This application is based on and incorporates herein by reference Japanese Patent Applications No. 2007-21378 filed on Jan. 31, 2007 and No. 2007-301985 filed on Nov. 21, 2007.
The present invention relates to a fuel injection pump provided with a feed pump and a pressure regulating valve.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,875 B1 (JP-A-2000-240531) discloses a fuel injection pump for a diesel engine. As shown in
A regulator valve 150 is provided for regulating pressure of fuel discharged from the feed pump 140 and to be supplied to the high-pressure pump portion 120. Specifically, when pressure of fuel increases to a threshold, the regulator valve 150 opens to recirculate the fuel from the downstream of the feed pump 140 to the upstream of the feed pump 140. The regulator valve 150 is inserted in a mount hole provided in a pump housing 160, thereby being mounted in the pump housing 160.
In
In view of the foregoing and other problems, it is an object of the present invention to produce a fuel injection pump provided with a regulator valve being facilitated in layout thereof.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a fuel injection pump for an engine, the fuel injection pump comprises a pump housing having one side and an other side therebetween having a cam chamber, the one side and the other side respectively having one through hole and an other through hole. The fuel injection pump further comprises a camshaft having an eccentric cam accommodated in the cam chamber, the camshaft having one end inserted in the one through hole, the camshaft having an other end inserted in the other through hole, the one end adapted to being transmitted with output power of the engine. The fuel injection pump further comprises a plunger pump portion including a plunger movable inside a cylinder for pumping fuel in conjunction with a rotary motion of the eccentric cam. The fuel injection pump further comprises a feed pump for supplying fuel to the plunger pump portion by being driven by the camshaft. The fuel injection pump further comprises a first pressure regulating valve for regulating pressure of fuel discharged from the feed pump. The fuel injection pump further comprises a cover fixed to an outer wall of the other side of the pump housing to close the other through hole. The cover is coupled with the first pressure regulating valve such that a longitudinal direction of the first pressure regulating valve is at a predetermined angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the camshaft.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a fuel injection pump comprises a pump housing having a cam chamber. The fuel injection pump further comprises a camshaft having an eccentric cam accommodated in the cam chamber, the camshaft having an axial end inserted in a through hole of an outer wall of the pump housing. The fuel injection pump further comprises a plunger pump portion including a plunger for pumping fuel by being driven by the eccentric cam. The fuel injection pump further comprises a feed pump for supplying fuel to the plunger pump portion by being driven by the camshaft. The fuel injection pump further comprises a pressure regulating valve for regulating pressure of fuel discharged from the feed pump. The feed pump is separately provided from the pump housing and fixed to the outer wall to close the through hole. The pressure regulating valve is coupled with the feed pump such that a longitudinal direction of the pressure regulating valve is inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the camshaft.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, In the drawings:
As shown in
As shown in
The camshaft 4 is provided with an eccentric cam 4a, which is located in the cam chamber 9. One end of the camshaft 4 on the left side in
The high-pressure pump portion 5 has cylinders 14 respectively formed in the cylinder heads 8. The high-pressure pump portion 5 includes plungers 15 respectively inserted in the cylinders 14, and movable in the cylinders 14. The plungers 15 axially move inside the cylinders 14 in response to rotation of the eccentric cam 4a, thereby drawing fuel, and pressurizing and feeding the fuel.
The cylinder heads 8 respectively have compression chambers 16 each having a volume, which increases and decreases in response to the movement of each plunger 15 in each cylinder 14. Each of the compression chambers 16 is provided with a suction valve 17 and a discharge valve 18. The suction valve 17 opens when the compression chamber 16 draws fuel to the compression chamber 16. The discharge valve 18 opens when the fuel is discharged from the compression chamber 16. Rotary motion of the eccentric cam 4a is changed into straight-line motion by a cam ring 19, so that the plunger 15 reciprocates inside the cylinder 14 in response to the straight-line motion.
As shown in
As shown in
A bypass passage 27 is provided to a passage between the prefilter 24 and the gauze filter 26 for leading fuel pumped using the priming pump 25 to the downstream of the feed pump 7. A check valve 28 is provided in the bypass passage 27 to restrict counterflow of fuel.
A fuel filter 29 and a safety relief valve 30 are provided downstream of the feed pump 7. The fuel filter 29 filters fuel discharged from the feed pump 7. The safety relief valve 30 is used for air vent. Each of the prefilter 24 and the gauze filter 26 is formed of, for example, a metal mesh having a relatively coarse mesh. The fuel filter 29 excels in filtration performance compared with the prefilter 24 and the gauze filter 26, thereby capable of a small foreign matter, moisture, and the like, which cannot be removed with the prefilter 24 and the gauze filter 26.
The fuel filter 29 is provided outside the fuel injection pump 2, and is connected with the fuel injection pump 2 via a fuel pipe. In the present structure, fuel discharged from the feed pump 7 is once lead outside the fuel injection pump 2, and supplied to the fuel filter 29. The fuel is filtered through the fuel filter 29, and lead inside the fuel injection pump 2. The safety relief valve 30 is, for example, a check valve opened in response to discharge pressure of the feed pump 7, thereby discharging air drawn into the pipe together with fuel.
