System having a fuel distributor and multiple fuel injectors

Abstract

A system, which is used especially as a fuel injection system for the high-pressure injection in internal combustion engines, includes a fuel distributor and a plurality of fuel injectors. Each fuel injector is situated on a cup of the fuel distributor. At least one of the fuel injectors is fastened to the associated cup by a holding element. The holding element has an at least essentially straight first leg and an at least essentially straight second leg. The cup includes at least one recess, which extends through a wall of the cup. The first leg and the second leg are guided through the at least one recess. Furthermore, the connection sleeve of the fuel injector has a collar, which is braced on the first leg of the holding element and on the second leg of the holding element in order to secure the fuel injector on the cup.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: a fuel distributor; and a plurality of fuel injectors, each fuel injector being situated on an associated cup of the fuel distributor, and at least one of the fuel injectors being fastened to the associated cup by a holding element, wherein: the holding element has an at least substantially straight first leg and an at least substantially straight second leg, the cup has at least one through hole extending through a wall of the cup, the first leg and the second leg are at least partially routed through the at least one through hole, and a connection sleeve of the fuel injector has a collar that is braced on the first leg of the holding element and on the second leg of the holding element such that the first leg and the second leg are at least partially situated between, in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cup, the collar and a respective inner side of the cup in order to secure the fuel injector on the cup, wherein, with respect to a joining direction of the holder and the cup, an upper inner side of each leg adjoins the collar and an outer side of each leg adjoins the inner side of the cup, wherein the joining direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cup, wherein the fuel injector is clamped on the cup with a clamp directed through four through-holes in the wall of the injector cup.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system is a fuel injection system for a high-pressure injection in an internal combustion engine.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first leg and the second leg lie at least approximately in a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cup.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first leg and the second leg of the holding element are not oriented parallel to each other in an initial state.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first leg and the second leg of the holding element are pivoted relative to each other so as to clamp the holding element in the at least one through hole.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of: a contact surface is present on the first leg of the holding element, on which the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector rests against the first leg, and a contact surface is present on the second leg of the holding element, on which the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector rests against the second leg.

7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the contact surface of the first leg includes an embossed region, and the contact surface of the second leg includes an embossed region.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of: a keyed connection is present between the first leg of the holding element and the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, which fixates the holding element relative to the cup, and a keyed connection is formed between the second leg of the holding element and the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, which fixates the holding element relative to the cup.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of: the first leg of the holding element has a rectangular profile, and the second leg of the holding element has a rectangular profile.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of: in a region of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, the first leg has a fixation section which is bent radially outward in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cup, and the second leg has a fixation section in the region of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, the fixation section of the second leg being is bent radially outward in relation to the longitudinal axis of the cup.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein: the connection sleeve of the fuel injector has a contact surface which is at least partially developed in a shape of a cylindrical sleeve, and one of the fixation section of the first leg and the fixation section of the second leg has a low radial clearance at the contact surface of the connection sleeve.

12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein: the holding element includes a bracket that connects the first leg to the second leg, and a stop on the bracket strikes against an outer side of the cup.

13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the stop of the bracket is formed by a folded-over part of the bracket.

14. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the stop of the bracket is formed by a stop part that is connected to the bracket.

15. A system, comprising: a fuel distributor; and a plurality of fuel injectors, each fuel injector being situated on an associated cup of the fuel distributor, and at least one of the fuel injectors being fastened to the associated cup by a holding element, wherein: the holding element has an at least substantially straight first leg and an at least substantially straight second leg, the cup has at least two through holes extending through a wall of the cup, the first leg and the second leg are at least partially routed through a respective through hole of the at least two through holes, and a connection sleeve of the fuel injector has a collar that is braced on the first leg of the holding element and on the second leg of the holding element in order to secure the fuel injector on the cup, wherein two through holes of the at least two through holes extend through the wall of the cup to respectively two opposite sides of the wall, wherein the two through holes are in the form of through-bores, and wherein the wall is circumferentially closed except for the through holes.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the system is a fuel injection system for a high-pressure injection in an internal combustion engine.

17. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the first leg and the second leg lie at least approximately in a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cup.

18. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the first leg and the second leg of the holding element are not oriented parallel to each other in an initial state.

19. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the first leg and the second leg of the holding element are pivoted relative to each other so as to clamp the holding element in the at least two through holes.

20. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of: a contact surface is present on the first leg of the holding element, on which the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector rests against the first leg, and a contact surface is present on the second leg of the holding element, on which the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector rests against the second leg.

21. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the contact surface of the first leg includes an embossed region, and the contact surface of the second leg includes an embossed region.

22. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of: a keyed connection is present between the first leg of the holding element and the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, which fixates the holding element relative to the cup, and a keyed connection is formed between the second leg of the holding element and the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, which fixates the holding element relative to the cup.

23. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of: the first leg of the holding element has a rectangular profile, and the second leg of the holding element has a rectangular profile.

24. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of: in a region of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, the first leg has a fixation section which is bent radially outward in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cup, and the second leg has a fixation section in the region of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, the fixation section of the second leg being is bent radially outward in relation to the longitudinal axis of the cup.

25. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein: the connection sleeve of the fuel injector has a contact surface which is at least partially developed in a shape of a cylindrical sleeve, and one of the fixation section of the first leg and the fixation section of the second leg has a low radial clearance at the contact surface of the connection sleeve.

26. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein: the holding element includes a bracket that connects the first leg to the second leg, and a stop on the bracket strikes against an outer side of the cup.

27. The system as recited in claim 26, wherein the stop of the bracket is formed by a folded-over part of the bracket.

28. The system as recited in claim 26, wherein the stop of the bracket is formed by a stop part that is connected to the bracket.

29. A system, comprising: a fuel distributor; and a plurality of fuel injectors, each fuel injector being situated on an associated cup of the fuel distributor, and at least one of the fuel injectors being fastened to the associated cup by an at least substantially straight first leg and an at least substantially straight second leg, wherein: the cup has at least one through hole extending through a wall of the cup, the at least substantially straight first leg and the at least substantially straight second leg are at least partially routed through the at least one through hole, and a connection sleeve of the fuel injector has a collar that is braced on the at least substantially straight first leg and on the at least substantially straight second leg such that the at least substantially straight first leg and the at least substantially straight second leg are at least partially situated between, in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cup, the collar and a respective inner side of the cup in order to secure the fuel injector on the cup, wherein, with respect to a joining direction of the holder and the cup, an upper inner side of each leg adjoins the collar and an outer side of each leg adjoins the inner side of the cup, wherein the joining direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cup.

30. The system as recited in claim 29, wherein the at least substantially straight first leg and the at least substantially straight second leg lie at least approximately in a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cup.

31. The system as recited in claim 29, wherein at least one of: a contact surface is present on the at least substantially straight first leg, on which the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector rests against the at least substantially straight first leg, and a contact surface is present on the at least substantially straight second leg, on which the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector rests against the at least substantially straight second leg.

32. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the contact surface of the at least substantially straight first leg includes an embossed region, and the contact surface of the at least substantially straight second leg includes an embossed region.

33. The system as recited in claim 29, wherein at least one of: a keyed connection is present between the at least substantially straight first leg and the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, which fixates the at least substantially straight first leg relative to the cup, and a keyed connection is formed between the at least substantially straight second leg and the collar of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, which fixates the at least substantially straight second leg relative to the cup.

34. The system as recited in claim 29, wherein at least one of: the at least substantially straight first leg has a rectangular profile, and the at least substantially straight second leg has a rectangular profile.

35. The system as recited in claim 29, wherein at least one of: in a region of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, the at least substantially straight first leg has a fixation section which is bent radially outward in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cup, and the at least substantially straight second leg has a fixation section in the region of the connection sleeve of the fuel injector, the fixation section of the at least substantially straight second leg is bent radially outward in relation to the longitudinal axis of the cup.

36. The system as recited in claim 35, wherein: the connection sleeve of the fuel injector has a contact surface which is at least partially developed in a shape of a cylindrical sleeve, and one of the fixation section of the at least substantially straight first leg and the fixation section of the at least substantially straight second leg has a low radial clearance at the contact surface of the connection sleeve.

