Pin-within-a-sleeve three-way solenoid valve with side load reduction

摘要

A solenoid operated pin-within-a-sleeve three-way valve for high pressure fuel systems is provided which is capable of effectively minimizing the side loads imparted to the movable pin and sleeve elements while effectively controlling the timing and quantity of fuel injection. The three-way valve assembly includes a floating pin telescopingly received within the cavity of the movable valve member. A side load reducing device is provided for minimizing side loading on the floating pin and the movable valve member which includes a tappet reciprocally mounted in the valve housing adjacent one end of the floating pin, a biasing spring for causing the tappet to follow the pin and for causing the pin to follow the movable valve member to keep the second valve seat closed as the movable valve member is advanced toward the first position from the second position. The side load reducing feature also includes a planar surface formed on the tappet, and a semi-spherical surface formed on the floating pin for abutment against the planar surface. The side load reducing device ensures that transverse or side loads on the floating pin are minimized by transferring biasing spring-induced side loads to a tappet housing via the tappet while minimizing the contact surface between floating pin and tappet via the point-of-contact abutment of the semi-spherical and planar surfaces.