WO2022184481A1

WO2022184481A1 - Impact protection device for a system

Info

Publication number: WO2022184481A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/054194
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dragos CRISTEA; Adrian Grigoras
Original assignee: Renault S.A.S
Priority date: 2021-03-03
Filing date: 2022-02-21
Publication date: 2022-09-09
Also published as: EP4301977A1; FR3120400A1; FR3120400B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an impact protection device (3) for an injection system (4) of an internal combustion engine (2), the protection device (3) having a body (5) and a coupling member (6), connected to the body (5), configured to extend in engagement with the injection rail (41) so as to ensure permanent contact with at least one flat surface of the injection rail (41) and to prevent the movement thereof relative to at least one injector of an engine (2).

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Shock protection device for a system

The invention relates to the field of shock protection devices for an injection system of an internal combustion engine, in particular for an injection system comprising at least one fuel injection rail. The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising such a protective device and a vehicle equipped with such an arrangement and/or such a protective device.

Injection rails are used to supply an internal combustion engine with fuel, i.e. in particular gasoline. These ramps are arranged outside the engine and allow the storage of pressurized fuel in order to supply the engine injectors with fuel.

In the event of a frontal impact of the vehicle, it is necessary to protect this rail in order to prevent its displacement relative to the internal combustion engine and, by extension, its separation from the injectors. Indeed, in diesel engines for example, the fuel can be raised to pressures greater than 1500 bars, the separation, even partial, of the injection rail would result in a leak of fuel under high pressure at the level of the engine and in damage to various engine parts. Moreover, by spreading on surfaces with high temperatures, which is usually the case for an engine in operation, the fuel is likely to cause a fire in the engine.

It is known to use injection rail protection devices, such as, for example, protectors in the form of sheet metal or

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) of a housing fixed to the motor. These protectors nevertheless have the disadvantage of being bulky and unsuitable for engines where the injection is carried out on the front face and for which the available space is reduced. Furthermore, they do not allow the position of the injection rail to be maintained relative to the engine in the event of a major impact.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a protection device against impacts for an injection system of an internal combustion engine, the protection device comprising a body configured to be mounted integral with a cylinder head of an engine by the through a plurality of fixing lugs of said body. The protection device comprises an attachment member, connected to the body, having an open hook profile complementary to a profile of a fuel injection rail of the injection system, the injection rail comprising at least one flat surface facing the outside of the engine, the attachment member being configured to extend in engagement with said injection rail in order to ensure permanent contact with the at least one flat surface of the fuel rail injection and to prevent its movement relative to at least one injector of an engine.

In particular, the attachment device can:

- be configured to prevent the displacement of the injection rail relative to at least one injector of the engine in a first direction, parallel to an axis of extension of said injector, and in at least a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction; and or

- be defined by an opening falling within an angular sector m, relative to a main direction of extension of an injection rail, greater than or equal to 100°, in particular between 100 and 180°, or even between 100 and 150°.

The hook profile of the attachment member may comprise at least one free end segment configured to extend at least partly view of the injection rail and/or an engine injector. In particular, the free end segment can be configured to form an abutment of the injection rail along at least one direction. In particular, the extreme segment can extend at least partly parallel, or substantially parallel, to a contact surface of at least one of the fixing lugs on the cylinder head of the engine, in order to limit the size generated by the protective device.

Optionally, the profile of the attachment member can comprise a plurality of segments, including at least the extreme, free segment, the free end segment of the attachment member possibly extending at least in part opposite at least one of the segments of the plurality of segments of the attachment member and the end segment 66 being able to present, relative to such a segment of the plurality of segments, an inclination b of between 30 and 80°, in particular between 35 and 70°, or even between 40 and 60°.

Advantageously, all or part of an internal surface of the attachment member, configured to face the injection rail, can be equipped with a means of absorbing vibrations, in particular made of a polymer material.

Optionally, the attachment member may comprise at least one reinforcing means, such as a reinforcing edge, a groove or a reinforcing bead, in order to reinforce its rigidity.

The attachment member can be configured so as to be at least partly interposed between two fixing lugs of the plurality of fixing lugs, in particular along a straight line of extension of the body.

