Fuel Conduit Connection Assembly for High-Pressure Fuel Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing fuel conduit connection systems for internal combustion engines are time-consuming to assemble, prone to leaks, and require significant space due to multiple high-pressure joints and components, making them inefficient and difficult to service.

Innovation Solution

A fuel conduit connection assembly with a mounting structure, fuel receiving conduit portion, and single fuel feeding conduit portion that securely connects external and internal high-pressure pipes, minimizing sealing surfaces and allowing for easy disconnection, while providing a compact and robust interface for high-pressure fuel transfer from a fuel pump to a common rail system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple high-pressure pipes and joints are used to connect fuel pump to common rail, then fuel supply function is achieved, but assembly time increases and leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple high-pressure fuel conduit connections into a single integrated connection assembly. The mounting structure includes multiple inlet fuel duct connections and a single outlet fuel duct connection that collectively replace what would otherwise require multiple separate pipes and joints, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining fuel supply function and reducing leakage risk through fewer connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the fuel conduit connections, integrates multiple inlet connections to a single outlet connection, provides sealing surfaces for leakage prevention, and enables compact arrangement of fuel system components. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, decreasing assembly time while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate fuel components and high-pressure pipes are used, then fuel supply capability is maintained, but space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel supply reliabilityVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple fuel conduit connections into a single integrated mounting structure that consolidates multiple inlet fuel duct connections and a single outlet fuel duct connection. This integration reduces the overall volume required for fuel system components while maintaining the high-pressure fuel supply capability through optimized internal flow paths and compact arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure is designed to nest multiple fuel conduit connections within a compact framework. The inlet fuel duct connections and outlet fuel duct connection are arranged in a nested or closely integrated configuration, allowing the fuel system to occupy minimal space while maintaining all necessary fuel supply functions and high-pressure integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple high-pressure joints are used in fuel system, then fuel distribution to multiple injectors is achieved, but leakage sources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel distribution capabilityVSAvoidleakage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fuel distribution connections into a single integrated mounting structure with multiple inlet fuel duct connections and one outlet fuel duct connection. This consolidation maintains the ability to distribute fuel to multiple injectors while reducing the number of external high-pressure joints, thereby minimizing leakage sources while preserving fuel distribution versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If traditional fuel system assembly with multiple components is used, then fuel pump and common rail are connected, but service and maintenance difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidserviceability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fuel system into modular components, with the mounting structure serving as a self-contained unit that integrates multiple fuel conduit connections. This modular design improves serviceability by allowing the mounting structure to be easily removed and serviced as a single unit while maintaining reliable fuel supply connections during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure is designed as a universal component that provides multiple functions: structural support, fuel conduit connection, sealing, and component mounting. This multi-functionality simplifies service and maintenance by reducing the number of separate components that need to be handled during repair operations while maintaining reliable fuel supply connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4112914A1Fuel conduit connection assembly for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4112914A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4112914A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4112914A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a fuel conduit connection assembly (40) for interconnecting fuel system components (28, 31, 32) of an internal combustion engine (ICE) system (12), wherein the fuel conduit connection assembly comprises a mounting structure (42) for fastening a portion (41) of the assembly to an ICE external structure (20, 22, 22A, 29); a fuel receiving conduit portion (44) having a plurality of inlet fuel duct connections (44A, 44B) for connecting to a plurality of corresponding fuel channels (31, 32) of a fuel system component outside the ICE external structure, respectively; a single fuel feeding conduit portion (46) for connecting to a fuel system component internal the ICE external structure; and a sealing arrangement (48) arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the assembly and configured to provide sealing between a first environment and a second environment in an assembled state with the ICE external structure.