Compressor Vacuum Supply Housing Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressor arrangements for internal combustion engines face challenges in providing efficient vacuum supply and diagnostics due to complex connections and potential leaks, which affect operational reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A compressor arrangement with a vacuum supply device featuring a propellant channel and nozzle in a separate housing, where the propellant outlet connection is designed as a plug-in connection and the inlet connection has through-openings for flat contact surfaces, allowing for direct attachment to the compressor housing and enabling easy assembly and diagnostics through pressure sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the propellant channel is integrated into the compressor housing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability is worsened due to potential leaks at integrated connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The propellant channel is separated from the compressor housing into an independent housing component. This segmentation allows the propellant channel housing to be manufactured and tested separately, then assembled to the compressor housing via standardized connections, reducing leak risks while maintaining structural clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Standardized connection interfaces (through-openings with flat contact surfaces and plug connections) are introduced as intermediary elements between the propellant channel housing and compressor housing. These standardized interfaces provide reliable sealing and easy assembly, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complex connections are used for the propellant channel, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection design allows the housing to attach to the compressor housing in a self-aligning manner through the through-openings with flat contact surfaces. The plug connection for the propellant outlet further simplifies assembly by providing a self-explanatory, tool-free connection method, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Complex mechanical sealing systems are replaced with simple flat contact surfaces and plug connections. This substitution reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining connection reliability, as the simple geometric forms are easier to manufacture and assemble than complex mechanical seals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of repair

If the propellant channel housing is separately manufactured, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance easeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The propellant channel is segmented into a separate housing that can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation enables targeted maintenance of the propellant channel system without disassembling the entire compressor, improving ease of repair while keeping the overall structure manageable through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The separate propellant channel housing with standardized connections serves multiple functions: it contains the propellant channel, provides mounting points for vacuum consumers, and enables easy replacement. This multi-functionality justifies the additional component while providing repair advantages.

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

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 configuration ensures reliable and cost-effective vacuum supply with enhanced diagnostics, tolerating displacements and preventing leaks, thus improving operational reliability and simplifying assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum supply device (9), which has a propellant channel (25-36) with a nozzle (35)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3759329B1Compressor arrangement for an internal combustion engine and method of operating an compressor arrangement
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 AUDI AG
  • EP3759329B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3759329B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a compressor arrangement (1) for an internal combustion engine (2), comprising a compressor (5) which is located in a compressor housing (19) and has a low-pressure side (6) and a high-pressure-side (7), and comprising a vacuum supply device (9) which has: a propellant channel which has a nozzle (37) and which is fluidically connected on one side via a propellant inlet connection (25) to the high-pressure side (7) of the compressor (5) and on the other side via a propellant outlet connection (26) to the low-pressure side (6) of the compressor (5); and a vacuum channel opening into the propellant channel fluidically between the propellant inlet connection (25) and the propellant outlet connection (26). According to the invention, the propellant channel is designed in a housing (27) which is separate from the compressor housing (19) and on which the propellant inlet connection (25) and/or the propellant outlet connection (26) are/is designed as a plug connection, wherein the housing (27) is designed to be directly fastened to the compressor housing (19). The invention also relates to a method for operating a compressor arrangement (1) for an internal combustion engine (2).