Fuel feed apparatus having cooling structure

Abstract

A resinous lid member is constructed of a flange, a lower case, an upper case and a cover. The lower case is connected with the upper case, so that a cooling passage is formed. Fuel is discharged from a fuel pump into the cooling passage through a discharge pipe of a filter case, a flexible pipe and an inlet pipe. The cover covers the opening of the upper case, so that the cover forms a receiving chamber with the upper case to receive a circuit portion that generates heat. The receiving chamber has an air outlet port which is connected with an intake manifold of an engine. The engine is operated, and negative pressure is generated in the intake manifold, so that air flows from an air inlet port, which is opened to the air, to the air outlet port through the receiving chamber, so that the air flow cools the control circuit received in the receiving chamber.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and incorporates herein by reference Japanese Patent Applications No. 2003-378352 filed on Nov. 7, 2003 and No. 2004-223316 filed on Jul. 30, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fuel feed apparatus that supplies fuel from a fuel pump received in a fuel tank to the outside of the fuel tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to JP-B2-H6-43834 and JP-A-2001-214826, a fuel pump is provided in a fuel tank, and a control circuit is provided to a lid member covering an opening of the fuel tank for controlling electric power supplied to the fuel pump. As shown in JP-B2-H6-43834, a control circuit is provided on an atmospheric side of a metallic cover that covers an opening of the fuel tank, so that a fuel accumulator is formed in the metallic cover on the side of the fuel tank. The fuel accumulator has fins that are integrally provided to the metallic cover, and fuel returned into the fuel tank flows through the fuel accumulator to cool the fins, so that the control circuit provided to the metallic cover is cooled.

In a fuel feed apparatus disclosed JP-A-2001-214826, a FPC (fuel pump controller) unit is screwed onto a lid member.

However, in the fuel feed apparatus disclosed in JP-B2-H6-43834, the cover that covers the opening of the fuel tank is formed of metal. Accordingly, the fuel accumulator needs to be connected with the metallic cover, and a pipe needs to be connected with the fuel accumulator to return fuel into the fuel accumulator. Besides, a cooling structure of the fuel accumulator such as a fin is difficult to be formed in the metallic cover. Accordingly, it is difficult to enhance cooling performance for the control circuit. In this structure, the control circuit is indirectly cooled via a thermal conductive member, and the cooling structure for the control circuit becomes complicated. Besides, fuel is supplied to a fuel consuming device such as an engine. Surplus fuel, which is not consumed in the fuel consuming device, is returned, and the surplus fuel is used for cooling the control circuit. Accordingly, when an amount of fuel consumed in the fuel consuming device increases, an amount of surplus fuel decreases, and the control circuit may not be sufficiently cooled by surplus fuel.

In the fuel feed apparatus disclosed in JP-A-2001-214826, a connecting member such as a screw is used for mounting the FPC unit onto the lid member. As a result, a number of total components of the FPC unit and the lid member increases. Working process and cost needed for mounting the FPC unit onto the lid member increases, and the device constructed of the FPC unit and the lid member may be jumboized, and weight of the device may be increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing problems, it is an object of the present invention to produce a fuel feed apparatus, in which a cooling structure for a circuit can be easily formed on a lid member. It is another object of the present invention to produce a fuel feed apparatus, in which an amount of fuel cooling the circuit can be constantly maintained. Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention to produce a fuel feed apparatus, in which an assembly work and manufacturing cost needed for mounting a control portion onto a lid member can be reduced, and a structure constructed of the control portion and the lid member can be downsized.

According to the present invention, a fuel feed apparatus supplies fuel received in a fuel tank to a fuel consuming device, such as an engine located in the outside of the fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus includes a lid member, an electric fuel pump and a circuit portion. The lid member covers an opening formed in the fuel tank.

The electric fuel pump is received in the fuel tank to pump fuel received in the fuel tank. The circuit portion is provided to the lid member, the circuit portion controls electric power supplied to the fuel pump. The lid member is formed of a resinous material. The lid member internally forms a cooling passage through which fluid, such as fuel flows. The circuit portion is cooled by fluid flowing through the cooling passage via a partition wall. The lid member has a receiving chamber that receives the circuit portion. The lid member has an air inlet port and an air outlet port that communicate with the receiving chamber to generate airflow in the receiving chamber for cooling the circuit portion. Fuel flows from a pressurizing portion of the fuel pump to a fuel consuming device through the cooling passage.

