Fuel distributor strip and fuel system for fuel, in particular for hydrogen

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel distributor strip (2) for a fuel device (1), in particular for a fuel injection system or a fuel injection system, comprising a main body (15) for storing and / or distributing fuel, in particular hydrogen, and comprising at least one connection piece (16, 17, 18) to which a fuel valve (6, 7, 8) can be connected, the connecting piece (16, 17, 18) has a connecting surface (20) facing an outer side (21) of the main body (15), an access opening (23) of a connecting channel (22) of the connecting piece (16, 17, 18) being arranged in the connecting surface (20), and wherein the connecting piece (16, 17, 18) is connected to the main body (15) at least by means of a brazing connection on the connecting surface (20). According to the invention, a) the connecting piece (16, 17, 18) has at least one recess (25, 26, 27, 28) in the connecting surface (20) of the connecting piece and / or the main body (15) has at least one recess in the connecting surface (20) of the connecting piece (16, 17, 18) and b) the at least one recess (25, 26, 27, 28) in the connecting surface (20) of the connecting piece (16, 17, 18) and / or the main body (15) has at least one recess in the connecting surface (20) of the connecting piece (16, 17, 18) in the connecting surface (20) of the connecting piece (16, 17, 18). At least one groove on the connecting surface (20) of the connecting piece (16, 17, 18) at least substantially surrounds an inlet opening (21) of the connecting channel (22) of the connecting piece (16, 17, 18), and a fuel system (1) having such a fuel distributor bar (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fueling device, particularly a fuel injection device or fuel dispensing device, and to a fuel distributor bar. The invention particularly relates to the field of fueling devices for motor vehicles. The invention particularly relates to a fuel injection device for hydrogen. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel rail for an internal combustion engine is known from US 9,546,634 B2. This document also indicates that the fuel rail must meet high requirements regarding mechanical stress caused by high internal pressure and variations in that pressure, as well as vibration, where particularly weak points arise at joint surfaces such as brazed or fused welds, where breakage frequently occurs. Therefore, the known fuel rail has an unloading notch on the outer side of its rail tube, the unloading notch being spaced apart from the connecting device that connects to the rail tube.

[0003] Problems with the fuel rail, known from US9,546,634 B2, arise under high pressure conditions in the liquid fuel delivered to the fuel rail. Known solutions have drawbacks: structural weakening of the material may occur, resulting in a significant decrease in overall material strength and, particularly, in terms of the weight of the fuel rail.

[0004] In the fuel dispenser strip, the loads generated throughout its lifespan must be borne. The main stresses are generated by temperature and pressure loads. In the area of ​​the connector, especially the cup-shaped seat, the following problem arises: the form-locking connection must be sealed throughout its lifespan to prevent fuel leakage at the connection point. In this case, brazing presents the following problems: an excessively narrow gap between the connector and the fuel dispenser strip substrate may prevent the distribution of filler material, especially copper, resulting in reduced joint strength. On the other hand, if the gap is too wide, the joint strength is reduced to almost the strength of the filler material itself, whereby the gap may not be completely filled due to reduced capillary action, which also reduces the joint strength. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The fuel dispenser bar according to the invention having the features of claim 1 and the fuel device according to the invention having the features of claim 10 have the advantages of enabling improved configurations and operating principles, which in particular enable guarantees of strength and sealing of the connection between the connector, especially the cup-shaped seat and the base.

[0006] Advantageous further extensions of the fuel dispenser bar given in claim 1 and the fuel device given in claim 10 are possible through the measures implemented in the dependent claims.

[0007] In particular, fuel distributor strips and fuel devices configured as fuel injection devices are suitable for applications involving the injection of hydrogen. The fuel distributor strip can be used to distribute fuel across multiple fuel valves. During operation, the fuel valves can inject gaseous fuel, especially hydrogen, required for the combustion process into the corresponding combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine at appropriate pressure.

[0008] The at least one fuel valve is not part of the fuel dispenser strip according to the invention. In particular, the fuel dispenser strip according to the invention can also be manufactured and sold independently of the fuel equipment.

