Modular Injection Valve Member Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing manufacturing processes for fuel injectors with multiple-part injection valve members are costly due to the complexity of integrating different functional areas and varying lengths, which complicates the production of modular systems with varying injector lengths and axial stiffnesses.

Innovation Solution

A modular injection valve member design featuring two separate guide bodies connected to a central connecting rod, allowing for the use of different materials and lengths, enabling a cost-effective production of fuel injectors with adjustable axial rigidity and varying lengths by decoupling the functional areas from the needle length and rigidity variables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the injection valve member is designed as a single integrated component with varying lengths and materials, then functional performance can be optimized, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The injection valve member is divided into separate components: a connecting rod and guide bodies. The connecting rod can be manufactured separately in standardized lengths and materials, then assembled with the guide bodies. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If different materials are used for the connecting rod to optimize axial rigidity, then mechanical performance improves, but manufacturing costs and inventory complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial rigidityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting rod is designed as a universal component that can be produced in standardized lengths and material specifications. By creating a modular system where the connecting rod serves multiple injector configurations, the invention reduces the need for custom-manufactured parts, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and simplifying inventory management while still allowing material selection to optimize axial rigidity when needed.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If the injector system is designed with fixed-length valve members, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different injector length requirements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidinjector length variation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The injection valve member system transitions from fixed-length components to a dynamic, modular configuration. The connecting rod can be selected in different standardized lengths, and the modular design allows easy reconfiguration for various injector length requirements. This dynamic approach maintains manufacturing simplicity through standardization while providing the versatility needed to meet different application specifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2313640B1Injection valve member
Publication Date: 2016.08.10 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2313640B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2313640B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9
  • EP2313640B1 patent drawingFigure 10~12

AI summary

The invention relates to an injection valve member for a fuel injector (1), which injection valve member is of multi-part design and comprises different functional regions. To reduce the production costs for a fuel injector having an injection valve member (30), the injection valve member (30) comprises two guide bodies (31, 32) which are fastened to a separate connecting rod (34).