Alternatively, the fuel pump has a vent hole that partially introduces fuel intermediately pressurized in the fuel pump. Fuel is introduced from the vent hole to the cooling passage of the lid member. The circuit portion is cooled by fuel flowing through the cooling passage via a partition wall.

Besides, the lid member includes a pump terminal that is electrically connected with the fuel pump. A control portion is provided to the lid member. The control portion includes a connecting terminal. The control portion is snap fitted to the lid member, so that the connecting terminal of the control portion is electrically connected with the pump terminal of the lid member to control electric power supplied to the fuel pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional top view showing a fuel feed apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a partially cross-sectional side view showing the fuel feed apparatus from the arrow IB in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional side view showing the fuel feed apparatus and a jet pump according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional side view showing a fuel pump according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view showing a receiving chamber of the fuel feed apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the receiving chamber according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view showing the receiving chamber from the arrow VI in FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view showing the receiving chamber from the arrow VII in FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional top view showing a fuel feed apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a partially cross-sectional side view showing the fuel feed apparatus from the arrow VIIIB in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional top view showing a fuel feed apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a partially cross-sectional side view showing the fuel feed apparatus from the arrow IXB in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 is a top view showing a lid member of the fuel feed apparatus according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional top view showing a control portion of the fuel feed apparatus according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view showing a connecting portion of the fuel feed apparatus according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional top view showing a fuel feed apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13B is a partially cross-sectional side view showing the fuel feed apparatus from the arrow XIIIB in FIG. 13A; and

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional top view showing a fuel feed apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14B is a partially cross-sectional side view showing the fuel feed apparatus from the arrow XIVB in FIG. 14A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a fuel feed apparatus 10 is provided to a vehicular fuel tank 1 to feed fuel received in the fuel tank 1 to an external fuel consuming device 500 such as an engine that is located in the outside of the fuel tank 1. The fuel feed apparatus 10 has a lid member 12 that covers an opening la formed in the fuel tank 1. The lid member 12 is formed of resin such as POM (polyacetal). The lid member 12 is constructed of a flange 13, a lower case 60, an upper case 70 and a cover 90. The flange 13, the lower case 60, the upper case 70 and the cover 90 are connected with each other by welding or the like. Components of the fuel feed apparatus 10 excluding the flange 13, the lower case 60, the upper case 70 and the cover 90 are received in a fuel tank 1.

One ends of the shafts 14 are press-inserted into the flange 13, and the other ends of the shafts 14 are loosely inserted into insertion portions (not shown) formed in a resinous sub tank 20. One of the shafts 14 has a ring 17 that hooks to one end of a spring 16. One of the insertion portion of the sub tank 20 hooks the other end of the spring 16. Thus, the flange 13 and the sub tank 20 receiving a pump module 30 can be displaced with respect to each other in the vertical direction of the flange 13.

When internal pressure of the fuel tank 1 is changed due to variation of temperature or variation of an amount of fuel received in the fuel tank 1, the fuel tank 1 receiving the fuel feed apparatus 10 may expand or shrink. Even in this situation, the bottom portion of the sub tank 20 can be constantly urged onto the internal bottom wall of the fuel tank 1 by the spring 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, an inlet port 22 is formed in a bottom portion of the sub tank 20 to introduce fuel received in the fuel tank 1 into the sub tank 20. The lid member 12 is not shown in FIG. 2. The jet pump 24 is provided to the inlet port 22 of the sub tank 20. A check valve 23 is provided on a downstream of the inlet port 22 for restricting fuel received in the sub tank 20 from flowing to the outside of the sub tank 20 through the inlet port 22.

A jet pump 24 and a fuel pump 32 of the pump module 30 are connected with each other via two flexible nylon tubes 26 and a resinous connecting member 27 that connects the flexible nylon tubes 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, an impellor 35 is received in a pressurizing portion 34 of the fuel pump 32 received in the pump module 30. The impellor 35 rotates, and fuel is drawn through the suction filter 36, so that the fuel is pressurized in a pressurizing passage 300 formed along the outer circumferential periphery of the impellor 35. A vent hole 302 is formed in an intermediate portion of the pressurizing passage 300. Referring back to FIG. 2, the nylon tube 26 is connected with the vent hole 302 via a connecting member 28. The fuel pressurized in the pressurizing passage 300 of the fuel pump 32 is partially supplied to the jet pump 24 after passing through the vent hole 302, the connecting member 28, the nylon tube 26, the connecting member 27 and the nylon tube 26. The fuel supplied to the jet pump 24 is discharged to the inlet port 22 from a jet nozzle 25. The position of the vent hole 302 formed in the pressurizing passage 300 of the fuel pump 32 can be adjusted in its rotative direction (radial direction), so that pressure of fuel supplied from the fuel pump 32 to the jet pump 32 can be adjusted. Intermediately pressurized fuel is supplied from the vent hole 302 to the jet pump 24. Besides, gas remaining in the pressurizing passage 300 can be vent through the vent hole 302 when the fuel pump 24 is started.

