Roller Tappet Lubrication via Integrated Guide Pin Bore

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lubrication solutions for roller tappet arrangements in high-pressure fuel pumps are either complex to manufacture or fail to provide consistent lubrication, leading to potential wear over time, especially when the pump lacks its own housing and relies on separate lubrication circuits or splash oil.

Innovation Solution

A roller tappet arrangement where a guide pin, integrated into the tappet wall, serves dual functions: orienting the roller tappet body on the camshaft and providing a built-in lubrication circuit through a lubrication bore that directs lubricant into the receptacle, eliminating the need for a separate lubrication jet line and ensuring consistent lubrication within the tappet body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate lubrication jet line is used to provide lubricant to the roller tappet arrangement, then reliable lubrication is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication reliabilityVSAvoidlubrication circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide pin is merged with the lubrication circuit by integrating a lubrication bore directly into the guide pin structure. This allows the guide pin to simultaneously perform its mechanical guidance function and serve as a lubricant delivery channel, eliminating the need for separate lubrication jet lines and reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable lubrication of the roller tappet arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide pin is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides mechanical guidance for the roller tappet body, defines the correct orientation on the camshaft, and simultaneously acts as a lubricant delivery channel through its integrated lubrication bore. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system

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

2Device complexity

If splash oil lubrication is used for the roller tappet arrangement, then device complexity is reduced, but consistent and adequate lubrication cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication system complexityVSAvoidlubrication consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide pin structure is designed to automatically deliver lubricant to the roller tappet arrangement through its integrated lubrication bore. The system serves itself by using the existing guide pin movement and engine oil pressure to automatically ensure lubricant delivery without requiring external lubrication systems or complex delivery mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

By merging the lubrication delivery function into the guide pin structure itself, the system achieves reliable and consistent lubrication without requiring separate lubrication circuits. The guide pin becomes both the mechanical guide and the lubricant delivery channel, ensuring adequate lubrication while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the guide pin is integrated into the tappet wall with an internal lubrication bore, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the guide pin structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall system complexityVSAvoidguide pin manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication bore is integrated directly into the guide pin manufacturing process, combining two functions (guidance and lubrication delivery) into a single component. While the guide pin itself becomes slightly more complex, this integration eliminates the need for separate lubrication circuits, reducing overall system complexity and potentially simplifying assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide pin is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical guidance and lubricant delivery. This universal design reduces the total number of parts needed in the system, which can offset the increased manufacturing complexity of the guide pin itself through reduced assembly operations and fewer separate components

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

This solution simplifies the lubrication process, ensures effective lubrication of critical components, reduces manufacturing complexity, and maintains consistent lubrication without the need for additional lubrication circuits, thereby minimizing wear and enhancing the reliability of the roller tappet arrangement.

Implementation Method 1

The guide pin comprises a lubrication bore to guide a lubricant into the receptacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3032089B1Roller tappet arrangement of a high pressure fuel pump, arrangement of a high pressure fuel pump and an engine block of a combustion engine and engine box of a combustion engine
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3032089B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3032089B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3032089B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a roller tappet arrangement (32), an arrangement (10) of a high pressure fuel pump (12) and an engine block (14), the arrangement (10) comprising the roller tappet arrangement (32), and to an engine box (16) comprising the arrangement (10). The roller tappet arrangement (32) comprises a roller tappet body (48) guided by a guide pin (42) which comprises a lubrication bore (60) to guide a lubricant (62) into the inside of the roller tappet body (48).