[0009] It is conceivable to have only one unique groove, which is either located on the connector or on the substrate. However, a configuration with multiple grooves is preferred. Therefore, the distribution of material (solder metal, brazing material, flux) between the connector and the substrate can be optimized, particularly by utilizing capillary action along the multiple grooves. In this case, an optimized geometry of the grooves can also be achieved. For example, the grooves can be at least approximately linear in projection along the projection axis, especially along a projection axis in which the connecting surface at the inlet of the connecting channel at least approximately points to the substrate in the direction of that projection axis. If the connecting channel emerges perpendicularly from the connecting surface at the inlet, the projection axis is in the same direction as the outlet of the connecting channel. Advantageous capillary action is achieved through this arrangement of multiple grooves.

[0010] Advantageously, at least one groove on the connector and / or at least one groove on the substrate extends to the edge of the connecting surface of the connector. In particular, the groove on the connector may terminate at the edge. The groove on the substrate may also slightly extend beyond the edge of the connecting surface. To prepare for the brazing process, brazing material can be distributed around the edge of the connector. When the workpiece is heated, the brazing material melts and is drawn into the gap between the connecting surface of the connector and the substrate. If the gap is very narrow, a brazed joint with an optimized thickness corresponding to the gap at the groove is achieved at the groove, unlike conventional brazing processes. Therefore, at least one groove yields not only an advantageous distribution of brazing material but also a limitation on thickness, thereby optimizing the strength of the joint.

[0011] Advantageously, the connector has multiple grooves that intersect in at least pairs and / or the base has multiple grooves that intersect in at least pairs. This achieves optimized capillary action, wherein the circumferential opening is completely surrounded by the intersection points.

[0012] Advantageously, the connector has at least three grooves that intersect in pairs and at least approximately correspond to a curved or uncurved polygonal orientation between the intersection points, and / or the substrate has at least three grooves that intersect in pairs and at least approximately correspond to a curved or uncurved polygonal orientation between the intersection points. This results in an optimized configuration.

[0013] Advantageously, the substrate has a cylindrical circumferential outer surface at least on the connecting surface of the connector, and the connecting surface of the connector is configured as a cylindrical circumferential surface corresponding to the cylindrical circumferential outer surface of the substrate. Therefore, the gap between the connecting surface of the connector and the substrate can be adjusted to be optimally small.

[0014] Advantageously, the average gap width between the outer side of the substrate and the connecting surface of the connector on at least one groove of the connector and / or on at least one groove of the substrate is in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.20 mm, particularly in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.15 mm. This achieves an optimized connection, resulting in a good seal and high connection strength.

[0015] Advantageously, the average gap width between the outer side of the substrate and the connecting surface of the connector, on at least one groove of the connector and / or on at least one groove of the substrate, is at least approximately 0.10 mm. This achieves an optimized connection, resulting in excellent sealing and high connection strength.

[0016] Advantageously, the wrap angle of the joint surface of the connector is no greater than, and especially less than, 180°, and the connector wraps around the outside of the base with this wrap angle on its joint surface. In this case, the connection can be advantageously secured by brazing. This allows for simple assembly.

[0017] Advantageously, the matrix is ​​constructed in such a way that fuel at a pressure of at least 35 MPa can be stored and / or dispensed within it. This provides preferred application areas. Under high loads on the matrix, it is preferable to provide one or more grooves only on the joint surfaces of the connectors to prevent weak points in the matrix or a decrease in matrix strength. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention are further explained in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding elements are provided with consistent reference numerals. The drawings show: Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a fuel device configured as a fuel injection device and having a fuel distributor bar is shown in summary according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 :exist Figure 1A portion of a component marked II, having a base and a connector connected to the base, wherein a fuel valve connected to the connector is shown in summary; Figure 3 :from Figure 2 A simplified schematic diagram of the height of the connector as viewed from the direction marked III, to illustrate this embodiment; Figure 4 :exist Figure 3 The diagram shows a view of the connecting surface of the connector from the direction marked IV, where a configuration with four grooves is shown. Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the substrate and connector during manufacturing, showing the gap between the connection surfaces of the substrate and connector; and Figure 6 During manufacturing Figure 5 The substrate and connector are shown in the figure, wherein the process for reducing and / or adjusting the gap is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrates a fuel device 1 having a fuel distributor strip 2 and an internal combustion engine 3 having a cylinder head 4. The fuel distributor strip 2 may be configured to store and / or dispense at least one gaseous or liquid fuel. In this embodiment, the fuel distributor strip 2 and the fuel device 1, configured as a fuel injection device 1, are used to inject gaseous fuel, particularly hydrogen, into the combustion chamber (fuel chamber) of the internal combustion engine 3.

