EP1780404B1

EP1780404B1 - Injection valve, cylinder head, and cylinder head arrangement for an internal combustion engine

Info

Publication number: EP1780404B1
Application number: EP20050023667
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Ricci; Domenico Viggiani
Original assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
Current assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
Priority date: 2005-10-28
Filing date: 2005-10-28
Publication date: 2009-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-28
Also published as: DE602005013972D1; EP1780404A1

Description

The invention relates to an injection valve for an internal combustion engine. The invention further relates to a cylinder head and to a cylinder head arrangement for the internal combustion engine which comprises the cylinder head and the injection valve.
DE 103 56 856 A1 comprises an injection valve for injecting fluid into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. DE 103 56 856 A1 further comprises a holder for holding the injection valve in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. For holding the injection valve in the cylinder head a clamping claw is provided. The clamping claw is coupled to the injection valve at a part of the injection valve which sticks out of the cylinder head. The clamping claw presses the injection valve against a seat in a recess of the cylinder head. In order to avoid a shortening of the axial length of the injection valve by the pressure of the clamping claw an injection tube is plugged onto the injection valve in such a way that the clamping claw presses on the injection tube.
US 2002/0073970 A1 discloses an injection valve. The injection valve has a pin protruding from the injection valve in radial direction. If the injection valve is assembled to an engine head of an internal combustion engine, the injection valve first is assembled into a retaining sleeve in such a way, that the pin is arranged in a groove of the retaining sleeve. The injection valve, in particular the pin is held in its position by an elastic element.
The object of the invention is to create an injection valve and a cylinder head for the injection valve which enables a precise and simple assembling of the injector into the cylinder head.
The object of the invention is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the sub-claims.
The invention is distinguished concerning a second aspect of the invention by the injection valve for the internal combustion engine. The injection valve comprises at least a first and a second axial section separated by a step of the injection valve. The first axial section of the injection valve comprises a bigger diameter at the step of the injection valve than the second axial section. The injection valve further comprises at least one groove in the first axial section of the injection valve. The groove of the injection valve extends from the step of the injection valve away from an injection nozzle of the injection valve and then further extends towards the injection nozzle to a second end of the groove of the injection valve. The groove of the injection valve is formed and arranged in such a way that in the intended arrangement of the injection valve in the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, the second end of the groove of the injection valve is a backstop of the injection valve for a pin at the cylinder head. If the cylinder head comprises a corresponding pin for the groove, this may contribute to a fast, easy, and precise assembling of the injection valve into the cylinder head by a positive-fit and therefore to a simple fixation to each other.
The invention is distinguished concerning a third aspect of the invention by the cylinder head for the internal combustion engine. The cylinder head comprises a first side of the cylinder head for forming a wall of a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. The cylinder head further comprises a second side of the cylinder head facing away from the first side of the cylinder head. A recess for the injection valve extends from the first to the second side of the cylinder head and comprises a step of the recess. At least one groove of the cylinder head is formed in a wall of the recess. The groove of the cylinder head extends from the step of the recess or the second side of the cylinder head towards the first side of the cylinder head and then the groove of the cylinder head is further extending away from the first side of the cylinder head to a second end of the groove of the cylinder head. The groove of the cylinder head is formed and arranged in such a way that in the intended arrangement of the cylinder head, the second end of the groove of the cylinder head is a backstop of the cylinder head for the pin at the injection valve. If the injection valve comprises the corresponding pin for the groove of the cylinder head, this may contribute to a positive-fit of the injection valve and the cylinder head and therefore to a simple fixation to each other.
In an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect of the invention the cylinder head comprises a plate which is fixed to the cylinder head. The plate comprises the groove of the cylinder head and at least a part of the recess of the cylinder head. This contributes to low production costs of the cylinder head.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the third aspect of the invention the plate comprises stainless steel and/or copper and/or aluminum. This may contribute to a cheap production of the plate. Stainless steel and/or copper and/or aluminum may contribute to a proper heat conductivity of the cylinder head.
The invention is distinguished concerning a fourth aspect of the invention by the cylinder head for the internal combustion engine. The cylinder head comprises the recess for the injection valve. The recess comprises the step. At least one pin at the cylinder head is arranged next to the recess sticking out from the cylinder head at least partly in a radial direction towards an axis of the recess or the pin of the cylinder head is arranged in the recess sticking out from a wall of the recess at least partly in radial direction of the recess. The pin of the cylinder head is formed and arranged in such a way that in the intended arrangement of the cylinder head, the pin of the cylinder head is working together with the groove of the injection valve for holding the injection valve in the recess by a positive-fit. If the injection valve comprises the corresponding groove for the pin, this may contribute to the positive-fit of the injection valve and the cylinder head and therefore to a simple fixation to each other.
The advantageous embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may be transferred to advantageous embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention the pin of the cylinder head and the cylinder head are made of one piece. This contributes to a good stability of the pin of the cylinder head.
If the cylinder head comprises the plate, in a further advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect the pin of the cylinder head and the plate are made of one piece.
The invention is distinguished related to a fifth aspect of the invention by a cylinder head arrangement. The cylinder head arrangement comprises the injection valve and the cylinder head. The pin of the injection valve is arranged in the groove of the cylinder head at the second end of the groove of the first cylinder head. So, the injection valve is arranged by a positive-fit in the recess of the cylinder head between the step of the recess and the groove of the cylinder head. This may contribute to a proper holding of the injector and therefore to a simple fixation to each other.
In an advantageous embodiment of the fifth aspect of the invention an elastic body is arranged between the step of the recess and the injection valve. The elastic body is preloaded by the injection valve forcing the injection valve away from the seat and so forcing the pin of the injection valve against the wall of the groove of the cylinder head. This may contribute to the easy assembling of the injection valve while having the proper holding of the injector by a press-fit.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the fifth aspect, the elastic body comprises a spring. This contributes to a simple production of the elastic body and may contribute to a low cost production of the assembling device.
The invention is distinguished related to a sixth aspect of the invention by the cylinder head arrangement. The cylinder head arrangement comprises the injection valve and the cylinder head. The pin of the cylinder head is arranged in the groove of the injection valve at the second end of the groove of the injection valve. So, the injection valve is arranged in the recess of the cylinder head between the step of the recess and the pin of the second cylinder head. This contributes to a proper holding of the injector and therefore to a simple fixation to each other.
The advantageous embodiments of the fifth aspect of the invention may be transferred to corresponding advantageous embodiments of the sixth aspect of the invention.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in the following with the aid of schematic drawings:

