Plastic Hand Pump Design for Fuel Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pumps for internal combustion engine fuel systems have complex constructions due to the use of various metal materials, leading to complex processing and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A hand-operated pump with an outer casing and piston made of plastic, featuring a locking ring, sealing cuff, and rubber bearing ring, allowing for simple and inexpensive production with excellent functionality across extreme temperature ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal materials are used for pump construction, then strength and durability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump strengthVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the construction approach. The outer casing, piston, and locking ring are all made from plastic materials, which can be molded into complex shapes in a single manufacturing process, thereby reducing construction complexity while maintaining adequate strength for the application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction by combining plastic materials with sealing elements (sealing cuffs made of fluorine silicone and rubber bearing rings). This composite approach allows the main structure to be made from simple-to-manufacture plastic while using specialized materials only where necessary for sealing and friction reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If metal materials are used for pump construction, then processing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidmanufacturing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple manufacturing operations into a single molding process. The outer casing, piston, and locking ring can be produced as single-piece molded parts, eliminating the need for separate machining operations that would be required for metal components. This significantly reduces both manufacturing time and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing from metal to plastic materials, the patent enables the use of injection molding or similar plastic forming processes, which are inherently faster and more cost-effective for producing complex geometric shapes compared to metal machining or casting processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If plastic materials are used for pump construction, then manufacturing simplicity and cost reduction are achieved, but performance stability under extreme temperatures may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidperformance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite construction where the main plastic components are combined with specialized sealing materials (fluorine silicone and rubber) that maintain their properties across extreme temperature ranges. This composite approach allows the structure to be simple while the sealing elements ensure reliable performance under temperature extremes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different material qualities to different parts of the pump based on their specific functional requirements. The plastic outer casing and piston provide structural simplicity, while localized sealing elements made of temperature-resistant materials (fluorine silicone, rubber) are placed at critical interfaces to ensure reliable sealing and friction reduction under extreme temperature conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 plastic construction enables simple, fast, and cost-effective manufacturing with shape variability and stable performance under varying temperatures, overcoming the limitations of metallic materials in extreme environments.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing cuff, which is fixed in the piston and which is made of fluorine silicone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a bearing ring is mounted and rests on the front of the outer casing, with the bearing ring being rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

between the outer casing and the piston there is at least one locking ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3891377B1Hand operated pump
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 TF PRESS SRO
  • EP3891377B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3891377B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

A hand operated pump of an internal combustion engine fuel system comprising an outer casing (1) and in its cavity (4) a slidably disposed piston (2), wherein between the outer casing (1) and the piston (6) is mounted at least one locking ring (6), which is fixed in the outer casing (1), while the outer casing (1), the piston (2) and the locking ring (6) are made of the same type of plastic, when disposed between the outer casing (1) and the piston (2) is mounted at least one sealing cuff (5) which is fixed in the piston (2) and which is made of fluorine silicone.