EP2622201B1 - Functional air-supply module incorporating an injection rail - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of equipment and accessories for internal combustion engines, especially those powered by high pressure injection ramps.

The invention more particularly relates to a functional module for supplying air to such a motor incorporating an injection ramp.

In vehicles with internal combustion engine, the various pistons are fed by a common injection rail, the latter is often located near the inlet distributor or a similar power supply member (compressor, ... ) in the immediate environment of the engine, these two accessories must further be rigidly attached to the engine block.

It was therefore obvious to one skilled in the art to attempt to connect these two components or at least parts thereof to form a structural assembly having an internal cohesion and can be secured together with the engine block . Various solutions in this direction have already been formulated and presented.

Thus, it has been proposed to mount the injection rail on the distributor, for example by the document FR 2,779,681 .

In this document, the two accessories are interconnected by a quick coupling.

Nevertheless, an indirect fixation of the injection rail on the engine block through the distributor is necessarily less rigid and less resistant than a direct attachment and additionally additionally solves at least a part of said distributor, as well as its points. of fixation.

By the document WO 2011/036410 , on behalf of the applicant, an improved method of attachment has been proposed.

This document discloses a functional module integrating an intake distributor with an integrated mounting plate and connection, an injection rail and a retention piece for blocking the ramp.

In this construction, the distributor participates positively in maintaining the injection rail via the retention piece and thus has a conformation and a structural resistance adapted to fulfill this additional function.

It has also been proposed to fix the distributor and the injection rail in a combined and totally interdependent manner at the same attachment points, while providing a mechanical connection between the two elements.

Thus, the document EP 1 240 423 discloses a combined distributor / injection rail assembly, wherein said ramp is provided with annular extensions in the form of blanks each enclosing a manifold manifold. These blanks formed on the ramp are provided with support feet for the passage of the fastening screws, which all coincide with the fixing holes of the tubing connection plate and which come into pressure contact on said plate at the said orifices during assembly on the engine block.

In another embodiment disclosed by this document, the flanks are made in a single independent piece, devoid of support lugs, coming to cover the connecting plate of the tubes, close from above the receiving housing of the ramp in the plate and fix it on the cylinder head under pressure to seal.

In both embodiments, the set of attachment points of the tubing plate and the flanks are merged and they are not in direct support on the engine block, but rely on the platen they solidarize and pinch, with the help also of the ramp, against said engine block.

As a result, the fastening of the flanks and the fixing of the tubes are totally interdependent and the injection manifold itself contributes to the assembly with locking of said pipes on the engine block.

Such a construction nonetheless results in a complex structure for the injection rail when it is formed in one piece with the clamps, since the latter must engage the different portions of tubing.

In addition, these known embodiments impose a forced configuration for the tubing connection plate in order to achieve a total coincidence between support feet of the flanks and fixing holes of the tubing plate. This may result in implantation of the attachment sites at the connection stage which is not optimized in terms of stresses and stresses, especially since this plate is assembled with the intake manifold, whose positioning in the space of the main body can be offset or offset from that of the platen.

Moreover, soliciting the injection rail to participate positively in securing the plate of the tubes on the engine block generates mechanical stresses at this ramp, which can be detrimental in the long term to its structural integrity, especially given vibratory context.

Finally, an imposed separation of the plate of the pipes during a separation or disassembly of the holding part may not be desirable in certain constructive configurations and be even penalizing, for example in terms of time wasted, difficulties when reassembling and / or sealing.

Like the document EP 1 240 423 , the document EP 1 270 917 also presents a solution for the combined attachment of a plate of an intake distributor and an injection rail, in which the ramp ensures the retention and fixing of the plate.

As a result, the injection manifold has a complex structure and must be adapted to withstand the stresses resulting from these additional retention and fastening functions.

Finally, in the construction proposed by the document US 2005/045155 , the distributor consists of two parts, namely a lower part forming the mounting plate and connection and an upper part forming the body of the distributor as such.

