Piezoelectric Fuel Injector Valve Direct Needle Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel injector valves in diesel engines face challenges in accurately adjusting fuel injection amount, timing, and duration due to complex structures and the need for hydraulic circuits, which complicates emission reduction and performance optimization.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injector valve design featuring a piezoelectric actuator directly guiding the valve needle, eliminating the need for hydraulic or mechanical motion amplifiers, and utilizing a simple structure with springs to manage the valve needle's movement, allowing for precise control of fuel injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a hydraulic or mechanical motion amplifier is used to amplify the motion of the piezoelectric actuator, then the valve needle can be guided with sufficient force, but the structure of the valve needle becomes complex and the accuracy of adjustment of fuel injection is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic circuit and mechanical motion amplifier from the traditional injector valve structure, extracting only the essential piezoelectric actuator that directly guides the valve needle. This extraction simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the necessary force through the piezoelectric material's inherent force-generating capability when electrically stimulated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hydraulic motion amplification system with a piezoelectric actuator that directly generates the necessary force through electro-mechanical conversion. The piezoelectric material transforms electrical energy directly into mechanical motion and force, eliminating the need for intermediate mechanical amplification stages.
2Force
If a hydraulic circuit is used to amplify the motion of the piezoelectric actuator, then the valve needle can be guided with sufficient force, but the accuracy of adjustment of fuel injection is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic circuit from the traditional injector valve structure, extracting only the essential piezoelectric actuator that directly guides the valve needle. This extraction simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the necessary force through the piezoelectric material's inherent force-generating capability when electrically stimulated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hydraulic motion amplification system with a piezoelectric actuator that directly generates the necessary force through electro-mechanical conversion. The piezoelectric material transforms electrical energy directly into mechanical motion and force, eliminating the need for intermediate mechanical amplification stages.
3Device complexity
If a piezoelectric actuator is used to guide the valve needle directly without motion amplifier, then the structure remains simple and accuracy is maintained, but the force to overcome fuel pressure may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a stacked configuration of multiple piezoelectric elements, where each element contributes to the total force output. By stacking multiple elements in series, the system achieves cumulative force generation capability that can overcome high fuel pressures while maintaining direct mechanical coupling and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a composite structure combining piezoelectric material with appropriate mechanical support components. The piezoelectric elements are integrated with the valve needle and drawbar mechanism, creating a composite system that leverages the force-generating properties of piezoelectric materials while providing necessary mechanical strength and guidance.
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
Enables accurate and rapid adjustment of fuel injection parameters, reducing emissions and enhancing engine power while maintaining a straightforward structure, allowing for precise control of injection events and overcoming the force of fuel pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator (11) for guiding the valve needle (9)
Implementation Method 2
a spring (10) for pressing the valve needle (9) towards the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A fuel injector valve (1) of a piston engine, which comprises a fuel chamber (3) for the fuel to be injected, a valve needle (9) for guiding the fuel injection from the fuel chamber (3) into the cylinder (4) of the engine, a spring (10) for pressing the valve needle (9) towards the closed position, and a piezoelectric actuator (11) for guiding the valve needle (9). Additionally, the injector valve (1) comprises a drawbar (22), which is loosely coupled to the valve needle (9), a second drawbar (23), which is attached to the piezoelectric actuator (11) and loosely coupled to the drawbar (22), and that the injector valve (1) comprises a second spring (24) fitted in connection with the drawbar (22) for pressing the valve needle (9) towards the closed position and a third spring (25) fitted in connection with the second drawbar (23) for pressing the valve needle (9) towards the closed position.