Air intake device

Abstract

Air intake device (100) with: an air intake device main body (80) with a plurality of parts (81, 82, 83) which are connected to each other along a predetermined parting plane in a state in which an expansion tank (10) and an air intake opening (20) provided between the expansion tank (10) and a cylinder head (111) of an internal combustion engine (110) are divided by the parting plane; and an external gas passage (50) formed within the air intake device main body (80) by connecting the plurality of parts (81, 82, 83) together and comprising an external gas intake opening (51) that receives external gas directly from the cylinder head (111) and an external gas inlet opening (52) that introduces the external gas into the expansion tank (10), in which the air intake opening (20) has a plurality of air intake pipes (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) which are connected accordingly to cylinders of the internal combustion engine (110), and the external gas intake opening (51) is arranged between outlets of the adjacent air intake pipes (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air intake device, and more precisely to an air intake device with an air intake device main body comprising a plurality of parts connected to each other along a division plane. background

[0002] In general, an air intake device is known with an air intake device main body comprising a plurality of parts connected to one another along a parting plane. Such an air intake device is disclosed, for example, in JP 3 964 690 B2.

[0003] JP 3 964 690 B2 discloses a manifold (air intake device) for a four-cylinder engine in which blow-through gas (external gas) is introduced into air intake pipes (air intake openings). In this manifold, disclosed in JP 3 964 690 B2, a manifold main body (air intake device main body) with four air intake pipes is formed by vibration welding a first component and a second component (a plurality of parts), each having a semi-structure. In addition to forming the manifold main body, a distribution passage is formed that introduces the blow-through gas into the air intake pipes. The distribution passage for introducing the blow-through gas projects outwards from the outer wall surface of the manifold main body. A blow-through gas pipe extending from a cylinder head of the engine is connected to a connector (external gas intake opening) of the distribution passage.

[0004] DE 10 2004 060 189 A1 discloses an air intake system of a vehicle in which a cylinder head cover is connected to a PCV nozzle via a PCV hose.

[0005] JP 2011 - 169 258 A discloses a mounting structure for a PCV valve with a gas passage for blow-by gas. Summary of the invention; Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, in the manifold disclosed in JP 3 964 690 B2, the distribution passage for introducing the exhaust gas, with its connector, projects outwards from (above) the outer surface of the manifold body. This results in an increased overall size of the manifold (air intake device). Furthermore, it is necessary to connect the engine cylinder head and the distribution passage for introducing the exhaust gas via the connector using the exhaust gas pipe as a separate component. This also increases the number of components comprising the manifold (air intake device).

[0007] The present invention has been proposed to solve the aforementioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air intake device which is able to be reduced in size while significantly reducing or preventing an increase in the number of components. Means of solving the problems

[0008] To achieve the aforementioned object, an air intake device according to one aspect of the present invention has the features according to claim 1.

[0009] The air intake device according to this aspect of the present invention has an external gas passage formed within the main body of the air intake device by connecting multiple parts. Thus, the external gas passage does not protrude from the outer surface of the main body of the air intake device, and therefore it is possible to significantly reduce or prevent an increase in the size of the main body of the air intake device. Furthermore, the external gas passage includes an external gas intake opening that directly receives the external gas from the cylinder head, eliminating the need for a hose component (connecting component) connecting the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine to the external gas passage. Therefore, the number of components comprising the air intake device can be reduced.Consequently, the air intake device can be reduced in size while significantly reducing or preventing an increase in the number of components.

[0010] Furthermore, in the aforementioned air intake device, the external gas passage is enclosed (integrated) within the main body of the air intake device(s), and therefore the direct influence of outside air (air circulating in the engine compartment of a vehicle on which the internal combustion engine is mounted) on the external gas flowing through the external gas passage is significantly reduced or prevented. Therefore, even when the internal combustion engine is operated under conditions of low outside air temperature (below freezing), cooling of the warm external gas from the engine in the external gas passage by heat absorbed from the cylinder head and the heat-retaining properties of the external gas passage itself is significantly reduced or prevented. That is, it is possible to prevent condensation and freezing of moisture in the exhaust gas recirculated to the internal combustion engine and the exhaust gas flowing through the intake.: “blow-by gas”, unburned air-fuel mixture) is contained for ventilating a crankcase, to significantly reduce or prevent cooling in the external gas passage.

[0011] In the aforementioned air intake device according to this aspect, the majority of parts preferably have openings that open in the predetermined division plane, and the external gas passage is preferably formed by connecting the majority of parts to each other in such a way that the openings therein are connected to each other.

