Injector Clamp With Integrated Fuel Passages for Tight Engine Packaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injector clamps face challenges in securely retaining fuel injectors under high pressure while occupying valuable engine compartment space, complicating fuel line routing and assembly.

Innovation Solution

The injector clamp design incorporates integrated source and return fuel supply conduits within the clamp, with separate fluid communication paths and accessible ports on the outer face, allowing for easier installation and secure retention of fuel injectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional separate fuel line routing is used, then fuel delivery function is achieved, but space requirements increase and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace requirementsVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the fuel supply conduit and return fuel conduit directly into the injector clamp structure, merging previously separate components (clamp and fuel lines) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate fuel line routing through the engine compartment, thereby reducing space requirements and simplifying assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If tight working space around cylinder head is considered, then space efficiency is improved, but ease of attaching hoses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking spaceVSAvoidease of attaching hoses

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel supply conduit and return fuel conduit are pre-integrated into the clamp structure during manufacturing, with ports positioned on the outer face for optimal accessibility. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex hose routing and attachment operations in the tight working space around the cylinder head, making the attachment process straightforward while maintaining space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If integrated conduits are used, then fuel line routing is simplified, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel line routingVSAvoidclamp structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp structure is divided into functional segments including the outer shell, dividing structure, fuel supply conduit, and return fuel conduit. This segmentation allows each component to be designed and manufactured independently using standard machining or molding processes, then assembled into the final integrated clamp assembly, thereby simplifying manufacturing while achieving the fuel line integration benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260071601A1Injector clamp with integrated fuel supply and return passages

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

An injector clamp is constructed to retain the position thereof against fuel pressure of a fuel system. The injector clamp includes an outer shell and a chamber interior to the outer shell. An inlet port is formed on the outer shell and in fluid communication with an injector source port formed on the outer shell. An outlet port is formed on the outer shell and in fluid communication with an injector return port formed on the outer shell. A dividing structure is constructed to divide the chamber into a source flow conduit in fluid communication with both the inlet port and the injector source port, and a return flow conduit in fluid communication with both the outlet port and the injector return port.