High-pressure pump for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-pressure pump for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, having at least one inlet valve device with a valve element, a valve seat for the valve element, and an actuating tappet which can positively push the valve element in an opening direction. In order to create a high-pressure pump for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine which can be produced even more cost-effectively and which has a lower level of wear and therefore a longer service life, it is proposed that the valve element have a positioning mechanism which centers the valve element on the valve seat when the valve element comes into contact or is in contact with the valve seat.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A high-pressure pump for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 at least one inlet valve device with a valve element;   a valve seat for the valve element;   an actuation tappet, which can press the valve element by force in an opening direction; and characterized in that the inlet valve device has   positioning means for the inlet valve device, which center the valve element on the valve seat when the valve element comes into contact with or when the valve element is in contact with the valve seat.   
   
   
       12 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 11 , wherein the positioning means include a spherical, preferably spherical-segmental first contact region that is present on the valve element. 
   
   
       13 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 11 , wherein the positioning means include a conical first contact region that is present on the valve element. 
   
   
       14 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 11 , wherein the positioning means include a second contact region, which is present on the valve seat and is embodied as complementary to the first contact region and/or conically. 
   
   
       15 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 12 , wherein the positioning means include a second contact region, which is present on the valve seat and is embodied as complementary to the first contact region and/or conically. 
   
   
       16 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 13 , wherein the positioning means include a second contact region, which is present on the valve seat and is embodied as complementary to the first contact region and/or conically. 
   
   
       17 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 11 , wherein the actuation tappet is supported in “overhung” fashion with radial play in a housing of the inlet valve device or of the high-pressure pump. 
   
   
       18 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 14 , wherein the actuation tappet is supported in “overhung” fashion with radial play in a housing of the inlet valve device or of the high-pressure pump. 
   
   
       19 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 11 , wherein the actuation tappet and the valve element are two separate parts, which at least when the valve element is pressed by force in the opening direction are fixed radially to one another by means of radially acting fixation means. 
   
   
       20 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 14 , wherein the actuation tappet and the valve element are two separate parts, which at least when the valve element is pressed by force in the opening direction are fixed radially to one another by means of radially acting fixation means. 
   
   
       21 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 19 , wherein the radial fixation means include a peg on the one part and a complementary recess in the other part. 
   
   
       22 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 21 , wherein the peg and the recess are conical. 
   
   
       23 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 17 , wherein on an end of the actuation tappet remote from the valve element, the pump has a damping spring. 
   
   
       24 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 19 , wherein on an end of the actuation tappet remote from the valve element, the pump has a damping spring. 
   
   
       25 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 21 , wherein on an end of the actuation tappet remote from the valve element, the pump has a damping spring. 
   
   
       26 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 22 , wherein on an end of the actuation tappet remote from the valve element, the pump has a damping spring. 
   
   
       27 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 23 , wherein on a side of the valve element remote from the actuation tappet, a valve spring is disposed, which urges the valve element in the closing direction; and that the damping spring and the valve spring cooperate in such a way that a motion of the actuation tappet in the closing direction is damped, at least beyond a defined remaining stroke. 
   
   
       28 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 24 , wherein on a side of the valve element remote from the actuation tappet, a valve spring is disposed, which urges the valve element in the closing direction; and that the damping spring and the valve spring cooperate in such a way that a motion of the actuation tappet in the closing direction is damped, at least beyond a defined remaining stroke. 
   
   
       29 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 25 , wherein on a side of the valve element remote from the actuation tappet, a valve spring is disposed, which urges the valve element in the closing direction; and that the damping spring and the valve spring cooperate in such a way that a motion of the actuation tappet in the closing direction is damped, at least beyond a defined remaining stroke. 
   
   
       30 . The high-pressure pump as defined by  claim 26 , wherein on a side of the valve element remote from the actuation tappet, a valve spring is disposed, which urges the valve element in the closing direction; and that the damping spring and the valve spring cooperate in such a way that a motion of the actuation tappet in the closing direction is damped, at least beyond a defined remaining stroke.