[0012] According to this structure, when the majority of parts are connected, the openings of the respective parts that open in the plane of division are connected, so that the continuous external gas passage extending from the external gas intake port to the external gas supply port can be formed within the main body of the air intake device. In other words, it is not necessary to incorporate a component specifically designed for forming the external gas passage within the main body of the air intake device, and therefore it is possible to significantly reduce or prevent an increase in the number of components that make up the main body of the air intake device.

[0013] In the aforementioned air intake device according to this aspect, the external gas passage preferably further comprises a chamber which is provided between the external gas intake opening and the external gas injection opening and has a passage cross-sectional area larger than that of the external gas intake opening and the external gas injection opening.

[0014] According to this design, the flow velocity of the external gas drawn in through the external gas intake port can be reduced within the chamber and adjusted to a desired flow velocity. Therefore, the external gas can be introduced into the expansion tank from the external gas inlet port at the optimal flow velocity, allowing the intake air and the external gas to mix optimally within the expansion tank.

[0015] In the aforementioned air intake device, according to this aspect, the air intake opening has a plurality of air intake pipes which are connected accordingly to cylinders of the internal combustion engine, and the external gas inlet opening is arranged between the adjacent air intake pipes.

[0016] According to this design, the external gas passage, which includes the external gas inlet opening, can be efficiently arranged within the main body of the air intake device, effectively utilizing the empty space between adjacent air intake tubes. Therefore, a reduction in the size of the main body of the air intake device can be easily achieved.

[0017] In this case, one end of the expansion tank is preferably connected to a throttle valve on one side in an arrangement direction of the majority of air intake pipes, and the external gas inlet opening is preferably arranged between the adjacent air intake pipes on one side closer to the throttle valve.

[0018] According to this design, the external gas can be rapidly mixed with the intake air by effectively utilizing airflow immediately after the airflow passes through the throttle valve into the expansion tank. Therefore, the intake air (mixed air of fresh air and the external gas), which has been sufficiently mixed with the external gas in the expansion tank, can be easily distributed to the majority of air intake pipes.

[0019] In the aforementioned air intake device according to this aspect, the air intake opening preferably has a plurality of air intake pipes which are connected accordingly to cylinders of the internal combustion engine, and the external gas intake opening is preferably facing the cylinder head and is preferably arranged between outlets of the adjacent air intake pipes.

[0020] According to this design, the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine and the external gas intake port of the external gas passage can be easily connected by simply linking the air intake device main body to the cylinder head. Furthermore, the external gas intake port can be efficiently positioned within the air intake device main body by effectively utilizing the empty space between the adjacent air intake pipes. Therefore, a reduction in the size of the air intake device main body can be easily achieved.

[0021] In the aforementioned air intake device, the external gas is preferably the gas blowing through it. According to this design, it is possible to significantly reduce or prevent condensation or freezing of moisture contained in the blowing gas due to cooling in the external gas passage.

[0022] In the aforementioned air intake device, the air intake opening preferably has an arcuate shape that is convex in the direction away from the internal combustion engine, and the external gas passage is preferably located on a concave side of the arcuate air intake opening and between the air intake opening and the expansion tank. According to this design, the external gas passage can be enclosed (surrounded) using the space between the air intake opening and the internal combustion engine, and therefore the main body of the air intake device can be reduced in size. Furthermore, the reduction in the size of the main body of the air intake device improves its fitability in an automobile engine compartment.

[0023] In the aforementioned air intake device, in which the external gas passage further comprises the chamber, the external gas inlet opening is preferably located below the chamber and connected to an upper inner surface of the expansion tank when the main body of the air intake device is mounted on the cylinder head. According to this design, the external gas can be introduced into the expansion tank from the upper inner surface, where the airflow stagnates due to a deviation from the main intake air flow, thus allowing the intake air and the external gas to mix homogeneously. Furthermore, the external gas inlet opening is located below the chamber, preventing the accumulation of a large amount of moisture contained in the external gas within the passage (chamber) as it flows through it.

