Intake manifold device

Abstract

In an intake manifold device (10), a first branch pipe (20a) is supported by a support portion (52) protruding from a second branch pipe (20b). A supported portion (60) of the first branch pipe (20a), the portion being supported by the support portion (52), extends along a width direction (D) of the first branch pipe (20a).

Description

Intake manifold device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an intake manifold apparatus.

[0002] The intake manifold device has a surge tank and a plurality of branch pipes. The surge tank introduces air through an intake port. The surge tank temporarily stores the introduced air. The plurality of branch pipes are located downstream of the surge tank. The plurality of branch pipes branch off from the surge tank. The plurality of branch pipes are arranged along the width direction of the intake manifold device. The plurality of branch pipes extend from the surge tank in the same branching direction. The plurality of branch pipes are connected to a plurality of combustion chambers provided in the internal combustion engine. The plurality of branch pipes supply the air stored in the surge tank to the plurality of combustion chambers.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-263651 discloses that a plurality of branch pipes are connected to one another via a support portion.

[0004] Recently, there has been a demand for increased passenger space in vehicles. To meet this demand, engine compartments in which internal combustion engines are installed are becoming smaller. Therefore, there is a demand for an intake manifold device that can meet the various requirements for installation in a narrow space.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an intake manifold device including: a surge tank for temporarily storing air introduced through an intake port; and a plurality of branch pipes located downstream of the surge tank and supplying air to each of a plurality of combustion chambers provided in an internal combustion engine. The branch pipes include a first branch pipe branching from the surge tank in a first branching direction and a second branch pipe branching from the surge tank in a second branching direction different from the first branching direction. The first branch pipe is supported by a support portion protruding from the second branch pipe. A supported portion of the first branch pipe, which is supported by the support portion, extends along the width direction of the first branch pipe, which is a direction intersecting the first branching direction.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an intake manifold device that can meet various requirements necessary for installation in a narrow space.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of an intake manifold device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the intake manifold device. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the intake manifold device. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the connection between the intake manifold device and an internal combustion engine. FIG. 5 is a partial bottom view of the intake manifold device. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a first branch pipe is supported by a support portion. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an intake manifold device according to a comparative example.

[0009] The intake manifold device is mounted, for example, in an engine compartment of a vehicle, which also houses an internal combustion engine, injectors, fuel pipes, a throttle body, etc. The intake manifold device absorbs a collision load caused by a vehicle collision using multiple branch pipes, thereby protecting components other than the intake manifold device from the collision load among the multiple components provided in the engine compartment.

[0010] However, with the recent trend toward smaller vehicles and larger passenger compartments, engine compartments are becoming smaller. This smaller size of the engine compartment places restrictions on the layout of the intake manifold device within the engine compartment. Specifically, it becomes difficult to arrange multiple branch pipes in the same direction. As a result, when a branch pipe is subjected to a collision load, the branch pipe may be significantly deformed. In other words, the intake manifold device may not be able to adequately withstand the collision load.

[0011] The intake manifold arrangement according to the present disclosure is able to better absorb crash loads, as will be described in more detail below.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of an intake manifold device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0013] In the following description, the left-right direction when viewing the intake manifold device 10 from the front will be referred to as direction A. Direction A is the width direction of the intake manifold device 10. When viewing the intake manifold device 10 from the front, the left direction will be referred to as direction A1, and the right direction will be referred to as direction A2.

[0014] The up-down direction when viewing the intake manifold device 10 from the front is referred to as direction B. Direction B is the up-down direction of the intake manifold device 10. The up-down direction is referred to as direction B1, and the down-down direction is referred to as direction B2.

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the intake manifold device 10. As shown in Figure 2, the front-to-rear direction when viewing the intake manifold device 10 from the front is referred to as direction C. Direction C is the front-to-rear direction of the intake manifold device 10. When viewing the intake manifold device 10 from the front, the front side direction is referred to as direction C1, and the rear side direction is referred to as direction C2.

[0016] The intake manifold device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown). Specifically, the intake manifold device 10 is mounted in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The intake manifold device 10 is mounted in the engine compartment so that the C1 direction coincides with the forward direction of the vehicle. The forward direction of the vehicle is the direction in which the vehicle moves forward.

