EP1391609A1 - Metering device with hydraulic bushing element - Google Patents

Metering device with hydraulic bushing element Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1391609A1
EP1391609A1 EP02018660A EP02018660A EP1391609A1 EP 1391609 A1 EP1391609 A1 EP 1391609A1 EP 02018660 A EP02018660 A EP 02018660A EP 02018660 A EP02018660 A EP 02018660A EP 1391609 A1 EP1391609 A1 EP 1391609A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fluid passage
section
metering device
valve
valve needle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP02018660A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1391609B1 (en
Inventor
Fabrizio Biagetti
Alessandro Cini
Luca Matteucci
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Continental Automotive Italy SpA
Original Assignee
Siemens VDO Automotive SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens VDO Automotive SpA filed Critical Siemens VDO Automotive SpA
Priority to DE60204454T priority Critical patent/DE60204454T2/en
Priority to EP02018660A priority patent/EP1391609B1/en
Publication of EP1391609A1 publication Critical patent/EP1391609A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1391609B1 publication Critical patent/EP1391609B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M51/00—Fuel-injection apparatus characterised by being operated electrically
    • F02M51/06—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M61/00—Fuel-injectors not provided for in groups F02M39/00 - F02M57/00 or F02M67/00
    • F02M61/04—Fuel-injectors not provided for in groups F02M39/00 - F02M57/00 or F02M67/00 having valves, e.g. having a plurality of valves in series
    • F02M61/08—Fuel-injectors not provided for in groups F02M39/00 - F02M57/00 or F02M67/00 having valves, e.g. having a plurality of valves in series the valves opening in direction of fuel flow
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B3/00—Engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition
    • F02B3/02—Engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition with positive ignition
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M2200/00—Details of fuel-injection apparatus, not otherwise provided for
    • F02M2200/30—Fuel-injection apparatus having mechanical parts, the movement of which is damped
    • F02M2200/306—Fuel-injection apparatus having mechanical parts, the movement of which is damped using mechanical means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M51/00—Fuel-injection apparatus characterised by being operated electrically
    • F02M51/06—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle
    • F02M51/0603—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle using piezoelectric or magnetostrictive operating means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M61/00—Fuel-injectors not provided for in groups F02M39/00 - F02M57/00 or F02M67/00
    • F02M61/16—Details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the apparatus of groups F02M61/02 - F02M61/14
    • F02M61/20—Closing valves mechanically, e.g. arrangements of springs or weights or permanent magnets; Damping of valve lift

