V-Engine Fuel Pump Valley Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine fuel pump mounting and drive systems face challenges in efficiently integrating high-pressure fuel pumps within engine assemblies, particularly in overhead cam engine configurations, where space constraints and noise management are critical.

Innovation Solution

The engine assembly incorporates a fuel pump mounted within the valley of a V-configuration engine block, supported by a fuel system support structure, with a drive shaft engaging the pump through a lobed portion and bearing regions, allowing for efficient operation and noise attenuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the fuel pump is mounted in the cylinder head and driven by the camshaft, then the fuel pump can be driven directly by the engine's camshaft mechanism, but the space constraints in the cylinder head and noise management become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive engagementVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel pump is extracted from the cylinder head environment and relocated to the valley between cylinder banks, removing it from the noisy camshaft drive location while maintaining camshaft-driven operation through the drive shaft connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A drive shaft with lobed portion acts as an intermediary between the camshaft and fuel pump, allowing the fuel pump to be driven by the camshaft mechanism while being positioned in a different location (valley between banks) where noise can be better managed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the fuel pump is mounted in the valley between cylinder banks, then noise can be attenuated and space utilization improved, but the mounting structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidmounting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel pump mounting structure is merged with the engine block itself, using the engine block as both structural support and noise attenuation housing, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets or enclosures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The engine block serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the fuel pump, acts as a noise attenuation housing, and facilitates the drive shaft connection, reducing the need for additional specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the fuel pump is located between end walls of the engine block, then space utilization is optimized, but access for maintenance and installation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel pump and drive shaft assembly is designed as a separable unit that can be independently removed from the engine block, allowing maintenance access without requiring disassembly of the entire engine block structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7650876B2Fuel pump shaft and pump mounting in engine block

Publication Date: 2010.01.26 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

An engine assembly may include an engine block, a fuel pump, and a drive shaft. The engine block may include first and second banks defining first and second sets of cylinders disposed at an angle relative to one another to form a V-configuration. The engine block may include a valley between the first and second banks of cylinders. The fuel pump may be supported by the engine block and located within the valley. The drive shaft may be supported by the engine block and may be drivingly engaged with the fuel pump.