Elastomeric Cover Cap for High-Pressure Pump Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing high-pressure pumps for internal combustion engines face challenges in assembly due to a covering cap made of hard plastic that cannot adapt to different geometries, leading to complications in attaching the cap after an electrical plug is already fastened.

Innovation Solution

A cover cap that is indirectly attached to the high-pressure pump with an elastic prestressing force, allowing for easy and reliable attachment by stretching and rebounding onto a projection, enabling both positive and non-positive fits, and accommodating the electrical plug and fuel connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hard plastic protective cap is used to cover the cylinder head, then corrosion protection and concealment are improved, but assembly complexity increases because the cap cannot adapt to varying geometries after the electrical connector is connected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cap is changed from a hard plastic material to an elastomeric material, fundamentally changing the material parameter from rigid to flexible. This allows the cap to elastically deform during assembly to accommodate the electrical connector and then rebound to provide a secure fit, resolving the contradiction between protection and assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cap transitions from a static, rigid component to a dynamic, elastic component that can deform and adapt during assembly. The elastomeric material allows the cap to dynamically adjust its shape to accommodate varying geometries and the electrical connector, then maintain a secure protective position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If the protective cap is made of hard plastic, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to varying geometries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidadaptability to geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The material parameter is changed from hard plastic to elastomeric material, transforming the mechanical properties from rigid and strong to flexible and adaptive. The elastomeric material provides sufficient strength for protection while enabling geometric adaptation through elastic deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cap is designed as a flexible elastomeric shell that can deform to accommodate varying geometries of the pump body and electrical connector. The flexible material maintains structural integrity while adapting to different shapes, eliminating the need for precise geometric matching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If the protective cap is attached before the electrical connector, then assembly is simpler, but the cap must be removed and reattached after connector installation which increases time and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric protective cap is designed to accommodate the electrical connector during its initial attachment, eliminating the need for removal and reattachment. The elastic material allows the connector to be installed through or alongside the cap without compromising the cap's protective function, saving assembly time and simplifying the process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates easier assembly by allowing the cover cap to be attached after the electrical plug is in place, providing a secure and reliable seal with elastic properties that adapt to the pump's geometry, preventing moisture and water ingress.

Implementation Method 1

at least one cover cap (8) which is indirectly attached to the outside of the cylinder (6), wherein one end of the at least one cover cap (8) rests on a projection (16) of the rest of the high-pressure pump for positive and force-fit attachment of the end of the cover cap (8) to the projection (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The roller's rolling surface contacts the drive shaft, which has at least one cam, via a shaft rolling surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 3

A spring applies a force to the roller shoe, directed radially to the drive shaft, ensuring the roller remains in constant contact with the shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Spring

Implementation Method 4

The roller is mounted in the roller shoe by means of a plain bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3368764B1High-pressure pump
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3368764B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3368764B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3368764B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a high-pressure pump (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, for conveying a fluid, in particular fuel, e.g. diesel fuel, comprising a drive shaft having at least one cam, at least one piston, at least one cylinder (6) for mounting the at least one cam, wherein the at least one piston is supported on the drive shaft by the at least one cam, so that a translational motion can be carried out by the at least one cam as a result of a rotary motion of the drive shaft, at least one cover cap (8), which is attached indirectly or directly to the outside of the cylinder (6), wherein one end (18) of the at least one cover cap (8) rests on a projection (16) of the remaining high-pressure pump (1) for the interlocking attachment of the end (18) of the cover cap (8) to the projection (16).