Air Intake End Piece Vibration Damping Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing air intake systems in internal combustion engines of motor vehicles face challenges with vibration and noise pollution due to airflow and engine operation, requiring a standardized solution that minimizes noise without compromising engine performance.

Innovation Solution

An air intake line end piece with a tapered slideway interface for the facade and a tongue interface for the air inlet neck, along with optional integration of a resonator or snow flap system, to provide a vibration-free and noise-reducing connection between the air intake components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate end piece is screwed on to carry the interface, then the air inlet neck can be assembled with the facade, but vibration problems occur at these air-conducting parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate end piece that serves as a mediator between the air inlet neck and the facade. This end piece incorporates damping elements that absorb vibrations, preventing them from propagating through the air intake system while still enabling proper assembly and connection between components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful vibration energy into beneficial damping effects by incorporating vibration-absorbing materials and structures within the end piece. The vibration energy is dissipated through material damping and friction mechanisms, transforming the harmful oscillations into heat and minor deformations that do not propagate through the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If resonators are introduced into the air flow path to reduce noise, then noise level decreases, but the integration of engine components becomes less compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidcomponent integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the resonator function directly into the end piece structure itself, combining multiple functions (interface mounting, vibration damping, and noise reduction) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate resonator assemblies and maintains compact engine bay packaging while achieving effective noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The end piece is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a mounting interface for the air inlet neck, a vibration damping element, and a noise-reducing resonator. This universal design approach allows a single part to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components, maintaining compactness while addressing both vibration and noise issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If foam pipes or textile pipes are introduced to reduce noise, then noise level significantly decreases, but additional space is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the noise-reducing material within the walls of the end piece itself, creating a sandwich structure where the damping material is embedded between outer shells. This nested approach allows the noise reduction function to be integrated within the existing component footprint without requiring additional external space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses thin layers of foam or textile material integrated into the end piece structure, rather than bulky pipe replacements. These thin flexible layers provide effective noise damping while occupying minimal space, maintaining the compact dimensions required for modern engine bay packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3371449B1End-piece of an air intake conduit
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3371449B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3371449B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3371449B1 patent drawingFigure 7~11

AI summary

The invention concerns an end-piece (2) of an air inlet line (1) of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising, at the front, an interface with a technical face or other air inlet part(s) of the vehicle and, at the back, an interface with an air intake conduit (4). The end-piece (2) is characterised in that the interface with the face or other air inlet part(s) comprises a first interface consisting of two guide means (5), each arranged to one side of an air opening crossmember (6), and a second interface at the top in the form of a tab (7) comprising at least one opening (8) intended to receive any attachment means for holding said end-piece (2) on the face or other air inlet part(s).