Adjustable Cylinder Head Support Legs for Exhaust Aftertreatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine exhaust aftertreatment support structures are bulky and provide limited support due to restricted mounting points, making maintenance challenging as they often require removal of the entire system.

Innovation Solution

A support structure with multiple adjustable legs mounted to respective cylinder heads along the engine block, allowing for distributed support and individual removal of legs for maintenance without taking down the entire aftertreatment system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a support structure is mounted to the engine main frame, then the aftertreatment system is supported, but the number of mounting points is limited and the support structure becomes bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidsupport structure bulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple individual support legs that can be independently mounted to different cylinder heads. Each leg is a separate component that can be positioned at optimal locations, distributing the support function across multiple points rather than relying on a single bulky structure attached to the main frame.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the support structure is mounted to the engine main frame, then the aftertreatment system is supported, but maintenance requires removal of the entire support structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure consists of multiple independently mounted legs rather than a single integrated structure. This segmentation allows individual legs to be removed or adjusted without affecting the other support legs, enabling maintenance of the aftertreatment system while leaving the support framework in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support legs are designed to be adjustable and reconfigurable, allowing the support structure to adapt during maintenance operations. Legs can be removed, repositioned, or adjusted in length to accommodate maintenance activities while maintaining support functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If mounting points are limited on the engine main frame, then other engine systems are not interfered with, but the support structure provides less support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting location flexibilityVSAvoidsupport capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support legs are designed to interface with multiple types of mounting locations, including cylinder heads and other engine components. This universal mounting capability allows the same support leg design to be used across different positions and configurations, maximizing the use of available mounting points without interfering with other engine systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9506597B2Support system for an aftertreatment system for an engine

Publication Date: 2016.11.29 TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Various systems are provided for a support structure. In one embodiment, a system comprises a support structure including a plurality of support legs, a first end of each support leg of the plurality of support legs coupled to a respective cylinder head of a plurality of cylinder heads mountable to an engine block, the plurality of support legs configurable to support an exhaust aftertreatment system.