[0024] In the aforementioned air intake device, where the external gas inlet is located between adjacent air intake pipes on the side closer to the throttle valve, the external gas intake opening preferably faces the cylinder head and is preferably located between the outlets of the adjacent air intake pipes on one side closer to the throttle valve. According to this design, not only the external gas inlet but also the external gas intake opening is located between the outlets of the adjacent air intake pipes on the side closer to the throttle valve, and therefore the path length of the external gas passage can be minimized. Brief description of the drawings [ Fig. 1] A diagram schematically showing the arrangement of an engine and an air intake device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 2] A perspective view of the air intake device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 3] An exploded perspective view of the air intake device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 4] An enlarged sectional view of a blow-through gas passage in the air intake device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 5] A front view of a middle part representing the air intake device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 6] A rear view of the middle part, which represents the air intake device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 7] An exploded perspective view of an air intake device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 8] An enlarged sectional view of a blow-through gas passage in the air intake device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Methods for carrying out the invention

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention are described below on the basis of the drawings. [First embodiment]

[0026] The structure of an air intake device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is now described in relation to Fig. 1 to 6 described.

[0027] The air intake device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an inline four-cylinder engine 110, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows the air intake device 100, which partially represents an air intake system that supplies air to the engine 110. The air intake device 100 has a main air intake body 80 with a reservoir 10 and an air intake opening 20 located downstream of the reservoir 10. Intake air (incoming air) flows into the air intake device 100 and enters an air inlet 12 (see Figure 1). Fig. 2) via an air cleaner (air filter) 120 and a throttle valve 130, into the expansion tank 10. Then the intake air from the expansion tank 10 is introduced via the air intake opening 20 into a cylinder head 111 of the engine 110.

[0028] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the main body of the air intake device 80 is made of resin (for example, polyamide resin). In particular, as shown in Figure 2, the main body is made of resin (for example, polyamide resin). Fig. As shown in Figure 3, an upper part 81, a middle part 82, a lower part 83, and an EGR gas part 84 are integrally connected to one another by vibration welding. Thus, the expansion tank 10 and the air intake opening 20 are formed. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the air intake opening 20 is curved with an arc-shaped form that is convex in an arrow-Y2 direction away from the engine 110 (see Figure 3). Fig. 4).

[0029] The upper part 81 represents the outer circumferential side of the curved air intake opening 20 and the inner circumferential side of an EGR gas passage 40, which will be described later. The middle part 82 represents the inner circumferential side of the curved air intake opening 20 and the upper half of the expansion tank 10. The lower part 83 represents the lower half of the expansion tank 10 and a distribution passage section to the air intake opening 20. Therefore, in a state where the expansion tank 10 and the air intake opening 20 are located between the expansion tank 10 and the cylinder head 111 (see Figure 1), the following applies: Fig. 4) is provided to be divided in advance by a predetermined dividing plane (a contact surface A, which will be described later), the air intake device main body 80 is formed by connecting the expansion tank 10 and the air intake opening 20 to each other along this contact surface A.

[0030] The expansion tank 10 has a hollow body 11 which extends along a row of cylinders (X-axis direction) of the engine 110 (see Fig. 1) extends to the upstream ends of air intake pipes 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d, which are connected accordingly to cylinders of the cylinder head 111 (see Fig. 1) are connected to a bottom section of the body 11. The air intake opening 20 has the air intake pipes 20a to 20d. The air intake pipes 20a to 20d have outlets 21a to 21d. In the main air intake device body 80, one end 13 of the air inlet 12 is connected on one side (X1 side) in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the air intake pipes 20a to 20d in the expansion tank 10 with the throttle valve 130 (see Fig. 1) connected.

[0031] According to the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the air intake device 100 has a blow-through gas passage 50 (an example of an external gas passage). That is, blow-through gas (PCV gas) as an external gas is returned to the engine 110 through the air intake device 100. The blow-through gas refers to an unburned air-fuel mixture containing hydrocarbons (combustion gas) which, during engine operation, is blown out of gaps between the inner wall surfaces of cylinders 2 and pistons 1 into a crankcase 3 located below the cylinders 2. In the engine 110, after the blowing gas from the crankcase 3 is released to the outside, the blowing gas is introduced into the air intake device 100 (expansion tank 10) via a PCV valve 5, which is charged into the cylinder head 111 in a state in which oil mist consisting of particles has been separated by an oil separator 4. (Structure of the blow-through gas passage)

[0032] The blow-through gas passage 50 is not a hose component or the like as a separate part, but is integrally formed with the main air intake device body 80. Furthermore, the blow-through gas passage 50 is designed as a passage (pipeline) that connects the crankcase 3 of the engine 110 with the expansion tank 10. In particular, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the blow-through gas passage 50 and the air intake pipes 20a to 20d are formed by vibration welding in a state in which a rib-like and circumferential connecting section 81a of the upper part 81 and a rib-like and circumferential connecting section 82a of the middle part 82 face each other. Furthermore, the expansion tank 10 is formed by vibration welding in a state in which a rib-like and circumferential connecting section 82b of the middle part 82 and a rib-like and circumferential connecting section 83a of the lower part 83 face each other. Fig. Figure 4, which shows the sectional structure of the blow-through gas passage 50, corresponds to a cross-section along the line 150-150 in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.

