Inlet Metering Valve Pole Piece Geometry for Fuel Pump Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inlet metering valves in fuel injection systems generate acoustic noise due to collisions between the armature and other components caused by fluctuations in magnetic force during operation.

Innovation Solution

An inlet metering valve assembly with a single pole piece featuring a groove with slope-shaped portions and a narrowed section that attenuates the magnetic field, ensuring a constant magnetic force on the armature, reducing collisions and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional fuel pump system is used without a metering valve, then the fuel pump can be simple in design, but precise fuel metering cannot be achieved and fuel quantity varies with engine speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel metering precisionVSAvoidfuel pump system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The metering valve is integrated directly into the fuel pump assembly, combining the fuel delivery and metering functions into a single unified component. This eliminates the need for separate metering devices while achieving precise fuel quantity control across different engine operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel pump system is designed to perform multiple functions: fuel delivery, pressure regulation, and precise metering. The single fuel pump assembly incorporates a metering valve that can accurately control fuel quantity across varying engine speeds, making the system universally applicable for different operating conditions without requiring additional specialized components.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If fuel injection timing is delayed to allow complete vaporization, then fuel can vaporize completely, but the injection process overlaps with the power stroke reducing engine efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel vaporization completenessVSAvoidengine power output
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Fuel is pre-mixed with air in the pump housing before injection into the combustion chamber. This preliminary mixing action ensures that fuel is already vaporized and ready for immediate combustion upon injection, eliminating the need to delay injection timing for vaporization and allowing optimal injection timing that does not overlap with the power stroke.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If a separate air pump is used for air injection, then sufficient air can be supplied for fuel vaporization, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair quantity for vaporizationVSAvoidpump system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air injection function is integrated into the fuel pump assembly. Air is drawn through a passage in the pump housing and mixed with fuel before injection, eliminating the need for a separate air pump while ensuring sufficient air is supplied for complete fuel vaporization and combustion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4100641B1Inlet metering valve for an engine fuel pump
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 PHINIA DELPHI LUXEMBOURG SARL
  • EP4100641B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4100641B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4100641B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An inlet metering valve (IMV) assembly for an engine fuel pump (10) of a gasoline direct-injection (GDI) system, comprising an IMV cartridge assembly and a solenoid assembly (28), the IMV cartridge assembly comprising an IMV valve body (42) and a pole piece (44), the pole piece (44) comprising a peripheral wall (47) and a longitudinal cavity, the longitudinal cavity containing a guide (62), an armature (60) and a metering pin (68), the metering pin (68) being fixed to the armature (60), wherein the peripheral wall (47) of the pole piece (44) comprises a groove comprising a first slope-shaped portion (70), a second slope-shaped portion (71) and a narrowed portion (72), the narrowed portion (72) forming an intersection connecting the first slope-shaped portion (70) to the second slope-shaped portion (71).