Active Pre-Chamber Ignition Insert for Cylinder Head Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Active pre-chambers in internal combustion engines face challenges in integration due to space constraints and cooling issues, requiring substantial modifications to the cylinder head and leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The ignition insert with an active pre-chamber design minimizes modifications by housing the pre-chamber in a compact form with direct cooling, using a cylindrical insert body and stratification valve, and magnetic field to maintain the valve, allowing efficient and cost-effective integration into existing engines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If active pre-chambers are installed in existing engines, then ignition performance and fuel efficiency are improved, but substantial modifications to the cylinder head are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition performanceVSAvoidcylinder head modifications

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the ignition system into separate functional modules: the pre-chamber assembly (with spark plug and injector) is integrated into a cylindrical insert body, which then fits into the cylinder head. This segmentation allows the complex pre-chamber assembly to be manufactured and tested independently, then installed as a complete unit, reducing the modification complexity of the cylinder head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where the pre-chamber is positioned inside the cylindrical insert body, which in turn is installed in the cylinder head. The spark plug and injector are positioned within the pre-chamber volume. This nesting approach consolidates multiple components into hierarchical assemblies, minimizing the space required in the cylinder head and reducing modification requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If spark plug and injector are placed next to each other, then space is saved, but radial space requirements increase and cooling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepre-chamber volumeVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of arranging the spark plug and injector side-by-side in the radial direction, the patent positions them at opposite ends of the pre-chamber along the axial dimension. The spark plug is positioned at one end of the cylindrical insert body while the injector is positioned at the other end. This dimensional reorganization maintains compact radial footprint while improving thermal management by separating heat-generating components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If connecting ducts are used between pre-chamber and injector nose, then component placement is flexible, but flame propagation is blocked and heat losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent placement flexibilityVSAvoidheat losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the connecting duct that would normally be required to link the pre-chamber with the injector nose. Instead, the injector nose is positioned to open directly into the pre-chamber volume, creating a direct communication path. This extraction of the intermediate duct removes the thermal barrier and flame propagation obstacle while maintaining component placement flexibility through the modular insert body design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enables efficient and cost-effective implementation of active pre-chambers in various engines, reducing fuel consumption and thermal losses while maintaining engine efficiency and reducing the need for extensive modifications.

Implementation Method 1

cooling the pre-chamber by placing the outer surface thereof in direct contact with the cooling water which circulates in the water chambers of the cylinder head which receives it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a source of magnetic field produced by a permanent magnet which is positioned on the cylindrical insert body and which produces a magnetic field which tends to maintain the valve pressed against the end of the gas ejection conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11187141B2Ignition insert with an active pre-chamber

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 RABHI VIANNEY

AI summary

The ignition insert with an active pre-chamber (1) comprises an insert well (72) arranged in a cylinder head (3) of an internal combustion engine (2), said well (72) accommodating a cylindrical insert body (70) which is indexed in rotation and in which are arranged an ignition pre-chamber (71), an insert spark plug well (83) receiving a spark plug (12), and a injector radial orifice (88) which is aligned with a injector lateral well (73) arranged in the cylinder head (3) so as to receive an injector nose (16), said body (70) being terminated by a pre-chamber nose (75) opening into a combustion chamber (5), and being held in the insert well (72) by fixing means (82) cooperating with clamping means (74).