Fuel Injector Coupling Device Axial Retention Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel injector coupling devices for internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining precise and reliable connections between fuel injectors and fuel rails, particularly in preventing movement and ensuring sealing without resting on the cylinder head, while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injector assembly with a coupling device featuring a fuel injector cup, a plate element with a groove and snap ring for axial retention, and a circlip for radial stability, enabling secure and precise mechanical and hydraulic coupling without additional assembly force, and allowing for screw coupling for defined positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single retention mechanism is used to secure the fuel injector in the fuel injector cup, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing movement in both axial directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is segmented into two separate retention mechanisms: a snap ring for preventing movement in one axial direction and a circlip for preventing movement in the opposite axial direction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability without requiring a single complex retention mechanism.
2Reliability
If additional assembly force is required to secure the fuel injector, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The snap ring and circlip are designed to automatically secure the fuel injector in position through their elastic properties and engagement with the groove and fuel injector body, respectively. The components self-lock into place without requiring additional assembly force or complex fastening operations, enabling simple snap-fit assembly and disassembly while maintaining reliable connection stability.
3Ease of operation
If the fuel injector is allowed to move relative to the plate element, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The snap ring and circlip are pre-installed on the plate element and fuel injector body respectively, creating predetermined engagement points. When the fuel injector is inserted into the fuel injector cup, these pre-positioned retention elements automatically engage with the groove and fuel injector body, precisely defining the final position and orientation of the connection without requiring adjustment or complex alignment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel injector assembly has a fuel injector and a coupling device for hydraulically and mechanically coupling a fuel injector to a fuel rail of a combustion engine. The coupling device includes a fuel injector cup configured to be hydraulically coupled to the fuel rail and to engage a fuel inlet portion of the fuel injector, a plate element fixedly coupled to the fuel injector cup and comprising a groove, and a snap ring arranged in the groove and configured to fixedly couple the plate element to the fuel injector to retain the fuel injector in the fuel injector cup in direction of a central longitudinal axis of the fuel injector and to prevent a movement of the fuel injector relative to the plate element in a first direction of the central longitudinal axis. A circlip arranged axially between the fuel injector and the plate element prevents a movement of the fuel injector relative to the plate element in a second, opposite direction of the central longitudinal axis.