Connector module for circulation and fuel injection valve

Abstract

To suppress stress on a connecting portion when removing a connector from a fuel injection valve to reduce damage to the connector.SOLUTION: Provided is a connector module 50 for circulation connecting a return pipe 27 with a fuel injection valve 30, the connector module comprising: a connector 51 having an insertion part 53 inserted into a fuel discharge hole of the fuel injection valve, connection parts 55a and 55b to which the return pipe is connected, and a fuel passage 59 leading from the insertion part 53 to the connection parts; a fixing member 61 fixing the connector to the fuel injection valve; and an auxiliary member 71 for detaching the connector from the fuel injection valve. The connection parts of the connector is provided by extending in a direction intersecting an insertion direction of the insertion part. The auxiliary member has a locking part locked at an engagement part provided in the connector, a hole part through which the insertion part of the connector passes, and an auxiliary plate that extends in the same direction as the extending direction of the connection parts of the connector from the hole part to be disposed on the fuel injection valve side with respect to the connection parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a circulation connector module for connecting a return pipe to a fuel injection valve, and to a fuel injection valve. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a fuel injection valve used in a common rail system of an internal combustion engine introduces high-pressure fuel pumped from a common rail into the fuel injection valve, and then injects fuel into the internal combustion engine by opening and closing an injection hole at the tip using a valve body.

[0003] Here, high-pressure fuel introduced into the fuel injection valve flows into the pressure control chamber and the injection hole, and a portion of the fuel is discharged from the pressure control chamber, causing the valve body to move back, and the injection hole is opened, causing the high-pressure fuel to be injected from the injection hole. Excess fuel discharged at this time and fuel leaking as lubricating oil are returned to the fuel tank via a return pipe. In such a fuel injection system, the fuel injection valve and the return pipe are connected via a connector attached to the fuel injection valve, forming a passage for returning the fuel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-59684 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, the fuel injection system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes multiple fuel injection valves, and fuel discharged from each fuel injection valve is returned to a fuel tank through a common return passage. For this reason, the connector attached to the fuel injection valve has an insertion portion that is inserted into the fuel injection valve, and a connection portion that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the connector into the fuel injection valve and to which the return pipe is connected.

[0006] For example, in the event of a malfunction of the fuel injection valve or damage to the return pipe constituting the return passage, an operator removes the connector from the fuel injection valve and replaces the fuel injection valve or the return pipe. If the connection portion extends in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the connector into the fuel injection valve, the connector has a shape that makes it easy for an operator to grasp the connection portion when removing the connector from the fuel injection valve, and this may cause stress to be applied to the connection portion, resulting in damage to the connector.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a circulation connector module and a fuel injection valve that can suppress stress being applied to the connection part when removing the connector from the fuel injection valve, thereby reducing damage to the connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a circulation connector module that connects a return pipe for returning fuel from a fuel injection valve of an internal combustion engine to the fuel tank to the fuel injection valve, the circulation connector module comprising: an insertion portion inserted into a fuel discharge hole of the fuel injection valve, a connection portion to which the return pipe is connected, and a connector having a fuel passage leading from the insertion portion to the connection portion, a fixing member that fixes the connector to the fuel injection valve, and an auxiliary member for detaching the connector from the fuel injection valve, the connection portion of the connector extending in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the insertion portion, and the auxiliary member having a locking portion that engages with an engaging portion provided on the connector, a hole portion through which the insertion portion of the connector is inserted, and an auxiliary plate that extends from the hole portion in the same direction as the connection portion of the connector extends and is positioned on the fuel injection valve side of the connection portion, and a fuel injection valve equipped with such a circulation connector module is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the application of stress to the connection portion when removing the connector from the fuel injection valve, thereby reducing damage to the connector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine in which a fuel injection valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel injection valve according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a circulation connector module according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the circulation connector module according to the embodiment is attached to a fuel injection valve. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view showing a state before the circulation connector module according to the embodiment is attached to the fuel injection valve; FIG. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a process of attaching the circulation connector module according to the embodiment to a fuel injection valve. [Figure 7] 4 is a perspective view showing a process of attaching the circulation connector module according to the embodiment to a fuel injection valve. FIG. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a process of attaching the circulation connector module according to the embodiment to a fuel injection valve. [Figure 9] 4 is a perspective view showing a process of attaching the circulation connector module according to the embodiment to a fuel injection valve. FIG. [Figure 10] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of removing the circulation connector module according to the embodiment from the fuel injection valve. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view showing a process of removing the circulation connector module according to the embodiment from the fuel injection valve. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the circulation connector module according to the embodiment is attached to a fuel injection valve. FIG. [Figure 13]1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the circulation connector module according to the embodiment is attached to a fuel injection valve; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] <1. Fuel injection system> First, an example of a fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine to which a circulation connector module and a fuel injection valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied will be described.