37. A high-pressure fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a fuel distributor; and a plurality of fuel injectors, each fuel injector being situated on an associated cup of the fuel distributor, and at least one of the fuel injectors being fastened to the associated cup by a holding element, wherein: the holding element has an at least substantially straight first leg and an at least substantially straight second leg, the cup has at least one recess extending through a wall of the cup, the first leg and the second leg are at least partially routed through the at least one recess, and a connection sleeve of the fuel injector has a collar that is braced on the first leg of the holding element and on the second leg of the holding element in order to secure the fuel injector on the cup, wherein two recesses are developed in the form of through holes which extend on respectively two opposite sides of the wall at least approximately in a plane that is perpendicular to an axis of the cup, wherein the first leg and the second leg of the holding element have a circular cross section, wherein the first leg and the second leg of the holding element are not oriented parallel to each other in an initial state so that the legs run toward each other or run apart from each other, thereby allowing for an insertion into the through holes developed to run parallel to each other, and producing, in the assembled state, a clamping force of the legs with respect to the cup.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 a system including a cup of a fuel distributor and a fuel injector in an excerpted, schematic three-dimensional representation corresponding to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a holding element of the system shown in FIG. 1, in a schematic three-dimensional view, corresponding to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 shows the connection sleeve of a fuel injector of the system shown in FIG. 1, in an excerpted schematic three-dimensional view, corresponding to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 shows the holding element, shown in FIG. 2, of a system in a schematic, three-dimensional view, corresponding to a second specific embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 shows the holding element, shown in FIG. 2, of a system in a schematic, three-dimensional view, corresponding to a third specific embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 shows the system shown in FIG. 1, in an excerpted, schematic three-dimensional view, corresponding to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a holding element of the system shown in FIG. 5, in a schematic three-dimensional view, corresponding to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows an excerpted schematic three-dimensional view of a system 1 having a cup 2 and a connection sleeve 3 of a fuel injector, according to a first exemplary embodiment. System 1 has a plurality of such cups 2, which are interconnected via a preferably longitudinal tubular base element. This forms a fuel distributor, which may be developed as fuel distributor rail, in particular. The fuel injectors are situated on cups 2 of the fuel distributor. System 1 may therefore be developed as a fuel-injection system for the high-pressure injection in internal combustion engines, in particular. Fuel under high pressure is able to be supplied to the fuel distributor via a high-pressure pump.

(9) Partially illustrated connection sleeve 3 of a fuel injector is connected to cup 2 by way of a holding element 4. Holding element 4 has at least essentially straight legs 5, 6, which are guided through at least one recess 7, 8 in a wall 9 of cup 2. In this exemplary embodiment, two recesses 7, 8 are provided, which are realized by through bores. Recesses 7, 8 are at least approximately situated in a plane that is oriented perpendicular to an axis 10 of cup 2.

(10) The development of system 1 of the first exemplary embodiment will be described in greater detail in the following text also with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

(11) FIG. 2 shows a holding element 4 of system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 in a schematic three-dimensional view, corresponding to the first exemplary embodiment. First leg 5 and second leg 6 of holding element 4 are preferably not oriented parallel with each other in an initial state. With regard to a joining direction 11, in which legs 5, 6 of holding element 4 are guided through recesses 7, 8 during the assembly, legs 5, 6, for example, may run toward each other to some degree or run apart slightly, so that no precise parallel development comes about. Appropriate spreading or compression of legs 5, 6 then enables them to be inserted into through bores 7, 8, which are preferably developed to run parallel to each other. This produces a clamping force in the assembled state, as it is shown in FIG. 1. Holding element 4 is thereby secured and will not fall out of cup 2.

(12) An embossed region 12 on leg 5 is provided in this exemplary embodiment in addition. Furthermore, an embossed region 13 is present on leg 6. Embossed regions 12, 13 provide contact surfaces 12, 13 on legs 5, 6 of holding element 4.

(13) FIG. 3 shows an excerpted schematic three-dimensional view of a connection sleeve 3 of a fuel injector of system 1 shown in FIG. 1, corresponding to the first exemplary embodiment. Connection sleeve 3 includes a collar 15. Collar 15 of connection sleeve 3 rests against contact surfaces 12, 13 of legs 5, 6 of holding element 4. This creates a keyed connection between collar 15 of connection sleeve 3 of the fuel injector and legs 5, 6 of holding element 4. This keyed connection retains holding element 4 in cup 2 and thus prevents it from falling out.

(14) This exemplary embodiment therefore provides two safety mechanisms are therefore provided, which ensure that holding element 4 will not fall out of cup 2. For one, a frictional connection is formed via the non-parallel legs 5, 6 of holding element 4 with respect to the cup. For another, a keyed connection is produced between holding element 4 and cup 2 via contact surfaces 12, 13. Depending on the application case, it is also possible to realize only one of these two safety methods.

(15) In this exemplary embodiment, contact surfaces 12, 13 are developed by embossed regions 12, 13, but other developments are possible as well. Furthermore, the keyed connection between the collar of fuel injector 3 and at least one of legs 5, 6 of holding element 4, which fixates holding element 4 relative to cup 2, is also realizable in a manner other than by contact surfaces 12, 13 on legs 5, 6.