[0033] The inner wall surface 50a of the blow-through gas passage 50 is formed by the contact surface A (an example of a dividing plane) between the connecting section 81a and the connecting section 82a. That is, the upper part 81 alone has an opening 81e (see Fig. 4), which opens in the contact surface A, and the middle part 82 alone has an opening 82e (see Fig. 5), which opens in the contact surface A. Opening 81e and opening 82e have the same cross-sectional shape. The upper part 81 and the middle part 82 are connected to each other in such a way that openings 81e and 82e are in communication with each other. Thus, a blow-through gas passage 50 is formed in the main air intake device body 80 separately from the four air intake pipes 20a to 20d.

[0034] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the blow-through gas passage 50 has a receiving port 51 (an example of an external gas receiving port) that directly receives the blow-through gas from the cylinder head 111, and an inlet port 52 (an example of an external gas inlet port) that introduces the blow-through gas into the expansion tank 10. The inlet port 52 is connected to the upper inner surface 10a of the expansion tank 10. The blow-through gas passage 50 is connected to the cylinder head 111 via the PCV valve 5. The PCV valve 5 is a check valve and has the function of controlling the outlet quantity of the blow-through gas. Furthermore, the PCV valve 5 opens according to the pressure differential when the pressure on the blow-through gas passage 50 side is lower than the pressure on the crankcase 3 side (see Figure 4). Fig. 1) is.

[0035] In particular, a gas passage 7, which extends from the crankcase 3 (see Fig. 1) extends into a cylinder block 112 and the cylinder head 111, and is formed within the cylinder head 111. The PCV valve 5 is inserted into an outlet 7a of the gas passage 7 via a sealing element 8a to a predetermined extent. A sealing element 8b is also inserted into a section of the PCV valve 5 that is exposed by the outlet 7a. When the air intake device main body 80 is attached to the cylinder head 111, the PCV valve 5 is inserted into an end region of the receiving opening 51 in the blow-through gas passage 50 via the sealing element 8b. In this state, an outlet-side end of the air intake opening 20 is secured to the cylinder head 111 by fastening elements (not shown). Thus, the blow-through gas passage 50 is directly connected to the cylinder head 111 via the PCV valve 5.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the blow-through gas passage 50 has a chamber 53 between the intake port 51 and the inlet port 52. The contact surface A is located in the chamber 53. Furthermore, when the air intake device main body 80 is mounted on the cylinder head 111, the inlet port 52 is located below the chamber 53 and connected to the upper inner surface 10a of the expansion tank 10. The cross-sectional area of ​​the chamber 53 is larger than that of the intake port 51 and the inlet port 52. Therefore, the flow rate of the blow-through gas drawn in through the intake port 51 is reduced in the chamber 53, which has a larger cross-sectional area. In this case, the flow velocity is adjusted to a desired value.The blowing gas is introduced into the expansion tank 10 through the inlet opening 52, which opens on the upper inner surface 10a of the expansion tank 10, in a state where the blowing gas has reached an optimal flow velocity. Thus, the intake air and the blowing gas are mixed in the expansion tank 10 in an optimal state.

[0037] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, both the receiving opening 51 and the insertion opening 52 are provided in the central part 82. The receiving opening 51 of the gas passage 7 is located between the outlet 21a of the air intake pipe 20a and the outlet 21b of the air intake pipe 20b (see Figure 6). Fig. 6), which are adjacent to each other, on the side (the X1 side closer to the air intake 12) closer to the throttle valve 130 (see Fig. 1) arranged. In addition, the receiving opening 51 is located on the cylinder head 111 (see Fig. 4) in a state in which the receiving opening 51 is arranged between the outlet 21a and the outlet 21b. The inlet opening 52 to the expansion tank 10 is also arranged between the air intake pipe 20a and the air intake pipe 20b, which are adjacent to each other, on the side closer to the throttle valve 130 (air inlet 12).

[0038] The blow-through gas passage 50 is located on the concave side of the arc-shaped air intake opening 20 (see Fig. 3) and is located between the air intake opening 20 and the expansion tank 10. Therefore, the blow-through gas passage 50 is located in the air intake device main body 80, effectively utilizing a space between a curved inner section of the curved air intake opening 20 and the cylinder block 112 (see Fig. 1) included.

