Elastomeric Fuel Injector Manifold for Snowmobile Freeze Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snowmobile fuel injection systems face inefficiencies due to fuel injectors being hard-mounted on metal throttle bodies, leading to delayed fuel delivery, reduced atomization, increased vibration transfer, moisture condensation, and freezing issues, which degrade engine performance and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injection system with an elastomeric injection manifold interposed between the engine and throttle body, featuring a fuel injector socket and a fuel rail, which reduces vibration, prevents freezing, and improves atomization by positioning the fuel injector away from moisture-prone areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the fuel injector is hard-mounted on the metal throttle body, then the fuel delivery distance is reduced, but the vibration transfer to the fuel injector increases and moisture condensation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastomeric injection manifold as an intermediary component between the throttle body and the fuel injector. This manifold serves as a mediator that decouples the fuel injector from direct mounting on the metal throttle body, thereby eliminating vibration transfer while maintaining proper fuel delivery timing and distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an elastomeric (flexible) injection manifold instead of a rigid metal mounting structure. This flexible material absorbs vibrations and prevents them from being transferred to the fuel injector, while still maintaining the structural integrity needed for proper fuel delivery positioning.
2Ease of manufacture
If the fuel injector is mounted on the bottom side of the throttle body, then the installation is simplified, but moisture pooling causes freezing of the fuel injector
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric injection manifold acts as an intermediary that elevates the fuel injector away from the bottom surface of the throttle body where moisture pools. This intermediary structure allows the injector to be positioned in a location that avoids direct contact with condensed moisture, preventing freezing while maintaining ease of installation through the flexible manifold's adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial positioning of the fuel injector by using the elastomeric manifold to elevate it vertically above the moisture-prone bottom surface of the throttle body. This dimensional change in positioning removes the injector from the harmful moisture environment while preserving installation simplicity.
3Strength
If the fuel injector is hard-mounted on the metal throttle body, then the structural support is maximized, but the manufacturing cost increases due to machining requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid metal mounting structure with an elastomeric injection manifold. This flexible component eliminates the need for expensive machining operations on the metal throttle body to create mounting features, while still providing adequate structural support through the elastomeric material's inherent properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric injection manifold serves as a cost-effective alternative to precision-machined metal mounting structures. By using a simpler, less expensive elastomeric component that can be molded rather than machined, the overall manufacturing cost is reduced while maintaining functional performance.
4Device complexity
If the fuel injector is positioned far from the engine, then the throttle body design is simplified, but the throttle response becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric injection manifold serves as an intermediary that allows the fuel injector to be positioned optimally close to the engine for efficient throttle response, while the flexible nature of the manifold accommodates the spatial relationship between the throttle body and engine without requiring complex throttle body design modifications.
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 system enhances throttle response, improves fuel atomization, extends fuel injector lifespan, and reduces manufacturing costs by using a nonmetallic, vibration-damping design that minimizes moisture-related issues and vibration transfer.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric injection manifold interposed between an engine block and a throttle body... a nonmetallic vibration damping injection manifold that reduces vibration transferred to the fuel injector from other parts of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
metal throttle bodies tend to condensate and have moisture buildup... Moisture inside the throttle body is easily frozen in the low-temperature operating environment of a snowmobile
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel injection system for an engine of a vehicle includes a throttle body and an elastomeric injection manifold coupled to the downstream end of the throttle body. The injection manifold defines a fuel injector socket. The fuel injection system also includes a fuel injector receivable by the fuel injector socket of the injection manifold and a fuel rail fluidly coupled to the fuel injector. The fuel rail supplies fuel to the fuel injector.