[0017] An internal combustion engine 12 shown in FIG. 4 and a throttle body (not shown) are mounted in the engine compartment. The internal combustion engine 12 is a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having multiple combustion chambers (not shown). In the engine compartment, the internal combustion engine 12 is disposed behind an intake manifold device 10. The intake manifold device 10 is connected to the throttle body. The intake manifold device 10 takes in air from the throttle body and supplies the taken-in air to the multiple combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine 12.

[0018] An injector (not shown) is disposed in the engine compartment between the intake manifold device 10 and the internal combustion engine 12. The injector is disposed between the internal combustion engine 12 and a surge tank 14 of the intake manifold device 10. The injector is held between the internal combustion engine 12 and the surge tank 14 by a holding portion 16 provided on the internal combustion engine 12. A fuel pipe (not shown) is connected to the injector.

[0019] The intake manifold device 10 is made of a resin material. As shown in FIG. 1, the intake manifold device 10 includes a surge tank 14, an intake air introduction section 18, and a plurality of branch pipes 20.

[0020] The intake introduction section 18 is the portion of the intake manifold device 10 on the A2 side. The intake introduction section 18 protrudes from the end of the surge tank 14 on the A2 side. The intake introduction section 18 is a pipe section having an intake introduction passage 22. An intake port 24, which is the tip opening of the intake introduction passage 22, is formed at one end (tip) of the intake introduction section 18. The intake port 24 is connected to the throttle body. The other end of the intake introduction passage 22 communicates with an internal space 26 of the surge tank 14. The intake introduction section 18 introduces air from the throttle body via the intake port 24.

[0021] The surge tank 14 extends in the direction A. The surge tank 14 temporarily stores the air introduced through the intake air introduction passage 22 in an internal space 26.

[0022] A plurality of branch pipes 20 branch off from the surge tank 14. The plurality of branch pipes 20 are arranged along the direction A. The plurality of branch pipes 20 branch off from the surge tank 14 at intervals in the direction A. The intake manifold device 10 is provided with, for example, four branch pipes 20 (a first branch pipe 20a, a second branch pipe 20b, a third branch pipe 20c, and a fourth branch pipe 20d), but is not limited to this.

[0023] One end of each of the branch pipes 20 is connected to the surge tank 14. Each of the branch pipes 20 has a branch pipe passage 28. The branch pipe passages 28 of the branch pipes 20 are connected to an internal space 26 of the surge tank 14. The other end of each of the branch pipes 20 is connected to a respective one of the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine 12 (see FIG. 4). In other words, each of the branch pipe passages 28 of the branch pipes 20 is connected to a respective one of the combustion chambers.

[0024] In the following description, the branch pipes 20 will be referred to in order along the A2 direction as the first branch pipe 20a, the second branch pipe 20b, the third branch pipe 20c, and the fourth branch pipe 20d. The branch pipe passage 28 of the first branch pipe 20a will be referred to as the first branch pipe passage 28a.

[0025] The first branch pipe 20a is the branch pipe located on the leftmost side when viewed from the front of the intake manifold device 10. In other words, of the multiple branch pipes 20, the first branch pipe 20a is the branch pipe located furthest from the intake air introduction portion 18 in the A1 direction.

[0026] The first branch pipe 20a branches off from the surge tank 14 in a first branching direction. The first branching direction is along the A1 direction. Specifically, one end 30a of the first branch pipe 20a extends in the first branching direction from the end of the surge tank 14 on the A1 direction side. The first branching direction is the direction in which the first branch pipe 20a extends from the end of the surge tank 14 on the A1 direction side.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, the intermediate portion 34a of the first branch pipe 20a, which is located between one end 30a and the other end 32a of the first branch pipe 20a, is curved. As shown in Fig. 4, the intermediate portion 34a of the first branch pipe 20a is positioned in the direction B1 as it moves toward the direction C2. The other end 32a of the first branch pipe 20a is positioned in the direction C2 relative to the intermediate portion 34a. The other end 32a of the first branch pipe 20a is connected to a first combustion chamber (not shown) among multiple combustion chambers (not shown) provided in the internal combustion engine 12.

[0028] 1 and 2, the second branch pipe 20b to the fourth branch pipe 20d branch in substantially the same branching direction from the surge tank 14. In contrast, the first branch pipe 20a branches in a first branching direction that is different from the branching direction of the second branch pipe 20b to the fourth branch pipe 20d. The shape of the first branch pipe 20a is significantly different from the shapes of the second branch pipe 20b to the fourth branch pipe 20d.