[0013] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a fuel injection system 1 for a diesel engine including a circulation connector module and a fuel injection valve according to this embodiment. The fuel injection system 1 is constructed as a common rail system including a pressure accumulator (common rail) 19. In this embodiment, the internal combustion engine is a diesel engine, but the type of internal combustion engine is not particularly limited.

[0014] The fuel injection system 1 includes a fuel tank 3, a feed pump (low pressure pump) 5 that discharges fuel from the fuel tank 3, a fuel supply pump (high pressure pump) 11 that pressurizes and pumps the fuel, a common rail 19 that accumulates the fuel pumped from the fuel supply pump 11, and a fuel injection valve (injector) 30 that injects the fuel distributed by the common rail 19 into the cylinders of the internal combustion engine.

[0015] The feed pump 5 has a function of discharging fuel (diesel) in the fuel tank 3 and supplying it to a fuel supply pump 11 via a low-pressure passage 7. The feed pump 5 may be an electric pump or a gear pump that is rotationally driven by the power of the internal combustion engine. The low-pressure passage 7 includes a filter 9 between the feed pump 5 and the fuel supply pump 11.

[0016] The fuel supplied from the feed pump 5 is supplied to the pressurization chamber of the fuel supply pump 11 with its flow rate controlled by the proportional control valve 13. Excess fuel is discharged to a return passage 25 via an overflow valve (not shown) provided in parallel with the proportional control valve 13, and is returned to the fuel tank 3. The fuel supply pump 11 is driven to rotate by the power of the internal combustion engine, pressurizes the fuel supplied to the pressurization chamber, and pressure-feeds it through the high-pressure fuel passage 15 towards the common rail 19.

[0017] The common rail 19 accumulates the fuel pumped from the fuel supply pump 11, brings it to a high pressure state, and distributes the fuel at a uniform pressure to each fuel injection valve 30. The common rail 19 is provided with a pressure sensor 21 that detects the pressure inside the common rail 19 (also referred to as "rail pressure"), and a pressure regulating valve 23 that adjusts the rail pressure. The control device 17 controls the drive of the proportional control valve 13 to control the flow rate of high-pressure fuel supplied to the common rail 19, and also controls the drive of the pressure regulating valve 23 so that the rail pressure detected by the pressure sensor 21 becomes a desired pressure. The fuel discharged via the pressure regulating valve 23 is returned to the fuel tank 3 via a return passage 29.

[0018] High-pressure fuel distributed from the common rail 19 to each fuel injection valve 30 flows into a pressure control chamber (not shown) of the fuel injection valve 30. The high-pressure fuel that has flowed into the pressure control chamber biases the valve body in a direction to close the injection hole, and by discharging a portion of the high-pressure fuel in the pressure control chamber, the biasing force of the valve body is weakened, and fuel is injected from the injection hole into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The control device 17 controls the drive of the fuel injection valve 30 based on the rail pressure and the target injection amount. At this time, the fuel discharged from the pressure control chamber is returned to the fuel tank 3 via a return passage (return piping) 27 connected to the fuel injection valve 30 using a circulation connector module 50.

[0019] <2. Fuel injection valve> Next, a configuration example of the fuel injection valve 30 to which the circulation connector module 50 according to this embodiment is attached will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

[0020] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the fuel injection valve 30. The fuel injection valve 30 includes a housing 31, an outlet body 32, a nozzle body 33, a nozzle nut 34, a piston 47, and a needle valve 49. The nozzle body 33 is attached to the front end side of the housing 31 by using the nozzle nut 34. The outlet body 32 is attached to the rear end side of the housing 31 by press-fitting or screwing.