[0020] Combustible gas is guided to the fuel distributor bar 3 via the delivery device 5. In this case, the gas pressure can also be reduced. Gas can be injected into the combustion chamber from the fuel distributor bar 2 via fuel valves 6, 7, and 8. The fuel distributor bar 2 can be connected to the cylinder head 4 via retainers 10, 11, 12, and 13.

[0021] The fuel dispenser strip 2 includes a base 15 for storing and / or dispensing fuel. Specifically, hydrogen can be stored in the base and dispensed onto fuel valves 6, 7, and 8. The fuel dispenser strip 2 further includes connectors 16, 17, and 18 to which a fuel valve 6, 7, or 8 is connected, respectively. The base 15 is preferably constructed such that fuel at a pressure of at least 35 MPa can be stored and / or dispensed within it. The connections between the base 15 and each connector 16, 17, and 18 are also constructed accordingly to meet such pressure requirements.

[0022] Figure 2 Shown in Figure 1The portion marked II has a base 15 and, by way of example, a connector 16 connected to the base 15, wherein, in summary, a fuel valve 6 connected to the connector 16 is also shown. The configurations of connectors 17 and 18 and their connections to the base 15 are derived accordingly.

[0023] Figure 3 Shown by in Figure 2 A simplified schematic diagram of the height of the connector 16 as viewed from the direction indicated by II is provided to illustrate this embodiment. The connector 16 has a connecting surface 20 facing the outer side 21 of the base 15.

[0024] Figure 4 Showing the view from the direction indicated by IV. Figure 3 The connector 16 is shown. An inlet opening 23 of the connection channel 22 of the connector 16 is arranged in the connection surface 20. The connector 16 is connected to the base 15 on the connection surface 20 by at least brazing.

[0025] In one possible configuration, connectors 16, 17, and 18 can be fixed to the base 15 by fusion welding. A particularly airtight connection can then be achieved via brazing.

[0026] In this embodiment, four grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28 are formed on the connecting surface 20 of the connector 16. The grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28 in the connecting surfaces 20 of the connectors 16, 17, and 18 are configured and arranged relative to each other such that these grooves surround the access opening 23 of the connecting channel 22 of the connector 16.

[0027] In a modified configuration, the base 15 may have at least one groove on the connecting surfaces 20 of the connectors 16, 17, and 18. This groove, or these grooves, of the base 15 are configured and, if necessary, arranged relative to each other in the region of the connecting surfaces 20 of the respective connectors 16, 17, and 18 such that the grooves surround the access openings 21 of the connecting channels 22 of the connectors 16, 17, and 18. Furthermore, the grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28 on the connector 16 and the grooves on the base 15 can also be combined. Additionally, more or fewer grooves may be provided in the modified configuration depending on the application. The embodiments of grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28 also apply accordingly to the grooves of the base 15.

[0028] The grooves 25, 26, 27, 28 of the connectors 16, 17, 18 or the groove of the base 15 extend at least to the edge 35 of the connecting surface 20 of the connector 16. In particular, when the base 15 is configured with grooves, the grooves may also extend beyond the edge 25 to improve the entry of liquid flux by means of capillary action.

