Blow-By Vent Hose with Diagnostic Line for Leak Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing arrangements for discharging blow-by gases from internal combustion engine crankcases often result in leaky or incorrectly installed hose connections, leading to inefficiencies and potential environmental pollution.

Innovation Solution

A hose device with a diagnostic line that detects faulty air flow, ensuring reliable venting by using a pipe-in-pipe construction with an inner hose for blow-by gases and an outer hose with an annular space as a diagnostic line, where a pressure sensor can detect leaks and incorrect connections, routing leakage air to the fresh air system for error detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a hose connection system is simplified for easier installation, then ease of operation improves, but reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of leaks and incorrect assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hose ends are pre-formed with insertion contours and the coupling elements are pre-configured with corresponding receptacles and locking mechanisms. This preliminary preparation of connection geometry ensures that when the hose is installed, the components naturally align and engage correctly, reducing installation complexity while maintaining reliability through the pre-designed interlocking features

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a diagnostic line with a pressure sensor that provides feedback on the integrity of the hose connection. The sensor detects pressure changes that indicate proper sealing, and can trigger warnings or shutdowns if leaks are detected. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability by continuously monitoring the connection status without complicating the installation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If a hose device is designed without diagnostic capabilities, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to undetected leaks and incorrect installations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidventing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic line is nested within the existing hose structure, with the pressure sensor integrated into the coupling element or hose body. The diagnostic functionality is embedded within the venting system itself rather than being a separate external system. This nesting approach adds diagnostic capability while minimizing overall system complexity by utilizing existing structural elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure sensor serves multiple functions: it monitors for leaks in the blow-by gas path, detects incorrect installations, and can provide diagnostic information for maintenance scheduling. This multi-functionality allows a single additional component to address multiple reliability concerns without proportionally increasing system complexity

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

Data Source

PatentEP3492794B1Arrangement for diverting blow-by gases from the crankcase of a combustion engine
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3492794B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3492794B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3492794B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for draining blow-by gases (5) from the crankcase of an internal combustion engine, wherein the blow-by gases (5) can be supplied to a fresh air system (3) via a hose device (2), wherein the hose device (2) is connected or connectable on one side to a component (8) associated with the fresh air system (3) and on the other side to a component (9) in fluid communication with the crankcase, wherein the hose device (2) has a blow-by line (11). The risk of a leaking or improperly installed hose device (2) is avoided by the fact that the hose device (2) has a diagnostic line (12), wherein a false airflow (13) can be detected via the diagnostic line (12) if the hose device (2) is connected improperly or not connected.