[0021] The housing 31 has a hole extending in the axial direction, and a piston 47 is slidably disposed within the hole. The nozzle body 33 has a hole extending in the axial direction, and a needle valve 49 is slidably disposed within the hole. An injection hole 35 is formed at the tip end (lower end) of the hole. The hole of the housing 31 and the hole of the nozzle body 33 are arranged coaxially. An intermediate member 48 is disposed between the piston 47 and the needle valve 49 in contact with the piston 47 and the needle valve 49, respectively. The intermediate member 48 is constantly biased toward the needle valve 49 by the biasing force of the spring 46, and biases the needle valve 49 toward the injection hole 35 (valve closing direction).

[0022] The fuel injection valve 30 has a first fuel passage 37 and a second fuel passage 39 through which high-pressure fuel distributed from the common rail 19 via an inlet body (not shown) passes. The high-pressure fuel flowing through the first fuel passage 37 is introduced into a gallery provided midway through the hole of the nozzle body 33. The pressure of the high-pressure fuel introduced into the gallery urges a needle valve 49 toward the rear end (valve opening direction). The high-pressure fuel flowing through the second fuel passage 39 is introduced into a pressure control chamber 41 formed on the rear end side of a piston 47. The pressure of the high-pressure fuel introduced into the pressure control chamber 41 urges the piston 47 toward the front end (valve closing direction).

[0023] The fuel injection valve 30 is equipped with an on-off control valve 43 that discharges high-pressure fuel from a pressure control chamber 41. When the sum of the pressure in the pressure control chamber 41 and the biasing force of a spring 46 exceeds the gallery pressure, the injection hole 35 is closed by a needle valve 49. On the other hand, when high-pressure fuel is discharged from the pressure control chamber 41 and the pressure in the pressure control chamber 41 decreases, and the sum of the pressure in the pressure control chamber 41 and the biasing force of the spring 46 falls below the gallery pressure, the needle valve 49 moves backward to open the injection hole 35 and perform fuel injection.

[0024] The fuel discharged from the pressure control chamber 41 by the on-off control valve 43 flows into a fuel passage 59 in the circulation connector module 50 via a fuel discharge passage 45, and further flows through a return passage (return piping) 27 to return to the fuel tank 3. The circulation connector module 50 is fixed to the outlet body 32 attached to the end position on the opposite side to the injection hole 35.

[0025] <3.Circulation connector module> Next, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the circulation connector module 50. In the following description, up, down, left and right directions refer to up, down, left and right directions in the drawings.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view shown for explaining the circulation connector module 50. As shown in FIG. The circulation connector module 50 includes a connector 51, a fixing member 61, and an auxiliary member 71. The connector 51 is a member to which the return pipe 27 is connected and which is inserted into a fuel discharge hole of the outlet body 32 of the fuel injection valve 30. The fixing member 61 is a member for fixing the connector 51 to the fuel injection valve 30. The auxiliary member 71 is a member for detaching the connector 51 from the fuel injection valve 30. The connector 51, the fixing member 61, and the auxiliary member 71 are each a molded product formed using resin or the like.

[0027] (connector) The connector 51 includes an insertion portion 53 that is inserted into a fuel discharge hole of the outlet body 32 of the fuel injection valve 30, a head portion 52 that is continuous with the upper portion of the insertion portion 53, two connection portions 55a, 55b to which the return pipe 27 is connected, and a fuel passage (not shown) that leads from the insertion portion 53 to the two connection portions 55a, 55b. The insertion portion 53 is a stepped cylindrical portion that extends in a predetermined axial direction, and a seal ring 81 is attached to the middle portion. In addition, a locking portion (third locking portion) 58 is provided on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 53. The third locking portion 58 has the form of a claw portion that protrudes outward, and is provided on the front and back sides of the figure.

[0028] The two connection parts 55a, 55b are cylindrical parts extending in opposite directions from the head 52 toward a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the insertion part 53. The fuel passages are communication holes provided inside the connector 51 and opening at the tip of the insertion part 53 and each of the two connection parts 55a, 55b.

[0029] Walls 54a and 54b are provided at the boundaries between the head 52 and the connecting portions 55a and 55b. The two walls 54a and 54b are plate-shaped portions extending in the axial direction of the insertion portion 53, perpendicular to the direction in which the connecting portions 55a and 55b extend. In appearance, the connecting portions 55a and 55b extend from the centers of the walls 54a and 54b.

