Fuel Injector Connecting Element for Vibration-Decoupled Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel injection systems for spark-ignited internal combustion engines experience noise issues due to vibration transmission from fuel injection valves, leading to unwanted noise development, particularly in Otto engines with direct injection, caused by the rapid opening and closing of the fuel injection valve.

Innovation Solution

A connecting element with a decoupling mechanism that elastically supports the fuel injector on the fuel-carrying component, using an elastically deformable base body and decoupling element to absorb vibrations and reduce noise, allowing for targeted rigidity and strength adaptation, while ensuring a non-positive connection and sealing function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the fuel injection valve is rigidly connected to the fuel-carrying component, then the connection strength is high, but vibrations and noise are transmitted from the fuel injection valve to the fuel rail

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidvibrations and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A connecting element with a receiving space is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuel injection valve and the fuel rail. This mediator allows for a controlled connection that provides both mechanical strength and vibration isolation, resolving the contradiction between rigid connection strength and vibration transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting element changes the mechanical parameters of the connection by providing a receiving space that accommodates the fuel injection valve body. This structural modification allows the connection to exhibit both strength and compliance, reducing vibration transmission while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the fuel injection valve is elastically supported on the fuel-carrying component, then noise development is reduced, but the connection strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise developmentVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element serves as a mediator that provides elastic support through its receiving space design. This intermediary structure reduces noise development by allowing controlled movement while maintaining sufficient connection strength through its geometric design and material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting element combines different material properties to achieve both elastic support and structural strength. The receiving space design incorporates compliance features that reduce noise while the overall structure maintains the necessary connection strength for high-pressure fuel injection applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If a snap ring is used to secure the fuel injection valve, then the assembly is simple, but vibrations are transmitted from the fuel injection valve to the connecting piece

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element with its receiving space replaces the snap ring as the securing mechanism. This intermediary structure provides both the simplicity of assembly and the additional benefit of vibration isolation, as the receiving space design inherently dampens vibrations while maintaining secure retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution significantly reduces noise development by decoupling the fuel injector from the fuel-carrying component, maintaining required strength even at high system pressures, and providing a homogeneous force distribution, effectively mitigating structure-borne noise and vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

The fuel connector (4) can be supported elastically on the base body (7) at least in the radial direction (23) via the decoupling element (26)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a soft suspension of the fuel injection valve on the fuel-carrying component can be achieved, with which a significant reduction in noise development can be achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3575592B1Fuel injection system with a fuel conveying component, a fuel injector valve and a connecting element
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3575592B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3575592B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3575592B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A connecting element (1) for fuel injection systems (3) serves to connect a fuel injection valve (2) to a fuel-carrying component (45). A base body (7) is provided in which a receiving chamber (11) for a fuel nozzle (4) of the fuel injection valve (2) is provided. The fuel nozzle (4), which is at least partially located in the receiving chamber (11), is supported at least indirectly by the base body (7). The fuel nozzle (4) is elastically supported on the base body (7) in a radial direction (23). Furthermore, a fuel injection system (3) with such a connecting element (1) is specified, wherein the fuel injection valve (2) is connected to the component (45) via the connecting element (1).