The present invention relates to a structure for securing injectors according to the preamble of claim 1.

In an engine having a plurality of cylinders, a cylinder head is provided with a plurality of mounting holes into which a plurality of injectors are inserted, respectively. A clamp for securing the injectors is separately prepared, and is fastened to the cylinder head with a bolt or the like. Each injector is secured to the top of the cylinder head through this clamp. JPH 09-144629 A discloses a structure for securing three injectors by one clamp.

In a conventional securing structure employed to secure a plurality of injectors, there is room for improvement in space saving.

EP 2 578 868 A1 shows a generic structure for securing injectors according to the preamble of claim 1. This structure comprises a first clamp and a second clamp arranged to face each other with a plurality of injectors interposed therebetween, a pinching and holding member arranged between two adjacent ones of the injectors to pinch and hold the first clamp and the second clamp, and a fastening member that fastens the pinching and holding member to the top of a cylinder head.

CN 203 308 630 U shows another very similar structure for securing injectors according to the preamble of claim 1.

It is the object of the present invention to further develop a generic structure for securing injectors according to the preamble of claim 1 such that a high degree of flexibility in design layout is provided and a high degree of convenience in terms of mounting operation of said structure is offered.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a structure for securing injectors having the features of claim 1.

Further advantageous embodiments are laid down in the dependent claims.

According to an advantage of the present invention, a structure for securing injectors includes a first clamp and a second clamp arranged to face each other with a plurality of injectors interposed therebetween, a pinching and holding member arranged between two adjacent ones of the injectors to pinch and hold the first clamp and the second clamp, and a fastening member that fastens the pinching and holding member to the top of a cylinder head. The first clamp and the second clamp as well as the pinching and holding member are separate parts.

The arrangement described above uses the two members, namely, the first clamp and the second clamp, thus allowing a high degree of flexibility in design layout, and saving space as compared to the conventional arrangement.

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

• Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure for securing injectors in a first embodiment.
• Fig. 2 is a side view showing the structure for securing injectors in the first embodiment.
• Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in a direction of arrows in Fig. 2.
• Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in a direction of arrows in Fig. 3.
• Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure for securing injectors in a comparative example.
• Fig. 6 is a side view showing the structure for securing injectors in the comparative example.
• Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a structure for securing injectors in another comparative example.
• Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure for securing injectors in a second embodiment.
• Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure for securing injectors in a third embodiment.
• Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure for securing injectors in a fourth embodiment.
• Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure for securing injectors in a fifth embodiment.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. When a reference is made to a number, an amount and the like, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, the amount and the like unless otherwise specified. The same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numbers and a redundant description thereof may not be repeated.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, a structure 100 for securing injectors in a first embodiment is described. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure 100 for securing injectors. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the structure 100 for securing injectors. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in a direction of arrows in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in a direction of arrows in Fig. 3.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the structure 100 for securing injectors is a structure employed to secure a plurality of (three in this embodiment) injectors 1 to 3 to a cylinder head 30, and includes a clamp 10 (first clamp), a clamp 20 (second clamp), pinching and holding members 40, 50, and fastening members 45, 55. The clamps 10, 20 and the pinching and holding members 40, 50 are made of iron, for example. The clamps 10 and 20 are prepared as separate members, and are arranged to face each other with the injectors 1 to 3 interposed between the clamps 10 and 20 (see Fig. 3).

A not shown combustion chamber is provided below the cylinder head 30. The cylinder head 30 is provided with mounting holes 31 to 33 (Fig. 1) in its top 30S. The injectors 1 to 3 are inserted into the mounting holes 31 to 33, respectively, and are linearly aligned with each other. It is noted that the structure 100 for securing injectors in this embodiment is applicable to both a diesel engine and a gasoline engine.

Formed between the mounting holes 31 and 32 of the cylinder head 30 is a screw hole 34 (Figs. 1 and 4) into which the fastening member 45 is screwed, and formed between the mounting holes 32 and 33 of the cylinder head 30 is a screw hole 35 (Figs. 1 and 3) into which the fastening member 55 is screwed. For the purpose of illustration, the fastening member 55 and the pinching and holding member 50 which will be described later are shown in Fig. 3 in a state before they are fixed in/to the screw hole 35.