[0030] The two walls 54a, 54b each have a first engagement portion 56a and a second engagement portion 56b on the surface facing the head 52. The first engagement portion 56a and the second engagement portion 56b are grooves extending in directions intersecting the axial direction of the insertion portion 53 and the axial direction of the connection portions 55a, 55b. However, the first engagement portion 56a and the second engagement portion 56b may be recesses or slits.

[0031] Pressing plates 57a, 57b, which are formed to extend in the same direction as the connecting portions 55a, 55b and have upper and lower surfaces, are connected to the upper ends of the wall portions 54a, 54b. The widths of the wall portions 54a, 54b and the pressing plates 57a, 57b are larger than the diameters of the connecting portions 55a, 55b, and the pressing plates 57a, 57b are provided so as to cover the upper sides of the connecting portions 55a, 55b.

[0032] (Fixing member) The fixing member 61 is assembled to the connector 51 from above. The fixing member 61 has a plate-shaped base 62 that is substantially parallel to the pressing plates 57a, 57b, and four legs 63a to 63d that extend downward from the four corners of the base 62. The four legs 63a to 63d have locking portions (second locking portions) 64a (64b to 64d are not shown) at their lower ends. The second locking portions 64a (64b to 64d) have the form of claws that protrude outward in the left-right direction, and can be locked to the first engagement portion 56a and the second engagement portion 56b of the connector 51 as the fixing member 61 is displaced.

[0033] A standing portion 65 extending downward is provided on the underside of the base portion 62. The standing portions 65 are provided on the front and rear sides as shown in the figure, and the head 52 of the connector 51 is fitted between the two standing portions 65. An engagement claw 66 is provided on the lower end of the standing portion 65. With the second locking portion 64a (64b to 64d) of the fixing member 61 locked to the first locking portion 56a of the connector 51, the engagement claw 66 is fitted between the third locking portion 58 and the insertion portion 53 of the connector 51.

[0034] (Auxiliary parts) The auxiliary member 71 is assembled to the connector 51 from below. The auxiliary member 71 has an auxiliary plate 72, two push-up parts 73a, 73b, four legs 74a to 74d, and a hole 76. The auxiliary plate 72 is a plate-shaped part having an upper surface and a lower surface, and the legs 74a to 74d, the push-up parts 73a, 73b, and the hole 76 are provided in the center of the auxiliary plate 72 in the longitudinal direction. The hole 76 is a hole that penetrates the auxiliary plate 72 from top to bottom, and the insertion part 53 of the connector 51 is inserted through it.

[0035] The auxiliary plate 72 has plate portions 72a, 72b that extend from the hole portion 76 in the same direction as the connecting portions 55a, 55b of the connector 51 and are disposed below the connecting portions 55a, 55b (on the fuel injection valve side). The width of the plate portions 72a, 72b is larger than the diameter of the connecting portions 55a, 55b, and the plate portions 72a, 72b are disposed so as to cover the lower sides of the connecting portions 55a, 55b.

[0036] The four legs 74a to 74d are provided so as to extend upward from the auxiliary plate 72 and surround the hole 76. Locking portions (first locking portions) 75a to 75d are provided at the upper ends of the four legs 74a to 74d, respectively. The first locking portions 75a to 75d have the form of claw portions that protrude outward in the left-right direction and are capable of being locked with the first engagement portion 56a and the second engagement portion 56b of the connector 51 as the auxiliary member 71 is displaced.

[0037] The two push-up parts 73a, 73b are provided so as to extend upward from the auxiliary plate 72 along the edge of the hole 76. The two push-up parts 73a, 73b are provided on the front and rear sides of the hole 76, respectively. When the first locking parts 75b to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are locked to the second engaging part 56b of the connector 51, the upper ends of the push-up parts 73a, 73b abut against the lower surface of the base part 62 of the fixing member 61. When the first locking parts 75b to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are locked to the second engaging part 56b of the connector 51, the upper surfaces of the two plate parts 72a, 72b abut against the lower ends of the walls 54a, 54b of the connector 51.

[0038] In Figure 3, the fixing member 61 is assembled to the connector 51, while the auxiliary member 71 is shown separated from the connector 51, but the first locking portions 75a-75d of the auxiliary member 71 are locked to the first engagement portion 56a of the connector 51 to form the circulation connector module 50.