Fuel is taken inside the fuel injection pump 2 after being filtered through the fuel filter 29. The fuel is supplied to the high-pressure pump portion 5 after passing through an inlet metering valve 31 attached inside the pump housing 3. The inlet metering valve 31 is an electromagnetic valve for metering quantity of fuel supplied to the high-pressure pump portion 5. The inlet metering valve 31 is controlled in valve-opening area based on, for example, the operating condition of the diesel engine. Fuel regulating means includes a first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 and a second fuel pressure regulating valve 33.
The first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 regulates pressure (discharge pressure) of fuel discharged from the feed pump 7, such that fuel pressure exerted to the fuel filter 29 does not exceed a pressure capacity of the fuel filter 29. The first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is built into the pump case 22 of the feed pump 7, thereby being constructed to one component of a pump unit 1 together with the feed pump 7.
The second fuel pressure regulating valve 33 is capable of regulating pressure of fuel supplied to the high-pressure pump portion 5. The second fuel pressure regulating valve 33 is provided in the pump housing 3.
An orifice 47 (
As follows, the structure of the pump unit 1 is described.
As shown in
Discharge pressure of the feed pump 7 is applied to the front surface of the piston 35. Counterforce of the spring 36 and pressure in a damper chamber 37 on the opposite side to the inlet hole of the piston 35 are exerted to the rear surface of the piston 35. The piston 35 is displaced at a position in which the discharge pressure applied to the front surface of the piston 35 and the force exerted to the rear surface of the piston 35 balance, thereby controlling an opening area of the relief hole 34b. Fuel flowing out of the relief hole 34b returns to the inlet of the feed pump 7.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
(Operation)
In the present embodiment, the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is attached to the pump case 22. The valve body 34 of the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is inserted into the mount hole 38 of the pump case 22 of the feed pump 7. In the present structure, the pump unit 1 is constructed of the feed pump 7 and the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32. In the present structure, the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is not provided inside the pump housing 3, which has constraints of layout, i.e. arrangement of components, but provided to the pump case 22 of the feed pump 7 fixed to the outer wall 3a of the pump housing 3. Therefore, a mount space for the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 can be easily secured.
In the present structure, the pump housing 3 need not be provided with a mount hole for receiving the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32. Therefore, flexibility of layout of the inlet metering valve 31, which is attached to the pump housing 3, can be enhanced. Furthermore, flexibility of layout of the multiple fuel passages in the pump housing 3 can be enhanced. For example, the passage for supplying fuel from the feed pump 7 to the high-pressure pump portion 5 through the inlet metering valve 31 and the passage for supplying fuel from the feed pump 7 to the cam chamber can be further arbitrary arranged in the pump housing 3.
In addition, the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction, i.e. movable direction of the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is substantially at right angle with respect to the axial direction of the fuel injection pump 2. The first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is located along the outer wall 3a of the pump housing 3. Therefore, the fuel injection pump 2 can be restricted from increasing in volume with respect to the axial direction, even in the structure where the pump case 22 is mounted with the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32.
In the present embodiment, the valve body 34 of the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is inserted into the mount hole 38 of the pump case 22. In the present structure, the fuel passage, which communicates the feed pump 7 with the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32, can be readily provided in the pump case 22. Specifically, the introduction passage 42 can be readily provided in the pump case 22 to communicate the discharge passage 41 of the feed pump 7 with the inlet hole 34a of the valve body 34. In addition, the relief passage 44 can be readily provided in the pump case 22 to communicate the inlet port 43 of the feed pump 7 with the relief hole 34b of the valve body 34. In the present structure, the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 can be efficiently laid out.
Furthermore, a space margin is produced in the pump housing 3, by providing the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 in the pump case 22 of the feed pump 7. Therefore, an additional element can be provided in the pump housing 3. In the present embodiment, the second fuel pressure regulating valve 33 as an additional element can be provided in the pump housing 3.
In the present structure, the feed pump 7 is secured to the outer wall 3a of the pump housing 3 of the fuel injection pump 2. Therefore, the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 can be mounted to the feed pump 7 using the pump case 22.
In the present structure, the pump case 22 has the mount hole 38 on the opposite side of the pump housing 3 with respect to the pump element in the axial direction of the pump element. The mount hole 38 is adapted to accommodating the first pressure regulating valve 32. The first pressure regulating valve 32 includes the valve element 35 and the valve body 34. The valve body 34 is mounted to the pump case 22 in a condition where the valve body 34 is inserted in the mount hole 38. In the present structure, the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is inserted into the pump case 22 to construct a pump unit. Thus, fuel passage can be readily formed between the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 and the pump case 22.
In the present structure, the pump case 22 has the fuel outlet hole 39, and a part of the passages of the feed pump 7 and the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 can be shared. Thus, layout of the components and passages can be flexibly and efficiently determined.