[0039] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, EGR gas, which is a portion of the exhaust gas discharged from cylinders 2 (combustion chambers 6) to the outside, is recirculated to the engine 110 through the air intake device 100. The EGR gas, separated from the exhaust gas, is cooled to a predetermined temperature (approximately 100°C) by an EGR cooler 9 and then introduced into the main body of the air intake device 80. In particular, as shown in Figure 1, the EGR gas is cooled to a predetermined temperature (approximately 100°C) by an EGR cooler 9 and then introduced into the main body of the air intake device 80. Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the air intake device main body 80 includes the EGR gas passage 40, which distributes the EGR gas to each of the air intake pipes 20a to 20d. The inner circumferential side of the EGR gas passage 40 is represented by the upper part 81, and the outer circumferential side thereof is represented by the EGR gas part 84. The EGR gas passage 40 has an EGR gas inlet 41 and an EGR gas distributor 42 (see Figure 3). Fig. 3) The EGR gas distributor 42 is designed in a hierarchically branched tournament shape. An EGR gas inlet (not shown) is provided at the downstream end of the EGR gas distributor 42, which is divided in a tournament shape, and the EGR gas inlet is connected to each of the air intake pipes 20a to 20d. (Effects of the first embodiment)

[0040] According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0041] According to the first embodiment, as described above, the air intake device 100 has a blow-through gas passage 50, which is formed within the main body of the air intake device 80 by connecting the upper part 81 and the middle part 82. Thus, the blow-through gas passage 50 does not project outwards from the outer surface of the main body of the air intake device 80, and therefore it is possible to significantly reduce or prevent an increase in the size of the main body of the air intake device 80. Furthermore, the blow-through gas passage 50 has a receiving opening 51, which directly receives the blow-through gas from the cylinder head 111 of the engine 110, so that a hose component (connecting component) connecting the cylinder head 111 to the blow-through gas passage 50 is not necessary. Thus, the number of components comprising the air intake device 100 can be reduced.Consequently, the air intake device 100, which is smaller, can be obtained while significantly reducing or preventing an increase in the number of components.

[0042] Furthermore, the blow-through gas passage 50 is enclosed (integrated) in the air intake device main body 80, and therefore the direct influence of the outside air (air running in the engine compartment of a vehicle on which the engine 110 is mounted) on the blow-through gas flowing through the blow-through gas passage 50 is significantly reduced or prevented. Therefore, even if the engine 110 is operated under conditions of low outside air temperature (below freezing), the cooling of the warm blow-through gas from the crankcase 3 in the blow-through gas passage 50 by heat absorbed by the cylinder head 111 is significantly reduced or prevented, thus significantly reducing or preventing the heat retention properties of the blow-through gas passage 50 itself., it is possible to significantly reduce or prevent condensation and freezing of moisture contained in the blowing gas for ventilating the crankcase 3 due to cooling in the blowing gas passage 50.

[0043] According to this first embodiment, the opening 81e, which opens in the contact surface A, is provided in the upper part 81, and the opening 82e, which opens in the contact surface A, is provided in the middle part 82. Furthermore, the blow-through gas passage 50 is formed by connecting the upper part 81 and the middle part 82 to each other in such a way that the openings 81e and 82e are interconnected. Thus, when the upper part 81 and the middle part 82 are connected, the openings 81e and 82e, which open in the contact surface A, are connected to each other in such a way that the continuous blow-through gas passage 50, which extends from the receiving opening 51 to the insertion opening 52, can be formed within the main body 80 of the air intake device.In other words, it is not necessary to install a specially designed component for forming the blow-through gas passage 50 in the air intake device main body 80, and therefore it is possible to significantly reduce or prevent an increase in the number of components that constitute the air intake device main body 80.

[0044] According to the first embodiment, the blow-through gas passage 50 has a chamber 53, which is provided between the receiving opening 51 and the injection opening 52 and has a passage cross-sectional area larger than that of the receiving opening 51 and the injection opening 52. Thus, the flow velocity of the blow-through gas, which is drawn in through the receiving opening 51, can be reduced in the chamber 53 and adjusted to a desired flow velocity. Therefore, the blow-through gas can be introduced into the expansion tank 10 from the injection opening 52 at the optimal flow velocity, and therefore the intake air and the blow-through gas can be mixed in the expansion tank 10 in the optimal state.