Figure 1: a first view of a first embodiment of a cylinder head arrangement,
Figure 2: a second view of the first embodiment of the cylinder head arrangement in accordance with Figure 1,
Figure 3: a first embodiment of the cylinder head of the cylinder head arrangement according to figure 2,
Figure 4: a second embodiment of the cylinder head arrangement,
Figure 5: a third embodiment of the cylinder head arrangement,
Figure 6: an injection valve of the third embodiment of the cylinder head arrangement according to figure 5.

Elements of the same design and function that appear in the different illustrations are identified by the same reference character.
A cylinder head arrangement (Figure 1) comprises an injection valve 6 and a cylinder head 2. A first side 3 of the cylinder head 2 forms a wall of a combustion chamber if the cylinder head 2 is arranged in an internal combustion engine. A recess 4 of the cylinder head 2 extends from the first side 3 of the cylinder head 2 to a second side 5 of the cylinder head. In an intended arrangement the injection valve 6 is arranged in the cylinder head 2 of the internal combustion engine.
The injection valve 6 comprises an injection nozzle 7 at an injector tip 8. The injection valve 6 further comprises a first axial section 12 and a second axial section 14 which are separated by a step 16 of the injection valve. The injection valve 6 is fixed into the recess 4 by a groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 which is formed in a plate 20 and which works together with a pin 24 of the injection valve 6. The pin 24 of the injection valve 6 and an injector body of the injection valve 6 may be made of one piece. Alternatively the pin 24 may be welded to the injection valve 6 or the pin 24 may be screwed into the injection valve 6.
The injection valve 6 is plugged into the recess 4 of the cylinder head 2 from the second side 5 of the cylinder head 2. Preferably there is a spring 10 arranged at a step 9 of the recess 4. The spring 10 exerts a force on the injection valve 6 directed towards the second side 5 of the cylinder head 2.
A groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 extends from the second side 2 of the cylinder head 2 towards the first side 3 of the cylinder head 2 (Figure 2, Figure 3). The groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 further extends to a narrow part 29 of the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 which extends perpendicularly to an axis X of the injection valve 6 and/or of the recess 4. From the narrow part 29 the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 further extends directed towards the second side 5 of the cylinder head 2.
When the injection valve 6 is assembled into the recess 4, the pin 24 of the injection valve 6 is introduced into the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 at the second side 5 of the cylinder head 2 and the spring 10 is getting preloaded. If the pin 24 of the injection valve 6 is at the narrow part 29 of the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2, the injection valve 6 may be turned around the axis X. After the narrow part 29 of the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 the pin 24 is in a position in which the spring 10 forces the injection valve 6, especially the pin 24 of the injection valve 6 towards a backstop 28 of the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2. So, the injection valve 6 is fixed in its position by a positive-fit and by a press-fit.
Alternatively the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 and the corresponding pin 24 of the injection valve 6 may be formed in such a way that the injection valve 6 is fixed in the recess 4 only by a positive-fit. For example, if the narrow part 29 of the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 comprises a smaller width than the corresponding pin 24 of the injection valve 6 the pin 24 of the injection valve 6 may be pressed through the narrow part 29 into backstop 28 of the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2. If the pin 24 of the injection valve 6 and the backstop 28 of the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 are formed and arranged in such a way that the pin 24 of the injection valve 6 fits exactly into the backstop 28 of the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2, then the injection valve 6 is fixed in its position only by the positive-fit.