[0029] The grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28 intersect in pairs. In this embodiment, if we observe the projection along the axis 29, which extends perpendicularly to the connecting surface 20 at least in the region of the access opening 23, these grooves intersect in a quadrilateral manner. The grooves can also be arranged on the base 15 in a corresponding manner.

[0030] The connectors 16, 17, and 18 have at least three pairs of intersecting grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28, and these grooves are oriented at least approximately according to a curved or non-curved polygon between the intersections 36, 37, 38, and 39.

[0031] In this embodiment, the connecting surface 20 is curved. The base 15 has a cylindrical circumferential outer surface 30. The connecting surface 20 of the connector 16 is configured as a cylindrical circumferential surface corresponding to the cylindrical circumferential outer surface 30 of the base 15. In this case, the cylindrical circumferential outer surface 30 and the connecting surface 20 can be selected to have at least approximately equal radii of curvature.

[0032] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the substrate 15 and connectors 16, 17, and 18 during manufacturing is shown, illustrating the gap 44 between the connection surfaces 20 of the substrate 15 and connector 16. Furthermore, Figure 6 Shown in Figure 5 The substrate 15 and connector 16 are shown during manufacturing, with a process for reducing and / or adjusting the gap 44 illustrated. This allows for an optimized gap width 45 in the regions of the grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28. The wrap angle 46 can be 180° and is preferably less than 180°.

[0033] In this embodiment, the cylindrical circumferential shape of the base 15 and the connector 16 on the connecting surface 20 is configured such that the manufacturing tolerances in the manufacturing process, such as pressing or cutting, are preferably minimized here.

[0034] As in Figure 6 As shown, for the welding process, it can be fixed via a fixing device 50. This fixing is achieved by minimizing the gap 44. In this embodiment, the connector 16 is positioned relative to the fixing member about the longitudinal axis 51. Figure 2 The fixing force F for fusion welding is preferably applied in only one direction, which is in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 51 and corresponds to the 180° angle toward the direction of fixing by the fixing device 50. Under ideal tolerances, gaps 44, except for grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28, can be eliminated here. Preferably, tolerances are predetermined such that gaps 44, except for grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28, can be at least substantially eliminated.

[0035] In conventional configurations, if the gap disappears or becomes too small during the brazing process, sufficient brazing material cannot be guaranteed. In the present invention and, where necessary, further extensions of the invention, a gap width can still be achieved on the grooves 25, 26, 27, 28, even when components, such as connector 16 on one side and base 15 on the other, are in contact with each other. This gap width ensures brazing material filling via capillary action. However, depending on the configuration, it is not necessary to achieve a gap 44 that otherwise disappears. Preferably, an optimized gap width 45 is achieved on the grooves 25, 26, 27, 28.

[0036] The average gap width 45 on the grooves 25, 26, 27, 28 of the connectors 16, 17, 18 between the connecting surfaces 20 of the connectors 16, 17, 18 and the outer side 21 of the base 15 is preferably in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.20 mm, especially in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.15 mm. Particularly preferred is that the average gap width 45 on the grooves 25, 26, 27, 28 of the connectors 16, 17, 18 between the connecting surfaces 20 of the connectors 16, 17, 18 and the outer side 21 of the base 15 is at least approximately equal to 0.10 mm.

[0037] Accordingly, in the modified configuration, the average gap width 45 on at least one groove of the substrate 15 is in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.20 mm, particularly in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.15 mm. Accordingly, in this modified configuration, the average gap width 45 on at least one groove of the substrate 15 is preferably at least approximately equal to 0.10 mm.

[0038] During brazing, grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28 are filled. This prevents the disappearance of gap 44, at least in grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28. Even in the case of insufficient brazing paste, especially copper paste, grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28 are filled due to capillary action. This ensures a reliable seal, as a connection is formed along at least one closed line, effectively surrounding the inlet opening 23. In particular, the line can have a closed, and if necessary, curved, square shape. The quality of the brazed joint and therefore the seal can be checked in a simple manner, especially visually. If the brazing material is not set according to the process, this can be reliably identified through quality tests regarding leak detection. Inspection holes for quality checks are not necessary, as they would weaken the material and / or be impractical in cup holders.