[0029] Specifically, the second branch pipe 20b is adjacent to the first branch pipe 20a in the A2 direction. The second branch pipe 20b branches off from the surge tank 14 in a second branching direction. The second branching direction is along the B1 direction. The second branch pipe 20b extends from the surge tank 14 in the second branching direction. The second branching direction is a direction different from the first branching direction. The second branching direction is the direction in which the second branch pipe 20b extends from the surge tank 14.

[0030] An intermediate section 34b between one end 30b of the second branch pipe 20b and the other end 32b of the second branch pipe 20b is positioned in the direction B1 as it moves in the direction C2. The other end 32b of the second branch pipe 20b is positioned in the direction C2 relative to the intermediate section 34b. The other end 32b of the second branch pipe 20b is connected to a second combustion chamber (not shown) among multiple combustion chambers provided in the internal combustion engine 12 (see FIG. 4).

[0031] The third branch pipe 20c protrudes from the surge tank 14 in the B1 direction. An intermediate section 34c between one end 30c of the third branch pipe 20c and the other end 32c of the third branch pipe 20c is positioned in the B1 direction as it moves in the C2 direction. The other end 32c of the third branch pipe 20c is positioned in the C2 direction relative to the intermediate section 34c. The other end 32c of the third branch pipe 20c is connected to a third combustion chamber (not shown) among multiple combustion chambers provided in the internal combustion engine 12 (see FIG. 4).

[0032] One end 30d of the fourth branch pipe 20d protrudes from the surge tank 14 in the B1 direction. An intermediate section 34d between the one end 30d of the fourth branch pipe 20d and the other end 32d of the fourth branch pipe 20d is positioned in the B1 direction as it moves in the C2 direction. The other end 32d of the fourth branch pipe 20d is positioned in the C2 direction relative to the intermediate section 34d. The other end 32d of the fourth branch pipe 20d is connected to a fourth combustion chamber (not shown) among multiple combustion chambers provided in the internal combustion engine 12 (see FIG. 4).

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, the intake manifold device 10 has a main body 36 and a cover 38. The main body 36 and the cover 38 are housings made of a resin material. As shown in Fig. 2, the intake manifold device 10 is constructed by overlapping the cover 38 on the main body 36 and welding the main body 36 and the cover 38 together.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the main body 36 forms the C2 side of the surge tank 14, the intake air introduction section 18, and the branch pipes 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Therefore, the portions of the main body 36 that form part of the branch pipes 20 are open in the C1 direction. A main body-side weld 40 is provided on the edge of the portion of the main body 36 that forms part of the surge tank 14 (opening). A main body-side weld 40 is also provided on the edge of the portion of the main body 36 that forms part of the intake air introduction section 18 (opening). A main body-side weld 40 is also provided on the edge of the portion of the main body 36 that forms part of the branch pipes 20 (opening). These main body-side welds 40 protrude in the C1 direction from the edges of the openings.

[0035] The cover portion 38 overlaps the main body portion 36 so as to cover the opening portion of the main body portion 36 .

[0036] 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views schematically showing a portion of the main body 36 and a portion of the cover 38. They also show the portions of the main body 36 and the cover 38 that form one end 30a of the first branch pipe 20a. A cross section taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 7.

[0037] As can be seen from Fig. 6, the cross section of one end 30a of the first branch pipe 20a in a direction perpendicular to the axis 64 of the first branch pipe 20a is circular. As can be seen from Fig. 7, the cross section of one end 30a of the first branch pipe 20a in a direction along the axis 64 of the first branch pipe 20a is linear.

[0038] 4, the dimension of one end 30a of the first branch pipe 20a in the direction C is longer than the dimension of one end 30a of the first branch pipe 20a in the direction B. At one end 30a of the first branch pipe 20a, the dimension of one end 30a of the first branch pipe 20a in the direction C is, for example, 1.5 times or more the dimension of one end 30a of the first branch pipe 20a in the direction B.

[0039] 6 and 7, a cover-side welded portion 42 is provided on the edge of the cover portion 38. The cover-side welded portion 42 abuts against the body-side welded portion 40 when the body portion 36 and the cover portion 38 are overlapped.

