Fuel Pump Valve Hold Mechanism for Pressure Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel pump assemblies for motor vehicles experience pressure loss in the fuel stream when inactive, leading to inefficient fuel supply and increased energy consumption, as the ball-shaped valve body of the inlet valve must be lifted, causing a loss of pressure.
Innovation Solution
The fuel pump assembly maintains the inlet and outlet valves in their open positions when inactive, using a separate outlet valve and a piston that forms the valve body of the inlet valve, with the piston rod securing the outlet valve open, preventing pressure loss and allowing for energy-efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the ball-shaped valve body of the inlet valve is lifted when the pump device is inactive, then the pump device can be simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but pressure loss occurs in the fuel stream and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve is designed with a ball-shaped valve body that can dynamically change its position between open and closed states. When the pump device is inactive, the valve body remains in the open position to allow fuel flow without pressure loss. When the pump device becomes active, the valve body closes to enable proper pumping operation. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by optimizing performance for each operational state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the inlet valve from a fixed closed position to a dynamically adjustable position. The ball-shaped valve body can shift between fully open (when pump is inactive) and fully closed (when pump is active), thereby changing the flow resistance parameter to match the operational requirements and eliminate unnecessary pressure loss during idle states.
2Stress or pressure
If the inlet valve is kept closed when the pump device is inactive, then pressure is maintained in the fuel stream, but the pump device requires more complex control mechanisms and increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve system is designed to be self-regulating based on the operational state of the pump device. The ball-shaped valve body automatically assumes the appropriate position (open when pump is inactive, closed when pump is active) without requiring additional control mechanisms or energy input. The system uses the natural flow conditions and pump operation state to control the valve, eliminating the need for external actuators or control systems.
3Productivity
If a more powerful fuel pump is used to compensate for pressure loss, then the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve is prepared in advance to be in the open position before the pump device becomes active. This preliminary positioning of the valve ensures that when the pump starts operating, there is no sudden pressure loss or flow restriction. The valve is already in the optimal position to allow smooth fuel flow into the pump, thereby maintaining fuel supply performance without requiring excessive pump power or resulting in energy waste.
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 design eliminates pressure loss in the fuel stream, enabling more energy-efficient operation of the motor vehicle by keeping the valves open during inactive states, reducing fuel consumption and improving engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
the inlet valve and the outlet valve being alternately opened and closed by pressure actuation when the pump device is active
Implementation Method 2
the ball-shaped valve body of the inlet valve is pressed against the valve seat due to the force of the weight acting on the valve body
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel pump assembly for a motor vehicle, which can be upstream of a fuel pump of the motor vehicle in a fuel line of the motor vehicle, having a pump housing and a pump device arranged thereupon, by means of which fuel can be pumped into and/or through the pump housing when the pump device is in the active state thereof, wherein the pump device has at least one stroke piston pump having an inlet valve and an outlet valve which are opened and closed in alternation by pressure activation when the pump device is active. In order to provide a fuel pump assembly which enables a very energy efficient operation of a motor vehicle thereby equipped, according to the invention the inlet valve and the outlet valve are held in the open positions thereof when the pump device is inactive.