Integrated Fuel Pump Valve Assembly for Pressure Relief and Fast Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel pumps for direct injection systems are complex, difficult to mount quickly, and costly to manufacture, while also requiring additional components for pressure relief that complicate assembly.
Innovation Solution
A compact and easily mountable high-pressure fuel pump design that integrates an outlet closing valve and a pressure relief valve into a single valve assembly, using a flexible sheet and a pressure-controlled mechanism to manage fuel flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the outlet closing valve and pressure relief valve are integrated into a single valve assembly, then the device complexity is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper functionality of both valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the outlet closing valve and pressure relief valve into a single valve assembly that is coaxially arranged in the outlet channel. This merging of two separate valve functions into one integrated component reduces the overall device complexity and simplifies assembly procedures while maintaining the distinct functional requirements of each valve through careful design of the shared assembly structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If a flexible sheet is used to close feed holes in the inlet valve, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of sealing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sheet made of elastomeric material to close the feed holes in the inlet valve disc. This flexible membrane provides effective sealing by conforming to the hole geometry and responding to pressure differential forces. The elastomeric material ensures reliable sealing while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the flexible sheet can be easily installed and replaced compared to rigid sealing mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the valve assembly is designed for quick mounting, then the assembly time is reduced and productivity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is pre-configured with the outlet closing valve and pressure relief valve coaxially integrated before installation in the fuel pump. This preliminary integration allows the entire valve assembly to be mounted as a single unit, significantly reducing assembly time and improving productivity. The pre-designed coaxial arrangement and integrated structure enable quick installation without requiring separate mounting procedures for each valve component.
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 integrated valve assembly ensures high accuracy and compliance with nominal performance, provides optimal dynamics for the outlet closing valve, and simplifies assembly by reducing the number of parts, making the fuel pump more efficient and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible circular sheet resting on a base of the disc, thus closing the passage through the feed holes
Implementation Method 2
the pressure relief valve is calibrated to open automatically when the pressure drop at its ends is above a threshold value set during design time
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve assembly (7) for a fuel pump (1) and having: a one-way outlet closing valve (8), which only allows fuel to flow out; a one-way pressure relief valve (9), which only allows fuel to flow in; a connector (11), which has a housing (13) on the inside; and a valve disc (14), which engages the housing (13) of the connector (11) and has a plurality of through outlet holes (18) and a through relief hole (20). A shutter of the outlet closing valve (8) consists of a flexible sheet (22), which is fixed to the valve disc (14) and has: a plurality of shutting portions (23) arranged in the area of the outlet holes (18); a peripheral mounting portion (25) with an annular shape; a plurality of outer connection portions (26), each connecting the peripheral mounting portion (25) to a corresponding shutting portion (23); a central mounting portion (24); and a plurality of inner connection portions (27), each connecting the central mounting portion (24) to a corresponding shutting portion (23).