Intake manifold

Abstract

To suppress inflow of moisture, which is contained in a blow-by gas, to a tumble control valve.SOLUTION: An intake manifold 1 of an internal combustion engine comprises an intake pipe 10 and a blow-by gas passage 20. The intake pipe 10 includes an intake introduction part 11, a plurality of branch pipes 12 and a mounting part 13. The blow-by gas passage 20 includes: a blow-by gas lead-in part 23 through which a blow-by gas is led in; blow-by gas lead-out parts 22 and 22a which are provided closer to the intake lead-in part 11 side in a plane direction than an apex part 15 at the highest position in the vehicle height direction in the branch pipes in a state where the internal combustion engine is loaded on a vehicle, and lead out the blow-by gas into the branch pipes; and a blow-by gas channel part 21 and communication passage parts 24 and 24a which are provided at different positions in the plane direction from the apex part and the blow-by gas lead-out parts 22 and 22a and in which the blow-by gas can be circulated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an intake manifold.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a blow-by gas reduction device is known that guides the gas blowing out from the gap between the cylinder and the piston of an internal combustion engine (engine) mounted on a vehicle back to the engine through the intake manifold for re-combustion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in an engine equipped with a blow-by gas reduction device, if the moisture contained in the blow-by gas aggregates and reaches the airflow control valve between the intake manifold and the engine cylinder and freezes, the valve part of the airflow control valve may become stuck. In particular, a tumble control valve (TCV) whose valve part is arc-shaped and swings like a swing by a rotating shaft to open and close has a large area of the valve part facing the inner surface of the intake pipe of the intake manifold, and the valve part is likely to freeze and stick to the opening. For this reason, in an engine having a blow-by gas reduction device, there has been a demand to remove moisture from the inside of the intake pipe of the intake manifold.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an intake manifold capable of suppressing the moisture contained in the blow-by gas from flowing into the airflow control valve.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the intake manifold according to the present invention includes an intake pipe communicating with a plurality of cylinders in an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle, and a blow-by gas passage for guiding blow-by gas generated inside the crankcase of the internal combustion engine to the intake pipe. The intake pipe has an intake passage therein, an intake introduction portion into which intake air is introduced, a plurality of branch pipes provided on the downstream side of the intake introduction portion for distributing the intake air and supplying it to each of the plurality of cylinders, an attachment portion provided on the downstream side of the branch pipes and attached to the main body side of the internal combustion engine for connecting the intake passage to each cylinder, and a valve provided in the branch pipe near the attachment portion. The blow-by gas passage includes a blow-by gas introduction portion into which the blow-by gas is introduced, a blow-by gas outlet portion provided on the intake introduction portion side in the plane direction rather than at the apex portion which is the highest position in the vehicle height direction of the branch pipe in a state where the internal combustion engine is mounted on the vehicle, a blow-by gas flow path portion provided between the blow-by gas introduction portion and the blow-by gas outlet portion and connected to the blow-by gas introduction portion, and a communication passage portion branched from the blow-by gas flow path portion, extending to the branch pipe, and connected to the branch pipe at the position of the blow-by gas outlet portion.

[0007] In the intake manifold according to one aspect of the present invention, the blow-by gas flow path portion extends substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of branch pipes, is provided at a position higher than the blow-by gas outlet portion in the vehicle height direction, and is provided on the attachment portion side in the plane direction rather than at the apex portion.

[0008] In the intake manifold according to one aspect of the present invention, the communication passage portion is provided below the blow-by gas flow path portion in the vehicle height direction.

[0009] In the intake manifold according to one aspect of the present invention, the valve is configured such that a valve body formed in an arc shape rotates in an arc shape with respect to a rotation axis with a slight clearance between the valve body formed in an arc shape and an inner surface formed in an arc shape within the branch pipe. The valve body formed in an arc shape rotates in an arc shape with respect to the rotation axis with a slight clearance between the valve body formed in an arc shape and the inner surface formed in an arc shape within the branch pipe.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress moisture contained in blow-by gas from flowing into the airflow control valve.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an intake manifold 1 of an internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the intake manifold 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the intake manifold 1.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the intake manifold 1 is applied to an intake manifold of a four-cylinder internal combustion engine (engine) for an automobile, which is an example of a vehicle. The engine is mounted in an engine room, for example, in a horizontally mounted posture in the vehicle width direction (x-axis direction).

[0015] 2 and 3, the mounting surface of the mounting portion 13 of the intake manifold 1 is inclined to match the inclination of the mounting surface on the engine side, and the intake pipe 10 extends upward and then downward from the mounting portion 13, and has a rolled shape when viewed from the cross-sectional direction as shown in Fig. 2. When mounted on the engine, the intake manifold 1 has a blow-by gas passage 20 provided above and in the vicinity of the apex of the intake pipe 10. For the sake of convenience, the left-right direction is the vehicle width direction, the front-rear direction is the traveling direction, and the up-down direction is the vehicle height direction. In the following description, when the positional relationship and direction of each component are described as right side, left side, front side, rear side, upper side, and lower side, these merely indicate the positional relationship and direction in the drawings, and do not limit the positional relationship and direction in the actual intake manifold 1.

