Fuel injection device and fuel distributor for gaseous fuel, in particular hydrogen

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel distributor (2), in particular a fuel distributor strip, for a fuel injection device (1) for injecting gaseous fuel, in particular hydrogen, into a combustion chamber (3) of an internal combustion engine (4), comprising a main body (5), in the assembled state of the fuel injection device (1), the main body (5) is arranged in the combustion chamber (3) of the internal combustion engine (4). At least one component (10) is connected to the base body (5). According to the invention, at least one adapter (11, 11A-11F) is provided, which is connected to the base body (5), and the adapter (11, 11A-11F) has an interface (12) for the component (10) such that the component (10) can be connected to the base body (5) by means of the adapter (11). The invention further relates to a fuel injection device (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel injection device and a fuel distributor for gaseous fuels, in particular hydrogen. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of fuel injection devices for motor vehicles. Background Art

[0002] DE 10 2006 040 236 A1 discloses a fuel system for compressed gaseous fuel, in particular hydrogen, for an internal combustion engine. This known fuel system has a common rail.

[0003] A disadvantage of the fuel system known from DE 10 2006 040 236 A1 is the high manufacturing costs associated with operating with compressed hydrogen. In particular, the material used to manufacture the common rail must be selected so that all required specifications are met. The material selection is determined by the highest requirements, although these can vary significantly in individual subregions of the common rail.

[0004] At the same time, the manufacturing method of the common rail, such as forging or joining individual components by brazing, influences the achievable material properties, thereby limiting the use of certain materials or the application of certain methods for manufacturing the common rail.

[0005] There are also special requirements in fuel injection devices for gaseous fuels. Therefore, the measures adopted in fuel rails for liquid fuels may be disadvantageous in applications for gaseous fuels.

[0006] Fuel distributor components must withstand the loads that occur during their service life. A significant portion of these loads are caused by temperature and pressure stresses. These loads are introduced, for example, via the main pipes into the holder and cylinder head. Consequently, the joints, which can be soldered, from the pipe to the holder, are subject to high stresses.

[0007] Furthermore, a forged embodiment is possible. In this forged embodiment, the retaining elements can also be forged, thereby providing a high load capacity. Cast designs or correspondingly complex sheet metal structures can achieve a stress-optimized component design, but this is a cost-intensive solution. Common rails for internal combustion engines, especially forged components, are usually made of a uniform material. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The advantages of the fuel distributor according to the invention with the features of claim 1 and the fuel injection device according to the invention with the features of claim 10 are that an improved design and function are possible, which in particular allows for a suitable material selection and preferably at the same time provides a cost-effective overall solution. This applies in particular with regard to the material selection for applications involving hydrogen injection.

[0009] Advantageous developments of the fuel distributor specified in claim 1 and of the fuel injection device specified in claim 10 are possible by means of the measures specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] In particular, the fuel distributor and the fuel injection device are suitable for hydrogen injection applications. In a preferred embodiment, the fuel distributor is configured as a fuel distribution rail, in particular a common rail. On the one hand, the fuel distributor can be used to distribute fuel to a plurality of fuel injection valves. During operation, the fuel injection valves can inject gaseous fuel, in particular hydrogen, at a suitable pressure into the various combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine.

[0011] The internal combustion engine is not a component of the fuel distributor according to the invention or the fuel injection device according to the invention. The at least one component does not necessarily have to be a component of the fuel distributor according to the invention. In particular, the fuel distributor according to the invention and the fuel injection device according to the invention can also be manufactured and sold independently of the internal combustion engine.

[0012] Advantageously, the matrix is ​​at least substantially made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy, or at least substantially made of alloy steel or non-alloy steel. Here, material or material state can be selected for the matrix in particular with regard to cost and / or weight.

[0013] Advantageously, the base body consists at least substantially of a wrought aluminum alloy, in particular at least substantially of at least one aluminum alloy having the material designations EN AW-6061 and / or EN AW-6061A and / or EN AW-6082 and / or EN AW-6082A, or at least substantially of austenitic stainless steel, in particular at least substantially of at least one steel having the material designation 1.4404. This allows for a particularly preferred embodiment, ensuring suitability for hydrogen applications in particular.

