Compact High-Pressure Fuel Pump Intake Valve Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high-pressure fuel supply pumps with electromagnetically-driven intake valves require a large space for the valve and valve holder between the valve seat and pressurizing chamber, making it difficult to miniaturize the pump.

Innovation Solution

The design eliminates the valve holder and integrates the valve guide within the space between the valve seat and the circumferential surface of the pressurizing chamber, using a recessed cylindrical space and laser-welding to seal the intake valve mechanism, allowing for a compact configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a valve holder is used to guide the valve in conventional high-pressure fuel supply pumps, then the valve operation is stable and reliable, but the axial space between the valve seat and pressurizing chamber increases, making the pump larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve operation stabilityVSAvoidaxial size of intake valve device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the valve guide function into the valve holder by forming a guide groove directly on the inner peripheral surface of the valve holder. This integration eliminates the need for a separate valve guide component while maintaining the guiding function, thereby reducing the axial space occupied by the intake valve device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve holder is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides the valve through the guide groove, and seals the intake passage when the valve closes. By making the valve holder multi-functional, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, contributing to compactness.

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

2Length of stationary object

If the axial size of the intake valve device is reduced for miniaturization, then the pump becomes more compact, but the space for valve and valve holder becomes insufficient, compromising valve operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial size of intake valve deviceVSAvoidvalve operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reducing valve size in all dimensions, the patent optimizes the axial dimension by eliminating the separate valve guide. The guide groove is formed radially on the valve holder's inner surface, utilizing the radial dimension for guidance while minimizing axial space consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve is nested within the valve holder structure, with the guide groove formed directly on the valve holder's inner peripheral surface. This nesting arrangement allows the valve to operate within the confined space of the valve holder without requiring additional axial space for a separate guide component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a separate valve guide is provided in addition to the valve holder, then the valve guidance is precise and reliable, but the device complexity and number of parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve guidance precisionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the valve guide function with the valve holder structure by forming a guide groove directly on the inner peripheral surface of the valve holder. This merger eliminates the need for a separate valve guide component, reducing device complexity while maintaining precise valve guidance through the integrated groove.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This approach enables a more compact pump design by reducing the axial size of the intake valve device, improving operational efficiency and responsiveness while maintaining smooth fuel flow and valve operation.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetically-driven intake valve is constituted by a so-called outward open type valve provided with a valve on the side of a pressurizing chamber with respect to a valve seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic drive: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

using a recessed cylindrical space and laser-welding to seal the intake valve mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser welding: Laser Beam Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3441607B1High-pressure fuel supply pump having electromagnetically-driven intake valve
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYST LTD
  • EP3441607B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3441607B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3441607B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A high-pressure fuel supply pump, comprising: a piston plunger (2) reciprocating within a pressurizing chamber (12); and an electromagnetically-driven intake valve mechanism (200) provided at an inlet of the pressurizing chamber (12), wherein the electromagnetically-driven intake valve mechanism (200) includes an anchor (207) which pulls a plunger rod (201), a fixed core (206) which attracts the anchor (207), and a yoke (205) in which inner peripheral part the fixed core (206) is fixed; wherein the fixed core (206) is rigidly fixed to a bottom part of the yoke (205) by press-fitting, wherein a through hole (206H) is formed at a bottom part of the fixed core (206) and wherein the fixed core (206) is press-fitted in an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical space (205H) of the yoke (205) .