[0040] The main body portion-side weld portion 40 and the cover portion-side weld portion 42 are welded by vibration welding or the like. The main body portion 36 and the cover portion 38 are connected by welding the main body portion-side weld portion 40 and the cover portion-side weld portion 42. The connection of the main body portion 36 and the cover portion 38 forms the intake manifold device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0041] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the main body 36 includes a plurality of partial main body portions 44. More specifically, the main body 36 includes a first partial main body portion 44a, a second partial main body portion 44b, a third partial main body portion 44c, and a fourth partial main body portion 44d. When describing the partial main body portions separately, the reference numerals 44a to 44d are used, and when describing the partial main body portions without distinction, the reference numeral 44 is used. The cover 38 includes a plurality of partial cover portions 46. More specifically, the cover 38 includes a first partial cover portion 46a, a second partial cover portion 46b, a third partial cover portion 46c, and a fourth partial cover portion 46d. When describing the partial cover portions separately, the reference numerals 46a to 46d are used, and when describing the partial cover portions without distinction, the reference numeral 46 is used. The first branch pipe 20a is formed by the first partial main body portion 44a and the first partial cover portion 46a, which are connected to each other. The second branch pipe 20b is formed by the second partial main body 44b and the second partial cover 46b connected to each other. The third branch pipe 20c is formed by the third partial main body 44c and the third partial cover 46c connected to each other. The fourth branch pipe 20d is formed by the fourth partial main body 44d and the fourth partial cover 46d connected to each other.

[0042] An opening is formed in each partial main body portion 44. A partial main body portion-side weld portion 48 is provided on the edge of the partial main body portion 44. The partial main body portion-side weld portion 48 constitutes a part of the main body portion-side weld portion 40 described above. The first partial main body portion 44a is provided with a first partial main body portion-side weld portion 48a. The second partial main body portion 44b is provided with a second partial main body portion-side weld portion 48b. The third partial main body portion 44c is provided with a third partial main body portion-side weld portion 48c. The fourth partial main body portion 44d is provided with a fourth partial main body portion-side weld portion 48d.

[0043] The edge of the partial cover portion 46 is provided with a partial cover portion-side weld portion 50. The partial cover portion-side weld portion 50 constitutes a part of the cover portion-side weld portion 42 described above. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first partial cover portion 46a is provided with a first partial cover portion-side weld portion 50a. The second partial cover portion 46b (see FIG. 3 ) is provided with a second partial cover portion-side weld portion (not shown). The third partial cover portion 46c is provided with a third partial cover portion-side weld portion (not shown). The fourth partial cover portion 46d is provided with a fourth partial cover portion-side weld portion (not shown).

[0044] With the partial cover portion-side weld portion 50 in contact with the partial body portion-side weld portion 48, the partial body portion-side weld portion 48 and the partial cover portion-side weld portion 50 are welded together. The branch pipe 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is formed by welding the partial body portion-side weld portion 48 and the partial cover portion-side weld portion 50 together. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, because the partial body portion-side weld portion 48 is covered by the partial cover portion-side weld portion 50, it is possible to prevent molten resin from leaking outside the partial cover portion-side weld portion 50 when the partial body portion-side weld portion 48 and the partial cover portion-side weld portion 50 are welded together.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 3, the first branch pipe 20a (see Fig. 2) includes a first partial main body 44a and a first partial cover 46a. The first partial main body 44a has a first partial main body-side weld 48a. As shown in Fig. 7, the first partial cover 46a has a first partial cover-side weld 50a. The first partial main body-side weld 48a and the first partial cover-side weld 50a are welded to form the first branch pipe 20a shown in Fig. 2.

[0046] Fig. 5 is a partial bottom view of the intake manifold device 10. Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the first branch pipe 20a, the second branch pipe 20b, and the portion of the surge tank 14 on the A1 direction side.

[0047] The second branch pipe 20b is provided with a support portion 52. In other words, the support portion 52 is connected to the second branch pipe 20b. The support portion 52 protrudes from the second branch pipe 20b. The support portion 52 supports the first branch pipe 20a.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 2, the second branch pipe 20b branches from the surge tank 14 in a second branching direction. The second branching direction is different from the first branching direction, which is the branching direction of the first branch pipe 20a. The support portion 52 is connected to the second branch pipe 20b. The portion of the second branch pipe 20b connected to the support portion 52 extends along the second branching direction. The support portion 52 is formed in a plate shape.

