Cylinder Head Exhaust Gas Recirculation Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cylinder heads with integrated exhaust gas recirculation tapping points face challenges in achieving a compact design with low production costs, as complete integration increases weight and requires expensive, high-temperature-resistant materials, and external tapping points are prone to leakage and thermal stress.

Innovation Solution

A cylinder head design with a partially integrated coolant jacket and exhaust manifold, where the exhaust gas recirculation line branches off within the cylinder head and passes through an adjacent component with liquid cooling, reducing the need for additional components and simplifying production by using existing components for the return line routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the exhaust gas recirculation line is completely integrated in the cylinder head, then the design becomes more compact and sealing is improved, but the weight increases and production costs increase due to required material volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas recirculation system volumeVSAvoidcylinder head weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust gas recirculation line is segmented into two parts: the first section (from exhaust manifold to cylinder head outlet) is integrated in the cylinder head, while the second section (from cylinder head inlet to exhaust manifold) is routed through the adjacent component with liquid cooling. This segmentation allows the cylinder head to contain only the critical sealing section while reducing overall material requirements and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjacent component with liquid cooling is utilized to accommodate the second section of the exhaust gas recirculation line, serving dual purposes: providing liquid cooling functionality and housing the return line routing. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated space or additional components for the return line.

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

2Strength

If high-temperature-resistant materials are used for the exhaust manifold and recirculation line, then thermal stress resistance is improved, but material costs and processing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stress resistanceVSAvoidmaterial processing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adjacent component with liquid cooling acts as an intermediary, providing active cooling to the second section of the exhaust gas recirculation line. This cooling function reduces the thermal stress on the recirculation line materials, allowing the use of less expensive, more easily processed materials while maintaining adequate thermal resistance through the cooling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the recirculation line is routed externally, then production complexity is reduced, but leakage risk and thermal stress on connections increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecirculation line routing complexityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust gas recirculation line is merged with the adjacent component that has liquid cooling. The return line is routed through this adjacent component, combining the cooling function and the line routing into a single integrated structure. This eliminates separate external connections and potential leakage points while maintaining routing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design achieves a compact and cost-effective cylinder head with improved exhaust gas recirculation response, reduced thermal stress on components, and lower material costs, while maintaining effective nitrogen oxide emission reduction and minimizing flow losses.

Implementation Method 1

the adjoining component has liquid cooling, which preferably integrated with the at least partially in the cylinder head integrated coolant jacket communicates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2077385B1Cylinder head for a combustion engine with bordering component
Publication Date: 2011.05.04 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
  • EP2077385B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2077385B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3b
  • EP2077385B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The cylinder head has a coolant casing and an exhaust manifold partially integrated into the head, where a component (15) is provided adjacent to the head. Return lines (7a, 7b) branch off from the exhaust manifold within the head, and are provided for recirculation of exhaust gas, which is fed through the component. The component has a liquid cooling system, which communicates with the coolant casing. The lines exit from the head, and directly enter into the component, and a valve is arranged between the component and the head.