The injectors 1 to 3 have a substantially cylindrical shape, and are provided with grooves 4 and 6 as recesses partially therealong in their axial direction (longitudinal direction). The grooves 4 and 6 have an inwardly recessed shape of a portion of an outer circumferential surface of each of the injectors 1 to 3, and the grooves 4 and 6 receive the clamps 10 and 20 which will be described later, respectively. The groove 4 includes a pressing surface 5 on the side closer to the cylinder head 30 (lower side), and the groove 6 includes a pressing surface 7 on the side closer to the cylinder head 30 (lower side). The pressing surfaces 5 and 7 have a surface shape parallel to a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the injectors 1 to 3.

The clamp 10 as the first clamp includes pressing portions 11, 15, 19 (first pressing portions), receiving portions 13, 17 (first receiving portions), and connecting portions 12, 14, 16, 18, and has the shape of a plate-like member bent at the connecting portions 12, 14, 16 and 18.

The pressing portions 11, 15 and 19 are positioned to be aligned with each other along the same straight line (see Fig. 3), and extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the injectors 1 to 3 are aligned (horizontal direction in the plane of Fig. 3). As shown in Fig. 3, the inner surfaces of the pressing portions 11, 15 and 19, namely, the surfaces of the pressing portions 11, 15 and 19 on the side on which the clamp 20 is arranged (the side closer to the clamp 20) are arranged in the grooves 4 of the injectors 1 to 3, respectively.

The inner surfaces of the pressing portions 11, 15 and 19 face the bottom surfaces of the grooves 4 (wide surfaces orthogonal to the pressing surfaces 5) of the injectors 1 to 3, respectively. Although the inner surfaces of the pressing portions 11, 15 and 19 are not in contact with the bottom surfaces of the grooves 4 of the injectors 1 to 3 in Fig. 3, the inner surfaces of the pressing portions 11, 15 and 19 may be arranged to make contact with the bottom surfaces of the grooves 4 of the injectors 1 to 3, respectively.

The pressing portions 11, 15 and 19 have convex portions 11P, 15P and 19P (see Figs. 1 and 2) on their lower surfaces, respectively. The convex portions 11P, 15P and 19P are portions to press the injectors 1 to 3 toward the cylinder head 30, respectively. The convex portion 11P of the pressing portion 11 is arranged to make contact with the pressing surface 5 of the injector 1, the convex portion 15P of the pressing portion 15 is arranged to make contact with the pressing surface 5 of the injector 2, and the convex portion 19P of the pressing portion 19 is arranged to make contact with the pressing surface 5 of the injector 3. The convex portions 11P, 15P and 19P are not essential components, and may thus be provided as necessary.

The receiving portions 13 and 17 are also positioned to be aligned with each other along the same straight line (see Fig. 3), and extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the injectors 1 to 3 are aligned (horizontal direction in the plane of Fig. 3). The receiving portions 13 and 17 are arranged on an inner side relative to the pressing portions 11, 15 and 19, namely, on the side on which the clamp 20 is arranged (the side closer to the clamp 20), and serve as portions to receive a pinching and holding force from the pinching and holding members 40 and 50 which will be described later, respectively.

In the direction in which the injectors 1 to 3 are aligned (horizontal direction in the plane of Fig. 3), the receiving portion 13 is positioned between the adjacent pressing portions 11 and 15, and the receiving portion 17 is positioned between the adjacent pressing portions 15 and 19. The inner surfaces of the receiving portions 13 and 17 face the inner surfaces of receiving portions 23 and 27 of the clamp 20, respectively. Although the inner surfaces of the receiving portions 13 and 17 are not in contact with the inner surfaces of the receiving portions 23 and 27 of the clamp 20 in Fig. 3, the inner surfaces of the receiving portions 13 and 17 may be arranged to make contact with the inner surfaces of the receiving portions 23 and 27 of the clamp 20, respectively.

The receiving portion 13 has a recess 13U (see Fig. 1) having the shape of a half cylinder in its inner surface, and the receiving portion 17 has a recess 17U (see Figs. 1 and 3) having the shape of a half cylinder in its inner surface. The recesses 13U and 17U face recesses 23U and 27U provided in the clamp 20, respectively (see Fig. 3), to form space into which the fastening members 45 and 55 are inserted, respectively.