[0039] <4.Operation> So far, we have described the configurations of the fuel injection valve 30 and the circulation connector module 50 according to this embodiment. Next, the operation of the circulation connector module 50 will be described.

[0040] 4 to 12 are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the circulation connector module 50 when attaching the circulation connector module 50 to the fuel injection valve 30 and further removing the circulation connector module 50 from the fuel injection valve 30. FIGS. 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 are perspective views of the rear end portion of the fuel injection valve 30 and the circulation connector module 50.

[0041] 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 show cross-sectional views of the rear end of the fuel injection valve 30 and the circulation connector module 50, and schematic diagrams showing the state in which the second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 and the first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are locked to the first engagement portion 56a and the second engagement portion 56b of the connector 51. The cross-sectional views are perpendicular to the direction in which the auxiliary plate 72 of the auxiliary member 71 extends and are along the axial direction of the insertion portion 53 of the connector 51. The schematic diagrams show the walls 54a and 54b of the connector 51, the legs 63a and 63b of the fixing member 61, and the legs 74a and 74b of the auxiliary member 71 as viewed from the side (the front of FIGS. 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12).

[0042] 4 and 5 show a state before the circulation connector module 50 is attached to the fuel injection valve 30. In a state before the circulation connector module 50 is attached to the fuel injection valve 30, the four second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 are each locked to the second engagement portion 56b of the connector 51. In addition, the four first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are each locked to the first engagement portion 56a of the connector 51.

[0043] The return pipes 27 are connected to the two connection parts 55a, 55b of the connector 51 of the circulation connector module 50. The connection parts between the return pipes 27 and the connection parts 55a, 55b are located between the pressing plates 57a, 57b of the connector 51 and the plate parts 72a, 72b of the auxiliary member 71, and are protected by the pressing plates 57a, 57b and the plate parts 72a, 72b to prevent impact from being applied from above and below.

[0044] 6 and 7 show a state where the connector 51 of the circulation connector module 50 is inserted into the fuel discharge hole 32a of the fuel injection valve 30. The operator inserts the connector 51 into the fuel discharge hole 32a by pushing the pressing plates 57a and 57b of the connector 51 toward the fuel injection valve 30. This prevents stress from being applied to the connection between the return pipe 27 and the connection parts 55a and 55b when the connector 51 is inserted. The connector 51 is pushed into the fuel discharge hole 32a until the bottom surface (lower surface) of the head 52 of the connector 51 abuts against the rear end surface of the fuel injection valve 30. At this time, the third locking portion 58 provided on the insertion portion 53 of the connector 51 is engaged with an engagement portion (third engagement portion) 79 provided on the inner circumferential surface of the fuel discharge hole 32a.

[0045] With the insertion portion 53 of the connector 51 inserted into the fuel drain hole 32a, the four second locking portions 64a-64d of the fixing member 61 continue to be locked to the second engagement portion 56b of the connector 51. Also, the four first locking portions 75a-75d of the auxiliary member 71 continue to be locked to the first engagement portion 56a of the connector 51.

[0046] 8 and 9 show a state in which the fixing member 61 of the circulation connector module 50 is pushed into the connector 51, and the circulation connector module 50 is fixed to the fuel discharge hole 32a of the fuel injection valve 30. The worker pushes the base 62 of the fixing member 61 toward the connector 51, and engages the second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 with the first engaging portion 56a of the connector 51. As a result, the engaging claws 66 provided on the lower end of the erected portion 65 of the fixing member 61 push and spread the third locking portion 58 of the connector 51 radially outward of the insertion portion 53, and reliably engage the third locking portion 58 with the third engaging portion 79 of the fuel discharge hole 32a. As a result, the connector 51 is firmly fixed to the fuel discharge hole 32a.

[0047] In a state where the fixing member 61 is pushed into the connector 51, the four second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 and the four first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are all locked to the first engagement portion 56a of the connector 51. In addition, the upper ends of the push-up portions 73a and 73b of the auxiliary member 71 are in contact with or in close proximity to the lower surface of the base portion 62 of the fixing member 61. In the illustrated example, the first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are located outside the second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 (outside in the direction along the front-rear direction in FIG. 8). Therefore, the first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 and the second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 can be locked to the first engagement portion 56a of the connector 51 at the same time. However, the first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 may be located more inward than the second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixed member 61, respectively.

