Fuel Injection Valve Support Structure Snap Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support structures for fuel injection valves face challenges in ensuring the elastic support member remains attached during transportation and engine operation, with complexities leading to increased costs and potential detachment due to vibration.
Innovation Solution
A snap engagement structure is implemented using a U-shaped notch and elastic pieces with snap protrusions, increasing contact friction and detachment resistance, while simplifying the structure and reducing costs by adjusting the snap engagement force through notches on the base plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If consecutively providing a pair of sandwiching pieces on the base plate to prevent falling-off during transportation, then the elastic support member can be easily attached to the fuel injection valve, but the structure becomes complicated, processing steps increase, and material yield decreases leading to increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic support member is divided into functional segments: the base plate provides the mounting surface, while the elastic piece with snap protrusion provides the attachment mechanism. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring complex additional structures like sandwiching pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the engagement mechanism from mechanical sandwiching to elastic snap engagement. By utilizing the elastic properties of the material and designing the snap protrusion geometry, the attachment reliability is achieved through elastic deformation and snap-fit mechanics rather than complex mechanical interlocking.
2Reliability
If strengthening the engagement force of the snap engagement structure to prevent detachment during engine vibration, then the elastic support member remains securely attached, but the attachability during transportation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The snap engagement structure incorporates dynamic characteristics through the elastic piece. The engagement force is not static but varies with the deformation state of the elastic piece. During attachment, the elastic piece can deform to accommodate alignment tolerances, making attachment easy. Once engaged, the elastic recovery force maintains secure attachment during engine operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic piece is pre-formed with inherent elastic energy storage capability. This preliminary preparation of the elastic structure allows it to automatically adapt to the attachment process, providing both ease of attachment and secure engagement without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If using a simple snap engagement structure without additional components, then the structure is simplified and cost is reduced, but the engagement force may be insufficient to prevent detachment due to engine vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic support member utilizes composite construction combining the base plate and elastic piece made from elastomeric materials. This composite structure integrates both the rigid mounting function and the flexible engagement function in a single integrated component, achieving both simplicity and reliability without requiring separate elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic piece with snap protrusion serves dual functions: it provides the attachment mechanism and simultaneously generates the engagement force through its elastic recovery. The structure is self-sufficient, using its own elastic properties to maintain engagement during engine operation without requiring additional locking mechanisms or external forces.
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 snap engagement structure ensures reliable attachment and prevents detachment of the elastic support member during engine operation, simplifies the structure, and reduces costs by eliminating the need for additional sandwiching pieces, while maintaining stability and attachability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic piece extending from one end of the base plate, and configured to bring an intermediate part into resilient contact with the fuel supply cap and bring a tip part into resilient contact with the base plate
Implementation Method 2
a snap engagement force of the snap protrusion with respect to the fuel introduction cylinder part increases because of an increase in a contact frictional force of the elastic piece against the base plate caused by an increase in a flexural repulsive force of the elastic piece
Data Source
AI summary
In a support structure for a fuel injection valve (I), a snap protrusion (21) snap-engaged with an outer peripheral surface of a fuel introduction cylinder part (4) accepted in a notch (19) is formed on an inner side surface of the notch (19) of the base plate (15). A snap engagement force of the snap protrusion (21) with respect to the fuel introduction cylinder part (4) automatically increases because of an increase in a contact frictional force of the elastic piece (16) against the base plate (15) caused by an increase in a flexural repulsive force of the elastic piece (16), in a mounted state of the fuel injection valve (I) on the engine (E).