[0049] One end 54 of the support portion 52 is connected to the second branch pipe 20b. As shown in Fig. 3, the support portion 52 protrudes in the A1 direction from the second branch pipe 20b. The one end 54 of the support portion 52 is connected to the second partial cover portion 46b that constitutes a part of the second branch pipe 20b. More specifically, the one end 54 of the support portion 52 is connected to the portion of the second partial cover portion 46b on the A1 direction side.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 2, the other end 56 of the support portion 52 supports the first branch pipe 20a. The other end 56 of the support portion 52 will be described later. As shown in Fig. 5, an intermediate portion 58 between the one end 54 and the other end 56 of the support portion 52 is curved.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 2, the other end 56 of the support part 52 is connected to the first branch pipe 20a. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the other end 56 of the support part 52 is connected to the first partial cover part 46a, which is part of the first branch pipe 20a. More specifically, the other end 56 of the support part 52 is connected to the part of the first partial cover part 46a on the A2 direction side.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 7 , the first partial cover portion 46a is provided with a first partial cover portion-side welded portion 50a. The other end 56 of the support portion 52 is connected to the first partial cover portion-side welded portion 50a. In other words, the support portion 52 supports the first branch pipe 20a by supporting the first partial cover portion-side welded portion 50a. That is, the portion of the first partial cover portion-side welded portion 50a connected to the support portion 52 is a supported portion 60 of the first branch pipe 20a that is supported by the support portion 52. A partial branch pipe 62, which is a portion of the first branch pipe 20a that includes the supported portion 60, is supported by the other end 56 of the support portion 52.

[0053] As described above, the support portion 52 is plate-shaped (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The other end 56 of the support portion 52 supports the first branch pipe 20a. The supported portion 60 of the first branch pipe 20a, which is the portion of the first branch pipe 20a supported by the support portion 52, extends along the width direction D of the first branch pipe 20a, as shown in FIG. 6. The width direction D of the first branch pipe 20a is a direction that intersects with the first branching direction. More specifically, the width direction D of the first branch pipe 20a passes through an axis 64 of the first branch pipe 20a and is perpendicular to the axis 64.

[0054] The axis 64 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 . The axis 64 corresponds to a line passing through the center of the first branch pipe passage 28a. Specifically, in the front view of FIG. 1 , any point on one of the two inner wall surfaces of the first branch pipe passage 28a can be connected by a straight line to any point on the other inner wall surface. This straight line does not extend beyond the two inner wall surfaces of the first branch pipe passage 28a in the front view of FIG. 1 , and is a line that connects any point on one inner wall surface to any point on the other inner wall surface over the shortest distance. The axis 64 is a line that passes through the midpoints of multiple straight lines connecting each point on one inner wall surface to each point on the other inner wall surface throughout the entire first branch pipe passage 28a. Therefore, the axis 64 can be expressed as a set of midpoints of multiple straight lines that connect one inner wall surface to the other inner wall surface over the shortest distance.

[0055] 1 and 6, the extension dimension L1 of the supported portion 60 is preferably 0.7 times or more the passage width L2 of the partial branch pipe 62 (L1≧0.7×L2). This allows the first branch pipe 20a to be well supported by the support portion 52. The passage width L2 is the width of the passage portion of the partial branch pipe 62 in the first branch pipe passage 28a. The passage width L2 is the width of the passage portion of the partial branch pipe 62 along a direction perpendicular to the axis 64.

[0056] 1, at least a portion of the first branch pipe passage 28a and at least a portion of the support portion 52 overlap each other in a front view. More specifically, a portion of the partial branch pipe 62 of the first branch pipe passage 28a and a portion of the support portion 52 overlap each other in a front view. The portion of the support portion 52 that overlaps with the first branch pipe passage 28a is referred to as an overlap portion 66. In FIG. 1, the overlap portion 66 is illustrated by diagonal lines.

[0057] The minimum dimension L3 of the overlap portion 66 in the extension direction of the supported portion 60 is preferably 0.3 times or more the passage width L2 of the partial branch pipe 62 (L3 ≥ 0.3 × L2). This allows the first branch pipe 20a to be well supported by the support portion 52.

[0058] Next, the operation and effect when a collision load F (see FIGS. 6 and 7) is applied will be described.

[0059] When a vehicle collides with an oncoming vehicle or the like and the vehicle body is deformed and comes into contact with the intake manifold device 10, the branch pipes 20 receive the collision load F due to the vehicle collision.

[0060] 1 and 2, the shape of the first branch pipe 20a is significantly different from the shapes of the second branch pipe 20b to the fourth branch pipe 20d. Specifically, the first branch pipe 20a branches from the surge tank 14 in a first branching direction along the A1 direction. The second branch pipe 20b to the fourth branch pipe 20d branch from the surge tank 14 in approximately the same branching direction (second branching direction).

