High-Pressure Fuel Pump Discharge Valve Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-pressure fuel pump discharge valve mechanisms either require large product sizes due to unit-type configurations or increase manufacturing costs due to complex processing steps associated with poppet valves.

Innovation Solution

A high-pressure fuel pump design featuring a discharge valve with a ball valve configuration, where a facing member with a tapered surface regulates the stroke direction, allowing for a compact and cost-effective discharge valve mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a unit-type discharge valve mechanism is used, then the oil tightness and reliability are improved, but the product size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil tightnessVSAvoidproduct size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge valve mechanism is divided into separate components: a discharge valve body and a discharge valve seat that are not integrally formed. This segmentation allows for a more compact arrangement while maintaining the oil tightness provided by the seated valve configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of stationary object

If a poppet valve is used, then the product size is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct sizeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge valve body is formed as a ball valve with a spherical shape. This simple geometric form is easy to manufacture using standard machining or molding processes, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost compared to complex poppet valve designs while maintaining compact size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the valve body shape parameter to a simple spherical form and positions the stroke direction regulating portion on the equator of the ball valve. This parameter optimization maintains compact dimensions while simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a ball valve configuration is used with separate facing member, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the stroke direction control precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidstroke direction control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stroke direction regulating portion is specifically positioned on the equator of the ball valve, creating a localized control feature with precise geometric definition. This local quality enhancement ensures accurate stroke direction control despite the simplified overall valve structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The equator of the ball valve serves multiple functions: it defines the stroke direction, provides a reference for the facing member positioning, and maintains the structural integrity of the valve body. This multi-functionality achieves precise control without adding manufacturing complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3653867B1High-pressure fuel pump
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP3653867B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3653867B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3653867B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a high-pressure fuel pump that ensures oil tightness even at high fuel pressure and has a small and lightweight inexpensive discharge valve structure. Therefore, a high-pressure fuel pump according to the present invention includes: a discharge valve arranged on a discharge side of a pressurizing chamber; a discharge valve seat on which the discharge valve is seated; and a facing member configured independently as a separate member from the discharge valve seat and located on an opposite side of the discharge valve seat with the discharge valve interposed therebetween, in which a stroke direction regulating portion that regulates displacement of the discharge valve in a stroke direction is formed on a tapered surface of the facing member.