The connecting portion 12 connects the pressing portion 11 to the receiving portion 13, and has an obliquely extending shape from the outside, namely, the pressing portion 11, toward the inside, namely, the receiving portion 13. The connecting portion 14 connects the receiving portion 13 to the pressing portion 15, and has an obliquely extending shape from the inside, namely, the receiving portion 13, toward the outside, namely, the pressing portion 15. The connecting portion 16 connects the pressing portion 15 to the receiving portion 17, and has an obliquely extending shape from the outside, namely, the pressing portion 15, toward the inside, namely, the receiving portion 17. The connecting portion 18 connects the receiving portion 17 to the pressing portion 19, and has an obliquely extending shape from the inside, namely, the receiving portion 17, toward the outside, namely, the pressing portion 19.

The clamp 20 as the second clamp includes pressing portions 21, 25, 29 (second pressing portions), the receiving portions 23, 27 (second receiving portions), and connecting portions 22, 24, 26, 28, and has the shape of a plate-like member bent at the connecting portions 22, 24, 26 and 28.

The pressing portions 21, 25 and 29 are positioned to be aligned with each other along the same straight line (see Fig. 3), and extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the injectors 1 to 3 are aligned (horizontal direction in the plane of Fig. 3). As shown in Fig. 3, the inner surfaces of the pressing portions 21, 25 and 29, namely, the surfaces of the pressing portions 21, 25 and 29 on the side on which the clamp 10 is arranged (the side closer to the clamp 10) are arranged in the grooves 6 of the injectors 1 to 3, respectively.

The inner surfaces of the pressing portions 21, 25 and 29 face the bottom surfaces of the grooves 6 (wide surfaces orthogonal to the pressing surfaces 7) of the injectors 1 to 3, respectively. Although the inner surfaces of the pressing portions 21, 25 and 29 are not in contact with the bottom surfaces of the grooves 6 of the injectors 1 to 3 in Fig. 3, the inner surfaces of the pressing portions 21, 25 and 29 may be arranged to make contact with the bottom surfaces of the grooves 6 of the injectors 1 to 3, respectively.

The pressing portions 21, 25 and 29 have convex portions 21P, 25P and 29P (see Fig. 1) on their lower surfaces, respectively. The convex portions 21P, 25P and 29P are portions to press the injectors 1 to 3 toward the cylinder head 30, respectively. The convex portion 21P of the pressing portion 21 is arranged to make contact with the pressing surface 7 of the injector 1, the convex portion 25P of the pressing portion 25 is arranged to make contact with the pressing surface 7 of the injector 2, and the convex portion 29P of the pressing portion 29 is arranged to make contact with the pressing surface 7 of the injector 3. The convex portions 21P, 25P and 29P are not essential components, and may thus be provided as necessary.

The receiving portions 23 and 27 are also positioned to be aligned with each other along the same straight line (see Fig. 3), and extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the injectors 1 to 3 are aligned (horizontal direction in the plane of Fig. 3). The receiving portions 23 and 27 are arranged on an inner side relative to the pressing portions 21, 25 and 29, namely, on the side on which the clamp 10 is arranged (the side closer to the clamp 10), and serve as portions to receive a pinching and holding force from the pinching and holding members 40 and 50 which will be described later, respectively.

In the direction in which the injectors 1 to 3 are aligned (horizontal direction in the plane of Fig. 3), the receiving portion 23 is positioned between the adjacent pressing portions 21 and 25, and the receiving portion 27 is positioned between the adjacent pressing portions 25 and 29. The inner surfaces of the receiving portions 23 and 27 face the inner surfaces of the receiving portions 13 and 17 of the clamp 10, respectively. Although the inner surfaces of the receiving portions 23 and 27 are not in contact with the inner surfaces of the receiving portions 13 and 17 of the clamp 10 in Fig. 3, the inner surfaces of the receiving portions 23 and 27 may be arranged to make contact with the inner surfaces of the receiving portions 13 and 17 of the clamp 10, respectively.

The receiving portion 23 has the recess 23U (see Fig. 1) having the shape of a half cylinder in its inner surface, and the receiving portion 27 has the recess 27U (see

Figs. 1 and 3) having the shape of a half cylinder in its inner surface. The recesses 23U and 27U face the recesses 13U and 17U provided in the clamp 10, respectively (see Fig. 3), to form space into which the fastening members 45 and 55 are inserted, respectively.