[0045] According to the first embodiment, the inlet opening 52 is arranged between the air intake pipes 20a and 20b. Thus, the blow-through gas passage 50, which has the inlet opening 52, can be efficiently arranged in the main body of the air intake device 80, effectively utilizing the empty space between the air intake pipes 20a and 20b. Therefore, a reduction in the size of the main body of the air intake device 80 can be easily achieved.

[0046] According to the first embodiment, the inlet opening 52 is located between the air intake pipes 20a and 20b on the side closer to the throttle valve 130. Thus, the blowing gas can be quickly mixed with the intake air by effectively utilizing airflow immediately after the airflow passes through the throttle valve 130 into the expansion tank 10. Therefore, the intake air (mixed air of fresh air and the blowing gas), which has been sufficiently mixed with the blowing gas in the expansion tank 10, can be easily distributed to a plurality of air intake pipes 20a to 20d.

[0047] According to the first embodiment, the receiving opening 51 faces the cylinder head 111 and is arranged between the outlets 21a and 21b of the adjacent air intake pipes 20a and 20b. Thus, the cylinder head 111 and the receiving opening 51 of the blow-through gas passage 50 can be easily connected by simply connecting the main body of the air intake device 80 to the cylinder head 111 of the engine 110. Furthermore, the receiving opening 51 can be efficiently arranged within the main body of the air intake device 80, effectively utilizing the empty space between the air intake pipes 20a and 20b. Therefore, a reduction in the size of the main body of the air intake device 80 can be easily achieved.

[0048] According to the first embodiment, the blow-through gas passage 50 is located on the concave side of the arc-shaped air intake opening 20 and between the air intake opening 20 and the expansion tank 10. Thus, the blow-through gas passage 50 can be enclosed, effectively utilizing the space between the air intake opening 20 and the engine 110, and therefore the air intake device main body 80 can be reduced in size. Furthermore, the reduced size of the air intake device main body 80 improves its installability in an automobile engine compartment.

[0049] According to the first embodiment, when the main body of the air intake device 80 is mounted on the cylinder head 111, the inlet opening 52 of the blow-through gas passage 50 is located below the chamber 53 and connected to the upper inner surface 10a of the expansion tank 10. This allows the blow-through gas to be introduced into the expansion tank 10 from the upper inner surface 10a, where an airflow stagnates due to a deviation from the main intake air flow. Consequently, the intake air and the blow-through gas can be homogeneously mixed. Furthermore, the inlet opening 52 is located below the chamber 53, thus preventing the accumulation of a large amount of moisture (condensed water) contained in the blow-through gas passage 50.

[0050] According to the first embodiment, the receiving opening 51 faces the cylinder head 111 and is located between the outlets 21a and 21b of the adjacent air intake pipes 20a and 20b on the side closer to the throttle valve 130. Thus, not only the inlet opening 52 but also the receiving opening 51 is located between the outlets 21a and 21b of the adjacent air intake pipes 20a and 20b on the side closer to the throttle valve 130, and therefore the path length of the blow-through gas passage 50 can be minimized. [Second embodiment]

[0051] A second embodiment is now described in relation to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 described. In the second embodiment, an example is described in which a blow-through gas passage 250 (an example of an external gas passage) is represented by three components: an upper part 281, a middle part 282 and a lower part 283.

[0052] An air intake device 200 according to the second embodiment is mounted on an inline four-cylinder engine 110. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the air intake device 200 has a main air intake device body 280 formed by connecting the upper part 281, the middle part 282, the lower part 283 and an EGR gas part 284 to each other by vibration welding. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, vibration welding is carried out in a state in which a connection section 281a of the upper part 281 and a connection section 282a of the middle part 282 face each other, and a connection section 282b of the middle part 282 and a connection section 283a of the lower part 283 face each other. Thus, the blow-through gas passage 250 and air intake pipes 220a to 220d are formed.

[0053] The inner wall surface 250a of the blow-through gas passage 250 is formed by a contact surface A between the connecting section 281a and the connecting section 282a and a contact surface B (an example of a dividing plane) between the connecting section 282b and the connecting section 283a. The upper part 281 alone has an opening 281e (see Fig. 8) opening in the contact surface A, and the middle part 282 alone has an opening 282e opening in the contact surface A, and an opening 282f (see Fig. 8), which opens in the contact surface B. The lower part 283 alone has an opening 283e (see Fig.8) which opens in the contact surface B. Openings 281e and 282e have the same cross-sectional shape, and openings 282f and 283e have the same cross-sectional shape. The upper part 281 and the middle part 282 are connected to each other circumferentially such that openings 281e and 282e are connected to each other, and the middle part 282 and the lower part 283 are connected to each other circumferentially such that openings 282f and 283e are connected to each other. Thus, a blow-through gas passage 250 is formed in the main air intake device body 280 separately from the air intake pipes 220a to 220d.