[0014] Advantageously, the adapter is at least substantially made of at least one alloy steel or non-alloy steel. Here, the material or material state can be selected for the adapter in particular for the high demands on the feasibility of the interface.

[0015] Advantageously, the adapter consists at least substantially of at least one austenitic stainless steel, in particular at least substantially of at least one steel having the material number 1.4404 and / or 1.4435, or at least substantially of at least one martensitic stainless steel, in particular at least substantially of at least one steel having the material number 1.4418. This allows for a particularly preferred embodiment, ensuring suitability for hydrogen applications in particular.

[0016] Advantageously, the base body is formed on the basis of a forged base part, thereby avoiding materially bonded connections such as soldering or welding.

[0017] Advantageously, the adapter has a greater hardness at least at its interface than the base body. This ensures that high sealing requirements at the connection point are met. At the same time, a weight-optimized and / or machine-friendly configuration of the base body can be achieved.

[0018] Advantageously, the base body has at least one threaded hole, preferably formed as a stepped hole, into which the adapter is screwed in the assembled state, and a sealing edge is formed on the adapter, which, in the screwed-in state, interacts with the sealing surface of the base body to form a hydrogen seal. This advantageously enables suitability for hydrogen applications while optimizing overall material and manufacturing costs. Furthermore, reliable functionality is ensured throughout the entire service life.

[0019] Advantageously, the adapter has a conical sealing surface and / or an external thread at its interface, thereby enabling a reliable interface.

[0020] The proposed and possibly appropriately improved fuel injection device and the proposed and possibly appropriately improved fuel distributor enable a suitable material selection in order to provide a cost-effective overall solution. Depending on the configuration, one or more of the following configurations and advantages can be achieved.

[0021] One or more adapters can be used on the fuel distributor, in particular on the H2 rail, to adjust the geometry of the interface with other components, in particular lines. The material properties of the adapters can advantageously differ from those of other areas of the fuel distributor. By combining different materials or material states suitable for hydrogen applications, the desired properties can be achieved in different areas of the fuel distributor, in particular the rail.

[0022] In particular, the following advantages can be achieved: the high technical feasibility of the interface can be achieved by using appropriate adapter materials. In addition, by selecting appropriate materials for the base body of the fuel distributor (in particular the rail), the cost and weight potential can be fully utilized.

[0023] A fuel distributor for an H2 internal combustion engine, in particular a rail, can be composed of separate components for a base body and one or more adapters with corresponding interfaces to attachment parts, each of which is manufactured from a material suitable for H2 but with different properties.

[0024] It is possible to realize a forged rail with an adapter for attaching the pipes.

[0025] The adapter can be screwed into the rail, for example. Interfaces with different requirements can also be implemented directly in the base body.

[0026] The fuel distributor can be, for example, a combination of an aluminum alloy forging and a stainless steel adapter. The requirements for the line interface components, particularly high hardness, are preferably met by using materials suitable for the adapter. At the same time, the base body can be designed in a weight-optimized and machine-friendly manner.

[0027] Depending on the application, one or more adapters can be used. Different adapters can also be used, which can differ in shape and / or material. In a preferred embodiment, the adapter can be fixed radially and / or axially to the fuel distributor configured as a rail.

[0028] In one possible embodiment, the base body can also be made of steel, for example as a forging. Generally speaking, the production method of the base body limits the material properties required for the interface, which can be compensated by using at least one adapter having correspondingly better properties in this respect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The drawings show:

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a fuel injection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the fuel injection device is used to inject gaseous fuel, in particular hydrogen, into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and the fuel injection device has a fuel distributor;

[0031] Figure 2 A simplified schematic diagram showing a fuel distributor for a fuel injection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 Shows components configured as fuel lines and for Figure 1 A highly simplified schematic diagram of a fuel injection valve of the fuel injection device and an internal combustion engine is shown;

[0033] Figure 4 A possible configuration according to the present invention is shown. Figure 1 a schematic cross-sectional view of a fuel distributor of the fuel injection device, showing an adapter at one attachment point of the fuel distributor; and

[0034] Figure 5 Shown Figure 4 Detail shown, wherein the adapter is shown without sectioning. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a fuel injection device 1 having a fuel distributor 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Fuel injection device 1 is used to inject gaseous fuel into combustion chamber 3 of internal combustion engine 4. In particular, fuel injection device 1 is used to inject hydrogen. In this embodiment, fuel injection device 1 has a single fuel distributor 2. However, depending on the configuration, multiple fuel distributors 2 may also be provided.