[0016] [Outline of the embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, an intake manifold 1 mounted on a vehicle includes an intake pipe 10 communicating with a plurality of cylinders, and a blow-by gas passage 20 that returns blow-by gas generated inside a crankcase of an internal combustion engine from inside the crankcase to the intake pipe 10. The intake pipe 10 includes an intake air introduction section 11, a branch pipe 12, and an attachment section 13. The intake pipe 10 has an intake passage 14 therein, and intake air is introduced into the intake pipe 10. The branch pipes 12 are provided downstream of the intake air introduction section 11 and distribute the intake air and supply it to each of the plurality of cylinders. The attachment section 13 is connected to a cylinder head of the engine, and the intake passages 14 in each branch pipe 12 are connected to each of the plurality of cylinders. The blow-by gas passage 20 includes a blow-by gas flow section 21, blow-by gas discharge sections 22, 22a, and a blow-by gas introduction section 23. The blow-by gas is introduced into the blow-by gas flow section 21 from the blow-by gas introduction section 23. 2 and 3, the blow-by gas discharge portions 22, 22a are provided on the intake air introduction portion 11 side in the planar direction from the apex portion 15, which is the highest position of the branch pipe 12 in the vehicle height direction when the internal combustion engine is mounted on the vehicle, and discharge the blow-by gas to the intake passage 14 in the branch pipe 12. The blow-by gas flow passage portion 21 is a passage that connects the blow-by gas introduction portion 23 and the blow-by gas discharge portions 22, 22a.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the blow-by gas passage portion 21 extends in the arrangement direction of each branch pipe 12, and as shown in FIG. 2, it is provided at a position higher than the blow-by gas discharge portions 22 and 22a in the vehicle height direction.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, in the blow-by gas passage portion 21 extending in the arrangement direction of the branch pipes 12, communication passage portions 24 and 24a are formed so as to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction and between the blow-by gas discharge portions 22 and 22a.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the blow-by gas introduction portion 23 is provided on the mounting portion 13 side in the planar direction rather than the apex portion 15, and the blow-by gas passage portion 21 is arranged on the mounting portion 13 side in the planar direction rather than the apex portion 15.

[0020] The intake pipe 10 includes a tumble control valve 16 as a valve portion capable of opening and closing at least a part of the passage cross-sectional area of the intake passage 14 in the intake passage 14 near the mounting portion 13 of the branch pipe 12 (details will be described later).

[0021] [Configuration of Intake Manifold] Hereinafter, the intake pipe 10 and the blow-by gas passage 20 constituting the intake manifold 1 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described.

[0022] In the intake manifold 1, the intake air flowing through the intake passage 14 inside the intake pipe 10 flows from the intake introduction portion 11 toward the mounting portion 13. Therefore, the flow direction of the intake pipe 10 is the direction from the intake introduction portion 11 as the upstream side toward the downstream mounting portion 13. Further, in the intake manifold 1, the blow-by gas flowing through the gas passage of the blow-by gas passage 20 flows from the blow-by gas introduction portion 23 toward the blow-by gas discharge portions 22 and 22a. Therefore, the flow direction of the blow-by gas passage 20 is the direction from the blow-by gas introduction portion 23 as the upstream side toward the downstream blow-by gas discharge portions 22 and 22a.

[0023] The intake pipe 10 includes, in addition to the above-described intake introduction portion 11, branch pipe 12, and attachment portion 13, a surge tank 17 and the like. The branch pipe 12 is, for example, a tubular member having a space inside that forms an intake passage 14. The intake pipe 10 is composed of, for example, a plurality of resin-molded parts that make up the entire above-described components.

[0024] The intake introduction portion 11 is an opening that communicates the inside and outside of the intake passage 14. The intake introduction portion 11 is connected to a throttle chamber (not shown), an air cleaner, and the like.

[0025] The surge tank 17 is provided on the engine side (downstream side) relative to the intake introduction portion 11 and on the air cleaner side (upstream side) relative to the branch pipe 12. The surge tank 17 causes the intake passage 14 to communicate from one space communicating with the intake introduction portion 11 to a plurality of branch pipes 12 according to the number of cylinders. In the present embodiment, it branches into four branch pipes 12.

[0026] The branch pipe 12 is provided on the downstream side relative to the surge tank 17 and on the upstream side relative to the attachment portion 13. As shown in FIG. 2, each branch pipe 12 extends from below the surge tank 17 and curves so as to surround the surge tank 17 from the retreat direction side, and is connected to the attachment portion 13 located above the surge tank 17.