The connecting portion 22 connects the pressing portion 21 to the receiving portion 23, and has an obliquely extending shape from the outside, namely, the pressing portion 21, toward the inside, namely, the receiving portion 23. The connecting portion 24 connects the receiving portion 23 to the pressing portion 25, and has an obliquely extending shape from the inside, namely, the receiving portion 23, toward the outside, namely, the pressing portion 25. The connecting portion 26 connects the pressing portion 25 to the receiving portion 27, and has an obliquely extending shape from the outside, namely, the pressing portion 25, toward the inside, namely, the receiving portion 27. The connecting portion 28 connects the receiving portion 27 to the pressing portion 29, and has an obliquely extending shape from the inside, namely, the receiving portion 27, toward the outside, namely, the pressing portion 29.

Referring to Fig. 3, in this embodiment, if a straight line CL connecting the centers of the injectors 1 to 3 together is drawn when the clamps 10 and 20 are viewed two-dimensionally along the axial direction of the injectors 1 to 3, the clamps 10 and 20 have a shape symmetrical about the straight line CL. This arrangement achieves an overall balance of the securing structure, and is convenient to manufacture. The clamps 10 and 20 are not limited to this arrangement and may have a shape asymmetrical about the straight line CL.

In the structure 100 for securing injectors in this embodiment, the space between the pressing portions 11 and 21 is set to be slightly larger than the space between the grooves 4 and 6 of the injector 1, and the pressing portions 11 and 21 can be stopped by engaging the grooves 4 and 6, to prevent the rotation of the injector 1. That is, even if the injector 1 tries to rotate, the grooves 4 and 6 formed in the outer circumferential surface of the injector 1 engage and stop the inner surfaces of the clamps 10 and 20 (the pressing portions 11 and 21), respectively, to prevent the rotation. This also applies to the injectors 2 and 3. This arrangement is also not an essential arrangement, and may thus be provided as necessary.

As described above, the receiving portions 13 and 17 are arranged on an inner side relative to the pressing portions 11, 15 and 19, namely, on the side on which the clamp 20 is arranged (the side closer to the clamp 20). The receiving portions 23 and 27 are arranged on an inner side relative to the pressing portions 21, 25 and 29, namely, on the side on which the clamp 10 is arranged (the side closer to the clamp 10). In a direction (vertical direction in the plane of Fig. 3) orthogonal to the direction in which the injectors 1 to 3 are aligned (horizontal direction in the plane of Fig. 3), a distance L2 (Fig. 3) between the outer surfaces of the receiving portions 13, 17 and the outer surfaces of the receiving portions 23, 27 is smaller than a distance L1 (Fig. 3) between the outer surfaces of the pressing portions 11, 15, 19 and the outer surfaces of the pressing portions 21, 25, 29. This arrangement can save space in the structure 100 for securing injectors as a whole, and reduce the size of the pinching and holding members 40 and 50.

The pinching and holding member 40 is arranged between the two adjacent injectors 1 and 2, and pinches and holds the clamps 10 and 20. Specifically, the pinching and holding member 40 includes a base portion 41 and a pair of sidewall portions 42, 43. The base portion 41 substantially has the shape of a plate, and is provided with a hole 44 therethrough (Fig. 1) into which the fastening member 45 is inserted. The base portion 41 is arranged to overlap the upper surfaces of the receiving portions 13 and 23 of the clamps 10 and 20. The sidewall portions 42 and 43 are formed on opposed outer sides of the base portion 41, respectively, and are arranged to pinch and hold the outer surfaces of the receiving portions 13 and 23 of the clamps 10 and 20 from outside, respectively.

The pinching and holding member 50 is arranged between the two adjacent injectors 2 and 3, and pinches and holds the clamps 10 and 20. Specifically, the pinching and holding member 50 includes a base portion 51 and a pair of sidewall portions 52, 53. The base portion 51 substantially has the shape of a plate, and is provided with a hole 54 therethrough (Fig. 1) into which the fastening member 55 is inserted. The base portion 51 is arranged to overlap the upper surfaces of the receiving portions 17 and 27 of the clamps 10 and 20. The sidewall portions 52 and 53 are formed on opposed outer sides of the base portion 51, respectively, and are arranged to pinch and hold the outer surfaces of the receiving portions 17 and 27 of the clamps 10 and 20 from outside, respectively.

