Standardized Fuel Supply Tubes for Engine Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional fuel supply device has inefficiencies in the assembling operation due to the need for selecting and mounting variously shaped fuel supply tubes, which can lead to incorrect selections and reduced assembly efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fuel supply device design where fuel supply tubes with common shapes are used, connected to reference connection portions spaced at specific intervals corresponding to the center axes of adjacent cylinders, allowing for efficient assembly by reducing the number of tube types required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If various kinds of fuel supply tubes with different shapes are used to match different cylinder positions, then the fuel supply device can accommodate different geometric configurations, but the assembling operation efficiency deteriorates due to selection complexity and potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized fuel supply tube shape that can be used for all cylinders in the engine. Instead of creating different tube shapes for different cylinder positions, the invention uses a single universal tube design that connects to the fuel distribution pipe and fuel injection valve through standardized interfaces, eliminating the need for operators to select from multiple tube types while maintaining functionality across all cylinder positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fuel supply tube connection points on the fuel distribution pipe, arranging them in a regular pattern along the pipe length. This parameter change allows a single tube shape to reach multiple connection points by simply positioning the tube at different locations along the pipe, rather than using differently shaped tubes for each position.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple types of fuel supply tubes are prepared for different cylinder configurations, then the fuel supply system can be precisely adapted to each position, but the risk of incorrect tube selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making all fuel supply tubes identical in shape and specification, the invention eliminates the possibility of selecting the wrong tube type. The universal design ensures that any tube can be correctly installed at any cylinder position, removing the reliability risk associated with having multiple tube varieties that could be confused during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies homogeneity by making all fuel supply tubes identical in shape, dimensions, and connection interface. This homogeneous design ensures that every tube is interchangeable and can be installed at any position along the fuel distribution pipe without risk of mismatch or incorrect installation, thereby eliminating selection errors.
3Ease of manufacture
If fuel supply tubes are designed based on specific positions of fuel injection valves and connection portions, then the supply paths are optimized for each configuration, but the device complexity increases due to multiple tube types
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reduces device complexity by using a single type of fuel supply tube for all cylinders. The standardized tube design simplifies the bill of materials, reduces inventory requirements, and simplifies the assembly process. The supply path optimization is achieved not through different tube shapes but through the regular arrangement of connection portions on the fuel distribution pipe that accommodate all tubes uniformly.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Present application discloses fuel supply device which includes: fuel injection valves respectively arranged on center axes of cylinders, fuel injection valves being configured to inject fuel into the cylinders; fuel distribution portion configured to distribute fuel to fuel injection valves; and fuel supply tubes configured to form supply paths for fuel from fuel distribution portion to fuel injection valves. Fuel distribution portion includes connection portions arranged in arrangement direction so as to be connected to fuel supply tubes. Connection portions include pair of reference connection portions situated at positions distant from each other in arrangement direction by distance between respective bore center axes of cylinders. Fuel supply tubes include pair of fuel supply tubes respectively connected to pair of reference connection portions and two fuel injection valves on two cylinders arranged adjacently to each other. Pair of fuel supply tubes have a common shape.