Deformable Plunger Sleeve for High-Pressure Pump Volumetric Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-pressure fuel in high-pressure pumps tends to return to low-pressure areas through plunger clearances, reducing volumetric efficiency, especially at low rev conditions, leading to increased weight and cost or accelerated wear when attempting to compensate.

Innovation Solution

The high-pressure pump design includes a plunger sleeve with a first and second section, where the protruding member divides the pressure chamber, allowing the first section to deform inward during fuel pumping, reducing clearance, and recover during fuel sucking, maintaining efficient operation without increasing weight or using expensive materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the machining clearance in the plunger set is reduced to counteract backflow, then volumetric efficiency is improved, but wear resistance decreases and service life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolumetric efficiencyVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger sleeve is designed with a deformable structure that dynamically adjusts the clearance between the plunger and plunger sleeve based on operating conditions. During the fuel pumping stage, the plunger sleeve deforms to reduce clearance and minimize backflow, while during the fuel suction stage, the clearance increases to reduce wear. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining high volumetric efficiency and ensuring long service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a larger fuel pumping volume is selected to compensate for decreased volumetric efficiency, then fuel supply capacity is maintained, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel supply capacityVSAvoidpump weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state and dimensions of the plunger sleeve through controlled deformation. By adjusting the clearance parameter dynamically between pumping and suction stages, the system maintains high volumetric efficiency without requiring increased pump volume, thereby avoiding weight increase while preserving fuel supply capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the length of the plunger clearance is increased to counteract backflow influence, then volumetric efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolumetric efficiencyVSAvoidplunger sleeve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger sleeve is designed as a flexible, deformable component that can dynamically change its internal dimensions. This flexible structure allows the sleeve to contract during the pumping stage to reduce clearance and minimize backflow, eliminating the need for longer rigid clearances or additional sealing components, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving volumetric efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This design enhances volumetric efficiency, reduces wear, and extends service life by minimizing machining clearance, while accommodating higher fuel pressures without increased weight or material costs, improving fuel combustion and reducing consumption.

Implementation Method 1

In the fuel pumping stage, the first section is deformed and shrunk inwards due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the first section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the first section of the plunger sleeve deforms to contract inwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

In the fuel sucking stage, no pressure difference generated between the inside and the outside of the first section, so that the first section is recovered from the contracted configuration to the shape before deformation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentEP3572664B1High-pressure pump
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 UNITED AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS SYST
  • EP3572664B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3572664B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3572664B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5d

AI summary

A high-pressure pump, comprising: a pressure chamber, a plunger sleeve (3) disposed in the pressure chamber, and a protruding member (8) disposed at an outer side of the plunger sleeve (3) and in interference fit to the wall of the pressure chamber. The plunger sleeve (3) comprises a first section (31) and a second section (32) connected to the first section (31). The protruding member (8) is disposed on an outer side of the second section (32) close to the first section (31). The protruding member (8) divides the pressure chamber into a first pressure chamber (1) and a second pressure chamber (2), and the first section (31) is located in the first pressure chamber (1). By lowering the protruding member (8), under the premise of the same volumetric efficiency, the high-pressure pump has a larger plunger clearance in the oil sucking stage, less wear to the plunger set, and a longer service life.