Fuel Pump Clamping Plate Deformable Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-pressure fuel pump assemblies face inefficiencies in manufacturing due to complex turning processes, leading to material wastage and excessive machining cycle times, and require secure attachment of inlet valves to prevent fuel leakage under high pressure.
Innovation Solution
A clamping plate with deformable connection portions is used to securely attach the inlet valve to the pump head, minimizing non-axial loading and accommodating manufacturing tolerances, ensuring a flush engagement and maintaining a tight seal under high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional turning process is used to manufacture the main body of inlet valves, then the inlet valve can be manufactured, but material wastage increases and machining cycle time becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve assembly is segmented into separate components: the valve body and the clamping plate are manufactured independently and then assembled together. This allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the need for excessive material removal from a single large block and thereby reducing material wastage.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a monolithic three-dimensional block to a flat plate structure with integrated attachment regions. The clamping plate is designed as a two-dimensional component with attachment regions that have apertures for fixing means, eliminating the need for complex turning operations on a large bar of material.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional turning process is used to manufacture the main body of inlet valves, then the inlet valve can be manufactured, but machining cycle time becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve assembly is segmented into separate components: the valve body and the clamping plate are manufactured independently and then assembled together. This allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the need for excessive material removal from a single large block and thereby reducing material wastage.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a monolithic three-dimensional block to a flat plate structure with integrated attachment regions. The clamping plate is designed as a two-dimensional component with attachment regions that have apertures for fixing means, eliminating the need for complex turning operations on a large bar of material.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the clamping plate is rigidly attached to the pump head, then structural stability is improved, but non-axial loading increases due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion is designed to be deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to manufacturing tolerances and misalignments. This deformability enables the connection portion to absorb dimensional variations while maintaining flush engagement, thereby reducing non-axial loading on the fixing means.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portion's geometric parameters are specifically designed to allow controlled deformation. By changing the shape and flexibility parameters of the connection portion, it can accommodate manufacturing tolerances and maintain proper alignment, reducing lateral forces on the screws while preserving structural stability.
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 clamping plate effectively reduces material wastage and machining time, ensures secure attachment of the inlet valve, and maintains a tight seal under high pressure, minimizing leakage and non-axial loading on fixing means.
Implementation Method 1
the connection portion is configured to deform to maintain a flush engagement between the attachment surface and the pump head as the attachment region is secured to the pump head
Data Source
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AI summary
A high-pressure fuel pump assembly (60) comprising a pump head (11), an inlet valve (12) and a clamping plate (10) attaching the inlet valve (12) to the pump head (11). The clamping plate (10) comprises a clamping surface (20a, 20b, 20c) engaged with the inlet valve (12), an attachment region (22a, 22b. 22c) secured to the pump head (11). The attachment region (22a, 22b, 22c) comprises an attachment surface (46a, 46b, 46c) engaged with the pump head (11) and a deformable connection portion (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24f) connecting the clamping surface (20a, 20b, 20c) and the attachment region (22a, 22b, 22c). The connection portion (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24f) is configured to deform to maintain a flush engagement between the attachment surface (46a, 46b, 46c) and the pump head (11) as the attachment region (22a, 22b, 22c) is secured to the pump head (11).