In an alternative embodiment, the groove 22 is formed directly in the cylinder head 2 (Figure 4). If the groove 22 is formed directly in the cylinder head 2, this may contribute to a proper stability of the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2.
As a further alternative, the injection valve 6 may comprise only one pin 24 and the cylinder head 2 may only comprise one groove 22 or the injection valve 6 may comprise further pins 24 and the cylinder head may comprise further grooves 22.
Additionally or alternatively to the spring 10 there may be arranged a rubber ring 30 or another elastic body between the injection valve 6 and the seat 9 of the recess 4.
In a further alternative embodiment (Figure 5) the plate 20 comprises a pin 44 of the cylinder head 2. Alternatively the pin 44 of the cylinder head 2 and/or the plate 20 and/or the cylinder head 2 may be made of one piece. If the pin 44 and/or respectively the plate 20 and/or respectively the cylinder head 2 are made of one piece, this may contribute to a good stability of the pin 44 of the cylinder head 2. Alternatively, the pin 44 and/or respectively the plate 20 may be welded to the cylinder head 2 or the pin 44 and/or respectively the plate 20 may be screwed into the cylinder head 2.
If there is the pin 44 of the cylinder head 2, there is a corresponding groove 42 of the injection valve 6 (Figure 6). The injection valve 6 may be assembled into the cylinder head 2 by introducing the pin 44 of the cylinder head 2 into the groove 42 of the injection valve 6 at the step 16. The groove 42 of the cylinder head 2 is formed in such a way that the rubber ring 30 is preloaded when the injection valve 6 is inserted to the recess 4 and when the injection valve 6 is turned around its axis X in such a way that the pin 44 of the cylinder head 2 is at a backstop 48 of the groove 42 of the injection valve 6. So, the injection valve 6 is fixed in its position by the positive-fit.
The invention is not restricted to the explained embodiments. The explained embodiments may, for example, be combined. For example, the rubber ring 30 can be used instead of the spring 10 in every embodiment. Further, in every embodiment there may be more pins 24, 44 and respectively more grooves 22, 42. Further, every embodiment may comprise the plate 20 or not. Further, every embodiment may comprise the pin 24 of the injection valve 6 and the groove 22 of the cylinder head 2 and/or the pin 44 of the cylinder head 2 and the groove 42 of the cylinder head. Further in every embodiment the injection valve 6 may be hold in the recess 4 by a positive-fit or by a combination of a positive-fit.

Claims

Injection valve (6) for an internal combustion engine comprising
- at least a first and a second axial section (12,14) separated by a step (16) of the injection valve (6), the first axial section (12) of the injection valve (6) comprising a bigger diameter at the step (16) of the injection valve (6) than the second axial section (14),
characterized by at least one groove (42) in the first axial section (12) of the injection valve (6), the groove (42) of the injection valve (6) extending from the step (16) of the injection valve (6) away from an injection nozzle (7) of the injection valve (6) and then further extending towards the injection nozzle (7) to a second end (48) of the groove (42) of the injection valve (6), the groove (42) of the injection valve (6) being formed and arranged in such a way, that in an intended arrangement of the injection valve (6) in a cylinder head (2) of the internal combustion engine the second end (48) of the groove (42) of the injection valve (6) forms a backstop of the injection valve (6) for a pin (44) at the cylinder head (2).
Cylinder head (2) for an internal combustion engine comprising
- a first side (3) of the cylinder head (2) for forming a wall of a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine,

