EP4544169A1 - A fuel rail with enhanced design flexibility - Google Patents
A fuel rail with enhanced design flexibilityInfo
- Publication number
- EP4544169A1 EP4544169A1 EP23730799.6A EP23730799A EP4544169A1 EP 4544169 A1 EP4544169 A1 EP 4544169A1 EP 23730799 A EP23730799 A EP 23730799A EP 4544169 A1 EP4544169 A1 EP 4544169A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- central axis
- fuel rail
- tube hole
- tip connection
- fuel
- 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.)
- Pending
Links
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
- F02M55/00—Fuel-injection apparatus characterised by their fuel conduits or their venting means; Arrangements of conduits between fuel tank and pump F02M37/00
- F02M55/02—Conduits between injection pumps and injectors, e.g. conduits between pump and common-rail or conduits between common-rail and injectors
- F02M55/025—Common rails
-
- 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
- F02M2200/80—Fuel injection apparatus manufacture, repair or assembly
- F02M2200/8069—Fuel injection apparatus manufacture, repair or assembly involving removal of material from the fuel apparatus, e.g. by punching, hydro-erosion or mechanical operation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to fuel rails for fuel distribution to fuel injectors used in combustion engines.
- the present invention relates to constructional details of fuel rails.
- Fuel rails for fuel distribution to multiple fuel injectors are typical components of high- pressure fuel injection systems. Fuel rails can be obtained by forging and machining of stainless steel.
- Forged fuel rails have advantages in terms of strength compared to soldered or brazed fuel rails and thus tend to allow higher injection pressures.
- Forged, monolithic (i.e., one-piece) fuel rails usually offer a lower extent of design flexibility compared to brazed rails.
- the forging process bears physical limits in forming of the forging material.
- a sufficient extent of accessibility from the outside for all machining operations must be available during machining.
- Primary object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.
- Another object of the present invention is to propose a solution for enabling replacement of a fuel rail that is designed in accordance with dimensional limitations of an engine, with a new fuel rail that is different in size and weight.
- a further object of the present invention is to propose a solution for enabling replacement of a fuel rail that is designed in accordance with dimensional limitations of an engine, with a new fuel rail that is more compact by having a smaller size and weight.
- a further object of the present invention is to decrease the costs in relation with fuel rails.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide facility and flexibility during using the drilling tools without changing the fixed position of the fuel rail during drilling the bores or channels of the fuel rail.
- the present application proposes an elongate fuel rail with a cylindrical tube hole extending along a first central axis.
- the fuel rail comprises a sealing plug housing.
- the fuel rail comprises a tip connection; for instance, a fuel port.
- the tip connection has a cylindrical geometry extending along a second central axis that is eccentric according to the first central axis of the tube hole.
- a first radial distance between an injector cup and the first central axis can be shorter than a second radial distance between said injector cup and the second central axis.
- the second central axis of the tip connection can be parallel to the first central axis of the tube hole.
- the fuel rail can further comprise a plurality of side ports that are transversely distributed in-between the first end and second end, in hydraulic communication with the tube hole.
- the side ports can include injector cups.
- the tip connection can be in hydraulic communication with the tube hole through a bore extending along a bore axis that is eccentric according to the first central axis of the tube hole and/or with regard to the second central axis of the tip connection.
- This feature corresponds to an increased flexibility when selecting a shortest distance to be drilled/machined at forming the bore.
- the fuel rail according to the present invention can be considered a forged fuel rail.
- the present invention further proposes a method for production of such fuel rail.
- the method includes the following steps: a) forging an elongate body that is suitable for being shaped into a fuel rail; b) at a first end of the forged body, forming a sealing plug housing by machining a first cylindrical cavity along a first central axis; c) starting from the first cylindrical cavity, forming a tube hole by machining a second cylindrical cavity along the first central axis, towards a second end distal to the first end of the forged body; d) at the second end of the forged body, forming a tip connection by machining a third cylindrical cavity along a second central axis that is offset with respect to the first central axis; e) starting from the second cylindrical cavity, forming a bore by machining a fourth cylindrical cavity to constitute hydraulic communication between the tube hole and the tip connection.