According to a particular example, the attachment member may be an attached piece mounted integral with the body, in particular with at least one lug of body attachment. For example, the attachment member and the body can be made of metallic materials, for example bent or deformed sheet steel.

The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising an internal combustion engine equipped with an injection system comprising at least one fuel injection rail connected by pipes to injectors mounted in a cylinder head of said engine and comprising at least one surface planar, in particular facing the outside of the engine, the arrangement further comprising a device for protection against shocks as explained above:

- the body of the device being mounted integral with the cylinder head by means of the plurality of fixing lugs;

- the attachment member extending into engagement with the injection rail so as to ensure permanent contact with the at least one flat surface of the injection rail and to prevent its displacement relative to at least one of the injectors.

In particular, the attachment member can extend in engagement with at least a part of an end portion of the injection rail, in a main direction of extension of the injection rail.

Optionally, the injection rail can be defined by a total length, along the main direction of extension of the injection rail, the gripping member comprising a gripping part, configured to be at least part in permanent contact with the injection rail, which may have a width, along said direction, greater than 3% of the total length of the injection rail, in particular between 3 and 15% of the total length, or even between 5 and 10%.

Optionally, the injection system may further comprise a supply rail for the internal combustion engine in LPG, the rail supply being arranged so as to be interposed between the injection rail and at least one part of the body along a direction of advance of the vehicle, the attachment member being arranged so as to be at least in part interposed between the injection rail and the fuel rail.

The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one internal combustion engine equipped with a device for protection against shocks according to the invention and/or comprising at least one arrangement according to the invention.

Other details, characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, by way of indication and not limitation, in relation to the various embodiments illustrated in the following figures:

[Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a disassembled arrangement comprising an internal combustion engine and a protection device according to the invention.

[Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the arrangement according to Figure 1 when assembled.

[Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the protection device.

[Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the protection device.

[Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken at the level of an attachment member of the protection device according to the first embodiment when it is integrated into the arrangement.

[Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken at the level of the attachment member of the protection device according to the first embodiment when it is integrated into the arrangement. [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the attachment member shown in Figure 5.

[Fig. 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the protection device.

[Fig. 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the protection device.

[Fig. 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the attachment member of the protection device according to the second embodiment.

Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an embodiment of an arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle. Arrangement 1 includes an internal combustion engine 2 and a shock protection device 3. With reference to the orientations and directions defined below, the longitudinal direction is represented by the Ox axis and corresponds to a direction of advancement of the vehicle while the Oy and Oz axes respectively represent the vertical and transverse directions. These axes together define an Oxyz reference shown in the figures requiring it.

The engine 2 is equipped with an injection system 4 comprising at least one injection rail 41 for fuel, in particular gasoline, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 for a first embodiment of the invention. According to a second embodiment, more detailed below with reference to Figures 8 to 10, the injection system 4 may further comprise a supply rail 42 of the internal combustion engine 2 in LPG. In known manner, the injection rail 41 is mounted on a cylinder head 21 of the engine 2 and located between an injection pump, not shown, and injectors 22 mounted in the cylinder head 21. The injection rail 41 is supplied with fuel under high pressure by the pump and it is connected to the injectors 22 by pipes 23 or any other connecting means of similar function. The injection rail 41 has an elongated structure, in particular at least partially cylindrical or substantially cylindrical, and comprises at least one flat surface. In particular, said flat surface can be turned towards the outside of the engine, that is to say turned away from the cylinder head 21 and/or the injectors 22 in particular. By “flat surface” is meant, for example, one side of the profile of the injection rail 41, as shown, or, according to an alternative not shown, a flat integrated in an injection rail 41 which may have a circular profile, oblong or elliptical. Optionally, the injection rail can comprise a plurality of flat surfaces. Specifically, the injection rail 41 extends along a main direction of extension 410, in this case substantially parallel to the axis Oz, and is centered on this same direction. By way of example, the injection rail 41 is made of a metallic material, such as aluminum. The injection rail 41 further comprises a fuel supply orifice, not shown, and distributes the fuel to the injectors 22 via a plurality of connection orifices at the level of which the pipes 23 are arranged. .