- a second side (5) of the cylinder head (2) facing away from the first side (3) of the cylinder head (2),

- a recess (4) for an injection valve (6), the recess (4) extending from the first to the second side (3,5) of the cylinder head (2) and the recess (4) comprising a step (9) of the recess (4),
characterized by at least one groove (22) of the cylinder head (2) in a wall of the recess (4), the groove (22) of the cylinder head (2) extending from the step (9) of the recess (4) or the second side (5) of the cylinder head (2) towards the first side (3) of the cylinder head (2) and then the groove (22) of the cylinder head (2) further extending away from the first side (3) of the cylinder head (2) to a second end (28) of the groove (22) of the cylinder head (2), the groove (22) of the cylinder head (2) being formed and arranged in such a way, that in an intended arrangement of the cylinder head (2) the second end (28) of the groove (22) of the cylinder head (2) forms a backstop of the cylinder head (2) for a pin (24) at the injection valve (6).
Cylinder head in accordance with claim 2,
characterized by the cylinder head (2) comprising a plate (20) which is fixed to the cylinder head (2), which comprises the groove (22) of the cylinder head (2), and which comprises at least a part of the recess (4) of the cylinder head (2).
Cylinder head in accordance with claim 3,
characterized by the plate (20) comprising stainless steel and/or copper and/or aluminum.
Cylinder head arrangement for an internal combustion engine comprising an injection valve according to claim 1 and a cylinder head (2) with
- a recess (4) for an injection valve (6), the recess (4) comprising a step (9),
characterized by at least one pin (44) of the cylinder head (2) which is arranged next to the recess (4) sticking out from the cylinder head (2) at least partly in radial direction towards an axis (X) of the recess (4) or which is arranged in the recess (4) sticking out from a wall of the recess (4) at least partly in radial direction of the recess (4), the pin (44) of the cylinder head (2) being formed and arranged in such a way, that in the intended arrangement of the cylinder head (2) the pin (44) of the cylinder head (2) works together with the groove (42) of the injection valve (6) for fixing the injection valve (6) into the recess (4) by a positive-fit.
Cylinder head arrangement in accordance with claim 5,
characterized by the pin (44) of the cylinder head (2) and the cylinder head (2) being made of one piece.
Cylinder head arrangement in accordance with one of the claims 5 or 6,
characterized by the cylinder head (2) comprising a plate (20) which is fixed to the cylinder head (2), which comprises the pin (44) of the cylinder head (2), and which comprises at least a part of the recess (4) of the cylinder head (2).
Cylinder head arrangement in accordance with claim 7,
characterized by the plate (20) comprising stainless steel and/or copper and/or aluminum.
Cylinder head arrangement in accordance with one of the claims 7 or 8,
characterized by the pin (44) of the cylinder head (2) and the plate (20) being made of one piece.
Cylinder head arrangement with
- an injection valve (6) comprising at least one pin (24) sticking out radially from the outside of the injection valve (6),
characterized by the cylinder head (2) in accordance with one of the claims 2 to 4 and by the pin (24) of the injection valve (6) being arranged in the groove (22) of the cylinder head (2) at the second end (28) of the groove (22) of the cylinder head (2) and so the injection valve (6) being clamped in the recess (4) of the cylinder head (2) between the step (9) of the recess (4) and the groove (22) of the cylinder head (2)
Cylinder head arrangement in accordance with claim 10,
characterized by the cylinder head comprising an elastic body between the step (9) of the recess (4) and the injector (6).
Cylinder head arrangement in accordance with claim 11,
characterized by the elastic body comprising a spring (10).
Cylinder head arrangement in accordance with one of the claims 5 to 9 with the pin (44) of the cylinder head (2) being arranged in the groove (42) of the injection valve (6) at the second end (48) of the groove (42) of the injection valve (6) and so the injection valve (6) being clamped in the recess (4) of the cylinder head (2) between the step (9) of the recess (4) and the pin (44) of the cylinder head (2).
Cylinder head arrangement in accordance with claim 13,
characterized by the cylinder head comprising an elastic body between the step (9) of the recess (4) and the injection valve (6).
Cylinder head arrangement in accordance with claim 14,
characterized by the elastic body comprising a spring (10).