Fuel Injector Connecting Element With Elastic Vibration Decoupling

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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, 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 soft suspension 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 valve to the component

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a decoupling element as an intermediary component between the fuel injection valve and the fuel-carrying component. This decoupling element has a first connection region to the valve and a second connection region to the component, with an elastically deformable connection region that absorbs vibrations while maintaining mechanical connection, thus preventing direct vibration transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the connection by using an elastically deformable connection region with specific rigidity characteristics. The decoupling element is designed to have different rigidity in different directions and at different locations, allowing it to be rigid enough to maintain connection strength while flexible enough to absorb vibration energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a decoupling element is introduced to reduce vibrations, then noise is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the decoupling element: it serves as both a mechanical connector and a vibration isolator. The first connection region, second connection region, and elastically deformable connection region are integrated into a single component that simultaneously provides structural support and noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The decoupling element is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical connection, vibration isolation, and potential sealing. This multi-functional design reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

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

3Reliability

If the decoupling element is made more rigid to maintain connection strength, then connection reliability is improved, but vibration absorption capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidvibration absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The decoupling element features non-uniform rigidity distribution with different connection regions having different mechanical properties. The elastically deformable connection region has lower rigidity for vibration absorption, while the connection regions interface with higher rigidity to ensure reliable mechanical attachment, creating a gradient of mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

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 for effective noise reduction.

Implementation Method 1

a decoupling element (26) is provided, which is arranged between the fuel connector (4) and the base body (7) in the installed state, wherein 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

Data Source

PatentEP3575591B1Fuel injection system with a fuel conveying component, a fuel injector valve and a connecting element
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3575591B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3575591B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3575591B1 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).