Pump Piston Pressure Relief for Diesel Fuel Overpressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pump devices for diesel fuel systems can generate unacceptably high pressures, potentially damaging seals and other components due to excessive pressure, which existing pressure-limiting mechanisms fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A pump device with a pressure-limiting mechanism integrated into the pump piston, using a compression spring and control disc to manage pressure by allowing fluid to flow back to a relief chamber when predefined thresholds are exceeded, preventing excessive pressure from reaching sensitive components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the pump piston is actuated to pump diesel fuel, then the fuel is pressurized and delivered to the supply system, but unacceptably high pressures are generated that can damage seals and components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping pressureVSAvoidexcessive pressure damage
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure-limiting device is pre-configured with a control disc and energy storage device (compression spring) that automatically activate when the predefined pressure threshold is reached. This preliminary setup allows the system to self-regulate pressure without external intervention, preventing damage before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control disc acts as an intermediary element between the pump piston and the fluid connection. It mediates the pressure transmission by blocking or releasing the fluid connection based on pressure conditions, thereby protecting the system from excessive pressure while maintaining normal pumping operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the pump piston covers the fluid connection to maintain pressure, then pumping efficiency is improved, but pressure cannot be relieved when exceeding the threshold

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidpressure control safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control disc dynamically transitions between blocking and releasing the fluid connection based on real-time pressure conditions. During normal operation, it blocks the connection to maintain pumping efficiency; when pressure exceeds the threshold, it releases the connection to relieve pressure, thus adapting to changing system conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage device (compression spring) provides continuous feedback on the pressure state within the pump chamber. When pressure builds up, the spring's force changes, which is detected by the control disc mechanism, triggering the release of the fluid connection to restore pressure to acceptable levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a pressure-limiting device is added to the pump piston, then excessive pressure is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure limitationVSAvoidpump structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure-limiting device is merged with the pump piston structure itself. The control disc is integrated into the piston, and the energy storage device is positioned within the pump chamber, combining multiple functions (pumping and pressure limiting) into a single integrated component rather than adding separate external devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump piston is given multiple functions: it not only pumps the diesel fuel but also houses and operates the pressure-limiting device. The control disc serves dual purposes by both controlling fluid flow during normal operation and acting as a pressure relief mechanism when the threshold is exceeded.

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

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 solution effectively prevents unacceptably high pressures during operation, protecting sensitive components by ensuring reliable pressure limitation and preventing damage or destruction.

Implementation Method 1

an energy storage device, preferably in the form of a compression spring, serves to set the predefinable pressure threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy storage: Spring

Implementation Method 2

when a predefinable pump pressure is exceeded in one of the pump chambers, provides pressure relief for the fluid towards the other pump chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4345306B1Pump device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HYDAC FLUIDCARECENT
  • EP4345306B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4345306B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4345306B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Pumping device for fluid, in particular for diesel fuel, with a pump piston (16) which is longitudinally movable within a pump housing (10) by means of an actuating device (36, 38) and which, depending on its position within the pump housing (10), separates individual pump chambers (26, 28) with different volumes from one another, at least temporarily. The pump piston (16) has a pressure limiting device (72) which, if a predefinable pump pressure is exceeded in one of the pump chambers (26), provides pressure relief for the fluid towards the other pump chamber (28) adjacent to the first pump chamber (26).