As seen in Figure 5, when the arrangement 1 is assembled under normal conditions, also referred to as "reference", for each pair of an injector and a linked pipe, an extension axis 220 of the injector considered and a main axis of extension 230 of the pipe coincide or substantially coincide. In other words, under normal conditions, the injector and the pipe cooperating together are at least partly coaxial or substantially coaxial. In a vehicle without a protective device 3 according to the invention, in the event of an impact, elements mounted on the front face can crush, tear off or shear the injection rail 41, then causing the separation of the pipes 23 and the injectors. 22. This can then result in a displacement of the injection rail 41 and the pipes 23, in particular by the rotation of the injection rail 41 around its axis, in such a way that the main axis of extension 230 of the pipe then extends transversely to the axis extension 220 of the injector considered. Their connection is then weakened, or even interrupted, and the tightness of such a connection may be compromised.

In order to prevent such separation and to ensure the protection of the injection system 4 against shocks, in particular of the injection rail 41, the protection device 3 comprises a body 5 and an attachment member 6. The body 5 is configured to be mounted integral with cylinder head 21 of engine 2 via a plurality of fixing lugs 51 of said body 5. In particular, body 5 comprises at least two fixing lugs 51 . The body 5 is in particular configured to be arranged floating relative to the injection rail 41, that is to say that it extends at a non-zero distance from the injection rail 41 under normal conditions. In other words, the body 5 is fixed to the cylinder head 21 of the engine 2 at its fixing lugs 51 and at least one base 52 of the body 5 extends at a distance from the cylinder head 21, without direct contact with the latter. Thus, at least one of the fixing lugs 51 is connected to said base 52. In this way the body 5 does not exert any direct mechanical stress on the injection system 4, in particular the injection rail 41, under conditions normal. In the example shown, which is not limiting, the protective device 3 comprises three fixing lugs 51 mounted at separate points on the cylinder head 21 .

The fixing lugs 51 extend transversely to the base 52, in particular at least partly perpendicular to the latter, in the direction of the yoke 21. They comprise at least one flat or substantially flat portion defining a contact surface with the yoke 21 of the engine.

According to the embodiments illustrated, at least two fixing lugs 51 can present an opposite positioning along a straight line 520 of extension of the base 52 and of the body 5. In this case, such a straight line extends parallel or substantially parallel to the direction main extension 410 of the injection rail 41 and/or to the axis Oz. In other words, at least two fixing lugs 51 of the plurality of fixing lugs 51 of the protection device 3 can be connected to opposite portions of the base 52 along the extension line 520 of said base 52 Such a positioning of the fixing lugs 51 allows suitable holding of the fixing device on the cylinder head 21 while limiting the number of fixing points.

The attachment member 6 is connected to the body 5 and is configured to extend in engagement with the injection rail 41 in order to ensure permanent contact with the at least one flat surface thereof. Here, “permanent contact” means at least one and the same point of contact between the attachment member 6 and the injection rail 41 existing at all times, even in the event of an impact. The attachment member 6, in combination with the body 5, thus maintains the injection rail in its normal or reference position. In this case, it advantageously prevents its movement relative to the injectors 22 of the engine 2 in a first direction, parallel to the axis of extension 220 of at least one of the injectors 22, and in at least a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction. In particular, the second direction is also orthogonal to the direction of extension of the injection rail 41. Consequently, the protection device 3 prevents the displacement of the injection rail 41 along the vertical axis Oy and along the longitudinal axis Ox, and therefore the rotation of the injection rail 41 .

