Connector Valve Body Switches Flow Path to Reduce Fuel Pulsation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel supply systems face complexity and cost increases due to the need for damper mechanisms or return paths to reduce pulsation in low-pressure pipes, which complicates the structure and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A connector with a tubular-shaped body and a valve body that forms a larger forward flow path when high-pressure fuel does not flow back, and a smaller orifice flow path when it does, reducing pulsation by interposing the orifice flow path between the high-pressure and low-pressure pumps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a damper mechanism or return path is provided to reduce pulsation in the low-pressure pipe, then pulsation is reduced, but the structure becomes complicated and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulsation in low-pressure pipeVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pulsation reduction function with the existing connector structure by integrating a valve body that automatically switches between a forward flow path and an orifice flow path. This merging eliminates the need for separate damper mechanisms or return paths, reducing structural complexity while maintaining pulsation reduction effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve body in the connector automatically responds to pressure changes from the high-pressure pump and switches between flow paths without external control. The system uses its own pressure fluctuations to trigger the pulsation reduction mechanism, eliminating the need for external dampers or controlled return paths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a damper mechanism or return path is provided to reduce pulsation in the low-pressure pipe, then pulsation is reduced, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulsation in low-pressure pipeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector serves multiple functions: it connects the low-pressure pipe while simultaneously providing pulsation reduction through its integrated valve body. The valve body universally handles both normal fuel flow and pulsation suppression, eliminating the need for separate dedicated pulsation reduction components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The connector effectively reduces pulsation in low-pressure pipes without complicating the structure, ensuring reliable fuel supply and noise reduction while simplifying design and manufacturing, thus lowering costs.

Implementation Method 1

the valve body is configured to, when the high-pressure fuel does not flow back, come into a first state in which a forward flow path is formed between the valve body and an inner circumferential surface of the connector body by a pressure of the low-pressure fuel, and when the high-pressure fuel flows back, come into a second state in which an orifice flow path having a smaller flow path sectional area than the forward flow path is formed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11092123B2Connector

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 SUMITOMO RIKO CO LTD

AI summary

A connector includes: a connector body formed in a tubular shape; and a valve body stored inside the connector body, the valve body being configured to, when high-pressure fuel does not flow back, come into a first state in which a forward flow path is formed between the valve body and an inner circumferential surface of the connector body by a pressure of low-pressure fuel, and when high-pressure fuel flows back, come into a second state in which an orifice flow path having a smaller flow path sectional area than the forward flow path is formed between the valve body and the inner circumferential surface of the connector body.