Fuel tank

Abstract

A fuel tank includes a component, a reservoir unit having a fuel pump, a tank body formed with an opening through which the reservoir unit and the component are inserted, a flange operable to close the opening, and an extensible connecting unit which connects a lower face of the flange and the reservoir unit. The extensible connecting unit includes a first sliding member which is slidable with respect to the reservoir unit in a vertical direction, and a second sliding member which is slidable with respect to the first sliding member, and is attached to the lower face of the flange.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages, nature, and various additional features of the invention will appear more fully upon consideration of an exemplary embodiment. The exemplary embodiment is set forth in the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a state in which a pump module is installed to a tank body;

FIG. 2 is a view taken on line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which an extensible connecting unit is extended;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a structure of a tank body and sub-tank;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view for explaining an action at the time of assembling a pump module; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view for explaining an action at the time of assembling a pump module.

Claims

1. A fuel tank comprising: a component;a reservoir unit having a fuel pump;a tank body formed with an opening through which the reservoir unit and the component are inserted;a flange operable to close the opening; andan extensible connecting unit which connects a lower face of the flange and the reservoir unit, and includes: a first sliding member which is slidable with respect to the reservoir unit in a vertical direction; anda second sliding member which is slidable with respect to the first sliding member, and is attached to the lower face of the flange,wherein the component is disposed on the lower face of the flange at a position that is offset with respect to the reservoir unit in a horizontal direction,a height of the tank body is shorter than a sum of respective heights of the component and the reservoir, andthe opening has a size, through which the reservoir unit and the component can be individually inserted, and through which the reservoir unit and the component can not be simultaneously inserted.

2. The fuel tank cording to claim 1, wherein the first sliding member and the second sliding member are telescopically engaged with each other.

3. The fuel tank cording to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member operable to bias the first sliding member in a direction where the first sliding member protrudes upward from the reservoir.

4. The fuel tank according to claim 1, further comprising a cap that is attachable to a periphery of the opening, wherein the flange is fixed between the cap and the tank body.

5. The fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the component includes a sub-tank operable to liquidize vaporized fuel generated in the tank body and to return the liquidized fuel into the tank body.

6. The fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the component and the flange are formed in a one-piece structure.

7. A fuel tank comprising: a tank body operable to store fuel; anda pump module operable to pump the fuel,wherein the pump module includes a sub-tank operable to liquidize vaporized fuel generated in the tank body and to return the liquidized fuel into the tank body, andthe sub-tank is disposed inside the tank body.

8. The fuel tank according to claim 7, wherein the pump module further comprises: a flange operable to close an opening that is formed on the tank body;a reservoir unit; andan extensible connecting unit which connects a lower face of the flange and the reservoir unit, and includes: a first sliding member which is slidable with respect to the reservoir unit in a vertical direction; anda second sliding member which is slidable with respect to the first sliding member, and is attached to the lower face of the flange,wherein the sub-tank is disposed on the lower face of the flange at a position that is offset with respect to the reservoir unit in a horizontal direction, andthe opening has a size, through which the reservoir unit and the sub-tank can be individually inserted, and through which the reservoir unit and the sub-tank can not be simultaneously inserted.

9. The fuel tank according to claim 7, wherein the sub-tank and the flange are formed in a one-piece structure.

10. The fuel tank according to claim 7, further comprising a cap that is attachable to a periphery of the opening, wherein the flange is fixed between the cap and the tank body.