In general, the attachment member 6 comprises an attachment part 61, configured to cooperate with the injection rail 41, in particular in order to be at least partly in permanent contact with said rail, and a part of connection 62, carrying said attachment part 61 and via which the attachment member 6 is connected to the body 5 of the protection device 3. Preferably, the attachment member 6 is arranged within the protective device 3 so as to be at least partly interposed between two fixing lugs 51 of the plurality of fixing lugs 51 along a third direction. , orthogonal to the first direction and to the second direction. In particular, said third direction extends parallel, or substantially parallel to the direction Oz and/or to the extension line 520 of the base 52. In other words, the attachment member 6 is configured in order to extend least partly in an intermediate volume 300 delimited by the body 5, in particular by at least two of the fixing lugs 51 and the base 52 carrying them, relative to the cylinder head 21. Thus, in the event of mechanical stresses or shock exerted along from the third direction, at least part of the impact is first absorbed by one of the fixing lugs 51 . The attachment member 6, and by extension its connection with the injection rail 41, is thus protected from a direct impact. In addition, such a positioning contributes to limiting the size generated by the protection device 3.

Preferably, the attachment member 6 is arranged within the protection device 3 in order to extend in engagement with at least a part of an end portion of the injection rail 41. extremal", the portion of the injection rail 41 corresponding to 5 to 25%, in particular 10 to 20%, of a total length of the injection rail 41, such a length being defined along the main direction of extension 410 of the injection rail 41. In other words, the at least one flat surface may be included, at least in part, in the end portion of the injection rail 41, in particular in all or part of said end portion. In particular, such an end portion may be furthest from the injection pump. Indeed, it has been observed that the end portions of the injection rail 41 are liable to undergo more stresses, and by extension damage, than a central part of the latter. In this sense, the attachment member 6 can advantageously be connected to one of the fixing lugs 51. In particular, according to an example of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the attachment member 6 can be connected to an inner face, facing the injection rail 41, of the fixing lug in question. The attachment member 6 can thus be partially offset relative to the fixing lug 51 carrying it, in particular along the third direction. According to an alternative not shown, the attachment member 6 can be connected to the base 52 or even to the base 52 and to at least one of the fixing lugs 51 .

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the attachment member 6, in particular its attachment part 61, extends in engagement with the injection rail 41. By "being engaged" is meant in particular, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, that the shape and dimensions of the attachment member 6 are adapted to the injection rail 41 in order to ensure sufficient permanent contact to prevent the movement of the rail injection 41 relative to at least one injector 22.

In particular, the attachment member 6 advantageously has an open hook profile able to receive the injection rail 41 . Such a shape aims to ensure the maintenance of the injection rail 41 in position while allowing simple assembly of the attachment member 6 on the rail.

The attachment member 6 can thus, preferably, have a shape at least partly complementary to that of the injection rail 41. In particular, a profile of the attachment member 6, here defined at the level of the attachment part 61 along a longitudinal plane, is at least partly complementary to the profile of the injection rail 41. It is understood that the term "profile" means a definition of the shape of the member of attachment in a two-dimensional plane but that said member extends in three dimensions, in particular, in the example illustrated, also in the transverse direction of the vehicle. In particular, the attachment member 6 can be defined by a profile having an opening able to allow the passage of the injection rail 41 without affecting the maintenance of the injection rail 41 in position. The opening is inscribed in an angular sector m greater than or equal to 100°, in particular between 100 and 180°, or even between 100 and 150°. Such an angular sector m is defined relative to the main direction of extension 410 of the injection rail 41 and delimited by two half-lines originating at said direction and passing through points of the profile delimiting said opening. In other words, the hook profile of the attachment member 6 then falls within an angular sector complementary to the angular sector m which may be less than 260°, for example between 180 and 260°, or even between 180 and 230°. Such an arrangement makes it possible in particular, for the example of injection rail 41 illustrated, to ensure that the attachment member forms a stop, or extends in contact, with the injection rail on two opposite sides of the injection rail 41 or, in the case of a rail with a circular profile, two diametrically opposite points of said rail while allowing simple positioning of the attachment member 6 on the injection rail 41.

In particular, according to a particular, non-limiting example of embodiment, the attachment member 6, in particular the profile of the attachment part 61, may comprise a plurality of segments, including in particular at least one end segment 66 free participating in delimiting the opening. Here, the term "segment" means a portion or part of a whole, here of the attachment member 6, in particular of the profile of the attachment part 61 . Also each segment can, for example, have a curved or rectilinear shape.