[0061] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6 , the first branch pipe 20a is reinforced by the support portion 52 in the direction along the width direction D of the first branch pipe 20a. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the first branch pipe 20a due to the collision load F when the first branch pipe 20a receives the collision load F. As a result, it is possible to suppress movement of the first branch pipe 20a toward other components in the engine compartment (the internal combustion engine 12, the injector, and the fuel pipe shown in Fig. 4 ).

[0062] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, one end 54 of the support portion 52 is connected to the second branch pipe 20b. This allows the first branch pipe 20a to be supported in an appropriate manner. As shown in Figure 5, an intermediate portion 58 located between the one end 54 of the support portion 52 and the other end 56 of the support portion 52 is curved. As a result, when the first branch pipe 20a receives a collision load F (see Figures 6 and 7), the intermediate portion 58 bends, and therefore the displacement of the one end 30a of the first branch pipe 20a toward the surge tank 14 is not hindered.

[0063] 6 and 7, the welded portion between the first-section main body portion 48a and the first-section cover portion 50a is formed like a rib with an uneven cross section. This allows for effective welding between the first-section main body portion 48a and the first-section cover portion 50a, thereby increasing the mechanical strength of the first branch pipe 20a. Furthermore, the other end 56 of the support portion 52 supports the first-section cover portion 50a, thereby effectively reinforcing the first branch pipe 20a.

[0064] When the first branch pipe 20a receives a collision load F, the first branch pipe 20a is displaced toward the surge tank 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Displacement of the first branch pipe 20a toward the surge tank 14 allows the first branch pipe 20a to absorb the collision load F. At this time, because the supported portion 60 extends along the width direction D of the first branch pipe 20a, which is a direction intersecting the first branching direction, displacement of the first branch pipe 20a in the A2 direction is not impeded. This allows the first branch pipe 20a to effectively absorb the collision load F.

[0065] 1 and 2, the second branch pipe 20b to the fourth branch pipe 20d branch in the second branching direction and are connected to each other, so that they integrally bear the collision load F. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the second branch pipe 20b to the fourth branch pipe 20d due to the collision load F. As a result, it is possible to suppress movement of the second branch pipe 20b to the fourth branch pipe 20d toward other components in the engine compartment.

[0066] 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of an intake manifold device according to a comparative example. In the comparative example, the same components as those in the intake manifold device 10 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 8 , in the comparative example, the supported portion 60 of the first branch pipe 20a, which is the portion supported by the support portion 52, does not extend in the width direction D of the first branch pipe 20a. Therefore, when the first branch pipe 20a receives a collision load F, a relatively large moment M is generated in the circumferential direction of the first branch pipe 20a. Because the relatively large moment M is generated in the circumferential direction of the first branch pipe 20a, the first branch pipe 20a is easily deformed. In other words, in the comparative example, it is difficult to suppress deformation of the first branch pipe 20a.

[0068] 6 and 7, in this embodiment, the supported portion 60 extends in the width direction D of the first branch pipe 20a. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the first branch pipe 20a receives the collision load F, the moment M applied in the circumferential direction of the first branch pipe 20a is relatively small. As a result, deformation of the first branch pipe 20a can be suppressed.

[0069] The following additional notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0070] (Supplementary Note 1) The intake manifold device (10) of the present disclosure comprises a surge tank (14) in which air introduced through an intake port (24) is temporarily stored, and a plurality of branch pipes (20) located downstream of the surge tank and supplying air to each of a plurality of combustion chambers provided in an internal combustion engine (12), the plurality of branch pipes including a first branch pipe (20a) branching from the surge tank in a first branching direction and a second branch pipe (20b) branching from the surge tank in a second branching direction different from the first branching direction, the first branch pipe being supported by a support portion (52) protruding from the second branch pipe, and a supported portion (60) of the first branch pipe that is supported by the support portion extending along a width direction (D) of the first branch pipe, which is a direction intersecting the first branching direction.

[0071] According to the present disclosure, the first branch pipe is reinforced by the support portion in a direction along the width direction of the first branch pipe. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the first branch pipe due to a collision load when the first branch pipe receives the collision load. As a result, it is possible to suppress movement of the multiple branch pipes, including the first branch pipe, toward other components in the engine compartment. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an intake manifold device that can meet various requirements for installation in a narrow space.