[0027] The attachment portion 13 is on the downstream side of the branch pipe 12 and is attached to the intake side surface of the cylinder head of the engine where the four intake ports of each cylinder open, and openings are formed that are connected to each cylinder. Through the attachment portion 13, intake air is supplied to each of the plurality of cylinders of the intake ports. The attachment portion 13 is formed such that four intake passages 14 that are respectively connected and communicate with the intake ports are arranged in the cylinder row direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a tumble control valve 16 is provided in the intake passage 14 on the attachment portion 13 side.

[0028] The tumble control valve 16 is provided in the branch pipe 12 near the mounting portion 13. The tumble control valve 16 has a rotating shaft extending in the cylinder row direction so as to cross the four intake passages 14 in the cylinder row direction, and four valve bodies attached to the rotating shaft and opening and closing the intake passages 14 as the rotating shaft rotates. The tumble control valve 16 can open and close at least a part of the passage cross-sectional area of the intake passage 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the tumble control valve 16 has valve bodies formed in an arc shape with respect to the rotating shaft. The inner surface of the intake passage 14 in the branch pipe 12 facing the valve bodies is similarly formed in an arc shape. The valve bodies are arranged so as to be rotatable with a slight gap therebetween.

[0029] The blow-by gas passage 20 includes a blow-by gas flow path portion 21, blow-by gas lead-out portions 22, 22a, a blow-by gas introduction portion 23, and communication passage portions 24, 24a as described above. The blow-by gas passage 20 is formed, for example, by joining a plurality of resin-made components. The blow-by gas passage 20 has a space forming a gas passage 25 inside.

[0030] The blow-by gas introduction portion 23 communicates with the above-described blow-by gas supply source in order to introduce blow-by gas from a blow-by gas supply source (not shown) into the inside of the blow-by gas flow path portion 21.

[0031] The blow-by gas flow path portion 21 is a pipe line communicating the blow-by gas introduction portion 23 and the plurality of blow-by gas lead-out portions 22, 22a. The blow-by gas flow path portion 21 is arranged such that the arrangement direction of the plurality of branch pipes 12, that is, the left-right direction (x-axis direction), is the longitudinal direction. The blow-by gas flow path portion 21 is formed in a straight tubular shape or a substantially straight tubular shape. The blow-by gas flow path portion 21 is provided at a position higher than the blow-by gas lead-out portions 22, 22a in the vehicle height direction. Further, the blow-by gas flow path portion 21 is provided at a position different from the apex portion 15 and the blow-by gas lead-out portions 22, 22a in the plane direction, that is, the traveling direction (y-axis direction) of the vehicle, specifically, on the mounting portion 13 side on the backward direction side of the vehicle.

[0032] The blow-by gas lead-out parts 22, 22a are provided, for example, in four numbers according to the number of cylinders of the engine. The blow-by gas lead-out parts 22, 22a are provided on the downstream side of the blow-by gas flow path part 21. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the blow-by gas lead-out parts 22, 22a are slightly on the intake air introduction part 11 side in the plane direction (y-axis direction) than the vertex part 15, specifically, perpendicular to the horizontal tangent line S passing through the vertex part 15 on the lower side of the inner surface of the branch pipe 12, and the center of the blow-by gas lead-out parts 22, 22a is provided so that the vertical line V1 passing through the vertex part 15 is offset by a distance H in the horizontal direction with respect to the vertical line V0 passing through the vertex part 15.

[0033] The communication passage parts 24, 24a are provided between the blow-by gas lead-out parts 22, 22a and the blow-by gas flow path part 21 in the flow direction of the blow-by gas. The communication passage parts 24, 24a are provided, for example, in four numbers according to the number of the blow-by gas lead-out parts 22, 22a. The communication passage parts 24, 24a form a gas passage 25 between the blow-by gas lead-out parts 22, 22a and the blow-by gas flow path part 21. Among the four communication passage parts 24, 24a, in the present embodiment, one communication passage part 24a is provided at a lower position below the blow-by gas flow path part 21 in the vehicle height direction as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The blow-by gas lead-out parts 22, 22a communicate with the blow-by gas introduction part 23 via the communication passage parts 24, 24a and the blow-by gas flow path part 21. Further, the blow-by gas lead-out parts 22, 22a communicate with the intake passage 14 of the branch pipe 12 through the openings provided in the branch pipe 12. For this reason, the blow-by gas lead-out parts 22, 22a can lead out blow-by gas to each of the branch pipes 12 from the blow-by gas flow path part 21.

[0034] [Operation of Intake Manifold] Next, the operation of the intake manifold 1 described above will be described.

[0035] In the intake manifold 1, the blow-by gas outlets 22, 22a of the blow-by gas passage 20 are provided on the intake introduction part 11 side in the planar direction rather than at the apex part 15 which is the highest position in the vehicle height direction of the branch pipe 12 in a state where the internal combustion engine is mounted on the vehicle.