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a metering device for dosing pressurized fluids, particularly an injection valve for a fuel injection system in an internal combustion engine.
  • the metering device is of the type which comprises a valve body containing a fluid passage for the pressurized fluid to be dosed, the fluid passage terminating with a metering opening, an axially moveable valve needle passing through the fluid passage, the valve needle having a first end inside the fluid passage, controlling the opening and closing of the metering opening, and having a second end inside an actuator chamber, the second end cooperating with an actuator assembly in the actuator chamber controlling the axial movement of the needle, wherein in operation the pressure in the actuator chamber is smaller than the pressure in the fluid passage, and a bushing element for the valve needle, hydraulically isolating the actuator chamber and the fluid passage.
  • Such a metering device is disclosed for example in the European Patent application EP 1 046 809 A2.
  • EP 1 046 809 A2 In the manufacture of piezoelectric actuator-controlled valves for high-pressure direct injection for gasoline engines, it is essential to provide a hydraulic seal capable of isolating the space through which the pressurized gasoline travels from that containing the abovementioned actuator.
  • the sealing element is formed by a metal bellows with the top and bottom collars attached to the injector needle and the valve body, respectively.
  • a metal bellows offers a high mechanical elasticity in the direction of movement of the needle, a sufficient resistance to fuel pressures of up to 500 bar, and a high reliability with respect to leakage throughout the required temperature range of -40 °C to +150 °C.
  • an injector valve with a metal bellows has disadvantages of high component manufacturing costs and a complex assembly, requiring two hermetic welds.
  • the bushing element is formed by an elastic element, hermetically fastened to the valve needle and to the valve body.
  • the elastic element comprises a metal element having first and second fastening sections for fastening the metal element to the valve needle and to the valve body, respectively, and a bendable conical section connecting the first and second fastening sections. Bending the conical section allows the valve needle to move axially in its seat by the required amount to start the fuel injection.
  • the first fastening section is formed by a hollow cylinder section in hermetic contact with the valve needle
  • the second fastening section is formed by a ring section in hermetic contact with the valve body, wherein the inner diameter of the ring section is larger than the diameter of the hollow cylinder section.
  • the elastic element may further comprise a ring of a resilient material, such as rubber, arranged in contact with the bendable conical section, thereby increasing the stiffness of the elastic element.
  • the ring is capable of damping the forces produced by the pressure peaks of the gasoline in this region of the valve body, which may otherwise amount to up to ⁇ 30% of the expected pressure level of 200 bar.
  • the ring of resilient material has a trapezoidal cross section, as it then allows a tight fit with the conical section of the metal element.
  • the invention provides a remarkable reduction in the costs of the bushing element.
  • the manufacture can easily be integrated in current assembly and welding procedures and the components used can straightforwardly be adapted to mass production.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the lower part of an injection valve 10 for direct-injection gasoline engines, according to a specific embodiment of the invention.
  • the valve body 12 contains an outlet passage 20 for the pressurized fluid which terminates with a metering opening 16.
  • a valve needle 22 is disposed axially slidable in the outlet passage 20. In the closed state of the injection valve, a mushroom-shaped plunger 24 on a first end of the needle 22 is pressed against the valve seat 14 and closes the metering opening 16.
  • an elastic element 30 and 38 hydraulically isolates the actuator chamber 40 and the outlet passage 20 from each other.
  • the elastic element comprises a metal element 30 and a rubber ring 38 with trapezoidal cross section.
  • the metal element 30 consists of a hollow cylinder section 32, forming a first fastening section, a ring section 36, forming a second fastening section and a bendable conical section 34, connecting the two fastening sections 32 and 36.
  • the metal element 30 is hermetically fastened to the valve needle 22 with the first fastening section 32 and to the valve body 12 with the second fastening section 36.
  • the conical part 34 of the metal element is designed to be able to bend to such a degree that the needle can move axially in its seat up to 100 ⁇ m, which gives rise to the flow of gasoline into the combustion chamber of the engine cylinder.
  • the trapezoidal shape of the rubber ring 38 is chosen to tightly fit onto the conical section 34, conferring greater stiffness thereto.
  • the rubber ring 38 has further the effect of damping the forces produced by the pressure peaks of the gasoline in this region of the valve body 12, which otherwise may be as large as ⁇ 30% at a pressure level of 200 bar.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a metering device comprising a valve body (12) containing a fluid passage (20) for the pressurized fluid to be dosed, the fluid passage (20) terminating with a metering opening (16), an axially moveable valve needle (22) passing through the fluid passage (20), the valve needle (22) having a first end (24) inside the fluid passage (20), controlling the opening and closing of the metering opening (22), and having a second end (26) inside an actuator chamber (40), the second end cooperating with an actuator assembly (42) in the actuator chamber (40) controlling the axial movement of the needle (22), wherein in operation the pressure in the actuator chamber (40) is smaller than the pressure in the fluid passage (20), and a bushing element (30, 38) for the valve needle (22), hydraulically isolating the actuator chamber (40) and the fluid passage (20). The bushing element is formed by an elastic element (30, 38), hermetically fastened to the valve needle (22) and to the valve body (12).

