Modular Fuel Rail Connector Block for Engine Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines require diverse injector line designs to accommodate different cylinder arrangements, leading to increased complexity and costs in fuel injection systems, particularly in accommodating various engine configurations.
Innovation Solution
A modular fuel rail system with connection members and outer fuel lines arranged in a single configuration, allowing the system to be coupled to multiple engine configurations while maintaining the outer fuel lines in a consistent arrangement, and including connector blocks to direct fuel from outer to inner lines, reducing leakage risks and integrating with existing engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If diverse injector line designs are used to accommodate different cylinder arrangements, then adaptability to various engine configurations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel rail is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple engine configurations (inline, V-arrangement, different cylinder numbers) through a single standardized design. The connection members and outer fuel lines are arranged in a single configuration that can be adapted to various engine types without requiring custom injector line designs for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel injection system is divided into modular components including the fuel rail, connection members, outer fuel lines, and inner fuel lines. This segmentation allows the outer fuel lines to maintain a single standardized configuration while the inner fuel lines can be customized for different engine configurations, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diverse injector line designs are used to accommodate different cylinder arrangements, then adaptability to various engine configurations is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized fuel rail and outer fuel line assembly can be manufactured once and used across multiple engine configurations, significantly reducing manufacturing costs compared to producing custom injector line designs for each engine type. The universal design allows for economies of scale in production.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows standard components (fuel rail, outer fuel lines, connection members) to be reused across different engine applications. Only the inner fuel lines need to be customized for specific configurations, reducing overall manufacturing costs through component reuse.
3Device complexity
If modular fuel rail system with single configuration outer fuel lines is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different engine configurations must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into standardized outer components (fuel rail, connection members, outer fuel lines) and customizable inner components (inner fuel lines). This segmentation allows the outer portion to maintain a simple single configuration while the inner portion adapts to different engine configurations, maintaining both simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection members act as intermediaries between the standardized fuel rail and the engine-specific inner fuel lines. This intermediary component allows the single-configuration outer fuel lines to interface with various engine configurations through the adaptable connection members and inner fuel lines.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector block that directs fuel from an outer fuel line to an inner fuel line. The connector block includes an inlet that couples to the outer fuel line, an outlet that coupled to the inner fuel line, and a fuel accumulator fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The fuel accumulator directs the fuel from the inlet to the outlet.