[0036] In the intake manifold 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the blow-by gas outlets 22, 22a are provided at an offset position on the intake introduction part 11 side, which is in a direction opposite to the mounting part 13 side where the tumble control valve 16 is provided, from the apex part 15 of the intake passage 14 of the branch pipe 12 that is curved or substantially curved. Thus, the moisture contained in the blow-by gas flows to the intake introduction part 11 side rather than the mounting part 13 side. That is, according to the intake manifold 1, the condensed water of the blow-by gas can be dropped to the vertically linearly extending part below the blow-by gas outlets 22, 22a, so that it is possible to surely prevent the moisture from adhering to the tumble control valve 16 and causing the valve to stick.

[0037] In the intake manifold 1, the blow-by gas passage 20 is provided with a communication passage part 24a at a position lower than the blow-by gas flow path part 21 in the vehicle height direction, so that the condensed water of the blow-by gas can be more easily made to flow to the blow-by gas outlet. Also, on the communication passage part 24a, by suppressing the dimension in the height direction of the intake manifold 1, the layout property of the upper components can be improved.

[0038] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and includes all aspects included in the concept and claims of the present invention. Also, each configuration may be selectively combined as appropriate so as to achieve at least part of the above-described problems and effects. For example, the shape, material, arrangement, size, etc. of each configuration in the above embodiments can be appropriately changed according to the specific usage mode of the present invention.

[0039] For example, although the intake manifold 1 has been described for use in a 4-cylinder engine, the present invention is not limited to the number of cylinders of the engine. Therefore, the number of the branch pipes 12, the communication passage portions 24, 24a, and the blow-by gas lead-out portions 22, 22a of the intake manifold 1 can be set according to the number of cylinders of the engine to which it is applied.

[0040] For example, in the intake manifold 1, the shape of the intake pipe 10 and the shape of the blow-by gas passage 20 are not limited to the above-described examples.

[0041] For example, in the intake manifold 1, although the example in which the intake pipe 10 and the blow-by gas passage 20 are made of resin has been described, the materials and molding methods of the intake pipe 10 and the blow-by gas passage 20 are not limited to the above-described examples.

[0042] For example, in the intake manifold 1, among the four communication passage portions 24, 24a, although only one communication passage portion 24a is provided at a position lower than the blow-by gas passage portion 21 in the vehicle height direction, the number of the communication passage portions 24a provided at a position lower than the blow-by gas passage portion 21 is not particularly limited.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1... Intake manifold, 10... Intake pipe, 11... Intake introduction portion, 12... Branch pipe, 13... Mounting portion, 14... Intake passage, 15... Apex portion, 16... Tumble control valve, 17... Surge tank, 20... Blow-by gas passage, 21... Blow-by gas passage portion, 22, 22a... Blow-by gas lead-out portions, 23... Blow-by gas introduction portion, 24, 24a... Communication passage portions, 25... Gas passage

Claims

1. An intake manifold comprising an intake pipe communicating with a plurality of cylinders in an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle, and a blow-by gas passage for guiding blow-by gas generated inside the crankcase of the internal combustion engine to the intake pipe, wherein the intake pipe has an intake passage therein, an intake introduction portion into which intake air is introduced, a plurality of branch pipes provided downstream of the intake introduction portion for distributing the intake air and supplying it to each of the plurality of cylinders, a mounting portion provided downstream of the branch pipes and attached to the main body side of the internal combustion engine for connecting the intake passage to each cylinder, and a valve provided in the branch pipe near the mounting portion, wherein the blow-by gas passage has a blow-by gas introduction portion into which the blow-by gas is introduced, a blow-by gas outlet portion provided on the intake introduction portion side in a planar direction with respect to a vertex portion which is the highest position in the vehicle height direction of the branch pipe in a state where the internal combustion engine is mounted on the vehicle, a blow-by gas flow path portion provided between the blow-by gas introduction portion and the blow-by gas outlet portion and connected to the blow-by gas introduction portion, and a communication passage portion branched from the blow-by gas flow path portion, extending to the branch pipe, and connected to the branch pipe at the position of the blow-by gas outlet portion. Intake manifold.

2. The blow-by gas flow path portion extends substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of branch pipes, is provided at a position higher than the blow-by gas outlet portion in the vehicle height direction, and is provided on the mounting portion side in a planar direction with respect to the vertex portion. The intake manifold according to Claim 1.

3. The communication passage portion is provided below the blow-by gas flow path portion in the vehicle height direction. The intake manifold according to Claim 2.

4. The valve is configured such that a valve body formed in an arc shape rotates in an arc shape with respect to a rotation axis with a slight clearance from an inner surface formed in an arc shape in the branch pipe. The intake manifold according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

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