Description

The present invention relates to a metering device for dosing pressurized fluids, particularly an injection valve for a fuel injection system in an internal combustion engine. The metering device is of the type which comprises a valve body containing a fluid passage for the pressurized fluid to be dosed, the fluid passage terminating with a metering opening, an axially moveable valve needle passing through the fluid passage, the valve needle having a first end inside the fluid passage, controlling the opening and closing of the metering opening, and having a second end inside an actuator chamber, the second end cooperating with an actuator assembly in the actuator chamber controlling the axial movement of the needle, wherein in operation the pressure in the actuator chamber is smaller than the pressure in the fluid passage, and a bushing element for the valve needle, hydraulically isolating the actuator chamber and the fluid passage.
Such a metering device is disclosed for example in the European Patent application EP 1 046 809 A2. In the manufacture of piezoelectric actuator-controlled valves for high-pressure direct injection for gasoline engines, it is essential to provide a hydraulic seal capable of isolating the space through which the pressurized gasoline travels from that containing the abovementioned actuator.
Fundamental requirements for this sealing element are
  • the ability to operate at high pressures, exceeding 200 bar,
  • the resistance to pressure peaks and hydraulic ram induced by the opening and closing of the injector needle, including resistance to breakage, creep, fatigue loading, and the like, and
  • satisfactory service life of the component in its operating environment, including chemical tolerance to gasoline, resistance to thermal stresses, and the like.
In document EP 1 046 809 A2, the sealing element is formed by a metal bellows with the top and bottom collars attached to the injector needle and the valve body, respectively. A metal bellows offers a high mechanical elasticity in the direction of movement of the needle, a sufficient resistance to fuel pressures of up to 500 bar, and a high reliability with respect to leakage throughout the required temperature range of -40 °C to +150 °C. However, an injector valve with a metal bellows has disadvantages of high component manufacturing costs and a complex assembly, requiring two hermetic welds.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a metering device of the above mentioned type which is easier and more economic to manufacture, while still fulfilling the requirements specified above.
The above object is achieved by a metering device with the features of appended claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
According to the invention, in a metering device with the features of the preamble of claim 1, the bushing element is formed by an elastic element, hermetically fastened to the valve needle and to the valve body.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastic element comprises a metal element having first and second fastening sections for fastening the metal element to the valve needle and to the valve body, respectively, and a bendable conical section connecting the first and second fastening sections. Bending the conical section allows the valve needle to move axially in its seat by the required amount to start the fuel injection.
In an advantageous embodiment of the metering device, the first fastening section is formed by a hollow cylinder section in hermetic contact with the valve needle, and the second fastening section is formed by a ring section in hermetic contact with the valve body, wherein the inner diameter of the ring section is larger than the diameter of the hollow cylinder section.
According to the invention, the elastic element may further comprise a ring of a resilient material, such as rubber, arranged in contact with the bendable conical section, thereby increasing the stiffness of the elastic element. Also the ring is capable of damping the forces produced by the pressure peaks of the gasoline in this region of the valve body, which may otherwise amount to up to ± 30% of the expected pressure level of 200 bar.
It is considered to be especially advantageous, if the ring of resilient material has a trapezoidal cross section, as it then allows a tight fit with the conical section of the metal element.
In addition to the advantages mentioned above, the invention provides a remarkable reduction in the costs of the bushing element. The manufacture can easily be integrated in current assembly and welding procedures and the components used can straightforwardly be adapted to mass production.
The invention, both its construction an its method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein
Figure 1
is a schematic axial cross section of the lower part of an injector valve according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 2
is a schematic perspective view of the elastic element of Fig. 1, however without the rubber ring.
Figure 1 illustrates the lower part of an injection valve 10 for direct-injection gasoline engines, according to a specific embodiment of the invention.
The valve body 12 contains an outlet passage 20 for the pressurized fluid which terminates with a metering opening 16. A valve needle 22 is disposed axially slidable in the outlet passage 20. In the closed state of the injection valve, a mushroom-shaped plunger 24 on a first end of the needle 22 is pressed against the valve seat 14 and closes the metering opening 16.
Upon activation of a piezoelectric actuator assembly 42, which acts on a second end 26 of the valve needle 22, needle 22 lifts from the valve seat 24 to begin the injection of pressurized gasoline into the cylinder of the engine.
As the pressure in the actuator chamber 40 is smaller than the pressure of the pressurized gasoline in the outlet passage 20, an elastic element 30 and 38 hydraulically isolates the actuator chamber 40 and the outlet passage 20 from each other.
The elastic element comprises a metal element 30 and a rubber ring 38 with trapezoidal cross section. As best seen in the perspective view of Fig. 2, the metal element 30 consists of a hollow cylinder section 32, forming a first fastening section, a ring section 36, forming a second fastening section and a bendable conical section 34, connecting the two fastening sections 32 and 36.
Returning to Fig. 1, the metal element 30 is hermetically fastened to the valve needle 22 with the first fastening section 32 and to the valve body 12 with the second fastening section 36. The conical part 34 of the metal element is designed to be able to bend to such a degree that the needle can move axially in its seat up to 100 µm, which gives rise to the flow of gasoline into the combustion chamber of the engine cylinder.
The trapezoidal shape of the rubber ring 38 is chosen to tightly fit onto the conical section 34, conferring greater stiffness thereto. The rubber ring 38 has further the effect of damping the forces produced by the pressure peaks of the gasoline in this region of the valve body 12, which otherwise may be as large as ± 30% at a pressure level of 200 bar.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the drawings, and in the claims may alone as well as in any possible combination be important for the realization of the invention.

