Waterproof automobile air inlet pipe structure

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of engine air inlet systems, and discloses a waterproof automobile air inlet pipe structure which comprises an air inlet pipe body, a drainage cavity, at least one elastic doctor blade and a self-adaptive sealing valve plate, and a water outlet is formed in the bottom of the air inlet pipe body; the drainage cavity is formed in the inner side of the water outlet and communicates with a main air inlet channel of the air inlet pipe body, and the drainage cavity is used for generating negative pressure at an inlet of the drainage cavity through inlet air flow. And at least one elastic scraper is arranged in a communication area of the drainage cavity and the water outlet. The drainage cavity is formed in the pipeline body, negative pressure is synchronously generated in the air inlet process, and accumulated water and impurities can be actively adsorbed; meanwhile, the air flow is utilized to trigger the elastic scraper to vibrate at high frequency in the drainage cavity, the inner wall of the pipeline body can be scraped, attached sediment and other sediments can be stripped, real-time and active self-cleaning of the drainage channel in the air inlet process is achieved synchronously, and the risk that the water outlet is blocked is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of engine intake system technology, and more specifically, to a water-proof automotive intake pipe structure. Background Technology

[0002] The air intake system of a heavy-duty truck typically includes a high-level intake pipe and a transition pipe. The transition pipe mainly connects the high-level intake pipe and the engine air filter. A drain outlet is usually located at the bottom of this pipe to drain water accumulated due to condensation, wading, or water mist intake. The drain outlet is also equipped with a one-way valve to allow for automatic drainage of the water.

[0003] In existing technologies, simple rubber check valves (such as duckbill valves) are often used at the drain outlet. These check valves mainly rely on gravity for drainage and seal the system through the elasticity of the rubber itself when there is no drainage. Although they meet basic functional requirements, when heavy-duty trucks operate in harsh environments such as mining areas, construction sites, and rainy, humid, and dusty conditions for extended periods, the dust and water accumulation in the intake manifold can significantly increase. When these two substances mix, they easily form a viscous slurry at the drain outlet and check valve disc, which gradually dries and solidifies, clogging the valve disc and drainage channel. This prevents water from draining properly and may eventually enter the air filter, causing serious engine malfunctions. Therefore, these check valves need to be inspected and cleaned regularly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure to solve the aforementioned technical problems.

[0005] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solutions: This invention provides a water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure, comprising: The intake pipe body has a drain outlet at its bottom; A drainage chamber is located inside the drain outlet and communicates with the main air intake channel of the air intake pipe body to generate negative pressure at the inlet of the drainage chamber using the intake airflow. At least one elastic scraper is disposed on the inner wall of the drainage cavity, the free end of which maintains a gap with the inner wall of the drainage cavity in a non-vibration state, and can contact the inner wall when vibrating; the elastic scraper is used to generate vibration under negative pressure or airflow to scrape off the deposits on the inner wall of the drainage cavity. An adaptive sealing valve is disposed above the drain outlet to seal the drain outlet when there is no liquid and to open the drain when there is liquid.

[0006] Preferably, the number of elastic scrapers is four, which are evenly arranged on the inner wall of the drainage cavity.

[0007] Preferably, the elastic scraper includes a support fixed to the inner wall of the drainage cavity and a plurality of metal springs uniformly fixed to the support.

[0008] Preferably, the elastic scraper is inclined at an angle of 30-45° to the air intake direction of the air intake pipe body.

[0009] Preferably, the thickness of the metal spring is 0.1-0.2 mm, and the gap between its free end and the inner wall of the drainage cavity is 0.5-1 mm.

[0010] Preferably, the adaptive sealing valve includes a conical head fixed above the drain outlet, an annular lip surrounding the bottom of the conical head, and an annular flange conforming to the top surface of the annular lip.

[0011] Preferably, the adaptive sealing valve plate is made of high-temperature resistant silicone, which can fit tightly against the outer edge of the annular flange under the negative pressure of the drainage cavity.

[0012] Preferably, the cone angle of the cone-shaped head is 30-45°, and the thickness of the annular lip is 1-1.5 mm.

[0013] Preferably, the inlet of the drainage cavity is provided with a tapering section to accelerate the airflow and enhance the negative pressure.

