Air Induction System Water Detection and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air induction systems are inadequate in preventing water ingestion during water fording, as water can enter through drain holes in deep water conditions, potentially causing hydrostatic lock and engine damage.
Innovation Solution
An air induction system with a wet side and dry side air box, equipped with sensors to detect liquid levels, a watertight door, and a control system that closes the door to prevent liquid intrusion, along with a tire inflation system and messaging to the driver, enabling the engine to be shut down and the vehicle to continue moving using auxiliary power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drain holes are provided in the air induction system, then liquid drainage capability is improved, but water can still enter through drain holes in deep water conditions causing flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The air box is divided into a wet side air box and a dry side air box separated by a watertight door. This segmentation isolates the liquid collection function to the wet side while protecting the engine intake on the dry side, resolving the contradiction by allowing drainage on the wet side without compromising the dry side's protection against water ingestion
Solution Approach 2:
A watertight door acts as an intermediary barrier between the wet side and dry side air boxes. The door can open to allow air passage during normal operation but closes to prevent water from the wet side from entering the dry side, thus mediating between the need for drainage and the need to prevent water ingestion
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a watertight door is added to prevent liquid intrusion, then protection against water ingestion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The watertight door serves multiple functions: it acts as a separator between wet and dry sides, provides a barrier against water ingestion when closed, and allows air passage when open. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive liquid intrusion prevention
3Reliability
If sensors and control systems are added to detect liquid levels and close the watertight door, then response effectiveness to water ingestion is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detects liquid levels in advance before water can flood the dry side air box or reach the engine. The control system is pre-programmed to automatically close the watertight door upon detecting a predetermined liquid level, executing protective action before damage can occur. This preliminary detection and response mechanism improves reliability while keeping the control logic relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides continuous feedback about liquid levels in the wet side air box to the control system. When the liquid level reaches a predetermined threshold, the feedback triggers the control system to close the watertight door. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable automatic response without requiring complex manual intervention systems
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an air induction system configured to provide intake air to the internal combustion engine. The air induction system includes an intake port, an air box coupled to the intake port and having a wet side air box and a dry side air box, at least one sensor disposed within the air box and configured to detect a presence or level of liquid within the air box, and a watertight door disposed within the air box and configured to move between an open position that allows air to pass through the air box dry side, and a closed position that facilitates preventing liquid from passing into the air box dry side.