Claims (5)

  1. A metering device for dosing pressurized fluids, particularly an injection valve for a fuel injection system in an internal combustion engine, comprising
    a valve body (12) containing a fluid passage (20) for the pressurized fluid to be dosed, the fluid passage (20) terminating with a metering opening (16),
    an axially moveable valve needle (22) passing through the fluid passage (20), the valve needle (22) having a first end (24) inside the fluid passage (20), controlling the opening and closing of the metering opening (22), and having a second end (26) inside an actuator chamber (40), the second end cooperating with an actuator assembly (42) in the actuator chamber (40) controlling the axial movement of the needle (22), wherein in operation the pressure in the actuator chamber (40) is smaller than the pressure in the fluid passage (20), and
    a bushing element (30, 38) for the valve needle (22), hydraulically isolating the actuator chamber (40) and the fluid passage (20),
    characterized in that
    the bushing element is formed by an elastic element (30, 38), hermetically fastened to the valve needle (22) and to the valve body (12).
  2. The metering device according to claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the elastic element comprises a metal element (30) having first and second fastening sections (32, 36) for fastening the metal element (30) to the valve needle (22) and to the valve body (12), respectively, and a bendable conical section (34) connecting the first and second fastening sections (32, 36).
  3. The metering device according to claim 1 or 2,
    characterized in that
    the first fastening section is formed by a hollow cylinder section (32) in hermetic contact with the valve needle (22), and that the second fastening section is formed by a ring section (36) in hermetic contact with the valve body (12), wherein the inner diameter of the ring section (36) is larger than the diameter of the hollow cylinder section (32).
  4. The metering device according to claim 2 or 3,
    characterized in that
    the elastic element further comprises a ring (38) of a resilient material, such as rubber, arranged in contact with the bendable conical section (34).
  5. The metering device according to claim 4,
    characterized in that
    the ring (38) of resilient material has a trapezoidal cross section.
EP02018660A 2002-08-20 2002-08-20 Metering device with hydraulic bushing element Expired - Fee Related EP1391609B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE60204454T DE60204454T2 (en) 2002-08-20 2002-08-20 Dosing device with hydraulic ring
EP02018660A EP1391609B1 (en) 2002-08-20 2002-08-20 Metering device with hydraulic bushing element

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02018660A EP1391609B1 (en) 2002-08-20 2002-08-20 Metering device with hydraulic bushing element

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1391609A1 true EP1391609A1 (en) 2004-02-25
EP1391609B1 EP1391609B1 (en) 2005-06-01

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Family Applications (1)

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EP02018660A Expired - Fee Related EP1391609B1 (en) 2002-08-20 2002-08-20 Metering device with hydraulic bushing element

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP1391609B1 (en)
DE (1) DE60204454T2 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1795741A1 (en) * 2005-12-06 2007-06-13 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Needle device
EP1808596A1 (en) * 2006-01-12 2007-07-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Valve assembly for an injection valve and injection valve
DE102014221630A1 (en) 2014-10-24 2016-04-28 Robert Bosch Gmbh Injector for metering a fluid into a conduit

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2032005A1 (en) * 1970-06-29 1972-01-05 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Fuel injector
GB2332035A (en) * 1997-12-08 1999-06-09 Caterpillar Inc Fluid seal in a plunger and barrel assembly
EP1046809A2 (en) 1999-04-20 2000-10-25 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Fluid metering device
EP1106817A2 (en) * 1999-12-06 2001-06-13 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Valve with improved abutment geometry
DE19956830A1 (en) * 1999-11-25 2001-06-21 Siemens Ag Leadthrough for diesel common rail injector enables leakage to be reduced
DE10054182A1 (en) * 2000-11-02 2002-05-29 Siemens Ag Fluid dosing device with a throttle point includes a metal bellows sealing a region around the leadthrough element of a needle valve passing through a chamber

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2032005A1 (en) * 1970-06-29 1972-01-05 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Fuel injector
GB2332035A (en) * 1997-12-08 1999-06-09 Caterpillar Inc Fluid seal in a plunger and barrel assembly
EP1046809A2 (en) 1999-04-20 2000-10-25 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Fluid metering device
DE19956830A1 (en) * 1999-11-25 2001-06-21 Siemens Ag Leadthrough for diesel common rail injector enables leakage to be reduced
EP1106817A2 (en) * 1999-12-06 2001-06-13 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Valve with improved abutment geometry
DE10054182A1 (en) * 2000-11-02 2002-05-29 Siemens Ag Fluid dosing device with a throttle point includes a metal bellows sealing a region around the leadthrough element of a needle valve passing through a chamber

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1795741A1 (en) * 2005-12-06 2007-06-13 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Needle device
EP1808596A1 (en) * 2006-01-12 2007-07-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Valve assembly for an injection valve and injection valve
DE102014221630A1 (en) 2014-10-24 2016-04-28 Robert Bosch Gmbh Injector for metering a fluid into a conduit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60204454D1 (en) 2005-07-07
EP1391609B1 (en) 2005-06-01
DE60204454T2 (en) 2006-05-04

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