Fuel Pump Cover Rib Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump covers for fuel pumps in vehicles face limitations in strength, leading to potential deformation during collisions, which can result in loads being applied directly to the fuel pump, causing adverse effects.
Innovation Solution
A pump cover design featuring a plate fixed to the engine with ribs that protrude over the pump mounting surface, distributing collision loads to a larger area, thereby inhibiting deformation and reducing the risk of contact with the fuel pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the strength of the pump cover is increased to prevent deformation during collision, then the protective function is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump cover is segmented into a plate portion and multiple rib portions. The ribs protrude from the plate and contact the pump mounting surface during collision, dividing the load-bearing function between the plate and ribs. This segmentation allows the cover to achieve high strength without requiring the entire structure to be massively thick, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump cover employs a composite structure combining a plate base with integrated ribs. This composite design creates a structure that is stronger than a simple plate of equivalent weight, achieving high protective function without proportionally increasing material usage or manufacturing difficulty.
2Reliability
If the strength of the pump cover is increased to prevent deformation during collision, then the protective function is improved, but the manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pump cover into a plate and multiple ribs, the design achieves high strength through structural configuration rather than simply increasing material thickness. This approach maintains ease of manufacture as the segmented structure can be formed using standard molding or fabrication processes, avoiding the need for expensive thick-section manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the structural parameters of the pump cover by adding rib features that protrude from the plate. This parameter change (adding ribs) significantly improves strength and protective function while maintaining manufacturability, as the rib geometry can be optimized during standard design processes without requiring specialized manufacturing methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple plate structure is used for the pump cover, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength and resistance to deformation are insufficient during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The pump cover is segmented into a plate portion and multiple rib portions. The ribs protrude from the plate and contact the pump mounting surface during collision, dividing the load-bearing function between the plate and ribs. This segmentation allows the cover to achieve high strength without requiring the entire structure to be massively thick, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The design adds a vertical dimension to the simple plate by creating ribs that protrude from the plate surface toward the fuel pump. This dimensional addition creates a three-dimensional structure that provides strength and load distribution without requiring the plate itself to be thicker, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pump cover (8) for a fuel pump (3) is located at a position lateral to the fuel pump. The fuel pump is disposed on a cylinder head (2) of an engine (1). The pump cover includes a plate (10) and a rib (11). The plate is fixed to a side surface of the engine. The plate extends to a position lateral to the fuel pump disposed on the cylinder head. The rib protrudes from the plate, and is located superjacent to a pump mounting surface defined on the cylinder head.