Fuel is discharged from the pressurizing portion 34 of the fuel pump 32, and the fuel is introduced to the jet pump 24 through a passage that is bent in the vicinity of the upper end of a sidewall 21 of the sub tank 20. The connecting member 27 fits to the upper end of the sidewall 21 in which the passage is bent. A vent hole 27a is formed in the connecting member 27, and the vent hole 27a is located inside of the circumferential periphery of the sub tank 20.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the pump module 30 is received in the sub tank 20. The pump module 30 is constructed of the fuel pump 32, the suction filter 36, a fuel filter 40 and a pressure regulator 50. The suction filter 36 removes foreign materials included in fuel drawn from the sub tank 20 by the fuel pump 32. The fuel filter 40 includes a filter case 42 that receives a filter element 44. The fuel filter 40 circumferentially surrounds the fuel pump 32. The filter element 44 of the fuel filter 40 removes foreign materials included in fuel discharged from the fuel pump 32. A discharge pipe 46 is formed in the bottom portion of the filter case 42. Fuel passes through the filter element 42, so that foreign material included in the fuel is removed, and the fuel filtered by the filter element 42 is discharged from the discharge pipe 46. The discharge pipe 46 is connected with an inlet pipe 62 formed on the lid member 12 via a flexible pipe 18. An inlet pipe 48 is formed in the vicinity of a bottom portion of the filter case 42. The inlet pipe 48 of the filter case 42 is connected with an outlet pipe 64 formed in the lid member 12 through a flexible pipe 18. Fuel is introduced from the cooling passage 200 into the pressure regulator 50 through the inlet pipe 48, and the fuel is partially exhausted from the pressure regulator 50 into the sub tank 20. Thus, the pressure regulator 50 controls pressure of fuel that is supplied from a discharge pipe 72 formed in the lid member 12 to the outside of the fuel tank 1 after passing through the cooling passage 200.

The pressure regulator 50 is provided to the downstream side of the cooling passage 200. The pressure regulator 50 is arranged on the bottom portion of the filter case 42. The pressure regulator 50 exhausts surplus fuel, which is a part of fuel introduced from the inlet pipe 48, into the sub tank 20.

The inlet pipe 62, the outlet pipe 64 and a connector 66 (FIG. 5) are formed on the lower case 60 of the lid member 12 on the side of the fuel pump 32. The connector 66, the fuel pump 32 and a level sensor (not shown) are electrically connected via lead wires 19. The discharge pipe 72 and a connector 74 are provided to the upper case 70. The lower case 60 and the upper case 70 are connected with each other, so that the cooling passage 200 is internally formed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cooling passage 200 is guided with a passage wall 202, so that the cooling passage 200 turns for three times. That is, the cooling passage 200 internally has three bent passage. The cover 90 covers the upper opening of the upper case 70, so that the cover 90 forms a receiving chamber 210 with the upper case 70.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a partition wall 75 is provided between the cooling passage 200 and the receiving chamber 210. The partition wall 75 is a part of the wall of the cooling passage 200.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A and 1B, fuel is supplied from the discharge pipe 46 of the filter case 42 into the cooling passage 200 through the flexible pipe 18 and the inlet pipe 62. The fuel is supplied from the discharge pipe 72 to the fuel tank 1 after passing through the cooling passage 200.

Referring back to FIG. 4, an air inlet port 76 and an air outlet port 78 are provided on the upper case 70 constructing the lid member 12. The air inlet port 76 and the air outlet port 78 respectively communicate with the receiving chamber 210. The air inlet port 76 can be opened to the air, and the outlet port 78 can be connected to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine with a rubber pipe, for example. In this case, negative pressure is generated in the intake manifold while the engine is operated, so that air flows from the air inlet port 76 to the air outlet port 78 through the receiving chamber 210.

An IC (integrated circuit) 80, a condenser 82 and a coil 84 or the like are received in the receiving chamber 210. The IC (circuit portion) 80 is integrated into one package, and the IC 80 includes a pump control circuit and a level sensor control circuit. The pump control circuit controls electric power supplied to the fuel pump 32. The level sensor control circuit controls the level sensor and processes a detection signal transmitted from the level sensor.

