External Fuel Injector for Pre-Chamber Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines with pre-chambers face challenges in reducing component complexity and cost while achieving improved fuel efficiency, as existing turbulent jet ignition configurations are cumbersome and expensive.
Innovation Solution
The engine employs a pre-assembled and removable cartridge with an ignitor and fresh air inlet but no fuel injector directly mounted, featuring multiple fuel injections external to the pre-chamber, with a single fuel injector for both the main and pre-chamber combustion, and a tapered aperture connecting the two, allowing for efficient fuel-air mixing and reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple fuel injectors are used for pre-chamber and main chamber combustion, then fuel injection precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuel injection function for both pre-chamber and main chamber into a single fuel injector located in the pre-chamber. This single injector delivers fuel to the pre-chamber where it mixes with air, and the combustible mixture then transfers to the main chamber through connection holes, eliminating the need for separate fuel injectors for each chamber and reducing component complexity while maintaining precise fuel control
Solution Approach 2:
The single fuel injector in the pre-chamber serves multiple functions: it provides fuel for pre-chamber combustion, supplies fuel for main chamber combustion through the transferred mixture, and controls the timing and quantity of fuel delivery for both chambers, making it a multi-functional component that replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized injectors
2Ease of operation
If multiple fuel injectors are mounted directly to the pre-chamber cartridge, then fuel delivery control is improved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fuel injector from the pre-chamber cartridge assembly, locating it instead in the pre-chamber housing on the cylinder head. The pre-chamber cartridge becomes a separate, simpler component containing only the ignitor and connection holes, allowing it to be pre-assembled and tested independently before final installation, thereby reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing cost while fuel delivery control is maintained through the external injector positioning
3Volume of moving object
If a compact pre-chamber cartridge design is used, then packaging space is improved, but component assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pre-chamber system into distinct modules: a compact pre-chamber cartridge containing the ignitor and connection holes, and a separate fuel injector mounted in the pre-chamber housing. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be compact and pre-assembled, reducing packaging space requirements, while the modular design actually simplifies overall assembly by allowing independent preparation and testing of components before final installation
4Device complexity
If fuel injector is integrated into the pre-chamber cartridge, then component count is reduced, but manufacturing and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fuel injector from the pre-chamber cartridge, positioning it externally in the pre-chamber housing. This extraction reduces the manufacturing complexity and cost of the cartridge itself, allowing it to be produced as a simpler, pre-assembled unit with fewer integrated components, while the overall component count remains low due to the consolidated fuel delivery system
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 configuration reduces engine weight, assembly complexity, and cost, while enhancing fuel mileage and packaging efficiency, allowing for faster assembly and compatibility with various engine configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A fuel injector positioned externally to the pre-chamber delivers an initial quantity of fuel for main chamber combustion and then a later and smaller quantity of fuel for pre-chamber ignition
Implementation Method 2
at least one aperture extending between a pre-chamber and a main combustion chamber, with a tapered and enlarged internal surface being at an end of the aperture
Implementation Method 3
an internal combustion engine apparatus which employs a pre-assembled and/or removable cartridge including an ignitor and a fresh air inlet
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine includes multiple fuel injections external to a pre-chamber. A further aspect provides an engine pre-chamber ignition apparatus which employs a pre-assembled and/or removable cartridge including an ignitor and a fresh air inlet but not a fuel inlet injector directly mounted thereto. Another aspect of a vehicular engine apparatus includes a fuel injector positioned externally to a pre-chamber which delivers an initial greater quantity of fuel for combustion and then a later and smaller quantity of fuel for pre-chamber ignition.