Compressor Inlet Adjustment Mechanism With Transmission Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressor inlet adjustment mechanisms are cumbersome, requiring multiple parts, increasing weight, manufacturing costs, and maintenance needs due to complex actuation systems and intermediate components.

Innovation Solution

A compressor inlet adjustment mechanism utilizing rotatable orifice elements and a transmission ring, where an elongated bearing pin transmits actuation force directly to other orifice elements, eliminating the need for intermediate parts and reducing wear through optimized bearing pin and coupling element placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional adjustment mechanisms with multiple intermediate elements are used, then the compressor inlet cross-section can be adjusted, but the device complexity, weight, and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor inlet cross-section adjustmentVSAvoidnumber of intermediate components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple intermediate elements (lever assembly, transmission elements) into a single integrated transmission ring structure. The transmission ring directly couples all orifice elements to the actuator, eliminating the need for separate lever assemblies and intermediate transmission components. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining the adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a transmission element, a structural support, and a direct coupling mechanism between the actuator and all orifice elements. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized components with a single universal element, reducing complexity.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional adjustment mechanisms with lever assemblies are used, then the compressor inlet cross-section can be adjusted, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor inlet cross-section adjustmentVSAvoidweight of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lever assembly and transmission elements into a single transmission ring structure. By combining these separate components into one integrated element, the total mass of the adjustment mechanism is reduced while maintaining the ability to adjust the compressor inlet cross-section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional adjustment mechanisms with multiple intermediate elements are used, then the compressor inlet cross-section can be adjusted, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor inlet cross-section adjustmentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separately manufactured components (lever assembly, transmission elements, coupling mechanisms) into a single transmission ring that can be manufactured as one piece. This reduces the number of manufacturing steps, assembly operations, and quality control checks required, thereby lowering manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate elements from the traditional adjustment mechanism. By removing redundant components that do not add functional value, the design simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces material costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional adjustment mechanisms with multiple intermediate elements are used, then the compressor inlet cross-section can be adjusted, but the maintenance needs increase due to wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor inlet cross-section adjustmentVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate transmission elements into a single integrated transmission ring. This eliminates the multiple contact interfaces and potential wear points that would exist between separate components. The reduced number of moving parts and contact surfaces directly lowers maintenance needs and improves reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Adaptability or versatility

If more intermediate components are used in the adjustment mechanism, then the compressor inlet cross-section can be adjusted, but the space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor inlet cross-section adjustmentVSAvoidspace occupied by adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple intermediate components into a single transmission ring structure that occupies significantly less space than the distributed arrangement of separate levers and transmission elements. This integration allows the adjustment mechanism to fit within a more compact volume while maintaining full adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3715637B1Compressor inlet adjustment mechanism
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 BORGWARNER INC
  • EP3715637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3715637B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3715637B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to an adjustment mechanism (10) for variably adjusting the cross-section of a compressor inlet (312) . The adjustment mechanism comprises a plurality of rotatable orifice elements (100,100') and a transmission ring (210) . Each orifice element has a plate body (130) , a coupling element (110) and a bearing pin (120,120') . The transmission ring is mechanically coupled to the plurality of orifice elements via the coupling elements. One of the orifice elements is configured as a drive orifice element. The bearing pin of the drive orifice element is configured as an elongated bearing pin (120') . The elongated bearing pin is configured longer than the bearing pins of the other orifice elements. Furthermore, the elongated bearing pin is adapted to be coupled to an actuation system (230) such that when the drive orifice element is moved by the actuation system, movement is transmitted from the drive orifice element via the transmission ring to the other orifice elements.