[0014] Preferably, the top end of the intake pipe body is connected to the bottom end of the high-position intake pipe via a corrugated pipe.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention features a drainage chamber within the main pipe body, which generates negative pressure during air intake to actively absorb accumulated water and impurities. Simultaneously, airflow triggers a high-frequency vibration of an elastic scraper within the drainage chamber, scraping the inner wall of the main pipe body to remove attached sediment such as mud and sand. The scraped-off impurities are drawn into the drainage chamber under negative pressure and then filtered by the downstream air filter along with the main airflow. This achieves real-time, active self-cleaning of the drainage channel during air intake, reducing the risk of outlet blockage. In addition, the present invention features an adaptive sealing valve plate with a conical head and annular lip design. When there is no drainage, it relies not only on the elasticity of the material but also, more importantly, on the active adsorption of the negative pressure in the drainage chamber to achieve a tight fit, resulting in a large and stable sealing force. The conical head makes opening and drainage smoother, while the lip can adapt to microscopic unevenness and vibration, ensuring the sealing reliability for long-term use. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a water-proof automotive air intake pipe according to the present invention; Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the intake pipe body in a water-proof automobile intake pipe structure according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the bottom position of the air intake pipe body in a water-proof automobile air intake pipe structure of the present invention; Figure 4 This is the present invention. Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic scraper in a water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure according to the present invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 10, intake pipe body; 101, drain outlet; 102, drainage chamber; 103, main intake duct; 20, elastic scraper; 201, support body; 202, metal spring; 30, adaptive sealing valve; 301, conical head; 302, annular lip; 303, annular flange; 40, bellows. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The subject matter described herein will now be discussed with reference to exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed only to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and implement the subject matter described herein, and changes may be made to the function and arrangement of the elements discussed without departing from the scope of this specification. Various processes or components may be omitted, substituted, or added as needed in the examples. Furthermore, features described in some examples may be combined in other examples.

[0019] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 5 A water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure includes an air intake pipe body 10. The air intake pipe body 10 is generally a transition pipe connecting a high-level air intake port and an air filter, and its interior forms a main air intake passage 103. A drain outlet 101 is provided at the lowest point of the pipe for draining condensate and other liquids. A drainage chamber 102 is provided above the drain outlet 101, with its upper end connected to the main air intake passage 103 and its lower end connected to the drain outlet 101. Specifically, the drainage chamber 102 has a tapered section, and its overall shape is conical. When the engine is running, the high-speed airflow in the main air intake passage 103 flows through this tapered section, and according to the Venturi principle, the flow velocity increases, thereby generating a continuous negative pressure zone within the drainage chamber 102.

[0020] An elastic scraper 20 is provided on the inner wall of the drainage cavity 102. In this embodiment, four elastic scrapers 20 are preferably used, which are evenly and equidistantly distributed along the circumference of the inner wall of the drainage cavity 102. The elastic scraper 20 includes an L-shaped support body 201, which is perpendicular to the air intake direction and fixed to the inner wall of the drainage cavity 102 at its root. Metal springs 202 are evenly provided at one end of the support body 201, with each metal spring 202 maintaining a small gap. Preferably, the metal springs 202 are inclined at an angle of 30-45° to the air intake direction of the main air intake duct 103. This inclined arrangement can more effectively guide the airflow to impact the back of the scraper and generate stronger vibrations.

[0021] Specifically, the metal spring 202 is preferably made of high-strength stainless steel or phosphor bronze, with a thickness preferably of 0.1-0.2 mm. This thickness range ensures that the scraper has sufficient flexibility to generate effective vibration (flutter) under the action of airflow, while also possessing the necessary structural strength to resist fatigue. A static gap of 0.5-1 mm is maintained between its free end and the inner wall of the drainage cavity 102. This gap is crucial to ensure that the scraper can vibrate freely and generate an effective scraping action: if the gap is too small, it may jam; if it is too large, the scraping effect will be weakened. When negative pressure and airflow pulsation are generated in the drainage cavity 102, the elastic scraper 20 will undergo high-frequency flutter, and its free end will periodically scrape the inner wall of the drainage cavity 102, removing sediment such as mud and oil adhering there. The scraped-off impurities are drawn into the outlet of the intake pipe body 10 under negative pressure and enter the downstream air filter for filtration with the main airflow. This process achieves real-time, active self-cleaning of the drainage channel, reducing the risk of blockage.

[0022] An adaptive sealing valve plate 30 is provided above the drain outlet 101. The core of this valve plate includes a conical head 301, an annular lip 302, and an annular flange 303. The conical head 301 is fixed to the inner wall of the air inlet pipe body 10, with its cone angle pointing upwards. The angle is preferably 30-45°. This angle design can quickly guide water to the position of the annular lip 302 below it, so that the valve plate can be easily opened under the water pressure of the accumulated water, resulting in low drainage resistance. The annular lip 302 surrounds the bottom edge of the conical head 301, and its thickness is preferably 1-1.5mm, which has good elastic deformation ability. The annular flange 303 is close to the upper surface of the annular lip 302, and its outer ring surface is fixed to the inner wall of the air inlet pipe body. When the weight of the water on the annular flange 303 is greater than its own elastic force, the annular flange 303 can be pushed downwards, thereby realizing quantitative automatic drainage. The annular lip 302 is preferably made of modified silicone material with a temperature resistance of over 150°C to withstand the high temperature environment of the engine compartment and has excellent anti-aging and anti-oil properties.