As shown FIG. 6, the lower face of the IC 80 contacts with the partition wall 75, and a fin 86 is connected to the upper face of the IC 80 using glue or the like. The partition wall 75 of the upper case 70 of the lid member 12 is arranged between the cooing passage 200 and the IC 80.

At least the upper case 70 of the lid member 12 is formed of POM containing filler such as grass fiber or ferrite powder to enhance thermal conductivity.

For example, POM containing 25 wt % of grass fiber has thermal conductivity of 0.33 W/m·K. Here simple substance of POM has thermal conductivity of 0.28 W/m·K. Therefore, thermal conductivity of the POM can be enhanced by containing specific filler such as grass fiber.

The upper case 70 is used as an electrical insulator. Accordingly, when filler is contained in resin such as POM forming the upper case 70 in order to enhance thermal conductivity of the resin, the filler has sufficient volume resistance, preferably. Here, simple substance of POM has volume resistance of 10⁸ (10 to the 8th power, 10{circumflex over ( )}8) Ω·cm. Therefore, the filler preferably has volume resistance at least 10⁶ (10 to the 6th power, 10{circumflex over ( )}6) Ω·cm.

When the fuel pump 32 is operated, the IC 80 generates heat while the IC 80 controls electric power supplied to the fuel pump 32. Fuel discharged from the fuel pump 32 flows through the cooling passage 200, so that the IC 80 is cooled via the partition wall 75. Furthermore, the cooling passage 200 is guided with the passage wall 202 (FIG. 5), so that the cooling passage 200 turns for three times. That is, the cooling passage 200 includes three turning paths (bent passage) 200a. Therefore, the internal path of the cooling passage 200 is extended. Thus, contact area between the passage wall 202 constructing the cooling passage 200 and fuel flowing through the cooling passage 200 can be increased, so that the IC 80 can be efficiently cooled by the fuel flow via the partition wall 75. The cooling passage 200 is guided with the passage wall 202 and the cooling passage 200 turns, so that at least one turning path 200a is formed in the cooling passage 200. Therefore, the cooling passage 200 is divided into multiple passages, so that the flow area of each path in the cooling passage 200 becomes small. Therefore, flow speed of fuel flowing through the path of the cooling passage 200 is increased. Fresh fuel is continuously introduced into the cooling passage 200, so that the fresh fuel cools the resinous member constructing the cooling passage 200. Thus, IC 80 contacting with the partition wall 75 can be effectively cooled.

Furthermore, negative pressure is generated in the intake manifold while the engine is operated, so that air flows from the air inlet port 76 to the air outlet port 78 through the receiving chamber 210. Therefore, the IC 80 can be cooled by the airflow in the receiving chamber 210.

The lid member 12 is formed of resin, so that the cooling passage 200 and the receiving chamber 210 can be easily formed in the lid member 12 in order to cool the IC 80. That is, the complicated cooling passage 200 such as the cooling passage including three bent passages can be easily formed in order to enhance cooling efficiency of the IC 80. Specifically, the lid member 12 including the cooling passage 200 and the receiving chamber 210 can be molded using a molding die that has a simple structure. Besides, the cooling passage 200 and the receiving chamber 210 are formed in the openings formed in the lid member 12 on both opposite sides thereof, so that the cooling passage 200 and the receiving chamber 210 can be molded using a simple molding die simultaneously with molding the lid member 12.

Pressure of fuel is controlled using the pressure regulator 50 provided on the down stream side of the cooling passage 200, and surplus fuel is returned into the sub tank 20, so that sufficient amount of fuel can be supplied from the fuel pump 32 to the cooling passage 200 regardless of an amount of fuel consumed in the engine. Therefore, cooling performance of the IC 80 can be enhanced.

Second Embodiment

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a lid member 102 of a fuel feed apparatus 100 covers the opening la of the fuel tank 1. The lid member 102 is formed of a resinous material such as POM (polyacetal). The lid member 102 is constructed of a flange 104, a lower case 110, an upper case 120 and the cover 90. A partition wall 122 is arranged in the upper case 120 between the cooling passage 200 and the receiving chamber 210. Lower face of the IC 80 contacts with the partition wall 122 of the upper case 120.