[0054] The blow-through gas passage 250 has a receiving opening 251 (an example of an external gas receiving opening) that directly receives blow-through gas from a cylinder head 111, and an inlet opening 252 (an example of an external gas inlet opening) that introduces the blow-through gas into an expansion tank 210. A chamber 253 is also provided between the receiving opening 251 and the inlet opening 252. In a state where the air intake device main body 280 is mounted on the cylinder head 111, the inlet opening 252 is located below the chamber 253 and is connected to the upper inner surface 210a of the expansion tank 210. The cross-sectional area of ​​the chamber 253 is larger than that of the receiving opening 251 and the inlet opening 252.Therefore, the blowing gas flows from the receiving opening 251 to the chamber 253, is guided to the inlet opening 252 while being reversed in the chamber 253, and is introduced into the expansion tank 210.

[0055] The blow-through gas passage 250 bridges the outlet side of an air intake opening 220 and the expansion tank 210 within the curvature of the air intake opening 220. Therefore, the air intake opening 220, which extends upwards in an arc from a bottom section of the expansion tank 210, is also connected by the blow-through gas passage 250, and the rigidity of the main body 280 of the air intake device, which is made of resin, is improved. The remaining structures of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment described above. (Effects of the second embodiment)

[0056] According to the second embodiment, as described above, the air intake device 200 has the blow-through gas passage 250, which is formed within the main body of the air intake device 280 by connecting the upper part 281, the middle part 282, and the lower part 283. Thus, the blow-through gas passage 250 does not project outwards from the main body of the air intake device 280, and therefore it is possible to significantly reduce or prevent an increase in the size of the main body of the air intake device 280. Furthermore, the receiving opening 251, which directly receives the blowing gas from the cylinder head 111 of the engine 110, is provided in the blowing gas passage 250, so that a hose component (connecting component) that connects the cylinder head 111 to the blowing gas passage 250 is not necessary, and therefore the number of components that constitute the air intake device 200 can be reduced.Consequently, the air intake device 200, which is smaller, can be obtained while significantly reducing or preventing an increase in the number of components.

[0057] According to the second embodiment, the opening 281e, which opens in the contact surface A, is provided in the upper part 281, and the opening 282e, which opens in the contact surface A, is provided in the middle part 282. Furthermore, the opening 282f, which opens in the contact surface B, is provided in the middle part 282, and the opening 283e, which opens in the contact surface B, is provided in the lower part 283. In addition, the blow-through gas passage 250 is formed by connecting the upper part 281 and the middle part 282 to each other in such a way that the openings 281e and 282e are connected to each other, and by connecting the middle part 282 and the lower part 283 to each other in such a way that the openings 282f and 283e are connected to each other.Thus, the openings 281e and 282e, which open in the contact surface A, are connected to each other, and the openings 282f and 283e, which open in the contact surface B, are connected to each other, so that the continuous blow-through gas passage 250, which extends from the receiving opening 251 to the insertion opening 252, can easily be formed within the main body 280 of the air intake device. The remaining effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment mentioned above. [Modified examples]

[0058] The embodiments disclosed here must be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the present invention is not defined by the above description of the embodiments, but rather by the scope of the claims, and all modifications (modified examples) within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims are further included.

[0059] For example, while the blow-through gas passage 50 in the aforementioned first embodiment is formed by connecting the upper part 81 and the middle part 82 to one another, and the blow-through gas passage 250 in the aforementioned second embodiment is formed by connecting the upper part 281, the middle part 282, and the lower part 283 to one another, the present invention is not limited to this. The blow-through gas passage 50 can be formed within the main body of the air intake device by connecting four or more sub-components to one another.

[0060] While the blow-through gas passage 50 (250) is provided in each of the aforementioned first and second embodiments between the adjacent air intake pipes 20a (220a) and 20b (220b), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the blow-through gas passage 50 (250) can be provided along the air intake pipe 20a as close as possible to the throttle valve 130.

[0061] While in each of the aforementioned first and second embodiments the chamber 53 (253), which has a larger cross-sectional area, is provided between the receiving opening 51 (251) and the insertion opening 52 (252), the present invention is not limited to this. The blow-through gas passage 50 can be designed without providing the chamber 53.