[0072] (Appendix 2) In the intake manifold device described in Appendix 1, the first branch pipe includes a first partial main body portion (44a) that is part of the main body portion (36) of the intake manifold device, and a first partial cover portion (46a) that is part of the cover portion (38) welded to the main body portion, and at the supported portion, a partial main body portion side welding portion (48a) provided on the first partial main body portion and a partial cover portion side welding portion (50a) provided on the first partial cover portion may be welded.

[0073] According to the present disclosure, the welded portion between the partial main body portion side welded portion and the partial cover portion side welded portion in the first branch pipe, which has a relatively weak mechanical strength, can be effectively reinforced.

[0074] (Supplementary Note 3) In the intake manifold device described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2, a portion of the second branch pipe connected to the support portion may extend along the second branch direction.

[0075] According to the present disclosure, the support portion can be suitably supported by the second branch pipe.

[0076] (Supplementary Note 4) In the intake manifold device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, the extension dimension (L1) of the supported portion may be 0.7 times or more the passage width (L2) of the partial branch pipe (62) including the supported portion.

[0077] According to the present disclosure, the partial branch pipe can be effectively reinforced by the support portion in the direction along the width direction of the first branch pipe.

[0078] (Supplementary Note 5) In the intake manifold device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, at least a part of a first branch pipe passage (28a) that is a passage of the first branch pipe and at least a part of the support part overlap each other in a front view, and a minimum dimension (L3) in an extension direction of the supported part of an overlap part (66) that is a part of the support part that overlaps with the first branch pipe passage may be 0.3 times or more the passage width of the partial branch pipe including the supported part.

[0079] According to the present disclosure, the first branch pipe can be effectively reinforced by the support portion in the direction along the width direction of the first branch pipe.

[0080] (Appendix 6) In the intake manifold device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5, the branch pipes may be arranged along the width direction of the intake manifold device, and the first branch direction may be a direction along the width direction of the intake manifold device.

[0081] According to the present disclosure, when the first branch pipe is subjected to a collision load, the first branch pipe displaces so as to sink inward into the surge tank, thereby absorbing the collision load. Because the supported portion extends along the width direction of the first branch pipe, the support portion does not hinder displacement of the first branch pipe due to the collision load. This effectively prevents the first branch pipe from moving toward other components in the engine compartment.

[0082] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0083] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10... Intake manifold device 12... Internal combustion engine 14... Surge tank 20... Branch pipe 20a... First branch pipe 20b... Second branch pipe 24... Intake port 52... Support portion 60... Supported portion

Claims

1. An intake manifold device (10) comprising: a surge tank (14) in which air introduced through an intake port (24) is temporarily stored; and a plurality of branch pipes (20) located downstream of the surge tank and supplying air to each of a plurality of combustion chambers provided in an internal combustion engine (12), wherein the plurality of branch pipes include a first branch pipe (20a) branching from the surge tank in a first branching direction and a second branch pipe (20b) branching from the surge tank in a second branching direction different from the first branching direction, wherein the first branch pipe is supported by a support portion (52) protruding from the second branch pipe, and a supported portion (60) of the first branch pipe that is supported by the support portion extends along a width direction (D) of the first branch pipe, which is a direction intersecting the first branching direction.

2. An intake manifold device as described in claim 1, wherein the first branch pipe includes a first partial main body (44a) that is part of the main body (36) of the intake manifold device, and a first partial cover (46a) that is part of a cover (38) welded to the main body, and a partial main body side welding portion (48a) provided on the first partial main body and a partial cover side welding portion (50a) provided on the first partial cover are welded at the supported portion.

3. An intake manifold device according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the second branch pipe connected to the support portion extends along the second branch direction.

4. An intake manifold device according to claim 1, wherein the extension dimension (L1) of the supported portion is 0.7 times or more the passage width (L2) of the partial branch pipe (62) including the supported portion.

5. An intake manifold device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a first branch pipe passage (28a), which is a passage of the first branch pipe, and at least a portion of the support part overlap each other in a front view, and the minimum dimension (L3) in the extension direction of the supported part of an overlap part (66), which is the part of the support part that overlaps with the first branch pipe passage, is 0.3 times or more the passage width of the partial branch pipe including the supported part.

6. An intake manifold device according to claim 1, wherein the branch pipes are arranged along the width direction of the intake manifold device, and the first branch direction is a direction along the width direction of the intake manifold device.

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