The discharge pipe 46 formed on the bottom portion of the filter case 42 is connected with an outlet pipe 105 formed in the flange 104 via the flexible pipe 18. The pressure regulator 50 controls pressure of fuel. The fuel controlled in pressure passes through the discharge pipe 46 and the flexible pipe 18, and the fuel is supplied to the engine through the outlet pipe 105 connected with the flexible pipe 18.

The connecting member 28 is connected with the vent hole 302 (FIG. 3) of the fuel pump 32. The connecting member 28 is connected with an inlet pipe 112 formed on the lower case 110 via the nylon tube 26. Thus, fuel intermediately pressurized in the pressurizing passage 300 of the fuel pump 32 is supplied to the cooling passage 200 after passing through the connecting member 28, the nylon tube 26 and the inlet pipe 112, and the fuel is introduced into the jet pump 24 (FIG. 2) after passing through the cooling passage 200.

In the second embodiment, fuel intermediately pressurized in the pressurizing portion 34 of the fuel pump 32 is partially supplied to the cooling passage 200, so that fuel can be sufficiently supplied to the cooling passage 200 needed for cooling the IC 80 via the partition wall 122 regardless of an amount of fuel consumed in the engine.

Besides, pressure of fuel introduced from the vent hole 302 of the fuel pump 32 is lower than pressure of fuel discharged from the fuel pump 32 after completely pressurized in the pressurizing portion 34 of the fuel pump 32. Fuel is introduced into the jet nozzle 25 after passing through the cooling passage 200, and the nozzle hole diameter of the jet nozzle 25 can be properly adjusted. That is, the nozzle hole diameter of the jet nozzle 25 can be properly reduced, so that an amount of fuel supplied from the pressurizing portion 34 of fuel pump 32 to the cooling passage 200 can be controlled. As a result, pressure of fuel supplied to the cooling passage 200 can be set lower than pressure of fuel that is completely pressurized and discharged from the fuel pump 32. Therefore, structural strength of the cooling passage 200 and the nylon tube 26 can be decreased, and wall thickness of the fluid path forming the cooling passage 200 and the nylon tube 26 can be reduced. Besides, a flow amount of fuel supplied to the cooling passage 200 can be reduced compared with a flow amount of fuel discharged from the fuel pump 32. Therefore, the diameter of the cooling passage 200 and the nylon tube 26 can be reduced, so that the total structure of the fuel feed apparatus 100 can be downsized. Here, the reduced portion of the fuel flow is not limited to the jet nozzle 25 in the fuel passage. The reduced portion can be freely arranged in the fuel passage, through which fuel flows from the vent hole 302 of the fuel pump 32, the cooling passage 200 and an outlet portion of the cooling passage 200, to control an amount of fuel supplied from the vent hole 302 to the cooling passage 200.

Third Embodiment

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a lid member 132 of a fuel feed apparatus 130 covers the opening l a of the fuel tank 1. The lid member 132 is formed of a resinous material such as POM (polyacetal).

As shown in FIG. 10, the lid member 132 has a flange 134, a discharge pipe 136, a pump connector 138, a level sensor connector 140, claws 142 constructing a snap fitting structure and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 10, the discharge pipe 46 formed in the bottom portion of the filter case 42 is connected with the discharge pipe 136 formed in the flange 134 via the flexible pipe 18. The fuel pump 32 is electrically connected with the pump connector 138 via the lead wires 19. The level sensor (not shown) is electrically connected with the level sensor connector 140 via the lead wires 19. A control portion 150 is provided to the lid member 132 on the opposite side of the fuel tank 1 with respect to the lid member 132.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control portion 150 includes a square-shaped case 152, connectors 156, 158, a control circuit 160, a coil 162, a condenser 164, a cooling fin 166 (FIG. 9) and the like.

The case 152 is made of resin. The case 152 receives the coil 162 and the condenser 164. The case 152 has window portions 154 on the outer periphery of diagonally opposite corners of the case 152. The window portions 154 of the case 152 are snap-fitted to the claws 142 of the flange 134, so that the lid member 132 is connected to the control portion 150. The connector 156 is electrically connected with the pump connector 138 (FIG. 10) provided to the lid member 132.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, a pump terminal 139 provided to the pump connector 138 is electrically connected with a connecting terminal 157 provided to the connector 156 via a female terminal 170. The female terminal 170 is connected with one of the pump terminal 139 and the connecting terminal 157, in advance. Subsequently, the window portions 154 of the case 152 are connected with the claws 142 of the flange 134, so that the other one of the pump terminal 139 and the connecting terminal 157 is connected with the female terminal 170. Thus, the pump terminal 139 and the connecting terminal 157, which are male terminals, are electrically connected with each other via the female terminal 170. The connector 158 is electrically connected with a harness provided to a vehicle. The control circuit 160 is electrically intermediately positioned between the connector 156 connected with the pump connector 138 and the connector 158 connected with the harness of the vehicle. The cooling fin 166 is connected with the case 152 using glue or the like, so that the cooling fin 166 covers the opening of the case 152.