[0023] The working principle of the water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure designed in this invention is as follows: During the sealing stage (engine running, no water accumulation): The negative pressure generated by the drainage chamber 102 acts on the annular flange 303, adsorbing the entire annular flange 303 inward (i.e., towards the inside of the intake pipe), causing it to undergo slight elastic deformation and tightly pressing it against the lower surface of the annular flange 303; this dual action of negative pressure adsorption and lip elastic deformation provides a sealing clamping force far greater than that of traditional rubber valves relying solely on their own elasticity, and can adaptively compensate for minor vibrations and manufacturing tolerances, resulting in an extremely reliable seal and effectively preventing dust from being drawn back in.

[0024] Drainage and self-cleaning stage (with water accumulation): When liquid accumulates at the bottom of the air intake pipe body 10, the liquid flows to the drain port 101. Under the guidance of the conical head 301, the liquid is evenly dispersed in the space on the upper surface of the annular flange 303 below. When the weight of the water is greater than the elastic force of the annular flange 303, it can easily push the annular flange 303 open. At the same time, the negative pressure of the drainage chamber 102 acts like a straw to actively draw in the liquid, forming a coordinated and efficient drainage mode of pushing open and drawing in. During this process, the elastic scraper 20 continuously vibrates and scrapes to keep the channel unobstructed, ensuring that the liquid and impurities contained therein are quickly discharged, and preventing new deposits from accumulating in the valve sealing area and causing jamming.

[0025] The intake pipe structure of this invention, through the synergistic innovative design of the drainage chamber 102, the elastic scraper 20, and the adaptive sealing valve plate 30, constitutes an intelligent, efficient, and self-maintaining drainage and sealing system. It fully utilizes the engine's own intake energy and achieves anti-clogging, sealing, and maintenance-free performance that traditional solutions cannot match with the simplest mechanical structure, making it particularly suitable for the reliable operation of heavy-duty trucks in harsh environments.

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of the present invention, all of which are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure, characterized in that, include: The air intake pipe body (10) has a drain outlet (101) at its bottom. The drainage chamber (102) is located inside the drain outlet (101) and communicates with the main air intake channel (103) of the air intake pipe body (10) to generate negative pressure at the inlet of the drainage chamber (102) by utilizing the intake airflow. At least one elastic scraper (20) is disposed on the inner wall of the drainage cavity (102), the free end of which maintains a gap with the inner wall of the drainage cavity (102) in a non-vibration state, and can contact the inner wall when vibrating; the elastic scraper (20) is used to generate vibration under negative pressure or airflow to scrape off the deposits on the inner wall of the drainage cavity (102); An adaptive sealing valve plate (30) is disposed above the drain port (101) to seal the drain port (101) when there is no liquid and to open the drain when there is liquid.

2. The water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of elastic scrapers (20) is four, and they are evenly arranged on the inner wall of the drainage cavity (102) around the circumference.

3. The water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic scraper (20) includes a support (201) fixed to the inner wall of the drainage cavity (102) and a plurality of metal springs (202) uniformly fixed on the support (201).

4. The water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elastic scraper (20) is inclined at an angle of 30-45° to the air intake direction of the air intake pipe body (10).

5. The water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The thickness of the metal spring (202) is 0.1-0.2 mm, and the gap between its free end and the inner wall of the drainage cavity (102) is 0.5-1 mm.

6. The water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adaptive sealing valve plate (30) includes a conical head (301) fixed above the drain outlet (101), an annular lip (302) surrounding the bottom of the conical head (301), and an annular flange (303) fitting the top surface of the annular lip (302).

7. A water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The adaptive sealing valve plate (30) is made of high-temperature resistant silicone, which can fit tightly against the outer edge of the annular flange (303) under the negative pressure of the drainage cavity (102).

8. A water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cone angle of the cone head (301) is 30-45°, and the thickness of the annular lip (302) is 1-1.5mm.

9. A water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet of the drainage cavity (102) is provided with a tapering section to accelerate the airflow and enhance the negative pressure.

10. A water-proof automotive air intake pipe structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top end of the intake pipe body (10) is connected to the bottom end of the high-position intake pipe through a corrugated pipe (40).

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