[0048] 10 and 11 show a state in which the auxiliary member 71 of the circulation connector module 50 is pushed up. When removing the circulation connector module 50 from the fuel injection valve 30 in order to replace the return pipe 27 or the fuel injection valve 30, the worker grasps the circulation connector module 50 by pinching the rear end side of the fuel injection valve 30 with two fingers, and pushes the plate portions 72a, 72b of the auxiliary member 71 upward with the two fingers.

[0049] At this time, first, the auxiliary member 71 moves upward to a position where the first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are disengaged from the first engagement portion 56a of the connector 51 and engaged with the second engagement portion 56b. As the auxiliary member 71 moves upward, the base portion 62 of the fixing member 61 that abuts against the upper ends of the push-up portions 73a, 73b of the auxiliary member 71 is pushed upward. As a result, the fixing member 61 moves upward, and the second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 are disengaged from the first engagement portion 56a of the connector 51 and engaged with the second engagement portion 56b.

[0050] When the fixing member 61 is pushed upward, the engaging claw 66 provided on the lower end of the erected portion 65 of the fixing member 61 moves away from the third engaging portion 58 of the connector 51. This releases the state in which the third engaging portion 58 is pushed outward in the radial direction of the insertion portion 53, making it easier for the third engaging portion 58 to disengage from the third engaging portion 79.

[0051] In a state before the auxiliary member 71 is pushed up (the state shown in Figs. 8 and 9), the dimension (distance) L (see Fig. 9) of the gap between the lower ends of the wall portions 54a, 54b of the connector 51 and the upper surfaces of the plate portions 72a, 72b of the auxiliary member 71 is designed to match the moving distance from the first engaging portion 56a to the second engaging portion 56b of the connector 51. Therefore, when the auxiliary member 71 is pushed up, the moving range of the auxiliary member 71 that moves relative to the connector 51 is limited, and it is possible to prevent the second locking portions 64a-64d of the fixing member 61 from exceeding the second engaging portion 56b of the connector 51 and causing the fixing member 61 to fall off the connector 51.

[0052] When the auxiliary member 71 is pushed up, the four second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 and the four first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are all locked to the second engagement portions 56b of the connector 51.

[0053] 12 and 13 show a state in which the circulation connector module 50 has been removed from the fuel injection valve 30. From the state shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the worker further pushes the plate portions 72a, 72b of the auxiliary member 71 upward, whereby the circulation connector module 50 is lifted upward, and the insertion portion 53 of the connector 51 can be removed from the fuel discharge hole 32a.

[0054] In a state in which the circulation connector module 50 is removed, the four second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 and the four first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are all locked to the second engaging portion 56b of the connector 51. Therefore, the circulation connector module 50 is held integrally without being disassembled.

[0055] <5. Effects> As described above, the circulation connector module 50 according to this embodiment includes the connector 51 having the insertion portion 53 inserted into the fuel discharge hole 32a of the fuel injection valve 30, the connection portions 55a, 55b to which the return pipe 27 is connected, and the fuel passage 59 leading from the insertion portion 53 to the connection portions 55a, 55b, the fixing member 61 that fixes the connector 51 to the fuel injection valve 30, and the auxiliary member 71 for detaching the connector 51 from the fuel injection valve 30. , 55b are arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of insertion portion 53, and auxiliary member 71 has first engagement portions 75a-75d that engage with first engagement portion 56a provided on connector 51, a hole portion 76 through which insertion portion 53 of connector 51 is inserted, and auxiliary plates (plate portions) 72a, 72b that extend from hole portion 76 in the same direction as the extension of connection portions 55a, 55b of connector 51 and are positioned on the fuel injection valve 30 side rather than connection portions 55a, 55b.

[0056] Therefore, the worker can remove the connector 51 from the fuel injection valve 30 by applying an external force to the auxiliary member 71. Therefore, when removing the connector 51 from the fuel injection valve 30, the worker can be prevented from grabbing the connection portion between the return pipe 27 and the connection portions 55a, 55b of the connector 51 and applying an external force to the connection portion. This reduces the risk of the connector being damaged due to an incorrect work procedure by the worker. Furthermore, the circulation connector module 50 according to this embodiment reduces the risk of the worker pressing the connection portion when attaching the connector 51 to the fuel injection valve 30, and can reduce the risk of the connector being damaged.