In the third embodiment, the lid member 132, which covers the opening 1a of the fuel tank 1, and the control portion 150 including the control circuit 160 are snap-fitted with each other. Therefore, additional member need not to be provided for connecting the lid member 132 to the control circuit 160. Thus, the number of the components can be decreased, so that an assembling process, in which the control portion 150 is mounted on the lid member 132, can be reduced. Furthermore, weight of the structure, in which the control portion 150 is mounted on the lid member 132, can be also reduced.

The lid member 132 is snap-fitted to the control portion 150 via a connecting portion, e.g., the claws 142 and the window portions 154. Wall thickness of the connecting portion can be properly adjusted, so that the connecting portion can be broken under a strong impact, such as a collision of the vehicle. In this situation, the control portion 150 can be removed from the lid member 132, so that the flange 134 of the lid member 132 can be restricted from being broken. Thus, fuel can be restricted from leaking through a broken portion of the lid member 132.

In the third embodiment, the cooling fin 166 is provided to the control portion 150 to cool the control circuit 160, so that the control circuit 160 can be cooled with a simple structure.

In the above embodiments, the control circuit supplying electric power to the fuel pump 32 is provided to the lid member covering the opening of the fuel tank. Therefore, when the fuel feed apparatus is mounted on the vehicle, the distance between the control circuit and a radio antenna of the vehicle becomes large. Besides, a metallic vehicular body is located between the control circuit and the radio antenna. As a result, when the control circuit controls electric power supplied to the fuel pump using PWM (pulse with modulation), rectangular wave generated by the PWM control can be sealed by the vehicular metallic body, so that radio noise due to the PWM control can be restricted from generating in the radio antenna.

Fourth Embodiment

As shown in FIGS. 13A, 13B, the structures shown in the first embodiment and the third embodiment can be combined. In this embodiment, the lid member 400 has the cooling passage 200. Fuel flows from the pressurizing portion 34 (FIG. 3) of the fuel pump 32 to the fuel consuming device, such as an engine 500 after passing through the cooling passage 200. The control portion 150 is cooled by fuel flowing through the cooling passage 200 via the partition wall 75.

The control portion 150 includes the connecting terminal 157. The control portion 150 is snap fitted to the lid member 400, so that the connecting terminal 157 of the control portion 150 is electrically connected with the pump terminal 139 of the lid member 400 to control electric power supplied to the fuel pump 32 as shown in FIG. 12. The control portion 150 has the cooling fin 166 to cool the control circuit 160 included in the control portion 150. The control portion 150 has the case 152 that is snap fitted to the lid member 400. The case 152 and the lid member 400 are formed of a resinous material. The lid member 400 has the receiving chamber 210 that receives the control portion 150. The lid member 400 has the air inlet port 76 and the air outlet port 78 that communicate with the receiving chamber 210 to generate airflow in the receiving chamber 210.

Thus, the effects of the first embodiment and the third embodiment can be obtained.

Fifth Embodiment

As shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B, the structures shown in the second embodiment and the third embodiment can be combined. In this embodiment, the fuel pump 32 has the vent hole 302 (FIG. 3) that partially introduces fuel intermediately pressurized in the fuel pump 32. The lid member 600 internally forms the cooling passage 200 through which fuel introduced from the vent hole 302 of the fuel pump 32 flows. The control portion 150 is cooled by fuel flowing through the cooling passage 200 via the partition wall 122.

The control portion 150 is snap fitted to the lid member 600 so that the connecting terminal 157 of the control portion 150 is electrically connected with the pump terminal 139 of the lid member 600 (FIG. 12). The control portion 150 has the cooling fin 166 to cool the control circuit 160 included in the control portion 150. The control portion 150 has the resinous case 152 that is snap fitted to the resinous lid member 600. The lid member 600 has the receiving chamber 210 that receives the control portion 150. The lid member 600 has the air inlet port 76 and the air outlet port 78 that communicate with the receiving chamber 210 formed in the lid member 600 to generate airflow in the receiving chamber 210.

Thus, the effects of the second embodiment and the third embodiment can be obtained.