- the method includes arrangement of that the fourth cylindrical cavity extends along a bore axis, that is eccentric according to the first central axis and/or with regard to second central axis.
- Fig.l shows a longitudinal section view along the first central axis of an exemplary fuel rail according to the present application.
- the fuel rail includes a tip connection (e.g., high- pressure connection housing, such as a fuel port) with a second central axis that is offset and parallel to the first central axis.
- the first central axis is the central axis of the tube hole, whereas the second central axis is the central axis of the tip connection.
- Fig.2 is a detail from Fig.l, corresponding to a first end of the fuel rail, showing the vicinity of the exemplary sealing plug housing.
- Fig.3 is a detail from Fig.l, corresponding to a second end of the fuel rail, showing the vicinity of the exemplary tip connection.
- the present application proposes an elongate fuel rail (100) with a cylindrical tube hole (10) that extends along a first central axis (Al) (i.e., central axis of cylindrical geometry of the tube hole (10)).
- the fuel rail (100) At a first end (1) of the fuel rail (100), the fuel rail (100) comprises a sealing plug housing (11).
- the fuel rail (100) At a second end (2) that is distal to said first end (1), the fuel rail (100) comprises a tip connection (12).
- the tip connection (12) can be a fuel port.
- the tip connection (12) has a cylindrical geometry that extends along a second central axis (A2).
- the second central axis (A2) i.e., central axis of cylindrical geometry of the tip connection (12)
- the first central axis (Al) of the tube hole (10) and the second central axis (A2) of the tip connection (12) do not overlap with each other.
- the present invention enables a compact fuel rail (100).
- a first radial distance between an injector cup and the first central axis (Al) can be shorter than a second radial distance between said injector cup and the second central axis (A2).
- a bulkier prior art fuel rail can be replaced with a fuel rail (100) that is more compact (less bulky) when compared to such prior art fuel rail.
- the material costs, weight and total costs are reduced with the fuel rail (100) according to the present invention.
- the fuel rail (100) described in the present application can be considered as a monolithic, forged body.
- the second central axis (A2) of the tip connection (12) is parallel to the first central axis (Al) of the tube hole (10).
- the fuel rail (100) can be considered as further comprising a plurality of side ports (13) that are transversely distributed in-between the first end (1) and the second end (2), in fluid flow communication with the tube hole (10).
- the fluid flow communication between the tube hole (10) and respective side ports (13) can be arranged via respective cross bores.
- the side ports (13) can be, e.g., injector cups.
- the tip connection (12) can be considered inherently in fluid flow communication with the tube hole (10).
- the said fluid flow communication between the tip connection (12) and the tube hole (10) can be constituted through a bore (14).
- the bore (14) extends along a bore axis (A3) that can be eccentric according to the first central axis (Al) of the tube hole (10).
- the bore axis (A3) can be eccentric according to the second central axis (A2) of the tip connection (12).
- the bore axis (A3) can be eccentric according to the first central axis (Al) of the tube hole (10) and also with regard to the second central axis (A2) of the tip connection (12).
- the fuel rail (100) according to the present invention can be, in particular, formed by forging.
- Such fuel rail (100) can be considered a forged fuel rail.
- An exemplary method for production of the fuel rail (100) includes the following steps: a) forging an elongate body that is suitable for being shaped into a fuel rail (100); b) at a first end (1) of the forged body, forming a sealing plug housing (11) by machining a first cylindrical cavity along a first central axis (Al); c) starting from the first cylindrical cavity, forming a tube hole (10) by machining a second cylindrical cavity along the first central axis (Al), towards a second end (2) distal to the first end (1) of the forged body; d) at the second end (2) of the forged body, forming a tip connection (12) by machining a third cylindrical cavity along a second central axis (A2) that is offset with respect to the first central axis (Al); e) starting from the second cylindrical cavity, forming a bore (14) by machining (e.g., drilling) a fourth cylindrical cavity to constitute hydraulic communication between the tube hole (10) and the tip connection (12).