In particular, in the example illustrated, the attachment member 6 comprises a first segment 63 and a second segment 64, interconnected by at least one intermediate segment 65. The second segment 64 carries the free segment 66 while the first segment participates in defining, with the extreme segment 66, the "open" shape of the profile of the attachment member 6. In other words, it extends at a non-zero distance from the extreme segment 66 of the attachment part 61 .

The first segment 63 is configured to extend at least partially in contact with a first side 411 of the two opposite sides of the injection rail 41 and/or the second segment 64 is configured to be at least partially in contact with a second side 412 of the rail, opposite the first side 411, thus forming different points of contact with the sides of the injection rail 41, in particular, preferably, such contact points can be permanent contact points. The intermediate segment 65 may additionally extend in contact with a third side 413 of the injection rail 41, which connects the first side 411 and the second side 412 to each other, in particular in order to define a point of permanent contact between the injection rail 41 and the attachment member 6. Thus, in the example illustrated, the first side 411, the second side 412 and the third side 413 are flat surfaces of the injection rail 41, the attachment member 6 being configured to ensure permanent contact with the first side 411 and/or the second side 412 and/or the third side 413.

The first segment 63 forms a stop for the injection rail 41, in particular on the first side 411 of the injection rail 41, in one direction of the second direction, while the second segment 64 forms a stop for the injection rail 41 , here on the second side 412 of the injection rail 41 , in a direction opposite to this same direction, each of said segments comprising points of contact with the injection rail 41 .

The free end segment 66 is here configured to form an abutment for the injection rail 41 along the first direction and/or along the second direction. In particular, the intermediate segment 65 forms abutment of the injection rail 41 along a first direction of the first direction while the extreme segment 66 makes it possible to limit the movement of the latter in the opposite direction of this same direction. In this case, the extreme segment 66 participates in maintaining the injection rail 41 along the first direction. The end segment 66 thus has the function of securing the grip of the attachment member 6 on the injection rail 41, that is to say securing the permanent contact between the injection rail 41 and the attachment member 6. It ensures, in addition to the second segment 64, the maintenance of the injection rail 41 relative to the engine 2 when significant stresses are exerted on the protection device 3 in particular in order to contribute to the permanent contact between the injection rail 41 and the attachment device 6.

Within the arrangement 1, the free end segment 66 of the attachment member 6 thus extends at least in part opposite the injection rail 41 and/or the injector along the second direction. In this case, the extreme segment 66 extends partly opposite the second side 412 and a fourth side 414, opposite the third side 413, of the injection rail 41.

In other words, the free end segment 66 of the attachment member 6 extends at least in part facing at least one of the segments of the plurality of segments of the attachment member 6. In particular, the end segment 66 may have, relative to such a segment of the plurality of segments, an inclination b of between 30 and 80°, in particular between 35 and 70°, or even between 40 and 60°. In the example illustrated, the extreme segment 66 extends facing the intermediate segment 65 along the first direction and facing the first segment 63 along the second direction and the inclination b is defined relative to the intermediate segment 65 . In order to perform such a safety function and depending on the size of the engine environment 2, the end segment 66 may, alternatively or additionally, have an inclination a relative to the second segment 64 of between 10 and 60°. In this sense, the end segment 66 may, alternatively or additionally, extend at least partly parallel, or substantially parallel, to the contact surface of at least one of the fixing lugs 51 of the device on the cylinder head such as shown in figure 8.

The protection device 3 is essentially made of a metallic material, for example of folded or deformed sheet steel, in order to ensure adequate resistance to mechanical stresses. In particular, the body 5 of the protection device 3 can be composed of a plurality of metal inserts, held together by means of fixing means, such as rivets, and/or by welding. Alternatively, at least one of the fixing lugs 51 and the base 52 can form a one-piece assembly, that is to say they cannot be separated from each other without resulting in their degradation, or even their destruction.