(16) in this exemplary embodiment, the frictional connection for the purpose of clamping holding element 4 relative to cup 2 furthermore is realized in that legs 5, 6 are pivoted in the at least one recess 7, 8.

(17) Collar 15 of connection sleeve 3 of the fuel injector thus is braced on legs 5, 6 of holding element 4. This prevents the fuel injector from being pulled out of cup 2 along axis 10 and therefore ensures reliable mounting, which also permits a certain play of the fuel injector in relation to cup 2. In particular, a suspension is able to be achieved through a constructive development that enables the fuel injector to pivot relative to cup 2 within certain limits.

(18) In this exemplary embodiment, holding clamp 4 is developed in a U-shape and thereby allows a cost-effective production. In addition, little space is required and the use of material is optimized. Holding element 4, in particular, may be manufactured from a metal wire of appropriate thickness, which is bent and embossed as needed.

(19) Contact surfaces 12, 13 furthermore allow reduced contact pressure in the region where contact takes place between collar 15 of connection sleeve 3 and holding element 4. This reduces material stressing. Preferably slight pivoting of the fuel injector in cup 2 is able to be achieved or facilitated by a suitable design of contact surfaces 12, 13 and/or a suitable design of collar 15. Low clearances of the support points of legs 5, 6 of holding element 4 in cup 2 and contact surfaces 12, 13 for connection sleeve 3 also allow the cross-section of holding element 4 to be reduced, especially to allow the use of smaller wire thicknesses.

(20) Connection sleeve 3 of the fuel injector has an outer side 16 in the form of a cylindrical sleeve, at which an outer diameter of connection sleeve 3 is smaller than on collar 5. Legs 5, 6 have a slight radial clearance with respect to outer side 16, shaped like a cylinder sleeve, of connection sleeve 3 of the fuel injector.

(21) FIG. 4 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of holding element 4, shown in FIG. 2, of a system 1, corresponding to a second exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, a stop part 18, connected to bracket 17, is provided on bracket 17 of holding element 4 that interconnects legs 5, 6. Stop part 18, for example, may be in the form of an at least partial extrusion-coat of bracket 17. Stop part 18 forms a stop 19, which strikes against an outer side 20 of cup 2 during the assembly. This ensures a correct installation position.

(22) FIG. 5 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a holding element 4, shown in FIG. 2, of a system 1 corresponding to a third exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, bracket 17 has a folded-over portion 21, which forms stop 19. This ensures a correct installation position of holding element 4.

(23) FIG. 6 shows an excerpted schematic three-dimensional view of system 1, shown in FIG. 1, including a cup 2 and a connection sleeve 3 of a fuel injector, according to a fourth exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, a recess 7, through which the two legs 5, 6 of holding element 4 extend, is provided in wall 9. In this exemplary embodiment, holding element 4 furthermore has an at least approximately rectangular profile. Especially the two legs 5, 6 of holding element 4 have an at least roughly rectangular profile. Bracket 17 of holding element 4 has a rectangular profile in this exemplary embodiment as well, and holding element 4 is embodied in the form of a U-shaped holding element 4.

(24) FIG. 7 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of holding element 4 of the system shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to the fourth exemplary embodiment. Legs 5, 6 include embossed regions 12, 13, which constitute contact surfaces 12, 13 for collar 15 of connection sleeve 3. In the region of cylinder-sleeve-shaped outer side 16 of connection sleeve 3, legs 5, 6 moreover are provided with fixation sections 25, 26, which are bent outward in relation to axis (longitudinal axis) 10 of cup 2 or connection sleeve 3 of the fuel injector. In this exemplary embodiment, cylinder-sleeve-shaped outer side 16 is used as potential contact surface for fixation sections 25, 26 of legs 5, 6. Fixation sections 25, 26 of legs 5, 6 have a low radial clearance with respect to cylinder-sleeve-shaped outer side 16 of connection sleeve 3 of the fuel injector. This produces a keyed connection, which reliably prevents holding element 4 from falling out of cup 2 in the assembled state.

(25) System 1 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment, described on the basis of FIGS. 6 and 7, has the advantage that especially large contact surfaces are able to be provided between holding element 4 and connection sleeve 3. In addition, a stable geometry results, which allows higher pressures.

(26) The present invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described.