[0062] While in each of the aforementioned first and second embodiments the blow-through gas is introduced into the expansion tank 10 (210) via the blow-through gas passage 50 (250), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, EGR gas (exhaust gas recirculation gas) can be introduced as the external gas into the expansion tank 10 (210) via the external gas passage enclosed in the air intake device main body 80 (280) according to the present invention.

[0063] While each of the aforementioned first and second embodiments has shown an example in which no valve is provided in the air intake opening 20 (220) such that the length of the air intake opening 20 (220) (air intake path length) is made variable, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an air intake device with air intake pipes (air intake opening) that are provided with a valve that switches the air intake path length.

[0064] While the present invention, in each of the aforementioned first and second embodiments, is applied to the air intake device 100 (200) mounted on the inline four-cylinder engine 110, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the air intake device according to the present invention can be applied to a multi-cylinder engine, a V-type multi-cylinder engine, or the like, in addition to the inline four-cylinder engine. Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to an air intake device of an internal combustion engine (a motor), which, for example, is mounted on a device other than that for an automobile. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine can be a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, a gas engine, or the like. Description of reference symbols 10, 210 expansion tank 10a, 210a upper inner surface 20, 220 Air intake opening 20a to 20d, 220a to 220d air intake pipe 21a, 21b Exit 50, 250 Blow-through gas passage (external gas passage) 51, 251 Intake opening (external gas intake opening) 52, 252 Inlet opening (external gas inlet opening) 53, 253 Chamber 80, 280 Air intake device main body 81, 281 upper part (part) 81e, 82e, 281e, 282e, 282f, 283e Opening 82, 282 middle part (part) 83, 283 lower part (part) 100, 200 air intake device 110 Engine (internal combustion engine) 111 Cylinder head 130 Throttle valve

Claims

[1] Air intake device (100) with: an air intake device main body (80) with a plurality of parts (81, 82, 83) which are connected to each other along a predetermined parting plane in a state in which an expansion tank (10) and an air intake opening (20) provided between the expansion tank (10) and a cylinder head (111) of an internal combustion engine (110) are divided by the parting plane; and an external gas passage (50) formed within the air intake device main body (80) by connecting the plurality of parts (81, 82, 83) together and comprising an external gas intake opening (51) that receives external gas directly from the cylinder head (111) and an external gas inlet opening (52) that introduces the external gas into the expansion tank (10), in which the air intake opening (20) has a plurality of air intake pipes (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) which are connected accordingly to cylinders of the internal combustion engine (110), and the external gas intake opening (51) is arranged between outlets of the adjacent air intake pipes (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d). [2] Air intake device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the majority of parts (81, 82, 83) accordingly have openings that open in the predetermined division plane, and The external gas passage (50) is formed by connecting the majority of parts (81, 82, 83) together in such a way that the openings of these parts are connected to each other. [3] Air intake device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the external gas passage (50) further comprises a chamber (53) which is provided between the external gas intake opening (51) and the external gas supply opening (52) and has a passage cross-sectional area larger than that of the external gas intake opening (51) and the external gas supply opening (52). [4] Air intake device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air intake opening (20) has a plurality of air intake pipes (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) which are connected accordingly to cylinders of the internal combustion engine (110), and the external gas inlet opening (52) is arranged between the adjacent air intake pipes (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d). [5] Air intake device (100) according to claim 4, wherein one end of the expansion tank (10) is connected on one side in an arrangement direction to the majority of air intake pipes (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) with a throttle valve (130), and the external gas inlet opening (52) is located between the adjacent air intake pipes (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) on one side closer to the throttle valve. [6] Air intake device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the external gas intake opening (51) faces the cylinder head (111). [7] Air intake device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the external gas is blowing gas. [8] Air intake device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the air intake opening (20) has an arc-shaped form that is convex in a direction away from the internal combustion engine (110), and the external gas passage (50) is located on a concave side of the arc-shaped air intake opening (20) and between the air intake opening (20) and the expansion tank (10). [9] Air intake device (100) according to claim 3, wherein in a state in which the air intake device main body (80) is mounted on the cylinder head (111), the external gas inlet opening (52) is arranged below the chamber and is connected to an upper inner surface (10a) of the expansion tank (10). [10] Air intake device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the external gas intake opening (51) faces the cylinder head (111) and is arranged between outlets of the adjacent air intake pipes (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) on one side closer to the throttle valve (130).

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