With the clamp 10 being fitted into the grooves 4 of the injectors 1 to 3 and the clamp 20 being fitted into the grooves 6 of the injectors 1 to 3, the pinching and holding members 40 and 50 are placed on the upper surfaces of the clamps 10 and 20 to span the receiving portions 13, 23, 17 and 27. Then, the fastening members 45 and 55 are inserted into the holes 44 and 54 of the pinching and holding members 40 and 50 and screwed into the screw holes 34 and 35 of the cylinder head 30, respectively. The pinching and holding members 40 and 50 are pressed axially downward by an axial force of the fastening members 45 and 55, and, in turn, the injectors 1 to 3 are fastened to the cylinder head 30 through the clamps 10 and 20.

Figs. 5 and 6 are a cross-sectional view and a side view showing a structure 200 for securing injectors in a comparative example, respectively. Fig. 5 corresponds to Fig. 3 in the first embodiment, and Fig. 6 corresponds to Fig. 2 in the first embodiment. The function and effect in the above-described first embodiment will be discussed in conjunction with the description of this comparative example.

In the structure 200 for securing injectors, three clamps 61 are used to secure the three injectors 1 to 3. The three clamps 61 are arranged to extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the injectors 1 to 3 are aligned (horizontal direction in the plane of Fig. 5). The clamp 61 has a substantially Y-shape when viewed two-dimensionally, and is fastened to the cylinder head 30 by a fastening member 62.

In the case of the structure 200 for securing injectors, a pedestal 63 which acts as a fulcrum of a lever needs to be provided across the fastening member 62 from each of the injectors 1 to 3. Moreover, in the structure 200 for securing injectors, space corresponding to a region R1 shown in Fig. 5 needs to be secured. In the structure 100 for securing injectors in the above-described first embodiment, on the other hand, the injectors 1 to 3 can be secured in space corresponding to a region R2 shown in Fig. 5 (see Figs. 3 and 5). Therefore, it can be said that the structure 100 for securing injectors in the first embodiment can allow a high degree of flexibility in design layout, and save space as compared to the conventional structure.

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a structure 201 for securing injectors in another comparative example. In the structure 201 for securing injectors, one clamp 70 is used to secure the three injectors 1 to 3. The clamp 70 includes fork portions 71, 73 forming a Y-shape and holes 72, and is arranged to extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the injectors 1 to 3 are aligned (horizontal direction in the plane of Fig. 7). The clamp 70 is fastened to the cylinder head 30 by fastening members 74 and 75.

In the case of the structure 201 for securing injectors, the clamp 70 needs to be mounted on the injectors 1 to 3 by being dropped downward, and the clamp 70 cannot be mounted from the sides of the injectors 1 to 3. Even if the clamp 70 can be mounted on the upper ends of the injectors 1 to 3, the clamp 70 cannot be fit into the grooves 4 and 6 provided partially along the injectors 1 to 3 as in the above-described first embodiment. Therefore, it can be said that the structure 100 for securing injectors in the above-described first embodiment can allow a high degree of flexibility in design layout, and also offer a high degree of convenience in terms of mounting operation.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure 101 for securing injectors in a second embodiment, and corresponds to Fig. 4 in the first embodiment. The structure 101 for securing injectors is different from the structure 100 for securing injectors in that both an outer surface 13S of the receiving portion 13 (first receiving portion) in the clamp 10 and an outer surface 23S of the receiving portion 23 (second receiving portion) in the clamp 20 have an inclined surface shape.

Specifically, the outer surface 13S of the clamp 10 is a portion to receive a pinching and holding force from an inner surface 42S of the sidewall portion 42 of the pinching and holding member 40, and the outer surface 23S of the clamp 20 is a portion to receive a pinching and holding force from an inner surface 43S of the sidewall portion 43 of the pinching and holding member 40. Both the outer surfaces 13S and 23S have a surface shape expanding outward toward the cylinder head 30.

According to this arrangement, the pinching and holding member 40 can be readily fitted onto the clamps 10 and 20. By setting prescribed values to the distance between the inner surfaces 42S and 43S of the pinching and holding member 40 and the distance between the outer surfaces 13S and 23S of the clamps 10 and 20, an appropriate pinching and holding force of the pinching and holding member 40 can be obtained.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure 102 for securing injectors in a third embodiment, and corresponds to Fig. 4 in the first embodiment. The structure 102 for securing injectors is different from the structure 100 for securing injectors in that both the inner surfaces 42S and 43S of the sidewall portions 42 and 43 of the pinching and holding member 40 have an inclined surface shape.

