Fuel feed apparatus having control unit for fuel pump

Abstract

A fuel feed apparatus is provided for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine, which is controlled using an engine control unit. The fuel feed apparatus includes a pump module that is provided to the fuel tank. The pump module includes a fuel pump that is accommodated in the fuel tank for pumping fuel from the fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a pressure detecting unit that is provided in a downstream of the fuel pump for detecting pressure of fuel. The fuel feed apparatus further includes a pump control unit that is provided separately from the engine control unit for controlling a driving signal of the fuel pump in accordance with a detection signal of the pressure detecting unit.

Description

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. 1 is a schematic view showing a fuel feed apparatus provided to an internal combustion engine, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the fuel feed apparatus mounted to a fuel tank;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing diving voltage applied to a fuel pump of the fuel feed apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control of the fuel pump;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a fuel feed apparatus according to a second embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a fuel feed apparatus according to a third embodiment.

Claims

1. A fuel feed apparatus for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine controlled using an engine control unit, the fuel feed apparatus comprising: a pump module that is provided to the fuel tank, the pump module including a fuel pump that is accommodated in the fuel tank for pumping fuel from the fuel tank;a pressure detecting unit that is provided in a downstream of the fuel pump for detecting pressure of fuel; anda pump control unit that is provided separately from the engine control unit for controlling a driving signal of the fuel pump in accordance with a detection signal of the pressure detecting unit.

2. The fuel feed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump module further includes a fuel filter for removing a foreign matter contained in fuel discharged from the fuel pump, andthe pressure detecting unit is provided in downstream of the fuel filter.

3. The fuel feed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the engine control unit outputs an instruction signal, which indicates discharge pressure of the fuel pump, the pump control unit controls the driving signal of the fuel pump in accordance with the instruction signal.

4. The fuel feed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump control unit is provided to the pump module.

5. The fuel feed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure detecting unit is provided to the pump module.

6. The fuel feed apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a temperature detecting unit for detecting temperature of fuel.

7. A method for controlling a fuel pump for an internal combustion engine controlled using an engine control unit, the method comprising: evaluating whether the engine control unit transmits an instruction;setting a target pressure in accordance with the instruction, when the engine control unit transmits the instruction;setting the target pressure at a predetermined pressure, when the engine control unit does not transmit the instruction;detecting actual pressure of fuel supplied from the fuel pump; andmanipulating discharge pressure of the fuel pump by operating a driving signal for the fuel pump in accordance with a comparison between the target pressure and the actual pressure.