[0057] Furthermore, since the circulation connector module 50 of this embodiment is constructed by adding an auxiliary member 71 having a relatively simple configuration, the circulation connector module 50 can be constructed at low cost, for example, by simply adding the auxiliary member 71 to an existing connector 51 and fixing member 61.

[0058] Moreover, the auxiliary member 71 of the circulation connector module 50 according to this embodiment has a configuration in which the auxiliary plate 72 arranged along the return pipe 27 protects the return pipe 27 when the connector 51 is removed from the fuel injection valve 30. This makes it possible to achieve both effective use of the space in the space in which the internal combustion engine is mounted and protection of the return pipe 27.

[0059] In addition, the auxiliary member 71 of the circulation connector module 50 in this embodiment has push-up portions 73a, 73b that press the fixed member 61 when the connector 51 is detached from the fuel injection valve 30, and when the connector 51 is detached from the fuel injection valve 30, the first engagement portions 75a-75d of the auxiliary member 71 and the second engagement portions 64a-64d of the fixed member 61 both move from the first engagement portion 56a to the second engagement portion 56b of the connector 51, and the third engagement portion 58 of the connector 51 disengages from the third engagement portion 79 provided on the inner surface of the fuel discharge hole 32a, thereby detaching the connector 51 from the fuel injection valve 30.

[0060] Therefore, when removing the connector 51 from the fuel injection valve 30, the release of the engagement of the third locking portion 58 of the connector 51 with the third engagement portion 79 of the fuel discharge hole 32a by the fixing member 61 and the operation of pulling out the connector 51 from the fuel discharge hole 32a can be integrated. This makes it possible to easily remove the connector 51 from the fuel injection valve 30.

[0061] In the circulation connector module 50 according to this embodiment, the connector 51 has a first engagement portion 56a and a second engagement portion 56b to which the second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 and the first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are respectively locked. In a state before the connector 51 is fixed to the fuel injection valve 30, the first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 are locked to the first engagement portion 56a of the connector 51, and the second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 are locked to the second engagement portion 56b provided on the connector 51. In a state in which the connector 51 is attached to the fuel injection valve 30, the first locking portions 75a to 75d of the auxiliary member 71 and the second locking portions 64a to 64d of the fixing member 61 are both locked to the first engagement portion 56a of the connector 51, and the connector 51 is fixed to the fuel injection valve 30.

[0062] As a result, when the connector 51 is attached to or removed from the fuel injection valve 30, it is positioned in a step-by-step manner, allowing the circulation connector module 50 to be handled as a single unit and eliminating any operational misalignment when the connector 51 is attached to or removed from the fuel injection valve 30.

[0063] In particular, in the circulation connector module 50 according to this embodiment, a part of the auxiliary member 71 abuts against a part of the connector 51 when the connector 51 is detached from the fuel injection valve 30, thereby limiting the relative movement distance of the auxiliary member 71 with respect to the connector 51, and the relative movement distance is configured to match the movement distance from the first engagement portion 56a to the second engagement portion 56b. Therefore, when the connector 51 is removed from the fuel injection valve 30, it is possible to prevent the fixing member 61 from falling off the connector 51.

[0064] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1: Fuel injection system 27: Return pipe 30: Fuel injection valve 50:Circulation connector module 51: Connector 52:Head 53: Insertion section 54a・54b: Wall part 55a·55b: Connection part 56a: First engagement portion 56b: Second engagement portion 57a·57b: Presser plate 58: Third locking portion 59:Fuel passage 61: Fixing member 62: Base 63a~63d: Legs 64a to 64d: Second locking portion 65: Vertical section 66: Engagement claw 71: Auxiliary parts 72: Auxiliary plate 72a·72b: Plate section 73a・73b: Push-up part 74a~74d: Legs 75a to 75d: First locking portion 76: Hole 79: Third engagement portion 81:Fuel exhaust hole