Specifically, the inner surface 42S of the sidewall portion 42 of the pinching and holding member 40 is a portion to apply a pinching and holding force to the outer surface 13S of the clamp 10, and the inner surface 43S of the sidewall portion 43 of the pinching and holding member 40 is a portion to apply a pinching and holding force to the outer surface 23S of the clamp 20. Both the inner surfaces 42S and 43S have a surface shape expanding outward toward the cylinder head 30.

According to this arrangement, the pinching and holding member 40 can be readily fitted onto the clamps 10 and 20. By setting prescribed values to the distance between the inner surfaces 42S and 43S of the pinching and holding member 40 and the distance between the outer surfaces 13S and 23S of the clamps 10 and 20, an appropriate pinching and holding force of the pinching and holding member 40 can be obtained.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure 103 for securing injectors in a fourth embodiment, and corresponds to Fig. 4 in the first embodiment. The structure 103 for securing injectors has an arrangement which combines the concepts of the second and third embodiments described above.

Specifically, the outer surface 13S of the clamp 10 is a portion to receive a pinching and holding force from the inner surface 42S of the sidewall portion 42 of the pinching and holding member 40, and the outer surface 23S of the clamp 20 is a portion to receive a pinching and holding force from the inner surface 43S of the sidewall portion 43 of the pinching and holding member 40. Both the outer surfaces 13S and 23S have a surface shape expanding outward toward the cylinder head 30.

In addition, the inner surface 42S of the sidewall portion 42 of the pinching and holding member 40 is a portion to apply a pinching and holding force to the outer surface 13S of the clamp 10, and the inner surface 43S of the sidewall portion 43 of the pinching and holding member 40 is a portion to apply a pinching and holding force to the outer surface 23S of the clamp 20. Both the inner surfaces 42S and 43S have a surface shape expanding outward toward the cylinder head 30.

According to this arrangement, the pinching and holding member 40 can again be readily fitted onto the clamps 10 and 20. By setting prescribed values to the distance between the inner surfaces 42S and 43S of the pinching and holding member 40 and the distance between the outer surfaces 13S and 23S of the clamps 10 and 20, an appropriate pinching and holding force of the pinching and holding member 40 can be obtained.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure 104 for securing injectors in a fifth embodiment, and corresponds to Fig. 5 in the first embodiment. The clamp 10 used in this embodiment does not include the connecting portions 12, 14, 16, 18 (see Figs. 1 and 3), and the recesses 13U, 17U (see Figs. 1 and 3). The clamp 10 has the shape of a flat plate. Likewise, the clamp 20 does not include the connecting portions 22, 24, 26, 28 (see Figs. 1 and 3), and the recesses 23U, 27U (see Figs. 1 and 3). The clamp 20 also has the shape of a flat plate.

According to this arrangement, the injectors 1 to 3 can again be secured in the space corresponding to the region R2 shown in Fig. 5 without providing the pedestal 63 which acts as a fulcrum of a lever (Fig. 6). The clamps 10 and 20 can also be fit into the grooves 4 and 6 provided partially along the injectors 1 to 3 as in the above-described first embodiment. Therefore, it can be said that the structure 104 for securing injectors can also allow a high degree of flexibility in design layout, and save space as compared to the conventional structure.

Although each of the above-described embodiments has been described based on an arrangement in which the three injectors 1 to 3 are secured to the cylinder head 30, each of the above-described embodiments is applicable to cases where two or more injectors, e.g., four or five injectors, are secured to the cylinder head 30. Although the two pinching and holding members 40 and 50 are used in each of the above-described embodiments, only one pinching and holding member may be used. The number of pinching and holding members may be increased or decreased depending on the number of injectors.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect, i.e. the scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications which fall under the scope of the claims.

A structure (100) for securing injectors includes a first clamp (10) and a second clamp (20) arranged to face each other with a plurality of injectors (1, 2) interposed therebetween, a pinching and holding member (40) arranged between two adjacent ones of the injectors (1, 2) to pinch and hold the first clamp (10) and the second clamp (20), and a fastening member (45) that fastens the pinching and holding member (40) to the top of a cylinder head. Consequently, space can be saved in the structure for securing injectors.