[0036] Fuel distributor 2 is preferably configured as a fuel distribution rail (common rail). Fuel distributor 2 includes a base body 5. In particular, in the configuration as a fuel distribution rail, base body 5 is configured as an at least partially tubular base body 5. Base body 5 can be configured as a forged base part, including radial projections for attachment points 9A to 9F. Retaining elements 30, 31, 32 can then also be forged onto base body 5.

[0037] Fuel injection system 1 has a tank 6 in which a gaseous fuel, in particular hydrogen, is stored. Tank 6 is typically under high pressure during operation. The gaseous fuel can be pressure-released using a valve device 7. In this exemplary embodiment, valve device 7 is arranged in a possibly multi-part line 8 that connects the tank to fuel distributor 2.

[0038] In this embodiment, the fuel distributor 2 has a plurality of attachment locations (interfaces) 9, 9A to 9F. In the assembled state of the fuel injection device 1, a component 10 is fixed to the base body 5 at each of the attachment locations 9, 9A to 9F. This fixing is achieved at at least one and preferably at all attachment locations 9, 9A to 9F by means of corresponding adapters 11, 11A to 11F. Figure 2 In the embodiment), the adapters 11, 11A-11F are directly connected to the base body 5.

[0039] Each adapter 11, 11A-11F has an interface 12 for the component 10. To simplify the illustration, a unified interface 12 is provided in this embodiment. However, different interfaces can also be provided. In this embodiment, a closure plug 21 is provided at the end of the base body 5, which closes the hole in the base body 5.

[0040] Furthermore, an interface 12' is provided on the base body 5, which is formed directly on the base body 5. This is possible in particular when the requirements for such an interface 12 are low. Then, an adapter can also be optionally provided at the attachment point, for example Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, adapters 11, 11A to 11F are provided at attachment locations 9, 9A to 9F, while no adapter is provided at one or more attachment locations, such as attachment location 22. Other components with different interface requirements can then be installed at these locations. For example, instead of line 8, a pressure sensor could be installed.

[0041] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the fuel distributor 2 for the fuel injection device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The component 10 that can be fixed on the adapter 11 can be, for example, a pipe 8. Here, the pipe is arranged at the end of the base body 5. In contrast, Figure 1 In the configuration shown according to the first embodiment, the ends of the base body 5 are closed, for example by closure plugs 21. The hardness of the adapters 11, 11A-11F at their interface 12 is greater than that of the base body 5. This allows high demands on the interface 12 to be met.

[0042] Figure 3 The component 10 is shown as a fuel line (line) 13 and a Figure 1 The fuel injection valve 14 of the fuel injection device 1 and the internal combustion engine 4 are shown in a highly simplified schematic diagram. The component 10 can then be one of the lines 8, 13, which can be attached on one side to the connection 12 of one of the adapters 11, 11A to 11F.

[0043] Figure 4 A possible configuration according to the present invention is shown. Figure 1 The fuel injection device 1 is shown in a schematic sectional view of a fuel distributor, wherein the adapter 11A is shown on an attachment point 9A of the fuel distributor 2. Figure 5 Shown Figure 4 Detail shown, wherein the adapter 11A is shown without sectioning. The attachment point 9 and the attachment points 9B to 9F can be designed in a corresponding manner.

[0044] The base body 5 has at least one threaded hole 15, which in this embodiment is formed on a stepped hole 16. In the assembled state, the adapter 11A is screwed into the threaded hole 15, thereby creating a seal. For this purpose, a sealing edge 17 is formed on the adapter 11A. In the screwed-in state, a hydrogen seal is formed, with the sealing edge 17 interacting with a sealing surface 18 of the base body 5.