Claims

1. A circulation connector module (50) for connecting a return pipe (27) for returning fuel from a fuel injection valve (30) of an internal combustion engine to the fuel injection valve (30), comprising: a connector (51) having an insertion portion (53) inserted into a fuel discharge hole (32a) of the fuel injection valve (30), a connection portion (55a, 55b) to which the return pipe (27) is connected, and a fuel passage (59) leading from the insertion portion (53) to the connection portion (55a, 55b); a fixing member (61) for fixing the connector (51) to the fuel injection valve (30); an auxiliary member (71) for detaching the connector (51) from the fuel injection valve (30); The connection portions (55a, 55b) of the connector (51) are provided to extend in a direction intersecting with an insertion direction of the insertion portion (53), The auxiliary member (71) has a locking portion (75a, 75b, 75c, 75d) that is locked to an engaging portion (56a) provided on the connector (51), a hole portion (76) through which the insertion portion (53) of the connector (51) is inserted, and auxiliary plates (72a, 72b) that extend from the hole portion (76) in the same direction as the extension direction of the connection portion (55a, 55b) of the connector (51) and are disposed on the fuel injection valve (30) side relative to the connection portion (55a, 55b). A circulation connector module comprising:

2. When the engaging portion (56a) is a first engaging portion (56a) and the locking portion (75a, 75b, 75c, 75d) is a first locking portion (75a, 75b, 75c, 75d), The fixing member (61) has a second locking portion (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) that is locked to the first engagement portion (56a) of the connector (51), the second engaging portion (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) is engaged with the first engaging portion (56a), whereby a third engaging portion (58) provided on the connector (51) is engaged with a third engaging portion (79) provided on an inner circumferential surface of the fuel discharge hole (32a), and the connector (51) is fixed to the fuel injection valve (30).

2. The circulation connector module according to claim 1 .

3. before the connector (51) is fixed to the fuel injection valve (30), the first locking portion (75a, 75b, 75c, 75d) of the auxiliary member (71) is locked to the first engaging portion (56a) of the connector (51), and the second locking portion (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) of the fixing member (61) is locked to a second engaging portion (56b) provided on the connector (51); with the connector (51) attached to the fuel injection valve (30), the first locking portion (75a, 75b, 75c, 75d) of the auxiliary member (71) and the second locking portion (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) of the fixing member (61) are both locked to the first engaging portion (56a) of the connector (51), thereby fixing the connector (51) to the fuel injection valve (30).

3. The circulation connector module according to claim 2.

4. the auxiliary member (71) has push-up portions (73a, 73b) that push the fixing member (61) when the connector (51) is detached from the fuel injection valve (30), when the connector (51) is detached from the fuel injection valve (30), the first locking portion (75a, 75b, 75c, 75d) of the auxiliary member (71) and the second locking portion (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) of the fixing member (61) both move from the first engagement portion (56a) to the second engagement portion (56b) of the connector (51), and the third locking portion (58) of the connector (51) comes off the third engagement portion (79) provided on the inner circumferential surface of the fuel discharge hole (32a), thereby detaching the connector (51) from the fuel injection valve (30).

4. The circulation connector module according to claim 3.

5. when the connector (51) is detached from the fuel injection valve (30), a part of the auxiliary member (71) abuts against a part of the connector (51), thereby limiting a relative movement distance of the auxiliary member (71) with respect to the connector (51), and the relative movement distance coincides with a movement distance from the first engagement portion (56a) to the second engagement portion (56b).

5. The circulation connector module according to claim 4.

6. A fuel injection valve (30) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a circulation connector module (50) for connecting a return pipe (27) for returning fuel from the fuel injection valve (30) to a fuel tank (3), The circulation connector module (50) comprises: a connector (51) having an insertion portion (53) inserted into a fuel discharge hole (32a) of the fuel injection valve (30), a connection portion (55a, 55b) to which the return pipe (27) is connected, and a fuel passage (59) leading from the insertion portion (53) to the connection portion (55a, 55b); a fixing member (61) for fixing the connector (51) to the fuel injection valve (30); an auxiliary member (71) for detaching the connector (51) from the fuel injection valve (30); The connection portions (55a, 55b) of the connector (51) are provided to extend in a direction intersecting with an insertion direction of the insertion portion (53), The auxiliary member (71) has a locking portion (75a, 75b, 75c, 75d) that is locked to an engaging portion (56a) provided on the connector (51), a hole portion (76) through which the insertion portion (53) of the connector (51) is inserted, and auxiliary plates (72a, 72b) that extend from the hole portion (76) in the same direction as the extension direction of the connection portion (55a, 55b) of the connector (51) and are disposed on the fuel injection valve (30) side relative to the connection portion (55a, 55b). A fuel injection valve characterized by:

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