Fuel Injector Valve Damping Element for Armature Bounce Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel injector valves experience high wear and delayed switching times due to anchor bouncing when the anchor strikes the magnet control surface.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an elastic damping element to limit the anchor stroke when lifting the anchor from the seat plate, thereby reducing bouncing and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the armature strikes the magnet stop surface to achieve rapid closing, then the switching speed is improved, but significant wear on the armature occurs and switching times are impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidarmature wear and switching time stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the armature and the magnet stop surface. This damping element absorbs the impact energy during armature closing, preventing direct metal-to-metal contact. The damping element deforms elastically to dissipate kinetic energy, thereby reducing wear on the armature while maintaining the rapid closing action required for high switching speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping element is pre-installed in the magnetic path between the armature and the stop surface of the magnet. Before the armature strikes the magnet, the damping element is already in position to cushion the impact. This prior cushioning arrangement ensures that the armature never directly contacts the magnet stop surface, preventing wear before it occurs while preserving the rapid response characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Manufacturing precision

If a rigid stop surface is used to define the armature stroke limit, then the stroke control is precise, but bouncing occurs causing wear and delayed switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke control precisionVSAvoidarmature bounce and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element changes its mechanical parameters dynamically during armature movement. In the relaxed state, it maintains a precise stop position for accurate stroke control. During impact, it deforms elastically to absorb energy and prevent bouncing. The material properties and geometric design of the damping element are optimized to provide both precise positioning and effective shock absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The damping element is made from elastic or elastomeric materials that combine the properties of structural support with energy absorption. These composite material characteristics allow the damping element to function both as a precise stroke limiter and as a shock-absorbing cushion, eliminating the need for separate rigid stop surfaces that cause bouncing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Force

If the armature directly contacts the magnet to achieve full magnetic attraction, then the magnetic force is maximized, but bouncing and impact wear occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic attraction forceVSAvoidarmature wear and switching performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element serves as a magnetic intermediary that allows magnetic flux to pass through while mechanically preventing direct contact. The elastic material of the damping element is permeable to magnetic fields, enabling the magnet to exert full attractive force on the armature through the damping element without causing impact wear or bouncing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping element functions as a flexible magnetic path component that transmits magnetic force while accommodating mechanical motion. Its flexible, elastomeric nature allows it to deform under magnetic attraction and impact forces, maintaining continuous magnetic coupling between the magnet and armature while preventing harmful mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 elastic damping element reduces anchor bouncing, stabilizes injection quantity control, and accelerates switch-off times by minimizing magnetic remanence and contact area.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element (5) which exerts a preload force on the armature (4) in order to bias the armature (4) toward a position closing the opening (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnet (6) for lifting the armature (4) from the position closing the opening (2) into a position releasing the opening (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 3

an elastically compressible damping element (7) for limiting an armature stroke when the armature (4) is lifted from the seat plate (3) into the releasing position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

This elastically compressible damping element therefore dampens the movement of the armature when the magnet is activated and the armature is subsequently pulled away from the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3833865B1Valve of a fuel injector
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 LIEBHERR COMPONENTS DEGGENDORF GMBH
  • EP3833865B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3833865B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a valve of a fuel injector for selectively disconnecting a high pressure region from a low pressure region of a fuel, comprising an opening in a seat plate, an armature which is designed to close the opening of the seat plate, a spring element which prestresses the armature in the direction of a position which closes the opening, and an electromagnet for lifting the armature out of the position which closes the opening into a position which releases the opening, characterized by an elastically compressible damping element for limiting an armature stroke in the case of the armature being lifted from the seat plate into the releasing position.