- the machining of the tube hole (10) can be considered to be performed such that a (not yet machined, or non-cavity) distance is maintained inside the body, between the second end (2) and the tube hole (10). Said distance is reserved for formation of a tip connection (12) in step (d), and for formation of the bore (14) for hydraulically connecting the tip connection (12) with the tube hole (10) in step (e).
- the term "offset" can be considered to indicate that the first central axis (Al) and second central axis (A2) do not overlap with each other.
- the first central axis (Al) and second central axis (A2) can extend parallel to each other.
- the term “eccentric” can be considered synonym to "offset” when evaluating relative positions of substantially cylindrical cavities that have non-overlapping and loci of respective central axes. Said loci of respective central axes can be substantially parallel to each other.
- the tube hole (10) can also be named as "deep hole”.
- the fuel port can be considered as an axial connection.
- the term "axial connection” refers to a connection to be disposed at an end or tip of the fuel rail (100), and that extends in a direction parallel to the main central axis of the respective tube hole (10). Therefore, within the present description, the tip connection (12) can be also referred to as "axial connection”.
- a axial connection such as a sensor connection or high-pressure connection (here: tip connection (12), in particular, fuel supply connection) to be attached eccentrically with regard to the main first central axis (Al) of a tube hole (10).
- tip connection (12) in particular, fuel supply connection
- Al main first central axis
- Fig.l shows a cross-section through a fuel rail (100) with an offset between the axial high-pressure connection (tip connection (12)) and the deep-hole bore (tube hole (10)). It can also be seen that if the first central axis (Al) would overlap the second central axis (A2), radial distance between the tube hole (10) and the side ports (13) would be longer.
- the locus of the first central axis (Al) can be shifted more towards the side ports (13) while the position of the tip connection (12) remains unchanged.
- the center of gravity of the forged body (fuel rail (100)) is also shifted towards the side ports (13); inevitably resulting in a reduction of material usage in production of the fuel rail (100).
- a fuel rail with pre-determined dimensional limitations with regard to loci for axial connection(s) and side ports (13) such as injector cups, can be replaced with a fuel rail (100) with a first central axis (Al) that has a different radial distance to the side ports (13).
- the present invention enables shortening of said radial distance, thus facilitating the production of the fuel rail (100).
- This aspect also corresponds to a design flexibility, which further minimizes the production costs.
- the side ports (13) can be occupied by, e.g., injector cups, sensor connections and various high-pressure connections that can be employed with the fuel rail (100).
- clamping points for drilling or machining of the tube hole (10) can be outside of the around the tip connection (12) that is to be formed.
- the clamping points for drilling and, if necessary, for radial machining of the tube hole (10) are typically cylindrical surfaces or chamfers with e.g., 45 degrees angles with respect to the planned first central axis (Al).
- the clamping surfaces or chamfers can be considered as centric to the first central axis (Al) but eccentric to the second central axis (A2).
- the bore (14) can be formed offset with respect to the second central axis (A2) (see Fig.3).
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| TR202210380 | 2022-06-22 | ||
| TR202213373 | 2022-08-25 | ||
| PCT/EP2023/064938 WO2023247162A1 (en) | 2022-06-22 | 2023-06-05 | A fuel rail with enhanced design flexibility |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP4544169A1 true EP4544169A1 (en) | 2025-04-30 |
Family
ID=95250414
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP23730799.6A Pending EP4544169A1 (en) | 2022-06-22 | 2023-06-05 | A fuel rail with enhanced design flexibility |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4544169A1 (en) |
-
2023
- 2023-06-05 EP EP23730799.6A patent/EP4544169A1/en active Pending
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
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| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
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