In this construction, the retention of the injection rail is carried out directly and only by the body of the distributor, the plate providing support supports for said ramp (no direct attachment of the latter on the cylinder head). The splitter must therefore have a shape and a structural strength adapted to this additional function.

The present invention is intended to overcome at least some, preferably all the aforementioned drawbacks, and more particularly to provide a rigid fixing solution for the injection rail, not soliciting the body of the distributor and allowing some constructive freedom.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a functional module according to claim 1.

• la figure 1 est un schéma de principe en coupe, illustrant plus particulièrement l'arrangement de fixation du module fonctionnel selon l'invention ;
• les figures 2A et 2B sont des vues en perspective des deux composants formant le module fonctionnel, à savoir la rampe d'injection (Fig. 2A) et la platine de fixation et de raccordement (Fig. 2B), selon un mode de réalisation pratique de l'invention adapté à l'alimentation de trois cylindres, et,
• les figures 3A et 3B sont des vues en perspective selon deux directions différentes du module fonctionnel après préassemblage des deux composantes représentées sur les figures 2A et 2B.

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which refers to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a block diagram in section, illustrating more particularly the fixing arrangement of the functional module according to the invention;
• the Figures 2A and 2B are perspective views of the two components forming the functional module, namely the injection ramp ( Fig. 2A ) and the mounting and connection plate ( Fig. 2B ), according to a practical embodiment of the invention suitable for feeding three cylinders, and,
• the Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views in two different directions of the functional module after pre-assembly of the two components represented on the Figures 2A and 2B .

The Figures 1 to 3 show a functional module 1 comprising, on the one hand, a plate 2 for fastening and sealing connection to the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, incorporating portions 3 of air intake pipes optionally provided with regulating means flow (for example in the form of valves) at their outlet ports 3 ', and secondly, a high pressure injection manifold 4 in the form of a duct 5 provided with several injectors 5'.

According to the invention, the conduit 5 of the injection rail 4 is provided with support and fixing feet 6, 6 'intended to bear directly on the cylinder head 7, in particular at a first group of points 8 of the latter, and, the plate 2 is provided, on the one hand, primary attachment sites 9 intended to cooperate with a second group of attachment points 8 'of the cylinder head 7, and secondly secondary fixation sites 9 'corresponding to at least some of the attachment points 8 of the first group of the yoke 7, said secondary attachment sites 9' of the plate 2 being intended to be positioned over at least some of the support and fixing feet 6, 6 'of the injection rail 4.

The support and fixing feet 6, 6 'at least bear at the level of the surrounding areas directly the attachment points 8 (generally threaded blind holes) of the first group provided on the cylinder head 7. Nevertheless, these feet 6, 6 may also possibly bear on a wider surface or in other areas offset from said attachment points 8, this depending on the shape of said feet 6, 6 'of the constructive requirements (for example of size) and of their embodiment (in particular their constituent material).

Thanks to the invention, it leads to a direct attachment of the injection manifold 4 on the yoke 7, without intermediate piece and without soliciting the conduit 5 for fixing the plate 2, or the body of the distributor for fixing the leads 5 or ramp.

In addition, the provision of specific fastening points 8 'for the only plate 2 allows a direct fixation, rigid and optimized of the latter directly on the yoke 7, on which it is supported, without interfering with the attachment of the ramp. injection 4 and in adequacy with its structure and the stresses to which it is subjected.

Although it may possibly be integrated into the body of the distributor (distributor in one piece), the plate is preferably made in the form of a separate part on which the body of the splitter is fixed.

The differentiation of at least some of the attachment points of the ramp 4, on the one hand, and the plate 2, on the other hand, allows a certain constructive freedom to be preserved for these two elements, to choose the best points and fixation sites for each of them (location, shape legs, form eyelets or flanges, ...) and decouple the assembly / disassembly operations between these two elements.