Other embodiment

Fuel flowing through the cooling passage 200 can be used for cooling the IC 80 without generating airflow in the receiving chamber 210. Air can be introduced into the cooling passage 200 instead of fuel to cool the IC 80 via the partition wall 75. Fuel introduced into the cooling passage 200 can be surplus fuel returned from the engine, or fuel introduced into the cooling passage 200 can be surplus fuel exhausted from the pressure regulator 50 that controls pressure of fuel.

The lid member can be formed of a metallic material.

Fuel is introduced from the pressurizing portion 34 of the fuel pump 32 to the cooling passage 200 for cooling the IC 80, and the fuel is supplied to the engine. Here, fuel flows from the pressurizing portion 34 to the engine through a fuel supplying passage. The fuel supplying passage includes the pressurizing passage 300 of the pressurizing portion 34 of the fuel pump 32. The fuel supplying passage also includes the fuel pump 32 and the fuel filter 40 on the downstream of the pressurizing passage 300 of the fuel pump 32. Fuel is supplied from the fuel tank 1 to the engine, which is outside of the fuel tank 1, through the fuel supplying passage. Here, fuel can be partially introduced from the fuel supplying passage to the cooling passage 200. The cooling passage 200 can be provided in the fuel supplying passage.

The pressure regulator 50 can be arranged on the upstream side of the cooling passage 200, and fuel regulated by the pressure regulator 50 can be introduced into the cooling passage 200. Fuel can be partially introduced into the cooling passage 200 from a piping, through which fuel is supplied from the fuel tank 1 to the engine.

The pressure regulator 50 can be provided in a piping located on the side of the engine in the downstream of the cooling passage 200 to control pressure of fuel.

Air flowing through the receiving chamber 210 can be used for cooling the IC 80 without providing the cooling passage, through which fuel flows, in the lid member. In this case, the lid member can be formed of a metallic material.

The control circuit (circuit portion) can be constructed of at least the pump control circuit.

The lower case 60, 110, which forms the cooling passage 200 with the upper case 70, 120, and the cover 90, which forms the receiving chamber 210 with the upper case 70, 120, can be formed of resin containing a thermally conductive material to enhance thermal conductivity of the resin. The thermally conductive material has thermal conductivity higher than that of a simple substance of resin. The lid member can be entirely formed of resin.

The case of the control portion and the lid member can be formed of a metallic material or the like, as long as the control portion is snap fitted to the lid member.

Various modifications and alternations may be diversely made to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel feed apparatus that supplies fuel received in a fuel tank to a fuel consuming device located in an outside of the fuel tank, the fuel feed apparatus comprising:

a lid member that covers an opening defined in the fuel tank;

an electric fuel pump that is received in the fuel tank to pump fuel received in the fuel tank;

a circuit portion that is provided to the lid member, the circuit portion controlling electric power supplied to the fuel pump;

wherein the lid member is formed of a resinous material, the lid member defines a cooling passage through which fluid flows, and

the circuit portion is cooled by fluid flowing through the cooling passage via a partition wall.

2. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein fuel flows from a pressurizing portion of the fuel pump to the fuel consuming device through the cooling passage.

3. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the lid member has a receiving chamber that receives the circuit portion,

the lid member has an air inlet port and an air outlet port, and

the air inlet port and the air outlet port communicate with the receiving chamber so that airflow is generated in the receiving chamber.

4. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall located between the circuit portion and the cooling passage is formed of a resinous material and a thermally conductive material that has a thermal conductivity higher than a thermal conductivity of the resinous material.

5. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the thermally conductive material has a volume resistance that is equal to or higher than 106 Ω·cm.

6. A fuel feed apparatus according to any one of claims 1, wherein the cooling passage has at least one turning path.

7. A fuel feed apparatus that supplies fuel received in a fuel tank to an outside of the fuel tank, the fuel feed apparatus comprising:

a lid member that covers an opening defined in the fuel tank;

a fuel pump that is received in the fuel tank; and

a circuit portion that is provided to the lid member, the circuit portion controlling electric power supplied to the fuel pump,

wherein the lid member has a receiving chamber that receives the circuit portion, and

the lid member has an air inlet port and an air outlet port that communicate with the receiving chamber through which air flows from the air inlet port to the air outlet port.

