Valve Device Radial Size Reduction via Axial Spring Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel supply systems experience vibration due to pressure fluctuations in the connecting pipe between the low-pressure and high-pressure pumps, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity in valve device design.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with a forward-flow allowing unit and a reverse-flow allowing unit is designed, where the reverse-flow allowing unit is arranged on the upstream side of the intermediate member, allowing fuel to flow back when downstream pressure exceeds a predetermined value, reducing pressure fluctuations and eliminating the need for axial space overlap, thus minimizing the device's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first spring and the second spring are coaxially arranged in a valve housing on a center axis of the valve device, then the valve device can control fuel pressure effectively, but the size of the valve housing in the radial direction becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the reverse-flow allowing unit from a coaxial radial arrangement to an upstream-side axial arrangement. This dimensional change allows the springs to be arranged in series along the axial direction rather than overlapping radially, significantly reducing the radial size of the valve housing while maintaining the pressure control function.
2Device complexity
If a second valve seat is formed in the first valve member, then the reverse-flow allowing function can be integrated, but the shape of the first valve member becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reverse-flow allowing function from the first valve member by providing a separate reverse-flow allowing unit with its own second valve member and second valve seat. This separation simplifies the first valve member's shape and structure, making it easier to manufacture while maintaining the integrated functionality of controlling both forward and reverse fuel flow.
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 reduces vibration caused by pressure fluctuations and decreases the radial size of the valve device, stabilizing fuel injection pressure and preventing potential pump breakage, while simplifying the device structure and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring arranged in the valve housing and operatively connected to the first valve member and configured to bias the first valve member in a direction to the first valve seat
Implementation Method 2
a second spring arranged in the valve housing and operatively connected to the second valve member and configured to bias the second valve member in a direction to the second valve seat
Implementation Method 3
allows fuel to flow in a forward direction from the upstream side to the downstream side when a fuel pressure on the upstream side becomes higher than a first predetermined value
Implementation Method 4
allows fuel to flow in a reverse direction from the downstream side to the upstream side when a fuel pressure on the downstream side becomes higher than a second predetermined value
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device is provided between a high-pressure pump and a fuel tank. A first valve member, an intermediate member and a second valve member are accommodated in a valve housing. The first valve member, which is arranged on a downstream side of the intermediate member, is biased by a first spring in a direction to a first valve seat formed in the intermediate member. The second valve member, which is arranged on an upstream side of the intermediate member, is biased by a second spring in a direction to a second valve seat formed in the intermediate member. When the first valve member is separated from the first valve seat, fuel flows in a forward direction from an upstream-side fuel passage to a downstream-side fuel passage. When the second valve member is separated from the second valve seat, the fuel flows in a reverse direction.