Similarly, the attachment member 6 is preferably made of a metallic material, for example sheet steel. The attachment member 6 can be an attached piece mounted integral with the body 5, in particular, as explained above, with at least one fixing lug 51. By way of non-limiting example, the attachment member 6 can be mounted on the body 5 via rivets. The body 5, here the fixing lug 51, can then optionally comprise at least one oblong hole in order to allow an adjustment of the position of the attachment member 6 relative to the body 5 during the assembly of the protection device 3 Alternatively, the attachment member 6 can be fixed to the body 5 by welding. According to yet another alternative, not shown, the member hook 6 and at least a part of the body 5, in this case one of the fixing lugs 51, can form a one-piece assembly.

Optionally but preferentially, all or part of an internal surface 600 of the attachment member 6, configured to face the injection rail 41 within the arrangement 1 and in particular participate in the permanent contact with the injection rail 41, is equipped with a means of absorbing vibrations. Such absorption means can, for example, be made of a polymer material such as an elastomeric foam. Preferably, the absorption means 67 has a thickness greater than 1 mm, in particular between 1.5 and 5 mm, or even between 1.5 and 3 mm. The absorption means 67 can extend at least in part at the level of the first segment 63 and/or of the second segment 64. In addition, the absorption means 67 can extend at the level of the intermediate segment 65. Optionally, the absorption means 67 can extend at the level of the extreme segment 66.

The absorption means 67 advantageously makes it possible to limit direct contact between elements made of metallic materials, in this case the attachment member 6 and the injection rail 41, and makes it possible to at least partially absorb vibrations generated by the internal combustion engine 2 and capable of being transmitted to the attachment member 6 via the injection rail 41.

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a second embodiment according to the invention in which the injection system 4 comprises, in addition to the fuel injection rail 41, a supply rail 42 of the engine 2 internal combustion in LPG, for "liquefied petroleum gas". This results in an arrangement 1 substantially similar to the arrangement as previously explained, except that, in the present embodiment, the supply rail 42 is arranged so as to be interposed between the injection rail 41 and at the at least one part of the body 5, in particular the base 52, along the direction Ox of advancement of the vehicle. In other words, the supply ramp 42 extends into the intermediate volume 300 delimited by the protection device 3.

All of the previous description applies mutatis mutandis to this embodiment. Within the arrangement 1, the attachment member 6 extends, as previously explained, into engagement with the injection rail 41 and is arranged so as to be at least partly interposed between the injection rail injection 41 and the supply rail 42, in particular along the direction Ox of advance of the vehicle. For example, the attachment part 61, in particular the intermediate segment 65, can be interposed between the injection rail 41 and the supply rail 42 along the direction Ox.

The protection device 3 is substantially identical to that as previously exposed, except that it is shaped and sized to receive, within the intermediate volume 300, at least partially the LPG supply ramp 42. In particular, a length of at least one fixing lug, corresponding to the dimension measured along the direction Ox, is increased relative to a fixing lug as described with reference to the first embodiment. As a result, the structure of at least one of the fixing lugs 51 can be reinforced, for example by increasing the thickness of said lugs or, as shown, by adding reinforcing edges 53.

In the example illustrated, in order to accommodate such modifications of the fixing lug, the connection of the attachment member 6 on the fixing lug can be modified so that the connecting part 62 of the hook 6 is fixed on an extreme portion, along the direction Ox, of the fixing lug closest to the cylinder head 21, that is to say near the contact surface of the fixing lug on the cylinder head 21 . Optionally and in order to optimize the resistance of the attachment member to mechanical stresses, it may comprise at least one reinforcement means 68. According to the example illustrated, which is not limiting, such a reinforcement means 68 is configured to increase the resistance of the attachment member in the face of mechanical stresses and may comprise a rim at least partially closing the hook profile of the attachment part 61, that is to say at least partially closing the part hook 61 along the third direction. The reinforcing means 68 here extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the first segment 63 and/or to the second segment 64 and/or to the intermediate segment 65. Such a feature can advantageously extend to the first embodiment. Alternatively or in combination, the reinforcing means 68 may comprise a groove or a reinforced bead 68' extending over all or part of the profile of the attachment member 6 in order to reinforce its rigidity.

