Spark Plug Fuel Line Thread Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spark plug assemblies with fuel supply lines in internal combustion engines face issues with fuel leakage through sealing rings, causing gaseous fuel to enter the engine's surrounding or cooling water circuit, rather than being effectively utilized in the combustion process.
Innovation Solution
A spark plug assembly and cylinder head design featuring a fuel collecting area defined by a thread and a sealing section with a protrusion, which forms a sealing seat to prevent fuel leakage by sealing against a corresponding protrusion on the cylinder head, ensuring the fuel is directed into the pre-combustion chamber for enhanced ignitability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing rings are used to seal the fuel supply line connection, then fuel leakage is prevented, but gaseous fuel still enters the surrounding or cooling water circuit through the sealing rings
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of fuel leakage through sealing rings is eliminated by removing the sealing rings entirely. The patent replaces the sealing ring-based sealing mechanism with a thread-based sealing structure where the thread itself forms the sealing interface, extracting the problematic sealing rings from the system while maintaining sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread structure serves as an intermediary element that performs both the mechanical fastening function and the sealing function. Instead of using separate sealing rings as intermediaries, the thread itself acts as the mediator between the fuel supply line and the engine component, creating a seal through its geometric structure.
2Strength
If sealing rings are used to seal the fuel supply line, then connection is secured, but fuel leakage still occurs into the cooling water circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing rings are extracted from the connection system and replaced with a thread-based sealing mechanism. This eliminates the intermediate sealing component while maintaining connection strength through the threaded engagement itself, which provides both mechanical strength and sealing functionality in an integrated manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged with the mechanical connection function in the thread structure. Instead of having separate components for connection (fasteners) and sealing (sealing rings), the thread design combines both functions into a single integrated element, where the threaded engagement provides both the mechanical strength and the fuel seal.
3Productivity
If extra fuel is supplied through the fuel supply line to enhance ignitability, then combustion efficiency is improved, but fuel leakage through sealing rings reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing rings are removed from the fuel delivery system and replaced with a thread-based sealing mechanism. This extraction eliminates the leakage pathway that compromised fuel delivery reliability, ensuring that all fuel supplied through the fuel supply line reaches the pre-combustion chamber as intended, thereby maintaining combustion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread structure serves as a reliable intermediary that ensures complete fuel delivery from the fuel supply line to the pre-combustion chamber. By providing a leak-free seal through its geometric design, the thread mediator ensures that the fuel injection system operates with high reliability, delivering the exact amount of fuel needed for optimal combustion efficiency.
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 design effectively seals the fuel supply line, preventing fuel leakage and ensuring that extra fuel is efficiently supplied to the pre-combustion chamber, where it can be ignited, enhancing combustion efficiency and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing section comprises a protrusion for a sealing seat configured to seal against a protrusion formed by a cylinder head
Implementation Method 2
The fuel supply line is in fluid communication with the pre-combustion chamber and is configured to deliver a gaseous fuel to the pre-combustion chamber
Implementation Method 3
The fuel air mixture is in general ignited by a spark plug
Implementation Method 4
ignite a fuel air mixture in the combustion chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A spark plug assembly (22) with a fuel supply line (36) and a fuel collecting area (38) positioned at an outer side (44) of the spark plug assembly (22) and the fuel collecting area (38) is defined at least at one side by a thread (54).