8. A fuel feed apparatus that supplies fuel received in a fuel tank to a fuel consuming device located in an outside of the fuel tank, the fuel feed apparatus comprising:

a lid member that covers an opening defined in the fuel tank;

an electric fuel pump that is received in the fuel tank to pump fuel received in the fuel tank; and

a circuit portion that is provided to the lid member, the circuit portion controlling electric power supplied to the fuel pump,

wherein the lid member defines a cooling passage,

fuel flows from a pressurizing portion of the fuel pump to the fuel consuming device through the cooling passage, and

the circuit portion is cooled by fuel flowing through the cooling passage via a partition wall.

9. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 2, wherein pressure of fuel is controlled in a downstream of the cooling passage.

10. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein the fuel pump has a vent hole, and

fuel intermediately pressurized in the fuel pump is partially introduced from the vent hole to the cooling passage.

11. A fuel feed apparatus that supplies fuel received in a fuel tank to a fuel consuming device located in an outside of the fuel tank, the fuel feed apparatus comprising:

a lid member that covers an opening defined in the fuel tank;

an electric fuel pump that is received in the fuel tank to pump fuel received in the fuel tank; and

a circuit portion that is provided to the lid member, the circuit portion controlling electric power supplied to the fuel pump,

wherein the fuel pump has a vent hole that partially introduces fuel intermediately pressurized in the fuel pump,

the lid member defines a cooling passage through which fuel introduced from the vent hole flows, and

the circuit portion is cooled by fuel flowing through the cooling passage via a partition wall.

12. A fuel feed apparatus that supplies fuel received in a fuel tank to a fuel consuming device located in an outside of the fuel tank, the fuel feed apparatus comprising:

a lid member that covers an opening defined in the fuel tank;

an electric fuel pump that is received in the fuel tank to pump fuel received in the fuel tank; and

a circuit portion that is provided to the lid member, the circuit portion controlling electric power supplied to the fuel pump,

wherein the lid member is formed of a resinous material,

the lid member defines a cooling passage through which fluid flows,

the circuit portion is cooled by fluid flowing through the cooling passage via a partition wall,

the lid member includes a pump terminal that is electrically connected with the fuel pump,

the lid member includes a control portion that includes the circuit portion,

the control portion includes a connecting terminal, and the control portion is snap fitted to the lid member so that the connecting terminal of the control portion is electrically connected with the pump terminal of the lid member.

13. A fuel feed apparatus that supplies fuel received in a fuel tank to an outside of the fuel tank, the fuel feed apparatus comprising:

a lid member that covers an opening defined in the fuel tank;

a fuel pump that is received in the fuel tank; and

a circuit portion that is provided to the lid member, the circuit portion controlling electric power supplied to the fuel pump,

wherein the lid member has a receiving chamber that receives the circuit portion,

the lid member has an air inlet port and an air outlet port that communicate with the receiving chamber through which air flows from the air inlet port to the air outlet port,

the lid member includes a pump terminal that is electrically connected with the fuel pump,

the lid member includes a control portion that includes the circuit portion,

the control portion includes a connecting terminal, and

the control portion is snap fitted to the lid member so that the connecting terminal of the control portion is electrically connected with the pump terminal of the lid member.

14. A fuel feed apparatus that supplies fuel received in a fuel tank to a fuel consuming device located in an outside of the fuel tank, the fuel feed apparatus comprising:

an electric fuel pump that is received in the fuel tank to pump fuel received in the fuel tank;

a lid member that covers an opening defined in the fuel tank, the lid member including a pump terminal that is electrically connected with the fuel pump; and

a control portion that is provided to the lid member, the control portion including a connecting terminal,

wherein the control portion is snap fitted to the lid member so that the connecting terminal of the control portion is electrically connected with the pump terminal of the lid member to control electric power supplied to the fuel pump.

15. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control portion has a cooling fin to cool a control circuit included in the control portion.

16. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein the control portion has a case that is snap fitted to the lid member, and

the case and the lid member are formed of a resinous material.

17. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein the lid member has a receiving chamber that receives the control portion, and

the lid member has an air inlet port and an air outlet port that communicate with the receiving chamber through which air flows from the air inlet port to the air outlet port.

18. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein the lid member defines a cooling passage,

fuel flows from a pressurizing portion of the fuel pump to a fuel consuming device through the cooling passage, and

the control portion is cooled by fuel flowing through the cooling passage via a partition wall.

19. A fuel feed apparatus according to claim 14,

wherein the fuel pump has a vent hole that partially introduces fuel intermediately pressurized in the fuel pump,

the lid member defines a cooling passage through which fuel introduced from the vent hole flows, and

the control portion is cooled by fuel flowing through the cooling passage via a partition wall.