In a complementary manner, the joint operation of other fixing points 8 'for fixing the ramp 4 and the plate 2 makes it possible to provide additional securing of the latter, by exploiting existing fixing points and without interfering negatively with the fixation of the injection rail 4.

Finally, the provision of simple feet 6, 6 'for the joining of the ramp 4 makes it possible to limit the material costs and the resulting bulk.

Advantageously, the injection manifold 4 comprises at least two supporting and fixing feet 6, 6 'attached or formed on the conduit 5, for example by screwing, interlocking with cooperation of shapes, welding, gluing or overmoulding, being mutually spaced along the latter.

Preferably, as shown by the figures 2 and 3 In the accompanying drawings, the duct 5 of the injection rail 4 is provided with at least three feet 6, 6 'of support and attachment, two of which are located at or near the two opposite ends of said duct 5.

The total number of feet 6, 6 'will depend in particular on the size of the duct 5 and the number of fixing points 8 of the first group available on the cylinder head 7.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the primary attachment sites 9 are formed at the plate-shaped body 2 'of the plate 2 intended to come into direct and tight support on the cylinder head 7 and the sites fasteners 9 'are formed at tabs or flanges 10 of the plate 2 intended to extend over the support and fixing feet 6, 6' and, if appropriate, the conduit 5 of the injection ramp 4.

At least one 6 'of said tabs 6, 6' may possibly contribute to the retention and / or maintenance of the duct 5, by support with forms cooperation with the latter ( figures 3 ).

According to a practical constructive variant of the invention, the tabs or wings 10 of the plate 2 consist of projections or projections of material formed in one piece with the walls of the portions of the tubes 3 and extending at a distance from the plate-shaped body 2 'of said plate 2.

Although different forms can be envisaged, it is advantageously provided, as far as possible, that the support and fixing feet 6, 6 'each have a body with a tubular structure intended to be traversed by a fixing screw 11. This tubular body may comprise ends shaped in a particular way for bearing on the yoke 7 and the connection with the duct 5.

As shown by figures 2 and 3 , and in order to optimize the interaction between the feet 6, 6 'and the legs 10, each foot advantageously has, in the upper part, a receiving zone 12 for a wing or leg 10 of the plate 2, the landing sites. 9 'secondary fasteners formed at the latter being advantageously provided with spacers 13 to be traversed by the fastening screws 11. Such metal spacers 13 may also be provided in the fixing holes of the plate 2 forming the sites of primary fixation 9.

The cooperation between feet 6, 6 'and lugs 10 may be provided to allow removal by lateral clearance of the injection manifold 4 when the fastening screws 11 (engaged in the attachment points 8 of the first group) have been removed, if necessary with a slight lateral lifting of the plate 2 (but without removing the screws 11 of the attachment points 8 ').

Preferably, the receiving zones 12 and the corresponding contact surfaces of the tabs 10 have a flat conformation, allowing relative movement between them.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the fixing and connecting plate 2 is made of a thermoplastic or thermoset synthetic material, preferably by molding in one piece, and in that the injection ramp 4 is made of a material metal, the support and fixing feet 6, 6 'being made of a metallic or synthetic material.

As is apparent from figures 3 , the module 1 may consist of a preassembled unit before installation on site, if necessary, with locking by temporary mutual attachment or not of the ramp 4 and the plate 2, for example by engagement or screwing.

Platinum 2 can, as shown by figures 2 and 3 , be in the form of an independent or separate part, which is assembled after its manufacture (before or after mounting on the cylinder head) with at least one other component of the air supply system, for example a distributor or a compressor.

As a variant, said plate 2 may constitute an integral part of a splitter (not shown) and in this case the functional module 1 comprises said splitter provided with the plate 2.

The two constructive variants mentioned above form part of the invention.

In the first case, given its rigid assembly via multiple attachment points and with direct surface support on the cylinder head 7, the plate 2 can advantageously serve as a mounting base for other components of the system. engine air supply.