The pump case 22 may have a fuel inlet hole for drawing fuel from the fuel tank 6 into the pump case 22. In this case, a part of the passages can be also shared between the feed pump 7 and the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32, so that layout of the components and passages can be flexibly and efficiently determined.
In the first embodiment, the introduction passage 42 is branched out from the discharge passage 41, which communicates the outlet port 40 of the feed pump 7 with the fuel outlet hole 39, such that the introduction passage 42 communicates the inlet hole 34a with the valve body 34. That is, a part of the fuel passage is shared in the first embodiment. In contrast, in the present embodiment shown in
In the present embodiment, the feed pump 7 is also capable of producing an effect similarly to the first embodiment. In addition, the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 can be efficiently laid out.
In the present embodiment shown in
The fuel outlet hole 39 is provided with a fuel pipe to connect the fuel outlet hole 39 with the fuel filter 29, similarly to the first embodiment. The fuel inlet hole 45 is provided with a fuel pipe, which communicates the fuel inlet hole 45 with the fuel tank 6. Fuel is pumped from the fuel tank 6 through the present fuel pipe, and the fuel flows into the inlet port 43 through the fuel inlet hole 45.
In the first embodiment, the pump case 22 has the relief passage 44, which communicates the inlet port 43 of the feed pump 7 with the relief hole 34b of the valve body 34. In contrast, in the present embodiment shown in
In the present structure, the pump unit 1 can be isolated from the fuel injection pump 2 by providing both the fuel outlet hole 39 and the fuel inlet hole 45 in the pump case 22. When a fuel injection system does not need the feed pump 7, the pump unit 1 may be omitted from the pump housing 3. Thus, a fuel injection pump 2 including only the high-pressure pump portion 5 can be readily manufactured.
The fuel inlet hole 45 may be provided with a hollow screw shown in
In the present embodiment, the fuel outlet hole 39 of the pump case 22 extends substantially in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the camshaft 4 (
In the present embodiment shown in
The pump unit 1 includes the feed pump 7 and the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32. The pump case 22 of the feed pump 7 is fixed to the outer wall 3a of the pump housing 3 with the bolts 23, similarly to the first embodiment.
The pump case 22 has the fuel outlet hole 39 for discharging fuel, which is pressurized in the feed pump 7. The fuel outlet hole 39 extends substantially along the longitudinal direction of the camshaft 4. The fuel inlet hole 45 (
In the present structure, a fuel pipe (not shown) of the vehicle to be connected with the fuel outlet hole 39 can be restricted from interfering with the two fuel pipes 49. Furthermore, the fuel pipe of the vehicle may not interfere with a component of the vehicle such as an engine block close to the lateral side of the fuel injection pump 2. Therefore, connection of the fuel pipe of the vehicle with fuel outlet hole 39 can be facilitated, so that the fuel pipe can be readily handled.
(Modification)
In the first embodiment, the longitudinal direction, i.e., the movable direction of the piston 35 of the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the fuel injection pump 2. The piston 35 is not limited to being oriented in the manner of the first embodiment. It suffices that the longitudinal direction of the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is at an angle relative to the axial direction of the fuel injection pump 2. That is, it suffices that the longitudinal direction of the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is inclined relative to the axial direction of the fuel injection pump 2.
In the first to third embodiments, the pump case 22 has the fuel outlet hole 39. Alternatively, the fuel outlet hole 39 may be omitted, and only the fuel inlet hole 45 described in the third embodiment may be provided in the pump case 22. Both the fuel outlet hole 39 and the fuel inlet hole 45 may be omitted from the pump case 22.
In the first embodiment of the fuel injection pump 2, the pump housing 3 has the through hole, and the through hole is blocked with the pump case 22 of the feed pump 7 on the other side. Alternatively, the through hole of the pump housing 3 may be blocked with a component such as a cover, other than the pump case 22. In this case, the component can be provided with the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32. The valve body 34 of the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 may be integrated with the component covering the through hole of the pump housing 3, and the integrated components may be fixed to the outer wall 3a of the pump housing 3. In a structure in which the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is separated from the cover 22, an additional mounting component may be needed for mounting the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 on the cover 22. In contrast, in a structure in which the valve body 34 of the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 is integrated with the cover 22, such an additional mounting component can be omitted, and a manufacturing process for mounting the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 to the cover 22 can be also omitted. In addition, the entire structure can be simplified.
In the first embodiment, the fuel injection pump 2 includes the two pressure regulating valves including the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32 and the second fuel pressure regulating valve 33. Alternatively, the fuel injection pump 2 may include only the first fuel pressure regulating valve 32, which regulates pressure of fuel discharged from the feed pump 7.
The pump housings may be integrated with each other to be a one piece.
The above structures of the embodiments can be combined as appropriate.
Various modifications and alternations may be diversely made to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2007-21378 | Jan 2007 | JP | national |
2007-301985 | Nov 2007 | JP | national |