Thus, the protection device according to the invention makes it possible to provide protection against impacts of the fuel injection rail of an internal combustion engine and prevents its separation from the injectors by ensuring in the event of impact by ensuring, on the one hand, passive protection via the body of the device mounted on the cylinder head which extends floating relative to the injection rail, and on the other hand protection and active maintenance via the attachment member which engages the injection rail and ensures permanent contact with the injection rail in order to maintain the position of the latter relative to the engine and its injectors even in the event of an impact. Consequently, the invention thus prevents, at a lower cost, the risks of fuel leaks conventionally observed following an impact on the front of the vehicle.

The present invention cannot however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any combination technically operative of such means insofar as they ultimately fulfill the functionalities described and illustrated in this document.

Claims

1. Protective device (3) against shocks for an injection system (4) of an internal combustion engine (2), the protective device (3) comprising a body (5) configured to be mounted integral with a cylinder head (21) of an engine (2) by means of a plurality of fixing lugs (51) of said body (5) characterized in that the protection device (3) comprises an attachment member (6), connected to the body (5), having an open hook profile complementary to a profile of a fuel injection rail (41) of the injection system (4), the injection rail (41 ) comprising at least one flat surface, in particular facing the outside of the engine (2), the attachment member (6) being configured to extend in engagement with said injection rail (41) in order to ensure a permanent contact with the at least one flat surface of the injection rail (41) and to prevent its displacement relative to at least one injector (22) of an engine (2).

2. Protective device (3) according to the preceding claim, wherein the attachment member (6):

- is configured to prevent the movement of an injection rail (41) relative to at least one injector (22) of an engine (2) along a first direction, parallel to an extension axis (220) of said injector , and in at least a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction; and or

- is defined by an opening falling within an angular sector (m), relative to a main direction of extension (410) of an injection rail (41), greater than or equal to 100°, in particular between 100 and 180°, or even between 100 and 150°.

3. Protective device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hook profile of the hooking member (6) comprises at least one free end segment (66) configured to extend at least in part opposite an injection rail (41) and/or an injector (22) of an engine (2 ).

4. Protective device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein all or part of an internal surface (600) of the attachment member (6), configured to face an injection rail (41), is equipped with a vibration absorbing means (67), in particular made of a polymer material.

5. Protective device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment member (6) is configured to be at least partly interposed between two fixing lugs (51) of the plurality of fixing lugs (51), in particular along an extension line (520) of the body (5).

6. Protective device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment member (6) is an attached piece mounted integral with the body (5), in particular with at least one fixing lug of the body (5).

7. Arrangement (1) comprising an internal combustion engine (2) equipped with an injection system (4) comprising at least one fuel injection rail (41) connected by lines (23) to injectors ( 22) mounted in a cylinder head (21) of said engine (2) and which comprises at least one flat surface, in particular facing the outside of the engine (2), the arrangement (1) further comprising a protection device (3) against shocks according to one of the preceding claims: - the body (5) of the device being mounted integral with the cylinder head (21) by means of the plurality of fixing lugs (51);

- the attachment member (6) extending in engagement with the injection rail (41) so as to ensure permanent contact with the at least one flat surface of the injection rail (41) and to prevent its displacement relative to at least one of the injectors (22).

8. Arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the attachment member (6) extends in engagement with at least a part of an end portion of the injection rail (41), along a main extension direction (410) of the injection rail (41).

9. Arrangement according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the injection rail (41) is defined by a total length, along a main direction of extension (410) of the injection rail ( 41), the attachment member (6) comprising an attachment part (61), configured to be at least partly in permanent contact with the injection rail (61), having a width (601), the along said direction (41), greater than 3% of the total length of the injection rail (41), in particular between 3 and 15% of the total length, or even between 5 and 10%.

10. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the injection system (4) further comprises a fuel rail (42) of the LPG internal combustion engine (2), the supply rail (42) being arranged so as to be interposed between the injection rail (41) and at least one part of the body (5) along a direction (Ox) of advancement of the vehicle, the the attachment member (6) being arranged so as to be at least partly interposed between the injection rail (41) and the supply rail (42).

11. Motor vehicle comprising at least one internal combustion engine (2) equipped with a protective device (3) against impacts according to one of claims 1 to 6 and/or comprising at least one arrangement (1) according to the one of claims 7 to 10.