition, the cylindrical pump housing 107 compress by a distance ‘D2’ to remain in contact with the bottom surface 202 of the fuel tank 200.
[0034] Referring to figure 6 which illustrates another embodiment of the present subject matter. In this reservoir-less fuel delivery module 300, at least two guide rods 304 and spring 305 are slidably coupled with fuel pump 303 instead of cylindrical pump housing 302 as explained in figure 1-5. In the present construction, the cylindrical pump housing 302 rests on bottom surface 202 of the fuel tank 200. The fuel pump 303 is coupled with the fuel outlet pipe and the fuel filter 306 at the bottom. The cylindrical pump housing 302 always remain in contact with the fuel tank bottom. During expansion and contraction of the fuel tank 200, the fuel pump 303 moves/slide up and down to maintain the dead volume of the fuel in the fuel tank. In the present construction, the cylindrical pump housing 302 remains stationary in all condition where the fuel pump 303 moves up and down in contraction and expansion condition respectively. The fuel filter 306 provided at bottom of the fuel pump 303 to filter fuel entering the fuel pump 303. The fuel filter 303 moves along with the fuel pump 303 inside the cylindrical pump housing 302. Further, construction of cylindrical pump housing 302 is same as explained in figure 1-2.
[0035] The term “vehicle” or “automobile” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants or goods and is powered by any form of energy. The term “vehicle” is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.
[0036] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0037] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
[0038] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:

1. A reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (100) for a fuel tank (200) of a vehicle, the reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (100) comprising:
a lid (101) provided to be mounted to an opening in the fuel tank (200);
a cylindrical pump housing (107);
at least two guide rods (104) with spring (103) provided to couple the cylindrical pump housing (107) with the lid (101) to adjust height of the cylindrical pump housing (107);
characterized in that
wherein bottom portion (107b) of the cylindrical pump housing (107) rests on bottom surface (202) of the fuel tank (200);
a plurality of openings (109) defined at the bottom portion (107b) of the cylindrical pump housing (107) to allow passage of fuel in the cylindrical pump housing (107).

2. The reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a hollow cylinder (108) is defined inside the cylindrical pump housing (107) with diameter (w), wherein height (h1) of the hollow cylinder (108) is less than height (H) of the cylindrical pump housing (107).
3. The reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of concentric ribs (107c) extending from inner surface (107d) of the cylindrical pump housing (107) to outer surface (108a) of the hollow cylinder (108), wherein the plurality of concentric ribs (107c) is angular spaced apart from each other.
4. The reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hollow cylinder (108) defined to receive a fuel pump (106), wherein an inlet of the fuel pump (106) is connected to a fuel filter (110) and outlet of the fuel pump (106b) is coupled to pump outlet pipe (105).
5. The reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pump outlet pipe (105) is flexible to adjust with up and down motion of the cylindrical pump housing (107).
6. The reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fuel filter (110) provided at bottom of the fuel pump (106) to filter fuel entering the fuel pump (106), wherein the fuel filter (110) is provided at vertical distance (h2) above the bottom surface (202) of the fuel tank (200).
7. The reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fuel pump (106) is coupled with the cylindrical pump housing (107) by means of interference fitting.
8. The reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fuel pump (106) is coupled with the cylindrical pump housing (107) by means of snap fitting.
9. The reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the at least two guide rods (104) is mounted with inner surface of the lid (101) and other end is mounted with the cylindrical pump housing (107).
10. A reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (300) for a fuel tank (200) of a vehicle, the fuel delivery module (100) comprising:
a lid (301) provided to be mounted to an opening in the fuel tank (200);
a fuel pump (303) is slidably fitted in a cylindrical pump housing (302), wherein bottom portion of the cylindrical pump housing (302) rests on bottom surface (202) of the fuel tank (200);
characterized in that
at least two guide rods (304) with spring (305) provided to couple the fuel pump (303) with the lid (301) to adjust height of the fuel pump (303) during contraction and expansion; and
a plurality of openings (307) defined at the bottom portion of the cylindrical pump housing (302) to allow passage of fuel in the cylindrical pump housing (302).

11. The reservoir-less type fuel delivery module (300) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fuel filter (306) provided at bottom of the fuel pump (303) to filter fuel entering the fuel pump (303), wherein the fuel filter (306) moves along with the fuel pump (303) inside the cylindrical pump housing (302).