For this purpose, the plate 2 may comprise fixing points 14 for the mounting with attachment of an intake distributor, a compressor or a similar piece of air supply intended (e) to be connected (e) sealingly to the tubing portions 3.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle with internal combustion engine powered by an injection rail, characterized in that it comprises at least one functional module 1 as described above, where appropriate a module 1 for each grouping of cylinders of the engine.

In particular, when the engine comprises a plurality of cylinders arranged in a V arrangement, two functional modules 1 are implemented, one for each alignment of cylinders.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. Functional module comprising, on the one hand, an attachment and connection plate (2) that is airtight to the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, incorporating portions (3) of air intake pipes optionally provided with means for regulating the flow at their outlet openings (3'), and on the other hand, a high-pressure fuel rail (4) in the form of a pipe (5) provided with several injectors (5'), the pipe (5) of the fuel rail (4) being provided with support and attachment feet (6, 6') intended to come directly to rest on the cylinder head (7), particularly at the level of a first group of attachment points (8) of the latter,
   functional module (1) characterized in that the plate (2) is provided, on the one hand, with primary attachment sites (9) intended to work with a second group of attachment points (8') of the cylinder head (7) and, on the other hand, with secondary attachment sites (9') corresponding to at least some of the attachment points (8) of the first group of the cylinder head (7), said secondary attachment sites (9') of the plate (2) positioning themselves above at least some of the support and attachment feet (6, 6') of the fuel rail (4) and providing an additional rigid connection of the plate (2) with the cylinder head (7).
2. Functional module according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fuel rail (4) comprises at least two support and attachment feet (6, 6') attached to or formed on the pipe (5), for example by screwing, interlocking with cooperation of shapes, welding, bonding or casting, while being mutually spaced along the latter.
3. Functional module according to Claim 2, characterized in that the pipe (5) of the fuel rail (4) is provided with at least three support and attachment feet (6, 6'), two of which are located at or near the two opposite ends of said pipe (5).
4. Functional module according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the primary attachment sites (9) are formed at the level of the panel-shaped body (2') of the plate (2) intended to come to direct and airtight rest on the cylinder head (7) and in that the secondary attachment sites (9') are formed at the level of the lugs or wings (10) of the plate (2) intended to extend above the support and attachment feet (6, 6') and, if necessary, the pipe (5) of the fuel rail (4).
5. Functional module according to Claim 4, characterized in that the lugs or wings (10) of the plate (2) consist of projections or protrusions of material that are formed in one piece with the walls of the portions of the pipes (3) and that extend away from the panel-shaped body (2') of said plate (2).
6. Functional module according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support and attachment feet (6, 6') each exhibit a pipe-structure body through which an attachment screw (11) is intended to pass.
7. Functional module according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that each support and attachment foot (6, 6') of the fuel rail (4) has, in its upper part, a receiving zone (12) for a wing or lug (10) of the plate (2), the secondary attachment sites (9') formed at the level of the latter being advantageously provided with spacers (13) through which the attachment screws (11) are intended to pass.
8. Functional module according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the attachment and connection plate (2) is made of a thermoplastic or thermosetting synthetic material, preferably by molding in one piece, and in that the fuel rail (4) is made of a metallic material, the support and attachment feet (6, 6') being made of a metallic or synthetic material.
9. Functional module according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it consists of a unit that is pre-assembled before on-site mounting, if necessary, with or without interlocking by temporary mutual securing of the rail (4) and the plate (2), for example by engaging or screwing.
10. Functional module according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the attachment and connection plate (2) comprises attachment points (14) for the mounting with securing of an intake distributor, a compressor or a similar air supply part intended to be connected in an airtight manner to the portions of pipes (3).
11. Vehicle with an internal combustion engine supplied by a fuel rail, characterized in that it comprises at least one functional module according to any one of Claims 1 to 10.

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