[0039] Grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28 can be manufactured by cutting, embossing, or similar processes. The fusion welding process can use laser welding or tungsten inert gas welding. The brazing process can be a high-temperature brazing process. The brazing material can be copper. The brazing material can connect all involved components and ensure sealing. In this case, special attention should be paid to the following parameters: cleanliness, the gap width 45 on grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28, the capillary action of grooves 25, 26, 27, and 28, and the amount of brazing material.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described.

Claims

1. A fuel distributor bar (2) for a fuel device (1), particularly for a fuel injection device or fuel injection equipment, having a base (15) for storing and / or distributing fuel, particularly hydrogen, and having at least one connector (16, 17, 18) to which a fuel valve (6, 7, 8) can be connected, wherein, The connectors (16, 17, 18) have a connecting surface (20) facing the outer side (21) of the base (15), wherein an inlet opening (23) of a connecting channel (22) of the connectors (16, 17, 18) is arranged in the connecting surface (20), and wherein the connectors (16, 17, 18) are connected to the base (15) on the connecting surface (20) by at least brazing. Its features are, a) The connector (16, 17, 18) has at least one groove (25, 26, 27, 28) in the connecting surface (20) of the connector and / or the base (15) has at least one groove on the connecting surface (20) of the connector (16, 17, 18), and b) at least one groove (25, 26, 27, 28) in the connecting surface (20) of the connector (16, 17, 18) and / or at least one groove of the base (15) on the connecting surface (20) of the connector (16, 17, 18) at least substantially surrounds the access opening (21) of the connecting channel (22) of the connector (16, 17, 18).

2. The fuel dispenser strip according to claim 1, Its features are, At least one groove (25, 26, 27, 28) of the connector (16, 17, 18) and / or at least one groove of the base (15) extends at least to the edge (35) of the connecting surface (20) of the connector (16, 17, 18).

3. The fuel dispenser strip according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The connector (16, 17, 18) has a plurality of grooves (25, 26, 27, 28) that intersect in at least pairs and / or the base (15) has a plurality of grooves that intersect in at least pairs.

4. The fuel dispenser strip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The connector (16, 17, 18) has at least three grooves (25, 26, 27, 28) that intersect in pairs and at least approximately correspond to a curved or uncurved polygonal orientation between the intersection points (36, 37, 38, 39), and / or the base has at least three grooves that intersect in pairs and at least approximately correspond to a curved or uncurved polygonal orientation between the intersection points.

5. The fuel dispenser strip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Its features are, The base (15) has a cylindrical outer surface (30) at least on the connecting surface (20) of the connector (16, 17, 18), and the connecting surface (20) of the connector (16, 17, 18) is configured in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the cylindrical outer surface (30) of the base (15).

6. The fuel dispenser strip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Its features are, The average gap width (45) on at least one groove (25, 26, 27, 28) of the connector (16, 17, 18) and / or on at least one groove of the base (15), between the outer side (21) of the base (15) and the connecting surface (20) of the connector (16, 17, 18), is in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.20 mm, especially in the range of about 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm.

7. The fuel dispenser strip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Its features are, The average gap width (45) between the outer side (21) of the base (15) and the connecting surface (20) of the connector (16, 17, 18) is at least approximately 0.10 mm.

8. The fuel dispenser strip according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Its features are, The wrap angle (46) of the connecting surface (20) of the connector (16, 17, 18) is not greater than 180°, and the connector (16, 17, 18) wraps the outer side (21) of the base (15) on the connecting surface (20) of the connector with the wrap angle.

9. The fuel dispenser strip according to any one of claims 1 to 8, Its features are, The substrate (15) is constructed such that fuel at a pressure of at least 35 MPa can be stored and / or dispensed in the substrate (15).

10. A fueling device (1), particularly a fuel injection device or fuel injection equipment, having at least one fuel distributor bar (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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