US Patent 6951165 Fuel pump for an internal combustion engine

A fuel pump for an internal combustion engine, comprising a housing (14) in which a piston (16) is guided. A working chamber is confined in areas by the piston (16). An eccentric shaft or camshaft acts on the piston (16) on its end furthest from the working chamber. A prestressing element (30) loads the piston (16) against the eccentric shaft or camshaft. In order to reduce the fabrication costs of the fuel pump, the invention provides that a support member (40) that is separate from the piston (16) is provided, which said support member is interconnected with the end region (36) of the piston (16) closest to the eccentric shaft or camshaft, and against which the prestressing element (30) bears.