Fuel Pipe Protection Structure with Load Distributing Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel feeding pipe protection structures for internal combustion engines require heavy and rigid protectors to absorb collision loads, leading to increased weight and complexity, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight protection member with first and second fastening parts, a bridging part, and protrusions that distribute collision loads from the intake part to the engine main body, preventing direct contact with the fuel feeding pipe and ensuring effective load transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large and heavy protector is used to cover most of the side face of the cylinder head, then the intake manifold and fuel system member are protected from collision load, but the weight of the protection structure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member is divided into multiple functional segments: a head portion that contacts the intake manifold, a bridging portion that spans across the fuel system member, and fastening portions that secure it to the cylinder head. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring a large continuous structure, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection member is designed with localized protection features rather than uniform coverage. The head portion provides protection at the collision point, the bridging portion provides structural support only where the fuel system member is located, and the fastening portions provide secure attachment only at necessary points. This localized approach eliminates unnecessary material and reduces weight while ensuring protection where it is most needed.
2Reliability
If a protector with strong rigidity is used to transmit collision load to the cylinder head, then the fuel system member is surely protected, but the weight of the protector increases even more
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member is segmented into a head portion for load reception, a bridging portion for load transmission, and fastening portions for load anchoring. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve necessary rigidity for load transmission through the bridging portion while using thinner, lighter materials in non-critical areas, thereby reducing overall weight without compromising load transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection member is formed as an integrated component that can utilize composite material structures or optimized material distribution to achieve high rigidity-to-weight ratio. The head portion and bridging portion can be designed with material properties and thickness optimized for their specific mechanical functions, allowing effective load transmission with minimal weight.
3Weight of stationary object
If a simple and lightweight protection member is used, then the weight is reduced, but the ability to transmit collision load to the engine main body may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member is divided into functionally optimized segments: the head portion for initial load contact, the bridging portion for load transmission across the protected area, and multiple fastening portions for secure anchoring to the engine main body. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, achieving effective load transmission with minimal material and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection member employs localized structural features including protrusions that concentrate loads at specific contact points with the engine main body, and varying thickness distributions that provide necessary strength only where required. This localized quality approach ensures adequate load transmission capability while minimizing weight by avoiding unnecessary material in non-critical areas.
4Reliability
If a protection member with multiple fastening parts and protrusions is used, then the structure becomes more complex, but the load distribution and protection effectiveness improve
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member integrates multiple functions into a single unified component: the head portion, bridging portion, and fastening portions are formed as one integrated piece rather than separate components. This merging reduces assembly complexity and the number of parts while maintaining all necessary protective functions, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides collision protection, load transmission, structural support, and secure anchoring to the engine main body. The bridging portion serves both as a structural connector and as a load transmission path, while the fastening portions provide both attachment and additional load distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, balancing protection effectiveness with structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A protection member fixed to an engine main body to protect a fuel feeding pipe from coming into contact with an intake part includes a first protrusion protruding in an extending direction of the fuel feeding pipe from the vicinity of a first fastening portion, a second protrusion protruding in the same direction as the protruding direction of the first protrusion from the vicinity of a second fastening portion, and a third protrusion protruding in the longitudinal direction from the second protrusion and brought into contact with the engine main body. Hence, load from the intake part is supported by the first and second protrusions in the vicinity of the high-strength first and second fastening portions, and also the load is surely transmitted not only from the first and second fastening portions, but also from the third protrusion to the engine main body.