[0045] Furthermore, the adapter 11A has a conical sealing surface 19 and an external thread 20 at its connection 12 to the pipelines 8 , 13 . This allows for a secure connection to the pipelines 8 , 13 . Furthermore, a hydrogen seal can also be formed here.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, a sealing surface 25 is formed on the pipeline 13, against which the sealing edge 19 of the adapter 11 rests. Here, the configuration corresponds to the seal between the sealing edge 17 and the sealing surface 18, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5The union nut (not shown separately in this highly simplified illustration) on the end section 26 of the line 13 then presses the sealing edge 19 against the sealing surface 25. The union nut thus presses the sealing geometry of the line 13 into the conical section 17 of the adapter 11. The union nut can have an internal thread 27 that interacts with the external thread 20 of the adapter 11A for connection. To simplify the illustration, the remaining line 13 is shown as a line.

[0047] Advantageously, suitable materials can be selected for, in particular, the base body 5 and the adapters 11, 11A-11F. The base body 5 can be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy or of alloyed or unalloyed steel. In particular, the base body 5 can be made of a wrought aluminum alloy, in particular an aluminum alloy having the material designation EN AW-6061, EN AW-6061A, EN AW-6082, or EN AW-6082A, or of austenitic stainless steel, in particular steel having the material designation 1.4404.

[0048] The adapters 11 , 11A- 11F can be made of alloy steel or unalloyed steel. In particular, the adapters 11 , 11A- 11F can be made of austenitic stainless steel, in particular steel with material number 1.4404 or 1.4435, or martensitic stainless steel, in particular steel with material number 1.4418.

[0049] The invention is not limited to the described exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A fuel distributor (2), in particular a fuel distributor strip, for a fuel injection device (1) for injecting gaseous fuel, in particular hydrogen, into a combustion chamber (3) of an internal combustion engine (4), the fuel distributor comprising a base body (5), wherein: In the assembled state of the fuel injection device (1), at least one component (10) is connected to the base body (5). It is characterized by: At least one adapter (11, 11A-11F) is provided, which is connected to the base body (5) and has an interface (12) for the component (10), so that the component (10) can be connected to the base body (5) by means of the adapter (11).

2. The fuel dispenser according to claim 1, It is characterized by: The base body (5) consists at least substantially of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or at least substantially of alloyed or unalloyed steel.

3. The fuel dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized by: The base body (5) consists at least essentially of a wrought aluminum alloy, in particular at least essentially of at least one aluminum alloy having the material number EN AW-6061 and / or EN AW-6061A and / or EN AW-6082 and / or EN AW-6082A, or at least essentially of austenitic stainless steel, in particular at least essentially of at least one steel having the material number 1.4404.

4. The fuel distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized by: The adapter (11, 11A-11F) is at least substantially composed of at least one alloy steel or non-alloy steel.

5. The fuel distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized by: The adapter (11, 11A-11F) consists at least substantially of at least one austenitic stainless steel, in particular at least substantially of at least one steel having material number 1.4404 and / or 1.4435, or at least substantially of at least one martensitic stainless steel, in particular at least substantially of at least one steel having material number 1.4418.

6. The fuel dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, It is characterized by: The base body (5) is formed on the basis of a forged base part.

7. The fuel distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, It is characterized by: At least the hardness of the adapter (11, 11A-11F) at its interface (12) is greater than the hardness of the base body (5).

8. The fuel distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, It is characterized by: The base body (5) has at least one threaded hole (15), which is preferably configured on a stepped hole (16). The adapter (11, 11A-11F) is screwed into the threaded hole (15) in the assembled state, and a sealing edge (17) is configured on the adapter (11, 11A-11F). In the screwed-in state, the sealing edge acts together with the sealing surface (18) of the base body (5) to form a hydrogen seal.

9. The fuel distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, It is characterized by: The adapter (11, 11A-11F) has a conical sealing surface (19) and / or an external thread (20) at its interface (12).

10. A fuel injection device (1) for injecting gaseous fuel, in particular hydrogen, into a combustion chamber (3) of an internal combustion engine (4), comprising at least one fuel distributor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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